Vol. 102, Issue 4

RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE VIEWPOINTSONLINE.ORG

MARCH 28, 2024

VOL. 102, NO. 4

Riverside City College Tigers pitcher, Ryan Jenkins, 20, fires a pitch at Evans Sports Complex on March 21.

ERIC PACHECO | VIEWPOINTS

Tigers clinch win with a 7-3 victory ERIC PACHECO MANAGING EDITOR

The Tigers’ offense kept up its steady pace tallying seven runs for their fourth straight game which led the team to a win over Orange Coast College on March 21.

The Tigers’ relentless offensive play propelled them to victory.

Much of that was led by three freshmen. Shortstop Eddy Alfaro, first baseman Dylan Nelson, and center fielder Parker Sobiesiak reached base three times respectively.

“Keep it simple, read the fastball and see high on the curveball,” leadoff hitter Alfaro

2

said. “He was a big two-pitch guy so just evaluate that and get on base to help the team win.”

The Tigers struck for two runs in the first, fifth, and sixth innings while also adding a run in the fourth at Evan’s Sports Complex. Nelson got the Tigers rolling early with a first-inning RBI double that scored Alfaro.

“All week we were talking about hunting high, getting your pitch, finding something you can drive,” Nelson said. “Being patient and trusting yourself to get into good counts and find something we could hit.” The Tigers also took advantage of the Pirate’s poor defense as two errors in the fifth and another in the sixth would

NEWS City Express Reopens on Campus

lead to four runs scored for RCC. Which put the Pirates down five runs heading into the later stages of the game.

“We’re starting to minimize mistakes and are being able to execute at a higher percentage and we’re finding ways to win now,” Tigers head coach Rudy Arguelles said.

The Pirates had their fair share of opportunities leaving five runners on base and only having three runs to show from the second to eighth inning. Plenty thanks to the Tigers starter freshman Ryan Jenkins who went 6.1 innings allowing eight hits but only three runs while striking out three.

“From the first inning I knew

10

I didn’t have my off-speed stuff,” Jenkins said. “I knew if I located my fastball decent enough, I’d get timely outs.”

The Tigers who have struggled dropping their first two conference play series against Saddleback and Golden West have now clinched a series victory against OCC and have a chance to sweep in the series finale.

“Those are rare in this conference and anytime you get a chance to do that you have to take advantage of it,” Arguelles said.

“The message to the team was don’t take anything for granted, don’t let up, be ready to compete, come clear headed and finish the job.”

LIFE Esentially Ellington hosts Jazz Festival

Upcoming Schedule: When: April 2 at 2 p.m.

Where: At Irvine Valley When: April 4 at 2 p.m.

Where: VS Irvine Valley When: April 6. 12 p.m.

Where: At Irvine Valley When: April 9. 2 p.m.

Where: At Santa Ana When: April 11. 2 p.m.

Where: At Santa Ana When: April 12 1 p.m.

Where: At Santa Ana

INDEX NEWS

2

SPORTS

6

OPINIONS

10

EDITORIAL

11

LIFE

12

2 March 28, 2024

NEWS

Editors: Natalie Strain and Annabel Silva

Viewpoints@rcc.edu

RCC Model U.N. Hosts Annual Conference NIGEL LOPEZ STAFF REPORTER

“Thank you honorable chair and thank you fellow delegates” were the words of Riverside City College students as they approached the stage to speak at RCC’s Model United Nations annual Inland Empire Conference.

On Saturday, March 2, students from Cal State Pomona, University of California, Riverside, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State LA, Irvine Valley College and RCC gathered in RCC’s cafeteria to discuss issues of food security and child protection.

The conference started at 9:30 a.m with speeches from RCC MUN alumni Gamaliel Perez and Loma Linda councilmember Bhavin Jindal. From here, students dispersed into two committees, Security Council and General Assembly 3, each representing a country to discuss the pressing issues of the international community.

As the conference began, students were given the opportunity to give speeches, work with other delegates and ultimately form working groups to draft resolutions passed by the chair. General Assembly 3 came down to seven resolution papers, and the Security Council came down to one paper, all passed by the chair.

However, RCC MUN president Nick James discussed the deeper purpose behind MUN, describing

Students of Model United Nations raise their placards at annual conference. it as a way to make friends on campus and best friends from different universities. He said it has provided students with a platform to understand problems around the world and just how students can take action.

“MUN is one of the few programs that allows you to meet international students and engage in global issues that we may not be educated in. It gives you the chance to go to international countries like Japan and Germany and meet people you would never have

expected to ever meet,” said James.

The day ended with a closing ceremony, recognizing winners of Honorable Mention, Distinguished Delegate, and Excellent Delegate, delegates who went above and beyond to tackle some of the most prominent concerns within the United Nations. Peer awards were also given to students voted upon by each Member State, one of which was awarded to RCC student Diego Medina-Islas.

Conference was promptly adjourned until IECMUN 2025.

NIGEL LOPEZ | VIEWPOINTS

NIGEL LOPEZ | VIEWPOINTS

RCC and MUN alumni, Bhavin Jindal.

RCC City Express reopens on campus

City Express gives students easy access to a quick bite LAURA BAUTISTA STAFF REPORTER

The RCC City Grill Express has finally reopened near the Digital Library after almost a four-year closure. Since Feb., the City Grill Express has allowed students to come and grab a quick lunch without needing to go to the cafeteria.

The City Grill Express first opened in the Fall of 2018 and closed in the Spring of 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. Although students and staff returned to campus in the Fall of 2021, the City Grill remained closed.

Cheryl Ruzak is the director of food services and helped reopen the stand. Ruzak said that after students came back from COVID, the need for a food stand like the City Express grew.

Ruzak stated that they needed a classified employee to fill the position. The City Express found an employee in Janary and was finally able to open.

According to Ruzak, the stand has been very successful.

JENNIFER CARDONA-LEON | VIEWPOINTS

Food service worker Sarai Torrez, helps a student at the city cafe.

“It’s been very positive, and especially for the students that are on that side of campus that may not have the time to come over to the cafeteria,” Ruzak said.

Ruzak also said there are always two staff employees working the stand.

“It’s really great that the two employees work as a team and

they help each other to make sure we keep it stocked,” Ruzak said.

“I like it,” Sarai Torrez, a food service worker at the kiosk, said.

She previously worked as a manager at McDonald’s. She’s a part-time worker so she works 20 hours a week. Her interaction with the students has been very good and she makes sure they are

happy when they leave.

“It’s a different pace compared to my last job,” Torrez said.

Caleb Pierre, another food service worker who was hired in Jan., works at the cafeteria as a cook and helps with the stand.

“It’s pretty cool. Everybody’s chill,” Pierre said.

Three nursing students,

Destiny Montoya, Sehaj Singh and Tracy Ngo come to the City Express every day during lunch break.

“The nursing building is right here, so it’s just easy for us,” Montoya said.

Ngo said that they often get sandwiches or salads with a bag of chips. Although all three students said that they are hoping for more hot food options in the future, it is convenient on a short break.

“It’s convenient since the cafeteria is far away,” Singh said.

The City Grill express is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 and they are closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The food comes from the cafeteria vendors which is brought over to the kiosk. Grab and go food such as sandwiches, salads, bagels, snacks like yogurt, fruits, pudding, Jello, and different beverages like milk, water, soda and coffee are available.

March 28, 2024

3

PHOTOS BY IZABELLA DE LA ROSA | VIEWPOINTS

The Flamingo Thrift and Antiques Mall displays home decorations and furniture.

Flamingo thrift and antiques mall closes IZABELLA DE LA ROSA MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Flamingo Thrift and Antiques Mall will be closing on March 30 after being sold by the owner of the building. Flamingo Antiques has been in Riverside for 20 years.

The store has been bought out and will be turned into a restaurant.

Tonie Palacios is the CEO of Flamingo Antiques. Palacios has been maintaining Flamingo Antiques and creating connections with customers.

Palacios discovered the store was being sold after a company already purchased the building.

“I didn’t have a chance to bid on it,” Palacios said. “It was a surprise.”

Sherry Corn, a distributor that rents space at the antique store, doesn’t think a restaurant will be profitable in the area. Corn refers to the area as “antique row.”

The loss of Flamingo Antiques isn’t felt just by the employees but

The shop greets customers with a mural facing Magnolia Avenue parking lot March 13.

the community as well. People over the years have been bringing their families to look around and come together at the shop. Customers are devastated about the news and continue to come in and ask Palacios to sign items from the

store.

Palacios’ biggest concern is where her employees will go next.

Flamingo Thrift and Antiques is home to over 20 distributors selling their vast collections of home decor, clothing, collectibles, and

many more. Certain distributors even sell their personal items, coming in often to maintain their designated area. With distributors discounting their products, the business hopes to sell as many items as possible to make the

transition easier. However, Palacios is worried about employees whose sales at the store are their main source of income.

Palacios’ husband Phil Roth continues to support her until the last day of being in business.

“Getting my wife to adjust to not having the store after 20 years will be the most difficult part,” Roth said. The news has yet to fully impact Palacios but knows the businesses’ last day will be the hardest.

The Flamingo Thrift and Antique employees are optimistic for what’s in store for them and see it as a new beginning. The employees are at the thrift store almost everyday but with the store closing they now look forward to spending time with their loved ones.

Roth wishes the best for other stores in the area.

“Just be nice to the customers, have fun, that’s what we try to do,” Roth said.

Candidates discuss community issues in Moreno Valley LOUIS TOZSER AST. NEWS EDITOR

With a major election coming up in November, Inland Empire residents had a chance to hear from candidates running for offices across the region. Residents visited Trinity Baptist Church in Moreno Valley on Feb. 22 to hear a few of the candidates speak on issues in the community.

The candidates in attendance for this event were Cpl. David Serpa, Incumbent Mayor of Moreno Valley Ulises Cabrera and Angelo Farooq.

“We’re selling our future down the road, and one of the things we can do is unionize. Unionize these multinational corporations that are bleeding our communities dry with their wealth and resources.

Target, Walmart . . . Starbucks,” said Serpa.

The candidates were asked questions about a variety of issues — including parks & recreation,

LOUIS TOZSER | VIEWPOINTS

From left, Mayor Ulisis Cabera, businessman David Serpa and Angelo Farooq speak Feb. 22 at Trinity Baptist Church.

healthcare, the construction of new warehouses across the Inland Empire — along with a variety of pressing issues that could persuade voters toward their respective campaigns. In addition, Moreno Valley is set to hold its mayoral election this year to elect a mayor to serve in the 2025-27 term, with

Mayor Cabrera reaffirming his commitment to seek a second term.

“Affordability really stands out as the biggest . . . theme throughout the effort. We have the state facing an almost $70 billion budget deficit,” said Farooq.

“In 2023, crime was down in the city of Moreno Valley. We’re

an outlier. In the time where in the state of California, the country, crime is going up. Moreno Valley, we’re going in the opposite direction, which is good,” said Cabrera.

With primaries occurring on March 5, both the Republican and Democratic parties of Riverside

County are hard at work holding campaign events as well as doorknocking to ensure that their candidates are victorious when the November election comes around.

Congressman Mark Takano and State Assemblyman Corey Jackson were also invited to attend the event. However, both Takano and Jackson had last minute issues in their schedules and did not attend the town hall meeting.

Viewpoints contacted the offices of both Takano and Jackson to discuss their reasoning for their absence from the town hall.

What we found out was that Jackson was out of town on the day of the event and instead sent campaign representative Jorge Zavala to attend the event, according to Daniel Peeden, communications director for Jackson’s office. “Zavala was there as a state representative to help constituents,” said Peeden.

Takano’s office could not be reached for comment.

4 Interactive Makerspace opens in digital library March 28, 2024

LACEY JAMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Career and Technical Education Division at Riverside City College opened a new interactive Makerspace in the Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library for students to explore their artistry.

Makerspace is a multipurpose room that is designed for students to tap into their creative side and provides an area and environment for sewing, crocheting, acrylic painting, jewelry making and button making. The space also offers the latest technological machines such as 3D printing machines, laser cutters and engravers, and Cricut Makers.

The new Makerspace facilities are useful for students hoping to express their creative visions while building relationships within the RCC community.

Dean of the Career and Technical Education Division Shari Yates, says Makerspace is grant funded. She also reflects on the accessibility for RCC students for spring semester 2024.

“It’s a grant that’s called Strong WorkForce [and],” Yates said. “It’s been very, very helpful. The grants will allow the students to use the materials for free. At least for this semester,” Yates added.

Yates added that “We ordered a bunch so that we can start out using free material and then we’ll have to figure out charging students. Just a nominal rate. Just a little bit. When they start using them more.”

The grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 28, was packed with students and faculty members and featured food, presentations and demonstrations. Yates helped

LACEY JAMES | VIEWPOINTS

Juana Munoz (Left) helps a student with button selection at the Makerspace March 5. organize the grand opening event. She was in attendance alongside RCC President Claire Oliveros, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District Wolde-Ab Isaac and Board Trustee Mary Figueroa.

“There are people who sew that need a place to find a machine,” Yates said. She emphasizes the need for a creative space like this and ensures that it will have an impact amongst the RCC community.

Also in attendance was Juana Munoz who works at Makerspace.

Munoz acts as a guide for students and shows them how to operate the

machines and use the new space to its full potential.

“We want the community to transform their ideas into reality,” Munoz said. “So, if they’re thinking it, and want to create it, they can make it here,” Munoz stated.

Makerspace has unique features for niche hobbies such as mug heat pressing, embroidery, and crocheting. The space was formed for students to explore creative outlets, but also provides a sense of community between and among the students.

“We have different majors coming to the center — and it pulls

out their creativity … and they can develop this maker mindset,” Munoz said. “A do it yourself kind of mindset.”

There are workshops that can be beneficial to students who are curious as to how Makerspace works. Students can sign up for workshops through their Canvas online. They first must complete an online orientation before using the space.

“We have ten workshops … and that’s just kind of to start us off, introducing the students into the space,” Munoz said. “Our ten workshops are going to be

surrounded by our equipment here that we have in the Makerspace.”

One workshop will demonstrate how to use the 3D Printer machines and Raspberry Pi’s, which are small single board computers.

“Students will learn how to print the design and how to make it work with their Raspberry Pi’s,” Munoz added.

RCC is the latest out of three colleges in the district to provide a Makerspace. The other two in the district, Moreno Valley College and Norco Community College, already have Makerspaces of their own.

New Undocu-Allies club helps students find resources NIGEL LOPEZ STAFF REPORTER

Riverside City College’s up-and-coming Undocu-Allies Club is an organization on campus created in the past three months by student Xochitl Lemus to address the needs of undocumented students.

Undocu-Allies Club’s goals are to provide community and a safe haven for undocumented students who might not be aware of the resources provided to them by the state of California or Riverside City College, students with undocumented family members, and allies of undocumented students.

The club cites the “Dreamer’s Project Report,” a study released by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office when identifying the needs of the students it intends to support.

The club describes itself as inclusive for those who want to put in the work to help undocumented students, students with undocumented family members, and undocumented students.

Xochitl Lemus, the club’s

NIGEL LOPEZ | VIEWPOINTS

A booth at club rush features flyers and resources for students.

founder, is well aware of the struggles and challenges that undocumented students face.

“Most of them are paying out of pocket for school,” Lemus said. “They don't have, say, DACA or DREAM Act sometimes because they think they're undocumented. They believe they don't qualify for things like the CCPG or PROMISE program.”

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is a grant which waives enrollment fees. Her goal is to ensure undocumented students have a

community that will bring that knowledge to them.

She said that some don’t notice these students are aiming to make things better.

“Not a lot of professors see that (undocumented students) are trying,” Lemus said. “So, they immediately cut you off.

If you don't have the language, if you struggle with this class, if you see that this class is too hard for you to drop it.”

Tina Stavropoulos, Associate Professor of English at RCC, took on the role as club adviser in December.

“The club serves an underserved community,” club adviser Stavropoulos said.

Stavropoulos expressed her goals to have training for RCC faculty through equity flex which is “training, just like we have ally training to help instructors and staff to be better suited to help our LGBTQ students,” but for undocumented students to serve their needs. By doing so RCC faculty would be rewarded in their professional career as well.

Jj is an active club member who themselves has first hand experience with the struggles of an undocumented student and is willing to share all of their knowledge with other club members.

“The club provides a safe environment for students who are undocumented or have undocumented family.” Jj said.

“TODEC provides legal services for undocumented or mixed status students at RCC” Jj said. Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC) is an advocacy group that helps immigrants learn English, get citizenship, and more. RCC

does not have an immigration lawyer on site to help students due to a lack of communication between TODEC and RCC. RCC alumnus, Berto Hernandez, was abducted by ICE on RCC campus on the way to the library several years ago and was held in custody for a year. There will be a film held at the Hall of Fame on RCC campus about Berto and other students who have experienced similar issues throughout Southern California near the end of April.

Undocu-Allies Club will hold “Platicas” in which students get to talk about their issues and stressors with a community who have similar experiences. “A special community where you can feel safe.” Lemus says.

Like Jj, allies can bring their personal knowledge and experience with the resources available to undocumented students contributing to solving a larger problem.

“Being part of this task force can be a way to enact action,’” Lemus said. “Support the club.

Actually be part of the action … for those who have a voice but haven’t found it yet.”

6 March 28, 2024

Tigers claw back in

Tigers beat the Bobcats 4-2 in first gam

ERIC PACHECO MANAGING EDITOR

The Tigers overcame some early struggles to rally back late and defeat the Bobcats with a 4-2 score in the Orange Empire Conference play opener.

The Riverside City College Tigers (14-4) took on the Bobcats of Saddleback College (10-5) on March 5 at the Evans Sports Complex to kick off conference play. Both teams came in riding high with the Tigers having won six of their last seven and the Bobcats winning four of their last five.

“We understand the gauntlet of the Orange Empire conference and this is just game one of it,” Tiger’s head coach Rudy Arguelles said.

Freshman Bobcat right-hander Damon Anderson Wolf opposed the Tiger’s right-handed hurler Sophomore Dylan Plutner. Both Pitchers proved to be effective early and often, pitching into the 6th inning.

“Lot of change-ups, curveball was getting over good, just keeping the hitters off balance,” said Plutner. “I’m not really a strikeout pitcher so I have faith in my defense a lot,” he added.

After two scoreless frames, the Bobcats would strike first with a two-out single by sophomore Makani Tanaka which scored sophomore Jason Wright, who led off the inning with a single.

The sloppy play from the Tigers began in the top of the 4th when freshman second baseman Marcus Moyer misplayed a ground ball. Wright was later hit by a pitch, and with bases loaded and sophomore shortstop Andrew Nykoluk at the plate, a dropped third strike proved costly as another run scored and Nykoluk reached first base.

“Sloppy, from a positional standpoint sloppy, the only reason we were able to overcome all the miscues and mistakes that were made both physically and mentally was because of the pitching staff 100 percent.” coach Arguelles noted.

The Tiger’s pitching staff was lights out from the 4th inning onward as after Plutner was removed with one out in the fifth inning a quartet of sophomore arms consisting of Jordan Townley, Koa Dabuet, Dakota Gray, and Matt Hudson combined for 3 ⅔ shutout innings with six strikeouts.

The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the 5th when freshman catcher Ian Nguyen drove in freshman outfielder Alex Gamez, who had led off the inning with what would be his second of three doubles on the day.

The comeback story would really begin in the bottom of the 8th down to their final five outs when freshman designated hitter Dane Lujan reached on an error. Freshman pinch runner Jordan Treadwell would prove to be a spark plug as he aggressively took second base on a ball in the dirt immediately after entering the game.

That set the scene for cleanup hitter redshirt freshman shortstop Eddy Alfaro, who had struggled early in the game.

After a tough at-bat, he would deliver with a double down the left field line which scored Treadwell to tie the game.

“Fight, just fight,” Alfaro said. “He got me in a good count but I just had to stay aggressive and put the bat on the ball.”

Alfaro would steal third as freshman center fielder Parker Sobiesiak walked and Gamez would cap off his amazing day with a go-ahead two-RBI double that gave the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish.

“I was seeing the ball really good, and just being in the moment, on that last hit I knew I was going to do something, I just had a feeling,” Gamez said ecstatically.

Tigers Statistics: Pitching Dylan Plutner sp Matt Hudson (Sv,3)

IP

H

R

ER

BB

SO

5.1 1

4 0

2 0

1 0

0 0

5 2

Hitting Alex Gamez rf Eddy Alfaro ss

AB 3 4

R 1 1

H 3 1

RBI 2 1

BB 0 0

SO 0 0

Riverside City College outfielder, Alex Gamez, slides in safely at the Riverside City College Evans Sport

“

Riverside City College pitcher, Dylan Plutner, 22, throws a pitch at the Riverside City College Evans Spo

Fight, just fight, he got me in a g stay aggressive and put t - Shortstop Eddy Alfaro

Managing Editor: Eric Pacheco Viewpoints@rcc.edu

7

conference opener

me of Orange Empire Conference play

ts Complez on March 5.

Keith Fernandez | Viewpoints

orts Complex on March 5.

good count but I just had to the bat on the ball.

Riverside City College outfielder, Logan Ortega, 12, swings away at the Riverside City College Evans Sports Complex on March 5.

8 March 28, 2024

SPORTS

Sports Editor: Jesus Coronel Viewpoints@rcc.edu

RCC Swim and Dive compete in Invitational NATHAN ANAYA STAFF REPORTER

The Riverside City College men’s and women’s swim teams both had solid outings at the Riverside City Invitational on March 8, as the women’s team placed second just behind Orange Coast College and the men’s team placed fourth overall with OCC placing first as well.

The women’s team was led by its sophomore captain Jessie Nelson with a total of 69 points for the team as well as freshman Nicole Robertson with 60 points and co-captain Anabella Storar with 50.

“I think we performed really good considering it’s the middle of the season and we’ve all been beaten down and have been working really hard for the past few weeks,” Nelson said.

Although Nelson led the team in points, she still feels like she has another gear she can tap into.

“I think there’s definitely some improvement that I can make but I’m really happy with where I’m at right now,” Nelson said.

Anabella Storar scored 50 points for the Tigers, which was the third most for the team during the invitational.

“Every day we’re gonna practice harder and try to be champions and make our state

importantly state.

“We want to be swimming our best at the end of the year and try to qualify as many individuals as we can, as well as our relays for state championships and that’s really what we want,” Finfrock said.

For the men’s team, a fourth-place finish was the outcome but men’s head coach Jason Northcott does not seem too concerned, maintaining that the regular season is a process.

“Everything we do in the regular season is just about being prepared for conference and state and to try to win a conference title,” Northcott said. “But most importantly try and get as many swimmers into the right position at first state qualifiers, so this is just all part of that process going forward.”

The men’s swim team captain Yousif Nahali also had an impressive performance, placing first in the men’s 50-meter freestyle and scoring 39 points overall.

“I expect a lot from this team,” Nahali said. “We have a lot of good swimmers and we hope for the best.”

NATHAN ANAYA | VIEWPOINTS

Swimmers take there mark at the Riverside Aquatics Complex during the Riverside City Invitational on March 8.

times,” Storar said.

Women’s head coach Doug Finfrock was happy with what he saw from the team “I’m happy with their performance,” coach Finfrock

said. “They’ve been training hard and I think they swam pretty well in all the meets.

Overall I liked the effort today and their times are about where we want them to be.”

Coach Finfrock’s biggest goals for the remainder of the season are to maintain the team’s second-place spot in the conference and possibly push toward first, but most

Upcoming Schedule: Women’s and Men’s Swim and Dive When: April, 6 at 10 a.m.

Where: Riverside City College Invitational

Tigers stay hot, take down Owls 7-1 ALIAH TUBBS STAFF REPORTER

The Riverside City College Tigers beat the Citrus College Owls 7-1 to extend their record to 14-4 on the season before conference play at the Evans Sports Complex on March 1.

The Tigers baseball team is currently finding its groove as the team is firing on all cylinders both on offense and defense.

“It’s really one game at a time,” head coach Rudy Arguelles said. “It is the last game of what we refer to as season one and gets us ready for season two which is conference next week so we’re excited about that.”

After the Owls scored on an RBI Single in the first inning, it looked as if the Tigers would be on a shaky start at the beginning of the game, as a fielding error allowed Citrus to get momentum early on.

In the second inning, freshman designated hitter Dane Lujan would score off

JESUS CORONEL | VIEWPOINTS Sophomore Pitcher Julian Cazares winding up to pitch during a game against Citrus College on March 1 at the Riverside City Sports Complex.

a sacrifice fly from freshman catcher Ian Nguyen, evening the game at one run a piece.

Lujan and Nguyen would be key contributors as they combined for three RBIs and three runs each in this game, en route to a strong win for RCC. “It definitely lights a little fire under us,” Lujan said.

“It was a pretty good team win overall.”

T h e Ti g e r o ff e n s e added two more runs to the score in the fourth inning via a sacrifice fly from freshman second baseman Marcus Mayer and an RBI single from Nguyen respectively to increase the lead to 3-1.

Pitching was another strong point for RCC, as after allowing a run in the first inning, starting sophomore pitcher Julian Cazares recorded

four strikeouts and held Citrus College to two hits total during his stint.

Redshirt freshman relief pitcher Alex Navarette and sophomore closer Dylan Plunter allowed two hits combined in Cazares’s relief from the fifth inning onward. “ We g a v e t h e m a n unearned run after that first inning and we were able to bounce back and really take

control of the game,” Coach Arguelles said.

As three more runs scored for the Tigers in a two inning stretch, they had complete control of the game as they would finish the game with a 7-1 victory.

They have won five of the last six games and look to start conference play strong.

March 28, 2024

Norco College rugby player, Andrew Gonzalez, 23, tackles MiraCosta player in attempts to prevent advancement of the ball on Feb. 24 at Norco College Sports Complex.

9

KEITH FERNANDEZ | VIEWPOINTS

Norco College Rugby reclaims Founders Cup AYDEN VASQUEZ STAFF REPORTER

The competition served as a rubber match between the two schools, with Norco securing the first two Founders Cup trophies and MiraCosta the last two.

Both teams entered their final match of the season 2-2 after facing Division I opponents.

“Today was a game that our entire team was ready to play hard for,” Jarrod Mosby, the Mustangs sophomore eight-man, said. “We didn’t just want this trophy, but we wanted to end our season with a win.”

The Norco College Mustangs came from behind to beat the MiraCosta Spartans at the Norco

College Sports Complex 60-38.

Norco didn’t fold after the Spartans took a 21-0 first-half lead.

The Mustangs’ physicality caused MiraCosta to begin committing penalties, leading to Norco’s first points of the match when sophomore fly half Victor Mataele kicked a 3-point conversion.

Showing signs of life, the Mustangs marched down the pitch, using their size and speed to gain great field positioning. With a 27-yard try by freshman winger Gabriel Morris, and a successful conversion by Mataele, Norco was back in the game as they brought the score to 10-21.

Capitalizing on this energy shift, Norco went on a rampage,

scoring two crucial tries by Mosby and sophomore lock Cyele Banks late in the first half.

The Mustangs went into halftime leading with a score of 22-21.

“We started very slow in the first half,” head coach Brian Hudspeth said. “MiraCosta is a very strong and physical team like us, so they really gave us a challenge.”

Norco’s explosiveness was on full display only two minutes into the second half after a physical and tackle-breaking try by Mataele.

Three minutes later, sophomore right flanker Jacob Nkwamba acrobatically dove forward to score another try for the Mustangs,

extending the lead to 34-21.

“While the score tells a different story, today’s game showed what we as a squad were lacking and what we improved on this season,” Nkwamba said. “Overall, though, there will always be room for improvement in my performance, but the performance of my guys today was amazing.”

Norco accelerated its offense and maintained a menacing defensive intensity in the second half, delivering big hits to keep MiraCosta to as few yards as possible. Still, the persistent Spartans found a few holes in the Mustangs defense, allowing them to score and close the gap, bringing the contest to 34-28.

By the 54th minute of the match, after Norco scored two more tries to

MiraCosta’s one, the score read 4835 as the Spartans would settle for a 3-point conversion.

Driving the dagger deeper into the weakened Spartans, the relentless Mustang offense would score two more tries, making the match seem more lopsided than it was with a final score of 60-38.

Raising the silver Founders Cup trophy capped a 3-2 season for Hudspeth and his team.

“Our goal going into the second half was to ramp up our intensity, play fast on the wing and play structured rugby,” the coach said. “I believe we did just that and more.”

Tigers losing streak extends to 10 games NATHAN ANAYA STAFF REPORTER

The Tigers softball team’s losing streak extended to 10 games as they fell to the Orange Coast Pirates by a score of 3-2 in another close game at the Evans Sports Complex on March 22.

The Riverside City College Tigers got a quick start to the game in the second inning with a 2 RBI double from freshman second baseman Sheila Fernanda Cano with the bases loaded to give them a 2-0 lead.

Orange Coast would get back into the game in the fourth inning in a big way, tying the game with a two-run homerun from sophomore first baseman Melissa Hanson.

The Tigers offense has been the team’s achilles heel

as of late, losing three of its last four games by one run.

The bats went quiet after the second inning as Pirates sophomore pitcher Angela Whitmore pitched a shutout from that point onwards.

“We’ve worked well as a team,” freshman center fielder Alysse Flores said. “It’s just our hitting is a little lacking right now.”

A critical error would prove to be costly for the Tigers as Orange Coast would score an unearned run in the fifth inning off a passed ball. That allowed the Pirates to take a 3-2 lead.

The Tiger offense continued to be shut down by Whitmer and the Pirates fielding with no hits to be seen as the game would end with the Tiger’s tenth straight loss of the season.

Although the Tigers lost,

coach Daddona had high praise of Whitmer after the game as she credited the Pirates pitcher for the turnaround. “ T h a t ’s a v e r y g o o d pitcher right there,” she said. “(Whitmer) spins the ball well, she uses every little ounce of her mechanics to do a good job living on that outside pitch.”

Freshman shortstop Elizabeth Sigala describes the offensive struggles as something that needs to be fixed in order to end the losing streak.

“I feel like we just have to pull through with the hits,” she said. “We have been really close so we’re just gonna build on that in practice and get better every day.”

Riverside City College Tiger AYDEN VASQUEZ | VIEWPOINTS third baseman Summer Sanders rounding third base after a hard-hit triple at the Riverside City College Evans Complex on March 22.

viewpoints@rcc.edu

OPINIONS

March 28, 2024

10

Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash

Opinions Series

Rent prices are higher than ever

LACEY JAMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Let’s talk about rent.

We live in the Golden State.

We live in America, which is the land of freedom and opportunity.

I hear time and time again from friends and family that the soaring price of renting is beyond out of control.

Whether inflation, price gouging by landlords, or lack of rent control policies are to blame

there is still an overhanging problem that needs to be solved.

According to CalMatters, 40% of young adults live with their parents.

According to CNBC, California also holds the title for the second most expensive place to live in the country just after Hawaii.

With Califonia Environmental Quality Act laws (CEQA), Not In My Backyard agenda movements, and soaring mortgage rates, the housing market in California for young adults is worrisome.

Rent prices in California are in a whole different ballpark.

I am here to say that it was not always this way.

I grew up in Southern California and I loved it wholeheartedly. I grew up with a single mother who had three daughters. This was many years

ago and things were, for all intents and purposes, different.

My grandfather was a diesel mechanic for 30 years. He was the head of the household and supported my family off one salary.

The current staggering discrepancies of wages and housing prices is astronomical.

It seems evil.

This could also be attributed through seeing perspectives through different class lenses.

Clearly, there are some who are doing fine and not everyone will agree with me.

I think people can relate to the stagnant atmosphere that was created and is still in effect in California. The thought of living on your own in this situation seems like a fairy tale for most.

I know a lot of young people who are worried that they will

have to move out of state or will never be able to afford a home, let alone rent on their own, without multiple roommates.

It is important to be able to rent and it not to be too overwhelming. If one is working full time, they should be able to support their family on a liveable salary.

Californians should also be able to live comfortably without multiple roommates or live with their parents as they are adults.

Everyone needs space to grow and flourish. Sharing bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces is not ideal for everyone.

Quiet hours and boundaries can certainly affect our mental clarity.

If you’re like me, you like to decorate. I enjoy painting and hanging up my art on the wall.

Roommates might disagree with my style.

According to Zillow, the median rent for California is $2,760. This may seem excessive because it is. According to Rent Data compared to 2014 when the average rent in California was $848 for a one bedroom.

I sympathize with everyone working through these tough times. I think it is important to lean on others through times when you’re feeling like your situation is unbearable. Fear, stress, and irritability can permeate the strongest of minds.

My hope is that one day California will be affordable for all young adults like myself.

But I fear that others, like myself, will be captured by this economic wave of unfairness and unequalness.

Overall, rent is excessively high and out of control.

“It feels kind of awkward cause I don’t want to stop but they’re almost harassing us.

You kind of have to run by, it’s kind of uncomfortable.”

-Alexa Sanchez Year: 2nd Year Major: Math

“I don’t mind it, I read through a lot of them. Sometimes I sign off on them, if they’re for a good reason.

They’re trying to get something, I guess change you know.”

-Bryce Jackson Year: 1st Year Major: Math

“It’s not an issue with me, when they ask you to sign they kind of pressure it. Other than that they don’t bug you if you ignore them.”

-Melina Tapia Year: First Year Major: Kinesology

“They’re friendly.

They’re always looking to get signatures. They are kind of aggressive sometimes and they tend to not explain what you are signing.”

-Adam Harrison Year: First Year Major: Business

Campus Conversations TOPIC How do you feel about the petitioners on campus?

Interviews and photos by Natalie Strain and Izabella De La Rosa

March 28, 2024

Editor: Laura Bautista| Viewpoints@rcc.edu

Editorial

11

STAFF LIST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lacey James viewpointseic@gmail.com

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.

MANAGING EDITOR Eric Pacheco Viewpoints@rcc.edu NEWS EDITORS Natalie Strain Viewpoints@rcc.edu ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Annabel Silva Viewpoints@rcc.edu ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR Laura Bautista Viewpoints@rcc.edu SPORTS EDITOR Jesus Coronel Viewpoints@rcc.edu

ERIC PACHECO | VIEWPOINTS

Petitioners disrupt student environment Students are not guinea pigs for solicitors.

On campus, we are bombarded weekly with booth petitioners attempting to have us stop in our tracks for their cause. We are simply trying to get to class without being harassed by constant petitioners.

Students feel as if the solicitors are a distraction from their education. As students walk to class whether they are in a hurry to take an exam or are simply trying to make it on time, they are being interrupted by solicitors who will ask for a second of their time.

However, a second to one person may have more value to another. Students may not want to be disrupted when going to class, having their mind preoccupied by their academics.

It is necessary for students to be informed of what is going around them and to be exposed to groups working for a cause that can be beneficial and informative. However, this can be done in different ways or at other locations. Being immediately confronted as you walk up the stairs of the parking garage creates pedestrian traffic and is overall a nuisance when not nearly a minute goes by that you are being questioned.

Petitioners also approach students in a way that pressures them into questioning their morals if they do not sign. They often give you a guilt trip about “helping kids with cancer.” Students are overwhelmed with school and extracurriculars, and a distraction like this is not something that should be a problem on campus where students should feel comfortable.

The petitioners are there for a slew of causes such as blood drives, donating to fight hunger or offering to give out flu shots. We are not simply saying no to these petitions.

These are usually important causes that take timely consideration that most students do not have. Parking, getting to class, getting good grades and arriving on time are our most important worries as a student.

Encounters with petitioners are usually in a public space, grocery stores, malls, and at Riverside City College.

However, they are frequently found outside of the Digital Library where petitioners set up booths.

There are free speech zones where groups like protestors can be. However, if they are not within this free speech zone, located distances from the main academic

buildings so as not to disturb student’s education, then they must have permission by the school.

They continue to stop students as they walk by. The students feel like they have to ignore them or disrupt their routine to accommodate the petitions asking for their time. When rejected by students the petitioners beg for their time and become annoyed.

On the contrary, petitioners are not just asking students for a signature. They’re asking to fill out multiple pages, asking for the student’s phone number, if eligible to vote, home address and email. It’s often around five pages and can take about two minutes. Two minutes can easily cause a student to be late for class.

It is important to be concerned about the world around us. Students need to prioritize education over other concerns. The brash attitude that the petitioners approach students with is ineffective and seems as if we are being confronted negativley.

In a world with constant information overload, we think it is best to not be bothered with excessive requests while we are on campus.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor should be kept to 250 words or less and include contact information. Email letters to viewpointseic@ gmail.com. Viewpoints reserves the right to edit letters for space and to reject libelous or obscene letters. Letters to the editor and columns represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Viewpoints staff, Viewpoints faculty advisers, student faculty, administration or the Board of Trustees. Dates below are subject to change.

PRINTING SCHEDULE

Copy deadline:

APRIL

17

Photo deadline: Ad deadline:

APRIL APRIL

17 17

Next issue:

APRIL

25

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Ayden Vasquez Viewpoints@rcc.edu PHOTO EDITOR Keith Fernandez Viewpoints@rcc.edu MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Izabella De La Rosa Viewpoints@rcc.edu

REPORTERS: Nathan Anaya Jasmine Barrera-Camacho Joannah Clemente Jennifer Cardona-Leon Nigel Lopez Akira Morris Sage Patrus Karen Pravia Louis Tozser Aliah Tubbs

FACULTY ADVISERS Angela Burrell Matt Schoenmann JOURNALISM SPECIALIST Matt Schoenmann matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu

@RCCVIEWPOINTS REACH US: NEWSROOM PHONE: (951) 222-8488 EMAIL: viewpointseic@gmail.com MEMBER:

Viewpoints is a public forum, First Amendment newspaper. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. © 2024 by the Viewpoints staff, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA. 92506-0528. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the Viewpoints editor-in-chief.

LIFE Collaboration

12 March 28, 2024 JENNIFER CARDONALEON STAFF REPORTER

The Essentially Ellington held its Southern California Regional Jazz Festival on March 1 and 2.

J a z z a t L i n c o l n C e n t e r, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and Riverside City College Coil School for the Arts presented in the collaboration.

The Essentially Ellington Program (EE) is an educational resource for high school jazz bands. Each year, Jazz at Lincoln Center transcribes, publishes, and distributes charts by Duke Ellington and other seminal big band composers and arrangers with additional educational materials to bands across the world. They support its members throughout every school year with initiatives including teaching guides, EE website information, newsletters, a student composition contest and professional feedback of students’ performance of the charts.

Riverside City College Jazz Orchestra took the stage with guest artist Todd Stoll, trumpet player, and Bijon Watson, trumpet player.

It was a treat for the students to see the composers that inspired them to play or help contribute to their passion.

Angelina Salcedo is a student at RCC. She plays the upright bass in the Jazz Orchestra. Salcedo shared what an amazing jazz festival it was this year with their guest artists.

“For me personally, playing

viewpoints@rcc.edu

brings Ellington to Coil

with, well not with, but playing to play for a crowd that actually musicians. said. near John Clayton is really cool,” appreciates music … then everyone Robyn Aguilar plays the “You’ll definitely have your

JENNIFER CARDONA-LEON | VIEWPOINTS

The jazz orchestra being conducting by Charlie Richard at the Southern California Regional Jazz Festival on March 1.

Salcedo said.

“Because I’ve learned a bunch of his pieces in music before and I really look up to him. So, him playing, him just sitting in the audience, and then getting to talk to him, listen to him give a master class and everything was super cool and super exciting. Then we get

gets excited over things we get excited about.”

Not only was it an important performance for the high school students as they showed off and performed their own solos, but for all of the RCC Jazz Orchestra, where they knew they would inspire a younger generation of

alto saxophone in the RCC Jazz Orchestra. She shares how the performance was not just special to her, but it was special to many of the high school students that could see their future selves. She also shared words of inspiration.

“You’ll have hard days … it seems easy but it’s not,” Aguilar

hard practice days. Some people might think you’ll never get where you want to be, or you will never be like your heroes … But – you can always be better.”

Film highlights relevance of justice, hope, equality, Marley AKIRA MORRIS STAFF REPORTER

In the midst of today’s fastpaced society, it seems that we have lost touch with the wisdom of Bob Marley’s music.

By living in an era dominated by 24-hour news cycles and social media, it’s easy to lose sight of the important messages conveyed by Marley. His lyrics, which are filled with ideas of justice, equality, and hope, provide direction in a world that is frequently clouded by conflict and division.

I can’t help but believe that, amid the chaos of modern society, Marley’s message of love, peace, and unity is being overlooked and forgotten.

The recent release of Paramount Pictures’ film “Bob Marley: One Love” served as a reminder of the forever importance of Marley’s message. The film was set in the 1970s when Marley began receiving fame. During this time his home country Jamaica was experiencing extreme political disputes as the political powers switched between the dominant parties. While Marley lived through this political dispute he saw it as a way to bring the people of Jamaica together through which expressed the idea of loving his music. life and being happy and content He created songs such as “Don’t with it.

Worry, Be Happy” and “One Love” On April 22, 1978, Bob Marley

Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash.

performed his famous “One Love” concert at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. During the concert, Marley united the

nation by bringing together Prime Minister Michael Manley and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and encouraged them to shake

hands, promoting peace and unity among the Jamaican people.

Since Marley toured several countries to perform his music, he successfully united the people from Jamaica and throughout the world.

As I listen to Marley’s music I am struck by his lasting relevance to the problems we face today.

His music provides a sense of comfort and inspiration, regardless of the personal challenges we face on a daily basis or the political conflicts that consume our nations worldwide.

I can’t help but wonder what Marley would think about the current state of the world. Would he be disappointed by the slow pace of progress toward peace and equality? Or would he inspire us with his words, calling on us to rise above and use love as a catalyst for a brighter future?

No matter what the answer may be, it is undeniable that Bob Marley’s message has grown increasingly significant in today’s society.

I believe that we should revisit Bob Marley’s music and its timeless messages. Embrace his call for love, harmony, and solidarity. Together, we can strive to realize his dream of a brighter future. After all, as Marley once said, “One love, one heart, let’s get together and feel alright.”