The Skyline View Fall 2013 Issue 6

Entertainment

Features

Game Review Skylloween Photos page 7

Sports page 6

Basketball Player Profile

page 12

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The

Skyline View The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, California

Volume XXXIII - Issue 6

November 7, 2013

www.theskylineview.com

Campus celebrates going green CCSF announces

closure report

City College releases its ‘contingency plan’ if all efforts fail and the school is forced to close its doors next year

by Michelle Kelly TSV News Editor

Photo by Lea Naqishbendi/ The Skyline View

Skyline President Dr. Regina Stanback-Stroud (middle-left) and SMCCCD Board President Karen Schwartz (middle-right) cut fuel-pump line with other partners from the project as a symbolic gesture of their goals.

Unique ribbon-cutting ceremony marks Skyline’s initiative

by Lea Naqishbendi TSV Staff Writer

Skyline’s Automotive Technology department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and lunch Monday Oct. 28 to celebrate the opening and installation of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure on campus and throughout the community college district.

About a hundred of observers, including San Mateo County Community College District

(SMCCCD) board members, Skyline faculty and students, and those closely tied to the Electric Vehicle (EV) Project enjoyed a barbecue lunch by Pacific Dinning before speakers addressed the crowd.

Skyline President, Dr. Regina Stanback-Stroud, spoke to acknowledge those who had contributed to Skyline’s development with the EV Project, from grant writer Mike Williamson to

Schneider Electric and the California Energy Commission whom donated the charge stations.

“The EV charging stations are one piece of a larger college commitment to sustainability and environmental justice that includes facilities energy practices,” Stanback-Stroud said. “This past week the College Council recognized numerous members of the Electric continued on page 3

City College of San Francisco announced their closing plans on Oct. 14.

City College calls the closure report their “Contingency Plan” because administration is determined to prevent the school from closing.

“We need to plan and accommodate, but we know it’s not going to close,” said Peter Anning, public relations officer for City College. “‘Closure Report’ has the word close in it and it makes people think we’re closing but we’re not. It is a requirement and we’re following the laws and requirements in this process. We have to prepare, but for something we don’t see happening.”

City College is improving the issues the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) cited them for including lack of stable leadership, financial accountability and a lack

of staffing.

The report has agreements with 21 surrounding community colleges, including Skyline, that will allow students to move easily into classes. Students who have completed 75 percent of their degrees at City College will still receive their diploma from City College. The only difference would be that they have to take the remainder of their classes at another school.

As well the report has information regarding the $900 million in real estate assets the San Francisco Community College District (SFCCD) currently owns. SFCCD plans to keep ownership of the buildings they currently have only resorting to leasing the space if need be.

Faculty and staff of City College will be receiving their notice of termination on March 15, 2014 and their last day would coincide with the end of the schools CCSF continued on page 3

Poll shows students feel under-qualified in their jobs A recent survey asks students nationwide if they feel confident about their abilities in the workplace

by Nico Triunfante TSV Staff Writer

Majority of college students in the United States feel that they are overqualified for their jobs. However, Skyline college students feel qualified and satisfied with their work during school.

According to a survey conducted in Aug. 2013, with over 2,000 college students and over 1,000 hiring managers by Inside Higher Ed, 39 percent of hiring managers feel that recent college students are completely prepared for a job in their field of study.

In contrast, 50 percent of college students rate themselves within the same terms.

Hiring managers look for a certain skills sets including organization, prioritizing work, public speaking, managing, and decision making. From the student’s perspective, student have these skill; however, less hiring managers than students believe that their college student employees have these qualities.

For instance, 77 percent of college student workers believe that they have a keen sense of prioritizing their work. Whereas, only 50 percent of hiring manag-

ers believe that the students have that ability of well prioritization.

According to Virginia Padron, Skyline Career Center Director, students need to realize the skill set that they have obtained through personal experiences, volunteer jobs, and their everyday studies.

“As a community college we get very young students that come in from high school who have very little, or no experience in the work world,” Virginia Padron, Skyline Career Center Director said. “Everybody has skills, it’s just a matter of identifying those skills.”

Career counselors are able to help students identify the personal skills that are unseen by their students.

Padron said that there is a backpack of skills that each person carries along with them throughout their lives. Within this backpack, every job that a person has done in their life carries on to their next job. A babysitting job enhances the responsibility and organizational skills that a person has, while a volunteering job may enhance the leadership skills of a person.

In an informal poll conducted

by The Skyline View, majority of students did not feel overqualified for their current part-time jobs. 60 percent of the surveyed students feel satisfied with their current jobs.

College students who fall under the realm of either under-qualified or qualified with their jobs are students who are in the workplace that correlates with their specific major. Those in internships, externships, or office jobs are all related to the satisfaction of the employees.

The 41 percent of students who feel overqualified for their jobs are workers in retail, including Target, Red Robin, Sports City, and Best Buy. The majority of retail workers do not find satisfaction with their part-time jobs.

However, Skyline student Danny Alvarez is a worker at Best Buy, who enjoys producing music through his laptop and keyboard.

The constant updates with technology falls under his satisfaction with his hobbies and his job.

“I love to stay up to date, and being overqualified does not apply to me because I love my job,” Alvarez said. “I don’t care how much I get paid as long as I love what I am doing.”

Skyline Poll Results Students were asked if they felt like they were qualified for their current job

57.19%

42.8%

- Students who felt under-qualified - Students who felt qualified

*According to an informal poll conducted by The Skyline View

2

The

Skyline View The Staff Editor In Chief Will Nacouzi News Editor Michelle Kelly Features Editor Haider Mashal Opinions Editor Josh Collier Entertainment Editor Jordan Sweidan Sports Editor Reynaldo Garcia Copy Editors Vince Biancalana Nick Major David Perez Steve Perotti Senior Staff Writers Aaron Mashington Renee Abu-Zaghbra Staff Writers Matt Floyd Molly Downs Bianca Gonzalez Nico Triunfante Lea Naquishbendi Alex Maffei Gabriela Saucedo SHaquill Stewart Ivan Jerome Van Perre III John Mark Pablo Guest Writers Stephen Benoit JJ Valdez Staff Photographer Christopher Christenson Staff Illustrator David Martinez Faculty Advisor Nancy Kaplan-Biegel

Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us?

(650) 738-4377 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.

News

Nov. 7, 2013

news.tsv@gmail.com

Skylloween disappoints clubs Student government’s disorganization became apparent at this year’s Halloween festival

by Molly Downs

TSV Staff Writer

In the words of Ike Eisenhower, the great five-star general and thirty-fourth president of the United States, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

Yes, the student government had many great ideas, plans and events for a successful Skylloween Harvest Festival last Thursday, the second annual event showcasing the many unique clubs at Skyline College. To support the event, the Associated Students of Skyline College rented out a private tent for the clubs to set up their booths.

Activities included in-house massage therapy, acupuncture, turntable mixing, a photo booth, carnival games, music, stand-up comedy shows, and a pie-in-theface booth.

While intentions were good, execution of the many great plans fell short and the turnout was significantly less than expected. Considering that there are 40 clubs, each with about 10-20 members, there should have been around 800 people at the event, but by the looks of the foot traffic they didn’t hit close to that mark.

Some pitfalls were unexpected.

However, some could definitely have been avoided.

Let’s start with location. Since the clubs depend upon foot traffic, why not have the event take place in a heavily frequented area? The event took place in a commonly avoided and underutilized field behind building four next to the soccer field.

Unfortunately, according to German Valencia, LASO club member, “The tent was misleading and gave off the impression that it was a private event,” she said. “People thought we were charging to get in here. If we would have had it in the quad, more people would be walking through.”

Well, of course it did. On what other occasion, other than private events, do you find tents in the

Photo by Christopher Christenson/ The Skyline View

Activities were held in a closed off tent far from the main campus foot traffic paths.

middle of nowhere? More importantly, few people would be motivated to take the trek somewhere out of the way.

“Foot traffic is difficult when you spread it across the campus,” Richard Porter, the Commissioner of Student Activities, explained.

“There are students who are in wheelchairs, who are blind, who are used to walking the campus and not seeing a big tent somewhere. This is out of their way.”

Porter, however, stood by the ASSC’s decision to put the festival on the grass.

“I think it’s a big success compared to last year. Everybody’s together.”

Well, not quite everyone, Mr. Porter.

“We have a lot of red tape to go through every time we do something.”

–Richard Porter Then there was the issue of advertising for the event. Apparently, the plan was to get the details of the event out through word-ofmouth. If people knew there was a big event, the enthusiasm would naturally spread. In other words, the buzz will create the biz: “We spent good money on advertising. This huge freakin’ tent

Photo by Will Nacouzi/ The Skyline View

DeShawn Davis’ performance was hard to hear from out of the small speakers.

Photo by Will Nacouzi/ The Skyline View

Richard Porter stands by the decision to place Skyloween behind building 4. is good advertising,” said Porter.

With all the social media access today, a simple white “private” looking tent is not a marketing plan.

In fact, there was no marketing plan at all until the day before event.

“They handed us the fliers that Wednesday and said ‘Here. Go pass these out. We haven’t been advertising this,’” said Nick Major, the Journalism Club president and Copy Editor for The Skyline View.

Facebook, twitter, websites, the newspaper etc.

The ASSC was also disappointed when their plan to create interest through co-marketing efforts with food trucks, zip-line, dodge ball and bouncy houses fell through. According to Porter, the district cancelled these events at the last minute because of the liabilities.

The reason the food trucks, a big event draw, were banned this year was because their business would conflict with the Skyline cafeteria contract that disallows other establishments from taking business and profits.

“We have a lot of red tape to go through every time we do something,” said Porter.

Interestingly enough, the College of San Mateo campus hosts a Farmer’s Market every weekend.

What loophole did those businesses jump through that Skyline’s own students could not negotiate?

Surely that red tape is evident in this case. Either Skyline College truly wishes to encourage its clubs and student entrepreneurs, or that talk is simply lip service. Somehow the plans fell flat at the execution level.

In the future, student organizations should be given better guidance and assistance during the planning. According to Porter, ASSC students only took about a month to plan the entire event.

With so many obstacles in their way, a committed campus liaison with some knowledge of the ins and outs of campus politics would go far in making these kinds of events a success.

News

The

Skyline View

3

Nov. 7, 2013

Electric chargers on campus help move Skyline to energy efficiency

continued from page 1

campus community for their work on sustainability, and completing the first Skyline College Sustainability plan- one of the few among California Community Colleges.”

Stanback-Stroud shared that having held the ceremony in the Automotive Technology department, where one of the charging stations on campus can be found, had additional meaning to it’s location. Skyline wanted to “highlight how responsive the college is to educating students in these new technologies”, and that “the Automotive Technology program has developed training in both hybrid and EV technologies and proudly owns a number of hybrid vehicles for student learning.”

On Aug.13, a grant was received for the EV project and a total of 11 have already been installed throughout the district, five of which are at Skyline, and allows for up to four hours of use per

vehicle. Since their debut, 475 vehicles have used the EV charging stations, but a ribbon ceremony had been delayed in order to make any needed adjustments.

“We had one small challenge initially with the web reporting component but that ironed out quickly,” said Director of Maintenance & Operations Karen Powell.

“You can now track from your charge point card charging stations which are available, and the system keeps track of how often it’s used, how many kilowatts are consumed, and what percentage of time they are actually being taken advantage of by the public.”

Students are also pleased with the direction the district, and Skyline specifically, has taken to offer the EV charging stations to students.

“I am actually really interested in the change from depending on foreign oil to becoming a more independent country, relying more

Photo by Lea Naqishbendi/ The Skyline View

Environmental Science 110 and club with Adviser Carina Anttila-Suarez (far center back) participate in the celebration on electric vehicles and other forms of propulsion vehicles,” au-

tomotive student Ryan Crane said.

A rally of EV vehicles followed one another after the ceremony at

Skyline to the other campuses in the district for their ribbon cutting ceremonies.

people here…to stand behind you as you take on this important responsibility,” said Hydra Mendoza, Mayor Ed Lee’s education advisor, during the Oct. 18 press conference. “Our expectations are high because of the impact of the consequences are great. As Mayor Ed Lee shared with you during your conversation together, he looks forward to working with you not only this year, but years to come.”

Dr. Tyler was the Special Trustee of Compton College during its closure in 2006. Rumors float around that he was brought in to close City College as he did with Compton College, but Anning disputes those rumors.

“He fought for Compton and he’s going to fight for City College,” Anning said. “He is going to do everything possible to keep the school open.”

Cañada College program CCSF closure report outlines procedure for working adults succeeds continued from page 1

The College for Working Adults program will be seeing its first graduates next May

by Ivan Jerome Van Perre III TSV Staff Writer

Cañada College’s “College for Working Adults” (CWA) program allows a working student to go to school part time and earn up to three associate of art degrees over three years.

“The class meets every Thursday and every other Saturday, with online work during the week,” Jeri Eznecker, program director of the CWA said. “The classes are three units each at $46 per unit and they are Hybrid formatted. The Thursday classes are an hour and half to two hours long, with an hour outside of class for online work this does not include homework assigned in class.”

Regardless of how many hours worked, the program is open to everyone. All of the general education requirements are fulfilled through the program to make it possible to end up with an AA Degree in the following subjects: Psychology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Arts and Humanities.

With this combination of degrees and all the credits being transferable to most universities, students could finish their degree at a university just two years after completing the CWA program.

The original creator of the CWA program is Sarah Perkins, Vice president of Instruction at Skyline.

“Back in St. Louis we had a program working on how we could craft some programs to help accelerate the educational experience for people who were working during the day or taking care of kids,” Perkins said. “When I came out here in 2009, California was hitting bottom in terms of funding for community colleges. There were great cuts all across the state

of California. It’s really thanks to the voting community here in the county that these colleges were supported during that very difficult time.”

“We started this college for working adults, using hybrid course formats,” said Perkins. “...to try to create pathways for students that couldn’t be here during the day to take their classes, that haves jobs, who were trying to better themself or get a degree.”

The inspiration for this program was to help busy adults who can’t find the time to take out for school while still working. It also helped those who had a very short window available to go to school.

“We currently don’t have a working adult program,” Perkins said. “We’re working with the Canada model and looking at what the Skyline students need and it’s in the strategic planning about creating a pathway for students to be able to take this compressed path to obtaining an A.A.T.” “I joined because I’ve done things backwards in life,” Shaina Denner, CWA student, said. “I’ve already been married and have kids. My oldest already graduated and got his bachelor’s degree. My younger son has just started college and my daughter is in high school.

And now it’s my turn now too to join them in getting a degree.”

The program started fall 2011 and this May will be the first graduating class. Although the program is only offered at Canada College, there is change coming around the corner. Perkins is working with the Skyline administration on new programs that will be tailored to the needs of Skyline’s working students.

What: Cañada Working Adults Program

Information Night When: Dec. 12 @ 6p.m.

Where: Cañada College, Building 2 room 10

last day of accreditation.

On Oct. 16 City College announced their newly appointed Chancellor Dr. Arthur Q. Tyler, who was last the deputy chancellor and chief operating officer from the Houston Community College System and has a decade of experience in California Community Colleges prior to that.

“Dr. Tyler you have many

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Opinions Skyline View

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Editorial Cartoon

editorial Blurred lines, two year colleges might look a bit more like four year colleges Whether community colleges should be able to issue bachelor’s degrees.

A panel of 16 are weighing the pros and cons of letting two year institutions in California offer four year bachelor’s degree programs on their own.

You will not be seeing your community college turn into a university, but what this aims to do is allow two year institutions the ability to grant bachelor’s degrees for certain majors.

Say Nursing becomes overcrowded at SF state, the neighboring community colleges will be able to offer the same type of program.

Critics to this program range from private university faculty to community college faculty.

They say that by allowing two year colleges the ability to offer bachelor’s degrees, this will essentially blur the lines between what makes a two year college and a four year colleges, "mudding up" what two year

The View from Here

By Will Nacouzi

Push through because the semester is almost done.

I'll be honest, I've been here at Skyline College for a while now.

The main reason I've been here for so long is because I did not know what I wanted to do with my life, or what I wanted to major in while in college.

As far as I know, this is one of the biggest problems students seem to have when starting college, because at this point in life it's hard to know for a certainty what the future holds for oneself and where life will take them.

This uncertainly is a subject that I encountered after high school. It did take a while before I finally arrived at my current major, which is, low and behold, Journalism. With this major I

colleges stand for in California, according to California’s Master Plan for Higher Education.

This intends to “provide academic and vocational instruction for older and younger students through the first two years of undergraduate education," as opposed to four year institutions which are in place to give students the rest of the education they seek.

This, for the most part, would not be the case; at least 21 other schools have already had this system implemented. They do not overstep their boundaries.

Take Miami Dade Community College: they offer four year programs in around eight or more fields ranging from nursing to education. These programs tend to be popular and have more students in them than most. So, if anything, this system would lessen the burden on four year colleges.

If we were to do this, the community colleges in California would have to go through more accreditation stresses and spend more money on training and expanding the school. This, in the long run, would definitely cost the institutions more money, but would probably end up helping could finally say for certainty that I finally found the major that I was interested in, but more importantly it was a window into other majors and by far it has been a worthwhile experience since then.

At this point, I'm already starting my applications to transfer since transfer month is here. If you're a student and are ready to transfer I'll suggest that you start applying right this moment as it only gets worse later in the month as deadlines slowly creep closer.

Also (changing tracks) traditionally, in my experience, it is about this time of the semester that students begin to falter and teachers begin to show signs of exhaustion as the semester passes the halfway point.

But if you have come this far, now isn't the time to falter. However, if like me, a break is what is needed, then taking a few days to rest from school is something that should be done (preferably over the weekend). If some "R and R" from college is what is needed to revitalize yourself before marching on with the rest of the semester, then so be it.

Still, moving oneself forward until the end of the semester is far easier said than done, as can be said about many things from writing an essay to finding a job. It is far easier to say something than to say it and actually do it yourself, and thus ensuring that it becomes a reality.

So as we approach the middle of November, it also brings us closer to the end of the semester.

So, keep pushing forward with whatever energy that you've got, keep going until the end of the semester.

many students who cannot travel to a state college or university.

While the cost of tuiton has not been laid out, as of now we can take a look at how much a bachelor's would cost for community colleges that have already implemented this system.

According to their website, the cost for a baccalaureate program at Miami Dade College in Florida per term is around $1,500, so four years at the college would cost around $12,000. According to University of Florida’s website, the cost of tuition for one year is around $6,100 for an undergrad.

So, four years at the University of Florida would cost around $24,000. This shows some good saving for students.

While we cannot do much while the topic is in discussion, it would be wise to keep informed on the subject. This could lead to some significant changes to how some people go about their school lives.

While there will be some drawbacks, like to the cost of the school, this could potentially be an open door to many who have not had the opportunity to further their education.

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Opinions

The

Skyline View

Fame fades to shadows, while the best come to battle.

by Nico Truinfante TSV Staff Writer

This generation’s new class of rappers do not distinguish themselves so much from one another.

The typical topics of sex, drugs, alcohol and money are heard in almost every rap song that you hear on the radio, mixtapes and albums.

I wouldn’t say that my playlists don’t have any of the songs that fit the criteria, but I wouldn’t say that any of these songs, or artists that make those songs, fit within my personal top 10.

Personally, these typical artists are the type of rappers that make hip-hop only as good as the pieces of paper that great artists throw into the trash, after not putting together the perfect lyrics.

What I seek in hip-hop, is a story in each song from the beginning to end. What I seek in hip-hop is the urge for a challenge. What I seek in hip-hop is the ability to get people to listen between the lines. What I seek in hip-hop is comprehensive lyrics and flows that enable listeners to get in touch with the five senses that the rapper does.

I’ve narrowed this generation’s greats down to three rappers:

Hopsin, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. Each rapper has their own individual flaws in the game, but each has made an impact that makes them great.

Hopsin is a highly underrated rapper who, in his recent years, has gained media attention through dissing crowd favorites such as Tyler the Creator, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. He is the definition of a rapper who isn’t scared to speak about his opinions to the entire public.

Aside from dissing crowd favorite rappers, Hopsin raps about topics that are far from the irrelevant side of the spectrum. My personal favorite is The Ill Mind of Hopsin 5, where Hopsin describes his views on party-hard, not-goingto-school males, impatient women who look for love while giving away what’s inside their jeans, and the part of African American society that highlights the ghetto lifestyle as the best.

Picking these topics to speak upon isn’t in the norm for mainstream hip-hop artists. These are the types of topics that people don’t want to hear, but it’s something that people should need to hear. I’m sure Hopsin isn’t aiming for a popularity title with his career, but to have high quality fans over a high quantity of fans is a unique feat.

Kendrick Lamar is currently the new face of hip-hop. His sophomore album “good kid, m.A.A.d. city” proliferated his popularity with its exquisite storytelling. In addition, Kendrick has made recent

collaborations with popular artists such as Robin Thicke and The Lonely Island.

Lamar won the 2012 BET Hip Hop Award’s “Lyricist of the Year,” and I have no argument against that. Lamar is the type to create metaphors upon metaphors within a single song, and bring a listener back to the main topic and maintain relevancy. He’s the type to create a tongue twister that will have you thinking “what did he just say?”

Most importantly, he keeps true to his roots of Compton, California.

He allows the world to know his experiences with the infamous angel dust, also known as PCP, and the struggles he went through when losing loved ones while trying to make better use of himself.

Recently, Lamar released a verse on Big Sean’s “Control” in which he called out all his worthy adversaries in the new generation of hip-hop.

This was the smartest move that any rapper could make, seeing as how hip-hop has been dead for the past couple of years, and Lamar has every bullet in his lyrical gun ready if retaliations are fired.

Kendrick is the definition of a lyrically insane rapper, who isn’t scared to challenge all in his way, including his rapping buddy, J. Cole.

J. Cole is the best rapper of this generation. This storytelling fanatic is an inspiration for those who start from a small place, who also wish to put themselves in better positions in life. The main topics of his stories consist of college, love, depression, and a new life in hip-hop. These are

Nov. 7, 2013

topics that I’m sure we all can relate to. Although, we may not be able to compare ourselves with the life of a famous hiphop artist, I’m sure we all have had some points in our lives in which we felt like a new life is added on to the one we live.

Cole raps as if every word rhymes with any other word, making his flow impeccable compared to others. He doesn’t speak too fast like Hopsin or Kendrick, but delivers his words in nearly the same way. Tongue twisters and the alignment of certain words put Cole’s lyricism into the upper echelon of rapping.

Listening to Cole makes me want to rewind the track, deeply listen to the words again, and get the “did he really just say that?” feeling. Since he doesn’t rap so quickly, it’s very easy to sing along with his songs. For myself, I’ve learned around 80 percent of the lyrics to his songs.

I’m sure if J. Cole had the same media attention that Kendrick does, he would be considered the greatest amongst the new generation. This topic will never come to and end. Barbershops, lunch tables, and social networks will always have their opinions on who’s the greatest.

Nonetheless, it’s the true fans that make these rappers into who they are today. Keep these conversations flowing about who’s the best, and time will tell the rest.

Hurt & Heal

Gay marriage and New Jersey

by JJ Valdez

Heal

Heal

“People should be able to do what they want to do. Everyone has this right; it doesn’t matter if it goes against someone’s ‘religion.’

It doesn’t affect them it’s all about your happiness.”

-Briahna Kelley

“It makes it more equal for those who want to get married. It has no effect on my life it only improves on others.”

Heal

“I have a friend who’s gay so I’m all for it. We’re all human beings, we’re all from the same blood, so we all should have the same rights.”

-Glendy Barrios

-Jason Ross

Heal

“I think it’s great because I feel we should live our own lives. No one should be able to tell others how to live their own lives. If it’s not affecting your well being then why should you care!?”

-Andre Lacy

5

The Trojan Man

Drawn by Alyssa Koszis

Left-Hand Honey Sex vs Self-Pleasure: Which one is really better?

Sex is awesome. Like, oh my god.

But if it's so awesome, I have to wonder: why do taken guys still feel the need to jerk off? Is there something about masturbation that sex just can't touch?

The question came after watching the latest sex comedy "Don Jon." I won't spoil anything, but the guy has an amazing monologue about how he loves his porn more than his women. Self-stimulation caries no expectations, there's nothing to think about, you're able to let your mind wander into wherever and with whoever you want. And, despite the happy-ending conclusion to the film, I eventually found myself wondering, "Is sex really that much better?"

You'd think so, right? There aren't hardly as many college comedies about horny teenagers on an adventure for a Fleshlight, but I cannot think of a single example, man or woman, where either party was so satisfied with the sex that they stopped masturbating.

I could attribute the male rationale to the idea that no woman can fully satisfy all of a man's fantasies (even you romantics out there, don't friggin lie).

I blame the depravity on the internet coupled with the social norm that suggests that one should sample the full party platter of hair colors, ethnicities, and orientations before being a fully-traveled man. It doesn't matter if you have Aphrodite as your girlfriend, she ain't a redhead. Guys are just conditioned to want too much.

As much as I hate to admit it, a man's sex drive is a tough beast to tame, and we've learned to do so solo. Even when a ray of sunshine in the shape of a woman blesses us with her presence, every man has that one memory locked tight and away in the spank bank that they'll never clean out. "Iron Man 2," Scarlet Johansson: Mmhm.

Then there's the idea that the theatrics driving porn are becoming the standard to many a man. After years of conditioning in front of computer screens, guys start to expect the theatricality, or at least the enthusiasm, in the bedroom.

We won't exactly be dissatisfied; like I said, sex is awesome; but we'll still feel wanting.

That leads to a completely different discussion, but in essence it captures the main idea I'm trying to get at: there are some things you can only do for yourself. You're your best and your worst judge, and when it comes to what you like, you're the only one who really "knows" despite what all the romantic comedies and daytime dramas try to tell you.

Again, I'm not knocking sex, but think twice before you get mad at your man for clearing his browser history.

Our internet exploits, our wandering eyes to the bottom of the magazine rack, or the random tissues around the waste bin might have no correlation to the quality of a relationship. There are just some times when you have to let men be boys.

Features Skyline View

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page 6

Nov. 7, 2013

Features.tsv@gmail.com

Skylloween draws costumes, crowds to building 4

Photo by Will Nacouzi / The Skyline View

Photo by Chris Christenson/ The Skyline View

(above) Young child dressed up for Halloween outside the tent.

(top right) A skyline student getting Halloween nails done by a member of the Career Networking Association. (bottom right) An ASSC member getting half of his face painted by a memeber of the Career Networking Association Club.

Student photo submissions

Photos submitted by Yna Louise Eliares

Photo by Will Nacouzi / The Skyline View

Entertainment Skyline View

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page 7

Nov. 7, 2013

entertainment.tsv@gmail.com

Video Games

“The Golden Age of Piracy” turns to a black flag

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag review

by Nico Triunfante TSV Staff Writer

Imagine it is the year 1715, the Golden Age of Piracy, and all who surround you are local townspeople, merchants, and pirate hunters. Imagine you are an onlooker in the crowd, and in your visual are pirates ready to be hung to his death. The crowd is devastated from the commotion the pirates have caused: theft, shipwrecking, and a head count that affects multiple families.

Right before the pirates face their death sentence, you see a cloaked figure fly off of a building, with blades and guns ready to free the crew. Next thing you know, you see sliced necks, gushing blood, dead bodies, and free pirates.

The unidentified figure remains nameless, and all you are left with is assassin awareness.

"Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag" is the sixth game of the main Assassin’s Creed series, which takes place during the era of pirates. Taking place in the Caribbean, you play the role as Edward Kenway, a British pirate who is raised by the Assassin’s Order. The goal of the Assassin’s Order is to prevent the Knights Templar from controlling the minds of all humans, therefore controlling the world and reshaping the livelihood of humanity.

In previous games, the Assassin’s Order consisted of other master assassins that you could play as. Altaïr ibn-La'Ahad was an assassin in 1191, during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land of Israel. The descendant of Altaïr is the crowd favorite Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a Florentine nobleman during the time of the Italian Renaissance. After Ezio came "Black Flag’s" Edward Kenway, and backtracking to his son in "Assassin’s Creed III’s" Connor, a half-British half-Native American assassin who takes part in battle during the American Revolution.

This line of assassins all lead to their present day descendant, Desmond Miles, who is the link to saving humanity.

The Assassin’s Creed series has made several successful attempts into connecting each assassin’s stories, which brings us to the story of Kenway. In addition, previous game play qualities along with new features have enhanced the game into a more interactive, real life simulation.

The use of a gun and dual blades make more assassinations appealing for the screen.

The hidden gun was introduced during the time of Assassin’s Creed "Revelations", but was not brought back in "Assassin’s Creed III". In addition, the guns and swords fit appropriately for

the pirate theme. Flintlock pistols, cannons, and swivels on ship battles are all within a gamer’s selective range for gunplay.

Stealth assassination brings us back to the previous games, adding back two hidden blades, smoke bombs, and my personal favorite, the throwing knives.

The knives to me were always a one-hit K.O. This weapon always seemed overpowered, and seemed to be the easiest way to be stealthy within the game.

However, the blow darts, the newly added weapons to your repertoire, makes your enemy either defenseless, or to your offensive advantage. The sleep darts can easily knock out an enemy, making them vulnerable to a simple

bodies throughout the game. Of course, you’ll have to search for the treasure on your own, which is usually hidden underneath piles of sand that you’ll inevitably end up stepping on without noticing where the “X” marks.

Money, power, respect, and treasure cannot be held accountable by only one pirate, but rather how well a pirate is able to control his crew and his ship.

Introduced in "Assassin’s Creed III", ships have become the basis of entertainment of this game. I was amazed to see that I was able to upgrade my ship, grab crewmembers, and most especially, battle and board ships for my own personal needs. It’s the

kick to the groin. The berserk darts are used to have your enemy enter an uncontrollable state that can have them fighting themselves and other enemies.

Aside from the new weapons, the pirate life is what differentiates this game from the others.

Ubisoft ensured that what we depict as the “pirate life” very well.

Previously, we were only able to obtain money and treasure by simply searching the city walls.

Now, they’ve added treasure maps.

What’s a pirate game without treasure maps? Gamers are able to obtain treasure maps, pilfering them off of several dead pirate

part of the game that makes "Black Flag" significantly different from the others.

The scenery of "Assassin’s Creed IV" does not fail to convey the pirate theme. Aside from the obvious water of the seas, the game supplies what seems to be an endless amount of islands, jungles, and Caribbean civilizations.

There won’t be a time when you won’t run into a flash storm in the middle of the sea. There won’t be a moment when you don't notice twisters jetting out from the sky. Buildings made of wood, offshore boats, drunken pirates, and animals available for hunt all add up to the real

Photos by Jordan Sweidan/The Skyline View

pirate life simulation this game has to offer.

One new aspect of the game are the underwater missions. For the first time in the franchise, players will get to explore underwater territories and discover treasure submerged underneath ships.

Returning from "Assassin’s Creed III", "Black Flag" continues with the ability to hunt.

Previously, deer, bears, and rabbits were animals available for hunting and creating necessities for survival. However, "Black Flag" introduces a new set of hunting animals, including howler monkeys, boars, sharks, and whales.

Of course, what is scenery if the pirate you control is not eye appealing? Gamers are allowed to switch Kenway’s attire. In addition to the pirate outfits available for Kenway, those who have followed Assassin’s Creed from the beginning are allowed to equip the outfits of Altaïr, Ezio, and Connor. Imagine a middle-Eastern, Italian, or Native-American clothing line being worn around the seven seas.

I was quick to put on Ezio’s attire, but it did look awkward seeing a pirate with Italian robes roaming around the Caribbean. I really enjoy the new clothes that Ubisoft urges you to get for Kenway. Obtaining special items like the Templar Keys, and solving puzzles for Mayan artifacts reward you with even more special outfits.

With the outfits in place, Ubisoft does not fail to add them in when cinematic gameplay is involved. As usual, the cinematic storyline for "Assassin’s Creed IV" supplies a clear gaming experience, both graphically and anecdotally. Detailed textures create a realistic setting, along with background noises of town folk talking, birds chirping, and the frequent sailor slander being used throughout the game.

Overall, "Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag" is placed in the upper echelon for Assassin’s Creed fans. Combining several aspects from the other games attracts new crowds while keeping the experiences that fans have likes throughout the series.

It is the best Assassin’s Creed amongst the main series since it combines so many aspects from each game. If you’re a fan of all the old games of the franchise, or if you are just being introduced to the series, you’d be in for more than treasure on your journey with the Black Flag.

When the old meets the new, better things are sure to come out of it.

Entertainment

Nov. 7, 2013

Video Games

Skyline View

The

8

Origins: A not-so-fresh beginning for the dark knight

A valiant effect but lacking in several areas that still need work

by Steve Perotti TSV Staff Writer

Although the formula from previous games is followed very closely, “Batman: Arkham Origins” sadly does not live up to its predecessors successes.

The spiritual successor to the Arkham series following the launches of 2009’s “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and 2011’s “Arkham City,” the game is set five years before “Asylum” as Bruce Wayne has just begun his war against crime in Gotham City.

Without getting into the meat of the game, the first issue comes from the title: “Origins” has nothing to do with the actual Arkham Asylum!

The first two games of the series, “Asylum” and “City,” were based inside of the games respected institutions for the criminally insane. There is no “Arkham” in this game. Not once in all the hours I spent working towards beating the game did I ever hear any character mention an asylum of any sort, let alone Arkham Asylum.

Moving on to the game itself, to say that there were issues would be an understatement; an understatement of epic proportions.

I spent the better part of a week playing the game, clocking in

between 15 and 20 hours of gameplay, and it crashed on me a total of six times. The gameplay also slowed drastically when dealing with dense numbers of enemies during the massive free-flowing battles that the series is known for.

This is possibly due to the change in developer from Rocksteady, who had worked on the previous award winning games, to Warner Bros. Games Montreal. Why this change was made makes absolutely no sense to me, but the fact

TV The Walking Dead: Season four, episode four - “Indifference” Where did the excitement go?

by Steve Perotti TSV Staff Writer

The fourth season of AMC's “The Walking Dead” is moving along at a decent pace, but has the show sacrificed shock and awe for complacent storytelling?

This week's installment, entitled “Indifference,” is separated into two story lines, much like the final moments of last week's episode “Isolation.” One half of the show's running time focuses on “Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) while the remainder of the show follows the team of Daryl, Michonne, Tyrese and Bob (Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chad L. Coleman and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) The story line that focuses on Rick is, for all intents and purposes, a character study of Lincoln's interpretation of the character.

We get to see an internal conflict playing across the characters face throughout the majority of his story, weighing options and dealing with the aftermath of the second episode that has come to define the past two weeks.

Without giving anything away for those who haven't had a chance to see it yet, it is safe to say that this climactic plot point does conclude. Sadly, it came at the cost of entertaining television.

This is one of those moments when I sit back and wonder if the show is its own worst enemy.

Have we seen so many exciting

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Batman looks over the crime-filled city of Gotham

moments in previous seasons that we've become desensitized to actual story telling? Have we become numb to character development without the presence of “walkers” losing their heads amidst stressful moments of tense chaos?

The rest of the episode was more enjoyable, possibly due to the presence of numerous “walkers” as well as the development of some serious implications regarding one of the newest members of the group. Serious moments involving Reedus as well as Gurira made the final moments of the episode much more enjoyable than the beginning. Is that because there was a more action filled setting for this section of the episode? Possibly. Most likely. Works for me.

In the end it makes for an episode that I will remember as opposed to one that gets lost in the grey areas because it didn't have enough “meat” for us to enjoy.

One thing is for sure: the next few episodes are going to be very interesting.

Will Daryl's group make it back to the prison in one piece, with all members physically and mentally intact? How will the rest of the group handle Rick's decision in the final moments of the episode?

Did he make the right decision for the group, or the right decision for himself?

While it was lacking in action, “Indifference” obviously posed some very interesting questions that will have to be answered in following episodes.

that the overall performance of the game suffers under the development of a new company is a bit too coincidental.

The overall story of the game is well written, with numerous characters from the comics extensive "rogues gallery," the extensive list of villains that Batman has amassed in the long run of the comic series. With the return of series mainstays such as Bane and The Joker, we also get to see some new faces with the inclusion

of Deathstroke and Firefly, two more of the eight assassins who have been hired to kill the caped crusader throughout the game’s Christmas Eve setting.

One of the pleasant surprises in the game was the primary voice actors. In the previous two games, as well as in the “Batman Animated Series” that ran through the majority of the 90’s, the characters of Batman and The Joker were voiced by veteran actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Roger Craig

Smith replaced Kevin Conroy as a younger Batman while Troy Baker took the reins from Mark Hamill to voice the younger Joker in the game with great success.

Though the overall gameplay is lacking when compared to its predecessors, the game itself is not without positives. With that being said, I don’t believe the game to be worth the $59.99 retail price. Wait until the price drops a bit more and it will be worth it.

Have you ever wanted to write for the paper or a magazine?

Then join The Skyline View next spring to learn more about the campus and the community!

Jouralism 320 - First time with the paper? Then this is the class for you! Students start off as reporters.

Jouralism 330 - Returning for more? This time around, students will have the chance to be a section editor and design the paper!

Jouralism 690 - Too busy during the semester but still want to write part time for The View?

Then this is the class for you!

GAME“Veteran’s ON!Day” Crossword Puzzle

Skyline View Oct. 24, 2013

GameOn.tsv@gmail.com

The

10

Hooray! We have new Game Masters on Skyline campus! Congratulations to first-place winner Nicole Polo and second place winner Nicole Yee (wait...are they the same person?)! Your prizes will be awaiting you in the newsroom.

For the rest of you lazy bones! COME ON! Get up out of your gaming chairs, grab a paper and...sit back in your gaming chairs! But this time, with our page! Come on, there’s some cool swag waiting for you if you’re victorious!

If you can be the first to finish these games by Nov. 5, you will win two free movie tickets! And even if you miss the photo finish , second prize wins a $5 giftcard for the Bookstore/World Cup Coffee! Just sumbit your completed paper to the Skyline Newsroom, 8110, with your name and email.

And remember Skylinians, Game On!

Skyline View Sudoku Easy:

Medium:

Skyline Riddles

Across

1. Terror in the skies 4. “Honor, Courage, Commitment” 5. “Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win” 7. ____ Week 9. U.S.S. Arizona 13. Serving our country 14. Land of the free, home of the brave 15. Mobile mountains 16. “This We’ll Defend” 17. ...and justice for all

Hard:

Down

1. Flying in the wind 2. Working together 3. Served our country 6. “Semper Peratus” 8. “Semper Fidelis” 10. Bravery 11. Basic training 12. GI 18. Conscription 19. Field doctor

Very Hard:

Previous “Game On!” Answers “Halloween” Crossword Puzzle

What has rivers with no water, forests but no trees and cities with no buildings? ?

What has a mouth but cannot talk and runs but never walks? ?

What is greater than God, but more evil than the devil? The rich need it, but the poor already have it. If you eat it, you will die. What am I? ?

End

Maze Master Medium

Hard

Very Hard

Start

Easy

Skyline View

The

Sports Fantasy Football

Week nine recap: Crazy fantasy outputs!

It was an explosive week in the NFL, offense-wise, and with that another explosive week in fantasy football.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was the star of the week; he who

after giving up seven touchdowns to a back-up quarterback who struggled mightily against an even worse defense in the Dallas Cowboys in week seven.

Besides Foles and the other quarterbacks, there were a lot of high-scoring wideouts this past week, with four different wide receivers scoring three

Headliners 49ers’ returnees

touchdowns in addition to the points gained from yardage. It truly was an explosive week with some unknowns taking the headlines.

Here are your week nine fantasy points leaders, in standard scoring, courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy Football:

Quarteback 1) Nick Foles (PHI) 45.64 fantasy pts, 406 pass yds, 7 pass TDs 2) Tom Brady (NE) 33.18 fantasy pts, 432 pass yds, 4 pass TDs 3) Case Keenum (HOU) 28.6 fantasy pts, 350 pass yds, 3 pass TDs 4) Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) 27.9 fantasy pts, 400 pass yds, 4 pass TDs 5) Andrew Luck (IND) 24.84 fantasy pts, 271 pass yds, 3 pass TDs Running Back 1) Zac Stacy (STL) 29.8 fantasy pts, 127 rush yds, 51 rec. yds, 2 rush TDs 2) Chris Johnson (TEN) 29 fantasy pts, 150 rush yds, 20 rec. yds, 2 rush TDs 3) Matt Forte (CHI) 23.9 fantasy pts, 125 rush yds, 54 rec. yds, 1 rush TD 4) Adrian Peterson (MIN) 23.7 fantasy pts, 140 rush yds, 37 rec. yds, 1 rush TD 5) Rashad Jennings (OAK) 23.6 fantasy pts, 102 rush yds, 74 rec. yds 1 rush TD Wide Receiver 1) Andre Johnson (HOU) 40.9 fantasy pts, 229 rec. yds, 3 rec. TDs 2) Riley Cooper (PHI) 33.7 fantasy pts, 139 rec. yds, 18 rush yds, 3 rec. TDs 3) T.Y. Hilton (IND) 30.1 fantasy pts, 121 rec. yds, 3 rec. TDs 4) Jerricho Cotchery (PIT) 27.6 fantasy pts, 96 rec. yds, 3 rec. TDs 5) Aaron Dobson (NE) 25 fantasy pts, 130 rec. yds, 2 rec. TDs Tight End 1) Jimmy Graham (NO) 23.6 fantasy pts, 116 rec. yds, 2 rec. TDs 2) Rob Gronkowski (NE) 20.3 fantasy pts, 143 rec. yds, 1 rec. TD 3) Jason Witten (DAL) 16.2 fantasy pts, 102 rec. yds, 1 rec. TD 4) Tony Gonzalez (ATL) 14.1 fantasy pts, 81 rec. yds, 1 rec. TD 5) Greg Olsen (CAR) 12.6 fantasy pts, 66 rec. yds, 1 rec. TD Kicker 1) Nick Folks (NYJ) 16 fantasy pts, 1 20-29 FG, 1 30-39, 2 40-49, 2 PATs 2) Stephen Gostkowski (NE) 13 fantasy pts, 1 20-29 FG, 1 30-39, 7 PATs 3) Ryan Succop (KC) 12 fantasy pts, 1 20-29 FG(s), 1 30-39, 1 40-49, 2 PATs Creative Commons D/ST T1) Kansas City: 22 fantasy pts, 13 pts allowed, 2 int.s, 1 fum. rec., 2 def. TDs Nick Foles had the best game of his young career on Sunday, Nov. 3 against the Oakland Raiders, where he threw an NFL record-tying seven T1) Miami: 22 fantasy pts, 20 pts allowed, 5 sacks, 1 safety, 3 int.s, 1 def. TD 3) Carolina: 19 fantasy pts, 10 pts allowed, 1 sack, 3 int.s, 1 fum. rec., 1 def. TD touchdowns in the 49-20 dismantling of the Raiders.

Opinion

The NFL needs to be “Heads Up”

Photo courtesy of Mark Runyon | Pro Football Schedules

TSV Sports Editor

threw seven touchdowns in the game against the hapless Raiders and gained 45 points for fantasy owners. In a league where all touchdowns are worth six points, he scored 70 points!

On the other end of the spectrum the Raiders, who before the game were optimistic, were forced to reevaluate themselves

11

Reinforcements are coming for the 49ers. The 49ers officially activated WR Mario Manningham and CB Eric Wright from the PUP and NFI list, respectively, according to the 49ers website. WR Michael Crabtree has been cleared to practice and could return relatively soon. This all comes at the heels of the 49ers activating rookie defensive linemen “Tank” Carradine and Quinton Dial last month.

Ryan Vogelsong Photo courtesy of monsim / Creative Commons

by Ray Garcia

Nov. 7, 2013

Is it the end of the Vogelsong fairytale story with the Giants? The Giants declined Vogelsong’s $6.5 million option for the 2014 season, making him a free agent, according to the Associated Press via ESPN.com. But a return hasn’t been ruled out; there is the possibilty of Vogelsong returning, but the talks aren’t “active.”

Richie Incognito

by Shaquill Stewart

The NFL season is around the mid-way point with everyone glued in, yet there is a dark cloud as the season rolls on, with the constant news about concussions in the sport.

The recent book and TV documentary “League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis” had made huge claims that the NFL has denied and covered up evidence linking football and brain damage for years, with 16 former players having the disease CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Can the concussion conversation kill football 20 years from now?

If you ask the NFL, they will do whatever it takes to make sure that will not happen. One of their campaign ads, “Heads Up PSA,” is trying to promote better safety for youths coming into football. “We make the game safer because, to us, it’s so much more than just a game,” the overall message said in the ad.

Whether intended or not, ads like this have helped blind people from severe criticism facing the NFL in recent years, from first promoting big hits with the

Photo courtesy of Dolphins gab

TSV Staff Writer

Richie Incognito can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The oft-maligned offensive linemen is at the center of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal, where offensive tackle Jonathan Martin walked out from the team after an incident in the team’s cafeteria. The team has indefinitely suspended Incognito for “conduct detrimental to the team” and according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, his time in Miami is “done.” According to ESPN, Incognito left several profane and racially-charged voicemails in Martin’s phone.

Creative Commons

Trojans Goalkeeper Staci Garcia (#1) booting the down the field during the game.

“He Got Jacked Up” E.S.P.N segment to now promoting head safety to save their own behinds from being sued. Its been only two months since the massive concussion lawsuit pitting thousands of former players against the NFL, was settled in suit, only one week before the season began.

H o w e v e r, b y t h e t i m e “League of Denial” aired on Oct. 8, on PBS, many football fans seemed more interested with the home team’s performance rather than questioning the violence in the game.

Is there a link between playing football and these head

injures? What is this disease?

Can it be curable? These are all question the NFL needs to know, as this disease could be the end of professional football. The NFL says no, yet all research seems to point the in the opposite direction.

“He got jacked up!” was a term commonly used in football to describe a big hit. Big hits in football have always been a part of the game, yet at what price? Are players willing to take it if it means not being able to be yourself, or even risk dying?

The National Football League is the most popular

sports league in America, making 10 billion dollars annually and growing. It’s hard to imagine the NFL going away.

As talked about in the documentary, “If 10 percent of mothers come to believe that football is dangerous to the point of brain damage, effectively that’s the end of football as we know it,” said Bennet Omalu, the doctor that found CTE in Mike Webster’s brain.

Webster was a former football player in the NFL. He has since become the poster child of brain injuries in the NFL. The NFL is in big trouble.

Gustavo Cabrera

Photo courtesy of Connormah

It’s a very scary start for Giants’ prospect Gustavo Cabrera’s career with the club. According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Cabrera slipped in his home on Oct. 22. He almost completely severed his hand while bracing for the fall. According to Badler, he either sliced his wrist through a glass table or a window. It was a severe injury that caused tendon damage and will require upwards of a year to rehabilitate.

Skyline

Upcoming Games:

Sports

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer

Nov. 8 @ Ohlone College, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 @ C.C.S.F., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 vs. West Valley College, 2 p.m. (last game)

Nov. 12 vs. Chabot College, 2 p.m.

Nov. 15 @ C.C.S.F., 12:30 p.m. (last game)

Volleyball

Wrestling

Nov. 13 vs. Chabot College, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 vs. Chabot College, 7 p.m.

Nov. 15 vs. Gavilan College, 6:30 p.m. (last game) Nov. 13 @ Fresno City College, 7 p.m.

Profile

There’s no “I” in team or Jazel

Jazel Talauta has high expectations for Coach Watters’ team success

by Nico Triunfante TSV Staff Writer

Jazel “J-Rock” Talauta is ready to apply her skills in her first year playing for Skyline basketball, promising a season that the Lady Trojans will never forget.

Bay Area born and raised, Talauta acquired her set of basketball skills through multiple teams in her high school career, gaining both knowledge and experience that helped shape her into the player she is today.

From the age of five, Talauta was pushed by family members

to play basketball, in which she quickly found comfort and excitement in the game.

“My uncle got me into it and I ended up being good at it,” Talauta said. “My uncle and my dad definitely pushed me in basketball.”

Talauta pushed her way through each year of high school playing varsity basketball. The 5’7” versatile point guard, whom also plays shooting guard, found ways to make her game nearly untestable to other players.

Talauta attained the Most Valuable Defensive Player award back in 2010 as a sophomore, in addition of earning a spot in the First Team All-League. She repeated this feat by earning the same spot in the first team the following year; She also added an Honorable Mention.

“She’s a great all around player, defensive- and offensive-wise,” said her long-term friend Kimberly Arciaga.

“She’s a hustler.”

Unfortunately, Talauta suffered a knee injury in her last

year at Terra Nova High School, but continued to condition and strengthen herself for the upcoming season at Skyline.

Skyline Women’s Basketball Head Coach Christopher Watters took note of Talauta’s hard work ethic, and cannot wait to get her back on the playing field. Coach Watters recently had Talauta back on the court, practicing, preparing her for the battles that his team will face this season.

“She is definitely a skilled player who understands the game,” Coach Watters said via email. “Most importantly, she works hard to make her teammates better. Jazel isn’t concerned about anything but playing good basketball. She is unselfish as a player and looks to create for others on the offensive end of the court.”

There is no “I” in team or Jazel, but there is both an “E” and “A” that the two share, which make both into a recognizable force.

“For my team, I look for everyone to work hard, everyone

to be on the same page,” Talauta said. “I like my team, our chemistry is cool and we all like each other.”

She knows the team has the potential to be great this year.

Her expectations for her first year of Skyline basketball is a progressive team improvement.

Winning games comes second to having all her teammates improve in their game.

“Her skill and leadership abilities will only help us get better throughout the season,” Coach Watters said. “We need all fourteen girls working hard and working together for us to reach our full potential.

I’m looking forward to the start of games to see what we can accomplish as a team.”

The Lady Trojans will play their first home game on Nov. 21, against Marin at 6 p.m.

Hopefully we’ll see the Lady Trojans achieve greatness this season; watching all 14 girls apply their skills and making the school proud.

Skyline Trojans Basketball Season Debut Men’s basketball starts on Nov. 16 at the Solano College Shootout in Fairfield. First home game is on Nov. 27 vs Gavilan College at 3 p.m.

Women’s basketball starts on Nov. 10 at Butte College in Oroville.

First home game is on Dec. 10 vs Gavilan College at 6 p.m.

Roster #

Name

Pos.

#

2

Tallia Schivo

G

21

3

Brianna Friedrich

F

10

Sahara Clay

F

11

Marielle Beltran

F

Stefanie Johnson

F

Malaysia Basallo

G

15

Jazel Talauta

G

20

Malia Elliot-Tufono

F

12 13

2012-13 Season Name

Pos.

Last year’s record

Skyline College Lady Trojans

Jasmine Enciso

G

22

Chole Tinio

G

Conf. W-L

All W-L

23

Ezzia Gheith

G

3-9

6-19

30

Janice Coronado

F

32

Jessica Garrett

F

33

Monique Garrett

G

GS

Stephanie Allen

G

Chris Watters, Head Coach Dominique Hunter, Assistant Coach

Division rank: 6th (out of 7th) Information from cccaastats.org

Men’s basketball Profile and preview will be feautured in next issue!