Clarion 02/17/10

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clarion Citrus College

February 17, 2010

theclariononline.com

Basketball DeAndre Haskins is a key player in the Owls’ quest to win big.

Volume LXIII, Issue 9

OWLS FIGHT ON Men’s basketball aims for victory pgs. 10/11

CITRUS CELEBRATES TRIUMPHANT RENEWAL PG 3 STUDENT CROWNED MISS AZUSA PG 4 HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS PG 8 PROFESSOR BUILDS SCHOOL PG 9 CALLING IT LIKE IT IS PG 12 OUR PLEDGE TO YOU PG 19 BLACK HISTORY MONTH PG 20 cmyk

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clarionbloggers “CALLING IT LIKE IT IS” drcall.wordpress.com Dustin Call

Tackling overlooked and unexplored issues on campus; everything from environmental issues to student hardships. I just call it like it is.

“TRIMMING THE FAT” aronceros.wordpress.com

Alonso Ramirez

My blog will offer readers a translucent, direct, and comprehensible analysis on current political events without the usual complex political sugar-coating terms.

“SITTING COURT SIDE” cemitchell.wordpress.com

Courtney Mitchell

Ever encounter people that make you laugh, or cry, or even question your own morals and beliefs? My blog is about those people and my perspective.

“LIVING IT UP” selopez.wordpress.com Sandra Lopez

There is more to life than just work and school. My blog will introduce you to my adventures, which range from skydiving to rock climbing and everything in between.

“CONFESSIONS OF AN AIR GUITARIST” ajvasquez.wordpress.com

Andrew Vasquez

For all rock and metal enthusiasts, here is a blog where you will find reviews on the latest cds, bands, and concert tours going on right now.

“PAGING DR. LOVE” ericairigoyen.wordpress.com

Erica Irigoyen

Dating is something that the majority of us find to be really complicated, but I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. Here are my do’s and don’ts to keep you from wondering what you did wrong.

NEWS BRIEFS

February 17, 2010

ANNOUNCEMENTS FORMER FACULTY MEMBER DIES

LOCAL PROTESTS AT CAL POLY POMONA Students and staff are worried about Cal Poly Pomona’s initiative to cut 20 to 30 programs in order to save money.

Among those programs in jeopardy are physics, philosophy and journalism.

On Feb. 10 during an Academic Senate meeting, students and staff silently protested the initiative.

California Faculty Association representative Jackie Teepen dressed in a chicken costume with a sign around her neck that read, “This is a chicken-brained idea.”

School officials said the university has been forced to find ways to save money.

The university this year has seen $21 million in cuts, while the state university system has seen $564 million in cuts.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

STATE BILL HOPES TO END FURLOUGHS IN CALIFORNIA Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, (D-Sacramento) is sponsoring a bill that might possibly end three-day-a-month furloughs for thousands of state employees.

The bill targets employees who work for agencies that collect taxes or receive their revenue from sources other than the general fund. The Department of Motor Vehicles is one of those agencies.

The bill would exempt the Franchise Tax Board, the Board of Equalization and other agencies that receive at least 95 percent of their budgets from federal money or fees that are not tied to the general fund.

The bill would put 80,000 state employees back to work full-time and is projected to save California $3 billion over an 18-month period.

Source: Los Angeles Times

NATIONAL PROFESSOR ARRESTED AFTER FATAL CAMPUS SHOOTING On Feb. 12 during a meeting in which about a dozen members of the biology department at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, attended, a fellow professor opened fire and killed three and wounded three others.

Amy Bishop, 45, a neurobiologist and assistant professor at the university, was arrested and charged with capital murder.

The day after the incident, Massachusetts’ police chief disclosed that Bishop fatally shot her brother in December 1986.

A motive for the incident is still currently unknown.

Among the victims fatally shot were the department chairman, Gopi Podila, and professors Maria Davis and Adriel Johnson. Three others were wounded and hospitalized and two are still in critical condition.

The other has been released.

Source: Los Angeles Times

On January 26, 2010, former Citrus College faculty member Robert Billups died in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Billups began his career in 1967 as an instructor in Citrus College’s math department. In June 2000, he retired as a full-time faculty member and became an adjunct faculty member until May 2004. A memorial service will be held in Temecula April. The date is yet to be determined.

SPRING 2010 TRANSFER FAIR The Career/Transfer Center will be holding annual spring transfer fair on Thursday, March 25, from 10 a.m through 1 p.m in the Campus Center Mall. The fair will host approximately 40 four-year institutions (CSU, UC, private schools). The purpose of the fair is to expose students to various transfer institutions. Students will have the opportunity to meet with university representatives to discuss transfer options and requirements and to better understand the transfer process.

CALIFORNIA SENATE TO HOST WEBCAST On Feb. 23, California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) will be webcasting a live discussion with student leaders from UC, CSU, and California Community Colleges. The webcast will include a pre-taped “day-in-the-life” segment about the impact of fee increases to students’ lives, a discussion between Steinberg and students, as well as answers from panelists to questions submitted from statewide participants via-email.

To submit questions for the discussion or personal stories detailing how fee increases impact your life, visit http://democrats.sen.ca.gov/highered

INTERNATIONAL A FIRST FOR CANADA On Feb. 14 Montreal native Alex Bilodeau won the men’s moguls gold medal, Canada’s first when hosting the Olympics.

Bilodeau watched nervously as Guilbaut Colas of France, the last skier of the competition, began his run.

Fortunately for Bilodeau, Colas faltered toward the end of his run, placing him in sixth place.

Byron Wilson of the United States took the bronze medal.

Source: Los Angeles Times

“DEALS GONE WILD” klacuesta.wordpress.com

Kristin Lacuesta

As a college student, money is always an issue. But not to fret, my blog lists how you can still have a fun night on the town, while not breaking the bank.

Let’s be friends www.facebook.com/ccclarion

February 17, 2010

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Community celebrates accreditation renewal Dustin Call CLARION ONLINE EDITOR After months of waiting, Citrus College received official word on Feb. 3 that the school’s accreditation has been reaffirmed for a six-year term by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The good news came after two years of preparatory work by administrators, faculty, staff and students before an evaluation team made a campus visit in October 2009.

A statement written the same day by superintendant/president of Citrus College Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., read “Proud! Ecstatic! Thrilled! Elated! These are just some of the adjectives to describe my reaction when reading ‘that’ letter today from the Accrediting Commission.”

Accreditation is critical for a college’s credibility and is the “stamp of quality assurance,” as described by Jeanne Hamilton, vice president of student services and accreditation liaison officer.

The reaffirmation was awarded in the wake of local colleges, such as East Los Angeles and Pasadena City, being placed on a warning list last summer by the same commission, according to its website.

Other Southern California colleges such as Los Angeles City, L.A. Trade Tech, and Southwestern, have even been placed on probation.

“One of the reasons I think we were

COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE

Jeanne Hamilton (left), vice president of student services, and Roberta Eisel (right), English professor, together lead the self-study process at Citrus College in preparation for the evaluation of the visiting accreditation team.

able to pull this off is that everybody is really trying their best to address the standards in a very responsible manner,” Hamilton said.

Roberta Eisel, English professor and faculty co-chair, cites campus unity as the key factor in achieving reaffirmation of accreditation.

“The best thing about the process here at Citrus—regardless of the outcome really is how it just brought this college together

in a way I’ve never quite seen before,” she said.

Accreditation is especially important for students. Without it, a college would not be able to issue any federal or state financial aid.

This would greatly affect community college students, many of whom cannot afford to attend without financial assistance.

In addition, most four-year colleges and universities will not accept units earned at

non-accredited institutions, making transferring extremely difficult, if not impossible.

“It should make student feel really good that the college is paying attention to professionally agreed upon standards of quality,” Hamilton said.

College officials now plan to focus their attention on six recommendations given to them by the accrediting commission.

Progress on three of them must be reported by October 2011.

The three top recommendations include better integration of data into planning, reviewing student services, and continuing to improve the effectiveness of the college’s planning documents.

Both Hamilton and Eisel said much of what is contained in the recommendations had already been recognized by Citrus officials and will be easy to address.

Eisel believes Citrus College would still be an institution of excellence regardless of the outcome of the accreditation report.

But she is very happy that both the visiting team and the commission recognized the college’s excellence.

“It really let us know that we’re on the right track, that we know who we are, and we know who we serve,” Eisel said. “We know our community, we know our students, and we know ourselves.”

Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

State budget crisis results in fewer classes Ericka Sebastian CLARION CORRESPONDENT With California more than $20 billion in the hole for the 2010 year, the state legislature is debating what to cut next. The reduction of the number of classes being offered at Citrus College is a good example. The state budget crisis is unlikely to get better anytime soon.

Fortunately, students can feel reasonably sure that there will not be any further cuts throughout the spring semester.

“Our intention is to maintain the current schedule since registration for spring is almost completely full,” said Irene Malmgren, vice president of academic affairs.

During the spring 2009 semester, 1,086 classes were offered at Citrus. However, students are contending with a reduction of 169 classes for spring 2010, resulting in a total of 917 available classes.

Enrollment management has become a top priority at Citrus.

There were 3,468 students for spring 2009, but enrollment for spring 2010 has jumped to 5,116.

“We have more students than we can accommodate, than we are funded for by the state, so we have to change our model,” said Sam Lee, dean of language arts and enrollment management.

In the past, classes used to be scheduled based on student demand. For example, if there was a demand for 30 sections of English 101, then there would be 30 sections scheduled for that term.

“Now we can’t do that,” Lee said.

Instead, higher priority is placed on classes that will meet the needs of the most students who are trying to transfer or complete their degrees.

“We know that we’re not satisfying the needs of all the students—not even close,” Lee said.

In past years, the state has funded Citrus based on the number of full-time equivalent students (FTES) from the year before, plus an

additional amount for growth, which was around 2 percent, Lee said. But that number changed to reduce classes and stay within the budget.

Last spring, the state provided funding for 5,200 FTES, then reduced that amount to 4,400.

The budget is unlikely to improve until the 2013-2014 school year.

“Right now we’re trying to stay flat and not have to go down anymore,” Malmgren said.

Fewer classes mean that some students are unable complete their requirements in a timely manner.

“These cuts have set my transfer plan back a whole year because I could not get all of the classes I needed,” said advertising major Christian Ramirez, 21. “I’ve even had to take classes at another school to make up for the classes I could not get at Citrus.”

The students are not the only ones being affected by the reductions. The faculty is also dealing with the strains.

“Now more than ever, the faculty is really feeling the pressure of students trying to add their classes,” Malmgren said.

In order to comply with budget constraints, full-time faculty are assigned classes first, parttime faculty second. Whatever is left over is offered to adjunct teachers. Most of the sections that were cut were taught by part-time faculty.

The number of part-time faculty has already decreased by a lot, and will decrease a little bit more by next year, Lee said.

Managers are very aware of how important a class is when they schedule it and who will be assigned to teach it.

“We are now more deliberate about what courses we offer and how many sections we offer because we know every section will be filled to capacity, or even over capacity,” Lee said.

In an effort to maximize access for students, administration attempted to space out classes by the hours and days so students can have more opportunities to take classes.

“In addition, we are trying to re-allocate the

COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE

same number of classes throughout the whole year, instead of one term being larger than the other,” Malmgren said.

As for summer 2010, there are no talks of eliminating the term. However, summer 2010 offerings will be reduced from summer 2009 in order to try and keep the fall and spring terms as even as possible.

Lee used the analogy of an individual who falls behind on credit card payments in comparison to the budget deficits Citrus has had to face.

“Let’s say you spend $500 on your credit card before you get paid, with hopes of paying it back when you get your check. Then you find out your employer is reducing your pay or cutting your hours. That is like what we are going through,” Lee said. “So we have to make cuts in all places.”

Although the state budget cuts might seem nothing but bad news, the administration sees some advantages to the current situation.

“It’s made everyone just much more serious about what they’re doing,” Lee said. “In some ways, it’s healthy.”

Malmgren notices a trend that students are enrolling earlier, staying in classes longer, and not dropping out as much.

“Students are seeing classes more as a valuable asset now,” she said.

Students need to get started on their student education plans and know when they are ready to transfer or getting close to a certificate, she said.

Malmgren has an important piece of advice for students to succeed: “Take the courses that you need and hit your goal.”

Ericka Sebastian can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

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February 17, 2010

Governor’s proposed budget could spare colleges Andrew Vasquez CLARION PHOTO EDITOR The community colleges, Cal State and the UC systems will see a shift in state funding in the 2010-2011 fiscal year if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget is passed by the California State Legislature the K-12.

The budget proposal was released on January 8. According to the governor, the amount California will spend on statefunded services like public education will total at $82.9 billion dollars, a $3.2 billion decrease from last fiscal year’s revised budget.

Despite this, K-12 education would receive almost $37 million, which is about 31 percent of the proposed budget, and higher education would receive $13 million, which is about 10.6 percent of the proposed budget, if the proposed budget is passed by the Legislature.

California Community College System Chancellor Jack Scott reacted to the proposed budget in a January 8 press release. He said that the governor’s proposed budget is a welcome change to the usually deep cuts to education in the state budget.

“Given the state’s dire fiscal circumstance, the proposal for the California Community Colleges is as favorable as we could

have hoped,” Scott said in the release.

The governor’s proposed budget underscores the reality that money invested in public education is money saved on incarceration of California’s youth, Scott said. California budgets in years past have prioritized education over prison as a preventative measure.

Carol Horton, vice president of finance and administrative services at Citrus College, said the proposed budget is nothing to panic about—or to celebrate.

“It looks like it is revenue neutral to me,” she said. “If these numbers are the ones that we end up with once the state budget is passed, we would have minimal gains in allocated state funds that would in turn offset the many decreases in revenue we had from last year.”

In the 2009-10 fiscal year, the community college system was hit with substantial cuts. Citrus received around $46.4 million from the general apportionment (the amount of state revenue allocated for community colleges), $3.4 million from local tax revenue, and $4.3 million from student enrollment fees.

Some of the budget highlights in the governor’s proposal for the California Community College System include: 2.2 percent enrollment growth ($126 million). This proposed augmentation would fund approximately 26,000 full-time equivalent students and help the colleges respond to the tremendous enrollment demand they are currently experiencing.

2010-11 Property Tax Adjustment. The governor’s budget assumes local property taxes allocated to the community colleges in 2010-11 will decline by $33.7 million from their 2009-10 levels. The governor also identifies another $5.6 billion in projected declines in other local revenues (student fees; oil and mineral revenues). The budget proposal makes a corresponding increase of $39.3 million in general fund resources to protect colleges from these declines.

Categorical Funding. The governor proposes reducing funding for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Part-Time Faculty Compensation by $10 million each and using these funds to augment SB 70 Career Technical Education funding by $20 million.

Increased Categorical Flexibility. The 2009-10 state budget provided community college districts

with flexibility to shift funds among various categorical programs, as well as relief from programmatic requirements. The governor proposes adding EOPS, Fund for Student Success, and Basic Skills to the list of programs subject to the flexibility provisions.

Citrus College Student Trustee Karine Ponce said she is concerned the governor’s proposal to put EOPS on the list of programs to be cut further would make it increasingly difficult for students to attend school.

“The cuts to the categorical programs will further increase the financial hardship lower income students will endure if they decide to attend college,” she said. “Not only that, but within those categorical programs that could be cut is the funding for other programs like academic counseling which would affect all students, making it harder for them to transfer.”

Suspension of new competitive Cal Grant awards. The governor proposes that no new Competitive Cal Grant awards be made in 2010-11. This proposal would disproportionately impact community college students who are the primary recipients of this financial aid.

Ponce said that she highly doubts the complete elimination of Cal Grants, one of the Governor’s proposals will make it onto the final budget.

“The cutting of Cal Grants is extremely unpopular and almost no legislator in Sacramento, who hopes to get re-elected, would support it,” she said.

Horton said that no one knows what the final budget will be, so the administration is planning for the best and worst cases.

“It is way too early to tell if his proposals will end up in the final state budget, but if history repeats itself, what the governor proposes in January will not be the same in June,” she said.

“We are looking at conserving our resources and planning for every possible scenario,” Horton said. “There is no crystal ball anymore as to where the state of California will go financially, so it is easier to plan than it is to forecast.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Annex lots open for parking

Security office Citrus College

Kristin Lacuesta CLARION NEWS EDITOR Students enrolled for the spring 2010 semester will still be able to park for free in the college’s two annex lots located on Foothill Boulevard.

Free shuttle service to and from the annex parking lots to the main campus will also be available through March 15.

The shuttle is scheduled to run every half-hour from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The shuttle has three pick-up and drop-off locations: Annex Lot 1, Annex Lot 2 and in the parking lot west of the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

To park in the annex lots, a student will have to visit the Security Office, located inside the Handy Campus Center, and sign an agreement to obtain a permit.

Students with annex parking permits will be able to

park on the main campus on Fridays for free.

After March 15, students with annex parking permits can revisit the Security Office, where they will be issued a free permit to park in the main campus lots for the remainder of the spring 2010 semester.

To park in on-campus lots, students can purchase a semester-length parking permit for $30. This permit can be purchased when students register online for classes. Students can also purchase a daily parking permit for $5 and park in the student lots marked with “S” signage.

For more information regarding on-or-off-campus parking, as well as permits, visit the Security Office located inside the Handy Campus Center or call (626) 914-8611.

Kristin Lacuesta can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

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community

February 17, 2010

Student crowned Miss Azusa 2010 Andrew Vasquez CLARION PHOTO EDITOR Citrus student Christina Alcaraz was crowned Miss Azusa on Feb. 6 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

The Miss Azusa 62nd Scholarship Project is a preliminary to the Miss California and then Miss America competitions.

Seven women vied for the title of Miss Azusa 2010 Four of the contestants— Christina Alcaraz, Stephanie Esber, Lauren Smolka and Amy Williams are current students at Citrus College. Claudia Grajeda is a student at UCLA but received her associates degree from Citrus College All of the contestants for the Miss Azusa Pageant competed in lifestyle and fitness in swimwear, talent, evening wear and on stage question competitions.

Each contestant also advocated for a cause that she chose to promote should they be chosen as Miss Azusa. These causes ranged from prevention of animal abuse to educational opportunities for students from low income households.

The winner of the Miss Azusa Pageant receives a scholarship for $1,000, the first runner-up receives one for $600, and second runner-up gets a $400 scholarship.

Alcaraz, who was the first runner-up in the 2009 Miss Azusa Pageant, proved the winner of this year’s pageant.

“I don’t even remember, but I was shaking, and it felt like the longest moment of my life after I heard my name,” Alcaraz said. “I was just in tears and so happy that all my hard work paid off. I remember being super disappointed last year when I didn’t win, but it gave me extra drive because I really did want to become Miss Azusa 2010.”

Peggy Martinez, who has worked for the Miss Azusa Pageant committee for 15 years and has been its executive director for eight years, said that Alcaraz exemplifies what it means to be Miss Azusa.

“Miss Azusa has to be someone who is dedicated, humble, smart and physically fit.

Chrissy is all of those things,” Martinez said. “From the beginning to the end, I

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

A teary-eyed and shaking Christina Alcaraz stands at the podium in the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College as she is crowned Miss Azusa 2010 on Feb. 6.

have seen it all, good and bad, so more or less, I already knew who the judges were looking at, and Chrissy was in my top three.

It wasn’t surprising to me that she won.”

Christina Duke, the 2009 winner of the Miss Covina Pageant, said that she has seen Alcaraz work really hard and that she never gave up.

“She is very hardworking and made it her main focus to win this year,” Duke said.

“It is very rare that contestants in these pageants go in and are perfect their first try, and it takes a lot of hard work to improve and she did it.”

Martinez said that she is looking forward to mentoring Alcaraz during her time as Miss Azusa.

“We will be working together for the next year,” she said. “I will be her second mom, and I will help her represent what people want to see most in an American girl.”

“I am looking forward to helping her be our representative and a person whom young ladies can look up to. I hope she takes away from this experience a sense of humility and respect for her crown,” Martinez said.

Alcaraz’s goals for her year as Miss Azusa are to promote her platform of “educating economically disadvantaged youth” and to prepare herself for the Miss California competition.

“I chose this platform because I do come from an economically challenged background, and I found Citrus College less than a mile away and it has helped me become the person I am today,” Alcaraz said.

“There are so many resources here, and I just want to let people know that they can achieve their goals of a higher education,” she said.

Alcaraz, who plans to either transfer to

USC or Pepperdine University to major in broadcast journalism, said that those calling the Miss Azusa Pageant and others like it a beauty pageant are misinformed.

“Their misconceptions would be reshaped if they only knew that the Miss America Organization is the largest provider of scholarships for women in the world,” she said. “You have to be really committed to academic excellence, serving the community, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and becoming a positive role model.

Alcaraz cited the Miss America website, which she said states: ‘Some people call her a beauty queen. We call her a scholar.’

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

A personal word on popular El Monte educator Cody Crowley SPECIAL TO THE CLARION Augustin Roberto “Bobby” Salcedo, the popular El Monte educator who was gunned down in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico on Dec. 30, 2009, made a lasting impression on many people, including me.

I first met Salcedo in 2006 during my freshman year at Arroyo High School. A member of the El Monte School Board, he presented me with an award recognizing the completion of my Boy Scout Eagle project, which I conducted in the summer of 2005.

At Rio Hondo Elementary School, Salcedo welcomed my family to the school board meeting with a warm smile and praised me with inspiring words. He came across as a genuine and promising individual.

Over the years, I saw Salcedo at various high school events, the most recent of which was my brother’s graduation from eighth grade. He delivered an energizing speech to the students and their families. He even had something for me to think about.

I met Salcedo again in summer 2009 when I was one of several college students to receive scholarships from the El Monte Coali-

tion of Latino Professionals. He, along with several of my teachers, was an EMCLP board member.

The last time I saw Salcedo was at the annual El Monte Tamalada, a charitable event sponsored each Christmas by the EMCLP. I was invited to be a guest speaker. Again, I shook hands and spoke with Salcedo, who had just been elected to city council.

Two weeks later, at 4 a.m. on New Year’s day, my family and I were driving to see the Rose Parade. On the car radio, we heard a news report that shocked us all. The memory still makes me shiver: An El Monte school board official named Bobby Salcedo, along with five other men, was shot in Mexico.

Anger gripped my head. This was the first time death had really struck home with me.

The day the report aired, I broke down. I was outraged and scared at the same time.

I had heard the stories—stories about the corruption, stories about the drug cartels, and stories about the brutal murders that take place everyday across the border. Finally I realized how dangerous Mexico really is. No one is safe there, not even in popular resort towns.

What angered me most was how he was killed, execution style, and why he was killed, which was probably totally random. The most ironic part of the story is that Gomez Palacio is a sister city to El Monte.

Salcedo is dead. Nothing can change that fact. But now we must insist on international cooperation to bring the guilty to justice.

This senseless murder, and too many like it, resulted from a drug war. What is driving this war is the demand for drugs in the United States.

Let Salcedo’s death be a lesson to us all: the drug lords in Mexico, and everywhere else, are killing thousands of innocent civilians each year.

When a Citrus student or anyone else, buys drugs locally, who knows who has been murdered in the process of smuggling drugs into the United States.

Americans must stop supporting the drug trade before more priests, police officers, and innocent bystanders are killed.

Cody Crowley can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

BOSSIP.COM

Page 8

features

February 17, 2010

Student organizes Haiti benefit James Slater CORRESPONDENT Following the Jan. 12 Haitian earthquake, local students and musicians came together to donate their time and energy to raise money to help in the relief effort.

Citrus College student Leila Abdelghani, a 24-year-old business major, orchestrated a Haiti relief benefit show on Feb. 8 at The Press restaurant in Claremont.

Titled “Ensemble Pour Haiti,” the benefit concert featured entertainment which was provided by three local bands, Country Squires; an upbeat bluesy progressive rock group; Ojos Rojos; a melodic psychedelic rock band; and Bella Rouge, a catchy independent rock ensemble.

The mood at The Press was laid-back and festive, with dimmed white Christmas lights, a collaboration of art pieces, and colorful banners hanging from the ceiling.

Ways in which funds were raised included a

$10 donation at the door; $4 special house shots; $1 Hugs For Haiti (in which for just $1, customers could hug one of The Press staff members) and a raffle with prizes donated by local artists and businesses.

The show started at 8 p.m. and continued until 1 a.m., with Abdelghani announcing the winners of the Haiti benefit raffle throughout the night.

The raffle included prizes such as a bicycle, a bottle of wine, tickets to Disneyland, a ukulele, gift certificates to The Press and other Claremont restaurants and businesses.

A mixed media art piece worth nearly $3,000 by Alex Couwenberg was perhaps the most noteworthy item rewarded in the raffle.

The show attracted roughly 200 customers and raised approximately $2,000.

The proceeds will be sent directly to the Haiti relief effort through Habitat For Humanity and Red Cross International.

Fellow staff members and co-workers at The Press aided Abdelghani, who volunteered her free time for the concert. The Press owner Steve Rudicel donated food and drinks for the event, and The Press operations manager Robin Young collected donations from local artists.

Sarah Diaz, the general manager of The Press, helped

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

The Haiti benefit show at The Press restaurant in Claremont brought together three bands, including Ojos Rojos, who performed to help raise money for Habit for Humanity’s Haiti relief effort.

Abdelghani plan the event by booking the three bands, and by contacting associates to make Hugs For Haiti t-shirts.

It took the group of co-workers three and a half weeks to organize and plan this event.

Abdelghani noted that she was able to get other businesses to contribute by going doorto-door and by contacting them over the phone.

“There is a long way to go, but with a collective effort, some time, and a lot of money, everyone can help to improve the situation in Haiti,” said Ojos Rojos guitarist Billy Reed regarding his band’s involvement in the relief effort.

Abdelghani said she was inspired to coordinate this event after watching the news. She said she felt really helpless and just wished that she could contribute in any way possible.

“A lot of people want to help but might not

know how to, and by holding this event, it would bring the local community together,” she said. Abdelghani, who has planned other events such as annual internships at Coachella and a post-9/11 benefit years before, said she hopes to promote additional benefits in the future.

Abdelghani is a recent recipient of an associate’s degree in fine art from Citrus College and will soon earn an associates degree in business. She plans to transfer to Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo Business School this fall.

In the event that one wishes to contribute, Abdelghani may be contacted at leila4444@hotmail.com.

James Slater can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Basketball team joins in Haiti relief effort Caitlin Griffin CLARION A&E EDITOR The local Sport Chalet in Glendora collected 24,600 pairs of shoes, along with the men and women’s basketball teams and the Associated Students of Citrus College Executive Board for the charity organization Soles4Souls.

More than 1 million pairs of shoes were collected from all 50 Sport Chalet stores located in Arizona, Nevada, Utah and California.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and from the closets of people throughout the United States.

It then distributes the shoes free of charge to people in need.

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away more than 5.5 million pairs of new and used shoes to people in more then 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Organizers estimate that Soles4Souls distributes a pair of shoes every nine seconds.

After the Jan. 12 earthquakes in Haiti, Soles4Souls partnered with many well known retailers such as Finish Line, Timberland, A Runner’s Zone, and Sport Chalet as drop off locations for people to donate their shoes.

When the executive board of ASCC heard about this effort, they immediately responded. They set

up

COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

boxes for students, teachers and people in the local community to donate shoes through the 29. The basketball teams did their part by providing boxes at their two home games on Jan. 27 and Jan. 30.

“It was such a devastation,” said student trustee Karine Ponce. “I mean, they are already such a deprived country as it is, and to have this happen is such a tragedy.”

Andy Rodemich, general manager of Sport Chalet in Glendora, said the company expected to collect about 50,000 pairs of shoes from all 50 of its stores.

“We are very surprised at the turn out,” said Rodemich. “It was a good measure to see what the community can do in times of crisis,” he said.

The ASCC also collected

monetary donations for Doctors Without Borders.

“The earthquakes have not only brought our local community together, but the world,” said student trustee elect Alejandra Delgado.

“It has opened our eyes, and caused everyone to put aside their selfishness.”

To donate shoes to the Sole4Souls program, log on to the website at www.Souls4Soles.org.

To contribute to Doctors Without Borders, go to doctorswithoutborders.org.

Caitlin Griffin can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

February 17, 2010

features

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Professor builds school in homeland Tom Marshall CLARION CORRESPONDENT He was born during the time of the Great Depression, not in one of our urban areas, but in what was considered by some in that era to be the world’s darkest continent.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was implementing his New Deal, however, this boy knew nothing of American public policy. His parents were Nigerian-born Methodist missionaries, and his father taught school.

Life was simple, yet hard, for Fola Soremekun growing up. He had a thirst for knowledge, though education beyond the secondary level was virtually impossible in his West African homeland.

Fresh from the pomp and circumstance of its independence from Great Britain, Nigeria had neither a place nor a plan for a bright young man with dreams.

As a boy, Soremekun had found a pen pal and corresponded regularly with a family in Alaska who encouraged him to seek every avenue to avoid being caught in a dead-end life situation in his homeland.

His Alaskan friends sent him small stipends, which he used to help pay for his daily needs. At the age of 17, he completed his high school education. After exhausting all possibilities to attend college anywhere in Africa, and with the help of his North American benefactors, he found ship’s passage to the United States.

Arriving in Norfolk, Va, he embarked on the second leg of his journey and traveled by train to Kansas City. All preliminary arrangements had been made for him by his Alaskan friends.

He was met at the train by a representative of Tabor College, which would be his home for two years.

Back in Nigeria, post-secondary education was reserved for the sons of the wealthy, and Soremekun was anything but. His parents were anxious and concerned for his safety, both physical and spiritual.

Not yet a man, he was traveling halfway around the world merely on hope.

Fortune and the good Lord smiled on the teenager, who arrived in the Mid-

The Soremekun’s Highlands International School is located on the Mambilla Plateau in Gembu, Nigeria. There are currently 68 students enrolled from preschool to grade 3.

west with little more than the clothes he was wearing, though his Alaskan friends did what they could to assist him during this initial and trying period.

Soremekun was admitted to Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, a two-year institution where he earned an A.A. before transferring to Illinois Wesleyan University, where he completed his undergraduate studies and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in history.

Though this accomplishment might have appeared to be the outcome of a charmed life for the young Nigerian, it was anything but. He sustained himself by working at menial jobs on and off-campus—washing dishes, gardening, anything that became available. Life was not a “stroll in the park.”

Next, Soremekun was admitted to graduate school at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., just outside Chicago, with a fellowship grant from the university. He advanced through a master’s program and began his doctoral studies, culminating in his graduation in 1967, having earned a Ph.D. in history and African studies.

Life continued to go well for the young scholar. He found a job teaching at Western Michigan University, where he met and married his wife, Elizabeth, then a student at the school.

The two remained there for less than two years, before he was recruited by a new liberal arts college at the University of Gambia.

Soremekun experienced the joy of being a part of institution for seven years, while Elizabeth taught at the International School. She had not neglected her education; rather, she, too, had persevered until she earned her Doctor of Education degree from Indiana University Bloomington. It was a happy time for the couple, who had started their family and in time would have three daughters.

Though life was good for the family and especially Soremekun, he began to feel the need to be challenged in his work. During his years abroad, Nigeria had begun to grow in its independence from England and the world in general had changed. World War II had made the planet a smaller, but less cordial place in many ways. Fortunately, Nigeria was rich in natural resources and had at its border a major seaport, although the country took a long while to properly exploit these riches, especially its oil deposits.

Modern air transportation had made long journeys shorter and less arduous, and college level teach

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROFESSOR FOLA SOREMEKUN

ers’ salaries had finally pushed upward into the 20th century.

In 1980, during a holiday visit to Nigeria, the Soremekuns read an article in a Nigerian newspaper describing an area in the eastern part of the country, which sounded like a public relations writer’s dream—a place of beauty high above the surrounding countryside, at an altitude of 5,000 ft., and with an absolutely perfect climate.

It appeared too good to be real, and the Soremekuns, immediately captivated, made the 13-hour trip by car. The writer’s description of the place had not done it justice, they said. They were struck by the incomparable beauty, but there were drawbacks: the plot they had fallen in love with, a parcel of 150 acres, was not accessible by road, and, of course, they did not have the money to buy it.

They remained in Nigeria, and then returned to the United States in 1985. All through the years, the family had traveled as a unit: father, mother, and three daughters.

“While it was more difficult, it was the only way to insure that our daughters would grow up in a loving family and with the proper moral guidance,” Soremekun said.

The family finally settled in Sothern California, where they had a few friends, but his luck had turned bad. Trained at some of America’s best universities and colleges, and with a broad knowledge of history—of the United States, Europe and Africa—and the ability to teach any or all of these subjects with equal ease, the professor could not find even one teaching job.

He was forced to accept work as a janitor in a church, which he did, since it provided the family with living quarters in addition to a small salary. Overtime, Elizabeth was able to obtain occasional work organizing women’s conferences and meetings, for which she would be given an honorarium for her services. Somehow the family prevailed in the face of these obstacles, and eventually Soremekun began receiving small teaching assignments, including one at Antioch University in Los Angeles.

In 2000, the Soremekuns were invited to a local gathering honoring a former Nigerian head of state. Soremekun took the opportunity to tell the dignitary of his dream project in Nigeria and of the idea that had been germinating in his mind for the last 20 years: to build a school for Nigerian children in a part of the country that was sorely in need of additional quality education facilities.

The visitor encouraged Soremekun to take the next step, which was to visit the area and approach the Governing Council of the State of Taraba, in which the land, in the township of Gembu, is located. The dignitary was thoroughly familiar with the specific area and informed the Soremekuns that since their last visit there, a suitable road had been constructed, erasing the major obstacle to acquiring access.

The Soremekuns made the trip, presented their idea, which appealed to the chairman of the council, and even coached the Americans

before they made their formal presentation and business plan. They were successful in their presentation, and the council, which controlled the state- owned land, entered into a 99-year lease for a nominal annual payment, finally advancing their hopes from dream to reality.

It was another step, albeit an important one, in the long journey. Since then they have built the first stage of the model school, Highlands International School, located on the beautiful Mambilla Plateau, in Gembu, Nigeria.

A wise man said, “Be careful what you wish for.” Such was the case with the Soremekuns.

Returning to California, he was offered and accepted a teaching position as a member of the faculty here at Citrus College in Glendora, where he remains to this day.

However, his attempts to attract contributors for his Nigerian dream project were met with little initial success, and however daunting the prospects seemed, work continued, mostly with the modest savings the Soremekuns had accumulated over the years, together with gifts from friends and colleagues. Despite all odds, the first building was sufficiently completed to open for students in March 2009, first on a trial basis on weekends, and finally in September for full-time students. Teachers had been recruited from several African countries, giving Highlands International School an international breadth of teaching knowledge.

Michael A. Hurtado, Ed.D., dean of social and behavioral sciences at Citrus who has worked with Soremekun for 18 years spoke only in superlatives.

“As a person, he is very altruistic and spends much of his time, energy and money helping others. He teaches more than the three Rs. He teaches African students life skills, hygiene, doing a lot with very little. He has opened the door for poor African children to have food, shelter, and even water,” Hurtado said.

The school operates today with 68 students, from pre-school to grade three. The children are taught in a new building which has 15 rooms, eight of which are usable now. Operational costs are paid by a small, devoted group headed by Elizabeth and Soremekun. The Soremekuns contribute part of their incomes to help carry on their dream.

Little by little, the circle of supporters grows.

Someday, perhaps corporate and charitable organizations will join the effort after seeing Highlands International become a reality.

Gerhard Peters, a political science professor at Citrus, recently invited professor Soremekun to speak to one of his classes, expecting him to lecture for half an hour or less. The class sat spellbound for well over an hour.

“This is certainly more than I had hoped for,” Peters remarked. “I consider Fola a friend and I have great admiration for this learned man.

I only wish there was more his friends at Citrus could do to support his most worthwhile African project.”

Tom Marshall can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

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features

Page 10

February 17, 2010

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Owls guard Derrick Rodgers rushes down the court with an opponent from Bakersfield College trying to prevent him from scoring another point for Citrus College during their game against Bakersfield College on Feb. 3.

OWLS FIGHT ON

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Owls forward Cameron Nettles takes a breath and a pause, summoning up all of his concentration as he attempts to make a freethrow shot, scoring another point for the Owls during their game a Bakersfield College on Feb. 3.

“Nineteen as one” is the CLARION MANAGING EDITOR motto the men’s basketball team has been abiding to since their season started back in November.

Last Wednesday, the Owls clenched their third straight Western State Conference South Championship title.

With a current overall record of 24 wins and two losses, they hope to see another state championship in their near future.

All of the sweat left on the court has paid off in and outside of the gym, since the members of

Courtney Mitchell

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Owls guard Donell Phifer ascends toward the basket, with his opponents from Bakersfield College looking on in awe as he tries to score another point for Citrus College.

cmyk

this team have created an unbreakable bond that will last forever.

They would like to think of themselves as more than just a team, but a family of brothers.

Confronting each other after mistakes made during practices or games—like siblings do—is just another characteristic that proves the family atmosphere they have become accustomed to.

Their next game is Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Citrus College gym.

Courtney Mitchell can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

cmyk

February 17, 2010

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Page 11

“We don’t have a family, we have a team... coaches have us well prepared.”

– Cameron Nettles, sophomore forward Owls head coach Rick Croy celebrate’s his team’s victory against Bakersfield College on Feb. 3 just minutes after the buzzer sounded the end of the game.

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

The team gathers tightly around Citrus College men’s basketball head coach Rick Croy, listening intently to his advice on how to further themselves toward victory against Bakersfield College on Feb. 3.

Owls forward Randy Hunter puts all of his concentration toward scoring a freethrow for the Owls during their game against Bakersfield College.

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

cmyk

CALLING IT LIKE IT IS Ask a Blonde

Page 12

features

February 17, 2010

Wait, I’m a therapist now, too? as a 21-year-old living under my mother's "leaky roof"?

Courtney Mitchell Or maybe about CLARION MANAGING EDITOR all of the strange people and situations I encounter in my life as a therapist-slashbarista?

When I decided to write another colBut then a few weeks ago when I was umn this semester, I thought to myself, at work, a regular customer asked me, "What the heck am I going to write "Can I get your advice on something?" about?" Whatever it is, it has to be epic.

I stopped and looked him over. He is My fall 2009 column, "Focus on a 20-something community college stuFreshmen," was relatively easy for me: I dent, sitting at the bar, studying his math gave freshmen the advice I wish I had homework. Seemed harmless enough. been given when I first started college.

"Sure, Double D,” I said. “What's up?"

For weeks, I have been debating A little fun fact for readers: We barisabout the new content for my column. tas call this customer "Double D" beShould I write about my crummy life

cause no one actually knows if his name is Daniel or David. He goes by both.

He starts off by saying, "You are a girl, and I'm sure you have been in this situation before."

I'm sure I haven't, but continue, I think to myself.

"My friend is in this relationship with this guy who will only talk to her on the phone. He won't ever take her out. Isn't that ridiculous?" he said.

Well, what is ridiculous is that you are asking me, of all people. I don’t even know your last name, I think silently.

And, no, I have never been in a situation like that.

So, I told Double D to tell his friend that being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t even want to go out is pretty

much a waste of time.

In retrospect, I think he just needed to hear his thoughts confirmed because Double D completely agreed with everything I had to say.

Why he decided to ask me for my opinion I don't know, but his query sparked a thought as I got back to making his venti green iced tea: I enjoy dispensing advice.

I'm not sure if I really am a good advice giver or if I just look like one.

Either way, it's fun.

Write me at ask_a_blonde@live.com.

Courtney Mitchell can be reached at ask_a_blonde@live.com

A green Citrus still has some ripening to do bulbs is brought to this facility.

The problem is Dustin Call that not enough CRV material from camCLARION ONLINE EDITOR pus ends up here, but what does is mostly collected from campus offices.

As stated elsewhere in this issue of “At every desk, in every office, in the Clarion, Citrus College is an insti- every classroom there are recycling tution we all can be proud of. The bins,” said Carol Horton, vice presischool has amazing facilities, is techno- dent of finance and administrative logically up-to-date, and the commu- services, when I spoke to her about renity is environmentally oriented. And it cycling efforts on campus. Unfortuhas been this way for quite some time. nately, this is inaccurate.

However, no institution is perfect.

Many classrooms and offices do There has to be a glitch somewhere. have dedicated bags for recycled paper, One that I have noticed is the lack but relatively few have designated cans of a systematic method for students to or bins for CRV material. recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, The CRV containers that do exist in and other California Redemption Value offices are being serviced by a partmaterials. time employee who works for Eichler.

Jeff Eichler, our environmentally- Unfortunately, Eichler said he is runminded health and safety coordinator, ning out of funds to pay her to conhas been involved in some efforts to tinue doing this. provide a system in the past, even ones Even if the faculty, staff, and adminthat have involved students. Unfortu- istrators are recycling what they use, no nately none of them took root enough comprehensive system is provided for to remain. students to recycle the bottles and cans One of Eichler’s main jobs is to that they use while out on campus. service the Waste Management and ReThere are a handful of random cans cycling Center located next to the cam- where students can place bottles and pus warehouse on the south side of the cans to be recycled, but they are too sports complex. few and far between. For the most part, This facility deals with all sorts of they are not located next to a trash can, materials to be recycled and kept out so bottles and cans end up there. of landfills. Everything from paper to According to both Eichler and Kim batteries and from e-waste to light- Holland of Workforce Development

who oversees greening efforts on campus, the biggest issue in the non-existence of a recycling system for students is the lack of manpower to service bins that could be placed around campus, and not having money to pay those that could service them.

However, this doesn’t mean that CRV, which is being thrown into trash cans, ends up in landfills.

For students who spend a considerable amount of time on the east end of campus, it is not easy to miss the various individuals who regularly come onto campus to dig through our trash bins for bottles and cans.

However, not only is the presence of such individuals unsuitable for a college campus as well as potentially un-safe, the money that they are earning for recycling the CRV is a significant amount that could be used by Citrus students.

According to Eichler, one particular individual who recently salvaged recyclable material on campus collected a total of 25,000 lbs in one year and received $8,500 for turning them in to a facility. Eichler knows this because the individual provided him with the receipts.

Eichler also said that the custodians collect an additional 40,000 lbs of CRV annually.

Horton said the revenue generated from recycling is only enough to cover the efforts put forth to accomplish it.

But both Holland and student activities supervisor Adrienne Thompson

said if a student group or club were to take on the efforts of facilitating potential recycling bins or trash cans with CRV in them, they would be able to retain the money.

Thompson also said the potential revenue could be donated to ASCC for student activities and would be more than just a drop in the bucket.

Depending on outside sources and homeless people to remove recyclable materials from our trash is not a responsible or accountable way to run a school or be a steward of the environment that we live in.

By refusing to recycle and collect revenue from the efforts, students are missing out on valuable funds that could benefit them.

I commend those on this campus who are environmentally minded and are willing to put forth the effort to make something happen.

I urge all students to stop throwing bottles and cans in the trash and get involved in an effort that could protect the environment and make some money.

To find out what you can do to get involved, contact Kim Holland in the portable building between the Handy Campus Center and the Physical Science Building.

Dustin Call can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

A&E Sandwich City hits the spot

February 17, 2010

Page 14

ON THE TOWN Ericka Sebastian CLARION CORRESPONDENT The grand opening of a new local pasta restaurant was anything but a smooth experience.

The Pasta Bar, located in the College Center on Foothill Boulevard and Barranca Avenue, opened over Valentine’s Day weekend to boast their new familystyle Italian “fast food.” Warning: Don’t believe the “fast” part.

The menu sounded appealing and ideal for college students: freshly made pasta, paninis, and sandwiches for around $5, and $1 for drinks.

We arrived during the second hour of their opening day and it seemed like they still needed to figure out how to get in the swing of things.

They attempted DIY-style by allowing customers to create their own pasta bowls and paninis. Pick your pasta, pick your sauce, then pick your toppings.

Simple concept, right? Wrong.

On my list, I checked off penne pasta, pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and grilled chicken. It sounded really good and I could not wait for my food.

Twenty minutes later, I began to speculate what was taking so long. Were they making everything from scratch? I looked around the chicly decorated restaurant and noticed there were more people waiting for their food than actually eating.

Almost 30 minutes went by and they finally called my name. I was disappointed to find there was only one dish on the tray. My boyfriend and I then had to wait for his food.

However, if we had only known it was going to take another 15 minutes for his food to arrive, we would have left sooner and just gone to Subway.

At that time, we were filled with disappointment—and we hadn’t even had our first bite!

My pasta was dry and had hardly any sauce. I was even reluctant to ask for more sauce because I did not want to wait any longer. The best part was probably the grilled chicken, which they had used very sparingly in my dish. My boyfriend was not all too pleased either after waiting 45 minutes for a mediocre bowl of pasta.

The workers tried to improve the situation by giving us two cards for free cookies on our next visit, but, unfortunately, we did not want cookies. We came for pasta and The Pasta Bar could not deliver to the hype they set up while promoting on Facebook and Twitter.

All in all, it was a disappointing experience. I would not recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a quick bite. If you can wait a month or so until they have their whole system figured out, then perhaps your experience won’t be as bad as mine.

Ericka Sebastian can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Jose Alonso Ramirez & Courtney Mitchell STAFF WRITERS When it comes to showing community pride, Sandwich City in Covina takes the gold medal.

This mom-and-pop Subway-like restaurant offers specialty sandwiches named after the city’s popular streets.

Located on Citrus Avenue just north of Badillo Street, Sandwich City offers a variety of cold and hot sandwiches, as well as soups, salads, and desserts.

The menu includes sandwiches with titles such as Azusa Avenue, a combination of hot roast beef, melted Monterey cheese, green Anaheim chili and other sauces all stacked on a toasted french roll.

As you walk inside, you’ll notice antiques hung all over the walls, making you feel as if you are paying a visit to your grandmother's house.

The interior of Sandwich City makes you feel at home, as does the service by the staff.

However, if you are looking for a conversation, the loud levels of pop music might prevent that from happening.

Sunday afternoon is a good time for those looking to enjoy a calm meal, since it is less crowded.

Celebrating "10 years of wholesome nourishment," Sandwich City offers a healthy variety of lettuce, tomato, and pickles, among other vegetables, inside a variety of breads, like sourdough, french rolls or squaw bread. Turkey, ham, chicken and roast beef make up a big part of their choices as well.

Although the fare is better than your everyday dollar menu, Sandwich City may not be for those who are on a budget. An average cost of a sandwich runs approximately $7.95 plus tax, not including chips or drinks. After buying a small refillable beverage, the check often averages $10.

However, there is an incentive for often eating there. After filling out the Sandwich City 10-meal stamp card, the customer is rewarded an 11th sandwich for free.

The "Kids and Lite Eaters" menu is an option for smaller portions at lower prices.

Some of these options include mini salads, half sandwiches and cups of soup.

If you are reluctant to try their cre-

McClatchy-Tribune Media Services ations and mixtures of different cheeses, onions and breads, you can also enjoy traditional sandwiches such as roast beef, turkey breast or egg salad.

Their hours of operation are from 10 to 4 daily, making it difficult for those who would like to enjoy a sandwich for dinner.

Overall, Sandwich City takes first place for local pride, cleanliness, and flavor.

Sandwich City is located at 117 N. Citrus Ave., Covina.

Staff Writers can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Skirball Cultural Center celebrates black history Ashley Atienza SPECIAL TO THE CLARION The celebration of African-American heritage month has taken a new twist.

Museums usually adapt the standard approach of hanging pieces of art on walls and placing explanatory captions nearby.

But now at the Skirball Cultural Center in West Los Angeles, visitors can celebrate Black History Month by viewing and participating in photography exhibits. The first is entitled “Breach of Peace: Photographs of Freedom Riders,” the second “Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement 19561968.” These exhibits document the struggle of African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.

“Road to Freedom” features more than 170 images, along with related historical objects that helped change the nation.

Bob Fletcher, a photographer for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, contributed a black and white photograph entitled “SNCC Poster on a Front Porch,” published in 1965/66. Taken in Mississippi, it displays a young African-American boy reaching out for a woman who appears to be his mother. In the background of this photo there is a SNCC poster, which inspires the youth to act “now” and participate in the Civil Rights Movement.

What makes the picture most compelling is that it shows a child “reaching out” just as the poster calls him to take the same action.

Another unforgettable image was taken in Texas, by Joe Schershel of LIFE magazine, in 1956. It is entitled “Students Steve Poston and Jesssalyn Gray Taunted by White Supremacists.” What is surprising about this photo is the apparent nonchalance of two young African-American students who remained despite the enraged supremacists in the background.

Such racial hatred created daily obstacles that black youth had to rise above when the integration of public schools began.

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Photographs in this exhibit, such as this one of Martin Luther King Jr., portray historical events crucial to the Civil Rights movement.

These inspiring pictures, which capture the moments and dominant injustices during the fight for equal rights, were taken by photojournalists, social activists, and anonymous witnesses. Visitors to the museum can also access numerous iPods to listen to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Memorabilia, such as magazines, pins, and other relevant objects, are also on display in this gallery. A documentary film on the role played

by Jewish Americans in the Civil Rights Movement is also another feature of the exhibit.

“Breach of Peace: Photographs of Freedom Riders” focuses on the individuals who despite their arrests, remained strong during the protests. The exhibit provides historical black and white mug shots of those who participated in “sit-ins” during the Civil Rights Movement alongside their contemporary portraits. A variety of people who took part in the non-violent resistance movement give accounts of their personal experiences during those tough times.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the “Breach of Peace” exhibit is the invitation to viewers to participate. A photo booth located at the end of the exhibit offers a free set of

three photos of your personal “mug shot.”

This is a special interactive station where visitors have the opportunity to express their beliefs. You pair your photo with a response on provided paper answering the question: “What cause would YOU ride for?”

The Civil Rights Movement was a monumental period in American history, and both exhibits capture the realities of the inspiring struggle for equal rights. The “Breach of Peace” exhibit concludes April 11 and the “Road to Freedom” exhibit concludes March 7.

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. The museum provides a discount for full-time students, with an admission price of $7, but every Thursday admission is free for everyone. Free parking is available off Skirball Center Drive. Hours of operation vary and can be found at www.skirball.org.

Ashley Atienza can be reached at aatienza@csufullerton.edu

A&E

February 17, 2010

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Gore plus love equals box office hits WOLFMAN HHHII

The idea of a remake of one of the most classic horCLARION PHOTO EDITOR ror films of all time, “Wolfman,” was an exciting prospect to many horror film buffs, but unfortunately, like its main character, it suffers from its own curse.

The curse of the seemingly rushed remake.

The film stars Benicio del Toro as the tortured Lawrence Talbot, a famous Shakespearean actor in the 1890s who comes home for his brother’s funeral after his body is found in a ditch mangled and torn apart. He vows to his brother’s widow Gwen (Emily Blunt) that he will find out what happened to his brother.

His search leads him to a gypsy camp, where he takes his brother’s medallion to the gypsy Maleva, who originally gave it to him. She warns him that a great danger is coming, and just then a werewolf attacks the camp. Lawrence goes out to fend the creature off and is subsequently bitten by it.

Several nights later, the curse takes full effect as Talbot transforms into a werewolf, leaving a trail of blood and suffering in his wake.

Andrew Vasquez

McClatchy–Tribune Services

VALENTINE’S DAY HHHHI

Director Garry Marshall delivers a cute and quirky romantic comedy CLARION A&E EDITOR with a star-studded cast.

The film follows several intertwining couples and singles and how their lives unfold on the one day of the year that no one wants to be alone, and the interconnections they all have with each other.

Though the storyline is predictable, it is still fun to see how all of the characters connect. Absent a great premise, so the cast is what makes this movie so entertaining. The stars range from Grammy award-winning artist Taylor Swift to Academy Award winners Julia Roberts and Jamie Foxx. The film also includes television’s favorite doctors: Patrick Dempsey and Eric

Caitlin Griffin

As with most of Universal’s recent ventures into films with a supernatural element, the makeup, special effects and sets in this film are superb.

The forests were dark and endless, with soup-thick fog and trees that seemed to reach out and grab the characters as they rushed through. Talbot’s transformation into the wolfman is a visual triumph. He is a horrific creature to behold.

But the acting, namely del Torro’s portrayal, left something to be desired. The lines he spoke came off emotionless, but the character is supposed to be a tortured soul, haunted by the fact that he is cursed to transform into a bloodthirsty creature every full moon. We see this in the original, but not in the remake.

The film was also too short. It is hard to surmise just what a curse becoming a werewolf is if it only happens twice throughout the whole movie. It didn’t have to be three hours, but maybe 30 more minutes and more time passing with him dealing with his curse would have made his agony more apparent.

When it comes down to it, “Wolfman” could have been much better. But if all you are looking for is a special effects show with enough blood and guts to cover the entire theatre floor, this is your film.

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com Dane.

Every couple in the movie has great chemistry, especially comedy veterans Ashton Kutcher and star Jennifer Garner. A surprise stand-out performance is delivered by Jessica Biel, who plays a sports agent that throws an anti-Valentine’s Day party every year and eats her sorrows away with bon-bons. Another great performance was delivered by Anne Hathaway who has a second job as a sex phone operator, which gets in the way of her being pursued by the adorable Topher Grace.

The audience laughed throughout the movie, which received a loud round of applause as the credits rolled. “Valentine’s Day” is a must-see for romantic comedy lovers.

Caitlin Griffin can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

McClatchy–Tribune Services

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Michael Sedig

Caitlin Griffin

CLARION A&E EDITOR Michael Sedig is an18-year-old graphic design major, beginning his second semester at Citrus College. He grew up with his parents and three older sisters in Claremont, where he still resides today.

After he completes his general education and major requirements, he hopes to transfer to Otis Art School in Los Angeles and major in graphic design.

Q: How did your interest in art come about?

A: When I was in the seventh grade, my passion for art really became apparent to me when I garnered a lot of praise from teachers and my peers over my artwork. I never really thought much of it until that point, and I have been drawing and painting ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: What I paint or draw usually depicts what mood or setting I’m in. As for my distinct style, I usually like to compile a bunch of elaborate little things and details into one giant canvas. My paintings are also usually fixed towards beach scenes.

Q: So, you derive a lot of inspiration from the beach then?

A: Yeah, I actually just painted a mural in Newport Beach that I’m really proud of. I also love to surf, so I think that’s why I enjoy painting the beach.

Q: What would you want to do once you have your degree from Otis?

A: I want to own my own business. Right now my buddy from high school, Colin Nesbit (a student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles) and I are trying to get our business license so we can start up our company.

Q: What would your business be selling, your artwork?

A: We want to incorporate our artwork into clothing. For example, I would take one of my sketches and put it on a T-shirt. I actually sold a few to some friends in high school.

Q: Would you be going for a casual West Coast look?

A: Oh, yeah, definitely. That is something I want to accomplish with my business. I’m trying to incorporate my love of surfing into the brand.

Q: What artists inspire you?

A: I have two: Salvador Dali and Greg Simkins. Dali has so much ingenuity, and the way he makes these completely abnormal scenes about everything is amazing! It is so awkward yet so beautiful to look at.

And Simkins does these elaborate prints with amazing blends and so

much detail. I went to his art show in Los Angeles and had a chance to talk to him. He was great, and it was awesome to be able to see his art close up. He paints some of the most imaginative paintings I have ever seen.

Q: Is there anything coming up where people will be able to see your artwork?

A: Not currently, but I will try and keep everyone updated with how my business is coming along, and I also hope to enter in some competitions this semester.

Page 16

sports

February 17, 2010

Tough Season For Women’s Basketball

Christina Kinney goes for a lay up.

NICK HERNANDEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

NICK HERNANDEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Brianna Barfield attempts to block Christina Kinney from a jumpshot during practice.

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Krystyn Jacobs dribble across the court.

Nick Hernandez CLARION STAFF WRITER With what seemed to be a rocky start, the Owl’s New Year is looking to be a bright one for the team with seven wins and only one loss.

With impressive scores, such as their dominating win against West Los Angeles College with a score of 72- 52, the team is showing their strength and determination.

Not to say their has not been nail biting, edge of your seat moments, especially with the win against Saddleback College with a score of 53-51.

Taking their wins and losses in stride the Owls have set themselves up to end their season with a bang!

A recap of the Santa Monica College game illustrates the fortitude and aggression of the Owls.

With a 24-21 lead going into the second half, the Owl’s turned up the heat, pushing the Corsairs to four turnovers.

The Owls quickly used the situation to their advantage and gained 12 points for their aggressive tactics.

Not to mention that freshmen Briana Barfield gained her seventh double-double within the game.

The team seems to have a heightened sense of awareness and agility. This is evident in their game against West Los Angeles College.

The Owls used speed, agility and awareness to 72-52.

With their game against Bakersfield College it is evident that these ladies are poised to dominate the competition.

With an aggressive spirit and determination, the Lady Owls conquered Bakersfield with a 70-58 win and even gained a 13 point lead over the competition.

This team is revving their engines to make the end of their season sizzle. So come out Feb. 17 for their home game against West Los Angeles College and support the Owls.

Nick Hernandez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

sports Homerun for Jacob Ludvik February 17, 2010

Erica Irigoyen CLARION SPORTS EDITOR The baseball season has started and the team is off to a great start.

One player that is showing a lot of promise and proving to coaches that he is a great player with great leadership is sophomore outfielder Jacob Ludvik.

Ludvik has loved baseball all of his life.

He has been playing since he was 4 years old.

Ludvik says that his dad, Mark Ludvik, taught him how to play and is his biggest inspiration.

His mom, Julie Ludvik, and his girlfriend, Cheyenne Rubio, are his biggest support system,

What I am most proud of is that he is a 4.0 student... he added.

“They are always there to keep my head up whenever our team loses,” said Ludivk.

Coach Gomez says that Ludvik is always sshowing leadership on and off the baseball field.

“Being a leader is expected from him, and he always leads by example,” said Coach Gomez.

Ludvik is also a Scholar-Baller.

To be included in the Scholar-Baller program, athletes must achieve a 3.0 GPA or higher. Ludvik’s GPA is 4.0.

“Jacob is a very hardworking and disci-

Page 17

plined athlete and he has a lot of potential for growth. He is always putting in the time and effort to be better, but what I am most proud of is that he is a 4.0 student,” said Gomez.

Although, Ludvik is undecided on where he would like to transfer, he is majoring in kinesiology.

Kinesiology is the study of human movement.

“All I know is that I want to be a physical therapist and i want to transfer to a school that has a good baseball team,” said Ludvik.

Before games, Ludvik has his own way of getting prepped—by taking naps.

“Once we get to where our game is going to be, we have two hours of sitting around so I like to take that time to relax,” Ludvik said.

When Ludvik isn’t playing baseball, he likes to kick back with friends and watch his favorite baseball team, the Yankees, and his favorite baseball player, Derek Jeter.

Although he loves baseball, Ludvik said that he would much rather become a physical therapist than a professional baseball player.

“I just play baseball for fun of it, and going professional will just take the fun out of it I think,” said Ludvik.

So far the Owl’s are looking really good with a current record of 5-0. Their next home game is on February 24 against East LA.

BASEBALL SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY FEB 17 MT. SAN JACINTO 2:00 PM WEDNESDAY FEB 24 EAST LA 2:00 PM THURSDAY FEB 25 OXNARD 2:00 PM TUESDAY MAR 2 SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY 2:00 PM TUESDAY MAR 9 *LA PIERCE 2:00 PM SATURDAY MAR 13 *LA VALLEY 1:00 PM ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Erica Irigoyen can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Owls’ outfielder Jacob Ludvik prides himself on doing the best he can on the field and in the classroom by being a leader for the team and earning a 4.0.

THURSDAY MAR 18 *GLENDALE 2:30 PM

Softball team ‘Turbo’ powered Kristin Lacuesta CLARION NEWS EDITOR The Fighting Owls softball team is young and fresh, quite literally, as all but two of the 18 players on the squad are freshmen.

One of the pair of returning veterans is third baseman Amanda “Turbo” Herrera.

In her mind, the team’s inexperience is not a bad thing. Instead, she views it as an opportunity to teach, encourage and lead the newcomers.

Herrera, a 19 year-old resident of Covina, started playing softball when she was 5. Her parents decided to sign her up in the West Covina girls softball league, along with her two older sisters, just so they would have something to do.

While she played in the league she was hyper and liked to run everywhere, even running from outfield all the way to tag out a player herself, earning her the nickname “Turbo” from her coaches. From then on the nickname just stuck and all her teammates, coaches and some teachers at Citrus call her “Turbo”.

While a student at Charter Oak High School, Herrera played soccer all four years.

She also played one year of varsity softball, covering several positions, including third base, shortstop, second base, center field and right field.

In her senior year, Herrera earned 1st team All-Miramonte League Honors and was named Rookie of the Year.

When she decided to play for Citrus College last year, she was prepared and confident.

“I wasn’t nervous or anything my first year because the older sophomores showed me the ropes,” Herrera said. “It wasn’t intimidating at all.”

In her first season as a Fighting Owl, she led

the team with 37 runs and 55 hits. She was named the All SoCal Honoree.

“I can’t afford to play badly because I want to win that award again,” Herrera said. “It sets the bar even higher for this year, since I have to play up to those standards.

Herrera puts as much focus on academics as she does on the softball field.

She plans to transfer to a school in Texas or Colorado, play softball, and graduate as a kinesiology major. She hopes to pursue a career as a trainer or a coach, but no matter what, she wants to stay involved with athletics.

Herrera enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Jacob, who also attends Citrus, and she likes to sing. She was in her high school choir, but at Citrus she focuses all her time on softball, she said.

With softball a top priority, Herrera’s determination is a quality her coaches have come to admire.

Now in her sixth season with the Fighting Owls softball team, head coach Jackie Boxley often uses her as an example for the rest of the team.

“She’s one of the most gifted kids we’ve had come through this program,” Boxley said.

“She’s a hustler, she’s a hard worker, she does everything right that a student athlete is supposed to do.”

“She’s really helped the girls understand the competitiveness, the fight and the drive. She adds a lot of character to our team,” the coach said.

Utility player Rebecca Lopez describes Herrera as the hardest working person on the team.

“She has a big heart, on and off the field,” Lopez said. “She’s just fun to be around, and she makes me want to keep playing and working hard.”

This season, the 5’3 switch-hitter, has had

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE FRIDAY/SAT. FEB, 19-21 CATHEDRAL CITY KICKOFF TBA TUESDAY, FEB. 23 CYPRESS 3:00 PM TUESDAY, MARCH 9 *CANYONS (DH) 2:30 PM

ANDREW VASQUEZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Amanda “Turbo” Herrera leads the team with 2 triples for the 2010 season.

27 at bats, 6 RBI, 1 homerun and leads the team in triples hit, having hit 2 so far.

The Owls have a 5-5 record with fourteen games to go in the season. Herrera is optimistic.

“I think we’re going to take conference because the girls have a lot of fight in them,” she said.

The Fighting Owls softball team will be playing in the Cathedral City Kickoff on Feb. 19-21. Their next home game is scheduled for Feb. 23 against Cypress at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Kristin Lacuesta can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 11 *GLENDALE TBA THURSDAY MAR 18 *SANTA MONICA 2:30 PM TUESDAY, MARCH 30 *LA MISSION (DH) 2:30 PM THURSDAY, APRIL 8 *BAKERSFIELD 5:00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 20 *LA VALLEY (DH) TBA

opinions

Page 18

February 17, 2010

Love for one, love for all Sandra Lopez CLARION EDITOR IN CHIEF

When it comes to matters of the heart, nothing is certain and not much makes sense.

Everyone has a different definition of love. But now with Valentine’s Day behind us and memories of failed relationships running through my mind, I cannot help but pause and think about my first and only love.

He was a handsome man, and I was physically attracted to him, but the more I got to know him, the more I began to connect with his soul.

As time went on, I started to understand what “being in love” really means.

We would talk for hours about philosophy, current events, art, literature, death, and quantum physics.

We experienced life together in a whole new way. We went skydiving, rock climbing, and hiking. We took road trips and made each other laugh and cry.

We freely expressed every emotion that a human being can possibly feel.

Then one day, while I was participating in a “No on Prop 8” rally, I saw another protester crying. He was talking about his partner and describing all of the amazing experiences he has shared with him.

At that moment I realized that he, too, was in love. He was experiencing the same emotional connection that I was going through. His love was just as strong as mine and just as beautiful.

Love is one of life’s greatest mysteries.

It can never be fully explained or understood.

Love is not based on gender, religion, ethnicity or race. People do not fall in love solely based on physical attributes; they fall in love with another person’s soul.

It might be lust that first brings people together, but love is the foundation of lasting relationships and becomes the basis of marriage.

Proposition 8, also known as the California Marriage Protection Act, defines marriage as being a union between a man and a woman, thus banning gay marriage.

But marriage between two human beings should not be limited to heterosexuals. It should be a civil right available to any two people who love each other and want to legally commit to spending their lives together.

Many people argue that homosexual marriage is unnatural and immoral. Although I am for respecting other people’s religious views, they too must respect people who do not share those views and grant them equality before the law.

It is understandable that some people might frown on those who are members of a religious organization that tries to impose their standards as to what it means to be a good and moral person. However, when

COURTNEY MITCHELL, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

other people’s rights are denied, the laws must be reinterpreted.

The 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v.

Virgina symbolized the struggle for civil rights. In this case, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to outlaw the discriminatory practices prohibiting biracial marriage. Today, biracial couples and their children are commonplace.

Married homosexual couples should be granted the rights offered to married heterosexual couples. These rights include insurance benefits, property ownership and hospital visitation rights.

Not to mention that the California economy would also benefit from gay marriage,

from money spent on marriages, hotels, and other services.

Marriage is about more than rights and benefits. It is about love. It is about loving someone so much that you want the whole world to know. You exchange vows and then throw a party celebrating the miracle that, finally, you have found someone you can call your soulmate.

Love is a gift for all.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Obama not tough enough to stop bankers CLARION OP/ED EDITOR

In his first year as president, Barack Obama failed to be tough enough to fight Wall Street, and found himself in a rough position in which he will have to fix various mistakes.

The media did not hesitate to categorize his first 365 days as a disappointment, saying the president bit off more than he could chew.

Obama inherited one of the worst financial crises since the Great Depression. The new administration needed to implement a fast, straightforward solution that would stop Americans from becoming homeless or unemployed.

After much careful study, the government came up with the idea of bailing out major companies in the banking, insurance, and automotive industries that needed help surviving.

The federal government injected $700 billion into several companies on the brink of failure. The plan was called the Troubled Asset Relief Program, also known as TARP. Only two weeks after Obama's very unpopular bailout plan was set in motion, controversial photographs of American International Group—a massive insurance company that received approximately $85 billion from the TARP were published.

The photographs included pictures of high power executives from the company partying in a five-star California resort.

These too-big-to-fail companies that were supposed to be on the brink of extinction and

“

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Obama’s big bad wolf attitude has yet to blow down the house of bricks called Wall Street.

The idea is that these small banks will lend local businesses the funding they need since being denied by the big bankers.

As hopeful as this strategy might sound ,the American people have had enough of President Obama giving away our tax money to banks and simply hoping for the best.

While the president and bankers go back and forth taking shots at each other in front of the media, the American people are paying the price.

As the rich get richer, Obama keeps talking, the middle class disappears, and jobs and homes are lost, along with hope of a recovery.

“

Jose Alonso Ramirez

thus received bailout taxpayer money managed not only to stay alive and frequent fivestar hotels, but also pay their CEOs bonuses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, the middle class continues to fade away and American families keep losing their homes and jobs.

Even though the companies helped by TARP have paid back about two thirds of the bailout money, the public sees little progress as we are still struggling on a daily basis.

Apparently our new president is not the bare-knuckle brawler we believed he was, as he is letting the banks take our money and run.

Trying to redeem himself, President Obama has said that he is ready to fight Wall Street to get back taxpayer money.

In this year’s $1.6 trillion proposed budget, Obama has asked for a levy fee to recover the money still outstanding from major banks.

That is the right attitude, and Mr. Obama's speeches sound courageous and decisive.

However, we wouldn't be in this position if Obama had been more careful from the beginning about where the money was going and how it was going to be managed.

Instead, he handed companies big sums of money assuming that they would do what's right to help the American people.

We've heard the tough talk and considered a couple of Obama’s proposals to recoup our hard earned money from the major banks.

But Obama's big bad wolf attitude has yet to blow down the house of bricks named Wall Street.

The same banks are currently not lending a lot of money to average Americans looking to start up or maintain small businesses. Instead, they are profiting themselves.

President Obama counterattacked the banks’ attitudes toward small businesses by proposing a new plan during this year’s State of the Union address His plan is to take $30 billion of the money already paid back from those who benefited from TARP and invest it in small community banks.

Jose Alonso Ramirez can be reached at alonsoramirez1987@hotmail.com

February 17, 2010

editorials

Page 19

Citrus College

Our pledge to you clarion With a new semester comes a new newspaper staff.

As journalist who are here to serve the Citrus College community, we have put together a list of resolutions for spring 2010.

Our goal is to cover the campus and to listen to the needs and concerns of the public.

These 10 resolutions represent our promise to our readers, as well as our moral duties as journalists.

1. Keep information factual. Clarion news stories will be timely, truthful, and relevant. As journalists, our duty is to pursue the truth and to verify the facts with our sources. We will maintain our independence and put aside any bias. We aim to write news articles in a comprehensive manner.

2. Offer a variety of topics. Campus life is our first priority, but we will cover the surrounding community as it pertains to Citrus College.

3. Explore new ways of telling stories.

As technology changes, so do the ways we can communicate. Not only will we tell a story through words, but also through interactive modes, such as video, podcasts and social media.

4. Write about the interests of the public. Stories will cover issues and concerns pertaining to students’ educational and financial needs. College employers and neighbors will also be kept up-to-date with campus issues that affect their lives.

5. Be the voice of the community. Issues will range from local politics to community events. We will work with our local constituencies to report on what matters right here.

6. Listen to your concerns. We will seek

feedback and welcome the public’s comments. We will listen to criticisms and strive to improve our reporting.

7. Act as a monitor. As journalists, we will endeavor to act as a public watchdog, and protect your right to know how your tax dollars are spent and what goes on in the neighborhood.

8. Spotlight our people.

Students, faculty and staff, and mentors from our neighborhoods will be profiled showing their success, dreams, and aspirations. We will play a more active role in showcasing special people with their different skills and talents.

9. Hold ourselves responsible. We journalists despise mistakes. However, should we make errors, we will be accountable, accept responsibility for the consequences, and do our best to set the record straight in a timely manner.

10. Stand our ground. When conflicts occur, we will do our homework verifying the facts for what is right in a manner that is objective, fair and balanced.

We journalists take our job seriously. We take pride in what we write. Our staff follows the same code of ethics as most professional news organizations.

It is an honor for us to serve you, Citrus College. Your feedback is an

essential opponent in our quest as journalists. We look forward to hearing from you.

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

Accreditation calls for thanks and pride What a great way to kick off the spring 2010 semester.

Citrus College was informed recently that its accreditation has been reaffirmed.

Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College, put this achievement into perspective in an all-staff e-mail: “As you are no doubt aware, the accrediting commission has adopted a much tougher stance with regard to the reaffirmation of accreditation in the past few years, with many institutions being placed on warning and others placed on probation.”

Specifically, Jeanne Hamilton, vice president of student services and accreditation liaison officer, and Roberta Eisel, English professor and faculty co-chair of the accreditation team, deserve a round of applause.

From the get-go they were involved in a strenuous process that took all of two years and input from 160 people to complete before the visiting team of the Western Association of Community Colleges arrived on campus last October.

Students need to know and appreciate the importance of

their college being accredited.

One important way in which a loss of accreditation could affect community college students would be the college’s inability to offer federal and state financial aid.

The other consequence would be that four-year college and universities might not accept the community college’s credits.

Students could still attend the institution and receive an associate’s degree or a certificate, but they would most likely be unsuccessful in transferring to a four-year institution.

The administrators and faculty of Citrus College have dedicated themselves to providing quality education for their students.

The reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation, despite the tougher standards now imposed through the higher education system, is confirmation of their efforts.

Citrus students can rest assured that they are receiving a quality education and that those who are running the school are doing their jobs.

We commend and thank all those responsible for this success.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sandra Lopez MANAGING EDITOR Courtney Mitchell ONLINE EDITOR Dustin Call NEWS EDITOR Kristin Lacuesta FEATURES EDITOR Sandra Lopez SPORTS EDITOR Erica Irigoyen A&E EDITOR Caitlin Griffin OP/ED EDITOR Jose Alonso Ramirez PHOTO EDITOR Andrew Vasquez ADVISER Margaret O’Neil STAFF WRITER Nick Hernandez CORRESPONDENTS Anazarry Danganan, Tom Marshall, Ericka Sebastian, James Slater SPECIAL TO THE CLARION Cody Crowley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ ARTISTS Courtney Mitchell, Dustin Call, Jose Alonso Ramirez, Andrew Vasquez PHOTO TECHNICIAN Frank Ram INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT Emily Rios The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester. Ads are not endorsed by the Clarion. Editorials are the opinion of at least 75 percent of the Editorial Board. All other opinion is that of the writer. Views expressed do not represent those of the adviser, faculty, administration, Associated Students of Citrus College and/or CCCBOT. Libel will not be published.The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. If you have any gripes, questions, or comments ... we want to hear from you! All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

CLARION MAILBOX 1000 W. Foothill Blvd.

Glendora, CA 91741-1899 Phone: (626) 914-8586 Fax: (626) 914-8797 Email: ccclarion@hotmail.com

JOSE ALONSO RAMIREZ, CITRUS COLLEGE CLARION

celebrate history FIRSTS Black History Month in black history

Page 20

February 17, 2010

The African Free School in New York City was the first free school for African-Americans. It was started by the abolitionist group the New York Manumission Society in 1787.

Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) was the first licensed AfricanAmerican pilot in the world. She received aviation instruction in France.

Booker T. Washington (1856 1915) was the first African-American to be honored on a U.S. stamp, in 1940.

Fact #75

Citrus College celebrates African American heritage

"Martin Luther King, Jr. waves to participants in the Civil Rights Movement's March on Washington from the Lincoln Memorial. It was from this spot that he delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963.""

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

George Washington Carver (1864 - 1943) who made agricultural advancements and inventions pertaining to the use of peanuts and Percy Julian, who helped create drugs to combat glaucoma, were the first AfricanAmericans admitted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990.

Minnie Jocelyn Lee Elders (1933 - ) was the first AfricanAmerican and the second woman to serve as the United States Surgeon General. Her term lasted for 15 months (1993 - 1994) WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

Maya Angelou's (1928 - ) autobiographical, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the first nonfiction work by an African-American woman to make the best-seller list.

"Desmond Tutu and Rosa Parks. Mrs. Parks' arrest on December 1st, 1955, for refusing to move from her position at the front of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama touched off a boycott of the city's bus lines by Montgomery's negroes."

Alexa Canady became the first female African-American neurosurgeon in the United States. She graduated from medical school in 1975.

Madame C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) (1876 - 1919) invented specialized hair products for African-American hair and became the first American woman to become a millionaire.

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

"Pictured are Barack Obama, wife Michelle and daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (L). Quick Fact: In 2004, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in the largest electoral victory in Illinois history."

"African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela with South African President F.W. de Klerk after they were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize."

Robert L. Johnson (1946 - ), founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is the first African-American billionaire.

"Jackie is pictured in his study at his home at 11240, 177th Street, St. Albans, Queens, NY, surrounded by some of the many trophies he won."

Nathaniel Adams Cole “Nat King Cole� (1919 - 1965), a singer, song writer and pianist, was the first African-American to host a national television program, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956.

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

celebrate history FIRSTS Black History Month in black history

Page 20

February 17, 2010

The African Free School in New York City was the first free school for African-Americans. It was started by the abolitionist group the New York Manumission Society in 1787.

Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) was the first licensed AfricanAmerican pilot in the world. She received aviation instruction in France.

Booker T. Washington (1856 1915) was the first African-American to be honored on a U.S. stamp, in 1940.

Fact #75

Citrus College celebrates African American heritage

"Martin Luther King, Jr. waves to participants in the Civil Rights Movement's March on Washington from the Lincoln Memorial. It was from this spot that he delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963.""

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

George Washington Carver (1864 - 1943) who made agricultural advancements and inventions pertaining to the use of peanuts and Percy Julian, who helped create drugs to combat glaucoma, were the first AfricanAmericans admitted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990.

Minnie Jocelyn Lee Elders (1933 - ) was the first AfricanAmerican and the second woman to serve as the United States Surgeon General. Her term lasted for 15 months (1993 - 1994) WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

Maya Angelou's (1928 - ) autobiographical, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is the first nonfiction work by an African-American woman to make the best-seller list.

"Desmond Tutu and Rosa Parks. Mrs. Parks' arrest on December 1st, 1955, for refusing to move from her position at the front of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama touched off a boycott of the city's bus lines by Montgomery's negroes."

Alexa Canady became the first female African-American neurosurgeon in the United States. She graduated from medical school in 1975.

Madame C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) (1876 - 1919) invented specialized hair products for African-American hair and became the first American woman to become a millionaire.

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

"Pictured are Barack Obama, wife Michelle and daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (L). Quick Fact: In 2004, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in the largest electoral victory in Illinois history."

"African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela with South African President F.W. de Klerk after they were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize."

Robert L. Johnson (1946 - ), founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is the first African-American billionaire.

"Jackie is pictured in his study at his home at 11240, 177th Street, St. Albans, Queens, NY, surrounded by some of the many trophies he won."

Nathaniel Adams Cole “Nat King Cole� (1919 - 1965), a singer, song writer and pianist, was the first African-American to host a national television program, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956.

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY

WWW.BIOGRAPHY.COM/BLACKHISTORY