THE SKYLINE VIEW The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.
April 21, 2021
theskylineview.com
Issue 3
County grants $2 million for district Promise Scholars Program 500 prospective students in the program will be granted free education By Steven Rissotto News Editor
The San Mateo County Community College District has received a $2 million grant from San Mateo County to send 500 incoming students to school tuition-free, district and county officials announced April 19 during a press conference at Skyline College. David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, made the announcement in front of county and district officials, along with a small group of students. Canepa cited the transaction as a key part of the county’s COVID-19 response and education relief plan. “We talk about equity and we talk about issues,” Canepa said. “This community college district is at the forefront of making sure our young adults and adults have the opportunity.” The investment will be for those students who choose to enroll in the district’s Promise Scholars Program, which offers up to three years of scholarship and comprehensive support for first-time, full-time students. The goal of the program is to take the financial burden off of students, in an effort to help them concentrate on academics and their future endeavors, rather than having to worry about transportation costs and textbook fees. “The county has given a big vote
San Mateo Board President David J. Canepa awards $2 million to SMCCCD’s Promise Scholars Program Steven Rissotto/The Skyline View
of confidence in our community colleges, and especially our local students,” said SMCCCD Chancellor Michael Claire. “We know this program works, and we know this funding will help educate critical workforce for San Mateo County.” The program features 150 students per counselor. This allows students enrolled to stay on top of their academics and reach out for extra support if needed. “Basically the advantages that they have are so much more
assistance to them,” said Tom Nuris, SMCCCD Board of Trustees president. “It allows them to feel confident that they have support throughout the district, and it’s been very successful up to this point.” According to Nuris, students in the Promise Scholars Program are more than twice as likely to graduate from college in two years compared to other students. “Let’s not make assumptions that our young adults don’t need help — They need help right now,”
Canepa said. “And so, giving free community college gives people the opportunity, whether you’re in building trades, whether you want to be a mechanic, whether it’s being in respiratory therapy, whether it’s going to a four-year university. Community college is where it’s at, and free community college is about giving a hand up.” Along with the rest of the country, community colleges in California have experienced their fair share of struggles during the
pandemic. According to the California Community College Board of Governors, enrollment has decreased during the pandemic as a result of the economic collapse and lack of interest in distance learning. “We know the pandemic and what has happened during the pandemic: job loss, families just trying to get by, long lines of people trying to get food because of food insecurity, housing — The rents were already outrageous before the pandemic,” Canepa said. Canepa was joined at the press conference by Mario Guzman, a Skyline student who is currently enrolled in the program and is planning to attend a four-year university in the fall. Guzman moved from El Salvador to Pacifica five years ago, and has an interest in digital arts. He found a job in the marketing department at Skyline, receiving real-world work experience. “As an El Salvadoran immigrant and first-generation college student, I can confidently say that the Promise Scholar Program is the best thing that could ever happen to me,” Guzman said. “It has empowered me and helped me to figure out what I want to do moving forward. Canepa says the county will work to continue this flow of funding towards the district. The application for the fall Promise Scholars Program is currently open, and students can apply after applying to one of the three district colleges.
Looking back: a full year of distance learning at Skyline College The COVID-19 pandemic has caused innumerable changes from an education standpoint By Christian Carlo Ceguerra Features editor
It has been more than 365 days ever since the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) decided to suspend face-to-face learning instruction as a precaution against the threat of the COVID-19. Cherie Colin, Skyline College’s director of community relations and marketing, revealed that there had been a decline to the number of enrollments and full-time students across the district’s three campuses for fall 2020. In contrast, Skyline College has had a slight increase in the number of enrolled students for spring 2021, but has lower enrollments in courses this semester, which school officials suspect “has something to do with the pandemic.” “In both fall 2020 and spring 2021, course enrollments were down by 9.3%, at the same time that the total number of enrolled students rose,” Colin said. “This means that while the college had more students, on average, those students were taking fewer classes.” She also wrote that several events such as the 50th Anniversary of the Skyline College and the annual pres-
ident’s breakfast were cancelled due to the pandemic. Even after a year, students can still vividly remember their last days on their campus which they hope to do again once the situation is better, if not, safe. Communication studies student Oliver Tinoco remembers the days when he was still coming to the campus with his friends. He described grabbing food or drinks from the Fireside Building and hanging around outside and on the grassy steps located at the heart of the campus. If he wasn’t doing that, he would likely be seen at Building 5, in the Learning Center or at the library, getting in his hours for his Promise Scholars Requirement. Tinoco was appalled by the notion of classes having to transition online. He was very much looking forward to his class on the sociology of sex and gender, as it related to his interest in social justice. With his fervent advocacy standing up against the injustices that LGBTQ people and members of racial minorities face, Tinoco got involved in Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) and Fighting for Immigrant Rights & Equity (FIRE) and is now the president of both of the student organizations.
Tinoco and Cheryl Johnson, the dean of student equity and support programs, were working on establishing a Pride Center, which later evolved into an Intercultural Center, which has been operating virtually for some time now. “It was in talks of sort of setting up a space that was a visible Intercultural Center that welcomed student life,” Tinoco said. “And that was aimed at being a space for different students — for Native American students, black students, LGBTQ+ students, to just to have that sort of space that recognized the demographics.” FIRE has been reaching out to students from the College of San Mateo and Cañada College with the goal of making it a “districtwide group.” As a student, Tinoco said he was “lucky” to have had professors who have been flexible and have catered to students’ needs since spring 2020. “(Throughout) the semester we left, last semester, and this semester, I have always had amazing professors who are accommodating, who are personable, who understand what students are going through,” he said.
Skyline College has had a slight increase in the number of enrolled students for spring 2021, but has lower enrollments in courses this semester
John Harrison/The Skyline View
Given the circumstances, Tinoco planned to extend another school year at Skyline and take classes he thinks that would be “harder in-person.” Colin said that moving forward, that there will be a commencement exercise for 2020 and 2021 that will be held virtually this May with the date to be determined soon. “We have just hired a company to help us to celebrate students in the
most engaging way possible online,” Colin said. “We are so proud of our graduates, and want to offer the opportunity to last year’s grads as well.” As for Tinoco, he is looking forward to giving his friends a hug once the situation is better. “I’m not that friend who likes hugging people who does all that,” he said. “However, the second we’re allowed to all of my friends are getting the biggest hug.”
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News
The Staff Editor-In-Chief Umaima ejaz News Editor Steven Rissotto
April 21, 2021
Pacifica marches against Asian American hate In response to the surge of attacks, Pacificans are eager for solidarity and change By Steven Rissotto News Editor
Focal Point Editor Christian Carlo Ceguerra Arts and Entertainment Editor Ashley Hernandez Opinions Editor Marco Milani Sports Editor Jasper Lindsey Chief Copy Editor Faisal Gresalfi Photo Editor Enrique Liganor Digital Editor John Harrison Graphics Editor Hunter Feiner Social Media Editor Daniela Ossa Lopez Staff Writers Zachary Navarra Monica Grace Dollezon-Yu Arman Archouniani Holden McCandless Faculty Adviser Nancy Kaplan-Biegel
Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us? (650)738-4302 Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive
San Bruno CA 94066
The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised. The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.
A group of people marched in Pacifica on April 3, standing against the ongoing hate crimes and violence targeting Asian Americans in the United States. The march started at the Pacifica Community Center, where masked participants gathered together to walk with supportive signs across Highway 1 as members of Pacifica’s police force assisted by blocking off approaching traffic on both sides. The group walked along the Linda Mar Beach trail, later wrapping up in Rockaway Beach. Marchers held homemade signs that had anti-Asian hate messages on them, such as “White supremacy is a virus” and “Racism is not born, it’s taught.” Four speakers took center stage beforehand to rally against the violence towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community followed by a brief moment of silence for all of the individuals killed as a result of the attacks, including the eight people who were fatally shot when a gunman opened fire at three massage parlors in Atlanta on March 16. The speakers included Andy Lie, vice president of the Board of Trustees at the Jefferson Union High School District; David Canepa, president of the San Mateo Board of Supervisors; Julie-Ann Burkhart, a Pacifica resident who has personally encountered racism; and Khrislenn Garino, the president of the Terra Nova Asian Club. “This past year has probably been the most difficult I can remember as an Asian American in this country,” Lie said. “I don’t remember this type of hatred in racism, not since I
Pacifca’s march condemning violence against Asian Americans featured people from all ethnicities coming together in solidarity
Steven Rissotto/The Skyline View
was a teen.” Lie, a Pacifica resident for 25 years, recently saw his district release a statement condemning hate and violent acts, along with developing plans for an equity task force. “As an Asian American, I have faced racism myself as young as six years old, and recently, during this pandemic, I have also faced people telling me to go back to my own country — but the thing is, I grew up here, and I’m an American, so I don’t have a country to go back to,” Burkhart said. Burkhart says that the recent surge in violence is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and former President Donald Trump’s nicknames for the virus, which she claimed “scapegoated” the community. “The Bay Area is one of the most diverse areas,” Canepa said. “Laws have to get stricter, and we have to rise up and beyond hate.” Canepa is in the process of of-
fering legislation to make San Mateo County a “zero-tolerance hate zone”. “We must stop Asian hate, but we also must uplift and honor Asian Americans,” Burkhart told the crowd. “Protect Asian lives. Represent Asians across all media and in
school education. Elevate Asian accomplishments. Welcome the span of Asian cultures and appreciate Asian roots and heritage.”
Participants marched past Rockaway Beach
Steven Rissotto/The Skyline View
Skyline is making the most out of teaching communication through a screen The Skyline communication studies department was tasked with the unique challenge of teaching public speaking through a screen By Zachary Navarra Staff Writer
Over the last year, the education world has had to learn how to adapt to a world of lockdowns and uncertainty. At Skyline College, the communication studies department has spent the year learning how to answer one very important question: How do you teach communication and public speaking through a screen? Jessica Hurless, a professor of communication studies at Skyline College, has dealt with the challenges of teaching a class on interpersonal communication. “Communication is so much being able to see and interact with another human being, especially interpersonal communication,” Hurless said. Her course contains weekly Zoom calls, during which she hopes to tackle this problem. While not every student always has their video on, she believes the ability for students to hear each other “helps a little bit with interpersonal (communications).” Vincent Chandler, an assistant professor of communication studies at Skyline College, stressed the importance of making his course relevant to his students. “The biggest challenge, the biggest difficulty in my experience, is this idea of relevance,” Chandler said. “How do we make everything relevant for students who are not just trying to figure out their life, but are trying to figure their lives out in unprecedented times?”
One way professor Chandler has kept his course relevant and engaging is in the discussion posts within his class. When responding to a reading notes assignment, his students are asked an additional question outside of the coursework: How are you doing? “Engagement has been consistently high,” Chandler said. “(Engagement) looks different, but ultimately it looks different because our world is fundamentally different right now.” Hurless takes time to ask each of her students a silly “would you rather” question. “Students are like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so crazy!’” she said. “It lightens the mood a little bit, but I get to hear everybody’s answers.” Both professors have learned that flexibility is key when it comes to teaching communications classes. Chandler has adapted his office hours to accommodate students, having them take place early in the morning or late at night. Hurless came up with new ways students can demonstrate their skills. “I try to create activities or assignments where if they’re not communicating with me or with classmates, there’s a way I can have them interact with somebody else in their space,” Hurless said. “So, they may not be demonstrating the interpersonal communication in front of me, but they are still engaging in it somehow in their life.” Despite the success of both Hurless’ and Chandler’s efforts,
The communications department has been forced to adjust to distance learning
there’s a limit to what can be done over a Zoom call. Linear communication has taken the place of transactional communication. Conversations have gone from interacting with people to speaking into the void of a computer screen. “It may increase the anxiety of speakers, because you can’t get that nonverbal feedback to know if your joke is landing, if your message is being understood,” Hurless said. The challenges and successes of teaching communication studies online have raised questions about the future of teaching.
Zachary Navarra/ The Skyline View
“Students are learning a new skill set that I think will be beneficial. ... Learning to provide nonverbal feedback on camera, to talk to a camera and look at it and gesture higher or use more vocals,” Hurless said. The communication studies department, like all others, has been forced to adapt to the pandemic. Going forward, professors hope to learn from the experiences they had during this time to better prepare students for a new world of conference calls and online speaking.
Opinions
April 21, 2021 Feb. 24, 2021
Editorial
We say no to filtered reporting Over the past few weeks, the journalism students and the staff of The Skyline View have struggled to find information from people on campus. This reduction in access to information was the result of an email that was sent from the president’s office a few weeks ago — a few hundred words that challenged our core values: journalistic ethics, objectivity and freedom of speech. This email, which was addressed to the faculty and staff of Skyline College, read, in part, “If you are ever contacted by the press, please always refer the press to our PIO (public information officer) first, before responding to any questions, or doing any interviews.” While it requested to honor and respect the role of our PIO and MCPR (the office of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations), it disrespectfully stepped over us and our work. We see this as an attempt to silence the voices of the college’s community and as a threat to accountability. With this email, the new president has aimed to create a glass wall between Skyline College staff and the press. It is a shame that the president’s office has chosen to censor information by driving the truth away from the college’s community, rather than creating a better way to access information. It is alarming for us because it
Artistic License
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stands as an obstacle to our reporting on our community, and it, to some extent, limits the rights that the First Amendment grants us. On numerous occasions over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve been referred to our PIO and MCPR more often than we had been over the past few years. We’ve also been asked to send stories for review before publishing them. We have been keeping track of instances of either having been rejected or referred to PR. We’d like to make something very clear at this point: We at The Skyline View are not seeking approval, because we take pride in reporting with accuracy and objectivity. We stand firm in our commitment to our community and to journalism. We hereby request the president’s office to withdraw its new policy of requesting everyone to always refer to the PIO and MCPR, and ask them to do their job by creating a safer and transparent environment within the college district. We never have and never will provide filtered information to our readers. We have continuously advocated for transparency and freedom of speech, and that does not change in this case. We will advocate against the new media guidelines until they are withdrawn. Hunter Fiener/The Skyline View
Skyline College’s need for AB 53: a general election holiday
The California state legislature has the opportunity to expand voting rights by passing Assembly Bill No. 53 By: Zachary Navarra
States With Election Day Holidays
Staff Writer
A day away from school, time off from work, the chance to have your voice heard — It’s high time for a new holiday to come about. Assembly Bill No. 53 will provide Skyline students and faculty greater flexibility come the next Election Day. The bill calls for the creation of a state holiday to occur every even year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November: Election Day. Turning Election Day into a state holiday would ensure that community colleges and public schools/universities would be closed for the day. Most state employees would get a paid day off of work as well. California has the chance to expand voting rights and uplift the voices of Skyline students and faculty through greater accessibility to the voting booth. The oh-so-important biology test worth a quarter of your grade would no longer inhibit you from going to the polls in November. The after-class office hours you are scheduled to offer your students wouldn’t stop you from voting for the next president. The full 13-hour voting time frame would be at your disposal. As someone who volunteered at an in-district polling site during our last election, I have seen firsthand how inefficient the current system is. The majority of the day is spent waiting as a few voters trickle to cast their ballots. There are only three time frames during
Delaware Hawaii Kentucky Indiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey Rhode Island New York Virginia Illinois
Assembly Bill No. 53 grants flexibility on the next election day
which you see any real action: before work, during the typical noon lunch break, and during the after-work rush hour. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there is an hour-long line stretching out the door and down the sidewalk. No one should have to wait in an hour-long line at night to vote. No one should feel the desire to turn away at the sight of these long lines. Work and school hours create this bottleneck — An Election Day holiday would prevent it. Having the full day at your disposal would allow the Skyline community to
go and vote when they please, likely evening out the rate at which people go to the polls throughout the day. Additionally, San Mateo County will allow its residents to vote at any in-district polling site. With significantly shorter wait lines and greater accessibility to the polls, AB 53 will expand voting rights for the Skyline community. Some may question the need for an Election Day holiday, considering that California has heavily expanded mail-in voting options. More democracy is never a bad
Enrique Liganor/The Skyline View
thing, and not all voters want to use the mail-in voting system. Many voters enjoy the experience of going to the polls or prefer personally seeing their ballot delivered. At the end of the day, are you really going to say no to a new holiday?
“No one should have to wait in an hour-long line at night to vote. No one should feel the desire to turn away at the sight of these long lines.”
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Opinions
April 21, 2021
It’s time to choose community college If that dream school is out of reach for any reason, community college might not be as bad as you think discouraged. However, community colleges provide many options that allow students to explore different fields of study in order to choose something that they can truly love to do. Whether it be something in the sciences, the arts, or anything other field, you can find something that you can see yourself doing in the near future. So, with the low cost, the fact that the courses you can take can transfer to a bigger university, and being able to explore what you want to do if you are undecided, going to community college out of high school is a great option. So, if you ever see an ad for a community college, don’t completely rule it out — It might just benefit you.
By Marco Milani
Opinions Editor
Congratulations! You’re about to graduate from high school! You have your dream school in mind, and you apply to it. Then you do more research, and at some point see the prices. “That’s really expensive,” you think. So now that particular school is out of the question, you research other schools. You keep seeing ads for the local community college, but you just ignore them, because you want to go to a big name university. However, I am here to tell you that community college is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s probably the best choice you can make coming out of high school. The first thing to note is that going to community college is much cheaper than a four-year university. According to an infographic from US News and World Report, private schools cost, on average, just over $35,000, while public schools would cost over $21,000 out-of-state and over $9,000 instate. Meanwhile, at a community college, it would be around $4,000 for two years, according to an article from CNBC from 2019. “But what about books?” you might be thinking. Most books are offered online, or can be rented for cheap off of sites like Amazon. com, especially now with the pandemic. Additionally, in the San Ma-
It might be wise to pick a community college over an expensive university
teo County Community College system, some classes are offered with “zero textbook cost” (ZTC), meaning that the course will not require you to buy any textbooks. After doing some research on WebSchedule, I found many classes at Cañada that fall under this category. As for CSM and Skyline, there are no results for any ZTC classes as of the writing of this article. This is possibly due to the fall 2021 class schedule having just been released. Aside from the matter of prices, going to community college can actually mean spending less time at the bigger university to which
one eventually transfers. This is because some classes are transferable to the bigger universities, such as schools in the UC system or the CSU system. Circling back to WebSchedule, there is an option to sort by transferable classes based on the subject and section. Also, if you work while going to school, you can pick classes more in line with your schedule, and by the time you transfer, you will have earned enough units to go on to the bigger university while also having been saving up for it. On a similar note, going to a community college can help you if you are coming out of high
Marco Milani/The Skyline View
school and haven’t decided what career you want to aim for or what you want to major in yet. If you feel that you don’t really know what you want to in life, don’t be
“A study from Penn State found that 2050% of students enter college as an undecided major, so you are not alone.”
The struggles of WiFi during school and how to improve it It is a pain when your WiFi decides to effectively stop cooperating, but don’t worry — You’re not alone By Ashley Hernandez
Arts/Enternainment editor
Since the beginning of the shelter-in-place orders, we have been forced to rely entirely on our WiFi connections for almost every aspect of education. You wake up 10 minutes before your online class and you join your Zoom class. In the middle in the lecture, you lose your WiFi connection. This could be a blessing or a curse. You either do everything in your power to get that connection back, like having everyone in your household disconnect from the WiFi to speed up your own, or you switch to your personal hotspot, if you can afford the luxury of unlimited data. Or you can use having lost your WiFi connection to your advantage, and take the opportunity to head back to your sweet sleep and dream about a better, post-pandemic world. Losing one’s WiFi connection sounds like such a First World problem, but we rely so heavy on it that it’s become something of a lifeline. An effective way to get your WiFi up and running again is restarting the router. Unplug or power off your router and give it two to five minutes before plugging it back in. The reason for the issue could be your device, internet connection, or network. Check the lights on your router and see what might be the problem. Sometimes, slow internet connection could be due to where
Marco Milani/The Skyline View
Has this happened to you recently?
you place your router, so make sure it is in an open area that gives you the best connection. Another tip is to check your WiFi is still actually on. Accidents happen, and somebody may have unknowingly turned it off. If you tried all these things and your WiFi is still not cooperating, your system or router might need an update. Schools in the San Mateo County
Community College District offer free drive-up WiFi hotspots. Make a reservation through Eventbrite and get the free WiFi you deserve. The hotspot at Skyline College is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding Wednesdays. WiFi seems like a recent struggle, and your whole system can crash because of it, so make sure to constantly save your
work while using any program that doesn’t automatically save. Most of us are getting our education online, so maybe go to a cafe and buy a cup of coffee to access their WiFi, or consider asking a friend to let you go to their home for a connection. Luckily, most teachers record their classes and you can tune into that if you lose your WiFi. Just remember that although it seems our life revolves around
WiFi and the internet, take a breath and maybe mediate during those few minutes when you’ve temporarily lost your connection. No one should have to deal with bad internet connection, so maybe it’s time to switch your internet provider. Use these effective solutions when your WiFi starts to act up, and don’t let bad WiFi get the best of you.
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Features
April 21, 2021 Image via Skyline College Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
What you need to know:
Skyline College By Monica Grace Dollezon-Yu STAFF WRITER
At Skyline College, students and faculty members tend to believe that being academically and professionally prepared for future success is no walk in the park. This medium-sized educational institution, which is located between the coastline of Northern California and South San Francisco, was established in 1969, committed from the beginning to its goal of nurturing a global community of learners. Student activities held have been an integral aspect of how the school contributes to students’ intellectual development, sense of belonging and participation in communityrelated affairs. Cherie Colin, the director of community relations and marketing for Skyline College, described the friendly environment and supportive attitudes of the individuals as being unique aspects of the Skyline campus. She described how faculty tend to go out of their way to help students out, because they care, and want to make sure success is within reach. What you need to know: student population A Skyline College annual report from 2018-2019 communicated the importance of welcoming diversity and preserving equity in their curriculum. According to the Skyline College Student Enrollment Dashboard,
about 15,463 students have enrolled in the academic year 2019-2020. Colin had clarified that even though their campus is the smallest in the three-school district, it also boasts the largest population of students compared to College of San Mateo and Cañada College. The ethnic makeup of Skyline’s student body, according to the most recent fact sheet, are as follows: 2.7% are black or African American, 1.3% are Pacific Islander, 0.1% are American Indian/Alaska Native, 32.4% are Hispanic/Latinx, 18.7% are white, 17.8% are Asian, 16.3% are Filipino, 7.5% are multiracial, and the races of the remaining 3.3% are unreported. The college also hosts over 60 different clubs and culture-based learning communities. Colin mentioned CIPHER, which is a hip hop-based learning community, and the Kababayan Learning Community, which incorporates Filipino-American culture into learning and building a community. Other learning communities can be found at Skyline as well: • Umoja-ASTEP Learning Community focuses on African-American culture, identity, history and experience. • Puente Learning Community brings “Chicano/Latino literature and writings” together with academics and extracurricular activities. • The Proficiency in American Culture and English (PACE)
aims to help non-native speakers of English improve their knowledge of the language and of American history.
threat to affordable education, and would not have been a proper solution to solve problems in a falling economy.
What you need to know: college history
What you need to know: academic programs and student fees
In fall 2019, Skyline College celebrated its 50th anniversary. Colin described the event as having consisted of many individual celebrations, noting how fun it all was for both students and staff. Furthermore, the newlyconstructed Environmental Science Building was opened around the time of the anniversary. Over the course of its history, Skyline College has found itself involved in numerous issues that has put it in hot water. These include concerns with paying tuition fees, dangers unfolding unexpectedly upon students, and loss of financial support for the campus, among others. As far as student activism has gone, there has been a conflict due to the college being in violation of the “50% law”. Students, professors and certain organizations used their voices to speak up for the part-time professors who are burdened with an overwhelming amount of time teaching and performing other tasks, outweighing the compensation and benefits they received. On March 4, 2010, 200 students from Skyline College took part in a statewide protest against budget cuts, seeing as how they were a
Skyline College is well-known for its programs in respiratory care and allied health. The college is also held in high regard for its automotive program and cosmetology program. An article from Patch.com written in 2015, revealed that Skyline College had been approved to be one of the community colleges throughout California to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree. The respiratory care program offers this opportunity. Colin described how affordable the enrollment is at Skyline College. California residents pay $46 per unit. “That’s really about a third of the cost of a university,” she said. “So you’re saving a lot of money by going to Skyline College for your first two years.” Colin mentioned how Skyline alum David Canepa, who is the president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, had provided support to the community colleges in the district. “He loves the college so much,” Colin said. “In fact, we were able to secure $2 million for the District Promise Program from the County of San Mateo, thanks to David’s leadership.”
What’s next for Skyline College? Skyline College continues to stay committed to preparing its students to accomplish long-term goals through educational and social fulfillment. The standards live up to being one of the recommended two-year colleges in the state, guiding dedicated individuals towards transfer to a university. Just recently, San Mateo County has awarded the college district a $2 million grant to fund the Promise Scholars Program, which allows certain students to study for free. Colin shared her advice for students concerning asking questions and seeking help at the college. “We’re your team, and we’re here to help and cheer you on,” she said. “Always ask for help — There’s usually a resource out there for you. And also, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. There’s a lot of opportunities to be part of the community and learn how to be an active participant.” To Skyline College, the key to success and showing the world what the individual is intellectually and sustainably capable of begins with the foundation of building connections with peers, and putting passion into what is being learned.
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Features
April 21, 2021
Early Childhood Education: an overlooked program By Christian Carlo Ceguerra FEATURES EDITOR
Professor Sarita Santos will never forget how angry she was when a friend tried to dissuade her from pursuing a career in child psychology and special education. “‘Rita, you’re so smart,’” Santos said, recounting what that friend said to her. “‘Why are you majoring in psychology and now you’re going to go get your PhD in special education, and babysitting retards?’ — quote, unquote.” For a long time now, professionals in the field of early childhood education (ECE) have been doing their best to dispel misconceptions and misrepresentations of the discipline. The consensus of several districts’ professors is that early childhood education has long been “disrespected”, and has been reduced to the ideas of “babysitting” and “women’s work.” Santos also described how colleagues from different departments from Cañada College themselves do not acknowledge the discipline as one that falls under the social sciences. “There was pushback from some faculty with psychology folks and staff who said, ‘Early childhood does not belong in social science,’” Santos said. “And I said to them, ‘Look, my background’s in psychology too, so I know you’re what you’re thinking, but this is the thing I do in my classes: We talk about a typical development, we talk about the neurology of someone with autism, we talk about left brain hemispheric functions for someone with dyslexia ... It feels like a fight, sometimes, to have to defend what our students do for a living and what they’re interested in.” What is ECE exactly? “The Early Childhood Education pathway at the colleges prepares students to go into the work of caring for and educating children from birth to eight years old,” said Professor Patty Hall, chairperson for the education and human development program at Cañada College. She explained that courses from the program can be applicable not only for teaching, but also in psychology, and even in sports like kinesiology. “There are many, many, many directions in which our students go,” she said. Professor Kristina Brower is a proud ECE alumna from Cañada College, and the current program services coordinator of the same program for Skyline College. She mentioned that the program also prepares students for specific certifications and permits before they’re certified as a program director, which then qualifies them to run a program. “Early childhood education is really about learning about children and families, and what is best for them,” Brower said, explaining that children tend to have difficulties with development in environments that expose them to a lot of stress or trauma and don’t allow them to get the right support from an early age. It’s scientific
Toddlers playing with a Loma Chica staff way back in 2016
According to Hall, the practicum classes, which are culminating activities that require students to accumulate an ample amount of time getting hands-on experience, have only recently become a requirement for early childhood teachers. “Before that, we were graduating early childhood teachers without even that,” Hall said. “So, we are doggedly committed to bring back the real practicum class as soon as the county will open up the programs.” Professor Tina Watts, who is the childcare development center coordinator, explained the significance of the Child Development Laboratory Center (CDLC, commonly known as the Loma Chica building) at Skyline College. “We certainly want to provide childcare services for student families while they’re taking classes, or while they need to study or even work, but we’re also the lab school for the education Child Development Department,” Watts said. Master teachers at Loma Chica guide students to integrate practices for them. As a laboratory, ECE students are sometimes tasked to observe children from a one-way mirror and hypothesize developments taking place. Cañada College had its own Child Study Center from 1998 to 2002. The college’s ECE program utilizes the Mary Meta Lazarus Child Development Center at the College of San Mateo for practicum and other hands-on activities. Hall explained that the department has been requesting the facility in their program reviews, but she admitted that it’s not that easy. “Because of the recession, because of financial setbacks, they were never able to open the program as a child development center,” Hall said. “They’re very important to child development programs, but they are a big investment.”
Image via Skyline College Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
A career that is underpaid Professor Nicole Porter of Skyline College’s ECE department mentioned the concerning pay disparity for the careers out there for ECE majors, which causes students to leave the field in search of a better-paying job, “because they can’t make a living wage.” According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the 2020 median pay for childcare workers is only $25,460 a year, or $12.24 an hour, while the 2020 median pay for preschool teachers $31,930 a year, or $15.35 an hour. “Sometimes, at the teacher level, if you’re coming in and making $15 an hour, and you’re the only person in your household who’s working, and you’re taking care of other people, we know good and well that if you’re a family of four in San Francisco, there’s no way that you can make it above the poverty line,” Porter said. An article published from Investopedia indicates that it takes at least $60,000 per year to meet basic expenses each month in the Bay Area. The Center for Study of Childcare Employment (CSSCE) from the University of California, Berkeley released a 2020 report calling for the improvement of state policies to better serve early childhood education jobs, as educators “consistently endure poor pay and inadequate working conditions.” Moreover, the report indicates that ECE is said to have “never been adequately funded” by the federal government, and that federal rules “often drive decisions at the state level.” A “gendered” discipline The early childhood educators voiced their concerns about the lack of male representation in the field. Each of them gave their own explanation for this phenomenon. Santos gave two possible explanations as to why men tend to not want to be in the said field: salary and concerns about how the
public views men who work with children. “Men are socialized to bring in the bucks, right?” Santos said. “How are you going to support yourself, let alone a family on minimum wage?” She explained that men are dissuaded to be in this field due to how difficult it is to support oneself or their family with the wages jobs within it tend to offer. Additionally, while Santos asserts that concerns about pedophillia among the both sexes are legitimate, the fact that male teachers aren’t allowed to change diapers, let alone hug children, poses “societal concerns”. Hall agrees that salary is a factor when it comes to men entering the field, describing it as a problem of equality. “It’s not that men aren’t interested in doing the work — It’s that men aren’t going to go take the job at slave labor wages,” she said. “Men won’t do it. So until we have a really equal workplace, in which the employees are getting a living wage and benefits, it seems that men don’t choose to enter that field.” Drawing from her experience in her former position as child development center director, Hall said that it is wrong to generalize male early childhood educators just because of individual men who have committed pedophilic acts while employed in the field, who she called “the outliers”. “We just saw the one guy in San Francisco ... This kind of stuff happens,” she said. “Is that okay? No, but it’s one guy. I refuse to hold the entire industry and every man who wants to work with young children hostage to that one person, just because he’s bad. ... He’s bad to the bone, but he does not represent the men that I know who work in early childhood education.” Going to fall 2020 Porter said a new male teacher will be working with them at
the Loma Chica, and that they are “excited” to see more male students in the program. Santos also shared a free digital children’s book, which the Cañada College Educators Now Club have materialized, on the subject of the COVID-19 precautions and practices. The book also comes with a free workbook, and both materials will soon be available in print. SMCCCD’s three colleges will be launching a “student apprenticeship program” this fall. The project will allow students to complete their ECE coursework, study for a degree for transfer for free, and gain paid work experience. “Students will have general education and ECE classes, that degree for transfer, and (the program) will help place them in paid employment if they don’t already have it,” Watts said. Watts also disclosed that the district’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) have given the green light for Loma Chica of Skyline College and the Mary Meta Lazarus Child Development Center of the College of San Mateo to be operational again for the fall 2021 semester, while still adhering to the safety protocols to mitigate and avoid the spread of COVID-19. “Deep gratitude to the two faculty coordinators at the Centers,” Hall said, referring to Watts and Maggie Barrientos, the child development center coordinators for Skyline College and College of San Mateo respectively. “They have worked really closely with the district, with the parents in their programs, and with the county-wide emergency response system to make sure that our centers are safe, that children will be safe, and that the faculty and staff will be safe.” With the opening of the child development centers, Brower believes that “most parents are going to have a new appreciation for their teachers and all that they do.”
Features
April 21, 2021
Stone busts of four well-known Stoic philosophers, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca the Younger, Epictetus, and Zeno of Citium
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John Harrison/The Skyline View
Stoicism: an ancient philosophy with contemporary value By John Harrison DIGITAL EDITOR
“Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future too,” wrote Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor. He ruled from 161-180 A.D., and for 15 of his nearly 20 years as emperor, he fought the Antonine Plague, which killed Aurelius’ predecessor, and would eventually kill him. Aurelius practiced a virtue ethic called Stoicism, which values striking a balance with the natural world, and living virtuously through self-discipline. As we begin the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, these ancient virtues are making a modern comeback. “Stoicism, in general, is still alive and well,” said David Eck, professor of philosophy at Cañada College. “People might call themselves Neo-Stoics. For both ancient Stoics and present-day ones, the idea is to focus on what you can control, the general idea being how you react.” Stoic teachings emphasize being at peace with the elements of your life which you have no direct influence on, such as a global pandemic. “It’s a kind of ethic where one tries to live in accordance with nature and tries to control one’s inner self,” said Carlos Colombetti, professor of philosophy at Skyline College. “There are certain things in your life you can’t control — for example, if a person gets terribly ill. There might not be much they can do about that physically, but they can have some control over their own attitude, their own response to the situation. You can’t control the fact that you’re sick, but the Stoic message is that you have control over your response to it, your reaction.”
One of the concepts of modern Stoicism is something called amor fati, a term coined by Friedrich Nietzsche that roughly translates to “love of fate.” According to Ryan Holiday, author of a book called “The Daily Stoic”, amor fati “is the Stoic mindset that you take on for making the best out of anything that happens: Treating each and every moment — no matter how challenging — as something to be embraced, not avoided.” It’s basically about appreciating how difficult circumstances can teach us valuable lessons. With 2020 only a few months behind us and 2021 shaping up to be another interesting year, perhaps it’s worth taking a look at the ancient teachings of the Stoics and how they can help us with the challenges of today. What are the four main Stoic virtues? • Courage Seneca the Younger once said, “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” This world can be scary on a good day, but in these uncertain times full of disease, violence, and general unease about the state of our planet, courage is key. Facing the challenges of our everyday lives with bravery and resolve is the Stoic way, as is remembering that things could always have been worse. Tip: Try spending some time each day contemplating the worstcase scenarios. This will not only prepare you in case something awful happens, but will give you a new perspective on your quality of life. • Justice To be a good Stoic, one must choose to be of highest moral character. This means something different for every person, but there is always a common good to consider: Do your actions, whether intended or otherwise, cause suffering in others? Do you treat others as equals?
Tip: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Stoics believed this long before the creation of Christianity, and it’s as good a piece of advice now as it was two thousand years ago. As we begin to reintegrate into society with vaccines becoming more widespread, this simple rule will work in your favor. • Moderation Oscar Wilde was not a Stoic, but he’s quoted as saying, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” Your body, or self, is one of the only things in this world that you have control over, and that control should be intentional. The ancient Stoics believed that excess was unnecessary — You don’t need much to survive, and very little is often just enough. Tip: Pay attention to what goes into your body. There’s a sweet spot between extremes and essentials. Quarantine has more than a few of us indulging in our vices on a regular basis, but it’s smart to take a break now and then. As California begins to reopen bars, restaurants, and clubs, now is the perfect time to give your body a chance to rest. • Wisdom For the ancient Stoics, this meant understanding what was in one’s control and what was not, and how to apply that knowledge to one’s life. For example, if it’s raining outside, there’s no reason to waste your energy feeling upset about it. Yes, you may get wet. But since there’s nothing you can do about the water falling from the sky, why spend time and effort worrying about it? Tip: While you can’t control the weather, there are things you can control. Did you bring an umbrella? Wear a rain jacket? Boots? Wisdom allows us to make choices that improve our lives. Practice recognizing when you’re feeling upset about something beyond your control, then think about what you can actually do to improve your situation.
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Arts and Entertainment
April 21, 2021
The man from the Bronx does it again
“Destined 2 Win” is a rather fitting album name for young rapper Lil Tjay, as he has been becoming a bigger household name in the rap and hip hop game over the last couple of years By Arman Archouniani Reporter
Lil Tjay has several big names as features on his album, such as Saweetie, 6LACK, Tyga, Offset, Moneybagg Yo, Polo G, Toosii and Fivio Foreign. He has built his platform over the past couple of years, and has displayed such potential at a young age. This album consists of 21 songs, three of which are bonus tracks. It starts off with a minute-long instrumental, with almost no real lyrics — just background libs. There are many different themes to be found within this album, which is something I love about it. Listening to the album, one experiences a wide range of emotions, including sadness, motivation, and anger. In my opinion, this is the best work Tjay has put out so far. When I first hear that an album has dropped, the first things I want to know are how many tracks there are, how long each song is, and what genres have been incorporated into the album. The contrasting moods is a prominent characteristic of this album, for example, songs like “Calling My Phone” and “Life Changed” have completely different moods to them compared to the rest of the tracks.
“Calling My Phone” feat. 6LACK is one of my favorite of its tracks, and this likely comes as no surprise to anybody who has also listened to the album. This seemed to be one of the songs that stood out to fans. Tjay gives us an amazing sad song that makes us think about our exes when times were shaky. He talks about his time with his ex, and how he now does not want to ever hear from her again. The line “Steady callin’ my phone / I done told you before that it’s over, leave me ‘lone”, describes him trying to get his mind off of his ex, but it seems it is not working — “I can’t get you off my mind now”. This song appears to be the most popular one on the album so far, and has a very catchy beat behind it. This is a track that most people in failed relationships can relate to. Overall, it’s my opinion that this is one of the best songs that Lil Tjay has put over the course of his career. It had never been smooth sailing for Tjay, having grown up in the Bronx. “Life Changed” is a firsthand look at his tough upbringing and how he needed to start to better his life. I love the concept of this song, because Bronx residents who adore him will likely be able to relate to it. “Life changed, I’m
Lil TJay album review
movin’ on to the better things” is a good summary of his life, seeing as how he has blossomed into one of the young top rappers in the game. “My momma happy, ain’t no more sighin’” is one of my favorite lines in the song, as he has cashed in many checks to bring his
family out of the dark times. The only thing I dislike about this song is the background libs when he yells “yeah” multiple times. Other than the unnecessary loud libs, it is an excellent song. Most believe he is the King of New York, and at the moment, it
looks like he has indeed taken the throne. Look out for the young star from New York to become an even more significant name later this year.
It’s Whack’s world and we’ve only caught a glimpse of it
Rapper Tierra Whack is quickly becoming one of the most creative artists on the scene today By Jasper Lindsey Sports Editor
The rap industry has grown like wildfire in the 21st century, with a plethora of generation-defining artists evolving into the rockstars of our time. The female representation in the genre in particular has seen exponential growth in recent years, with rappers like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion capturing the ears of listeners across the globe. However, one rapper hailing from Philadelphia is bringing her own charismatic spin to the rap game: Tierra Whack. Born in 1995, Whack and her two siblings were raised by a single mother in North Philadelphia. Growing up, Whack always carried a shyness about her, but her introverted nature allowed her infatuation with writing and poetry to blossom. For Whack, writing in rhyme allowed Whack to escape her insecurities, serving as a medium by which she let her creativity flow. “I couldn’t tell you how I felt verbally but I could write it down,” Whack told The Fader in 2018. “(I felt) almost like I couldn’t find the words. I felt like in a box and kinda like I don’t wanna talk or know how to talk.” As she entered her teenage years, Whack began to delve further into her craft, breaking onto Philadelphia’s battle rap scene under the moniker “Dizzle Dizz”. She quickly garnered local fame appearing in videos for Philly rap collective “We Run the Streets”, as well as drawing buzz amongst the freestyle rap community. At the time, Whack was also attending The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, where she majored in vocals
Have you heard of Tierra Whack yet?
with a minor in fine arts. While Whack saw tremendous early success, she felt trapped in Philadelphia. She was one of only a handful of African American students at Benjamin Rush, and despite her success in the rap battle community, Whack never truly felt her creativity could flourish, and she fell into depression. It was at this time that her mother decided to relocate the household to Atlanta, as she believed a fresh start would give Whack the confidence to pursue her gift. “I needed to get away from Philly, where I was born and raised,” Whack told NPR in 2019. “I needed a break. I isolated myself. It was kinda like I took time
off from home to go explore.” In Atlanta, Whack was able to find stability working at Mister Car Wash, a job that she describes as having been among the things that shaped her confidence in facing adversity. Whack describes that summer working at the car wash as having been a transcendent moment in her life, as she was the only woman working on the line, and one of few to not quit after their first shift. With the money she had earned working at the car wash, Whack was able to buy a laptop and finally begin recording her own music. In 2015, she returned to Philadelphia, determined to hone her craft. There, she reconnected with long-
time friend and producer Kenete Simms, who taught Whack how to mix and master on her own. With the proper equipment and work ethic handed down from her mother, Whack spent the next two years working tirelessly on her music, and subsequently released three singles in 2017: “Toe Jam”, “Shit Happens”, and “Mumbo Jumbo”. Out of the three, “Mumbo Jumbo” gained her the most notoriety, as the accompanying video would be nominated for a Grammy in 2019. Whack was quickly signed to Interscope Records. In 2018, Whack released her first studio album, titled “Whack World”. The 15-track album runs just under 15 minutes, with each
song serving as a 60-second look into Whack’s complex world. The album is both satirical and whimsical, with just a dab of melancholy. At its heart, “Whack World” captures the emotional outlets Whack felt had served as her means of escape while growing up in North Philly. Whack is able to convey her thoughts and feelings to her listeners, whether it be the hit “Hungry Hippo”, in which she is heard dubbing herself “not your average girl”, or “Bugs Life”, in which she takes a humorous approach to her severe allergy to insects. “90% of the time, I’m being silly,” Whack told NPR in 2019. “But it’s like that 10% that’s still serious. ’Cause life is not sweet. It’s good and it’s bad. So no matter how much good is going on, the bad is always going to creep up.” While she has yet to release a follow-up album, Whack has continued to release music, even appearing on tracks with Tyler the Creator and A$AP Rocky. In December, her singles “Peppers and Onions” and “feel good” were featured in her commercial for Apple Music. Her latest single, “Link”, is quietly climbing the charts, as Whack looks to continue ascending the ranks within the industry. Through her labor of self-love and unrivaled creative process, Tierra Whack is truly proving that it’s her world, and we’re simply living in it.
Sports
April 21, 2021
The lost season of Trojans basketball
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With all the uncertainty that the team has dealt with because of the pandemic, next year’s team looks to bounce back with a motivated squad By Arman Archouniani Staff Writer
This has been a lost season for the Skyline Basketball team, as there will not be an official league year — only a couple of scrimmages to happen in May, assuming everything goes well. There have been many questions over the past couple of months concerning whether or not there will be an official season, yet with all the interactions and practices the team has had outdoors, they have learned to cherish all of it. Every team meeting, practice, and get-together is great because these guys get to step out and spend quality time with each other. The players have been really anxious to see the results play out in their favor, but have been trying to stay focused on academics. “I just make sure I get my work done for sure, and get my work in for basketball,” said second-year guard David Avak. “Both must be done, but only one is affected by the uncertainty regarding the season. The uncertainty just makes me anxious. I am more calm now because I’m sort of realizing it is more about the destination than the journey.” The freshmen entering the program have been learning how to deal with not experiencing an official season, while also making sure to keep sharpening their skills no matter the circumstances. “I just do my best to reiterate
what my coach has told them to do whenever I see them not doing it correctly,” Avak said. “I try to do that in a supportive way, but also in a serious way, so that they know to correct it.” The second-year players have been guiding the freshmen through drills and how to keep the right mindset through all the uncertainties. “Everyone is still practicing and going hard every day even though we do not know if we will have a season,” said freshman Julius Alcantara. “They helped me tremendously to ease into the program by helping me with drills I have never experienced and have brought me in with open arms.” Alcantara explained how his academics have been keeping him focused and have prevented him from being caught up too much in the uncertainties of the season. He believes that this time off has allowed him to excel off the court. “Instead of just waiting around wondering if there will be a season, I started to focus more on my academics,” he said. “School keeps me busy during the free time I have off the court. I want to do the best I can in both basketball and academics and strive for a 4.0. I know that doing both sounds hard, but I want to push myself to be successful in whatever I do.” These student-athletes have done a great job of staying composed mentally and physically, and it all starts with the head
Trojan guard David Avak drives to the basket for a lay-up during pre-game warm-ups
coach, Justin Piergrossi. He still has his team in the right state of mind to get better every day and to enjoy everything that they do together. “Coach P has played a huge role in keeping our spirits up even though there will not be an official season,” said freshman Dominic Wilson. “I am in his class so I can see him as a teacher and not just a coach.” Wilson tlked about how the season being canceled has weighed on him, and how he has adjusted his mindset to accommodate
working even harder. “Once we found out that there was no chance of a season, I was disappointed, but at the same time, I looked at it as an opportunity to just get better and make the most out of the situation,” he said. School has been a main focal point for these student athletes as they proceed with their online classes. Having one of the top performances, with a 3.76 GPA last semester, they rank as having some of the top scores for a team in the history of California
Via David Avak
community college athletics. The discipline of these young guys off the court results in great results for the school and thus a great reputation. “In the first semester, my academics really helped the process, because I felt like I was maintaining a good schedule and getting things done,” Wilson said, “This semester it has definitely gotten more tough, but I still think it plays a big role.”
Women’s soccer team struggles with fall cancellations Scoring goals and team bonding were not the events that occurred last fall for the women’s soccer team
By Arman Archouniani Staff Writer
It was a very big ask for these student athletes as they needed to get weekly coronavirus tests and also required them to test negative 48 hours before a game. Skyline did not have a testing zone on campus. Kevin Corsiglia, head coach of Skyline women’s soccer, described the struggles the players had to deal with. “Taking everything into account, they settled into this routine of not coming to school, and their lives changed outside of school,” Corsiglia said. “When we were face-to-face it was go to class, get ready for practice, have practice, go home, and go to work. They are working at different times and could not come to practice because they were having to work and help out families and also some people were just weren’t safe with coming back yet.” These factors ultimately led to the team opting out of the Spring 1 session, which was scheduled to take place between Jan 19 and April 17. Only three schools out of the 12 in the conference on the women’s side opted into the Spring 1 block. Corsiglia described the need
to try to get back to a sense of normality, but also expressed his recognition of how important competition is for these athletes, as well as how proud he is of the athletic department’s efforts. “Trying to get our students back on campus creates a roadmap for everybody: how do we get everybody off these Zoom calls and back to face to face?” Corsiglia said. “If we can start providing that roadmap and how it can be done safely, then I think it will benefit the college as a whole. I do not only want to be back on the field with my players, but also in the classroom with my students.” Staying at home and not being able to compete at the highest level has been tough for these athletes. Mental health is a very serious thing, and is something that many people struggle with. Skyline soccer player Isabel Martin explained ways she was able to strengthen her mental toughness without having the season. “Taking a break, especially stepping away from the screen, has helped, just going for a walk, or taking a walk with my dog or walking on the treadmill,” Martin said, “Stepping away has really helped me.” It seems that the players will have
a more successful fall, with several scrimmages set to hopefully occur. Martin emphasized the bond she wants to create when the full team gets back out there and catch up on missed time with them. “One thing I always look forward to is team bonding and building better connections, because your teammates are your friends,” Martin said. Not being able to have a season was a big downside for the players. After training and conditioning in the summer every day, second-year Skyline soccer player Keely Anderberg described how tough it was to learn they would not have a season. “It made doing school a lot harder, to be honest, because you do not have that one stress outlet you can go to,” Anderberg said. “We prepared the entire summer and practiced every day — We looked like we were in good condition. Being told we were not having a season was awful.” There were many adjustments to be made throughout the entirety of the fall semester. Without having a season, the players found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. “I played pickup games with my closest friends, so we have been
Keely Anderberg dribbles the ball upfield for the Skyline women’s soccer team Via Keely Andeberg
doing that this whole time,” Anderberg said. “For the most part, I was probably able to play soccer more than most people were, but it’s not the same feeling.” The incoming freshmen are arriving during a very hard situation. Their first time talking to their new teammates was over a Zoom call. The team used to do online training sessions, but those, of course, did not seem to be as effective as the in-person practices. “It was hard, because the first time we met them was over Zoom and the first freshman I met was in one of my classes,” Anderberg said. “They have missed out on their entire freshman year of
college — They missed out on the trips and all the team bonding. I know what it was supposed to feel like for them. I just met them because we just started training.” Anderberg remarked that you have to make time for the things you love to do. “Write a list or else everything will fall apart if you are not on top of everything, your teachers are not there telling you what to do anymore,” she said. It has been a difficult time for everyone, but the future seems to be looking brighter for the Skyline women’s soccer team, with the fall set to have more in store for them.
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Sports
April 21, 2021
From the backyard to the college diamond
Randy and Gene Aberouette bring a family element to Skyline’s baseball program By Steven Rissotto News Editor
Randy Aberouette strapped on his spikes, doffed on his cap, packed his equipment, and set out to the field for his first practice as a member of the Skyline baseball team. Something wasn’t right when most of the other players rolled up wearing black t-shirts with their baseball pants — a dress code unbeknownst to Aberouette, who stood out in his bright white shirt. As a freshman, Aberouette knew there would be some learning curves involved in learning a new group of personalities, all of whom had an aspect of history with each other. But a mistake on the first day? This is a learning experience, he thought. The practice ended, and a familiar face on the team approached him, tossing a black Skyline Trojans baseball shirt his way. “We wear black on this team,” this teammate of his said. It was Randy’s older brother Gene, who was beginning his second season with the club, and was in no mood to watch his brother make a common-sense mistake of wearing the frowned-upon white shirt ever again. Even though the coronavirus pandemic that has caused many Trojan players to opt out for the entire season, the two Aberouette brothers have embarked on a unique opportunity to be teammates at the collegiate level. Raised in San Bruno, Randy and Gene are two of eight siblings in a family with a rich background in athletics. Their older brothers, Felix and Jean-Paul, have had experience on the diamond at four-year universities, Felix being
Randy and Gene Aberouette are enjoying their first season playing for Skyline’s baseball team together Via Aberouette Family
a catcher for South Alabama and Jean-Paul a pitcher for Spring Hill. The youngest son, David, is playing for the varsity baseball team at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. Naturally, all the brothers started playing before they could even remember, and it’s been a staple in their lives ever since. “There’s five of us playing baseball right now, and we all just play catch, hit, and work out together,” Randy said. “I mean, our whole lives revolve around baseball. I think that’s a big part of why we gravitate toward the sport.” In high school, Randy and Gene made their marks on the baseball diamond, wrestling mat, and cross country track. But when the time came to narrow the workload down to one sport, it wasn’t a difficult choice. Gene’s first taste of Skyline
baseball was in 2020, in the spring, before COVID-19 shut down their season in mid-March. In nine appearances on the mound, he threw 12 innings, while giving up just two runs and striking out 12. On the mound, he has the distinctive ability to pitch effectively with both arms, although he has recently shifted to primarily throwing left-handed while the right side continues to improve in bullpen sessions. Known as “Gene’s little brother” on the team, Randy is a catcher known for his athleticism and mobility behind the plate. A big part of their routine features Gene regularly throwing bullpens while Randy catches, a tradition they’ve brought to Skyline. “There are three catchers in my family, and pitching to any of my brothers is always a calm vibe, because they got my back,” Gene said.
“It’s pretty cool getting to watch Randy catch for Gene, just knowing that they grew up together and they’ve done it before,” said Stephen Blecha, an outfielder for the Trojans who happened to be high school teammates with both of them. “He’s kind of got that knowledge of what he throws and when he’ll throw it.” And there’s a fun element to that familiar history. It’s safe to say that the competitive nature of growing up in a household of eight siblings could have a strong influence on the brothers, and there’s always some fun mixed in. One of those moments comes when Randy steps up to the plate against Gene on the mound during live at-bats in practice. The cat and mouse games played between the two is on display for all to witness. “We’ve had a couple live at-bats, and it’s fun — He’s my brother, but at the end of the day, it’s bragging rights,” Randy said. “I’m getting to that box, facing him, and I’m trying to hit it hard, and he’s trying to strike me out.” The most recent matchup between the two was prematurely ended when one of the runners unsuccessfully tried to steal second base in order to retire the inning. Gene was in the driver’s seat with a 1-2 count, but we’ll have to settle for the ultimate cliffhanger until the next showdown occurs. The two are professionals when it comes to making an entrance, often pulling to the field in Gene’s Corvette. When practice is over, they take inventory by breaking down the aspects of practice they just participated in. For them, it’s more art than a job. “It’s just their whole demeanor,” Blecha said. “Randy is always smiling — It doesn’t matter what is going on. If you look at Gene, he’s
significantly more serious than his younger brother.” Although he’s now a seasoned veteran in a leadership position, Gene knows how to have his fair share of fun. One such instance was a small prank he took part in carrying out, when he helped install a parking boot on an infielder’s tire. The old-fashioned gaffe generated some laughs, leaving little room to doubt Gene’s pure authenticity. The bond between the two runs deeper than the fact that they live together, train together, and carpool to the field together in the Corvette. Of course, Gene has played with Skyline for longer, but that minor detail won’t stop him from helping his younger brother succeed. “I’m trying to still teach him to do his job or call pitches,” Gene said. “He’s doing good — he can do it all — but in case there are some mistakes, I’ll help him out a little bit.” The two pride themselves on having each other’s backs no matter the circumstances, especially during a challenging season when Skyline is left with roughly ten position players and five pitchers while playing double-headers against teams that sometimes field more than 30 players. “This is my first year on the team, and Gene is a returner, so he’s already like one of the big guys on the team,” Randy said. “Coming up to the practices at first, I kind of looked up to him. Everyone loves Gene, everyone knows Gene.” “I’ve been treated pretty well coming in,” Randy said. “I think a big part of that is Gene looking after me.”
Oracle Park is back and it’s prettier than ever The home of the Giants recently reopened their ballpark to fans for the 2021 season By Steven Rissotto News Editor
It was Sept. 30, 2019 — the final game I attended as a fan and the final game of the 2019 season. Bruce Bochy was chauffeured around the perimeter of Oracle Park for the final time as manager of the San Francisco Giants, a team he led to more than 1,000 wins and three World Series championships. The ballpark was popping with energy as they honored their future Hall of Fame manager and looked forward to a new era of the Giants’ baseball. Nobody knew it at the time, but it would be the last time a crowd would fill the beautiful waterfront ballpark for over 17 months. In 2020, COVID-19 affected society in countless ways, and the most noticeable difference in the sports world happened to be the lack of fans in the stadiums. Living, breathing, and overjoyed fans in the bleachers and grandstands were replaced with motionless, boring, and quiet cardboard cutouts. Sports fans across the country were left to watch their favorite players from the comfort
of their homes, which I personally didn’t mind much, because it had mostly been that way for me beforehand anyway. But any sports fan will tell you that that handful of ball games you witness in person each year bring about a magical feeling of normalcy and significance. All the care in the world is eliminated for a few hours, the responsibility overshadowed by grown men playing a game. It’s a different feeling, being present at a game — a feeling you can’t experience while kicking back on a recliner at home. So when the Giants announced their plans to allow fans into Oracle Park for the 2021 season, I jumped at the chance to smell that freshly-cut green grass again. I jumped at the chance to see a baseball game in person. I jumped at the chance to feel some sense of normalcy. I attended the third game of the opening homestand on April 11 with three members of my inner circle, as the Giants went for the three-game sweep against their NL West rivals, the Colorado Rockies. The weather at the afternoon games in San Francisco has been
consistent ever since they made the move away from Candlestick Park in 2000. The expectation is always the same: blue skies, a slight breeze, and the possibility for a sweatshirt to be in play close to the end of the game. The organization made a little less than 10,000 tickets available in order to ensure that social distancing was possible, and the San Francisco Public Health Department imposed the requirement that everyone enters the ballpark having tested negative for COVID-19 or with proof of vaccination. This may be an extra step that needs to be completed, but I personally had no issue booking a quick test at the Serramonte High School site, and my results were back in less than two days. If the mandatory testing or vaccinations mean that more people will be motivated to receive the vaccine or get tested regularly, then I’m in complete support of it. As we approached the Willie Mays gate, a lot of the traditional fixtures remained on the perimeter of the ballpark — independent merchants laid out hats, shirts and bobbleheads for fans to buy. There were still a decent number of boats
and kayaks hanging out in McCovey Cove, taking in the scenery. The entrance process was fairly simple, as there was a location where the ballpark employees took note of the vaccination or testing proof. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the concourse so empty. I could literally count on my hands how many people were walking back and forth around the stadium. For the most part, fans were ushered straight to their seats, where they remained for the entire game. We sat in the first row of section 312, and the closest family was two rows above us. The ushers around the ballpark made sure the mask mandate was adhered to, unless you were eating. Food and beverages have always been a key factor at sports stadiums and that hasn’t changed with the pandemic version of Oracle Park. Instead of approaching the nearest Doggie Diner to order a hot dog, fans had the opportunity to order from their seats. The order was submitted to the nearest food stand in our section, and it was ready for pickup in just a few minutes. I usually stack up on hot dogs
during baseball games, but sometimes a college student living through a pandemic needs to sacrifice a few desires to remain sane financially, so I went the Subway route instead. The atmosphere when nothing was happening during the game lacked electricity, but then again, what would you expect with 6,500 in attendance? That being said, when the ball was put in play or a big strikeout was recorded, it sounded like a packed house. But most of the time, we were hearing full conversations from 20 feet away, and even the umpire on the field shouting “Foul ball!” The experience was clearly different from when there’s 40,000 people jumping up and down in their seats, but the atmosphere of simply being present at the ballpark was positive and refreshing. I never thought I’d be back so soon, and it was as enjoyable as I could have expected. The realization that spring is here, normalcy is approaching, and baseball is back was an exciting one.