Oak Leaf Spring 2017 Issue 5

The Santa Rosa Junior College Newspaper

Oak

Leaf

The

April 24, 2017

Volume CXXXVII, Issue V

1 in.

www.theoakleafnews.com

Beatriz Verneaux/ Oak Leaf

SRJC Theater ensamble sheds light on gentrification while celebrating Latino cultures in a mix of hip-hop, salsa and other dancing. Charismatic characters draw the audience in.

Beatriz Verneaux Co-A&E-Editor “In the Heights” took flight on a Friday night—I’ve been rhyming since I left the Burbank Auditorium, mesmerized by a colorful and groundbreaking experience.

Using a blend of rap, hip-hop, salsa and dance music, bars got delivered and in a mix of politics and classic narrative tropes.

Right from the bat we are drawn in by the beautiful set which creates the atmosphere for the neighborhood of Washington Heights.

Lights are cast to set the different times on the three days in which the play takes place.

It’s hot as hell like in the streets of Cuba,

s on Instagram

and it leaves you thirsty for some Piragua.

Cast members like Daniela (Kristina Ibarra) and Abuela Claudia (Jackie Diaz) sang beautifully but the main music style of the play was the rapping, which Usnavi (Joseph Miranda), Benny (Cooper Bennett), and Sonny (Jose del Toro) delivered majestically.

By the end of the night, it’s impossible not to sing along to the catchy tunes and wonder what to do with 96 thousand dollah, holla!

“In the Heights”, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda is a necessary story in a country divided in regards to who belongs in this land and who doesn’t. It was relevant in 2008 when it debuted, during the recession and the beginning of gentrification as rich white folks moved into areas with a majority

the

of people of color, hijacking rent and living cost. The plot is even more pertinent now.

The last production this spring at Santa Rosa Junior College honors each and every element of this conflict, while enticing the audience with flashed out characters that steered clear from stereotyping and misrepresenting different cultures, while still being festive about them.

Usnavi is a young man raised in Washington Heights whose parents emigrated from Dominican Republic where he hopes to return to—he greets the community every morning with fresh coffee, and with skilled rhymes, raps about

the routine of the neighborhood. Usnavi may think he’s just a bodega owner but he knows how to get hot and heavy with his smooth rhymes. The story starts in an atypical day, as Nina, the one who made it out and went to Stanford University returns home to reveal a secret she’d been hiding from her parents, the Rosarios. ....Continues on Page 5

SGA election results Evelyn Navarro - 328 votes

A total of 1099 votes out of a possible 26,000 were cast in the Spring 2017 Student Government Assembly election.

The transportation fee referendum passed with 760 votes.

Not enough votes were cast for the write-in positions of Vice President of Committeesand Petaluma’s Director of Clubs and Director of Marketing. Those postions remain unfilled.

Executive Vice President - Petaluma

Vice President of Student Life

Vice President Student Health

Omar Gutierrez - 739 votes

Dori Elder - 755 votes

Ryan Sansome - 752 votes

Vice President of Finance

Inter-Club Council Chair

Vice President of Diversity Affairs

Junior N. Diarrassouba - 767 votes

Joshua Pinaula - 743 votes

Stephanie-Lynn Starr - 450 votes

Vice President of Advocacy

Vice President of Marketing

SCJCD Student Trustee

Alexia Carrillo - 501 votes

Rodrigo Alarcon - 737 votes

Sabrina Rawson - 559 votes

Associated Students President

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April 24, 2017

Gift

Editors-in-Chief

Albert Gregory and James Wyatt Executive Editor

Simon Isaksson

Section Editors Co-A&E Editor | Rachel Genthe Co-A&E Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Features Editor | Tom Rivas Co-News Editor | Chris Ludlow Co-News Editor | Simon Isaksson Opinion Editor | Grant Wetmore Sports Editor | Ali Benzerara Staff Writers Arthur Gonzalez-Martin, Luke Straub, Olivia Wray, Ruby Zheng, Travis LaBrucherie, and Will Mathis.

Cartoonist Leslie Carrier Photographers Arthur Gonzalez-Martin Distribution Manager Travis LaBrucherie

News

of

Gab

SRJC forensics scores impressive second place finish at nationals Frank Sumrall Contributing Editor The Santa Rosa Junior College Forensics team inspected, dissected and tore up the competition in a national championship debate showcase energized with terrific banter and raucous parlay in a fight for the crown.

At the Phi Rho Pi tournament April 8-15 in Washington D.C., SRJC finished with No. 2 ranking in the nation. Despite falling just short of first place, the forensics team covered its mantles with a second place finish in the Hindman Sweepstakes, as well as individual awards and medals.

Henry Tolchard received a gold

Courtesy of Hal Sanford

Santa Rosa Junior College forensics team celebrates after another tournament victory this year, including a No. 2 national ranking.

medal for his work alongside teammate Jimmy Henry in parliamentary debate and a solo first place finish for Tolchard in the Lincoln-Douglas debate to round out his impressive SRJC career.

“This semester I was a sort of mentor to a lot of the younger debaters” Tolchard said. “This transitional experience was a good bookend to my time at SRJC.” Director of Forensics Hal Sanford, with assistant coaches Mark Nelson and Susan Houlihan, put together

Layout Team Devin Schwarz, section editors and editors-in-chief

EMAIL oakleafstaff@gmail.com Advertising Manager/Teaching Assistant Keshia Knight oakleaf-ads@santarosa.edu

In the Oak Leaf newspaper published April 10, we inaccurately reported a few aspects of Ryan Sansome’s prior arrest history in the article titled, “redemption: You deserve a second chance.” Sansome has never been accused of, nor convicted of, any violent crime.

The Oak Leaf editors deeply regret the error made in the print version of the newspaper.

A correction was made swiftly online, with an editorial comment noting the error in the article.

Eat more plants Co-A&E Editor

Arthur Gonzalez-Martin/ Oak Leaf

Former student government assembly president Joshua Graham-Pinaula illustrates his reasons why the boosktore ran at a loss for so long. Graham-Pinaula expresses concerns that SRJC could have done more to save the beloved campus staple.

SRJC bookstore looks baren after official outsourcing Arthur Gonzalez-Martin Staff Photographer

Correction

the true value of forensics.”

Victoria Sheber and Lola Collaso rounded out the parliamentary debate with a bronze medal, while Sheber claimed a silver medal of her own.

SRJC boasts some of the best teams in the state with its exceptional sports programs. With athletes setting school records, ranking first in the state and winning state titles, the forensics team remains one of the most prestigious programs on campus with its continued dominance on the national scale.

Beatriz Verneaux

Contact

Peer Assisted Learning Specialist Devin Schwarz

another fantastic season in a dynasty that continues to churn out greatness.

In a college briming with excellence amongst its clubs and teams, the debate squad reigns supreme. SRJC has never fallen below a top-six national finish amongst community colleges; a secondplace finish is an incredible feat. “[The] students experienced invaluable educational opportunities afforded by the crucible of competitive intercollegiate speech and debate,” Sanford said. “Beyond trophies, that is

Vegan banquet offers healthy alternatives

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We appreciate your feedback. Send letters to oakleafonline@gmail.com or to the Oak Leaf office. Letters should include first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letter may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

Newsroom: 707-527-4401 Ads Office: 707-527-4254 Advisor: Abigail Peterson: 707-527-4867 apeterson@santarosa.edu

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Shelves are feeling pretty empty at Santa Rosa Junior College bookstores on both campuses after management was oficially taken over by the Follett Corporation March 27.

Operations were outsourced to Follett after the bookstore ran at a deficit for three straight years straight.

Follett, a 150-year-old corporation based in Illinois, manages bookstores at more than 1,200 colleges nationwide.

The bookstore is running currently with a minimal staff and a series of temporary managers who rotate through the store each week. Current management refused comment to the Oak Leaf.

Former SGA president and current SRJC historian Joshua GrahamPinaula said a number of former student employees quit because Follett wasn’t taking their classes into consideration when making work schedules. Graham-Pinaula also expressed concern over the college’s lack of support given to the bookstore

before outsourcing it to Follett and about what else may be outsourced down the road.

“If we keep adopting that model where something goes wrong, what next?” said Graham-Pinaula, who also voiced several opinions how the bookstore could have been saved, including an operations restructure.

SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong described how the college hired a consultant to study options for running the bookstore. “[The consultant] came to the conclusion that it was somewhat overstaffed, it was getting pretty old and if we wanted it to be a bit more revenue generated we would have had to invest a couple million dollars into it,” Chong said.

Doug Roberts, assistant superintendent for finance and administrative services, believes stores like Follett can use buying power to keep textbook prices down for students.

“I got the whole buy local movement, but to do that what are you willing to give up to do so?”

Roberts said.

In an effort to provide information about nutrition and environmental awareness, the Santa Rosa Junior College sustainability committee threw a Fundraiser Vegan Banquet in the Bertolini Center April 20, attracting nearly double its expectation.

“We sold 50 pre-sale tickets, but we had about 100 people,” said SRJC’s Student Government Assembly’s Vice President of Sustainability Shaelin Koberle-Satt. ”Our demand was greater than supply. I plan on it being twice as big, and a recurring thing at SRJC. I advocated for more food.”

The event cost $10, and provided a wide range of foods donated by Gaia’s Garden. The vegan banquet meant to educate how easy and environmentally-friendly plant-based diets can be.

Banquet proceeds go towards a campus compost program. Aside from that, $5 million of Measure H funds goes towards sustainability, LED bulbs and solar panels.

“We’re living in an age that’s so polarizing with global warming that we all should contribute,” Koberle-Satt said. “I wanted to throw a nice fundraiser and educate people at the same time.

Education drives community.”

SRJC energy and sustainability consultant, and sustainability club advisor, David Liebman said this exposes healthier eating options.

“Vegan food is also good for the environment. We let people come and taste different foods, and then explain that those were vegan options and they still found it delicious,” Liebman said.

After the banquet, Dr. Anthony Lim spoke about the medical benefits of eating whole foods and plants.

Beatriz Verneaux/ Oak Leaf

Dr. Anthony Lim discuss how plantbased diets affect health. His lecture concludes SRJC’s first vegan banquet as part of its sustainability efforts.

He began his lecture “The Power of a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet Lifestyle to Optimize Health!” by sharing his vhildhood weight struggles due to eating mostly fast foods and processed foods.

“My mission in life is to move the needle. I am hoping for an entire change on the way people eat food and view nutrition,” Lim said.

After years he eventually realized he practiced medicine counter-intuitively way. He’s shocked it took years to learn that the power of nutrition, especially plant-based diets, to reverse illness, instead of relying on medication.

“A vegan diet is not necessarily healthy,” Lim said, mentioning that foods like French fries and Oreos are animal product free. “The idea behind plant-based diet is to eat frequently, get satiated and get the nutrition our bodies need.”

He found eating plant-based foods changed patient’s energy levels. It changed patients’ strong medications for serious diseases such as diabetes, and even depression.

Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and interact with Lim. Koberle-Satt hopes to spark more SRJC fundraisers. According to Dean Robert Ethington, this is only the second student fundraiser in the last 17 years.

“I want to see more of that on campus,” she said, hoping to engage local community and avoid mainstream tactics of organizing.

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Opinion

April 24, 2017

EDITORIAL

Ten bucks, brighter future The first step to significant change is unifying Santa Rosa Junior College— but it comes at a price.

Bernie Sanders’ demonstration of an effective grassroots campaign with his average $27 donation to fund his campaign showed how a similar effort can be used at SRJC to leverage the power of our student population of 26,000 if they could agree on how to appropriate funds to affect change.

One way of doing this would be to tax ourselves. Forget waiting on the administration and Student Government Assembly; we could create our own student fund provided by the student body.

Starting in Fall 2017, the college should include a mandatory $10 fee designated for student services. If this charge were implemented last year, it would have generated approximately $260,000 in funds, which could be used for programs like EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services).

EOPS is designed to help those facing English language, social or economic challenges. Developed to represent students who need the most

Opinion Editor As April draws to a close, it’s apparent that I need to remind everyone that April is Autism Awareness Month.

This seems necessary because the month has gone by and not a single march or lecture was put on by our student body concerning the autism spectrum. When February came, we had discussions about the AfricanAmerican community. The same thing happened with Women’s History Month. But when April came along, the Santa Rosa Junior College campus seemed to focus on transgender rights and nothing else. This gives me the impression that our college forgot about autism awareness.

Despite highlighting these facts, I am not upset. But as someone with high-functioning autism, I am disappointed. What I want to know is why? Why didn’t we have any discussions or marches about students on the autism spectrum and what we can do to support them? Was the autistic community supposed to put on events themselves? Or do we not suffer enough to warrant concern? I can assure you that we suffer. Maybe not to the same extent as other groups, but we face challenges nonetheless.

If you are wondering what autism is exactly, then this is proof of why we need autism awareness. Autism is a mental condition and disorder characterized by challenges with social skills as well as speech and nonverbal communication. Autism

Living with depression Ruby Zhang Staff Writer

Devin Schwarz/ Oak Leaf

assistance EOPS does it’s best, but due to heightened demand it is impossible to support all students in need. If we provided them with these funds, we would help a lot more.

Like EOPS, we want to create a culture within our college community that is responsive, effective and helpful. Rather than EOPS running our resources, the Student Assistance Fee could contribute to decreasing the disparity.

This gives you, a student, the power to affect actual change, rather than wait for the administration or student

government to make the choices for you. Our student population is a major resource that we have yet to tap into and as a unit we can make the difference.

SRJC has a diverse demographic each of which deserve and receive specific assistance in their pursuit of education.

Students find allies and advocates through school programs who foster their success, but with more resources those services could be more effective.

Each person at SRJC has their own unique identity and story, but we have many common denominators. We are

all students and want to further our education, but it’s more difficult to find a job without a degree. Many of us stress to make a living to attend school while we also struggle to afford food, shelter and healthcare. These commonalities make us a community.

We have normalized the struggle of living in Sonoma County and have lost empathy for those in poverty. Too many of our students struggle to get through school. It’s time we come together as a cohesive group and provide for our peers out of our own wallets.

Autism awareness: Bringing a voice to autism Grant Wetmore

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is also characterized by repetitive getting yell from an angry yell; behaviors. That is a bare bones politeness from sincerity. These definition. There is much more to cues are the driving force behind autism than that. many of the day-to-day interactions Autism comes in many forms. people without autism take for That is why it is called a spectrum. granted. For those of us with autism, People with autism can show a they are skills that take a while to variety of behaviors ranging from the learn, if they can be learned at all. socially awkward genius to the kid in The families of people with autism elementary school who would throw might struggle the most. For most tantrums for the slightest of reasons. people with autism, their autism But those are broad brushstrokes. is just a part of their lives. Some In reality, there is no typical case of might not even know any better. It’s autism. Keep that in mind as you the parents who bear the burden of read this opinion. making sure their Some, like child gets the best myself, are high out of life.

"We are not functioning.

We, If anyone deserves oppressed by society, sympathy, with the right tools, it would can function well rather, we do not fit be them. and independently Imagine the in with society." in society. If you met constant worry me in person, you that your child will might not even have always be “different.” a clue that I am a person with autism Imagine the stress of wondering if your unless you knew what to look for. At child will lead a “normal” life. The fact least that’s what people tell me. that I am here now at SRJC is because of But those are the best cases. There my mother. When I was diagnosed with are those who cannot speak. They autism, the doctors told my mother that lack the vital ability to communicate it would be a miracle for me to finish with others. Because of this, they high school. My mother set out to prove require lifelong aid. them wrong. Thanks to her tremendous We are not oppressed by society, efforts, I got the advocacy and resources rather, we do not fit in with I needed to get through school. society. In our world, we need to I know that autistic people do not communicate and collaborate with make up a large percentage of our others. Everything, from buying campus. Most do not make it this groceries at the store to getting a far. This should not stop the student job, requires some level of social body from speaking on behalf of the interaction. Autistic people cannot autistic community. Colleges are the do that as easily. We have trouble driving force behind many social picking up visual and auditory movements. In the ‘60s, college cues that differentiate an attention students led the charge in ending

segregation and the Vietnam War. To this day, our college continues that legacy. Imagine what we could do for those with autism if we just start the conversation.

This is why we should honor Autism Awareness Month and talk about autism, the people who have it and what we can do for them. For now, I give you these facts from the Autism Society, an autism advocacy organization:

—Autism services cost U.S. citizens $236-262 billion annually. A majority of costs in the U.S. are in adult services—$175-196 billion, compared to $61-66 billion for children.

—The U.S. cost of autism over the lifespan is about $2.4 million for a person with an intellectual disability, or $1.4 million for a person without intellectual disability. Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by two-thirds with early diagnosis and intervention.

—Thirty-five percent of young adults (ages 19-23) with autism have not had a job or received postgraduate education after leaving high school.

—It costs more than $8,600 extra per year to educate a student with autism.

People with autism can have amazing lives. They can become the people who create the world of tomorrow. However, they need help to get there. This is why we need more Autism awareness. Awareness is the first step in getting and improving the programs and services autistic people need to succeed in life.

I am a student at Santa Rosa Junior College, and I suffer from depression.

Sometimes when I tell people that I have depression, they withdraw. They wonder why a 20-year-old woman who appears happy most days could suffer from this illness.

My depression is not caused by a single incident of distress, such as a breakup. Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, according to mental health researchers at Harvard University. People with depression can feel sad and have very low energy even if they don’t have something to feel “sad” about.

When I’m in the depths of depression, it feels like a dark cloud covers my world. It feels like my depression is extracting and drying the sunshine and oxygen inside my body. I want to escape from it, but it’s difficult.

Moreover, it feels like no matter how hard I try, things will never get better. Even when I try to think about overcoming it, it feels like everything will remain the same.

When I’m faced with a big decision I feel like depression is dragging my legs and controlling my life. And when I try to escape it stays with me every single moment.

Sometimes I feel it’s a burden I can’t carry. One difficult night, I told my roommate I felt terrified that I would hurt myself. She didn’t say anything, hugged me and we cried together. She stayed with me through the whole night. It was my darkest moment, but I still didn’t want to give up and leave my family and friends.

After that night, I realized how serious my situation was. The next day I decided to ask for help and went to the student psychological services at SRJC. But I found they don’t always understand how I feel.

So I also decided to talk with people I trust, my friends. When I want to give up, my friends are the angels next to me, taking care of me. “Hey Ruby, you are the best! “Hey Ruby, I think you are better than the best!”

Of course I know it’s sometimes hard for me to keep moving, and it’s difficult to change. But I love my friends and family so I want to keep moving forward. I know they love me. I know they care about me. And I know they hope that I can be happy.

For this, I decide to go on.

To people with depression: I know you might also feel that it’s impossible to overcome your feelings. But know there are people who will stand with you and support you. It’s all right not to be strong all the time, but you deserve sunshine. Someday, it will shine in your world, you just need to trust that.

Even though counseling wasn’t helpful yet, I am still looking for help.

If you need professional help, go to student health services in Plover Hall on the main campus, or to the Call Building in Petaluma. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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A&E

April 24, 2017

On Cue Calendar of Events

Career Expo- 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 26 in Bertolini Student Center. Looking towards the future? Check out this expo to meet hiring managers, listen to career talks and attend workshops.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes1:30-3:30 p.m. April 26 at Bailey field. Hosted by SRJC, SSU, Verity and the District Attorney.

Trailblazers in Higher Education- Noon-1:30 p.m.

May 2 in Bertolini Student Center. To celebrate Asian and Pacific American heritage month, SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong leads a panel discussion with other education professionals from the Asian American Community.

Pass or Fail in Cambodia Town- Noon-1:30 p.m. May 4 in Bertolini Student Center.

Showing a 26 minute video from PBS series “America by the Numbers” followed by student panel.

Day Under the Oaks- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 at SRJC campus. Annual community open house and education fair.

www.theoakleafnews.com

Hip Hop Culture

By Ali Benzerara

A universal language

America may have invented hiphop but the world welcomed it with open arms and turned rap into a universal language of revolution and understanding.

Here at home, American hip-hop dominates the mainstream sound and continues the trend when it comes to influencing the sound of rap and hiphop around the world.

Korean pop, or K-pop, was originally created in the ‘90s with idol groups like Seo Taiji and the Boys, which incorporated pop music from the U.S. and Korean lyrics. K-pop, however, didn’t really make its way over to the U.S. until artist PSY released “Gangnam Style” which soared into the mainstream, reaching 1.7 billion views on YouTube.

K-pop has since transformed into a sound with a wide variety of genres and has recently taken off worldwide, leaking over into the U.S. with artists like Wale, Too $hort, Snoop Dogg and others collaborating with big K-Pop groups like BTS and Big Bang.

Although American pop has been an influence since the beginning, the sound most popular K-pop artists create is heavily influenced by southern trap style rap. With K-pop artists like Jay Park, Keith Ape, G-Dragon and CL,

K-pop wedged its way into underground and mainstream American hiphop. Artist Wale recently released a song with BTS star Rap Monster in March 2017 and artist Too-$hort collaborated with Korean-American artist Dumbfoundead in February 2017.

U.S. artists who have started to rise in popularity such as Ski Mask the Slump God and Denzel Curry have also been featured with K-pop artist Keith Ape, who has risen in popularity in the U.S. more than other solo K-Pop acts. Ape has been featured with artists from A$AP Ferg to Waka Flocka and has created buzz around his name as his YouTube videos on reach anywhere between 600,000 and 38 million views.

Aside from the surge of K-pop, rap is also breaking into the mainstream of countries around the world. In Brazil, as well as most of South America, rap and hip-hop have taken very political forms.

“Hip-hop and rap in Brazil are not that famous and not listened [to] in most of the country, it is a kind of music listened [to] most in the southeast like

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo,” said international student Amanda Coimbra, 21.

Artist Karol ConKa speaks out about many political issues, including racism and women’s rights with a sound of modern hip-hop and incorporates the original sounds of Brazil.

“Karol ConKa is a name that is starting to get popular in the country but [is] still small because of her style,” Coimbra said.

From old school groups like Racionais MC, who have a sound and message similar to N.W.A., to groups who are more modern like RZO, Brazilian hip-hop has mastered the sound of mixing the modern rap essence with traditional Brazilian sounds such as samba, all while delivering a message of revolution.

In the Northern Hemisphere, hip-hop has begun to take form in

almost every country. From Canada to Eastern Europe, rap music takes big strides in developing its sound into world-wide mainstream music.

Some of the top hip-hop artists around the rest of the world include M.I.A., Dizzee Rascal, Lady Leshurr and Skepta from the U.K. Also, Davido and Olamide are holding it down for Nigeria. Italian trap music is becoming a thing with artist like Fabri Fibra, meanwhile German rapper, Bushido is bringing that American swag into his music with songs like “Panamera Flow.” Georgio and Deen Burbigo have created similar sounds in France, pulling sounds from artists like Joey Bada$$ and Kanye West.

So as America continues to share and influence its sound around the world, hip-hop and especially rap, continues to incorporate all cultures as it brings a message of revolution and a sound of familiarity to listeners in all corners of the world.

Street Mystique12:30 p.m. May 7 in Garcia Hall.

Fashion studies spring fashion show at Day Under The Oaks.

Race for Kids Supporters Night Out- 6-9 p.m. May 8 at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. $15 tickets which pay for food, drinks, live music, raffle and a silent/live auction (more than 100 silent and live items). All proceeds go to the 2017 Race for Kids Heroes-children who are living with life-threatening illnesses.

We are the Children of the World: SRJC Concert Choir and Chambers Singers- 7 p.m.

May 10 in Jackson Hall at Sonoma Country Day School. $10/general admission, $5/ students, seniors, children.

Student Art Show- 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday May 7-18 at Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery, opening reception during Day Under the Oaks.

SRJC Spring Dance Show8 p.m. May 12 and 13, 2 p.m. May 14 at Burbank Auditorium. Tickets on sale soon.

Courtesy of Netflix

“Thirteen Reasons Why” forces viewers to engage in challenging discussions about social issues such as bullying, sexual assualt and suicide in today’s high schools.

I could’ve saved her...

Controversial Netflix series teaches us why we shouldn’t just stand back and turn a blind eye James Wyatt Co-Editor-in-Chief

Last night I cried as I watched my friend Hannah Baker take her life by slitting her wrists. Gasping for her final breaths as blood poured out of her body, I sat alone and broken knowing I could do nothing to help her.

Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” challenged my perception of the fragility of teen health and how challenging and alienating high school can feel. It also demonstrates less obvious issues like the objectification of women and slut-shaming.

This show brings up endless difficult issues and TV might not be the best medium to start the discussion of these issues. But I cannot stress enough the importance and awareness it created in me.

“13 Reasons Why,” based on Jay Asher’s 2007 novel with the same title, transports you into Baker’s high school world.

Through 13 episodes, 17-year-old Baker changes from an ordinary TV character

into someone you develop a personal relationship—be your friend, girlfriend or sister.

Filmed at Sebastopol’s Analy High School and other Bay Area locations, the story revolves around revealing cassette tapes Baker left behind describing the reasons why she killed herself. Thirteen different people from her high school are featured on the tapes, and one by one, are given tapes to listen to in full. Tony, whose relationship to Baker remains a mystery, ensures this process is carried out to each of the individuals. But as the 13 each hear their tape, they begin to deny Baker’s reality to selfishly protect their own legacy.

Between all this turmoil is Clay Jensen, an actual good person in a story full of narcissistic characters. Jensen develops from a shy voiceless student into a decisive, moral man. Jensen is on Baker’s

tapes—and for good reason. But how he responds after he hears the tapes creates the millennial’s model of an enlightened and mindful man.

I appreciated the show used actresses and actors who were relatively close to high school age toaccurately depict the issues teens face. The character development kept me engaged every episode and left me wondering who next would cross the thin red line from normalcy to extreme.

I was fully aware this show is not for the faint of heart. Many scenes can be very triggering to those who have experienced similar traumatic events in their life. But this show is especially important for those who have not. “13” creates a discussion about mindfulness to a multitude of issues from bullying, sexual assault and suicide.

www.theoakleafnews.com

A&E

In the Heights brings Latino pride to SRJC

April 24, 2017

Powerless

What about immigration?

Opinion

Beatriz Verneaux Co-A&E-Editor The lights were up on Washington Heights as Santa Rosa Junior College Theater production of “In the Heights” opened April 21 in Burbank Auditorium.

But with the play exploring themes of emigration and gentrification, it easily could have taken place in Roseland, Santa Rosa, or any other community which is predominantly Latino within any city in the United States.

It’s been almost 100 days since Donald Trump became the U.S. president.

According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 21,000 immigrants. As the country of freedom becomes widely known for incarcerating its population, with more than two million people in prisons and jails, detention facilities have come into focus.

There are currently 200 detention centers located across the country. Immigrants deemed “illegal”—regardless of their documentation status—are incarcerated and are forced to wait essentially in prison, if not worse. Detainees are taken from their households in handcuffs, at times with limited access to lawyers and attorneys, and are supposed to wait until the justice system decides whether they can stay here or leave. Just last weeks, in Tacoma,

Beatriz Verneaux/Oak Leaf

Top: The community at the barrio gathers for a new day—salon owners, local teens, and Usnavi (Joseph Miranda) who narrates the struggles and daily occurences from his corner store. Left: Nina (Katerina Flores) emotionally greets Abuela Claudia (Jackie Diaz) and Usnavi (Joseph Miranda) after returning from California. Right: Carla (Shawna Jackson) and Daniela (Kristina Ibarra) share a piece of gossip from the previous night while waiting for their freshly brewed cafe con leche.

Continued from cover....

Within the community, Vanessa struggles with the desire to move to downtown New York, and Benny, a young ambitious employee at the Rosario’s dispatch (and the only non-latino character) struggles with making a name for himself and assimilating within his bosses’ culture.

Of course, there’s a lot of romance involved and beautiful relationships between friends, family members the community and the iconic Abuela Claudia. But wait! There’s another thing—someone in the barrio won $96,000 in the lottery.

The entire production leaves the audience speechless, from its attention to detail in the set to the dance numbers from supporting cast as a character took the spotlight in songs like “Breathe” and “Sunrise.”

The female leads all had ambition and strong willed minds, while their male counterparts were mostly dreamers and romantics. The shift in expected gender roles is refreshing, and the acting was superb in this production.

The chemistry between characters was visible, especially the connections between Nina and Benny, whose definitely delivered in his incredible performance.

Vanessa’s outspoken personality and eagerness to leave the barrio and move downtown is spectacularly portrayed by Wintermeyer, who knows when to keep the character’s sensual demeanor but never reduces her to a stereotypical hot Latina woman. Adding a flare of humor to the play, Sonny (Jose del Torro) charmed audience members which his youthful and idealistic views on challenging the government and changing the neighborhood.

In terms of scenes that made me tear up, “Inutil” touches on the struggles of immigration and Evan Espinoza singing as a dancer illustrates his father in the background in slow precise moves.

Usnavi’s own journey of self discovery with a dynamic, at times clowlike performance, made audience laugh and cry.

Carla (Shawna Jackson) and Daniela (Kristina Ibarra) are a bombastic duo, cracking up the funniest jokes and perfectly complimenting each other’s personalities—and of course, the unforgetable Camila portrayed Julia Kaplan and Abuela Claudia, a key element in a story about love, generational struggles, gentrification and change. Jackie Diaz portrayed her dynamically, knowing when to be soft, and when to explore the strength within her.

It’s impossible to mention the play without highlighting the iconic moments of “96.000,” “Blackout” and “Carnaval del Barrio” which honors the many countries and brings audience to cheerful tears as we celebrate diversity though waving flags of several Latino countries.

The SRJC Theater ensemble took the audience into a beautiful journey to appreciate as the characters grow and evolve their own perspective of themselves, and the relationship to the place they come from, and what their roots mean to them and to the city.

“In the Heights” runs from at 8 p.m. April 27-29, May 4-6 and at 2 p.m. April 29-30, May 6. The show will also be shown at 3 p.m.

May 7. All performances are held at Burbank Auditorium. Tickets cost $12-$22; $8-$14 on May 6.

5

Washington, anti-detention group NWDC Resistance held a hunger strike protesting the quality of food, access to hygiene and medical care, as well as increasing the $1 a day salary for performing certain jobs around the center which illustrates the poor conditions of those places.

Historically, the U.S. has been a home for war refugees and explorers. In the beginning, people from Britain and Spain settled in lands that belonged to several tribes of natives and used force to acquire those lands. Enslaving people from Africa, and later took advantage of laborers from China, Ireland and other countries, the U.S. continuously grew in terms of demographics.

When it comes to Latinos, the situation is complex. The influx of people from other countries didn’t happen casually. It wasn’t simply for the sake of seeking the “American Dream.” People flee countries in detrimental political situation, since the U.S. has been directly linked to the appropriation of resources and economic and political crisis. Parts of what is currently known as the U.S. belonged to Mexico, and as imperialism became an avid practice, the country colonized Puerto Rico, invaded Cuba several times, occupied Nicaragua for two decades, and Dominic Republic, and Haiti. The list goes on and on.

Change the station, don’t lose focus, and like Sonny, don’t sleep on this.

A world of languages Olivia Wray and Chris Ludlow

I

nternational cuisine, dance performances, original poetry readings and live music intrigued students, causing a large crowd and a constant curiosity.

The World Language Fair welcomed students of all cultures to an international experience April 18, with various booths featuring different languages and information on study abroad programshosted in the Emeritus Plaza, the fair celebrated the cultural diversity of Santa Rosa Junior College, in theme of World Heritage Day. Presented by the modern and classical languages department and American Sign Language department, the event promoted the department’s new name “World Languages” for students enrolled in French, German, Spanish, Italian and American Sign Language classes.

The World Languages Fair Committee—Spanish professor Araceli Osorio and Dean of Language Arts and Academic Foundations Dr. Robert Holcomb, invited two artistic and inspiring guests for the events. Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz spoke April 18 and acclaimed Spanish poet Dr. Mariano Zaro April 20. Both with well-known work based in Los Angeles, each spoke to SRJC students about their experiences with cultural diversity, discrimination and their respective career pathways.

During the World Languages Fair festivities April 18, Zaro shared some of his favorite works. The Rio Honda College Spanish professor is known for his creative use of cultural expression in his poetry and his views on the importance of learning foreign languages.

“I never really took [poetry] seriously until I left Spain and came

Staff Writer and Co-News-Editor

to California. I think by being in a different culture and environment [it] helped me see my writing from a different angle,” said Zaro.

It was in this foreign country that he grew to value the diversity in the cultures and languages of the world.

With his immersion in another language and culture, Zaro started believing person becomes a foreigner regardless of their self perception in their home country, and as a result of this immersion can reflect on the depth and meaning of their own identity.

“If a culture is precise, established and framed it is dead.

It needs freedom.

It needs friction. It needs that imbalance.

It’s like dancing: you step on your partner’s territory, then they step on yours, and now you’ve created something new,” Zaro said. “There’s value in tradition, repetition and the admiration of your past, but if you only do that you’re putting the culture in a glass box.”

The importance of multilingualism in the country was echoed by the tone and ideas incorporated in the World Language Fair. Zaro said that while the United States is a melting pot of cultures, multilingualism does not always translate into schools. The duty falls on the communities, which he thinks should keep languages alive rather than letting them slowly be forgotten.

“Be daring to blend. The arts are a good place to start; to explore and even make mistakes,” Zaro said. “I think that it keeps cultures evolving and reflecting—incorporating things and this keeps our cultures alive.”

On April 20, the Puente Program,

Language Arts and Academic Foundations, as well as the SRJC Latino Faculty and Staff Association invited political cartoonist and writer Alcaraz to present an interactive lecture. He talked about how he strives to make a difference with art and satire and encourages those still in school to not give up on educating themselves.

“I love drawing and expressing myself. I also love to talk about politics and to push back on racism, hate and xenophobia against immigrants,” Alcaraz said.

He described how his two immigrant parents from Mexico did nothing but work hard and try to make a better life.

Though others in his family are artistic, Alcaraz is the first to pursue a full-time career in the arts.

He was the editorial cartoonist for his college newspaper and painted murals with Chicano artists in San Diego. He continued to improve after college and started to work for L.A. Weekly in 1992.

“The L.A. riots happened and L.A. Weekly invited me to pitch a comic to them. Los Angeles had to open up its institutions after some soul searching after the riots,” Alcaraz said. He became a powerful voice for many during the changes in the United States.

Alcaraz is currently a consultant with Pixar on the upcoming Dia De Los M u e r t o s -themed movie “Coco,” coming Nov. 22.

He continues to create political cartoons for his own “La C u c a r a c h a” comic strip along with other TV projects.

(Top) Folk music band De Colores immerses the audience in the atmosphere of Latin American music, and infuses that style in covers of famous songs such as “Let it Be” by the Beatles.

Chris Ludlow / Oak Leaf

Chris Ludlow / Oak Leaf

James Wyatt/ Oak Leaf

James Wyatt/ Oak Leaf

Chris Ludlow / Oak Leaf

Top Left: Dr. Luz Garcia’s English Second Language (ESL) class shares personal experience poems about learning the English langauge in a new culture. Top Right: Instructors walk around offering different cuisine and socializing. Bottom Right: SRJC brings more insight into international cultures through energetic activities. Bottom Left: SRJC students dance and enjoy live music from a Cuban salsa band and a performance by Carlitos Medrano.

8

April 24, 2017

Features

New kid in town: was nothing like I had imagined.”

As a 9 year-old, Avila worked in the strawberry fields of Features Editor Salinas with his parents and Pedro Avila, Santa Rosa Junior siblings. They worked six days College’s newly appointed a week in the summer and every assistant superintendent and Saturday during the school year.

“My father worked picking vice president of student services, is proof that education broccoli where child labor was not allowed because they used changes lives.

In his new role, he mentors knives. The rest of my family and provides inspiration for worked picking strawberries,” many first generation college Avila said. “My father would drop us off at four in the students.

Avila was born in Guadalajara, morning at the strawberry fields Mexico in 1974. Before his on his way to work. It was dark birth, Avila’s father was in the and cold so we would cuddle to Bracero Program, which allowed keep warm until the sun came Mexican men to enter the U.S. up and we could begin to work.”

Avila attended to work shortFresno State term, primarily University, where agricultural “Pedro was my mentor. he met his wife contracts. and received a The Bracero He knew that I was degree in business Program was undocumented and and Latino created at the studies.

Later beginning of that I couldn’t afford on he received World War ll to pay for school. He a Masters because many in Business U.S. farmers guided me through Administ rat ion feared the war the process and told from Rockhurts would bring University. labor shortages me what classes I As a first to low-paying needed to take. ” generation agricultural college student, jobs.

- Angeles Pineda, West Avila said he faced Avila’s family many challenges moved to Hills College Alumnus transitioning Castroville, from high school California to college. when he was 9 “I doubted if I belonged in years old. “We were poor so we could not afford to rent a house. college. My biggest fear was Our first years here we lived in that I wasn’t going to do well, a garage,” Avila said. “The idea drop out and bring shame to my was to come to the U.S. to find family. I received a lot of support opportunity, but the first five from counselors and faculty, years were very difficult because it and assistance from categorical Tom Rivas

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Santa Rosa Junior College names VP of student services

services like EOPS (Extended he delivered on everything that Opportunity Programs and distinguished West Hills College Services). This is why I love among other community working in student services and colleges.

I’m passionate about ensuring Avila worked at West Hills for students receive the support 12 years and said he was given they need,” Avila said. the opportunity to lead various Avila worked for six years in the departments and finally ending up private sector before deciding to as vice president of student services pursuing a career in education. at West Hills College Coalinga.

His first job in education was at First generation student West Hills College in Coalinga, Angeles Pineda was an a rural district that serves a high undocumented student at West number of migrant, low income Hills College while Avila was and first-generation students. working there. Pineda knew “That was that Avila the population understood I wanted to what she was serve because I “I doubted if I belonged going through related to them,” since Avila had in college. My biggest Avila said. “I experienced fear was that I wasn’t am a product of many of the an educational same struggles going to do well, system with first hand. drop out and bring people that cared, “Pedro was shame to my family.” reached out and my mentor,” provided me Pineda said.

- Pedro Avila, SRJC with support and “He knew opportunity. I’ve assistant superintendent that I was always wanted undocumented and VP of student to give back to and that I services others in need.” couldn’t afford Frank Gornick to pay for is the chancellor school.

He at West Hills guided me College and Avila’s former boss. through the process and told me “What impressed me most what classes I needed to take and when I interviewed Pedro was connected me to resources that his insightful questions about got me through college.” our process and I could tell right Avila’s dedication to Pineda away that he had a great intellect paid off.

She graduated and perception about the tasks from West Hills College and that we were attempting to transferred to Fresno Pacific undertake,” Gornick said. where she received both a Gornick felt it was easy bachelor’s and a master’s degree. for him to give Avila more Avila enjoyed his job at responsibilities and promote West Hills in Coalinga but his him over the decade because commute from Fresno kept him

away from his wife and family.

Avila left West Hills in 2013 for a position at State Center Community College District in Fresno.

He spent three and a half years there as its associate vice chancellor of enrollment management, admissions and records, and information systems.

“During my three and a half years at State Center we grew 13 percent, which was one of the highest growth rates for community colleges in California,” Avila said.

Avila was pleased with the smooth transition from State Center Community College District to SRJC. He enjoys being back on a college campus with the students and student services; where his heart is.

Patie Wegman, SRJC’s dean of student conduct said she already sees a subtle shift around different components of the institution.

“He seems to really be tuned in to understanding the overall program of student services and the integration of all the different offices in a really clear and analytical way,” Wegman said.

SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong is grateful that an education professional of Avila’s caliber has joined the college.

“Education is the pathway to individual career success and collective economic growth,” Chong said. “With thousands of local students depending on SRJC for an affordable way to obtain an excellent education, the best practices and successes that Pedro brings to Sonoma County will have a ripple effect for both our residents and our economy.”

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Sports

April 24, 2017

9

A legacy of his own

Frank Sumrall/ Oak Leaf

SRJC track star goes for gold Ali Benzerara Sports Editor The best quarterback. The best defender. The fastest sprinter.

No matter the sport, most athletes want to be remembered for their raw ability. A great athlete isn’t measured by his natural ability, it’s the relentless persistence for peak performance, mental toughness and the selfless dedication to his teammates that separates a good athlete from a great one.

Such is the case for student-athlete Adam Gockel, who had anything but a normal start to his record-breaking track career.

In just the second year of his track and field career, Gockel worked his way to No. 1 in the state for the decathlon in the California Community College Athletic Association. Gockel never planned to have a college career as a decathlete— or any college sport for that matter.

Homeschooled through high school, Gockel didn’t have the opportunity to play many school sports. He was able to join the baseball team at Rincon Valley Christian School as a pitcher and was a member of the Nordquist Junior Dance Club in 2014-15.

After earning his high school diploma in 2015, Gockel decided to attend Santa Rosa Junior College to focus on academics and transfer as a business administration major. But that plan didn’t quite work out how Gockel envisioned.

In the start of the 2015-16 track season, an SRJC cross country athlete and friend introduced Gockel to head track and field coach David Wellman.

“He came to us like, ‘hey I can do lots of pull-ups, maybe I should try pole vaulting,’ and he did really well,” said Wellman. “Then he grabbed a javelin and threw that really well, so we were like, ‘well, let’s try hurdling,’ and he hurdled really well, so then we just did the decathlon.”

Since then, Gockel hasn’t looked back. In his first year as a decathlete, Gockel finished sixth in the state

championship with a score of 5,914 which is close to his goal of a D1-level score of 7,000.

This season, Gockel has put in a lot of hard work as he tries to win the state title at American River College May 19-20. He recently beat SRJC’s decathlon record of 6,572, set by teammate Kasey Mancini during the 2015-16 state championship.

Gockel smashed that score by a final of 6,655 during the NorCal Multi Championship at SRJC April 12 even while battling an illness.

With his new found success in track and field, Gockel has doors opening for him he never expected.

With a strong academic record, Gockel has been accepted to UC Davis, San Diego State University and Azusa Pacific University.

However, because of his top flight performance in track and field, Gockel is now being scouted by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Sacramento State University.

His top two choices for schools are Cal Poly SLO and UC Berkeley, although he has not yet reached out to the latter.

With school acceptance letters and scouting calls piling up, it is clear that Gockel’s academic effort and athletic performance are paying off ten-fold. But this success hasn’t come without sacrifice.

Outside of track and field, school and his online business, Gockel rarely has time for anything else but every once in a while he gets inspired to create art.

“Its not really my escape, but it’s something I love doing,” Gockel said. “Every once in a while I will get really passionate about some idea I have in my head about art and [I’ll] just run with it.”

Although art is a pastime, it is not his escape from the

stresses of life. Fittingly, that is track and field.

“I love doing it. When I’m doing pole vault, javelin or discus on my own, it’s like I can get in my own head and just do it,” Gockel said.

Out of 10 events Gockel competes in, pole vault is by far his favorite event and what really got him to fall in love with track and field. He describes the feeling with pure bliss as he goes through the steps in his head every time he approaches the vault.

Gockel explains how every time he does pole vault he thinks about every step in his mind as it happens, ensuring technical precision in his steps and form in order to get the maximum height out of his volt.

“After that I’m just flying and I get to enjoy it,” Gockel said.

Gockel adds his favorite throwing event is a tie between javelin and discus.

He also said that the event he needs to improve on the most, high jump, is also the hardest one for him to practice.

The reason for Gockel’s difficulty with practicing high jump stems from a problem most track athletes deal with—shin splints. The hard platform used for high-jump makes it especially difficult for Gockel to continuously practice the event. He adds that shin splints are something he constantly deals with throughout the season.

Aside from the shin splints, Gockel tries to stay fit and healthy before and after every meet. To prepare for a decathlon, Gockel tries to get a solid night of sleep and load up on carbs. One of his go-to carb-heavy meals the night before a meet is pasta and bread.

Apart from the physical aspect of preparation, Gockel gives a lot of credit for his success to his mental preparation.

“I do a lot of visualization, especially right before a decathlon,

Courtesy of Adam Gockel

but honestly through the entire season too.

When I’m in the shower I will run through every event in my mind and see myself doing it to the best I possibly can at that time, and I do that a lot,” Gockel said.

Since decathlons are two-day competitions, Gockel likes to ice his body at the end of the first day but after that tends to stay off the ice, which is unusual for an athlete who demands so much from his body.

Nonetheless, at the end of an event Gockel recovers by once again eating a ton of carbs and getting solid rest to ensure he refuels his body properly. But while most athletes try to take a couple days off after an exhausting event like the decathlon, Gockel is a strong believer in staying active during the recovery phase.

“Although you’re super exhausted and usually have injuries afterwards and just want to take three days to rest, and not do any workouts, but when I do that it takes me a lot longer to recover,” Gockel said. “So if I just do a little warm up and a little workout each day I find it actually helps me recover faster.”

An average training day includes arriving around 1 p.m. to warm up with a couple laps around the track and some stretching. After that, Gockel usually starts with a throwing event and then gets to a more technical event such as pole vault. He will switch to a running event such as hurdles or a 400 meter and then Gockel finishes off with another throwing event. In the weight room Gockel has been really trying to focus on getting his legs stronger.

Staying fit and healthy is no joke for the young and ambitious decathlete.

As he trains to get that Division I level score, Gockel is critical on himself in all aspects of his training. .... Continued on page 11

Ali Benzerara/ Oak Leaf

10

Sports

April 24, 2017

Beast Mode:

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Lynch navigating his contract with Raiders

Bear Cubs

Athletics

Albert Gregory Co-Editor-in-Chief

Scoreboard

Trading for and acquiring currently retired Seattle Seahawk Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, Men’s will seal a April 7, vs. Maurice Compton Super Bowl Invite (Non-scoring): 2nd victory for place: 1 medal, 3rd place: 1 the Oakland medal Raiders in April 11-12, NorCal Multi 2018.

Championships: Adam Gockel, T h e 1st, 6,655 R a i d e r s April 14-15: vs. CSU East Bay r e c e n t l y Invite: 1st place announced their official move to Las Women’s April 7, vs. Maurice Compton Vegas in 2019, giving Invite (Non-scoring): 1st place: the current Oakland team 2 medals, 2nd place: 1 medal, two seasons to finish the 3rd place: 2 medals job it started. And what April 11-12, NorCal Multi would be a more perfect way Championships: Alyssa of finishing it than with Lynch, Stewart, 14th, 2,772 an Oakland native.

Jamie Flores, 15th, 2,485 Lynch is currently still signed April 14-15: vs. CSU East Bay with the Seahawks but has met Invite: 1st place

TRACK & FIELD

SOFTBALL

April 11 vs. Sierra: L, 10-11 Spril 12 at Ohlone: L, 7-10 April 15 Double header vs San Joaquin Delta: L, 6-10, L, 1-9 April 20 vs. Folsom Lake: W, 6-5

BASEBALL

April 11-14, game series against San Joaquin Delta: L 2-10, W 5-3, L 3-4 April 18-22, game series against Modesto For individual results visit www. cccaasports.org

Never-ending competition for SRJC football Alex Lindley

NBA Playoff Results

Contributing Writer

Western Conference Golden State Warriors lead in the series against the Portland Trailblazers 3-0.

Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz are tied 2-2 in the series.

Houston Rockets lead the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-1.

San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies are tied 2-2 in the series.

Eastern Conference Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls are tied 2-2 in the series Washington Wizards lead 2-1 in the series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks are tied 2-2 in the series.

Cleveland Caveliers swept the Indiana Pacers in round 1 4-4

with Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio. The Raiders and Seahawks both confirmed talks about making a trade. Recent negotiations between Lynch and the Raiders have stalled because Lynch wants $4.5 million a year and the Raider only want to pay $3 million.

If Oakland were to acquire Beast Mode it would get one of the most feared backs to ever play in the pros. The skittles-loving player became famous for always breaking the first tackle and has been known to “run through a mother f*****’s face. Over and over and over and over…and over and over and over.” I think you get the picture.

Lynch’s last year in the NFL was one of his least productive, s o m e w h at due to injury

The Bear Cub football team began its Spring football Olympics March 27. The event consists of a series of teambased competitions throughout a two week period completed for points. At the end of the two weeks the team with the most points wins; earning bragging rights and a t-shirt.

The focus during the spring sports season tends to be on baseball and softball, but spring is also the heart of offseason training for the football team.

The Spring Olympics is a time for football athletes to take a slight break from their training and compete against their teammates.

This year’s captains include quarterback RJ Flores, safety Tommy Streb, running back Zach Hugh, linebacker Sue Taguavau, offensive lineman Kyle Davis, safety Connor Sosa, wide receiver Rodson Kealohi and defensive lineman John Herkins.

The spring football Olympics consists of various events ranging from weight lifting to agility events, and basketball skills competitions such as a threepoint shootout and dunk contest.

On Monday, March 27 the Spring Olympics kicked off with a bench press competition.

Many players broke personal records and proved that their last 10 weeks of training were put to good use. Ultimately, Blake Gonzales crushed the competition with a bench press of 505 pounds, securing the win for his squad.

To no surprise, Gonzales walked away from the squat competition in first place with a 700-pound squat—200 pounds more than second place.

On Friday, the reign of Gonzales’ weight lifting supremacy was ended when Kyle Davis won the clean competition with a weight of 335 pounds.

After the weightlifting portion of the event was finished, the team moved to the basketball skills competition.

Matt Blanchard won the three-point

but mostly due to disagreements it in Oakland, with the Seattle organization, especially including management, coaches the youth. and teammates.

Whether it’s For instance a shouting football match between him an offensive c a m p s coordinator Darren Bevell on the at his old sideline after Bevell ran a pass high school play from the 1-yard line: a play or charity reminiscent of the Malcolm work done Butler interception that through his cost the Seahawks the Fam 1st Family 2014 Super Bowl.

Foundation, But that kind of Lynch’s heart incident will not has always been happen on the Raiders in Oakland. for one main reason: Between the Lynch loves Oakland. Beast Raiders impressive Mode grew up in the Bay offensive line and Beast Area and played football Mode’s relentless attitude, at Oakland Technical this would be a match High School then at University made in heaven. And after a of California, Berkeley. Since year off from brutal NFL, he entering the league in 2007, will come back fully rested and he has continuously come ready to help Oakland grab back to donate his time and one more Super Bowl before money to those who need we say goodbye.

Albert Gregory/ Oak Leaf

The Bear Cubs warm-up for a day of competition at their annual Spring Olympics.

shootout becoming the first person to ever do so in back-toback spring Olympics. After a semi-disappointing dunk contest, running back JT Evans, the shortest competitor, was named champion with a two hand jam off an alley-oop.

The Olympics carried into the first week of April. The Dodgeball contest took place April 3 where team Flores and Streb reigned victorious. Later in the week, teams will compete in the tug of war, agility course, quarterback and field goal challenges, as well as agility tests such as the 40yard dash and 3-cone drill, plus a vertical leap test.

“To me, it is an opportunity to get to see guys on the team do things together and compete in events that aren’t just football,” said head coach Lenny Wagner.

“It also lets the guys see their teammates that they might think

are third or fourth string players, to be not just that; but to see that teammate as the one that’s really good at dodgeball, or the one that can dunk a basketball exceptionally well. That’s what it’s all about.”

When asked why he enjoys the Spring Olympics, running back and event captain Zach Hugh says, “at the end of the competition there’s a winner, but in a sense there is no loser.

Looking past the competition aspect of it all, the Spring Olympics are a team building experience where players get to show off their hard work and compete with their friends.”

The Spring Olympics was done within the privacy of the football team and is not publically advertised. It’s meant for the team, and the team only.The event doesn’t just make better football players, but better teammates.

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Sports

April 24, 2017 Albert Gregory/ Oak Leaf

11

Snoozin’ on an American pastime Frank Sumrall Contributing Editor

Bear Cubs in good shape to take consecutive Big 8 titles Will Mathis Contributing Writer Securing the three game sweep over the Modesto Junior College Pirates with a 5-1 win April 23 puts the Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team in a perfect position heading into post season play. The Victory wrapped up the Bear Cubs 2017 season and the team now eyes the No. 1 seed in the California Community College Athletic Association Northern California playoffs.

In the most recent California Community College Sports Information Association State Top 20 rankings released April 13, the Bear Cubs [29-7, 195] ranked No. 3 overall top in Northern California. The Bear Cubs are 4-1 since April 13,

which includes splitting two games with No. 7 San Joaquin Delta College [29-8, 14-7].

Though the Bear Cubs played their final regular season game, there’s one week left in the CCCAA baseball season and the Big 8 Conference Championship is still up for grabs.

No. 9 Sacramento City College [27-9, 17-4] can win the Big 8 Conference this weekend if it wins its three-game series with Delta April 25-28. If Delta sweeps the series, SRJC wins its second straight Big 8 title.

SRJC, Delta and Sac City will likely receive three of the top four seeds in the CCCAA Norcal playoffs.

SRJC lost both series against Sac City and Delta, 2 games to 1 in Big 8 play this season.

The Bear Cubs look to be playing their best baseball of the season

heading into playoffs. SRJC rallied back from a 4-0 first inning deficit to beat Modesto 9-8 in 11 innings April 18.

“Our team has begun to figure out our edge that we need to beat good teams,” said sophomore shortstop Matt Kimura. “It’s been a difference maker.”

Kimura, who competed for playing time last season with second baseman Myles Andrews and ultimately lost due to his low batting average, has solidified himself as the Bear Cubs shortstop and No. 2 hitter with a .293 batting average and only four errors this season.

In the second game of the series, Modesto had the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth, down 3-1.

Bear Cubs sophomore starterturned-reliever Justin Bruihl got the next batter to fly out

to right fielder Jeff Bart, who threw the tagging base runner out at home plate.

The next batter grounded out to second base to end the game.

“There was one component missing [from this team early in the season],” said assistant coach Tom Francois. “That was mental toughness.”

Bruihl has been moved to the bullpen in a season-long effort to limit his pitch count. This season he is 4-0 with 2 saves, a 2.04 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 35.1 innings pitched.

Freshman Ryan Calderon took over starting duties in Bruihl’s place. Calderon hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in his last four starts and has a 7-0 record with a 1.72 ERA. “He’s a real gem that we happily discovered,” Francois said.

Leaving his own legacy ...Continued from page 9

“Whenever I look at what I’m doing; I only see the mistakes that I could improve on. I always say ‘I could have done this better, I could have done that better’,” Gockel said.

A great example of this happened during the NorCal Multi Championship when Gockel broke his personal record in the long jump. He broke his record by 1.5 feet and although it felt great for him to reach that new P.R. Gockel was still critical on his performance, figuring out ways to improve on his next jump.

“My landing is still complete trash, if I can get my landing better, I know I can get 23 feet. I’m still stoked about it but it shows me how much more room I have to improve. If I did that and I’m still not at peak performance that just means I need to work harder and I could get a lot better,” Gockel said.

This is the athlete mentality that Gockel has learned to conquer in order to reach new heights.

Although some trainers would say that being that hard on yourself isn’t good for your mental performance as an athlete, in Gockel’s case, it’s what keeps him focused on achieving the next level while staying humble along the journey.

“A lot of people compare me to everyone else and when they see that I’m first in state they’re like ‘oh wow, you must be so good’, but I constantly only compare myself to myself and I know I could be so much better than where I am at right now, so I don’t see it so much as amazing as other people do,” Gockel said.

As Gockel comes near his goal of breaking 7,000

points through hard work and a positive mind set he continues to carve a legacy the way he sees it. If it was up to the man himself—Gockel would much rather be remembered as a team leader and motivator rather than the amazing athlete who smashed the SRJC decathlon record.

“I really don’t want to be known as the guy who has a school record, or the guy who’s number one in the state for the decathlon. I want to be known as something that I chose,” Gockel continues to explain, “I don’t really feel like I chose how good I am at the decathlon. I only get to choose how much time I really put into in and how much heart I dedicate to it, but that’s such a small portion of my overall score.

My natural abilities I don’t get to choose, my great coaches I don’t get to choose, my great teammates I don’t get to chose, those are all just kind of given to me,” Gockel said.

So what does the rising star want to be remembered for, if not his amazing athletic performance? Its simple.

“I really want to be known for the guy that encourages everyone else because that’s something I get to choose. Or the guy who just loves all his other competitors, or works really hard during all the practices. I want to be known for something I chose.”

So there you have it. Its not always about the glamour and glory that comes along with being the best which keeps an athlete motivated. Sometimes it’s a humble beginning and a few right turns that makes an athlete fall in love with what he does.

Opinion

T

he United States’ favorite pastime was defined by a day at the ballpark full of loud vendors, excited fans chugging down beer and the satisfying crack of the bat as a baseball zips through the windless air.

But the summers when baseball dominated the minds of Americans are no longer. Football and basketball conquer the sports world while soccer and hockey continue to gain viewers.

The public has lost its appreciation for the art of baseball. Now it’s time to fix the dying sport.

Basketball has seen an explosion in popularity with its star-studded cast and fast paced, three-point heavy action. Football dismissed the run game for a high tide of aerial offenses, creating an ocean of new records.

Baseball needs to follow suit.

The slowest sport in America needs to shorten everything. From adding a “shot clock” timer in between pitches to shortening the amount of innings and games. A pitching timer may be taxing on a starting ace, but with less innings relief can come in earlier.

Cutting down on an inning or two makes the game more compact.

One of baseball’s fatal flaws is the sheer amount of games. Each contest in the short NFL’s 16-game season gives every match playoff implications.

162 games are too much for people to be invested in for an entire season.

Shorten the season to 100 games and the campaign becomes more concise.

Conciseness creates tension, high stakes and more vital games.

Changing the scoring can also add a boost to the dragging game.

Adding points per base can lead to more action and entertainment. A home run should be four points while scoring from second base would equal two points. Only a third base scamper to home plate would churn out one run. In such a defensive game, increasing the offense can create more thrilling sequences in contests that already have more importance due to a shortened season.

But this just accelerates the same stale game. It’s time to think outside of the box. Baseball celebrates the idea of unique fields, varying in design and length. This creates different styles of play. So to accelerate that theory, it’s time to throw another curveball.

Let’s say Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia added a moat in the outfield where the ball is still in play.

Or Progressive field in Cleveland features a beehive on second base, adding more strategy to avoid the dangerous bees. Throw in an actual green monster in Fenway instead of a simple green wall and all of a sudden baseball is quivering with excitement.

Sounds ridiculous? Maybe so, but it’s time to channel the special feeling of nostalgia. The bloated sport needs severe change to undo its fatal corporate wounds in order to save the American dream that is its pastime.

Party

“Some people choose Bulbasaur, some people choose

Cruisin'

Cruisin’ Across

Charmander, some people Squirtle. It doesn’t really matter who you choose as long as you aren’t playing with new gen Pokemon.”

-Travis “Broosh” LaBrucherie 1

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Across

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Sounds like you’ve found that special someone.

Back

your bones but words can really hurt. You might find yourself the butt of someone’s joke. Don’t let it get to you. Best thing to do is laugh it off.

different goals this week. Might be time to make a pros and cons list to settle the debate. Or a Venn diagram? Maybe a pie chart? Mmm…pie!

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1 Canadian Armed Forces Univ.

2 Ten equal a dong 3 Hockey Hall-of-Famer Bobby 4 Golf course feature 5 Where the Otters play 6 Former Giants pitcher Shawn 7 West African country 8 Expressed surprise 14 Anime that started in 1979 music 15 "The Rockin Fast andhit Furious: _ Drift" and party lighting 16 Drugfor from poppies Pilates classes Voted 18 SourAll classes are Best Yoga Studio beginner friendly 11 Yrs in a row!

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