The Skyline View | Spring 2023 | Issue #3

District’s ambitious student housing plans hope to avoid budget setback

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor-In-Chief

When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the state’s 2021-22 budget, it included community college housing funding made possible by SB 169. This bill allocates money for California’s community colleges to apply for the state’s Affordable Student Housing Grant Program.

The need for housing on these two-year campuses is made evident by the fact that 20% of students at California community colleges have reported experiencing homelessness, according to a report by the State’s budget subcommittee.

Although student housing is more commonly associated with four-year universities, 11 Californian community colleges currently have housing. However, none of these campuses are in the Bay Area, which has some of the highest rent costs in the nation.

San Mateo County ranks as the fourth most expensive county to rent in, with the top three being their neighboring counties.

The District has applied twice, with a third application on the way for Skyline College. The second application for a site at College of San Mateo is ranked fifth out of 21 applications, giving hope that if the upcoming state budget continues to allocate money for this grant, it will be granted.

“This is an excellent ranking with a high probability of receiving approval for funding subject to the

availability of funding at the State level,” said Richard Storti, executive vice chancellor of administrative services.

“At this point, the preliminary plans include single and multiple student-occupied rooms to house approximately 300 students. This is a very exciting opportunity that will be transformational for many students by providing affordable housing. Student housing also increases student life,” added Storti.

"Skyline is in a pretty good

Facts about District housing proposal

- Percent of students experiencing financial difficulties paying rent (2018 survey):

42%

- Median rent price for studio in San Bruno, CA: $2.910

- Proposed cost of units at CSM: $475-920

- Total students served planned at proposed CSM location: 310

- Anticipated completion date: June 2026

(Source: Board of Trustees)

area in of itself so I think it’d be a pretty interesting place to have dorms or housing over here," said Skyline student Michael Sabando.

However, whether the budget will delay this funding was recently questioned when Gov. Newsom unveiled his proposal.

The District was awarded $200,000 to develop the plans for their application, and at recent board meetings, the designs and other information were unveiled.

“Our district is not only ready to break ground, but we have experi-

Skyline’s Student Trustee nominee leans on experiences to guide vision

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor in Chief

Arthur Veloso was elected as Skyline College’s Student Trustee nominee, and will now go to a second phase in which he will face off with CSM and Canada College’s nominees.

The Student Trustee of the District sits at Board Meetings and has a vote. They are seen as the voice of the student population and provide input into issues ranging from student housing to funding for different programs.

Veloso spoke with The Skyline View about his election and vision for the position.

“If I’m given the opportunity... I have the same plans to promote equity, visibility, and self-advocacy, to the immigrant communities, especially the Latin American community as well because I have a past with immigration,” said Veloso. “I had to overcome a lot of social problems and economic problems in order to be here today.”

Veloso’s road to Skyline College has come with hard work, including learning English, getting his GED, and working to earn scholarships.

“The moment when I got here in

America, I did not know that I could do what I’m doing right now, I had no hope in the future, I did not know that I could be in such a position and represent other people that are in the same situation as me. I think that is important,” said Veloso.

“Because if we do not have a person with that same background, how are we going to make other people like me encouraged to run for other positions like that, like a Student Trustee? So I’m running because

I want to give hope to those inviduals to be part of that change the change that they want, and that they deserve.”

Veloso said he plans to prioritize advocating for the immigrant community, the LGBTQ+ community and other groups if elected.

Cañada College students nominated Ignacio Morales in their election earlier this month.

The three trustee nominees from each campus will face off next, after College of San Mateo’s ASSC elections this week.

ence with two employee housing complexes, and there are several community colleges that already have student housing that we can learn from the experience of managing student housing,” Student trustee Lesly Ta said at a recent budget meeting.

“District housing will be available to students from all campuses, regardless of the school they attend,” said Michele Rudovsky, the District’s Chief Facilities and Operations Officer.

To hear student opinions on the student housing application, scan this QR code for our multimedia section

ASSC 2023-24 Election Results

President Win Shwe Yee

Vice President

Sarah Ruiz

Commr. of Activities

Mowen Tan

Commr. of Finance

Elian Fontanilla

Commr. of Publicity

Win Thiri

Commr. of Communications

Irah Tancioco

Commr. of Public Records

Jackeline Huinac-Fuentes

Senators

Celina Buncayo

Isabelle Escobar

Jerry Hsu Wai Hnin

Hilary May Thiri Lin

Dennis Aung Htet Thu

Florence Yun Myat Thwe

Hnin Thandar Win

Julius Wijaya

SMCCCD Student Trustee

2023-2024 Skyline College

Nominee

Arthur Veloso

Joshua D Picazo / The Skyline View Arthur Veloso, assistant at the Dream Center, poses in front of a mural.

Graham Breitbarth/ The Skyline View

A mock image of a lot the District has identified as a possible location for student housing

Editor-In-Chief

Joshua D. Picazo

News Editors

Joshua D. Picazo & graham breitbarth

Focal Point Editor Sean siapno

Opinions Editor nishad karulkar

Sports Editor kathia noriega

Chief Copy Editor

Joshua d. picazo

Multimedia Editor Graham breitbarth

Social Media Editor

danielle cosino

Reporters

Antonio franco

alex gonzalez

Ileana Guillen

zach hernandez

freelance reporter

gabriel mendez

Faculty Adviser

Nancy Kaplan-Biegel

San Mateo County votes to restrict assisting ICE

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor-in-Chief

San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors voted to end cooperation with federal agencies, such as U.S. Immigration, and Customs Enforcement (ICE), April 25, prohibiting the use of county funds in collaboration with these agencies. The Board voted 4-1 in support of the ordinance.

While some exceptions will be made, such as in criminal investigations, this further extends similar policies, such as the County Sherrif's Office policy, which since November 2021, no longer aids ICE in the detention or transfers without judicial warrants.

District's undocumented students and allies encouraged by ordinance

Many San Mateo County's Community College District staff and students support this vote.

"I think it's a good direction moving forward," said Martin Marquez of the Skyline College Dream Center. "Just because our students already feel uncomfortable and unsafe and don't feel as protected with already being undocumented in an institution like this. And to already unveil themselves as being undocumented comes with a lot of work and bravery. But the fact that now, the county is now pushing forward with more support, I think that is able to make students feel prouder."

The Board's vote along with much of the District's policies point towards the region's inclusiveness of students regardless of citizenship status.

Not all supervisors agree with the specifics

Supervisor Ray Mueller dissented, explaining that the ordinance leaves gaps in safety. "Restrictions don't apply to human trafficking. Under California state law, in the Values Act, counties are not allowed to assist ICE except in minimal circumstances [such as] felonies misdemeanors, [the Board] wants to go further."

"You're going too far. I would say, 'Don't eliminate felony murder, felony rape, and felony child molestation,'" Mueller told The Skyline View.

Local immigration advocates view this as a win

Advocates say this ordinance will ensure people in the undocumented community can better report criminal activity.

Campus news roundup

Galatolo case

Karim Allana, one of the contractors being sued by the District, responded by denying any "pay for play" allegations made in a lawsuit in March.

those who may have been hesitant to report a crime for fear of retaliation and deportation," said Supervisor David Canepa after the vote. "This aligns the county with neighboring San Francisco and Santa Clara counties' sanctuary policies and ensures that our justice system treats immigrants equally and prevents double punishment."

"The recent vote by the San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors is an important step forward to safeguard civil rights," said Shiu-Ming Cheer, Deputy Director of Programs and Campaigns at the California Immigrant Policy Center. "We know that a majority of Californians are opposed to ICE's harmful detention and deportation practices. San Mateo County has now moved forward to match these values and to protect all of the immigrants who call San Mateo home."

The ordinance reaffirms California's previous policies regarding assistance to ICE.

In a letter to the Board, he claimed his relationship with Ron Galatolo, currently facing counts of corruption, predated his involvement with the District. He further said the gifts he received from Galatolo far exceeded that of the gifts he gave.

International students face increased tuition

The District's international students, numbering in over 260 in the fall semester, face a steep increase in tuition after a planned $21 increase in tuition and $46 increase in enrollment fees.

During a Feb 22nd Board meeting, the District approved these raised fees drawing concern from international students, including representatives from the Myanmar Student Union.

Dr. Lauren Ford new Interim Dean of Strategic Partnerships and Workforce

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Arthur Veloso, a student leader at the Dream Center agrees, pointing out how the center focuses on offering support to undocumented students and the broader community with legal services and resources such as groceries.

The District serves over 400 non-resident/AB540 students and the Dream Center serves over 70 students as of fall.

"If they have a fear that Government officials are going to turn them over to be placed in ICE detention then, that that does instill a culture of fear and mistrust, and oftentimes [that's] what we've experienced as attorneys, representing at no cost undocumented immigrants," said Amanda Alvarado Ford, Executive Director of La Raza Centro Legal. "They are, unfortunately, prey to predators in our society."

"This is a day to celebrate for

"It has been six years now since California made itself a "sanctuary state," whereby county sheriffs do not honor ICE detainers for deportation, except in the case of violent felonies," political science professor Jeff Diamond explained.

Another vote on an amendment submitted by Supervisor Ray Mueller failed during a Board meeting April 25, which also saw the final vote on the ordinance pass.

On April 17, Dr. Lauren Ford started her role as the Interim Dean of Skyline College’s Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development division after working in higher education for more than a decade. Dr. Ford says her goal as interim dean is to strengthen partnerships, both internally and externally.

Read the full story on TheSkylineView.com

Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales hosts teleconference with student media

By Joshua D. Picazo Editor-in-chief

On April 19, Interim California Community Colleges Chancellor Daisy Gonzales hosted a teleconference with the state’s community college journalists on issues ranging from food insecurity to enrollment data.

-Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales

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.

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She highlighted that many campuses have recently seen the trend of losses reversed, noting increased enrollment rates in the fall 2022 semester.

“Enrollment for fall 2022 has increased by 2.4% across the California Community College system,” she said.

Skyline College itself saw a larger increase between fall 2021 and fall 2022, with a 7% increase in enrollment between those semesters, according to data from the state.

Ashley Hallinan, from San Joaquin Delta College (KWDC), asked, “How is the state addressing food insecurity for college students across the state?”.

Interim Chancellor Gonzales explained, “There is currently a

explained, “There is currently a bill that is moving forward, and it is actually very simple. It would just allow higher education as a qualifier for receiving SNAP."

Another student asked if there would be a similar funding program for students who have returned to community colleges but don't qualify for the Promise Program. Gonzales mentioned there had been changes specifically for potential returning students. For example, the Golden State Education and Training Program offers people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic a one-time $2,500 grant. Interim Chancellor Gonzales also discussed this month's summit regarding supporting LGBTQ+ students "It's Black Students Success

next week's Black Student Success Week, April 23-28. a very important week, not only because of the advocates, but where we are today in the history of enrollment with enrollment with our African American and black student population. And we are really focused on practitioners, making sure that our black and African American students feel safe and supported at making sure that our black and African American students feel safe and supported at our campuses."

Moreover, Chancellor Gonzales highlighted the new advertisement campaign, which will feature ads at several Californian airports in an effort to increase the system's statewide enrollment.

"Our job is to make sure that Californians believe that their dreams

are possible and that their dreams begin by enrolling at a California community college," said Gonzales.

"Our job is to make sure that Californians believe that their dreams are possible and that their dreams begin by enrolling at a California community college."

Courtesy of the Board of Supervisors

The final vote took place April 25

Portrait courtesy of California Community Colleges

California community colleges should expand BA and BS programs

California community colleges should introduce bachelors in select fields. Steps should be taken to make getting a baccalaureate as easy as possible. Colleges like those within the SMCCCD district should consider expanding existing associates programs, along with other options, in order to give more people a better, more economically sound, shot at a college degree.

Most community colleges work as a stepping stone, allowing people from all walks of life to get an associates degree or work for a transfer towards a CSU, UC, or other college.

Skyline does an amazing job at this. Not only does it work as a solid educational facility, but also acts as a great social hub, where you can meet with a variety of people and have a good time. However, some think that our college, and others like it, should do more.

A report from UCLA asks for the “strategic” creation of certain bachelor degree programs across community colleges in California. It claims this should be done in order to help people from minority and marginalized groups across the state attain a full college degree.

Skyline already offers a bachelors program. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care, but we are not the only one. A total of 21 community colleges in California offer a bachelor’s degree of

some kind.

For these reasons, I see no issue in UCLA’s idea. While it is not recommended that we would expand our degree roster wide enough to challenge any of the local UCs or CSUs, adding a

few extra degree programs could potentially be very helpful to the local community. It allows people to more easily get a bachelors and join the workforce, all while staying local.

Even if schools decide not

Power of podcasting: Build your brand

By Zach Hernandez Reporter

Podcasting is the best way for college students to market themselves in this day and age.

Podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, have gained tons of traction and have grown at a rapid rate in recent years. This form of entertainment has become increasingly popular, and it will not slow down anytime soon.

Creating a podcast is a very effective way to establish your brand and to share it with the world. It allows you to showcase your talents and knowledge with listeners, and it will help certify yourself in your respective field.

Starting a podcast is a great idea for young people and students because at this point in their lives, students are entering their fields of interest. The amazing thing about podcasting is that you can talk about anything you want. There will always be an audience.

The process of starting a podcast is very simple and fairly inexpensive. All you need is basic equipment, such as a microphone

Editorial Cartoon

By Gabriel

and a laptop, a recording software, and a whole lot of passion. Once you have all that, you’re ready to hit record and share your voice.

In a world surrounded by media, this is a way to get yourself and your brand out there in an effective manner.

Podcasting is a great way to grow your community around your brand in general. Sharing your podcast will expand your audience more than you would normally be able to. Creating unique and engaging content will attract more listeners to your show and to your brand.

It also allows you to grow a unique and beneficial type of relationship with your audience, since you are essentially able to speak to your listeners directly. Allowing them to hear your voice, tone, and personality on subjects you all enjoy, it creates a more personal relationship with your following.

Social media is used by the majority of college students, but utilizing it in a more effective way to help boost your brand instead

can ultimately help your career. By pushing your podcast out into the social media world, you are providing yourself with the best chance of engaging with potential employers or even professionals of your respective industry.

It establishes your presence online and in your field of work. Podcasting is very simple, but it takes dedication. Talking and recording is the fun part, but if you want to market yourself the best way you can, you have to be willing to put in time and effort.

Editing and uploading your episodes, creating and posting clips onto social media, and trying to advertise your brand as frequently as you can be time-consuming. However, it is totally worth it to put the work in.

It can lead to job opportunities, connections with like-minded individuals, and will provide you with valuable communication skills.

Podcasting has been taken on by many people wishing to market themselves, and it has proved to be an efficient way to do so.

to go all the way with this plan, there are other steps that can be taken. As mentioned earlier community colleges can lead to four years. Skyline College already has a program for this. It offers many Associate Degrees for Transfer, or AA-T for short. As suggested by the name, these degrees allow people to easily transfer to a CSU or UC after graduation.

Another option for student success could be simply to bring the four years to us. An article from SFGATE in 2000 mentions San Francisco State University Classes being held in Canada College. I can’t think of a better way to bring education to the community.

This program and others like it, if implemented, can be a net benefit for the state of California. It can help people get a good education and find an amazing job.

So many people have used community college as a launching point for a better life, and with a little more hard work it can help even more to do the same.

The Skyline View editorial has no byline because it is the voice of TSV’s editorial staff.

Danielle Cosino/The Skyline View

Danielle Cosino/The Skyline View

Mendez Reporter

“In a world surrounded by media, this is a way to get yourself and your brand out there in an effective manner.”

A report from UCLA asks for the “strategic” creation of certain bachelor degree programs across California community colleges. It claims this should be done in order to help people from minority and marginalized groups across the state attain a full college degree.

Building 12 is the place to be on campus

By Alex Gonzalez reporter

One of Skyline’s best places to be on campus is the environmental science building, more commonly known as Building 12.

This scenic building boasts many state of the art amenities, including two 119-seat lecture halls and a separate outdoor space for gathering.

With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, a laid back environment, and access to academic assistance from professors, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t the best place to be on campus.

Being able to see such gorgeous views of the water and nature below at school is pretty hard to beat.

With seating conveniently set up throughout its open space, it makes studying or completing any tasks for that matter much more motivating.

Sitting in a closed classroom or at home may not be the most appealing setting in terms of getting work done for some people.

Having access to a building with incredible views like these and a more appealing environment makes it much more likely for students to look forward to getting their tasks done.

It can be hard at times to connect with your current friends or try to make connections with others in normal classroom settings. Building 12’s

inviting and laid back environment gives students the opportunity to seek and maintain these connections on campus.

Events regarding possible job opportunities and community organizing events are regularly held here, which creates even more connections for our students.

A prime example of this was the annual President’s Breakfast held

here at building 12 on March 16th.

Hosted by former President Dr. Melissa Moreno and the Skyline College President’s council, it’s a fundraising event for the President’s Innovation fund that provides money for faculty and staff for programs that can improve our student body.

A film is premiered at every President’s Breakfast to showcase the impact of these funded programs by

Skyline Counseling and Transfer Center delivers on promise to bridge the gap to higher education

the President’s Innovation Fund.

This event helps ensure our students are being provided the best education possible, as well as increasing the enrollment at Skyline.

No wonder they held this event in the beautiful building 12

In addition, laid back environment’s like building 12 create an outlet for students to relax with friends or to socialize with other students

due to the tranquility of the space.

Students can utilize the indoor or outdoor spaces to sit back with the company of their friends or by themselves to decompress from stressful moments.

Going outside or just being able to see the nature around us can greatly boost students’ moods and overall mental health, especially in times of high stress such as finals.

Many specialists in the area of science and other subjects are always available to provide help to their students in building 12. Professors such as Mays Danfoura teach environmental science here, and can always provide help if needed.

Even if you have questions that don’t pertain to the sciences, your questions can still be answered. Don Uy-Barreta teaches Macroeconomics this semester in building 12, and can answer any questions regarding economics or anything related to it.

The environmental science building as a whole is a great place to be on Skyline’s campus. Some may argue that places like the cafeteria and quad are better due to them being more lenient towards noise, but I believe that nothing can beat the views and calming effect that building 12 provides.

Skyline needs to do more to protect transgender students

By Graham Breitbarth Digital Editor

Skyline needs to support transgender community members with better resources.

With all the recent political warfare surrounding transgender people, it’s time for schools like Skyline to rally behind them.

Our leaders have been on a crusade recently, attempting to pass dozens of anti-trans bills. The bills vary in danger for the transgender community. One example is a bill introduced in California, AB 1314, stating that “…a parent or guardian has the right to be notified in writing within 3 days from the date any teacher, counselor, or employee of the school becomes aware that a pupil is identifying at school as a gender that does not align with the child’s sex on their birth certificate, other official records…”

By Nishad Karulkar Opinions Editor

Skyline College’s Transfer Center delivers on its promise of helping students reach their academic and career goals.

In the last few months, many of Skyline’s students have been patiently waiting for college admissions decisions.

The job of being a community college is to act as a launching pad for students pursuing higher education. One of the most important cogs in the process of assisting students in reaching a 4-year college is the efficacy of a community college’s counseling and transfer center departments.

Fortunately for Skyline students, our transfer department is highly organized and efficient, delivering top notch services to the students that need them here in our community.

Transfer coordinators like Ernesto Hernandez or Alexandra Kaplan along with the most experienced transfer counselor at Skyline, Jacqueline Escobar, are

passionate about helping students accomplish their goals by providing comprehensive reviews of your academic coursework. They are incredibly knowledgeable of the varying transfer pathways that differ depending on your major and career aspirations.

No matter what your prior academic circumstances are, counselors, students, and administrators part of the Transfer Center demonstrate a strong commitment to helping you navigate Skyline to get you where you need to go.

But even if you work full time and have a busy life outside of school, the Transfer Center’s online resources are also very accessible and easy to use. Their website is streamlined in a way that allows students to act as their own counselors to find the program that best suits their needs.

On the Transfer Center website, there are resources to show you different paths to get to the University of your choice. Whether your

dream school is UC San Diego or Sonoma State University, you select the CSU, UC, or private university links on their website that will exhibit instructions on what your next steps will be.

I had a somewhat unique experience in my academic journey. I started at a private university, but then elected to drop out for personal reasons. I arrived at Skyline with goals of transferring to a UC; however, since I would have credits from both a private university and community college, I was forced to do some credit gymnastics in order to meet the 60 credit minimum of the UCs. Thanks to the Transfer Center, I was able to get into the UC of my choice and transfer on time.

Skyline’s Transfer Center and the hardworking counselors who work there are evidently delivering on their promise to provide “the tools you will need to streamline and make the most of your Skyline College experience.”

While AB 1314 doesn’t directly go after college students, it brings a terrifying reality right to our front door–that soon nowhere could be safe. Anti-trans legislation is happening across the country. There needs to be some sort of pushback, a place where transgender people can feel like they can be who they are. Why not have one at Skyline?

It’s not fair to say that Sky-

line hasn’t done anything. On the school’s website is a resource section for LGBTQ+ people, including several links to outside resources that support transgender people. While that is a step in the right direction, Skyline could still do more than point to outside help. Offering hands-on support is one of the best ways to make them feel like a true part of our community. Skyline could offer a lot of different types of support to transgender people, such as offering specialized counseling for them. Transgender people don’t always transition in their youth, the process can take years and sometimes even start in their later life. A counselor to help them through that time in college could be the difference between life and death for them. They could even help by offering asylum housing to trans kids coming from families that don’t support them.

Transgender people face an uncertain future. When countries like America fail to protect their citizens, places and schools like Skyline should become a pillar of safety for those whose identities are under attack.

Graham Breitbarth/The Skyline View

The interior of Building 12’s common area is a beautiful place for students to hang out.

Zach Hernandez/The Skyline View Students visit the Transfer Center everyday for assistance navigating the various transfer processes.

A day of traditional, classical, Indian arts

By Nishad Karulkar Opinions Editor

I have been attending Hindustani classical performance arts events since before I can even remember.

Pagrav Dance Studio gathers together in the San Mateo Library following a performance of the classical bharatanatyam dance. classical art forms has increased partly due to my younger sister’s participation in a traditional Indian dance known as Kathak.

When I was younger, I would dread having to get dressed in Indian clothes, before driving 40 minutes from Pacifica all the way to down South Bay. All this to watch Indian performers preserve the art forms of their ancestors in an overcrowded community center auditorium.

However, as I’ve grown older and more interested in my own lineage, these events have not only edged closer to my home in Pacifica, but has also become more pleasurable for me to attend.

Attending her performances has shown me several other art forms, most notably, bharatanatyam.

Purvi Jerjurkar is a scientist at AbbVie pharmaceuticals, a native of San Mateo County, and dance instructor of the Indian classical dance bharatanatyam. Although she works in biotech, she has been dancing bharatanatyam for years.

“I started learning the dance in fifth grade,” Jejurkar says. “I did what they call it as visharad, which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in bharatanatyam. And alankar visharad is what I was pursuing after that, which is like a masters degree.”

Professionally trained in bharatanatyam before immigrating to the U.S., Jejurkar also holds an undergraduate degree in pharmacy and a masters in pharmaceuticals.

“I always wanted to get back to dancing,” she says. “But while I was in grad school in New York, I was very busy. It was hard to find a class or even teach.”

Fortunately, Jejurkar was able to rediscover her passion for the arts after moving to the Bay Area. Today, in addition to her job in pharmaceutical development, she is the artistic director of Pagrav Dance Studio in Hillsborough, CA.

Most recently, her Pagrav dance studio, in collaboration with Inika Karulkar of the Leela Dance Collective, brought the ancient Indian arts to the libraries of San Mateo County. They wanted to acknowledge the Hindu festival of Holi that celebrates the arrival of Spring.

“These classical Indian dance forms are highly collaborative activities” said Jejurkar. “Sometimes, I’ll dance for thirty minutes after I finish work. Doing that can help manage stress and promote healthier living for me.

Jejurkar also noted the remarkable change she has witnessed in the Bay Area in terms

of the diversity of the arts, and events like the one her Pagrav studio showcased at the libraries.

“When we came to the Bay Area” said Jejurkar. “There weren’t a lot of Indians the way there are now. So reigniting my passion for the traditional dance I had learned as a child back in India became a way to find community here.”

Finally, when asked if Jejurkar would be inerested in teaching bharatanatyam at a local community college, it seemed like she would be open to as sharing her cultural background through the vehicle of dance is really important to her.

It’s stories like Jejurkar’s that have drawn me back to the Indian classical arts as I was inspired by their quest to spread awareness about their culture to protect traditions for future generations.

They are TOTE-ally in

By Sean Siapno focal point editor

Tote bags are the total package for its overall versatility. With designers becoming more creative, you’ll find that these bags are not only reusable and functional, but stylish as well. It easily replaced backpacks, becoming a norm among students.

Manisha Singh, a Skyline alumni in sociology, has been using tote bags for about four years now.

“It’s cute and basically matches with any outfit,” Singh says. “A tote with zippers is definitely more functional, but I’m leaning more towards fashion with them.”

Backpacks tend to have the same generic look among them all. Bulky and bland. While fashion is not its primary focus, get

yourself a tote that can carry the same items, but also serve looks.

Veronica Noreiga, a second-year biology major, seems to agree.

“I think it’s easier to move around.” Noriega says. “I use it more for its functionality. After school I go grocery shopping and dump everything I buy into the bag.”

The beauty behind these bags doesn’t end at its design, but with its availability as well.

Noriega even explains how she got her bag from her local library, for free. Even then, you can buy a tote bag almost anywhere.

Depending on the look you’re going for, there’s a bag that will cater to your likings. Minimalistic totes currently dominate the fashion scene as it’s the final touch needed to complete an outfit. You can easily find these

bags in any clothing store. But as I’ve mentioned, there’s a tote for everyone.

Marco Salonga, a second-year behavior and social science major, doesn’t use a tote bag, but is intrigued in its concept.

“I still use backpacks just because I carry a lot of things, but I’ve seen tote bags around.” Salonga explains. “You know what though, I’ve seen some bags with really cool anime designs and it got me thinking to buy one.”

I personally like the minimalism behind the tote bag. However, these bags offer unique art styles of literally anything. I’m sure there’s a tote out there that hits even the most obscure niches.

While it’s perfectly fine to still use a backpack, tote bags cannot be ignored. If you’re ever looking for a stylish yet light switch, consider yourself a tote bag. After all, they are totally in.

Courtesy of Nikhil Tungare

Courtesy of Nikhil Tungare Bharatanatyam dancer strikes a pose during one the studio’s performances.

Sean Siapno/The Skyline View

Tote bags offer various designs that any user can enjoy.

“There weren’t a lot of Indians the way there are now. So reigniting my passion for the traditional dance I had learned as a child back in India became a way to find community here.” - Purvi Jerjurkar

Heathers makes a killing at Skyline College

By Antonio Franco Reporter

Skyline’s production of Heathers the musical was a tremendous performance considering the circumstances. Due to an accident caused by construction, rendering the stage unusable, the cast and crew were forced into the art gallery. Regardless of the situation, they pulled together a more intimate watching of Heathers. For the sake of this review I should mention that the production was double casted and I attended the Sluts performance.

The cast did a great job with singing, despite some hiccups that can’t be ignored. Missed cues and awkward pacing seem to be the root cause, however, the actors made quick recoveries and followed through. Something that did throw me off was the fast tempo throughout the

majority of their musical numbers. It was especially striking in songs that normally showcase a slower tempo.

Nonetheless, standout songs include: Kindergarten Boyfriend, Meant to be Yours, Lifeboat, and Our Love is God. These songs in particular were carried out by the actors very nicely. The raw emotion that the singers portrayed really allowed the audience to soak in the feelings of the character.

Our Love is God specifically stood out as every piece came together perfectly. From the believable acting in tandem with great vocals, it’s an experience I wish to relive.

The actors themselves were nothing short of pure talent. Each person fulfilled their duty to their fullest potential. Even the ensemble breathed life onto

the stage, transporting the audience away from the art gallery and into the toxic halls of Westberg High.

Fiona O’Neil, the actor of Heather Chandler, portrayed the mean girl with an edge that, dare I say, scared some of the audience members. Her command towards her lackeys and the stage was a sight to behold, even when dead.

Lindsay Sporleder, the actor of Veronica Sawyer, gave the audience a great impression of a once cheery, if not a little angsty, teenager. The descent of madness that Veronica is forced to endure is amplified by other characters for sure, but Sporleder shows that she was a perfect conduit of these emotions and reflects it perfectly for the audience.

Speaking on other characters, Edie Flores, the actor who plays JD, could not be a more perfect match. A low charismatic voice, with a surprisingly lighter more steady singing tone comes together with an intensity of emotions that made audience members look in awe and horror.

Given the limited space, the cast worked around what the art gallery provided for them. The dances and stage presence of the characters were fantastic and although some actors were not on queue all the time, the delivery of the performance always followed through to a satisfying conclusion.

There were some creative decisions that did not seem fully fleshed out, and in these moments, it did take you out of the illusion or confused the

audience. For example, the party scene with the Heathers and Martha did not leave the impact it was trying to create. In the scene, we see a blindfolded Martha swinging at a pinata that “resembled” her. While this whole ruse was planned to mock her, it was not performed well. The pinata did not look like Martha and it was even introduced to be the rival school’s mascot at first. I would say that one of the bigger issues that affected almost everyone in this production was a lack of consistent pacing. Lines said too fast, jokes not being allowed to cook, and songs being sped through leads to a performance that can seem rushed and hard to follow.

Despite the struggle of pacing, the dances and character choices were fantastic. The smaller groups of characters in the background, performing their roles with such life, only adds to the ambience of a fantastic set created by the actors themselves under the leadership of Technical Director Josh Harris.

Overall, this production of Heathers the musical was one of the best performances I have seen by Skyline in a while. It would seem that many would agree with me since all the shows had sold out seats. After every performance, there was an excited conversation about how impressive the show was considering that Skyline is only a “community college.”

I would have to say that this cast really pulled through under the direction of the Director Gary Ferguson and Music Director Jude Navari. Not only did they give a fantastic show, they delivered under unfavorable circumstances. Proving to everyone that it’s not about where the show is performed, but how much effort is put into the production so that it may shine bright for all to watch.

Rome-ing into Italy’s version of McDonalds

By Ileana Guillen

Reporter ing fast-food from the Golden Arches abroad did not amuse me, but I was sorely mistaken.

McDonald’s is as American as apple pie, and has been a staple in American culture since 1955. Through globalization, McDonald’s began to expand their fast food chains in the global market by opening their first franchise in Canada and continued to grow worldwide.

During a recent trip to Italy, I went to Rome for the day with my family, and was able to see breathtaking views, impeccable architecture and historic monuments, such as the oldest supermarket in the world. Rather than sit down for a quintessential Italian lunch, my family and I decided to eat McDonald’s to maximize our time in the Eternal City.

The interior design was reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture and their furnishings were very modern, unlike other Mcdonalds I have visited in the past. I decided to order chicken wings, and their Speck and Asiago burger, along with a side of French fries and an orange soda. My initial thoughts of consum -

Drinking a McBeer with your McDonald’s meal is unheard of in the United States, but you can accompany your Big Mac with a beer in Italy. Moreover, individuals can expand their spectrum of burgers, as well as appetizers such as chicken wings, Panzerotti pomodoro e mozzarella, or Snack di Parmigiano Reggiano.

The hamburger patty was seasoned wonderfully, as well as juicy. In addition to mayonnaise, the burger bun was lathered with grain mustard which gave the hamburger a spicy and earthy essence.

Rather than utilize American cheese in the burger, such as in American Big Macs, Italian McDonald’s took advantage of the wide variety of cheeses their country has to offer, and incorporated Asiago cheese into this very special burger.

Apart from the burger patty, they included a slice of Speck Alto Adige, which is a salty cured ham from northeast Italy which is similar to prosciutto but

has their individualistic qualities.

Speck Alto Adige was a salty, greasy addition to the burger patty which added flavor and a smooth and chewy texture, to the dense and crumbly consistency of the beef patty. Besides the typical lettuce leaf, the Speck and Asagio had grilled zuc -

chini which gave the burger a delightful crunch and a grilled flavor with a touch of earthy and slightly smoky.

Unlike at an American McDonald’s, you can purchase a beer to go along with your meal, and they have unique sides such as chicken wings and tomato and

mozzarella panzerotti. I would rate my Italian McDonald’s meal 10/10. If you are ever in Rome, make sure you stop by the essentials: the oldest supermarket in the world, the Colosseum, and of course, the nearest McDonald’s. You won’t regret it.

Antonio Franco/The Skyline View

Cast of the Heathers finishes the night strong with a bow at the Art Gallery on April 20, 2023.

Ileana Guillen/The Skyline View

A quintessential McDonald’s meal consists of its chicken wings, and the Speck and Asiago burger.

Bows and arrows up on the Skyline hill

By Antonio Franco Reporter

When driving into Skyline, most people tend to look towards the buildings all congregated in the middle of the school. However, next time you drive in, you should instead look in the northeast corner of Skyline’s property. Past a relatively empty parking lot, there stands some hay bales and a storage container.

In that quiet little corner away from almost all the noise that Skyline can muster is where the archery class resides. It is up on a hill where old targets stay waiting, and just behind that lies a field of flowers. A calm and serene environment remains unbothered by the large group standing idly by waiting for their turn to draw their bows. The class itself is run by Christopher Watters, stepping in for instructor Fitzgerald as they recover from surgery.

“This is my first semester teaching archery,” Watters said. “It was an interesting challenge.”

Watters normally teaches basketball and tennis classes, which usually rely on the value of teamwork and cooperation. However, Watters has found that although you are alone when performing the sport of archery, that doesn’t mean you are performing by yourself.

“I’ve been really impressed by, even though it's an individual

scoring sport, the amount of teamwork and comradery that comes with pairs or lines or groupings,” Watters said.

Even as we were talking, the class seemed to be at its most relaxed. Conversations took place

Tennis at Skyline: An inviting learning experience for all

about getting a better shot at their mark, or just asking each other how they were. Christian Bebing, who is majoring in communications and is in their second semester of archery, expressed how this class was a good stress reliever

Sports Opinion

NBA

for him.

“Since this is my last class for the day, it helps me out with all the other stress I have to deal with in my other classes,” Bebing said. “It’s nice to shoot and teach other people how to do archery as well.”

The wind in the air and soft spoken words of fellow students really add a nice touch to the class. Whether to be competitive or just curious about the class itself, everyone seems to be willing to have anyone come and join. Geraldine Alfaro, whose major is undecided, joined the archery class in January along with almost 50 other people wanting to sign up for this class.

“I love the environment,” Alfaro said. “I always wanted to try it out.”

This class presents a go-at-yourown-pace kind of vibe, allowing students to destress, or if they’re feeling a bit more competitive, they can try for a high score. If you are thinking that this course sounds interesting to you but you do not own a bow and/or any arrows, worry not.

“We provide all the equipment,” Watters said. “There is no cost to the student. We are able to supply everything for them, plus the instruction.”

Most sports require you to shoulder some kind of stress or responsibility, but it would seem that archery is the first sport here at Skyline that services the students’ needs. So if you're looking for some stress relief and want to take a fitness class that isn’t as demanding as other classes, maybe give archery a try. It might just make those stress filled classes a bit more bearable.

few days prior.

Later in the same game, Sixers guard James Harden was hit with a flagrant two for the weakest of all the instances. Harden was attempting to drive in on Royce O’Neale and seemed to push his arm toward his groin. It was a normal basketball play, but the referees deemed it worthy of an ejection.

By Alex Gonzalez Reporter

Looking for a class that’ll push you physically while also getting the opportunity to meet new people in a smaller setting?

Look no further than the Tennis classes served here at Skyline College. All skill levels are welcome.

This inviting and friendly environment created by the smaller setting makes it easier for both the students and the professor to really get to know each other and improve their tennis skills, according to Professor Christopher Watters.

“I really enjoy being able to see the amount of individual progress each student makes,” Watters said. “Also with the small group interactions I feel like you really get a chance to get to know your students because in an environment like this it makes for more comfortable small talk than say a classroom setting.”

First-year student Samuel Ambriz also added on to the inviting nature of this class.

“Everyone in general in this class is pretty kind, you can see people helping each other out,” Ambriz said. “People don’t really judge you if you’re a beginner, they’ll give you tips to help you improve.”

Though both fun and relatively stress-free, this class may come with challenges. Tennis isn’t as

well-known of a sport for most, so mastering the proper techniques may take some time.

However, these challenges may not be as daunting as they seem and may even come out as a learning lesson for the better, as said by Skyline student Russel Cainglet.

“Times where you get paired up with people who have experience may be challenging, but it’s more of a learning experience,” Cainglet said. “You’re going to be learning more techniques from these people with more experience.”

Professor Christopher Watters also added on to how his inexperience presented as a challenge, but with time was more about learning.

“My past experience with tennis was recreational, and that impacted the way I taught the class,” Watters said. “I’ve been teaching this class for three semesters and I’ve learned that the way that I understand the game wasn’t as easily transferable to the students as I thought it would be, so I knew I needed to understand the technical side of tennis.”

Overall, tennis can be a great learning experience for beginners looking for a challenge. We may not have a competitive tennis team here at Skyline, but the opportunities through this class are endless.

By Zach Hernandez Reporter

The NBA refs have been wildly inconsistent in the 2023 playoffs.

One of the biggest storylines that has taken place in the postseason so far revolves around Warriors forward Draymond Green and Kings big man Domantas Sabonis.

Sabonis was on the ground following a defensive rebound from the Warriors. Green, trying to take off running for a fast break, was restricted to do so since Sabonis was latched onto his ankle. The four-time champion had to catch his balance, which led him to step on Sabonis and ultimately leap off of him.

With a little over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of game two, Green was warranted a flagrant two, which automatically resulted in an ejection from the game. Sabonis, on the other hand, was only given a technical foul, which seems like a slap on the wrist considering he initiated the entire altercation

The following day, it was announced that Green would also be suspended from game three.

The inconsistency in this one instance alone is enough to prove how illogical the NBA referees can be.

A few days following that fiasco, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers got into an altercation of his own that was worthy of a suspension, but the NBA didn’t issue him one.

Following a dunk by Brooklyn Nets’ center Nicolas Claxton,

Embiid hit the floor and Claxton stepped over him. As he was hovering over the 76ers’ star, Embiid blatantly and intentionally kicked him in the groin area.

Embiid was handed a flagrant one foul, which allowed him to remain in the game. This left NBA fans everywhere confused on the criteria for an ejection after watching Draymond get tossed for something much less deliberate a

When the Memphis Grizzlies took on the Los Angeles Lakers a couple days after that, NBA fans around the world saw yet another ejection take place.

Grizzlies player Dillon Brooks was guarding LeBron James as he was dribbling up court. James, trying to keep the ball away from Brooks, dribbled the ball behind his back. This baited Brooks to try and steal the ball. When attempting to swipe it, he connected with James’ groin area and was ultimately handed a flagrant two which ejected him from the rest of the contest.

All of these cases occurred in the first round of this years’ playoffs, and inconsistency would be an understatement to describe these fouls, ejections and suspensions.

The referees need to crack down their criteria for what warrants an ejection because right now, it seems like it’s all over the place.

This is playoff basketball, which means tensions are high and so is the intensity. Ejecting players for silly fouls makes the game less appealing to the viewers, and ultimately just makes no sense. NBA refs need to get consistent with their calls because they are now running the flow of games, and ruining great matchups that NBA fans want to see.

“It is a really neat class, especially for those who are just beginning and want to learn about the sport.” - Chris Watters

Antonio Franco/The Skyline View

Archery students prep for their next target at Skyline College on April 25.

Erik Drost/Creative Commons NBA referee Tony Brothers.

referees are inconsistent with their whistle

Alex Gonzalez/The Skyline View Russel Cainglet takes a swing at Skyline College on April 18.

“The inconistency in this one instance alone is enough to prove how illogical the NBA referees can be.”

Amber Steele brings an enthusiastic twist to contemporary modern dance

By Kathia Noriega Sports Editor

Amber Steele brings an inviting environment to contemporary modern dance classes at Skyline.

Professor Amber Steele teaches dance classes at Skyline that range from a variety of different styles of dance. She teaches a combination of ballet to contemporary modern dance, cardio dance to hip-hop and has even taught jazz in the past as well.

Steele brings a mixture of different talents to Skyline that pulls in more students to want to join a class they are interested in because of all the options that are available. She expresses her passion for her work and the kind of job she is grateful to have after teaching for 22 years.

“The fact that you can come to community college and do your art, your passion, your dance, and realize there is this whole depth of variety and study and knowledge that is accessible to you here…,” Steele said. “…whether you didn’t get to take dance classes when you were young, that’s what I love about community college.”

Her contemporary modern dance class is struck with a wide scale of skill sets. There are students who have only taken a dance class once before and students who have been dancing for a majority of their lives. Steele’s class allows for this overlap to happen because she believes that she is capable of teaching students from all levels and bringing a common ground to all possibilities.

Skyline student Mike Stenson has only participated in one dance class before, and he decided to join Steele’s class because he thought it would be a good idea to jump back into a hobby he wants to continue pursuing. After discovering a contemporary modern dance class at Skyline, he thought it would be a perfect opportunity for him because of the flexibility in the class.

“I wanted to experiment with my body and I heard contemporary [dance] is really free and open,” Stenson said. “Wanted to

Apple Watches aren’t useful for Skyline students

do something physical, like an activity class to change up from the normal in-class studying kinda thing… I heard Amber is the head of the dance department so I felt like she’d be a good person to learn from.”

Talia Rosen has a more colorful experience with dance considering she was in ballet since she was three years old until she graduated high school. She accepted the fact that she wasn’t going to continue dancing during college until she discovered dance classes at Skyline and found Steele as the perfect

person to guide her through her dance career.

Rosen saw how many different types of dance classes were offered and decided to join multiple classes that Steele teaches.

“I’ve always really enjoyed dancing,” Rosen said. “I’ve found it as an outlet sort of, to relax and unwind and get your mind off other things.”

Rosen saw how many different types of dance classes were offered, some that she wasn’t familiar with, and decided to join multiple classes that Steele teaches.

Adapting to the pitch clock era

“I’ve taken a few of her classes now along with yoga,” Rosen said. “I’ve taken jazz with her and modern [dance] and I wasn’t really as open to that before taking her classes but definitely after I have. I’ve enjoyed them a lot.”

Steele takes a lot of pride in her career. She likes making her classes very fun and energetic to keep the students interested because of the different skill levels. Stenson believes that she brings in a lot of great energy to tie into her “liberating” class as he describes it.

“It’s been really fun, it’s been a lot of fun,” Stenson said. “Amber is super out-there, she jokes around, she’s super eclectic. It’s been better than I could’ve expected.”

Her contemporary modern class is having a performance in May, along with other performances that they contribute to with the spring musicals that are here at Skyline. Steele has done a great job of finding events for the students to share their talents throughout the year.

“It makes me feel so proud to see these students really blossom,” Steele said. “Come in wherever they’re at and learn that they can do more than they expected and that they can share that joy with others.”

After experiencing Steele’s teaching style, it is clear that she is a more energetic and passionate teacher that wants to teach students of all levels that they can learn and improve in one semester.

watching the sport is better for the sport,” Derego said.

The clear faster-pace of these games has been nothing but a positive addition to many baseball-watchers around the country. However, some die-hard fans aren’t quite on board with the changes to the game now that they have seen it in real time.

By Kathia Noriega Sports Editor

Sports bands and Apple Watches don’t seem to have the rep they were meant to have when they were first released back in April 2015.

They kind of fell off and Skyline students don’t seem to benefit from the device for its purpose. Fitness.

For some, the purpose of the watch seems to be more of the time aspect more than tracking your steps, calories, or overall fitness goals.

Skyline student Jazz Firpo owns an Apple Watch herself; however, she doesn’t seem to find a groundbreaking reason to actually use it everyday as she finds herself without it everyday. She usually keeps hers in a drawer, collecting dust.

“Personally not for me,” Firpo said. “Because I don’t think I live an Apple Watch life. Plus I’m not allowed to wear a lot of tech and stuff at work... so I genuinely wouldn’t have a use for it for a majority of my day.”

Angelin Enriquez finds more use for the product because she

Danielle Cosino/The Skyline View

actually uses it for her job, when she is checking the time for the boba to be ready. She was even thinking about upgrading her outdated watch for a newer one with a longer battery life. She finds it to be very useful for organization and multitasking.

“It’s just quicker to just check the time,” Enriquez said. “Also reminders with organization, just to have on file than having to pick up my phone.”

It seems that the product is more of a everyday product than an actual exercise watch. Especially for students who aren’t as active.

Skyline student Linxue Guo also falls into the category of people who don’t really find a use for her watch. She used to wear it everyday a couple years ago, but no longer finds herself putting it on.

“I used it like everyday,” Guo said. “Just to watch the time.” As students navigate their way through college, it seems as though there is no real use for it unless you’re an active person or an athlete. These students usually find it more of a cash grab than a real necessity.

By Zach Hernandez Reporter

Welcome to the modern MLB, where pitchers are now timed in between pitches in order to speed up the game.

The sport of baseball has been slowly dying among this generation, so the MLB implemented a pitch clock to keep fans more engaged.

Last season’s World Series saw the third-lowest average number of viewers per game since viewership began being tracked in the 1968 season. The only two World Series’ with less viewership than last year were the two years prior.

Casey Leavitt-McGee, a student and baseball player at Skyline College, avidly watches the MLB and was aware of the pitch clock situation before the season.

“Before the season started, I thought the pitch clock wasn’t the worst idea,” Leavitt-McGee said. “I think baseball is trying to get some viewership.”

It is evident that the love for baseball among Americans is shrinking. Baseball is objectively

Commons

not as fast paced as other beloved sports like football and basketball. There is a lot of standing around that takes place, and when people watch sports, they are in it for the action.

Now that we have seen the pitch clock in action across the MLB, it has been well-received by fans for the most part.

Opening Day, which was held on March 30, drew in 172 million minutes of total viewership, which was up 42% from last year’s 121 million, according to SportsPro. Through the opening week of this season, the games were marked at an average of two hours and 38 minutes in length, which is about a half-hour decrease from last year.

Another student and baseball player at Skyline College, Nigel Derego, thinks the pitch clock has been beneficial for the game of baseball.

“All my friends who don’t play baseball always say how boring it is, so I’ve always thought it was a good idea because more people

“I think there are little parts of baseball that are intrinsic to the game,” Leavitt-McGee said. “Pitchers shouldn’t be sped up in times where there are runners on base, they need to take a breath, they need to talk to their catcher, step off, look at their infielders, check the situation before they make a pitch. I think it's putting more pressure on pitchers.”

The idea of switching up the rules of an iconic sport that have worked for so many years can seem unnecessary to some fans. That is the main reason people are opposed to this idea of timing the pitcher. However, there are more reasons why this idea could be detrimental to the game.

“My prediction is that you’re gonna see a lot more arm injuries and weird arm injuries as guys are being sped up,” Leavitt-McGee said. “They have to throw more pitches in a shorter amount of time.”

Regardless of all of these different opinions and perspectives on the new pitch clock, it seems as if it’s here to stay. The MLB favors it simply because it racks in more viewers and keeps their games more engaging.

Whether you are a fan of the changes or not, this is the new version of baseball, so we all have to get used to it.

D. Benjamin Miller/Creative

The pitch clock during a Mets game at Citi Field on April 8.

Kathia Noriega/The Skyline View

Amber Steele teaches contemporary modern dance at Skyline College on April 12.