Spring 2015: Issue 8

A N AT I O N A L PA C E M A K E R AWA R D N E W S PA P E R

Volume 58, Issue 8

theswcsun.com

Summer Edition 2015

Dean, pamphlet had extensive communication

By Gabriel Sandoval Arts Editor

A California Public Records Act request by the Southwestern College Sun uncovered three more emails by Dean of Student Services Mia McClellan to an underground agitprop pamphlet periodically distributed at Southwestern College by unknown writers. McClellan has repeatedly denied communicating

with the Jag Wire and inviting its anonymous members to an ASO Senate meeting on Feb. 17 concerning a review of SWC Procedure 5530 (Student Rights and Grievances) and Procedure 5500 (Standards of Student Conduct) initiated

by The Sun. Recently uncovered emails showed a dean that was very involved with the clandestine publication and eager to provide information.

On March 17 Sun reporters submitted a California Public Records Act request to further investigate the connection between McClellan and publishers of the Jag Wire. The finding was a series of email correspondence initiated by pamphlet publishers in January and furthered by McClellan over a five-week period.

On March 5, days after The Sun was leaked a trove of documents that

included correspondence between the dean and publishers of the pamphlet, McClellan was interviewed by Sun reporters regarding her involvement with the pamphlet for an article titled “Former Sun photographer impersonated police chief” (published in The Sun on March 16 and theswcsun.com on March 20). The please see CPRA pg.A2

Cradle of Chicano Movement After 45 years Herman Baca’s Aztec Printing shuts its doors

By Alberto Calderon Assistant Campus Editor

Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Aztec Printing in National City.

Each humble place birthed a powerful movement.

After being in business for 45 years, Aztec Printing permanently stopped the presses. More significantly, it closed its doors as the birthplace of the San Diego County Chicano Movement. After-hours meetings hosted by owner Herman Baca spurred Chicanismo and the creation of civil rights groups like the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), CASA Justicia, La Raza Unida Party and the Committee on Chicano Rights (CCR). These and other groups of artists, academics and activists used the shop as la casa por la causa.

Baca said it provided a platform for the disenfranchised.

“The thing you have to remember is that when the shop opened there were few, if any places Chicanos could meet,” he said. “It was like the Big Bang.

Politicians, professors and attorneys all came out of there.”

Baca said the business doubled as a makeshift Chicano rights think tank, drawing in people who would go on to have a far reaching impact.

“Just like Sun Records produced Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins who changed the country,” he said. “We had an attorney who came out of Aztec Printing who argued in front of the Supreme Court and won the case that allowed undocumented Mexican kids to attend school.”

Baca said his journey from his tiny hometown of Los Lentes, New Mexico (population 600) to national Chicano rights leader was unwittingly kickstarted by a ’54 Chevy.

“I had just filed for unemployment and my friend told me this print shop was hiring,” he said. “I’ll always remember the interview, the foreman asked me, ‘can you read a ruler?’ I said no. ‘can you read blueprints?’ I said what’s that? He said don’t call us we’ll call you if something comes up. As I was leaving he said ‘Is that your car? Would you like to be our delivery driver?’ I didn’t know what that was either, but I said sure. That’s how I got into the print business.”

His involvement in the printing industry is what turned the decidedly apolitical Baca into a full-fledged activist.

“I was just trying to provide for my family and have enough for a couple beers on the weekend,” he said. “But printing presses have a way of attracting politically inclined people and it was the late ’60s, so things began to percolate.”

Carlos Vasquez, a former Southwestern College student who has worked closely with Baca since 1970, said they began by combatting local issues.

“There was a lot of police corruption at the time,” he said. “We were successful in forcing the police chief of National City into retirement, then we went after the police chief of San Diego, Ray Hoobler, and we were successful in having him fired. Once we became organized our voice was beginning to be heard, it was a very exciting time.”

Although many of these issues seem very similar please see Printer pg.A2

Green

Foundation President is degree honoree

By Cesar Hirsch Assistant Arts Editor

Photo courtesy of Memo Cavada

BLUE COLLAR REVOLUTIONARY — Herman Baca was the godfather of the San Diego County Chicano Movement and Aztec Printing was its incubator and home. Committee on Chicano Rights, MAPA and other historically important civil rights groups were born in the National City print shop.

“Politics isn’t about people or money, it is about organized people and organized money. We need to get more organized as a people. That is what Aztec Printing was all about.”

As SWC Foundation president, Benjamin Green has sat on the rear of the stage and watched thousands of students earn their degrees and certificates.

Now it is his turn to be down front.

Green is this year’s recipient of an honorary degree from the college for his devotion to the community and leadership of the SWC Educational Foundation. Honorary degrees are the college’s highest award to members of the community.

A Chula Vista native, Green g r a d u a t e d f ro m Hi l l t o p Hi g h School and earned a B.S. in business administration from UC Berkeley.

Dissatisfied with working in the insurance industry, Green said he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a lawyer.

Balancing night classes and a fulltime job, he graduated from USD Law School, specializing in tax law.

Green now works with his father, Michael A. Green, for Green & Green LLP. A family tradition of community involvement started by his father, Green said, led him to the board of directors of the Borderview YMCA and the SWC Foundation.

Patricia Flores-Charter, president of the Academic Senate and member of the honorary degree committee, said Green stood out from other candidates because of his great contributions.

“He was selected for the depth and breadth of his involvement, both with the college and the community,” she said. “We felt he had a real connection with students here at the college.”

Green said he was humbled to learn he had been selected.

“I found out about a week ago and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’m very honored and grateful to everyone who made it happened.”

Linda Gilstrap, dean of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and executive director of the SWC Foundation, said she has had the pleasure to work closely with Green through the Foundation and is happy the college acknowledged the great please see Degree pg.A2

Former CSEA job steward protests her release from the position

By Luz Aurora Aramburo Assistant News Editor

Financial Aid Specialist Rebeca Montalvan-Toth is protesting her release as a CSEA job steward, an action she claims was retaliatory.

CSEA President Andre Harris dismissed Montalvan-Toth based on “philosophical differences, lack of ability to work with the Chief Job Steward, misrepresenting her position as job steward, undermining CSEA authority, defiant and negative

approach toward union leadership, and divisiveness approach within the chapter,” according to a February letter.

Harris said it was a decision he has the authority to make as a union president and it was made “in the best interest of the CSEA.” Harris thanked Montalvan-Toth for years of service to the union, but said he did not wish to comment further.

Montalvan-Toth said Harris’ reasons were vague and that she was released from her position following a series of

disagreements with Harris.

“I feel that everything that was done and the action taken against me by his removing me is all retaliation,” she said.

Montalvan-Toth said she and Harris often disagreed over policy, including the Weingarten Rules, which govern a CSEA member’s right to representation. In one instance she represented three union members that Harris said had no grievance rights, she said.

Montalvan-Toth said the Weingarten

Rules applied because the employees she was representing were told they would be disciplined.

“If an employee has a reasonable belief that discipline or discharge may result from what s/he says, the employee has the right to request Union representation,” read the Weingarten Rules.

Montalvan-Toth said she was trying to follow procedure.

“I feel that everything that was done and the action taken against me by his removing me is all retaliation.

please see Steward pg.A2

Rebeca Montalvan-Toth

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Summer Edition 2015 — Vol. 58, Issue 8

Timeline of Events January 13, 2015 – 3:12 p.m. First known email from Jag Wire (thejagwire@ hushmail.com) to Dean of Student Services Mia McClellan (mmclellan@ swccd.edu). It includes a list of grievances with publications advisor Dr. Max Branscomb and the Editorial Board of The Sun. The email asks for “any insight you might have” regarding The Sun and its adviser.

January 15, 2015 – 2:35 a.m. First known email from McClellan to Jag Wire.

She expresses interest, replies: “I would like to submit a response to you…”

January 21, 2015 – 4:44 p.m. Second email from Jag Wire to McClellan.

“We look forward to your response.”

January 22, 2015 – 1:57 a.m. Second email from McClellan to Jag Wire.

“I will forward you my response as soon as possible.”

February 4, 2015 – 11:33 p.m. Third email from Jag Wire to McClellan includes a link to first Jag Wire pamphlet of the semester.

February 16, 2015 – 10:01 p.m. Monday. Third email from McClellan to Jag Wire with subject header “Administrative Procedures - 5530 - Student Rights and Grievances and 5500 - Standards of Student Conduct,” invites anonymous person(s) to campus for meeting with students.

February 17, 2015 – 1:38 a.m. Tuesday. Jag Wire forwards McClellan email with subject header “Administrative Procedures - 5530 - Student Rights and Grievances and 5500 - Standards of Student Conduct” to Rick Flores. Jag Wire asks Flores to attend meeting as “ghost writer;” says “Perhaps they are trying to lure us into revealing who we are,” “can’t afford to let them know who we are” and “be very careful.”

– Tuesday morning. Flores replies to email with forwarded message from McClellan from Jag Wire multiple times. Email prompts Flores to ask Police Chief Michael Cash if he could attend 11 a.m. ASO meeting while on the clock as Public Safety Assistant for SWC Police Department. Flores attends meeting, says he is there to represent Cash, though later admits he was there to represent Jag Wire.

March 5, 2015 – During a recorded interview, McClellan lies to Sun reporters about her involvement with Jag Wire, pretending she does not know how to contact it and denying she communicated with it.

March 16, 2015 - Southwestern College Sun publishes article “Former Sun photographer impersonated police chief.”

March 17, 2015 - Sun reporters submit California Public Records Act request to further investigate connection between McClellan and Jag Wire.

April 13, 2015 – 2:12 a.m. McClellan sends fourth email to Jag Wire as well as President Dr. Melinda Nish, Vice President Dr. Angelica Suarez, Branscomb and Sun Editor-in-Chief Anna Pryor with subject header “Statement from Mia McClellan, Dean Student Services concerning false accusations,” requests release of recorded interview.

– 9:16 p.m. Branscomb emails colleagues rejecting McClellan’s claim of false accusations and standing behind his students.

April 28, 2015 – The Sun posts the portion of the recorded interview where McClellan lied to reporters, accompanied by a transcript, at http://www. theswcsun.com/rick-flores/.

May 15, 2015 – The Sun publishes article “McClellan denies lying to The Sun, files EEO complaint against adviser” and a letter to the editor by McClellan, “SWC Dean denies that she lied to college newspaper reporters.”

May 20, 2015 - McClellan mails written demand for retraction of the article “Former Sun photographer impersonated police chief” to three student journalists, Branscomb and Governing Board President Norma Hernandez.

May 21, 2015 – By an 18-0 vote, the Editorial Board of The Sun rejects McClellan’s demand for a retraction and stands behind the story as reported.

Degree: College’s Foundation President honored with degree Continued from pg. A1

work he has done for the school.

“Ben is an incredible community leader with a great sense of civic responsibility,” she said. “He always wants to leave things better than he found them and make a difference for our students.”

Green has served on the board of the SWC Foundation since 2009 and has

Printer: Legendary local shop home of Chicano Movement Continued from pg. A1

to the ones we grapple with today, the ’70s were a markedly different time for a Chicano.

According to the 1968 U.S. census there were only 7 million Chicanos and Latinos in the country. Their representation in government was virtually non-existent. California’s State Legislature and the San Diego City Council had a grand total of two Latinos. Baca said Chicanos were dubbed the Silent Minority.

“There was literally nothing in our community,” he said. “There was no such thing as a Chicano principal in the schools.

There was no such thing, statistically speaking, as a Chicano doctor or lawyer.

You could literally count them on your hand.

We had no social, economic or political presence.”

Today the U.S. census tallies 55 million Latinos. There are countless Latino politicians as well as a presidential front-runner in Sen. Marco Rubio. It appears as if a great deal of progress has been achieved, but Baca said he is not so sure.

been president since 2011.

“The opportunity just came to me,” he said. “They were expanding the board and I saw they needed help and saw it as a chance to give back. I’ve been really lucky to work with board members that follow through and actually do things for the school.”

Through the Foundation Green has helped raise funds for hundreds of scholarships and academic programs at SWC. “The most rewarding thing for me is when I get a chance to meet the students,” Green said. “It’s great seeing my work have a positive impact.”

“We have Chicano politicians now, but what are they doing for us?” he said. “Politics isn’t about people or money, it is about organized people and organized money. We need to get more organized as a people. That is what Aztec Printing was all about.”

Baca’s dedication to the Chicano Movement was historically validated in 2004 when UCSD asked to house his archives.

Newspapers throughout San Diego County reported that this was the first major Chicano collection acquired by the university. Bound documents stretched over 40 feet long and detailed 38 years of the Chicano Movement in San Diego County.

Vasquez said it was the culmination of their careers in the civil rights trenches.

“UCSD acquiring our archives is the greatest thing to happen to us,” he said.

“What we are dealing with is a historical problem so it is important that our struggle is documented for future generations.”

Although Baca closed down the shop, he said he will always be involved with the Chicano movement. In the meantime, he will be focusing his efforts on cataloguing and updating the archives for posterity.

“We are a proud people. We built pyramids, made the Mayan calendar and invented the zero,” he said. “As long as there is inequality, there will always be a movement.”

Bianca Quilantan, editor

NEWS

CPRA: Requested emails reveal weeks long dialogue

Tel: (619) 482-6368 E-mail: news@theswcsun.com

January 13 - Jag Wire to Dean Mia McClellan

Continued from pg. A1

article quoted her explaining how she did not know how to “approach” members of the pamphlet and denying communicating with them. An email obtained by The Sun was published alongside the article. It revealed that McClellan had invited the anonymous pamphlet publishers to a Feb. 17 ASO meeting that involved The Sun and revisions to student grievance procedures requested by The Sun to increase transparency on campus.

McClellan had denied to Sun reporters that she had been in contact with the Jag Wire and had invited members of the pamphlet to the meeting. She pretended she did not know much about the Jag Wire and did not know how to contact it.

In reality McClellan had been exchanging emails with the Jag Wire since Jan. 13, when publishers of the pamphlet wrote to her that their pamphlet was “created out of the frustration” with Sun Adviser Dr. Max Branscomb and the Editorial Board of The Sun. The anonymous representative also explained the Jag Wire conducts all “interviews via email” and its members “do not have a favorable opinion of most administrators.” Their email listed a series of grievances it had with The Sun and its adviser. It asked McClellan “for any insight you might have” regarding The Sun and its adviser.

McClellan emailed back two days later.

“I appreciate your effort to reach out and receive a response from me regarding the issues described below,” she wrote in response on Jan. 15 at 2:35 a.m. “I would like to submit a response to you and I will send to you no later than Wednesday, January 21st. Thank you again.”

Six days later, on Jan. 21, the pamphlet publishers wrote back.

“We are probably going to have to push your story back to our second issue of the semester,” read the Jag Wire email, “because we are trying to stay on deadline to get issue 1 out this week. We look forward to your response.”

McClellan responded the following morning at 1:57 a.m.

“Thank you for your message,” she wrote.

“I appreciate your timeline in getting your first issue distributed. I will forward you my response as soon as possible.”

Publishers of the pamphlet then emailed McClellan on Feb. 4, inquired about her “story” and asked for “a realistic time to expect” it. At the bottom of their email was a link to their first issue of the semester.

During a recorded interview on March 5 by two Sun reporters, McClellan said she knew little about the Jag Wire and denied any knowledge of its online presence.

“They’re all paper, right?” she asked reporters.

The Sun reporters explained how publishers of the pamphlet could be reached by email and phone. McClellan was later

EMAIL EVIDENCE — Emails requested through the California Public Records Act (CPRA) showing Dean of Student Services Mia McClellan’s correspondence with the Jag Wire. A full display of all the emails is posted at http://www.theswcsun.com/.

asked for her thoughts on the Jag Wire.

“I don’t have a perspective because I’ve only read one or two of them,” she said.

“It’s not like they’re readily available. (The Sun has) a stand that’s right out here that’s very timely.”

When asked which issues of the Jag Wire she read, McClellan said she did not remember.

When asked if the Jag Wire had contacted her this semester, last fall or last summer, she said she did not remember.

“I don’t recall,” she said.

Sun reporters asked why she would contact an anonymous person(s) who could be a dangerous criminal or jeopardize campus safety and invite them to a meeting with students. She replied that the Sun reporters could be dangerous criminals themselves. The Sun reporters told her their identities could be verified, but publishers of the pamphlet could not. McClellan agreed.

“Sure. Absolutely,” she said.

McClellan was asked again why she would contact an anonymous person(s).

“Yeah. Okay. I’ve already given you my response,” she said.

McClellan has yet to answer the question as to why she would contact an anonymous person(s). Her motives for inviting them to campus remain unclear.

McClellan also told the Sun reporters she would not contact Jag Wire members for matters related to the college.

“I don’t contact (The Sun) generally, right?

And I don’t call (The Sun) to say, this is happening. So I won’t do the same to (the Jag Wire),” she said.

Emails released under the California Public Records Act, however, show that McClellan had personally invited the members of the Jag Wire to the meeting 16 days earlier.

Following publication of The Sun’s initial report on McClellan’s involvement with the Jag Wire, she denied lying to reporters.

Since publication of that article she has filed a formal complaint against Branscomb.

A college employee said it was an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint, but later College President Dr. Melinda Nish told Branscomb that it was actually a college ethics complaint. Nish told Branscomb she had pulled the ethics complaint.

On May 20 three student journalists, Branscomb and Governing Board President Norma Hernandez received a written demand for a retraction of the March 16 article headlined “Former Sun photographer impersonated police chief.” Members of the Editorial Board of The Sun voted 18-0 to reject the demand and stand by the article as it was written. Branscomb has also told McClellan and college administrators that he stands behind the article because it was reported accurately.

The original article and an excerpt of the recorded interview, accompanied by a transcript, can be found online at http:// www.theswcsun.com/rick-flores/.

Steward: Former CSEA official claims retaliation Continued from pg. A1

“I’m going to go by what my training says,” she said. “If a member calls me and wants help, I’m going go. It’s not up to me, I don’t make that decision. It’s the employee’s decision.”

CSEA member Shironda Logan said she was thankful that Montalvan-Toth did not relent and fought for her, she said.

“I believe Rebeca was fired from her union-rep position because of her persistence and for challenging Mr. Harris by explaining to him that he couldn’t interfere and attempt to block members from receiving representation, violate member’s confidentiality or ignore complaints from members,” said Logan.

EOPS Administrative Secretary Veronica Cadena said she is disappointed that Montalvan-Toth was dismissed.

“Here is the one person in this campus that wants to make a difference and help,” she said. “Instead of being grateful for what she does, she’s being blackballed.”

More than 400 SWC classified employees are CSEA members, said Montalvan-Toth, and there are now only two active job stewards able to help them.

Montalvan-Toth has said she worked at Southwestern College for 29 years.

She was a job steward on-and-off for 10 years, she said, and is “also the only fully certified and jacketed CSEA member at SWC.” “I was wrongfully removed,” she said.

“I did everything right. I was just trying to follow the process. I was doing the right thing.”

Courtesy Photo

NO SIGN OF GIVING UP — Rebeca Montalvan-Toth said she was unfairly dismissed from her union position.

The Southwestern College Sun

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

ARTS

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Spanish poetry es magnífica

By Andrew Perez Senior Staff Writer

“If art is only to be judged by cost, the materials for a Rembrandt are only $25,” he wrote. Responding to the claim that it looked like other steel blocks, he wrote: “A lot of books look alike, too.” In response to the claim about the artist’s intent, he wrote: “The intent, I believe, is to make people think about what really is art.”

Was the piece fooling people to buy junk? Baldessari said no.

“Life is too short to go around fooling people,” his letter explained.

“Art is long, and time will prove the value or non-value of the piece.”

(Nauman’s sculpture “Henry Moore Bound to Fail,” 1967, sold for $9.9 million at Christie’s in May 2001.)

Von Meier, who declared the piece a winner, wrote a formidable essay on “Dark” in defense of his decision. It was also published in the campus newspaper. His critique of “Dark” is possibly the most elegant and compelling case in favor of the sculpture ever writ.

“The word ‘DARK’ is inscribed on the underside — buried,” his essay read. “What more apt poetic image

Dismay filled the Student Union East with tales of passion, paranoia and unfulfilled dreams. Baja poets and writers gathered at SWC as part of The Guest Writers Series’ final two events of its 2015 Spring Literary Festival.

“Baja Writers,” the first event, was sponsored in part by Acanto y Laurel, a UABC radio program that features discussions and interviews with Latino authors. Three writers were part of the panel: journalist Josué Camacho, poet Jhonnatan Curiel and author Javier Hernandez Quezada.

Camacho, a reporter for El Mexicano newspaper, read an excerpt from his first novel “Habitar En Vano” (“Living in Vain”), which tells the story of a single mother and her children living in Tijuana.

Their dreams, aspirations and fears cast upon the inky borderlands of Tijuana.

“I got the idea for the book in a very apocalyptic dream,” he said. “Fire was raining down from the sky, the moon had turned to blood. Another thing that inspired me was thinking about everything we say about others behind their back that we wouldn’t dare say to their face.”

In the excerpt from the book, “Confesiones de Eva” (“Eva’s Confessions”), a woman begins to have suspicions about her neighbors.

Author Quezada read a segment called “Gravedad (Fracturas III)” (“Serious Illness” (Broken Bones III)” from his newest novel “Kanji.” He said the segment could be read as a stand alone short story or in the context of the larger novel.

Curiel read three of his poems.

“Each of these poems is from a different phase in my writing career,” he said.

In “Narcofrío,” he writes, “El narcopolicía llega a su narcocasa / lo recibe impaciente su narcoesposa / mientras sus narcoshijos corren hacia él / para pedirle narcobilletes y gastarlos rápido/ en la narcotiendita de la esquina.” (“The narcopolice arrives at his drug house / His drugwife is very impatient / meanwhile, his drugkids run to him / to ask for drug money to spend quickly / in the drug store at the corner.”)

Five Latino poets from San Diego and Tijuana read selections of their work published in the San Diego Poetry Annual, 2014-15 Bilingual Edition, subtitled “Frontera Piel” (“Skin Border”), in the second event.

Present were Latino poets Curiel, Monica Morales Rocha, Amaranta Caballero, Sonia Gutiérrez, Alberto Paz Tenorio, editor Olga García and “Editor En Jefe,” publisher William Harry Harding.

Harding said that it was an honor to have the event at SWC. “It is great to get poetry to younger generation,” he said, “and we have been well received.”

Each poet took turns reading their own work and selections from other poets featured in the book that were not able to attend.

Gutiérrez read a poem titled “Dicen” (“They Say”) which tells of the inhumanities perpetuated against

please see Dark pg. A4

please see Poets pg. A4

Joeclyn Melody Davalos/Staff

HEAVY METAL MASTERWORK— As dull as it is droll, “Dark,” a conceptual sculpture by Bruce Nauman, continues to mark time as it rests outside in the art gallery courtyard, unfazed by the world around it.

Shining light on ‘Dark’ Southwestern’s slab is an enigmatic masterpiece

By Gabriel Sandoval Arts Editor

I

t has no plaque, no hint of significance or worth.

It is a rusty hunk of steel, measuring 4 feet by 4 feet by 4 inches, weighing more than two tons. It is as absurd as it is profound, a true masterpiece.

It is defined by one word: “Dark.”

A conceptual sculpture by the artist Bruce Nauman, “Dark” was acquired

by Southwestern College in 1968 for $1,900. Nauman created it in a small National City steel factory and wrote the word “Dark” beneath it with a yellow permanent-pigment steel marker.

Today the piece rests outside in the gallery courtyard, atop wooden boards, two inches off the ground. Nauman, now 73, is one of the world’s most influential living artists.

“It’s just a steel plate with the word ‘Dark’ written on the bottom,” Nauman explained to Avalanche magazine editor Willoughby Sharp in 1970. “I don’t know how good it is, but it seemed to be a germinal piece to me.”

In 1989 Nauman mentioned the importance of “Dark” in an interview with Christopher Cordes for a catalogue raisonné: “The feelings I had about that piece and the way it functioned for me were important for a long time. I was able to make a statement in it that let things out of me that I hadn’t been able to get out before.”

Few have ever actually seen the word “Dark,” so most can only try to comprehend the piece conceptually.

Get it? Most people do not.

“Nauman is the guy who makes you

feel incredibly upset and existentially nervous,” wrote Andrew Soloman for the New York Times in 1995. “You can recognize a Nauman by the way it makes you want to go home.”

In a career spanning more than a halfcentury, Nauman has crafted sculptures from metal, latex rubber and translucent fiberglass. He has shot films, videos and photos of himself pretending to be a fountain (“Self Portrait as a Fountain,” 1967). He has drawn, produced sound pieces and written poetry. He has utilized neon lights in his most vibrant and aesthetically pleasing works (“Sex and Death/Double ‘69,’’’ 1985). He became widely known in late 1960s and early ‘70s for performances in which he used his body as an expressive instrument (“Walking in an Exaggerated Manner Around the Perimeter of a Square,” 1967). One of his most famous installations is a chair hanging from a ceiling (“South America Triangle,” 1981). He has not painted since 1964.

In the spring of 1968, SWC held its sixth annual Purchase Award Show. It would be the last. A screening committee consisting of four art instructors — Bob Matheny, John Baldessari, John Clark and Dick Robinson — selected pieces for the show from a pool of applicants.

One juror, Dr. Kurt von Meier, an art critic and assistant professor from UCLA, selected the winner.

Nauman, then a tenacious 26-yearold artist from the Bay Area by way of Wisconsin, entered his steel sculpture “Dark.” Odd yet thoughtful, his piece won and the college agreed to pay him $1,900 with funds from the Associated Student Organization. ($1,900 in 1968 is roughly $13,000 in 2015.)

“The intent, I believe, is to make people think about what really is art.”

- JOHN BALDESSARI, ARTIST Then came the complaints.

Students, faculty and community members expressed outrage. San Diego Evening Tribune published a letter to the editor by local sculptor Frank Morgan who described the piece as “unmitigated trash.” Letters to the editor of this newspaper (then called The Athapascan) argued for and against the purchase.

“It’s just a slab of steel,” wrote D.S. Baird from the English department.

“This particular phase of art today is a homosexual joke… Nauman’s piece of ridicule may imply some kind of social criticism and Kurt von Meier may think he knows what it is, but that does not make it a piece of art.”

Other complaints scrutinized every conceivable aspect of the piece: “Steel is only $26.50 per ton,” “It looks like any other block of steel,” “The intent of the artist is not apparent,” “It’s fooling people to buy junk,” “It’s an expensive pigeon perch,” the letters read.

Baldessari, who later became a worldfamous artist himself, wrote a letter to the editor defending the purchase, addressing 18 individual complaints.

One by one.

Student art exhibit is a gallery of rich promise

By Kenslow Smith Contributing Editor

Transported into a world of wonder, viewers were engulfed by a breathtaking artwork and an atmosphere of artistry at the 2015 Spring Student Art Show.

SWC art instructors were allowed to enter six pieces of work from each of their classes for entry in the show.

Assistant Professor of Art Nicholas “Nikko” Mueller said it is essential for students to have their work displayed in the same gallery as professionals.

“Presentation is a big part of how you react to something,” he said. “When you see it put into position where it’s really demanding your attention and it’s shown in its best light, you’re going to

look at those things in a very different way.”

Gallery Director Vallo Riberto said the gallery is one of the finest in San Diego, but evening openings, distance and traffic deter people from visiting.

“The only problem we have with this gallery is getting people down to the South Bay,” he said. “You don’t think of art and South Bay in the same thought and we’re trying to change that.”

Riberto said it was one of the largest exhibitions he has put together in years.

Jenna Paraiso Poblete’s 3D design art piece “Fly On Little Wing” was featured.

Her 3D design class assignment was to create something that could be worn.

Inspired by angels and peacocks, she please see Gallery pg. A4

Kenslow Smith/Staff

DRAWN TO BRILLANCE— A student gazes at a paper-patched interpretation of “American Progress” (1872) by John Gast, drawn by the students in Perry Vasquez’ Drawing 2 class.

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Gabriel Sandoval, editor

ARTS

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

Tel: (619) 482-6368 E-mail: arts@theswcsun.com

Bilingual “Butterflies” soars

>REVIEW

Continued from pg. A3

By Andrew Perez Senior Staff Writer

Butterflies come from humble beginnings, bloom into creatures of exquisite beauty, then leave this world way too soon.

So it was for the three Mirabal sisters, otherwise known as “Las Mariposas” (The Butterflies). Rebels and sisters-in-arms, they were willing to do whatever it took to bring justice to their beloved Dominican Republic, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives.

A dedicated cast and crew brought their harrowing story to life at Mayan Hall in a successful performance of “In the Time of the Butterflies” / “En El Tiempo De Las Mariposas.”

The play was staged in two separate performances, one in English, the other in Spanish.

Directed by Sandra Cortez and adapted by award-winning playwright Caridad Svich from Julia Alvarez’s novel of the April Abarrondo/Staff same name, “Butterflies” is a fictional IRON BUTTERFLIES — Dominican Republic freedom fighters Dede and Minerva Mirabal (Teresa Gonzales and Lauren telling of the real-life Mirabal sisters, who Martinez) fought to overthrow a dictatorship in the 1950s. SWC’s bilingual production was also revolutionary. were part of the 14th of June Movement, an underground uprising dedicated to weaknesses. delivered Patria’s church monologue, Becerra gave four memorable performances overthrowing the fascist dictatorship of While Gonzalez gave a formidable showing her sobbing over the loss of in both languages: the cocky and hilarious Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic performance as Minerva in the Spanish her child and pleading with God to Disc Jockey who serves up some tasty in the 1950s. version, she delivered a much better, help protect her and her sisters. While tunes, the shy yet revolutionary Lio, There is fiery Minerva (English: Lauren nuanced rendering as young Dede in the Mendoza gave it her all in the Spanish who first gets the sisters involved in the Martinez, Spanish: Teresa Gonzalez), English. version, Ochoa’s performance was more uprising, the bumbling chauffer Rufino paternal Patria (English: Cynthia Galaz The part of Minerva seemed a better emotionally challenging. and El Jefe himself, Trujillo.

Ochoa, Spanish: Estefania Mendoza) and fit for Martinez in the English version.

Ochoa’s portrayal of older Dede in the Michael Buckley’s brilliant set brought fragile Maria Teresa (Erika Laforcada in Martinez played the character with the Spanish version also eclipsed Salazar’s the blistering heat and stale, salty smell both versions). zest of a seasoned actress, showcasing the unmemorable performance in the English of the Caribbean Sea to the Mayan Hall Their other sister Dede (younger version phenomenal ability of her range. She was version. Ochoa gave a quiet and layered stage, while Elisa Benzoni’s costume work played by Gonzalez in English and Andrea able to go from brave ferocity to tender presentation. transported audience members to the Contreras in Spanish, older version vulnerability in the span of a single line.

While Laforcada’s performance as Maria Dominican Republic in the 1950s. played in English by Bibiana Salazar and Highlighting the production, Ochoa Teresa seemed to get lost in the shuffle of “In the Time of the Butterflies / in Spanish by Ochoa) serves as narrator, stole the show in each of her respective the English version, she more than made En El Tiempo De Las Mariposas” was recounting their story to an American roles. Resembling a young Salma Hayek, up for in her bold and memorable Spanish phenomenal, much like a conspicuous reporter (Grecia Juarez in both versions). Ochoa was a powerhouse of emotion. In performance. butterfly, fragile yet ferocious in its Both performances had strengths and a tender and harrowing display, Ochoa As the sole male member of the cast, Jorge tenacity to live.

Dark: Rusted steel sculpture still stirs controversy and awe Continued from pg. A3

Kenslow Smith/Staff

WONDER WALL— Students admire drawings in the “2015 Spring Student Show,” a showcase of outstanding work from 2-D and 3-D student artists.

Gallery: Student art show exhibits burgeoning talent Continued from pg. A3

created a vest with colorful wings attached with translucent paper, gift-wrapping paper and metallic colors. Although the piece was too big to wear, she noted how great it looked on the statue. She said she has no plans submit it to a gallery.

“I hope to sell it,” she said.

Poblete was a dental hygiene major before switching to graphic design a year ago. After taking beginning drawing with Perry Vasquez, Poblete said she realized she wanted to pursue art.

“It changed my perspective,” she said.

Beata Rubi’s untitled photograph captured a downtown San Diego couple walking their dog. It is black and white, save for an accentuated vibrant, multicolored purse on the woman. Rubi, a native of Poland, earned her college education in Europe. She said she now takes photography class for fun.

“Inside me is an art soul,” she said.

Librado Fierro’s inspiration comes from cartoons and games. His drawing “Avatar State” depicted Korra from the Nickelodeon series “Avatar: Legend of Korra.” Using only black charcoal on white paper,

Poets: Mexican writers burn with fury and optimism

Fierro emphasized the contrast of black and white to bring Korra to life.

“For those who aren’t familiar with the series (they) will find appeal for the contrast of the darkness of the figure with the white ore around it,” he said.

Fierro said he seeks to major in illustration and minor in computer engineering to combine both fields and enter the video game illustration industry.

Paolo Catano’s class assignment was to reconstruct a broom into an art piece. Catano created a woman figure out of broom straw and positioned her on her knees and hands. Broom bristles covered the head and hands, while the body remained uncovered. Though her work was untitled, Catano said she wanted it to represent historical woman gender roles.

“I wanted to show the struggle of being a woman,” she said. “The woman becoming the broom, always the one cleaning. Cleaning up the mess of everyone even if she didn’t make it.”

Catano finds inspiration almost anywhere, she said.

“I can see art everywhere in nature (and) when I am walking on the streets.”

Riberto said many students come to the program unaware of the wealth of opportunities.

“They are like blank slates unaware of what they can do with art,” he said.

“If you spark your imagination about being a creative producer, it might change the direction of your life.”

could there be for expressing the fundamental role of any educational institution: To bury the darkness of all forms of ignorance, prejudice and stupidity.

“On the side facing upward there is light. It is not spelled out. Very often truth does not appear spelled out — in the same ways falseness and ignorance very often do.”

Pontificating on “light,” von Meier cited scripture (Genesis 1:3: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”), Goethe’s dying words (“More light.”) and the great Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung’s comments on the I Ching: “…I know that the universities have ceased to act as disseminates of light.”

Von Meier also noted that “Dark” is “solid, clean, elemental” and “certainly down to earth.”

Regardless of the juror’s testimony, a petition began circulating at SWC to nullify the purchase. Petitioners had gathered 173 signatures by early May, according to The Athapascan. But it did not work. Nauman was eventually paid in full.

Matheny, 85, then the SWC gallery director, said the college became “like a battleground.”

“Somebody decided that would be the last deal where students would pay for the art in the permanent collection,” he said. “That ended the annual Purchase Award Show.”

As time went on the controversy quelled. People forgot about the debate, forgot about “Dark.” Month, years and decades passed. The piece, like so many heavyweight champions of the past, faded into obscurity like sunlight in the dark night sky.

In late January of 1968, about three months before the Purchase Award Show, Nauman travelled to New York City for the first time. He had his first solo show at the Leo Castelli Gallery.

It featured fiberglass sculptures, body molds, films, photographs and square metal slabs, among other works.

A keen-eyed young artist named Vallo Riberto attended that show.

Riberto had been living in New York

since the early 1960s and studying art at the Pratt Graphic Center. The show was his formal introduction to Nauman. He said he was immediately struck by one film in particular, describing it as “a spinning ball bearing shot from above.” Projected on a wall, he said, it looked like “Pong” and “was genius.”

The film, “Bouncing Two Balls between the Floor and Ceiling with Changing Rhythms” (1967), left a lasting impression on Riberto.

“I still feel that it was one of his strongest works,” he said.

Riberto left the Big Apple for the West Coast in 1989, but kept the film in mind. By the mid-1990s he was teaching art classes at SWC. A few years later he became gallery director.

Then one day he was walking around the outside perimeter of the courtyard.

He glanced down, not believing his eyes.

“I saw this piece of steel sitting in the mud,” he said. “It was next to a sprinkler. I saw the name…

‘Nauman.’”

It was beneath a bush, covered by overgrown shrubs, rusty and utterly neglected. The springer had watered it as frequently as the shrubs. Riberto said he reached out to Matheny who told him the story. Riberto was perplexed, reticent to ask how it got there.

“I think all through the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, till I got here, nobody made any mention of it,” he said. “It was just sort of asleep for 30 years, buried in the corner there.”

Matheny retired from SWC in 1991 and stepped down as gallery director in the 1970s. He said he had no clue how it got there either.

“It could have been negligence on my part,” he admitted, “no doubt about it.”

An SWC employee or one of several successive gallery directors may have put it there, he said.

Soon an excavation took place.

Riberto said a small forklift hoisted the piece and it was moved inside the gallery courtyard.

“The bottom had deteriorated,” he said, “and it had about an inch and half of rust shells that crumbled off.”

In its new courtyard home, it sat for nearly a decade.

In 2004, Constance Lewallen, an adjunct curator at the UC Berkeley

animals.

“Dicen que los animals no sienten. / ¿Pero has visto la Mirada del tigre / sin garras en su casa de vidrio?” (“They say animals don’t feel. / But have you seen the stare of the declawed / tiger in his house made of glass?”

(Translation by the author).

Further topics explored in the poems included unrequited love, genocidal war, child prostitution and finding one’s place in the cosmos.

At one point, all the poets on stage conducted a group reading of EnriKetta Luissi’s poem “Collage,” an ode to Mexico’s 43 missing students. The poem contained all the names of the children and each poet took turns reading names.

“Amantísimo / un dedo roto / exhibe miles de cráneos / amantísima / la bandera Narcoestado / sobre los 43.” (“With great love / a broken finger / gives rise to thousands of skulls / with great love / the flag of the Narcostate / over the 43 bodies.” (Translation by Olga García).

Not everything was doom and gloom, though. Some laughs shot like beams of sunshine through the grimness.

Gutiérrez read David Shook’s “Soneto La Carpio,” an ode to his “cock.”

“Mi gallo come tres veces al día / Mi gallo es emperador de toda la Cueva del Sapo. / Mi gallo ha aesinado a ocho gallos más débiles. / Mi gallo es padre de trece hujos gallos. / Mi gallo canta soprano. / Mi gallo parece avestruz.” (“My cock eats three times a day. / My cock is emperor of the entire Cueva del Sapo. / My cock has murdered eight weaker cocks. / My cock sings soprano. / My cock looks like an ostrich.” (Translated by Paul Holzman.)

Bringing things back to serious matters, García said that poetry is an extremely important art form.

“It is imperative that one listen closely to the words in poetry, especially in Latino poetry,” she said. “Poetry can be very uplifting or it can be very depressing. It plays on the emotions like no other art form.”

Art Museum, began research for a new project. It would be an exhibition of Nauman’s work from the 1960s.

“Maybe I’m biased,” she recently said via phone from Berkeley, “but I really think Nauman is the greatest living artist… He continues to be able make works that are innovative, unexpected and influential.”

In 2006 Lewallen sought out “Dark,” contacted Riberto and made arrangements for the piece to have its first road trip.

“They sent a truck down to pick it up,” Riberto said.

From Jan. 17 - April 15, 2007, “Dark” was exhibited at BAM in “A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s.” Beside its extended family of slabs and other works, it basked in the limelight.

Months later the piece returned to SWC, Riberto said, and it went to its old spot, outside in the gallery courtyard.

“If you aren’t aware of who Bruce Nauman is, the piece is not going to mean anything to you. It’s just a hunk of steel. But if you know who Nauman is, and you see that name, then you know.”

Riberto said he prefers that “Dark” not have a plaque. He said he likes its unassuming, quiet nature. Others, however, such as Bob Matheny, said it should be donated to a museum or at least given a plaque. That way, he said, people could appreciate it.

Riberto said he has been in contact with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) who has expressed interest in borrowing the piece for a Nauman exhibition, tentatively slated for 2016.

When the piece was resurrected in the late 1990s, Riberto said the word “Dark” had flaked off and crumbled to pieces. “Dark,” the word, had disappeared. Was “Dark,” the word, ever there?

In a statement in a 1972 catalog Nauman noted: “It’s partly the idea of ‘Given this piece of information, there’s nothing you can do about it.’ Of course, the obvious thing is establishing a place you can’t get to — you have no control over it.

It’s sort of like trying to think about the universe. The difference between ‘Dark’ and the point I’ve reached now is that now I wouldn’t actually put the word on the slab. I wouldn’t need to.”

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

VIEWPOINTS

The Southwestern College Sun

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Editorials, Opinions and Letters to the Editor

The mission of the Southwestern College Sun is to serve its campuses and their communities by providing information, insights and stimulating discussions of news, activities and topics relevant to our readers. The staff strives to produce a newspaper that is timely, accurate, fair, interesting, visual and accessible to readers. Though the “Sun” is a student publication, staff members ascribe to the ethical and moral guidelines of professional journalists.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anna Pryor

ALYSSA PAJARILLO

Finally, a new way to block the HIV virus

MANAGING EDITOR

Colin Grylls PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mason Masis SENIOR STAFF

Lina Chankar Serina Duarte Andrew Perez Jaime Pronoble Kasey Thomas COPY EDITOR

Brian del Carmen NEWS

Bianca Quilantan, editor Luz Aramburo, assistant Eliza Cana, assistant VIEWPOINTS

Alyssa Pajarillo, editor CAMPUS

Asjia Daniels, editor Alberto Calderon, assistant ARTS

Gabriel Sandoval, editor Cesar Hirsch, assistant SPORTS

Nicholas Baltz, editor Evan Cintron, assistant Rudee Amaral III, assistant ONLINE

Adriana Heldiz, editor Adrian Gomez, assistant Vito Di Stefano, assistant PHOTOGRAPHY

April Abarrondo, editor Mirella Lopez, assistant CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Josh Carter Kenslow Smith STAFF WRITERS

Andrea Aliseda

Adriana Molina

JoseLuis Baylon

William Nimmo

Veronica Deck

Andrew Perez

Elizandra Granillo

Guillermo Ramirez

Kayla Hall

Netzai Sanchez

Brenda Gregorio-Nieto

Marianna Saponara

Brittany Henderson

Domonique Scott

Victoria Leyva

Tyrice Simmons

Joshua Liang

Jennifer Soto

Martin Loftin CARTOONISTS

Stephanie Garrido Mark Hyde Michelle Phillips John Ryu Victor Santander PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jocelyn Melody Davalos David Hodges ADVISOR

Dr. Max Branscomb

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of the Year, 2013

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Multicultural Heritage Award

The Issue: Like Ferguson, New York and Baltimore, Southwestern College has been plagued by serious racial tension.

editorial

Michelle Phillips/staff

Our Position: Administrators and classified employees are reliving the 1960s instead of modeling post-racial America.

College administrators have allowed racial tension to fester for too long

Just when the dreamers among us started to envision a post-racial United States, the roof collapsed.

America fell into a time warp and landed with a thud in the bloody urban streets of riot-torn 1968. New York, Ferguson, Baltimore and South Carolina have spilled blood as African-American men were murdered by rouge police officers.

Southwestern College has not had murders or riots, but our troubled institute of higher education is roiling with racial tension, too, ironic for a college in a progressive community and in a liberal state.

Southwestern College’s diversity makes us different from other institutions in the nation and it should be a strength. Students at SWC experience a rainbow of different cultures on a daily basis and are doing great.

Our so-called grown-ups, however, have embarrassed us again. Some administrators and classified staff have apparently engaged in or suffered racial discrimination for years. Finally, it seems, the lid has blown off the pressure cooker and left a huge mess.

A 2014 Campus Climate Report, showed that 75 percent of faculty members feel an environment of trust and respect does not exist for all employees at the college. A shocking 36 percent said SWC’s morale is worse than what it was five years ago during the worst of the corrupt Chopra era. Those numbers should be a wakeup call to our leaders – if they can find a way to get along.

Earlier this semester a group of employees sent a letter to the NAACP claiming to have experienced racism and a hostile work environment at the college. President Dr. Melinda Nish did what she often does and brushed aside the complaints in her own letter to The Sun. Accusations had already been investigated and dealt with appropriately, she insisted stridently. Some complaints, she said, were dealt with years ago.

Except that they weren’t.

Nish then ordered up diversity training for the complainants. It may prove too little, too late.

Classified union president Andre Harris, a proud African-American, received a death threat in the U.S mail in response to his own letter to The Sun. Harris says he does not see a racial divide on campus and has not been treated badly.

Online Comments Policy

Apparently some of his colleagues disagreed.

Four college employees have been placed on administrative leave. John Brown, the former director of facilities, resigned. Operations and Planning Supervisor Ramsey Romero, Dean of Arts and Communication Dr. Donna Arnold and IT specialist Johnny Blankenship were all relieved of duty pending investigations. (It is important to clarify that, to date, no one has been charged with the death threat.)

As students we are sometimes startled by things college leaders say. Asian-American administrators complain out loud that there are not enough Asian-Americans. African-American leaders openly say the same about their group.

Both groups complain about the number of Latinos working at SWC. They also complain about all the Latino-themed events.

Ouch!

Our college consists of 53 percent Latino students and five percent African-American students. It is understandable the college would have more, Latino-inspired events, but that does not mean that our African-American events should receive less attention or dedication. Event coordinators from smaller populations need more help. The college should dedicate energy and resources to all events, including many we have not had for Filipinos, Chaldeans, NativeAmericans and other of our brothers and sisters.

Southwestern needs to hire based on talent and merit, not by race, but our college, also, needs to respect all of its wonderful and diverse people, including smaller groups like Muslims, LGBT students, Pacific Islanders and Eastern Europeans.

Love and respect should transcend categories.

Perception shapes reality and if tensions run high within certain racial groups on campus, then we must talk about the issues instead of putting them in the pressure cooker to futher boil.

No other college in America has the advantages we do. SWC, like a good plate of Lolita’s brilliant hybrid carne asada fries, can bring out the best of blended cultures. Our focus should be on insuring that all cultures present on campus receive the same recognition and respect. If administrators and staff fail to model this, we are in trouble.

SWC needs to make a meaningful discussion of racial tensions taking place. Look to your students. We know how to get along with each other. We can teach you.

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It has been nearly 40 years since the HIV virus crossed into humans and four decades of fear and suffering for tens of millions.

There is still no cure for the horrific disease, but medical researchers have slowly and steadily pinned down the HIV virus before it can become full-blown AIDS. Now researchers are optimistic that they can prevent HIV from establishing itself in human bodies.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new preventative HIV drug.

Studies by the Center for Disease Control concluded that PrEP can reduce the risk of infection in people who are at high risk by 92 percent if taken correctly.

PrEP, according to the CDC, is for those who are currently HIVnegative and at a high risk for HIV. High-risk people include those in an ongoing relationship with an HIV-positive partner, who have engaged in sex without a condom within the last six months or who inject drugs.

PrEP comes in a pill form and must be taken daily to prevent infection.

Postexposure prophlaxis (PEP) is for those who need to prevent HIV after a single high-risk incident such as unprotected sex, needlesharing injection for drug use or sexual assault. PEP must be taken within 72 hours of exposure.

Think of PrEP as birth control, while PEP is the morning after pill.

This revolutionary drug has become a much-needed sigh of relief to those who have had to live in fear of sex, especially in the gay community. Although HIV is not exclusive to gay and bisexual men, queer men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the United States.

Public attention on HIV has faded, but the infection rate has held at a steady 50,000 new cases a year. Much like the birth control pill in the 1960s, PrEP has been stigmatized. Some argue that PrEP will give users a license to have carefree, unprotected, promiscuous sex, which can lead to a rise in other infections like syphilis.

While PrEP may seem like the answer to the HIV battle, it still has its drawbacks including its high cost.

There is only one FDA-approved PrEP, Truvada, and no generic brand in the United States. Truvada can cost up to $14,000 a year. Lab costs and routine monitoring run about $180 a year.

A generic version has been approved overseas that will cut the cost down to $2,700 a year.

Unfortunately, the generic version will not be available in the United States until 2017.

Some doctors are still reluctant to prescribe the drug. Like the birth control pill, PrEP must be taken daily and there is that chance that a patient will not take the drug consistently. There is no room for human error when it comes to HIV. Even though HIV runs rampant in some communities now, it will be hard to get PrEP into the hands of those who need it most. That must change.

Opinions expressed in the Viewpoints section are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Sun Staff, the Editorial Board or Southwestern College.

Alyssa may be reached at sexandthesun@theswcsun.com

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VIEWP

The Southwestern College Sun

Today’s racism often flies just under the radar—A

By Tyrice Simmons A Perspective

It began in my senior year of high school. I was persuaded to join the basketball team in the winter of that school year, yet another sport called me, wrestling. The idea struck me while performing a short skit in drama class. This skit pertained the story of an underdog wrestler.

This wrestler who was implemented with the desire and the ambition to become the greatest. This wrestler at the time was me. At first I was skeptical about joining this sport.

During this time I had never heard of an AfricanAmerican wrestler. It seemed as though many others agreed with this misinformation.

Throughout my wrestling season I was criticized as well as scrutinized as an African-American

By Eliza Cana A Perspective

Asian-Americans suffer from a “they all look the same,” “one size fits all” mentality.

Physical attributes of a “typical” Asian describe us as short, brown skinned, dark hair and brown slanted eyes. Most people in our community would probably describe a Filipino when asked to characterize someone who is of Asian ancestry, because of the large number of Filipinos that represent our school’s Asian population.

Ignorance of the many ethnicities within the diverse Asian races gives some folks permission to generalize and discriminate.

There are 13 main Asian ethnic groups in A m e r i c a . Pe o p l e o f Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures have very different traditions and physical appearances from each other. As do people of Ja p a n e s e , C a m b o d i a n , Pakistani, Laotian and Hmong cultures. Then there are also Thai, Taiwanese, Indonesian and

By Netzai Sanchez A Perspective

I have never felt that I have been treated less for being Latina. I think it has been beneficial for me, being able to speak in two languages is great especially in the region we live in.

I have noticed that within our Mexican culture we have a lot of stereotypes.

My mom’s family comes from Guadalajara, Jalisco a n d m y d a d ’s f r o m Mazatlan, Sinaloa. I have had people ask me many times what type of music I like and when I don’t

By Brian Del Carmen A Perspective

D a m n , t h a t ’s a b i g Filipino!

Being 6-feet, 5-inches tall can be rough when one of your ethnic identifiers is how short we are.

Because I’m so big the racism I experience tends to be small. Direct racism is rare when your have the height and mass equivalent of NFL players. But it’s the little things that can mess you up. Interactions that most people would

joining this supposedly European sport. I suppose being the only AfricanAmerican guy on the team did not help to abate the stereotypes.

During my time as a wrestler I was given a nickname by a few of my teammates. I was nicknamed “Black Plague” or “Black Death” for how I aggressive I wrestled. At the time I was fully aware of the discriminatory connotation that was sided with these socalled “compliments.”

During this time instead of speaking out against their ignorance I decided to accept their derogatory slurs as compliments. I felt as though it was not my place to right their wrongs so I kept quiet. After my season as a wrestler a few former teammates continued with their derogatory nicknames.

Sadly, I became accustomed to it.

By Victoria Leyva A Perspective

As a Chicana I never thought I would end up in a long-term relationship with a prejudiced man.

When I first met him I was fascinated by his naturally white blonde hair, light green eyes and fair complexion.

I had grown up surrounded by an array of brown hair and tanned skin, and I found him exciting. As my “like” for him turned into love, I would sweetly call him “Ghost Boy.” It was a pet name he cherished until the day our relationship ended.

As we began dating I noticed small comments about my ethnicity that I brushed off.

Comments persisted as the holidays approached. After unknowingly being kept a secret from his family for months, he invited me to Christmas dinner. Seated across from his beloved English grandmother, she asked about my kin and while explaining my large family she commented between bites of a

biscuit, “Oh, that’s right. It’s because of all of the inbreeding.” I suddenly felt ashamed. Between laughs he later called me his “brown incest baby.” The origin of the prejudiced comments began to make sense as I spent more time around his friends and family.

Later in our relationship, following my birthday dinner, we went to hangout with his friends. As one friend complained about the nearby Filipino teenagers being “disgusting” my Ghost Boy joked, “Are they even more worthless than Mexicans?”

I froze. As he heartily laughed it felt like he sucked all the air out of the room. I was sitting inches away from him, but never felt so low. While I choked back tears in privacy he accused me of being sensitive and not understanding humor that transcended race. He did not understand that as a MexicanAmerican woman, I would never have the choice to transcend something I am.

Nor would I want to.

By Lina Chankar A Perspective

“Suicide bomber.” “Sand nigger.” “Camel rider.”

Those are the few names I have been called because I’m an Arab-Muslim.

Shame!

I live each day trying to better my future and myself. It is unfortunate that we still have a large number of people in our society that generalize and blame an entire culture or religion because of the few despicable acts of others.

It is taboo nowadays to be an Arab or a Muslim. They are suffering the consequences of what extremist groups are doing.

After the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, I was afraid, and embarrassed, to admit I am an Arab or a Muslim. I was afraid of being judged, not accepted or even attacked, just as other Arabs and Muslims were during that time.

I have come to realize judgmental and racist actions by others do not define me. It is an issue they are dealing with.

Now, in order to fight racism I speak out and write about it in the hopes of opening minds and hearts.

Bangladeshi cultures that differ immensely from each other. Ethnicities within Asian origins should not be generalized.

As a FilipinoAmerican, I am a victim of generalization. In my workplace, I am “one of the Asians.” Even after months of working in the same place, I am still mistaken for my co-worker, who is also Filipino, by some of my other co-workers.

Although my co-workers’ mistake is not intended to offend me, by mistaking me for someone who is also Filipino, my identity is diminished into “another Asian girl” instead of as a unique individual.

Stereotypes for Filipinos are not often seen as negative attributes, since those stereotypes typically involve Filipinos being good students, nursing and engineering majors, hard workers, and polite, quiet, and obedient people, but being generalized as these clichés create a sense of monotony and sameness.

The biggest flaw to these generalizations is that these are stereotypes that are not true for all Filipinos.

say Banda they ask “But doesn’t your family come from Sinaloa?”

Yes, but still I listen to metal.

When it comes to sports my family from Guadalajara are soccer fans and my family from Mazatlan are baseball fans.

It is ver y common for people in our culture to ask if you are from a certain part of the country because of appearance.

I think that by now people who have grown up in Tijuana should know that it is a city full of people from all over the country.

look over as little acts of ignorance have had a lasting impact on me.

For example this common conversation: “So what are you?”

“Filipino.”

“You can’t be Filipino.

You’re so tall.”

“Well I am.”

“That’s amazing. Do you play basketball?

I hate this conversation.

I have it or something similar to it with too many people. Racism by 1,000 tiny cuts.

By Marty Loftin A Perspective

In elementary and middle school, I was the odd man out.

I may not have been the only white kid, but I was the only one covered in freckles. Despite being called Freckle Face by children who sought to hurt me with their words, I now understand that I was just a scapegoat.

Later when I needed glasses, I became Four Eyes, and then Harry Potter for a year or two despite not looking anything like young Daniel Radcliffe.

My unpopularity was not because I was really that different from my classmates, but because bullies are like predators who attack the weak.

I know this because when I had the opportunity, I would make fun of anyone else lower than me on the social totem pole. I feel bad about bullying kids in the same boat as myself, but I don’t feel as bad about the bullies I popped in the mouth for going

too far. Even though it was only a few really big jerks that messed with me over the years, their taunting marked me in the eyes of others until I did something about it.

I learned how to defend myself, both physically and verbally, and learned that the bullied were the ones I really wanted for friends.

After a few years of fighting off bullies and matching mean words with meaner words, I learned that racists are just bullies who never grew up. They are cowards who act tough, but fold when confronted.

We need to confront racism and stomp it out. It is a tool used by the strong to keep people down.

Racism is a tool used to bully and harass anyone of color, and in some places awful stereotypes are used to justify injustice.

We as a species are like crabs being boiled alive. We use artificial concepts of race to pull each other down into that boiling water and we fail to recognize that if we worked together we could escape the ruthless cycle of discrimination.

By Mariana Saporana A Perspective

It has been said that time heals all wounds.

For whom? The victims!

America was founded by our virtuous forefathers on Judeo-Christian values including people from all religious beliefs.

With this said, I will affirm that my upbringing was in a low socio-economic Italian community in Yonkers and the Bronx in New York. My community was populated by first and second generation Italianos who hung onto traditional family values.

I was the first granddaughter of Domenick and Teresina De Vito to have attended college. Mia nonna Te r e s i n a r a i s e d n i n e children. She did this with a strong faith.

With my family’s value system I won a scholarship to Yeshiva University’s Project Beacon Program to teach minority, culturallydiverse students which I have done for 39 years.

In 1970 I started teaching in the San Ysidro School District (SYSD).

Even though I had earned a lifetime teaching credential from California, I was told I was not worthy and culturally qualified to become an administrator. I was not part of the “good old boys culture.” I was a New York Italian misfit. I was slighted for my New Yorkese accent. I was passed over for promotion at least 10 times.

I had enough of the racism, the derogator y looks. I did not belong to the brown nosing culture which permeated the SYSD, I sued the SYSD. I won a Title VII law suit for age, gender and ethnic discrimination.

Racism, prejudice and bias need to be challenged by folks with true grit to stand up for what God has bestowed upon them.

It was for me a painful journey to fight for what was right.

I am grateful for the perseverance and value system my family has instilled within me. If I did not have the guts to stand up then and now, my life would have taken a completely different turn.

POINTS

Summer Edition 2015 – Volume 58, Issue 8

A7

Americans still suffer death by a thousand cuts

By Adriana Heldiz A Perspective

As a first generation Mexican-American, two very different cultures clashed throughout my childhood. I often felt as if I had to choose between them. Every young adult is in some way trying to figure out who they are.

Though I now understand how noble my parents are,W they embarrassed me when I was a teenager.

I was embarrassed when my dad drove me to school with all of his gardening tools in the back of his truck. “Drop me off by the corner” I would tell him so my mostly upper middle class high school friends would not see. When friends would ask me where my mom worked, I said she was a stay-at-home mom, but that was a lie. My mother worked slavishly at any job

By Adrian Gomez A Perspective

My b r o t h e r G a b r i e l was going up to my grandfather’s house in San Jacinto, driving his white 2003 Ford Mustang and wearing black sunglasses, when he noticed a white and green Border Patrol truck following him.

Gabriel immediately realized his mistake, he was wearing the wrong skin color.

Brown.

I am a “guerro,” a nickname in Spanish for a fair-skinned Mexican, complete with my blondish brown hair. My brother’s brown skin and dark curly hair are more “traditionally Mexican.” I have driven the same road up to see my grandfather countless of times without being harassed. For my dark-skinned hermano any venture into less-diverse parts of our state can be trouble.

Same family, different color, different experiences.

Gabriel kept driving right at the speed limit, waiting for the lights to flash.

After five more minutes

she could find. I did not want to fit the stereotypical view of a Mexican-American family especially in San Diego where most residents are from Mexican decent.

Society made me believe those in the bottom leached off the country, when in reality, they are helping built it. It was not until I visited family in Mexico when I realized all hardships my parents faced. They worked hard for me and traveled hundreds of miles so I would not have to work like them, so I could get an education and becom e an American professional.

It is hard to feel special when most people in Southern California came from the same background, but one thing is true, we all come from survivors and that is something to be proud of.

the lights came on as Gabriel was preparing to exit the freeway towards my grandfather’s house, but he pulled to the side of the road.

This was the third time this has happened to him.

Agents searched the car, nothing found and my brother continued o n his w ay, an g r y at the situation. Agents saw a young man with b row n s k i n . I s e e a student at San Diego State University, an Eagle Scout, a community service volunteer.

None of that mattered t o t h e B o rd e r Pa t ro l agent, who once again traumatized my brother.

It is difficult for people to walk in the shoes of others.

Even as his brother I c a n n o t f u l l y re l a t e to what Gabriel has experienced. What I do know is that all the little slights add up. Gabriel did not deserve to be hassled by the Border Patrol, but every time he drives that day or any of the other days, he is looking in his mirror for flashing lights.

By Domonique Scott A Perspective

My hair has always been a hassle. My thick curls frizzed and tangled, bunched and poofed. It drove me crazy. I am mixed race, so I have been cursed with the thickness of Mexican hair and the thick curl of Black hair.

One day to finally slay the beast upon my head I visited a salon where I met an African woman. Her skin was dark yet sparkled like obsidian. She was strong and elegant, draped in a long gorgeous ruby red caftan dress. What I remember most was her hair. If I thought my hair was a poof, hers was an explosion. Twists and curls revolving around her scalp. She looked amazing.

“How can I help you, child?” the women asked me in a deep, heavily-accented voice.

I told her I had given up

By Brittany Henderson A Perspective

Growing up I was always something like the black sheep of my African-American family. I was the odd ball in my group of friends, and the exception for my employers and boyfriends.

I am black, but apparently sound and act “white”. I don’t see a problem with the way that I am, but according to the outside world I am a white girl, inside out Oreo, valley girl, snow bunny, or my most favorite of all, “a snowflake.”

I h a v e re c e i v e d e n d l e s s nicknames throughout the years.

I remember I was fighting with my siblings years ago to not come in my room and my mom rushed in and yelled “Why do you have to sound so white?” I felt my heart drop and my eyes water. I did not understand. Home was supposed to be a safe place where I could be myself. I could tell my mom could not believe she said that out loud by the look of terror on her face. She did not know what to say and I didn’t know what to feel. It was so long ago, but she never apologized and I never forgot.

on my hair and if she could straighten it out I would be more than happy. She simply nodded and led me to the washing sink where she took out the hair tie that held my mess of a bun in place.

The water ran down warm and gentle about my scalp as the woman weaved her hands through my curls caressing them with conditioner. Humming she used coconut oils and her brushes to softly twist my curls and set them. Once finished the woman turned my chair to the mirror, “Look upon yourself, child,” she said.

My curls sat luxuriously upon my shoulders, shiny and pronounced and bounced as I moved slightly.

I was beautiful.

The magical women told me that beauty comes in different forms and colors. Do not change who you are, embrace

Most of my friends joke about how I am not considered a real black girl. Boyfriends outside of my race have emphasized on how I am the exception due to me not being the average black girl (loud, obnoxious, unattractive, ghetto, dominant, rude and confrontational) because of the way that I sound and act. While the men I have dated within my race question why I talk and act the way I do and tend to not take me as serious as they would other black women.

When I was younger I used to have a problem with the way I am because I was bullied in school and at home. My family treated me like they did not want me around and I did not understand why. Friends seemed embarrassed of me when we would hang out in big groups. I was teased by every boy that I had dated and by his family when I got to meet them. Sometimes it was playful and sometimes it was hurtful.

It made me feel insecure about who I was and like I needed to change myself in order to fit in.

As I have gotten older I have grown to love and appreciate who I am. There is always room for improvement and change.

Nobody is perfect and everyone has flaws, but the way that I act and sound are fine.

By Colin Grylls A Perspective

My friends have jokingly created a special demographic for me – racially ambiguous.

It originated because they, as with most people, could not figure out my ethnicity.

Fo r t h e r e c o r d , m y m o m is Mexican and my dad is w h i t e . Pe o p l e a l w a y s a s k if I’m par t Black, Indian, Filipino, Arab, Je wish, Native American – you name it, they guessed it.

People are also thrown off by how I act because they see a brown person and expect an accent. When they do hear my relatively thick accent, there’s always a moment of shock when they hear the prolonged Midwestern “ah” that sneaks through when I say words like Chicago, hot dog or hockey. I watch c o n f u s e d f a c e s s t a re b a c k a t m e w h e n I f i re u p m y p i c k u p a n d Ge o r g e St r a i t blares through the speakers.

Other people hear my voice on the phone and then expect to see Beaver Cleaver.

Back East, some people thought I was just really tan. I remember one night at Ralphie’s, a local sports bar that brought in a clown once per week for family night, Rosie the Clown asked me how I got so tan in the dead of winter, assuming I went on vacation. I responded with a n a ns wer st rai g ht ou t o f Kids Say the Darndest Things.

“I was born with it!”

I grew up just outside o f To l e d o , O h i o , i n a neighborhood where it seemed like my family was the non-white population.

Even then, a distant cousin, Richard, traced the Gr ylls line all the way back to Sir John Gryles in 16 th century Britain.

When I was a freshman, the local high school had less than 400 students. We got along because we had to. The school was too small to harbor cliques, much less ethnocentric groups.

Oc c a s i o n a l l y t h e re w o u l d be light-natured ribbing thrown back and forth, usually based on race and o c c a s i o n a l l y re l i g i o n , b u t it was nothing worse than a n e p i s o d e o f S o u t h Pa r k and none of it, at least to me, seemed genuine.

There was a flare-up among t h e a d u l t s o n e ye a r w h e n t h e e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l ’s “ In t e r n a t i o n a l Ni g h t ,” a n excuse to eat ethnic cuisine disguised as a social studies project, allowed a student to research Palestine. Jews w e r e t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d ’s largest minority and Arabs

By Vito Di Stefano A Perspective

It’s time I say it, if for anyone, for myself. I Vito Paul Di Stefano III am mixed race. And I have to set the record straight, despite my very Italian last name, I can only say that a quarter of my genetic make up hails from that sunny peninsula.

As much respect and appreciation I have for It a l i a n c u l t u re a n d m y Italian ancestors and even my very uncommon name which I carry on from two grandfathers and my dad, I am more Mexican American than anything.

To p a r a d e m y s e l f as exclusively Italian America would be false and disrespectful to many cultures.

As I have grown older and more aware to the murky, troubling race relations in this country, I have felt some confusion about my own racial identity. I am 3rd generation Italian/Irish/ Mexican American. Racial identity has never really been

were arguably second, but, at least among the k i d s , e ve r yo n e g o t a l o n g .

I was in for a huge culture shock when I moved to Chula Vista as a sophomore in high school. My parents used to be able to pick us out of a crowd in a heartbeat b e c a u s e o f o u r s k i n , n ow they had to look at our faces. I passed multiple B o rde r Pa t ro l c a rs o n my way to school and I was suddenly surrounded by Sp a n g l i s h . He c k , I d i d n’t even know Filipinos existed.

I struggled at first. I c o u l d n’t w r a p m y h e a d around all of the Spanish being spoken in an American public school.

I d i d n’t u n d e r s t a n d w h y people only hung out with people that looked like them, largely because I never had that option.

Eventually I found a group of friends, though it mostly consisted of self-proclaimed military brats that, at least on an unconscious level, had as much trouble fitting in with any clique.

Still, none of that can compare to the private school in Argentina. Before I moved to Ohio in 1998, I lived in Argentina for two years and attended kindergarten and first grade there. My dad worked for Jeep International and he was assigned to work in C o r d o b a , A r g e n t i n a . My parents thought sending my brother and me to the local private school would be an easier transition that the local public school.

Boy were they wrong.

We were the new kids, we were American and worst of all, we were brown. On our first day of school, the bus stopped out front and we climbed into the very back.

I d o n ’t r e m e m b e r w h o c ov e re d w h o. My p a re n t s seem to recall that we told them I covered my younger brother, but I’m sure it was mutual. We simply didn’t know how to react to being spit on, especially when the bus driver just kept on driving, willfully ignorant to the situation in the back seat.

We were soon transferred to the local public school, where we would spend hours playing soccer after school with our new, more accepting friends.

When people ask me where I’m from, I tell them I’m from Ohio. It’s where I grew up and it’s the place that shaped me the most.

Argentina and California, however, opened my eyes.

an issue; my family and I were always just Americans.

But growing up in the South Bay, seeing the pride and care that others take in preserving their heritage, does make me see the value of bringing our ancestral or native cultures into America’s own cultural soul.

As a card carrying member of the powerful white male community, I do see the way minorities are looked down on, even if others don’t quite understand their own short sidedness is racism, and I am aware of the basic utopia that is my life because I am accepted in this exclusive group.

Ultimately, being mixed race has given me the privilege of perception. I can see things from two sides. I can be sympathetic outside the white majority club, because I am actually not a white American. I am a mixed race American and with my complexities comes another valuable and unique part of the American experience.

8

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

GRADUATION

The Southwestern College Sun

FALL 2014 AA GRADUATES Veronica Arevalo — Angelica Armendariz — La' Sandra Armstrong-Turner — Austin Arnold — Arturo Arroyo — Genevieve Askren — Andrea Asuncion — Kristen Atkinson — Denise Atlas — Roberto Avelar — Christian AyalaThomas Aaron — Priscilla Abedoy — Wenda Agbunag — Jose Aguayo — Jennifer Aguilar — Judith Alegado — Margarito Alvarado — Amanda Alvarez — Isela Alvarez — Samaid Andrea — Zorayda Andres — Santiago Anthony — Gebremicahel Aradom — Alejandro Arredondo — David Ayala — Miguel Ayala — Abigail Azarraga — Fernando Badilla — Anna Balcazar — Sofia Barrera — Aracely Barrientos — Mark Bongolan — John Bracey — Lonnell Burnett — Alondra Cabantoy — Elizabeth Cabral — Kassandra Camarillo — Andrea Campbell — Alessandro Canto — Denise Carrillo — Brenda Castaneda — Nancy Castro — Robyn Channell — Korin Chapman — Sonya Chisholm — Michael Cook — Alan Covarrubias — Rosalia Crosby — Anne Marie De Jesus — Brian Del Carmen — Estefani Delgado — Christine Dennis — Erika Diaz — Tomyro Dobbs — Josue Duran — Karina Enriquez — Paola Escobedo — Mario Esquivies — Allison Estaris — Belinda Estrella — Olushola Fagbolade — Vanessa Felarca — Alexis Figueroa — Karina Flores — Angelica Fonseca — Timothy Fries — Natalia Galata — Karina Garcia — Silvia Garcia — Taja Gilbert — Yoni Givens — Priscilla Gomez — Jamir Gomez-Garcia — Kathlyn Gonzales — Margarette Gonzales — Antonio Gonzalez — Jenni Gonzalez — Claudia Grijalva — Susie Guadagno — Stephanie Guarin — Janeth Guzman — Alfonso Hampton— Danielle Harrington — Gizelle Hedstrom — Alan Hernandez — Ana Hernandez — Berenice Hernandez — Maria Hernandez — Maribel Herrera — Kenneth Hill — Daniel Iribe — Aldo Iturrios — Mariana Iturrios — Wilnor Jean — Alissa Judge — Juliet Kardell — Jessica Kolar — Alicia Kristina — Fiorella Larrea Ibarra — Angela Laungayan — Brionne Lee — Maria Lee — Karina Lira-Gomez — Ismael Lopez — Angelica Lopez — John Lopez — Laura Lopez — Javier Lopez-Tripp — Liezl Lynne Macalintal — Dustin Madole — Jason Paul Magsanoc — Emil Manlutac — Dionisio Manuel — Cynthia Mariscal — Angelica Marquez — Jonathan Marquez — Fernando Marthagracia — Jose Martinez — Jeffery Melton — Aissa Mendoza — Francisco Mendoza — Marisa Meno — Marie Mina — Myysha Mobley — Philippe Montayre —Leah Mora —Rosa Moreno —Jounelle Murillas —Areli Murua —Edward Nava —Giovanni Neri —Rochelle Noelle —Nereyda Orlanschi —Daniela Ortiz —Melissa Pacheco —Favela Paulina —Alfredo Paullada Ii —Monica Paz-Thompson —Kristin Perez —Michael Perez—Gayle Petrina —Mercedes Pham —Arlene Pizarro—Alberto Pretty —Alvaro Provencio —Eleonor Raymundo —Edgar Razon —Michael Reyes —Aquino Ritchelle —Ana Robles —Jacqueline Rocha —Jonathan Rocha —Diana Rodriguez —Parysusy Rodriguez —Paulette Rodriguez —Jesse Romero —Arnell Rosete —Michael Rueda —Vanessa Sainz —Daniel Salinas —Alexandra Samantha —Daniel Sanchez —Kristofer Schreiber —Mariah Short —Olivares Silva —Nicole Soriano —Shanti Spezzano —Michelle Stillwell —Stefanie Strohl —Alexandra Sutphin — Jacqueline Tamayo —Megan- Nicole Tamayo —Clhoe Thompson —Erik Tomlin —Adam Toole—Cassandra Torres—Viridiana Torres—Jacqueline Tovar—Sandra Valencia—Jesus Valenzuela—Citlali Valerio —Brianda Vargas—Veronica Vasquez—Laura Vazquez—Rogelio Vergara—Calvin White—Samantha White—Shavonne Williams—Andualem Woreta—Chelsea Yambao—Jesus Yanez—Julia Yslas—America Zazueta—Lauren Zoehrer.

FALL 2014 AS GRADUATES Mianne Abarabar—Ivan Aguirre—Sergio Alfaro Barron—Michelle Angela—Allan Anthony—Arturo Araiza Caselin—Paulette Arenas—Rosa Armenta—Stephnie Billings—Jason Brown—Anthony Cavaluzzi—Jose Chavez Perez—Jane Christie—Rosa Contreras—Anthony Cook—Alejandro Davila—Albert Diaz De Leon—Cathy Dominguez—Timothy Draper—Antonio Econom—Alavaro Emilson—Paolo Encarnacion— Mary Ann Enginco—Cyrus Fahrai—Mariela Flores Delgado—Luis Fregoso—Patrick Fuentes—Luis Garcia—Michael Gooch—Ana Guerrero—Gerardo Guzman—Jose Guzman—Raymon Guzman—Faiza Hanna—Christopher Hubilla—Christian Juarez—Mertz Kabiling—Michelle Krecklow—Steven Lenoir—Ashly Lopez—Erick Lopez—Julian Lopez—Marisela Lourdes—Maria Lozano—Marco Luna—Yesenia Marquez—Andrea Martinez—Pedro Martinez—Omid Namiranian—Carla Nevarez—Kim Nguyen—Miley Nguyen—Charmaine Norde'—K Noriko—Eduardo Palmerin—Juli Pascual—Larry Pecorino—Claudia Perez—Gustavo Perez—Mayra Pimentel—Rona Ramirez—Cody Reeves—M Reuben—Janet Kristina Rimorin—Karen Rodriguez—Marie Sabrina—Ramzi Sahar—Ezraley Samala—Isaiah Serrano—Fernando Silva—Fatima Sombilon—Charlene Stell—Vonn Albert Tan—Ryan Temporal—Raymon Tesoro—Katherine Tran—Jose Traviesa—Amber Ulmer—Angelica Urquijo—Samuel Valadez—Ricardo Velasco—Ashley

FALL 2014 CERT GRADUATES Mianne Abarabar—Brenda Alvarez—Javier Andrade—Francis Apiado—Arturo Araiza Caselin—Jose Arciniega—Rosa Armenta—Laura Barba—Amy Bates— Stephnie Billings—Francisco Campos—Laura Casarez—Chris Castro—Anthony Cavaluzzi—Francisco Chaidez Leon—Jose Chavez Perez—Jane Christie—Anthony Cook—John Cronin—Blanca De La Vega—Esteban De La Vega—Karla Diaz-Parga—Cathy Dominguez—Jose Dominy—Timothy Draper—Adam Easley—Antonio Econom—Daniel Edwin—Bianca Esparza—Gloria Estrada—Ronald Florece—Luis Fregoso— Alicia Garcia—John Garlow—Margarita Gonzales—Jose Guzman—Susana Johnson—Mertz Kabiling—Steven Lenoir—Cynthia Lira—Erick Lopez—Marisela Lourdes—Mark Marchesseault—Yesenia Marquez—Pedro Martinez—Cathy Miller—Jenipher Murillo—Larry Pecorino—Reyna Peraza Olmos—Gustavo Perez—Mayra Pimentel—Cody Reeves—Tyler Reeves—Lizette Rodriguez—Roland Roman—Rosa Romero—Laura Romo—Jorge Ruiz—William Ryan III—Jacqueline Sarabia—Isaiah Serrano—Carolina Solorio—Fatima Sombilon—Raymon Tesoro—Matthew Tosches—Jose Traviesa— Amber Ulmer—Angelica Urquijo—Amaris Verdin—Steven Whitman—Jerry Williams.

Spring 2015 AA CANDIDATES Marco Hermosillo—Berenice Hernandez—Christian Hernandez—Cinthya Hernandez—Elizabeth HernandezDavid Acevedo—Jodette Acosta—Marcel Acosta—Jodi Adair—Arturo Adame—Brianna Adame—Matilde Adato—Daniela Aguilar—Kimberly Aguilar—Victor Aguilar—Natalie Aguilera—Mellisa Ahumada—Linda Ajero—Samena Akberzie—Omar Alami—Brenda Alarid—John Alba—Josselyn Alcaraz—Elia Aldana—Michael James Alejo—Karen Algandar—Clarisse Alonzo—Jovanna Alvarado—Sandra Alvarado—Cindy Alvarez—Isela Alvarez—Michelle Alvarez—Savannah Alvarez—Arlyn Amor—Tiffany Anchondo—Dre-Anna Anderson—Angelina Anthony—Kayla Anufrom—Patrick Apalit—Anucha Aphayavong—Erika Apodaca—Saira Araiza—Arturo Araiza Caselin—Beatriz Arballo— Israel Arechiga-Arias—Marisela Arechiga-Romero—Jose Arellano—Eddie Arellano Jr.—Melinda Ayala—Miguel Ayala—Sandra Ayala—Muriel Ayaz—Fernando Badilla—Nicholas Bagley—Olivia Baker— Jesse Ballesteros—Aaron Baltazar—Sol Baltazar—Nicholas Baltz—Ileana Banda—Tabbitha Banuelos—Isabel Barba—Royd-Derrik Barlis—Amanda Barranon—Sarah Barrett—Samantha Barrientos—Caroline Bartusch—Ronald Basbas—Cristian Beas—John Beasley Iii—Kyle Beauregard—Ana Becerra—Gabriela Becerra—Jovana Becerra—Annalyn Belarmino—Maria Beltran—Ilex Beltran-Najera—Eduardo Benitez—Adrian Berhe—Omar Bernal—Ana Bernal Briceno—Mike Best—Luis Betancourt—Aileen Bezada—Noelle Biddlecom—Kassandra Billiet—Benjamin Blake—David Bobadilla—Nicholas Boco— Jasmine Bonds—Olivia Bonilla—Ricardo Borboa—John Bracey—Steven Bradshaw—Yuliana Brambila—Sparkle Bright—Tammy Briseno—Brenna Bronder—Alice Brooks—Marlene Brooks—Joshua Brown—Kevin Brown—Teresa Bucardo-Campos—Robert Bullard—Alyssa Burciaga—Andres Burgueno—Gabriela Bustillos—Asia Byers—Franco Cabading—Denrick Cabogason—Adrian Cabrera— Adriana Cabrera—Evelyn Cadena - Salas—Evelyn Cadena-Salas—Edreanne Calaycay—Alexis Camacho—Cynthia Camacho—Jocelin Camacho—Abraham Camacho Valencia—Joseph Camarena—Ivonne Camargo—Cynthia Campos—Stephanie Campos—Lizzette Campos Ballardo—Maximo Campuzano—Andrea Canedo—Dominique Canez—Ruben Carasa—Jisselle Cardenas—Sherwin Carin—Denise Carranza—Noe Carrillo—Marco Carrillo-Leon—Gabriel Casillas—Jessica Casillas—Ashley Castaneda—Giselle Castanon—Dennis Castillo—Claudia Castro—Erin Castro—Giovanna Castro—Sandra Castro—Jacqueline Ceballos—Arely Cervantes—Cheryl Cervantes—Liliana Cervantes—Julio Cervera—Zenia Chapa—Andrea Chavarin—Briana Chavez—Susana Chavez—Manuel Chavoya—Yoojin Choi—Fatima Cifuentes—Eric Cihonski—Megan Cihonski—Evan Cintron—Raymond Clapper—Maria Jessa Clyde—Tomoko Collins—Luisa Conchas—Claudia Contreras—Delia Contreras—Karen Contreras—Gilberto Contreras Jr.—Alexis Cordero—Kristine Cordero—Christopher Corpuz—Isabel Corrales—Argeniss Cortes—Briana Cosio—Gabriela Cota—Dalila Covarrubias—Vanessa Cox— Fernando Criollos—Mark Cris Crisostomo—Maria Cruz—Melissa Cruz—Nicolas Cruz—Rocelle Cruz—Alyssa Cuenca—Christine Cuenca—Alexandra Daniels—Dante Dauz—Arturo Davila Ortega— Rodrigo De La Huerta-Meza—Haisee De La Mora—Katherine Deering—Alyssa Del Rosario—Margarita Del Valle—Sydney Dela Cruz—Victoria Dela Cruz—Stephanie Dennis—Alemayehu Dera—Adelina Diaz—Patricia Diaz—Sandra Diaz—Sarah Diaz—Adrian Dilg—Daniel Discar—Tharanganee Diunugala—Joseph Doboe—Jackylyn Dolendo—Beverly Dominguez—Erika Dominguez—Kristine Donegan—Shanelle Dorn—Devan Dow—Kristen Driskill—Jethro Edrada—Sheilabelle Edralin—Donald Edwards-Hicks—Elyssa Elijah—Angela Episioco—Kyle Erdely—Sergio Erdmann—Brian Escalante—Yliana Escmilla—Juan Escobar—Ruben Escobar—Sarah Esendencia—Devin Eshelman—Carina Espinoza—Mary Espinoza—Sara Espinoza—Ivonne Esqueda—Allison Estaris—Danielle Estevez—Estela Estrada—Jose Estrada—Orlando Evangelista Jr—Joseph Fasano—Daniel Favela—Cesar Felarca—Michelle Felarca—Richard Felarca—Savannah Ferguson—Ileana Feria—Rendell Fernandez— John Fierro—Cinthia Figueroa—Nelissa Figueroa—Jack Flatau—Laura Flores—Matthew Flores—Susan Flores—Andrea Floyd—Ashley Marie Foz—Richard Franklin—Luis Fuentes—Orlando GalanBorboa—Luis Galang—Natalia Galeana—Sebastian Galeana—Itzel Galicia Tenorio—Marilyn Galindo—Ricardo Galindo—Amber Gallegos—Bailey Garcia—Esteban Garcia—Ivonne Garcia—Magnolia Garcia—Marizza Garcia—Matilde Garcia—Melissa Garcia—Samuel Garcia—Sandra Garcia—Silvestre Garcia—Silvia Garcia—Anna Garcia De Alba—Luis Garcia-Corona—Lorena Garcia-Nieblas— Giovanna Garibaldi—Danielle Garrett—Krista Garrigus—Jessica Gass—Jackelyn Gerson—Taja Gilbert—Keith Giles—Kevin Ginkel—Yvette Glick—Tania Godinez—Richard Goldsberry—Hector Gomez—Kaitlyn Gomez—Leslie Gomez—Martha Gomez—Naomi Gomez—Thanya Gomez—Zachary Gomez—Hector Gomez Jr—Laura Gomez Pintor—Grace Gonzales—Margarette Gonzales— Margarette Anne Gonzales—Mark Gonzales—Jennifer Gonzalez—Karen Gonzalez—Kisai Gonzalez—Laura Gonzalez—Marisela Gonzalez—Ricardo Gonzalez—Charles Goodman—Michael Goodwin— Jose Gracia—Denise Griffin—Susie Guadagno—Sarah Guardacosta—Tameika Guerrero—Rachael Guillermo—Bersain Gutierrez—Daniel Gutierrez—Jacqueline Gutierrez—Jose Gutierrez—Janeth Guzman—Felicia Haddock—Claudia Haman—Alfonso Hampton—Erica Hancock—Vilma Handog—James Hansen—Stuart Hansen—Alexis Harris—Susanna Hartman—Christina Hartwell Lopez— William Haynes—Tomiko Henkle —Eric Hernandez—Eunice Hernandez—Evelyng Hernandez—Faviola Hernandez—Jahaziel Hernandez—Maritza Hernandez—Rodrigo Hernandez Bastidas— Claudia Herrera—Edith Herrera—Brandy Hill—Kenneth Hill—Symone Hinsvark—Tanya Hirmiz—Omar Horta—Angelica Hoyo—Kelly Huerta—Samantha Huerta—Isaac Huicochea—Ivett Huizar— Rocio Hurtado—Falasteen Hussein—Belinda Ibarra—Fabiola Ibarra—Marydeth Ileto—Jennifer Ingram—Melissa Jacobo—Veronica Jauregui—Blanca Jimenez—Janai Johnson—Johari Jones—Rhanaja Jones—Bernardo Jordan—Catalina Juarez—Christian Juarez—Stephen Kavianian—Juan Kelley—Dave Anthony Killeen—Jessica Knudsen—Diana Labnongsang—Terrie Lacangan—Victoria Landman— Paulina Lao—Julaine Lapacik—Greece Lavarias—Naria Le Mire—Kevin Leach—Jocelyn Leal—Bailie Ledesma—Areum Lee—Brionne Lee—Uhjin Lee—Lynette Leigh—Nichole Lemmer—Maria Lennon—Terri Lewis—Marco Leyva—Samantha Lindstrom—Brittany Lisso—Laverne Llorente—Jasmine Lloyd—Lacey Loika—Armani Lopez—Christina Lopez—Daisy Lopez—Elisabet Lopez—Ivan Lopez—Laura Lopez—Venessa Loucks—Betsy Loya—Michael Lozada—Sophia Lugo—Victor Lugo—Jorge Luna—Rosella Luna—Elaine Joy Lunasin—Kristine Grace Lunasin—Ramon Lupercio—Ashley Macevicz—Cristina Macias—Elizabeth Maderias—Jonathan Madrigal—Jacqueline Madrigal Alcantar—Melanie Maldonado—Antwon Mandapat—Leanne Maniwang—Alexander Manucal—Cristina Manzano Santillan—Jonathan Marquez—Andres Marrufo—Elizabeth Martin—Anthony Martinez—Erika Martinez—Jose Martinez—Mayra Martinez—Vicente Martinez—Viviana Martinez—Cecilia Martinez-Rivera—Joseph Martorano—Jolie Matteis—Jamal Maupin—Jennifer May—Lester Mayo—Michael Mccreesh—Kayla Mccurdy—Lataysha Mcrae—Jorge Medina—Laura Medina—Anthony Mejia—Jasmine Mejia—Merli Mejia—Mayra Melgar—Andrea Mendez—Daisy Mendez—Claudia Mendoza—Janette Mendoza—Amanda Mercado—Melissa Mercado—Ivane Merto—Erika Meza—Kirt Miller—Sarika Mimura—Nathan Mitchell—James Moeller—Mana Mohamed—Christian Molina—Martha Mondragon—Dolores Montano—Shantal Montano—Karen Montes—Sandra Montes—Ashley Montiel—Monica Montoya—Oscar Montoya—Paulina Montoya—Victoria Montoya—Audrianna Moore—Kyeisha Moore—Savannah Mora—Claudia Morales—Karina Moran—Nallely Moreno—Maria Morett—Anna Morgan—Deann Morgan—Christopher Morris—Claudia Moshe—Yanira Moyna—Cynthia Muennich—Raymond Muennich—Cassandra Muniz—Marelyn Muniz—Ernesto Munoz— Yarely Munoz—Samantha Murphy—Najat Naime—Rosangel Naranjo-Silva—Steven Nazareno—Elizabeth Negrete—Grecia Nolasco—Dorsey Norris—Carla Ocampo—Jennifer Ocejo—Jonathan Odeesh— Cesar Olague—Melissa Olmos—Angelina Olson—Laura Olvera—Jason O'neal—Desiree Ong—Miguel Ontiveros—Illiana Ordaz—Katheryne Ysabel Ordillas—Jainee Ordonio—Paulina Ormazabal— Adrian Orozco—Adelita Ortiz—Daniela Ortiz—Katia Ortiz—Lizette Ortiz—Marcella Ortiz—Marisol Ortiz—Patricia Oseguera-Alvarez—Ricardo Osuna—Rod Pablo—Melissa Pacheco—Sarah Padilla— Cesar Paez—Ritchelle Pajela—Irene Palomino—Michelle Joy Pambid—Mallory Pangan—Daniel Paredes—Stephanie Paredes—Vanessa Parra—Michael Parreno—Leanne Parrick—Danitza Partida—Joshua Patrick—Desiree Patterson-Lopez—Julie Pavlacka—Grover Pearson—Pablo Pedroza—Noralyn Pelayo—Dona Perera—Jennifer Perez—Laura Perez—Leonardo Perez—Luis Perez—Samuel Perez—Ashley Perkins—Samantha Phelps—Clayton Pinkins—Geda Pintor—Jessica Plascencia—Wendy Plata—Shamon Pollard—Carlos Ponce—Kathy Ponce—Patrick Pugeda—Crystal Quezada—Hilary Quintana— Hector Quintero—Eva Rabadan—Rubelyn Radoc—Adrian Ramirez—Arna Sharlyn Ramirez—Daniel Ramirez—Daniela Ramirez—Jasmin Ramirez—Julie Ramirez—Ramiro Ramirez—Vania Ramirez— Gabriela Ramirez Aguirre—Joana Ramirez Aguirre—Alfredo Ramos—David Ramos Chavez—Jose Rangel—Roxanna Renderos—Irene Reyes—Ruby Reyes—Heolbare Reynoso—Sayaka Ridley—Adrian Rios—Alexander Rios—Precelle Ritualo—Grecia Rivas—Guiselle Rivera—Priscilla Rivera—Paloma Rivero—Ivette Robles—Joshua Robles—Angelica Rodriguez—David Rodriguez—Diana Rodriguez— Fernando Rodriguez—Geno Rodriguez—Jessica Rodriguez—Laura Rodriguez—Maria Rodriguez—Melissa Rodriguez—Vivian Rodriguez—Jenny Rodriguez Carrazco—Ricardo Rodriguez Perez—Samantha Roguska—Alfredo Rojas—Jennifer Rojas—Maribel Roman—Maria Rosales—Xiomara Rosenblatt-Dailey—Francis Rosete—Ashley Ross—Veronica Roybal—Alicia Rubio—Lidia Ruelas—Susan Ruelas— Kimberly Gezelle Ruelos—Crystal Ruiz—Ernesto Ruiz—Omar Ruiz-Medellin—Carlos Ruvalcaba—Kimberly Ruvalcaba—Jacob Sadan—Nancy Sagrero—Erick Sahagun—Jesse Rodrigo Sahagun—Jessica Sahagun—Belinda Sainz—Juan Salazar—Maria Salazar—Yanitza Salazar—Daniel Salinas—Raphael San Juan—Raphael Chino San Juan—Alexis Sanchez—Claribel Sanchez—Jessica Sanchez—Maria Sanchez—Michelle Sanchez—Ofelia Sanchez—Mariana Sanchez Gonzalez—Alfonso Sandoval—Cindy Sandoval—Gerard Santos—Lily Santos—Michael Sanvictores—Alejandro Sarmiento—Maria Saucedo—Emmanuel Savala—Lisa Schlemmer—Veronica Schummer—Darline Schwenke—Brianna Schwerling—Natosha Scott—Donald Scott-Blair—Ninveh Shamoon—Lucas Shepley—Alexander Shinder—Catherine Siao—Andres Silva—Mariel Silva—Oscar Silva Lopez—Angelica Simiano—Nicholas Siriphone—Alejandra Solis—Gabriel Solorio—Arturo Soriano— Zaira Sosa—Christopher Soto-Martinez—Shanti Spezzano—Ronda Srp— Ryan Stanzione—Antonio Stephens—Quincy Stephens—Joei Stevens—Caitlin Strand—Nancy Suarez—Alexandra Talaro—Jesus Tamayo—Megan Nicole Tamayo—Lovelyjoy Tan—Aireen Tantiangco—Roxana Tapia—Mariana Tec Quintero—Debra Telles—Kasey Thomas—Anthony Todd—Karen Tome—Jose Tomimatzu—John Toomey— L y r a Danica Torio— Brenda Torres— Christina Torres—Erika Torres—Gabriela Torres—Gilberto Torres—Kimberly Torres—Cesar Torres Medrano—Gabriela Toscano—Nicholas Tousseau—Sergio Trejo—Kathey Tripp—Diana Tucker—Derek Ugarte—Travis Upshaw—America Uriarte—Vianca Uribe—Andrea Valdez—Sarah Valdivia—Denise Valenzuela—Lisett Valenzuela—Omar Vallejo Pacheco— Javier Vargas—Yvanna Vargas—Griselda Vazquez—Ricardo Vazquez—Griselda Vazquez-Perez—Connor Veenstra—Eugene Velasquez—Daisy Vera—Michelle Vergara—Sarah Vianna—Jasmine Villalobos— Karla Villasenor—Jeanette Villasenor—Jennifer Vivas—Gloria Vocal—Wondra Waizenegger— Joshua Warren—Kathya Weidner—Thomas Westbrook— Amanda Westcott—Calvin White—David White—Courtney Williams—Darnell Williams—Julia Williams—Shannon Williams—Alice Wilson—Jenna Wilson—Anessa Wolfblack—Josephine Wong—Alexis Wright—Sabrina Yanez—Chris Yataco— Ricardo Yataco—Raquel Yensen—Daniella Yidi—Joan Yngson—Johanna Ynostros—Jennifer Young—Alexandra Zamaro—Briana Zamora—Barbara Zapien—Pamela Zazueta—Alesha Zeigler—Amorkarina Zinn—Lydia Zoura—Michelle Zoura—Karla Zuniga

CLASS OF 2015

9

Congratulations Class of

2015 SPRING 2015 AS GRADUATES

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

James Acan—Roberto Acevedo- Gonzalez—Erick Acosta—Jeffrey Adamos—Miguel Aguilar—Melissa Aguirre—Denrick Alamillo—Rosa Alcaraz—Kassandra Alejandre—Khalid Ali—Nathaniel Allen—Carla Alvarez—Maha Alyadako—Thesa Amar—Eduardo Amon—Angelo Apodaca—Isaiah Arce—Paulette Arenas—Luis Armenta—Kevin Glenn Arzadon—Timothy Askew—Marc Jason Ayana—Zain Ayoub—Arnold Babcock—Maharba Baez—Victor Balares—Edgar Barboza—Hector Barreda—Miguel Barrera—Isabel Barreto—Lorena Bautista—Trisa-Joyce Bayacal—Jennylyn Bayan—Billie Bechtel—Uamira Beltran—Dustin Berberabe—Alena Berezenko—Jennivic Berry—Angelique Beyloune—Martha Bolado—Cassie Bolin—Christopher Brandt—Jesus Briones— Francisco Briseno—Lauren Broyles—Jean-Paula Burnett—Maria Diorella Cabrera—Omar Cadena—Alfredo Calderon—Oscar Calderon—Paola Camacho—Miriam Camarena—Francisco Campos— Winirose Canogason—Mirella Caraway—Guillermo Cardenas—Eduardo Cardona—Clarissa Carlos—Berenice Casillas—Gerardo Castillo—Isai Castillo—Marty Castillo—Matthew Castillo—David Castro—Jesse Castro—Magdalena Cervantes—Genaro Cervantes Jr—Elizabeth Chavez—Rurh Cherry—Ashley Church—Shinobu Cirilo—Sara Cobb—Cameron Cogdill—Brad Cooper—Vanessa Cordero—Rogelio Miguel Cornejo—Tabitha Coronado—Gerardo Coronel—Marisol Cortes—John Michael Crisostomo—Elizabeth Curiel—Todd Curl, Jr.—Maria Cuyugan—Marilu Dano—Darien De Leon—Aniel Del Rosario—Ilene Delgadillo—Danalee Delossantos—Sagine Deslouches—Carlo Di Dio—Jennifer Diaz—Kim Dinh—Dave Dizon—Angelica Drinnon—Michelle Duncombe— Olwane Dunkley—Tuong-Vy Duong—Aaron Duque—Leonor Easley—Jacqueline Ellis—Arturo Enriquez—Claudio Escobar—Roger Espe—Juan Espinoza—Kristi Eugenio—Maria Fabunan—Martha Felix—Gloria Fernandez—Stephanie Fernandez—Jayleen Fierro—Rachel Finley—Jessica Fisher—Kevin Fisher—Alex Flores—Daniel Flores—Jennifer Flores—Mauricio Flores—Miguel Flores— Allan Fregoso—Alma Fregoso—Luis Fregoso—Natasha Fryer—Amy Fulford—Arlene Galarza—Rosa Gallardo—Viridiana Gallegos—Bryan Gamino—Adrian Gamulo—Brittany Garcia—David Garcia—Erik Garcia—Nancy Garcia—Antonia Garcia Balbuena—Daniel Garza—Miriam Gaxiola Rivas—Consuelo Gloriani—Kaoru Gnacinski—Christen Godfrey—Crystal Godinez—Candice Gomez—Jonathan Gomez—Alejandra Gonzalez—Carmen Gonzalez—Emmanuel Gonzalez—Humberto Gonzalez—Juan Gonzalez—Osmark Gonzalez—Alonzo Gonzalez Perez—Julie Graf—Kimberly Ann Grande—David Guajardo—Alona Gutierrez—Melanie Guzman—Salem Habtegergish—Salme Habtegergish—Saran Hall—Stephanie Harrington—Chadbourne Harris—Traci Hart—Nicholas Henseler—Mariam Hermis—Carlos Hernandez—Jasmine Hernandez—Nicolas Hernandez—Leonardo Herrera—Brad Hodges—Jeremy Hoffstadt—Mahalia Holloway—Richard Ingram—Joycelyn Iroanusi—Melissa Jamieson—Milad Jibro—Esmeralda Jimenez—Sandra Jimenez—Rebekah Johnson—Kyle Johnston—Tanya Kamminga—Lauren Kohler—Olga Kravchuck—Jayson Lagula—Hugo Lara—Carlos Larios—Jian Laxina—Janet Lee—Monica Lewis—Raymund Lim—Mayra Linares—Danielle Lindstrom—Traves Lizarraga—Georgette Llona—Maaya Longo—Adam Lopez—Daniella Lopez—Eduardo Lopez—Jordi Lopez—Karla Lopez—Miguel Lopez—Rogelio Lopez—Yvette Lopez—Daniela Lopez Garcia—Claudia Lopez-Rivera—Kiana Lora—Maria Lott—Zyanya LozanoBerry—Elaine Lunasin—Yuriria “yuri” Lutt—Yolanda Lynch—Michael Lyons—Melina Macias—Peter Maguire—Richard Magyar—Tina Mai—Matthew Maier—James Malloy—Maribel Mancilla Alcala—Abelardo Mancilla Jr.—Mark Mandocdoc—Moises Manzano—Angelica Marquez—Elided Martinez—Erik Martinez—Gerardo Martinez—German Martinez—Jesus Martinez—Ms. Matilde Martinez—Roberto Martinez—Xavier Martinez—Linda Matheny—Edith Mayoral Navarro—Joaquin Mayorga—Torin Mccullough—Shawn Mcdonald—Melissa Mcinnis—Maria Meave—Lisa Meng—Travis Messick—Jason Metzger—Maria Meza—Jeffrey Mikesell—Shelby Miller—Brock Moellenberndt—Manuel Monroy—Shasta Montiel—Tonianne Monzon—Maria Moore—Alexis Moreno—Ivonoe Moreno—Dannyra Munoz—Voltaire Navarro—Erin Newberry—Quat Nguyen—Nelson Nicoloso Raffaldi—Mario Nido—Geraldine Nieto Guzman—Lusungu Nkosi—Aaron Nolan—Michael Nunez—Carlos Ojeda—Marco Olivera—Theo Olmo—Viviana Ontiveros—Felipe Orozco Reynoso—Nelly Ortega—Alexis Ortiz—Carlos Ortiz—Edwin Ortiz—Pauline Ortiz— Ricardo Oyorzabal-Diaz—Racquel Pangan—Raul Paramo—Edward Paredes—Alejandro Parra—John Pascual—Mark Penny—Cinthya Perez—Jesse Perez—Jessica Perez—Kassandra Perez—Luciano Perez—Mark Perez—Lucien Perreault—Sarah Petersen—Royal Phillips—Adrian Mikhail Pierce—Rachel Pilot—Rhett Pitcock—Krystal Plandor—Vincent Plaza—Claudia Preciado—Chelsea Prestidge—Josephine Quijada—Bien Quinajon—Hector Quintanar—Edwin Quiroz—Jezel Ramirez—Jose Ramirez—Omar Ramirez—Rona Ramirez—Ivette Ramos—Clara Rangel—Renato Rapayrapay—Deva Reign—Arnold Reyes—Steven Reyes—Santiago Reyes-Carrillo—Aldair Reynoso—Jared Reynoso—Melissa Reynoso—Erik Rios—Luis Rivera—Carolina Rivera Soledad—Kathy Roberts—Aniel Roderickz—Alberto Rodriguez—Marlene Rodriguez—Richard Rodriguez—Brenda Roman—Danielle Romero—Janet Rosales—Jennifer Roxas—Julieta Ruaya—Odette Saad— Christine Sabino—Alexander Sadighi—Abraham Salcedo—Jeffrey Salcedo—Carolina Sanchez—Edgar Sanchez—Esther Sanchez—Iliana Sanchez—Samuel Sanchezarmas—Christopher Santos— Ciara Santos—Mark Santos—Vanessa Santoyo—Norman Satchell—Spencer Schafer—Cynthia Sepulveda—Mandana Shamshiri—Andrea Shropshire—Daves Sibayan—Kimberly Silva—Dorian Snyder—Jenny Sohn—Concepcion Solano—Eric Solis—Blanca Solorio—Omar Somo—Shannon Kimberly Soriano—Elijah Suh—Jeffery Summit—Audrey Tabago—Oralia Tellez—Anne Lorraine Templo—Jesus Terrazas—John Timog—Aimeely Toledo—Claudia Tolentino—Marco Torres—April Tran—Kieu Phuong Tri—Ivan Ulloa Garcia—Eliana Uretsky—Enrique Uriarte—Berenice Urrea—Yolanda Valencia—Adrian Valenzuel—Gisselle Vargas—Alexis Vasquez—Iris Vazquez—Kevin Vazquez—Jose Velazquez—Victor Velez—Anna Verner—Joshua Vidrio—Maynard Viernes— Gabriela Villanueva—Nicholas Vistro—Ronna Waddell—Leana Warren—Erin Wicht—Kristi Williams—Rodney Williams—Carolina Worland—Joshua Zaragoza—Zacgary Zasueta

SPRING 2015 CERT CANDIDATES

Patricia Aguirre—Inishiyama Albert—Michael James Alejo—Bernard Alexander—Jovanna Alvarado—Maria Armas—Andrea Asuncion—Luis Barron—Sandra Bates—Hanna Belanger— Manuel Beltran—Brant Bidegain—Alfredo Biteng—Martha Bolado—Diana Bravo—Alberto Briseno—Saira Buelna—Garry Bustria—Alba Cabral—Mirella Caraway—Sherwin Carin—Matthew Carleton—Marty Castillo—Joanna Ceballos—Arely Cervantes—Chong Chow—Matthew Connolly—Vanessa Cordero—Priscilla Coronado—Tabitha Coronado—Angelicajoy Corpuz—Andrea Cristerna—Alejandro Davila—Sagine Deslouches—Dave Dizon—Angelica Drinnon—Michelle Duncombe—Cameron Espinosa—Antonino Faraci—Gloria Fernandez—Leslie Fields—Joseph Figueroa—Daniel Flores—Guillermo Flores—Jennifer Flores—Chenae Foxworth—Luis Fregoso—Amy Fulford—Ray Gamboa—Erik Garcia—Jessica Garcia—Antonia Garcia Balbuena—Monika Garcia-De La Vega—Angela Godinez—Lorena Gomez—Monica Gomez Gonzalez—Anna Gonzalez—Emmanuel Gonzalez—Ricardo Gonzalez—Kimberly Ann Grande—Antonio Gutierrez—Hector Gutierrez—Alejandro Guzman—Jose Guzman—Salem Habtegerghish—Salem Habtegergish—Saran Hall—Daleanne Hardwick—Susanna Hartman—Golde Hemilson—Emanuel Hernandez— Marcela Hernandez—Falasteen Hussein—Diane Jarrett—Yvette Jimenez—Rebekah Johnson—Stanley Johnson—Susana Johnson—Kyle Johnston—Charles Jordan—Christian Juarez—Daisy Juvera—Marie Kongmalay—Jayson Lagula—Barbara Landfair—Bailie Ledesma—Karla Vae Legaspi—Lynette Leigh—Monica Lewis—Dulce Limon—Andrew Lizarraga—Georgette Llona—Clyde Logan—Elsa Lopez—Robert Lunt—Cristina Macias—Brenda Mann-Delacruz—Shannon Martin—Erik Martinez—George Martinez—Elizabeth Mazer—Torin Mccullough—Bryan Mclaughlin— Erick Menchaca—Jeffrey Merrill—Gustavo Meza—Alicia Michel—Brandon Miller—Brian Mitchell—Manuel Monroy—Shasta Montiel—Marylu Morales—Alexis Moreno—Silvia Munoz— Aurea Navarrete—Voltaire Navarro—Kevin Nguyen—Elizabeth Ochoa Cantera—Kimberly Ortiz—Diana Pacheco Jacinto—Gloria Pennyman—Claudia Perez-Favela—Royal Phillips—Oshea Piscopo-Wilson—Lizeth Ponce—Colton Poore—Analaura Poppert—Oscar Preciado—Abilio Puente—Karisma Quintanilla—Carlos Ramos—Marco Raya—Gabriel Reyes—Ramon Reyes—Steven Reyes—Brenda Roman—Laura Romo—Janet Rosales—Odette Saad—Jeffrey Salcedo—Aracely Sanchez—Nidia Sandoval—Christopher Santos—Cynthia Sepulveda—Cynthia Sepulveda—Andres Silva—Michael Sitz—Shawn Slater—Ulises Solis—Stephanie St.germain—Edna Stewart—Lara Stewart—Erick Suarez—Jerome Tanner—Gilbert Tellez—Oralia Tellez—Francis Turkson—Gabriela Villanueva—Leana Warren—Bradley Whitman—Kristi Williams—Brenda Woo—Rebecca Wright—Brian Ziomek—Joseph Ziomek.

SUMMER 2015 AA CANDIDATES

Amanda Aguirre—Juan Alvarado—Stephanie Alvarez—Bruce Alvarez—Arlyn Amor—Jean-Paul Argoud—Violeta Arriola—Hani Arshad—Dan Ayuyao—Gustavo Balderrama—Aaron Baltazar— Laura Banerjee—Jacob Barlow—Priscilla Barraza—Chyna Barron—Joshua Belasco—Marcelo Benitez Jr—Colin Berger—Joshua Bradshaw—Kevin Brown—Asia Byers—Grecia Calderilla—Matthew Calilung—Andrea Canedo—Sarali Carreon—Martin Castaneda—Griselda Castellon—Karina Castillo—Giovanny Castillo—Stephanie Castruita—Julia Cecil—Leann Cecotti—Julio Cervera—Nicole Ivan Chan—Ashlie Cochren—Pierce Corcoran Corcoran—Nydia Coronel—Karla Correa—Esteban Correa—Kassandra Covarrubias—Fernando Criollos—Maria Cruz—Brianna Davis—Robert De La Rosa—Ulices De La Torre—Veronica Deck—Yoselin Del Razo—Cheri Delaphiano—Linda Delatoba—Maria Diaz—Rosario Dilayre—Jorge Donate—John Edwards—Nada El Masri—Nolan Elacion—Brian Escalante—Sarah Esendencia—Yaresly Espinosa—Victor Espinoza—Jessica Estrada—Bronson Fegurgur—Larissa Flores—Eva Flores—Diana Flores—Marygrace Flores—Robin Gacud—Grethel Gahbler—Marilyn Galindo—Christie Gallina—Arizveth Garay Lopez—Orofila Garcia—Erika Garcia—Edward Garcia—Angela Garcia—Alicia Garcia—Martha Garcia—Maria Garcia Cubas—Freddie Garrett—Sophia Godinez—Adrian Gomez—Martha Gomez Lopez—Ernesto Gonzales—Richard Gonzales—Armando Gonzalez—Alejandro Gonzalez—Jessica Gonzalez— Nalllely Gonzalez—Jenny Grullon—Jonathan Guimbatan—Lance Guimont—Evert Guizar—Lalaine Gutierrez—Luis Gutierrez—Elena Gutierrez—Monserrat Guzman—Ashly Guzman—Mona Halis—Darran Hall—Claudia Haman—Jennifer Henkel—Cynthia Hernandez—Ana Hernandez—Symone Hinsvark—Asia Hinton Hinton—Manuel Infante—Mariana Iturrios—Mariana Iturrios— Elexys Juric—Juliet Kardell—Evelina Kean—Keith Kozak—Michael Kuheleloa—Jesse Kuneff—Sulay Ledezma—Miguel Ledezma—Elsa Ledezma—Josephine Lee—Zachary Lemusu—Steven Lenoir—Daniel Leyva—Joshua Liang—Joseph Liggins—Jonathan Lim—Michaek Limon—Jasmine Lloyd—Elisabet Lopez—Venessa Loucks—Rosella Luna—Ramon Lupercio—Mayra Maciel—Julius Manabat—Mearteh Marin—George Martinez—Shadi Mashoud—Jazmin Mason—Kirsten Mathis—Ryutaro Matsushita—Vivien Mayo—Dylan Mcdonald—Ornella Mcdonald—Erika Mejia— Vanessa Menase—Andrea Mendez—Martha Mendivil—Janette Mendoza—Beau Metcalf—Francis Miciano—Albert Mikell—Kirt Miller—Willie Mills—J Molina—Sandra Montes—Jacqueline Morales—Marlene Moran—Raul Munoz—Yvette Munoz—Nanzi Muro—Theresa Murphy—Donovan Nava—Kianna Nickson—Grecia Nolasco—Kayla Noyce—Yesenia Nunez—Angela Odom— Alejandra Ordorica—Andres Orozco—Antonio Ortega—Faruq Oyekan—Josh Palet—Bonnie Palos—Jonathan Patron—Jibrhan Perez—Wilber Perez Pena—Vivian Phillpotts—Ana Pinpin—Leslie Plascencia—Anna Pryor—Rosemary Puente—Leonor Quijada—Omar Ramirez—Paulina Reyes—Brooke Reynolds—Cynthia Ricasa—Guiselle Rivera—Jessica Rodriguez—Viviana Rodriguez— Ryan Rodriguez—Diana Rodriguez—Charleena Rogers—Alanna Romero—Manuel Romero—Evelyn Rosales—Lizette Rubio—Ernesto Ruiz—Kimberly Ann San Andres—Michael Sanchez— Nidia Sandoval—Cindy Sandoval—April Dawn Sarmiento—Kristofer Schreiber—Erika Shannon—Sam Shuey—Pamela Sosa—Katrina St. Aubin—Daniel Stewart—Robert Stewart—Kathrine Talamayan—Debra Telles—Ysatis Thrower—Nayla Torres—Miguel Torres—Nohely Torres—Ryan Trego—Ana Valadez—Alberto Vargas—Samantha Vargas—Grant Veenstra—Vanessa Vera—Celina Villa—Silvia Villanueva—Marisela Villarruel—Kryztal Wager—Thomas Westbrook—Ceirra White—Krystal Williams—Josephine Wong—Ariana Yanez—Joefritz Zamarro—Theodore Ziants.

SUMMER 2015 AS CANDIDATES

Jeffrey Adamos—Karen Allen—Erich Allman—Alekxis Alvarez—Celene Anaya—Frank Anderson—Anthony Anderson Ii—Eric Arevalo—Joshua Armas—Minerva Ballesteros—Michael Bullard—Benneth John Bunag—Joseph Cabling—Denrick Lope Cabogason—Airi Cao—Priscilla Coronado—Adam Cruz—Jian David—Shaavonda Davis—Luigi De Guzman—Victor Diaz—Tien Dinh—Arturo Enriquez—Stephanie Escobedo—Ronald Florece—Luis Fuentes—Arlene Galarza—Adrian Gamulo—Orofila Garcia—Edward Garcia—Dustyn Garhartt—David Gomez—Jonathan Gonzales—Glen Hartsock—Isai Hernandez—Emilio Hernandez—Darrell Hewitt—Christian Higuera—Eric Jaggars—Elisabeth Lizarraga—Wendi Lopez—Ismael Lopez—Joy Malibiran—Gerardo Martinez—Matilde Martinez—Wendy Medina—Mario Mitchell—Abel Morales—Antonio Munguia-Ortega—Antonio Noza—Nelly Ortega—Antonio Ortega—Julio Ortiz—Izaura Orueta—Dania Palma—Michael Parker—Michael Parreno—Victoria Pena—Arna Sharlyn Ramirez—Moses Rangel—Gabriel Reyes—Ruby Rivera—Efrain Rocha—Priscila Rodriguez—Lino Rojas—Alfredo Roldan—Sabrina Rosas—Aaron Santoyo—Julian Sena—Diana Servin—Andres Toscano—Emilia Traviesa—Enrique Uriarte—Roberto Vargas—Ralph Villareal—Consuelo Villegas Figueroa—Melissa Welch—Chelsea Witek—Cecilia Yepiz—Chun Nam Yip—Kevin Young—Caleb Zamora—Guadalupe Zarate—Jasmine Zulueta.

SUMMER 2015 CERT CANDIDATES

Angelica Aguilar Duran—Kofi Agyeman—Nicholas Avise—Miguel Barrera—Christopher Boddy—Michael Bullard—Denrick Lope Cabogason—Alessandro Canto—Priscilla Coronado—Kirsten Dawn Delos Santos—Aleska Doten—Alfonso Erdmann-Baltazar—Erika Garcia—Henry Goff—Adrian Gomez—Christian Gomez—Anthony Guerra—Andrew Harding—Alvina Jarquin—Diane Jarrett—Nicholas Jodar—Ethel Johnson—Damaris Jones—Joshua Liang—Elisabeth Lizarraga—Juan Lozano—Suleima Lozano—Rommyda Magno—Jazmin Mason—Trevor Mckinley—Wendy Medina—Amparo Michel—Cathy Miller—Desmone Miller—Shasta Montiel—Jorge Moreno—Merigene Naccari—Dania Palma—Chinmay Kumar Patel—Ricardo Rivera—Lizette Rodriguez—Rosa Romero—Niko Salazar—Terrence Sankar—Diana Servin—Heriberto Solis—Angela Tam—Maria Valladolid—Abigail Villela—Leah Williamson—Janey Wooten.

A10

The Southwestern College Sun

CAMPUS

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

Über survivor Margie Reese battles on Resilient student overcomes sexual slavery and cancer to reach some college dreams

Courtesy Photos

I’M STILL STANDING — (left) Margie Reese receives her journalism diploma. (above) Reese and her grandaughter at her bench behind SWC’s Cesar Chavez building, the only dedicated bench on the campus.

By Anna Pryor Editor-in-Chief

“Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rage at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

- Dylan Thomas

M

argie Reese lives life by her motto that every day above ground is a good day.

Reese was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and is in her seventh year of surviving. She now has stage four cancer that has metastasized to the bone.

Cancer has not defined her. She decided to attend Southwestern College a year later after a close encounter with death.

“In the middle of my first treatment I had a cardiac arrest,” she said. “When I woke up, I figured if I was going to kick the bucket, I should do something on my bucket list. I always wanted a journalism degree, so five days after my cardiac arrest I was sitting in my first journalism class.”

Her first class at SWC remained her favorite. Former journalism instructor Jerry McCormick required students to create a blog.

“Everybody in class seemed to know what a blog was, but not the old lady,” she said. “I leaned over and said ‘What’s a blog?’ to the next student. They looked at me like I was from outer space.”

Reese sat front and center in classes, determined to graduate. Despite the initial learning curve, she earned her AA degree in journalism in 2011 and an English degree in 2012, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She started a third degree in Criminal Justice that she has not yet completed. She said her best years were at SWC, the best day being spent walking across the stage at graduation.

“I had the best time at Southwestern College,” she said.

“I always wanted to go to school when I was younger, never thinking I was going to wait until my 60s to go.

It was a great experience because I learned about poetry, I learned about politics. Stuff I had never touched on.”

Of politics and poetry, a poem that she holds dear is “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

“I took that as my poem I had to read in class and now it’s like my battle cry,” she said. “I think that’s what I should do. I should ‘rage, rage against the dying of the light.’ I can’t let this cancer beat me. I’ve got to die someday, but not soon. I’ve still got some things to do.”

A priority on her bucket list is to complete her autobiography. Writing is an exhausting process, she said, because of the cancer. She does not want to write without being inspired. To her, it would be a bunch of meaningless words.

“I try to visualize something that will push me forward, so I visualize a book signing, with all these people lining the block, waiting for me to sign it,” she said. “But I guess if I can just finish it, that’ll be good enough.”

Reese said reminiscing is an emotional process.

“Some of the passages, some of the things that have happened in my life, I really prefer not to deal with,” she said. “So that’s a hump to get over as well. Not just feeling well enough to write it, but also having to relive it and be left in a pile of tears.”

Reese was a victim of illegal sex trafficking when she was 17.

“It was nothing more than trusting the wrong person and as a teenager, you don’t know the difference between someone that’s conning you and someone that really wants to help you,” she said. “So I went with the wrong person, a stranger. It was the wrong thing to do, but it didn’t deserve what happened afterwards.”

For years, she blamed herself. Even after escaping, she did not seek counseling and stopped speaking to the man

she was engaged to for fear of judgment.

“You think somehow it’s your fault,” she said. “Then you think it’s because you’re a bad person. Then you think everyone knows and no one’s going to want to talk to you. It took a good 15 years to come to a place where I could say I was the victim, but I’m not a victim anymore and if I continue to let this affect my life, then this guy is continuing to pimp me and rape me and turn me out.”

Like her ability to visualize her book signing to propel her forward, she said she developed coping mechanisms to help her survive.

“There’s a trick that the mind does,” she said. “I’m not sure it happens in every incident or with every person, but you think of something else. When you’re being violated you think of something else. You can’t think of what’s happening to you.”

Reese said she could not go to the police because she would be seen as a criminal. Her situation happened in 1964, but she said these issues still exist and there is little help for victims. When trying to call to see what resources are available, she was told there is a referral hotline.

“I’m on the street, I’ve got a pimp chasing me down the alley with a knife, I’m jumping in the back of this truck and going to a bus station. Why isn’t there a call that I can make where someone can come pick me up and help me in the immediate situation I need? But there isn’t. That was 50 years ago. In 50 years they couldn’t figure out the best way to help the kids on the street.

That’s really disgusting. If I had the energy, that would be where I would be focusing it.”

“All

of us are

going to die, but

I’m

not trying

to do that too

soon.

So I

keep

fighting.”

-Margie Reese

Although she never sought counseling, she learned to forgive herself and the man who pimped her out.

“I learned to define my own self,” she said. “I am not what happened to me. I’m Margie Reese. A lot of things that happened made me stronger. Some things, especially the rape, just made me pissed off. For so many years, I hated this man. I finally let that go, because you can’t run around hating folks that are hopefully dead. It gave me a lot of comfort to think he’s probably dead by now.”

Reese married in 1966 and had four children. She married an African-American, which led to several dangerous encounters with racism. She said her father-in-law warned his son not to marry her.

“I didn’t have a clue that we were illegal in some states,” she said. “I didn’t care. His father said, ‘Boy, are you crazy?

You can’t marry that white girl.’ I was standing at that phone booth listening to my future father-in-law give it to us, asking if we were crazy, telling us we were in a world of trouble.”

They found it difficult to rent. Her husband lost his job the day after she picked him up from work. When they were moving to Portland, Oregon, they were almost killed by truckers.

“We were so naive,” she said. “We were waving up to the truckers and they looked down and saw my husband and my baby and next thing you know one’s moving beside us, one’s moving behind us and they’re steady trying to push us off the road to kill us. It scared me to death, I was in hysterics.”

She is no longer married, but says she does not believe that racial prejudice has improved.

From 1994 to 2001, Reese owned a recording studio.

She said it was the second best time of her life, after her time at SWC. One of her favorite memories was recording an album by a young artist named David who was dying of Leukemia.

“A friend of his from the Rock Church called and said they were looking for a studio that would let them record his hip-hop Christian music. They didn’t have any money and they were calling all the studios to see if they’d let him come in and record because he had Leukemia. He was only 23. I said, ‘If you get the money, pay us. If you don’t, that’s okay.”

Reese never told her parents that she was forced into sex slavery. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she was taking care of her ailing mother.

“At the time, my mom had come to live with me so when I came home from the biopsy, I told the caregiver to tell my mom I had the flu so I could stay in my room for a couple of days and recover,” she said. “I never told her. I never told her I had cancer because I’m her only child and I figured she didn’t need to know that. About three months after I found out, she died.”

Reese had her biopsy done by a surgeon she previously worked for. He told her he could barely get the biopsy because there was a large tumor attached to the inside of her nipple. After seeing before and after photos of mastectomies, she said, she was set on not having one.

“He patted me and said ‘We love you. We’re going to take good care of you and give you a mastectomy.’ I patted him back and said ‘I don’t think so.’”

Seven years later, she is thankful to still have her breasts.

She is also happy to have her hair, which she attributes to the vitamins she takes. The cancer has moved to her bones, though, and in October 2010 her right hip was replaced, which she said was the worst pain she has ever felt.

“They couldn’t get enough drugs into me to keep me from screaming. I was in such bad shape. At one point I was asking them to kill me. I said, ‘Please just kill me.

I can’t do this. Get my gun and just kill me.’ Of course, nobody did, so I still had to go through it.”

Now, with tumors up and down her side, her doctors are worried about her bones fracturing so she gets bone shots to strengthen them. She estimates she has had at least eight different types of treatments, in different places with different doctors. She was recently cleared to begin a new treatment called Ibrance, which she was previously denied. She researched the treatment herself and likes it because it is in pill form, not injections.

“You should be your own advocate in the medical industry,” she said. “Keep in mind that it’s an industry.

They make money every time they scan you, every time they give you drugs.”

In regards to money, the treatment comes with a hefty price tag at $10,000 a month. Even after co-pay from insurance, it would still cost $2,000 per month. Reese said she has a coupon for the first month free and will look to find foundations to help pay from there. She is optimistic about the new treatment.

“I’m hoping it gives me a few more years, because evidently that’s how long it’s going to take me to finish this stupid book,” she said with a laugh.

Reese said she is often complimented on her strength and bravery in dealing with the negative experiences

in her life, but there is something that nobody knows about her.

“I get scared,” she said. “People always say ‘You’re so brave,’ and I think, No. You just don’t know. There’s times that I sit here and cry. There’s times that I regret wasting time doing different things. There’s times that I regret wasting time on certain people when I should’ve known it wasn’t going to make any difference in the long run.

They need to know that just because you’re fighting and you look strong, it doesn’t mean that you’re not scared.

You get scared. Since everyone’s going to die, you don’t think about it. But with all this, it’s thrust upon you.

You don’t have any other choice but to think about it.”

She does partake in the small comforts of life in times of anxiety or worry.

“Afraid,” she said. “I get afraid. But then I have a bowl of no-sugar added ice cream and it makes me feel better.

When I first got confined to the house, I got panicky and the first thing I did is call a friend and ask for a sugar-free cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. And honey, I ate a piece every day. Someone would say they were coming over and I’d tell them they’re not allowed to have any of my cheesecake. It’s mine, it’s my comfort food and I’m eating the whole dang thing. And so I did.”

Reese has begun to prepare for death. She has a tombstone ready for her in the El Cajon Cemetery.

“My headstone has got ‘Any day above ground is a good day,’ my name and my date of birth,” she said. “All it’s waiting for is the last day.”

Her first time going to visit her burial plot was a sobering experience for her.

“It didn’t really hit me until I went to see it,” she said.

“To look down and see my name on a tombstone. That made me cried. That was the first time I cried about dying.”

Besides her degrees, Reese has also been acknowledged at SWC with the college’s highest honor, the Student of Distinction Award. She was a recipient of the ASO Academic Excellence, Chicano Latino Coalition and Optimist of the Year awards. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Administration of Justice club, Student Veteran Organization (SVO) and ASTRA. ASTRA is SWC’s community service club and Reese was a part of the student group that originally chartered it. She has also been involved with the Kiwanis Club, Photo Charity and Laurels for Leaders. She said philanthropic work is an important part of her life.

“I think that’s the key,” she said. “Taking the focus off of yourself and putting it towards something worthwhile that can help others.”

Of all the things she has done, Reese said she misses SVO most and wishes she could still attend the meetings. A project she started and would like to finish is the bench program to benefit the SVO. She said the lack of places to sit at the spacious SWC campus was apparent when she was attending while having cancer. There is one bench placed on campus which bears her name. Reese said she might look for someone to take on the project for her, to ensure its completion.

Reese has drawn her will and has told her medical power of attorney Ervin Cobbs that she would like to pass peacefully, without fanfare, drama or hospitalization.

“I wanna die right there in my bed. I don’t want a bunch of nonsense going on. If people want to come and purge their soul because they think I’m dying, don’t let them in. Make them go away. Don’t disturb my death, don’t disturb my dying. I told Ervin not to let a paramedic walk in with a gurney. I’m gonna tell them, ‘I’ve got a gun. I don’t know where the bullets are, but I’ve got a gun and I’ll get it out of the safe, just hold on and let me get up and go get it.’”

For now, she accepts that she will die. She just does not plan to let it happen yet, so she continues to rage against the dying of the light.

“All of us are going to die,” she said. “But I’m not trying to do that too soon. So I keep fighting.”

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

The Southwestern College Sun

A11

SPORTS Olowora wins three state titles

By Nicholas Baltz Sports Editor

C

a l i f o r n i a’s three greatest community college distance runners are all named Aminat Olowara.

Even the state’s most elite athletes were no match for SWC’s gifted distance star, as Olowara turned in the nation’s best times in the 1,500 meters, 5K and 10K . She ran away with three gold medals and three state titles.

Even her coach, Olympic silver medalist Tonuie Campbell, was in awe. Campbell said Olowara was the best athlete at the meet, male or female.

Olowora began her championship run in the 10K, her longest and strongest event, as she lapped the entire field to win in 35:31.92.

Fresh off a night’s rest, Olowora battled talented College of the Sequoias star Yesenia Silva in the 1,500. Olowora paced herself off of Silva throughout to win in 4:33.09.

“We ran at the cross country state championships together,” Olowara said. “She is one of the best athletes.

I saved my kick for her at the end because if I didn’t save the kick and I start out running fast, she might beat me.”

No one threatened Olowora in the 5K and she wrapped up her fabulous freshman season with her third gold, crushing the field in 17:13.87.

While Olowora carted away three uncontested gold medals, another Lady Jaguar voluntarily shared a state championship with a respected competitor.

Fre s h m e n Ja y l a Sp e n c e r a n d Destinee Thayer were the only other members of the SWC team competing for a state title, both running in the 400-meter hurdles.

Spencer exploded out of the start, taking an early lead, with Thayer in tow. At the halfway point De Anza College’s Katie Baxter to moved up next to Spencer.

Baxter and Spencer took their last three hurdles simultaneously, gutting their way towards gold in the final stretch. Campbell rose to his feet for the finish and rejoiced as Spencer edged Baxter, improving her personal record by two full seconds (1:01.87).

Baxter immediately shouted to her coach, pointing back at the course, visibly upset, while Spencer soaked in her moment of victory.

“I feel like I’m on top of the world right now,” said Spencer. “I can’t believe it. It’s been such a journey like I told you, and this my rebirth, so to come and do this it means the world to me.”

As it turned out though, the championship was not yet settled.

Baxter contested the race and officials found that her second hurdle was three inches too high. Baxter, though frustrated, was gracious.

“I’m one of those people who likes to count their steps in between (hurdles),” she said. “Honestly, I tried as hard as could and couldn’t catch her, but there’s nothing I can do about it. She’s an amazing competitor.”

As meet officials discussed possibly re-running the race the next day in Santa Barbara, Spencer offered to call it a co-championship. De Anza College head coach Nick Matus said he was proud of how the women responded.

“Sometimes as coaches we learn a lot from the girls, like sportsmanship and camaraderie among the athletes,” he said. “I’m very proud of both of them.”

Spencer and Baxter met once more on the podium to receive twin gold medals, Spencer threw her fist in the air as she always does, drawing comparisons to Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics as well as Olympic medalist Campbell standing on the sidelines.

“It was in fact the best State Championships that Southwestern College has ever had,” he said beaming. “Olowora, what more can you say? Obviously she’s the best athlete, bar none, male or female, in the state. Then to have my girl Jayla win the 400, because we all know she won the 400, it was icing on the cake.”

PHOTO FINISH — (top) SWC freshmen Jayla Spencer edges Katie Baxter of De Anza College in the women’s 400-meter hurdle state title.

Spencer agreed to share the championship with Baxter when race officials discovered that one of Baxter’s hurdles was set too high. (far right) Spencer on top of the podium. (r) SWC freshman Aminat Olowora cruises to victory in the 1,500 meters.

Photos By Colin Grylls

A12

Summer Edition 2015 — Volume 58, Issue 8

Margarete Anne Gonzales

Charles Evans Goodman III

BACKPAGE

Maria Fernanda Gutierrez

The Southwestern College Sun

Claudia Anabel Mendoza

Brenda GregorioNieto

2015 Student of Distincion Award Winners

Nicholas Baltz

Kristofer Schreiber

Tatyana Castillo

Carla Stewart

“The students receiving this award have kept a strong focus on their futures. Many of them overcoming economic challenges, juggling family obligations while finding a way to improve their community. Along the way they have become role models for al of us, inspiring those around them to persevere and follow their dreams.”

-SWC President Dr. Melinda Nish

Jocelyn DiegoChavelas

Magnolia Garcia

Ana Balcazar

Ibethal Hermiz Rizzo

Edna Stewart

Lara Stewart

Rosella Luna

Erika G. Meza

Carlos Ponce

Juan Salazar

Stefanie Tellez

Victor Santander/Staff