Clarion 6/3/09

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Citrus College

Clarion A First Amendment Newspaper

June 3, 2009, Volume LXII, Issue 16 www.theclariononline.com

Budget crisis affects students’ financial future

By Emily Rios

AVERAGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT ENROLLMENT/TUITION FEES PER ACADEMIC YEAR

Clarion Co-Editor In Chief

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tudents enrolled in California’s 110 community colleges might soon be paying substantially more per unit if a proposal by the Legislative Analyst Office is adopted by the state legislature.

Finding a way to generate revenue has become a major priority as California’s deficit has ballooned to $24 billion, and major cuts in state spending are imminent.

Increasing fees at community colleges, as well as the elimination of Cal Grants, are among the proposals under consideration.

On May 7, the University of California regents approved a 9.3 percent increase in student fees on its 10 campuses.

UCs are facing a shortfall of $437 million over the next two years; the fee hike is expected to offset the deficit by $100 million.

“The fee increase will definitely mean that I will have to work more and take out more loans,” said student Joshua Gaglia who will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. “It does not deter me in anyway because if I have to be in debt I’d rather it be because I am pursuing an education.”

The CSU fee hike is expected to generate $127 million for the 23-campus system, with onethird of revenues to be set aside for financial aid.

“Most students, like myself, cannot afford the fee as it stands now,” said Citrus student Mark Nevarez.

Transferring to Cal State LA this summer, Nevarez said the fee increase would only make a difficult situation worse.

The California Community College system is facing a major shortfall, with Citrus facing a $3.6 million reduction to the general fund.

To help remedy this problem, the Legislative Analyst’s Office has proposed raising the per-unit fee for the state’s community colleges from $20 a unit to $60 a unit.

If a student were at full-time status taking 12 units, they would pay $720 instead of the current $240.

The LAO argues that students

See FEES/page 3

Life Pg. 5 cmyk

$5000+

$3500 - $3000

$2500 - $2000

$1500 - $1000

$4000+

$3000 - $2500

$2000 - $1500

$718

(DATA BASED ON 2005-06 SCHOOL YEAR. COMPILED FROM THE BOOK OF THE STATES, 2008 EDITION.) Dustin Call Citrus College Clarion The 2008 edition of The Book of the States shows that in the 2005-2006 academic year, California was far below every other state in the country on how much students pay to enroll in community college each year.

New student government elected

By Rebecca Vicino Clarion Staff Writer

S

tudents voted to elect six new Associated Students of Citrus College representatives on May 27 and 28.

Karlyn Bradley, who ran unopposed for student body president, received 156 votes.

Other winning candidates include Oscar Fernandez, who received 178 votes and was elected as vice president; Michael Kruggel, who received 108 votes and was elected as legislative liaison; and Barbara Truong, who received 139 votes was elected as a senator.

ASCC goes through the election process twice a year: once in early December, and again at the end of spring.

This May, 219 Citrus students took part in the election process.

Sports Pg. 12

The ASCC Constitution states, “A candidate for elective office, other than senator, who receives 50 percent plus one of the votes cast for that office will be declared the winner, providing that he or she has received at least 50 votes.”

Bradley expressed confidence in his new role and said that he looks forward to his time in office.

“I wanted to be at the forefront, and I wanted to lead people… I felt like I had grown enough as a leader to do so,” Bradley said.

After serving on the Springfest committee in 2008, Bradley was appointed as ASCC commissioner of activities and then moved on to become ASCC treasurer.

Bradley, 20, a resident of Pomona, is majoring in psychology. He plans to one day become a psychologist to teenagers, who he feels are “the most impressionable group.”

“One of the things that I want

ASCC logo to look into is a textbook rental program and implementing a student fee, which would be a $1 donation that students can choose to make when they’re registering.

That money could be used for ASCC to rally or send representatives to Sacramento,” Bradley said.

Newly elected senator Tamara Dubuni called Bradley a hardworking person whom she looks forward to working with.

Dubuni, who received 113 votes, described her position as “the voice of the students and the faculty at school.”

“I’m willing to do all I can to

help the students,” Dubuni said.

She hopes to bring awareness to the students about different student activities and encourage them to be more involved at Citrus College.

Dubuni, 19, is a computer science major and plans to transfer to Cal Poly after she has completed her requirements at Citrus.

Adrienne Thompson, supervisor of student life and activities, stressed the importance of ASCC and believes that their work benefits other Citrus students.

See ASCC/page 3

A&E Pg. 13 Opinions Pg. 16 Editorials Pg. 19 cmyk

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“The truth doesn’t fit on the pages of a newspaper” — Chase Moercoch

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Citrus College Clarion

June 3, 2009

And in other news...

LOCAL: Real estate agent convicted in property scheme I have heard gunshots before. I have handled a gun, gone to shooting ranges with friends. The sound isn't unfamiliar to me.

But when it is unexpected and you don't know where it is from - or where it's headed - the sound is something different. It almost isn't a sound at all, but something physical that grabs and shakes you.

That is what I felt Monday when I was driving home from work.

Leaving the office, I drove down San Bernardino Road and turned south at Lark Ellen Avenue toward my home, as I always do.

As I turned, I heard three crackling pops. I knew it was gunfire.

My initial reaction was to reject what I heard, convince myself it was anything but gunfire. But as more

shots sprang into my ears, I couldn't deny it.

That is when my instincts as a reporter kicked in. I turned around and headed back toward the sound. I saw a police officer run to the scene of the shooting with what looked like a shotgun or rifle.

I parked my car, called my boss, and walked to the scene. What I saw I normally wouldn't have been prepared for.

But in a strange way, my notepad acted as a barrier to the reality of what was before me.

A 19-year-old man, Eddie Magana-Navarro, was shot in the head, killed outside a Covina 7-Eleven. A family member or friend straddled his body. He was crying, screaming, moving his hands around his body

trying to find a place to hold, but never really able to grasp what was before him.

Neighbors were watching, and it became a crime scene. I did my job and went home.

Police and paramedics investigate the scene a fatal shooting in front of a 7 Eleven at the corner of Lark Ellen Avenue and San Bernardino Road.

Magana was apart of a West Covina gang, police said. People can't help but assume that played a major role in this, even if the motive isn't confirmed yet.

Courtesy Daniel Terford-SGV Tribune

STATE: Schwarzenegger appeals for quick budget deal

www.twitter.com/ccclarion Campus

Wire

Construction Update Replacement of concrete walkways and patio surfaces north of the Campus Center is scheduled for August 10, 2009 through August 30, 2009. While classes are not scheduled during most of this period, the work will affect pedestrian paths of travel through the center of campus and preclude any event activity in the area north of the Campus Center.

Please keep this in mind in planning any special activities, events workshops, seminars, etc. during the month of August.

Commencement Web Site Don't miss your opportunity to be part of the Citrus College Expert List. Send your name, area of expertise, and contact information to squillen@citruscollege.edu. The college website has been updated with information about this year's Commencement Ceremony. So, if you have questions about the ceremony, caps and gowns, parking,

or anything else, visit www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/grad.

Pizza and Jamba Juice Sale Citrus College Sexploration Club will have a Pizza and Jamba Juice sale today in the Campus Center Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Transfer Reception Details Faculty are invited to attend the Transfer Achievement Reception on June 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Art Center Quad. This special event recognizes and honors the achievements of our Citrus College students who have been accepted to four-year colleges/ universities for fall 2009. On the day of the event, students receive certificates of appreciation in recognition of their accomplishments. In addition, two former Citrus College students will speak about their transfer experiences.

Come and support our students!

For more information, call Robert Gamboa at (626) 857-4117.

ASCC Tuesday Public Meetings Student government holds weekly Tuesday meetings, open to the public, in the Center Executive Board Room at 1 p.m.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday told a joint session of the Legislature that California's budget crisis will force a transformation in state government.

The state faces a $24.3 billion deficit and a looming cash crisis that jeopardizes its ability to pay its day-today bills. The governor said government must become more efficient and learn to provide services for less in the years ahead.

"Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up," he said in the rare midyear appearance, which lasted less than 15 minutes.

His speech comes just four months after he and lawmakers agreed to a two-year budget package that was intended to close a deficit of $42 billion through mid-2010.

Declining tax revenue and overly optimistic assumptions about the tax increases they approved in February have reopened the state's deficit.

Schwarzenegger said state tax revenue has dropped 27 percent from last year and has returned to 2003 levels.

In a letter to legislative leaders last week, Controller John Chiang warned that California will run out of money to pay its bills on July 29.

He called on lawmakers to pass a balanced budget by their June 15 constitutional deadline so the state can access short-term loans in a tight credit market.

Its new fiscal year begins July 1.

"California's day of reckoning is here," Schwarzenegger said.

He has outlined a series of cuts that

include an additional $5.2 billion reduction to public schools, laying off 5,000 state workers and further cutting the pay of another 200,000. He has proposed eliminating welfare for 500,000 families, terminating health coverage for nearly 1 million low-income children and closing 220 state parks.

"People come up to me all the time, pleading, `Governor, please don't cut my program.' They tell me how the cuts will affect them and their loved ones," Schwarzenegger said. "I see the pain in their eyes and hear the fear in their voice. It's an awful feeling. But we have no choice."

Courtesy www.dailynews.com

NATIONAL: National parks to offer fee-free weekends It's hardly a bailout, but the federal government is hoping that waiving fees at national parks will help boost local economies across the country.

All 147 National Park Service sites that charge entry fees will waive them for three weekends this summer.

On three weekends this summer, the National Park Service will offer fee-free weekends to encourage cashstrapped families to visit the parks.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the initiative Tuesday at a news conference at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.

"National parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities, and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area," Salazar said.

Many national parks were bracing for a busy summer, and this improves the tourism forecast, said George Price, superintendent of Cape Cod National Seashore.

"Sometimes, when the economy downturns, places like the seashore see an upsurge because people choose to stay closer to home," Price said.

"Visitation will be very strong this year. The question will be how much people will actually spend when they come to visit."

All 147 National Park Service sites that charge entry fees will waive them for June 20 and 21, July 18 and 19, and August 15 and 16. Those fees range from $3 to $25.

Last year, national parks attracted more than 275 million recreation visits.

Courtesy Kiran Khalid - CNN

Students and Athletes: Improve Your Performance How? By hypnosis Is there evidence that it works? Yes! Is it expensive? Not really, and if it works for you then it’s worth it

We want to know your inspirational Citrus story. Please take a moment and tell us about how your life has changed as a result of being at Citrus College. We plan to display a selection of stories, along with photos of the writers, on the walls of the Center For Innovation (and elsewhere on campus).

We may also contact you if we would like to feature your story in our publications or events. So make us laugh, cry, or cheer — we know there are incredible stories out there!

Please go to www.citr uscollege.edu/mycitr usstor y to enter your inspir ational stories

Students: Raise your test scores and concentration Athletes: Improve your results Is the therapist qualified ? Yep. Let’s talk – no obligation Check the web site: www.cgmft.com What would it cost? $ 120 Call: 626-966-2662 Charles Gustafson, MA Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor Certified Hypnotherapist 599 South Barranca Avenue Covina, CA 91723

June 3, 2009

News

Citrus College Clarion

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Voter turnout in ASCC elections relatively low

By Sandra Lopez Clarion Staff

Rebecca Vicino Citrus College Clarion Newly elected 2009-10 ASCC President, Karlyn Bradley (left) sits with current ASCC President, Stefano Saltalamacchia. Bradley will begin his service at the start of the summer term.

ASCC: Student body elects new student government representatives “ASCC does so much. They represent the entire student body in every decision that’s made on campus. They provide funding for programs that other state agencies don’t give money for, and they provide a level of student life for other kids,” Thompson said.

The third elected senator, Alejandra Delgado, said she chose to run for the position to express her ideals more freely and have direct

Fees: California Community Colleges could follow LAO’s advice would still have access to community colleges if there was a fee increase because needy students are already covered under the Board of Governors Fee Waiver In addition Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating Cal Grants.

More than 280,000 students receive Cal Grant. Most are from low-income families.

The proposal would eliminate all new grants, including those promised to 118,000 freshmen starting in fall 2009.

“I think people would definitely be discouraged if there were no more Cal Grants,” Shenandoah Munoz, 20, said.

“Without them many students might not know what to do to pay for school.”

If passed, eliminating Cal Grants could potentially save California $173 million in 200910 and another $450 million in 2010-11.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

contact with the students at Citrus.

She recently joined Latinos Unidos Student Association and has been the acting activities coordinator for the last semester.

Delgado, 22, received 99 votes in the election, and hopes to attend UCLA one day and major in psychology.

“I saw the need for student advocacy, for students to get involved in the things going on

around them… There are benefits from being involved in school. It’s not just something for a resume or transcripts, it’s a genuine sense of purpose. Even the small things you do in some way make a difference,” Delgado said.

Rebecca Vicino can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

FREE ULV Teaching Camp Who: All Citrus College students, ULV Liberal Studies and first-year Credential students.

When: July 24-26, 2009 Where: University of La Verne Glean knowledge about teaching as a career.

Friday 6pm-8pm: social activities, guest speakers, BBQ. Saturday 8am-5pm: heart-based games, teambuilding activities, and comprehensive discussions of teacher dispositions. You will meet student mentors, hear content overviews of courses in the Liberal Studies and Teacher Education programs, take a campus tour, and eat lunch.

Sunday 8am-11am: Breakfast, overview of the induction and credentialing processes, financial aid, and enrollment. Interested persons will be paired with advisors.

There is no charge to participants for this camp.

This is a non-residential camp (no overnight accommodations)

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! Make your reservation by July 1st, 2009: Call Belinda Morales at (909) 593-3511 ext. 4562

With a total of 12,804 students enrolled in the spring semester, only 219 students voted for this semester’s elections.

Nearly 40 percent of Citrus College students are part-time.

Many students juggle school with work or are even raising a family. This leaves little time for on-campus involvement.

The 2009 ASCC elections were held last Wednesday and Thursday on the Citrus campus.

“I wasn’t well-informed about the candidates and I didn’t know who they were, which made me uninterested,” said nursing major Maricela Villegas.

Latinos Unidos Student Association treasurer Nathan Salgado agreed.

“Although I’m kind of involved, I was busy and not informed,” he said.

ASCC spends more than half a million dollars for different campus groups, activities, programs and field trips.

They are the decision makers and have the voice and a budget that represents students as a whole, said Student Activities

Supervisor Adrienne Thompson.

“Students need to understand that student government does more than plan pep rallies. They spend more than half a million dollars,” Thompson said.

People who did vote seem to have understood the value of what ASCC does for the student body.

“I know the importance and recognize how elections affect college functions,” said chemical engineering major Daniela Rodriguez.

Appointed positions are still open for students who would like to apply. The appointed positions include secretary, treasurer, commissioner of public relations, commissioner of activities, commissioner of athletics and commissioners-at-large.

Any questions regarding the student government may be answered by contacting an executive board member at (626) 914-8610, or by stopping by the ASCC office located in the Campus Center.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

June 3, 2009

Life

Life Editor Frank Ram - Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com

Citrus College Clarion

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Alumnus brings out his ‘A’ game

By Ashley Broussard Clarion Staff Writer and Sandra Lopez Clarion Staff Writer A former Citrus student is heading a program for at-risk boys and girls from grades 5 through 11 in Duarte.

Coach Rodney Jefferson, a former Citrus basketball recruiter, has owned and directed “A” Game Fundamental Basketball Clinic for nine years.

“A” Game offers a one-week training in basic basketball skills, presentations from guest speakers, lunches, a trip to a Sparks basketball game, life skills training and an awards ceremony.

Participants come from areas around Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino.

Jefferson said he was aware of social problems children go through while growing up and thought there was a need for a positive program children could go.

With this in mind, he started putting together presentations, gathered various influential people, and began addressing his idea.

“A” Game has been endorsed by former Rep. Hilda Solis, Anthony

Portantino (D-Pasadena), David Dreier (R-San Dimas), and Michael D. Antonovinch, Los Angeles county supervisor.

“You have to be diligent, make sure you have a focus you believe in, and let it be about other people, not you,” Jefferson said about a making a difference. “ ‘A’ Game works — the concept works.”

The basketball training attracts a diverse group of kids from different ages and areas; the life segment of the program gives them long-lasting advice and lessons.

The life skills training goals are to teach the kids how to make positive choices, keep them away from gangs and drugs, and show them the numerous career fields they can go into.

Past speakers include Chief Robert Abner from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick, and veterinarian Dr. Silvia V. Domoter.

After the children are introduced to different career fields, Jefferson stays in touch with them to make sure they reach their own career goals.

Jefferson has also started an additional program in the Duarte High School Gym called Moonlight Basketball. It is a continuous program

that started March 28 and will go on every Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Moonlight Basketball is intended as a safe place for children to go instead of participating in gangs or hanging out on the streets at night.

In addition to starting Moonlight Basketball, the City of Duarte has also hired Jefferson as a consultant for at-risk youth. He has been contracted to work with Duarte city staff in developing strategies and additional programs that might help reduce gang violence.

He guides students through their years in high school by helping them find the right core classes, supporting them at their athletic games, helping them with their college applications, and empowering the parents to come along on their ride to success.

“A” Game is offered August 3-7 with a $70 registration fee at Santa Fe Middle School.

The registration form can be accessed at www.agamefundamentals.org. For more information, call (262) 219-6067.

Ashley Broussard and Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Ashley Broussard Citrus College Clarion Former Citrus student Rodney Jefferson owns and runs “A” Game Fundamental Basketball Clinic, which serves at-risk boys and girls ages 5 to 11.

June 3, 2009

Life

Citrus College Clarion

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Professor travels to North Korea for love of magic

By Cheyenne Scharff Clarion Staff Writer “There are three things I’ve always wanted to do in my life,” Dale Salwak said. “One is to teach, the second is to write books, and the third is to do magic shows.”

English professor Dale Salwak has been at Citrus College since the fall of 1973, but he has been a magician since he was 5 years old.

"Everybody needs a secret life," Salwak said.

His first show was when he was 10 years old. “I got paid $2.

My parents hired me for my own birthday party,” he said.

Salwak is the executive producer of the “International Stars of Magic,” a production featuring magicians from around the world. They have been performing bi-annually at Citrus’ Haugh Performing Arts Center since 1974.

On March 13, 2010, the International Stars of Magic is scheduled to perform two one-hour matinees and a two-hour show in the evening at the Haugh.

Salwak recently spent a week in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, attending the 26th annual Spring Friendship Art Festival in honor of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his birthday, April 15.

About two and a half years ago, a friend of Salwak’s secretly

asked him if he would be interested in attending the art festival and Salwak said yes. His friend then said, “OK, don’t say a word of it.”

Things developed slowly after that, Salwak said.

“The subject in our e-mails was always the secret convention because we weren’t supposed to talk about it,” he said.

In fact, his wife and his mother only found out about his trip two weeks before he left.

“They thought I was going to China,” he said. For a variety of sensitive reasons everything was kept very quiet until he returned to the states.

The festival showcased acrobats, musicians and dancers, as well as magicians, and included 680 invited guests from 25 countries.

“I was the only American attending,” Salwak said.

Seven other magicians performed: one from Italy, one from Argentina, and the rest from South Korea.

“We met in Beijing, and then we took a two-hour flight to Pyongyang on Air China,” he said.

“When we arrived in Pyongyang, we had to turn over our cell phones; no cell phones are allowed in the country. We had to turn over any telescopic camera lenses, so we couldn’t take distant pictures. We also had to turn over any western reading materials.

“We were told to assume that we were always being watched,” Salwak said.

Tour guides, or managers, were assigned by the North Korean government to accompany Salwak and his fellow performers for the entire six days.

“Their number one concern was that we have a good time and that we were comfortable,” he said.

Salwak was out of communication with the outside world for six days, but “that didn’t matter because our days were packed with activities.” The festival performers were treated to shows, attended banquets and went to museums that showcase modern Korean artwork depicting famous scenes in the country’s history. The group also traveled to the birthplace of North Korea’s founder, Kim il-sung.

Salwak performed two shows at the art’s festival: one in the 2,500-seat Pyongyang Circus Theatre and a second show in the 300-seat Magic Theatre.

The audience was composed of invited guests and dignitaries.

“They were very gracious, and received us well,” Salwak said.

The festival also included many other events, such as the Pyongyang Circus, which the group attended.

“The performers showed an astounding display of precision in all of their performances,” Salwak said. “Imagine if you

Courtesy of Dale Salwak Dale Salwak (center) stands with his North Korean hosts: (from left) Kim Guang Chol, Kim Taek Song (Chairman, Labour Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), Yuji Yasuda, and Kim Chol Song. can, a trapeze artist swinging friends.” back and forth, then going into “In the performing arts, all the air and doing five somer- men and women are brothers and saults, perfectly timed, and then sisters. The performing arts cross being caught by his partner. I’ve all boundaries, cultural and sonever seen anything like that. cial and political, and I felt that I’ve seen two somersaults in a very dramatic way in North maybe, but not five. Their focus Korea,” he told the reporter. and meticulous precision as“If you fall in love with literatounds you.” ture, and music and performance On his final day in North and the visual arts, you’ve got inKorea, a staff reporter from a stant friends all over the world” North Korean government spon- he said “It’s a universal lansored newspaper asked Salwak a guage.” few questions, including, “How do you feel coming so far?” SalCheyenne Scharff wak responded, “7,500 miles is a can be reached at short distance to travel to be with

ccclarion@hotmail.com

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Life

Citrus College Clarion

June 3, 2009

Traveling abroad offers life changing experience

By Cristian Gonzalez Clarion Staff Writer Sanuku is a phrase used in a Nigerian dialect called Housa that means greetings to all, so Sanuku.

I am a Citrus College student who has recently gone through a life-changing experience in the past few months.

In April, I joined a group of 15 from St. Louise of France Catholic Church in La Puente on a journey of the heart and a journey of hope to the African motherland, specifically Nigeria.

Nigeria is a country rich in culture and historic background but with many problems.

Although the Nigerian political system is messed up in a way where not everyone gets a fair vote and those who vote are usually not educated in their political system.

But usually many just buy their way through the political process so voting does not even matter.

Many Nigerians might still believe in it or even be proud of it.

While we were in Nigeria we were warned not to mention politics to any of the people we met there.

Things were still a little tense because of the recent uprising in November of 2008 where many people lost their lives.

We were also not allowed to talk

about religion.

About 45 percent of the population in Nigeria is Muslim, another 45 percent is Christian or Catholic and the other 10 practice traditional beliefs or other religions.

Despite the warnings, the trip was as enjoyable as we could make it.

We were overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and respect showered upon us by whomever we came across.

We were smiled upon by everyone then greeted with a handshake or hug; the experience was amazing and enchanting.

The colossal beauty of the natural landscape of every state we crossed was so mesmerizing that anyone could have succumbed to its natural wonder.

The mountains were so artistically formed and reached altitudes so high, they almost seemed to be piercing through the sky.

We were led by our wonderful mentor and leader Christina Lujan, a worker for the Archdiocese in Los Angeles.

Lujan guided the group throughout our whole journey in Nigeria.

I just wanted to express my thanks to her for being like our very own Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Most Nigerians do not have running water, and it is very rare to enter a house with electricity.

Because of widespread poverty and the absence of a proper education system, many people cannot afford the privileges of running water or electricity in standard homes, which Americans take for granted.

Some Nigerians buy generators to keep electricity flowing until its time to go to sleep because it is very difficult to get electricity from the power company.

Americans do not realize how truly fortunate we are to have running water and electricity to run everyday appliances.

Nevertheless, Nigerians have an inspirational and upbeat attitude toward life.

One particular man and I soon became very good friends.

His name is Samuel, 26.

We met just outside the plateau state of Jos at the women’s center where we spent three days.

He told me that he had no education.

He worked day and night in the markets loading merchandise on trucks to support his family, which consisted of himself, his wife, daughter, mother and a younger brother.

He was a man of principle, very kind, respectful and funny.

He told me of the struggles he goes through just to get the bare necessities such as food and water, let alone the luxuries of toothpaste and

photo courtesy of Cristian Gonzalez deodorant.

Yet he still managed a big warm smile despite his living situation.

Meeting these new people and listening to them share their struggles was an honor and a privilege.

Fifteen of us arrived to Nigeria thinking of it as just a vacation; we did not expect to experience the things we did.

Every one of us experienced something different. I came back changed in a good way with more life experience and with a little spark that remained in my heart. I hope that spark will one day turn into a big flame and I will finally be able

to change the world or make an impact thanks to this journey.

My heart definitely stayed in Nigeria and I stay living with the dream of one day returning to make a bigger impact with another group.

Maybe next time will be more different and even more exciting.

Everyone should go to Africa at least once.

I recommend it.

Christian Gonzalez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Rock climbing: You will be glad you did

By Sandra Lopez Clarion Staff Writer Summer is a great time to seek adventures. What better way than to explore the great outdoors and challenge yourself to goals you never before thought possible?

Rock climbing is a daring sport that requires great physical and mental strength. It takes the climber through physical challenges to reach new heights.

Rock climbing requires agility and muscular coordination, and it is definitely a mind-over-matter type of sport.

Even so, many dangers and risks are involved when practicing rock climbing, and accidents are common.

Most serious climbers often ex-

perience tendonitis, strained fingers, injured hamstrings or shoulder injuries, according to the Adventure Health Clinic.

Ryan Coisson, rock climbing expert, suggests that to avoid injury or accidents it is important for climbers to start their day by warming up.

Coisson proposes that climbers should do at least five minutes of cardio exercise, such as running, jogging or jumping jacks.

Stretching is also highly recommended by Coisson. Doing some shoulder circles and neck rolls while taking deep breathes will reduce the climbers’ chances of getting hurt.

After tackling some tough ascents, many rock climbers will experience soreness in their

hamstrings for several days.

Stretching the hamstrings calves and quads can reduce the pain.

A critical detail for all climbers-from beginners to experts-to double check every detail before beginning to climb.

Climbers must check their knots several times, making sure that the belayer is set up correctly. They must also check to see that their harness is double-backed.

Every detail can prove vital to protecting the climber’s life.

Bouldering is a great way for beginners to practice close to home and get a taste of what rock climbing has to offer.

Bouldering is a method of rock climbing that involves shorter climbs on boulders without ropes.

Setting up crash pads can pro-

tect the climber in case they fall.

But ultimately the best way to learn rock climbing is simply by climbing.

Vertical Adventures and Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School offer beginners an introduction to proper knot tying, belaying, communication signals and climbing techniques.

“It is about obsession. The danger and the glory. The addiction of going harder, higher, longer.

Sometimes we get away with it.

We survive when others do not,” Mark Twight wrote in his book, “Kiss or Kill: Confessions of a Serial Climber.”

But rock climbing is not about being the best, making the first ascent, or even about climbing the hardest route. No. Rock climbing

is about having fun and living life.

It is about making it up to the top of a rock where you can see everything and experience nature in a way that you have never imagined before.

Before starting a new semester and going back to the familiar grind of classes and work, why not make memories that will last a lifetime?

The human body has the capacity to do amazing things. This summer, try rock climbing. It might be the start of a great and personal journey.

Sandra Lopez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

June 3, 2009

Life

Citrus College Clarion

9

Man of the Year makes social justice his lifelong cause

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondent Since the start of his collegiate career, the student-elected Man of the Year for the 2008-2009 academic year has been an outspoken advocate for students.

Jesse Sanchez has held a variety of different leadership positions on various campus clubs and organizations such as Latinos Unidos Student Association and the Associated Students of Citrus College.

All of this, he said, was so that he could be visible and fight for his beliefs.

“I have been outspoken and visible enough for people to notice,” Sanchez said. “I have been outspoken about my beliefs and have tried to promote them.”

These beliefs, Sanchez said, are detrimental to society’s overall wellbeing.

“I believe that education is priceless and access to higher education or education in general is a basic human right,” he said. “Everyone should have the opportunity to expand their world.”

His passion for education he attributes to Citrus College and the people that he has met and worked with there. “It was not until I started attending Citrus College that I got excited about education,” Sanchez said. “It was especially when I joined the honors program and took

honors anthropology and humanities.”

However, he said that it was his time on the ASCC as a senator and then later as a vice president that was a catalyst for the person he is today.

“It was a powerful time,” Sanchez said. “I was being spiritually and intellectually enriched and the activism I did in ASCC I connected with what I had learned in the classroom.”

“Things we did like the Prop 92 march and the shared governance committees I was a part of while on ASCC equated in me coming to love this college up and down, side-toside, everywhere,” he said.

Savannah Star Dominguez who served as ASCC president while Sanchez was the vice president said that Sanchez has only the goal of doing things for the benefit of others.

“I know what ever he does he will do it for the benefit of others and not for himself,” Dominguez said.

“He is a very selfless person and will be a reformer that will be working with an organization someday that will improve the quality of life for people in impoverished areas.”

“I think that he has many options but I just see him as a leader and reformer,” she said. “His career at Citrus really demonstrates that he is a humanitarian and stands for justice for anyone no matter what their race, creed or nationality is.”

photo courtesy of Savannah Star Dominguez Jesse Sanchez puts all of his focus into the event booth he is working at for the Associated Students of Citrus College.

The runner up to the man of the here make these programs as great tice issues and promoting social year award, Josh Gaglia said that as they are.” change for minorities achievement with how much Sanchez has given Sanchez will be transferring to in education,” Sanchez said. back to the campus he deserves to be the University of California Berke“It is my goal in life to help peoman of the year. ley this fall and although he does not ple from low socio-economic com“Jesse is a great guy and deserves plan to join the student government munities attain higher education so everything, every bit of praise he organization there, he still wants to that they can come back and help gets,” Gaglia said. be active outside of the classroom their communities,” he said.

“Every part of Citrus College I and fight for what he believes in. have an affinity with is because of “I don’t plan on being a part of Andrew Vasquez the people that work here on cam- student government but I do plan on can be reached at pus,” he said. “The people that work focusing on research into social jus-

ccclarion@hotmail.com

Woman of the Year aspires to be an advocate for life

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondent The “Woman of the Year” for 2008-2009 has one main goal for her life: be a lifelong advocate for students.

Savannah Star Dominguez, a 22-year-old nursing major, has held several standout leadership positions all with the mandate of being an advocate for students.

Dominguez served as a senator for the Associated Students of Citrus College in the 2005-2006 school year. Since she was working a full-time job and taking a full class load, Dominguez originally had no plans to rejoin student government. However, she continued her service and was elected ASCC student body president for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Dominguez says that it was her mother and Adrienne Thompson, student activities supervisor, who that convinced her to run for ASCC president. Both have been most supportive of all of her endeavors, she said.

“She has always carried herself in a manner that made it evident that she is a leader,” said Thompson, who encouraged Dominguez to run for ASCC president.

When her term ended she did not fade away, Dominguez was elected as a senator-at-large for the Student Senate of California Community Colleges and then later chair of government relations for the SSCCC. “Working on the SSCCC has been more than I anticipated and expected,” Dominguez said. “My

knowledge of how the California Community College system works has gone up exponentially.”

Her tenure on the SSCCC has been her most valuable leadership experience thus far, she said.

“It made me feel like I made a difference,” she said. “Even if I talked to 10 legislators and connected with one, it makes all of the difference.”

In one encounter with Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-42nd District), she discussed the effects of the proposed cuts in categorical programs and the possible increase in fees for community college students.

“During the meeting he turned to me and asked to hear my story,” Dominguez said. “So I told him about having to pay for college by working full-time and still being a full-time student and how a fee increase would hurt students like me.

“And he turned to me and said, ‘Savannah, all I needed was your story to make me realize that fee increases could be detrimental to students.’”

“Being in the SSCCC has made me feel like I have made a difference,” she said.

“Honestly this whole time I have felt like it was my personal responsibility to be involved as I have because I can’t wait around for someone to defend my education. I have the will, time and drive to make change on my own,” she said.

Carlos Maldonado, California Community College Student Affairs Association liaison to the SSCCC, said that Dominguez has

made a definite impact on the committee.

“She has really been able to move the committee into a more active direction,” he said.

“She is very compassionate and not afraid to be the person on the not-so-popular side of things, and that in itself makes her a great leader,” he said.

Thompson said that her future is bright because of her drive to make the world a better place.

“She is a woman of integrity and altruism. She is personable, everyone likes her,” Thompson said. “Savannah does things for the greater good, and I know she will go far.”

Abigail Thompson, current ASCC vice president, SSCCC region chair and runner-up for the “Woman of the Year” award said that she feels the award went to the right person.

“It could not have gone to a better person,” The ASCC vice president said. “She has taught me everything about student government and lobbying. She gives me something to aspire to be and she always takes it one step beyond.”

Dominguez’s term on the SSCCC ends June 30. Although she has no plans to return she is determined to remain active outside of the classroom. She is a member of the Citrus College chapters of Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta and works as a student ambassador of the college.

“Being a student ambassador has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done because I can help at-risk students who do

Dustin Call Citrus College Clarion ***FILE PHOTO*** Savannah Star Dominguez leads the crowd in a inspiring speech against the California budget cutting into funding for community college. not think they can go to college and do well,” she said. “And then after I talk to them, I see them come to events here and enroll and I feel like I truly have made a difference.”

Dominguez is still waiting to see where she will be attending nursing school next year. However no matter where she is, she intends to be an active voice for students.

“Being named ‘Woman of the Year’ says to me that I have done a lot for Citrus College and is a compliment to the quality of what I

have done here. But with or without this award, I could never see myself slowing down,” she said.

“I know I am going to have a busy life from here on out,” Dominguez said. “I enjoy what I do and I can see myself as a lifelong advocate.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

cmyk

10

Life

Citrus Singers 2009 touches hearts with performance Photos by Andrew Vasquez

By Mitchie Pardilla Clarion Staff Writer

Austin Taylor puts all of his heart into every note as he sings during the dress rehearsal of the Citrus Singers’ annual showcase in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on May 28.

Darth Vader saunters onto the stage in all of his dark glory during a bell medley of the “Star Wars” musical score portion of the Citrus Singers’ annual spring showcase. cmyk

A stunning production featuring the Citrus Singers 2009 with the Blue Note Orchestra captivated the crowd in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on May 29.

The students played and sang their hearts and making their audience want to groove and move.

The Singers started the night jamming. “Cross That Line” was their first song. Three singers sang the song with the spotlight focused on them. It was really a good icebreaker.

The curtains finally opened, surprising the audience with young women in pink beautiful dresses performing “Be Our Guest” and “Heart of Music,” followed by a very good choreography of “Jump Jive and Wail.”

Cameron Lanier, with the quartet Frank Rodriguez, Moses Perez, Jeremy Evans and Roy Spicer, serenaded the audience with the song “The Longest Time.” The audience felt warmth in their hearts.

Renee Liskey choreographed the Motown medley “What’s Going On” by Daniel CarterBarnes, “Respect” by Jessica Mason, “Papa was a Rolling Stone” by Alex Licon, “Proud Mary” by Grace Porter and “Living in America” by Barnes, Moson, Licon and Porter.

Antonia Corlett with her backup Katie Ransom sang a different version of “With or Without You.” The spotlight was only focused to Corlett as the audience could see Ransom at her back like a shadow sitting on a chair.

Lanier conducted the “Star Wars Bell Medley,” complete with a prop spaceship, which made people laugh. Darth Vader attacked the Jedi at the same time.

After the bell medley, “Barbershop Disney” followed with Lanier, James McGrath, Moses Perez and Roy Spicer wearing Disney hats, one with a bright red ribbon on it that made people laugh.

The “Colors of the Wind” by Deyana Castellanos amused the audience with its tempo.The backup dancers with their colorful cloth props made the song more meaningful. The dancers held streamers of colorful cloth

while running in circular motions.

In the middle of the song, five bright long banners dropped from the ceiling.

Castellanos, with the back up dancers, ended the song in a very touching way by pulling down the cloth.

Next was “Happy Working Song” by Corlett with backup dancers who has broomsticks, and “So Close” by Perez and McCormick, which was the most enlightening in the enchanted medley.

Kimberly Federoff with Reyna Cera played the violin and Angelo Patino-Patroni played the bass guitar and sang the “And I Will Follow.”

Frank Rodriquez and Lucas Escobedo ended the first half with the song “Shout.” They wore white shirts with their backups singers and dancers.

They sang the song in high and low pitches.

Act two had “Gypsy Medley” and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Gershwin.” The singers were dressed in suit and red dresses.

The “Coffee in a Cardboard Cup” had a red-light background. It was followed by the Gloria Estefan Medley, Trickle Trickle and Songs for a New World.

The cast, in colorful shirts and dresses, performed “Beatle Mania” with 13 songs. The last song was “A Hard Day’s Night” by four Citrus singers who looked funny while they were pretending to be high and drunk.

It was followed by an admirable voice of Perez with the song “I’m Movin’ On.” His melody reached the hearts of the audience.

Porter made the audience clap their hands while she sang “Ready for a Miracle.”

Their last song, “Just One Dream,” was sung by the third year Citrus Singers as a heartwarming performance.

They made us realize that music is their shared dream, and that another dream was to touch lives through music.

After, they received the standing ovation they deserved.

Mitchie Pardilla can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

cmyk

Citrus College Clarion

June 3, 2009

11

The entire cast of the Citrus Singers’ annual showcase performs the climax of their medley from the Disney film “Enchanted” during a dress rehearsal in the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College on May 28.

Regina Circa and Cody Ingram put final touches on their performances during the final dress rehearsal of the Citrus Singers’ Antonio Ramirez and Kim Federoff along with Dylan Pass and Janelle Henrie sway and swing during “Lets Call the Whole Thing Gershwin” for the Citrus Singers annual spring showcase in annual showcase in the Haugh Performing Arts Center. the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Members of the Citrus Singers flex their muscles during the climax of their performance of a medley from the Disney film “Hercules” in the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Audrey Dukes belts out powerful vocals during a dress rehearsal of the annual Citrus Singers showcase on May 28 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College. cmyk

12 Citrus College Clarion

Sports

Sports Editor - Irene Davis - ccclarion@hotmail.com

Player leaves legacy of heart, courage

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondant Standing at 5 foot 7, Steven Bennett, the “Male Athlete of the Year” for the 2008-2009 school year, might be the shortest player on the men’s basketball team, but his coaches say his role in the team as its heart, will stand the test of time.

The Owls’ point guard started his athletic career in spring 2008, the year when for the first time in the school’s history, the Citrus College men’s basketball took the state championship title, finishing the season with a 32-1 overall win-loss record and 12-0 in the Western State Conference.

This experience, Bennett said, was his proudest moment in his career at Citrus.

“Playing in the state championships was a dream come true,” he said. “Never in my life did I think I would win a state championship.”

Bennett’s scoring average for the 2007-08 season was 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He shot 32.6 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc and was third in the team that season in number of assists, finishing that season with 79 assists.

Although the 2008-09 season did not yield another state championship

title, the men’s basketball team took the WSC title for the second consecutive season. The continued success of the team throughout the past two seasons, head coach Rick Croy said, is due in a big way to Bennett’s personality.

“He is an electrifying point guard,” Croy said. “But he also brings passion, energy and courage to our program at Citrus College.”

“This is why I nominated Steve, because he led the team with his heart this year, and his heart was one of the key ingredients to our success,” he said.

Bennett finished his final season on the Owls leading in total points scored with 333 and assists with 126.

“He has matured so much with his poise and appreciation for others,” Croy said. “He was inexperienced and raw as a leader and a player and he changed because he started to realize what kind of person he could be.”

“Not everyone has the ability to inspire others and he has that ability,” he said.

For Bennett, attending Citrus and playing for the Owls has been a turning point in his life.

“Before I came to Citrus

Athlete lives life giving 110 percent

By Andrew Vasquez Clarion Correspondant

Jessica Nieves When she found out she had received the “Female Athlete of the Year” award, Jessica Nieves, sophomore guard for the women’s basketball team was not doing anything special, just giving everything in her life 110 percent.

But this kind of drive is exactly what her coaches said makes her female athlete of the year.

“I have seen her grow leaps and bounds since she started here at Citrus,” said head coach Eric Anderson.

“She has gone from a kid who was

untamed and unpolished, into a responsible and dedicated young woman.”

Her focus and her perseverance Anderson said were the backbone of her character as a player.

“Jessica is very goal-oriented, she had to work and was taking a fulltime course-load, while playing for Citrus,” he continued. “I think she will be successful in everything she does.”

“She is going to take on the world and enjoy it,” he said. “Life will definitely be better for everyone if there are more people like her in this world. She is a leader all-around.”

Assistant coach Monica Peters said that Nieves was female athlete of the year material since the moment she came to Citrus College and said she has been successful because she knew she could be successful.

“The first time I met Jessica I could tell she knew she was going to do something important,” Peters said. “She had that confidence and self-esteem that a lot of young women don’t have.”

“That kind of attitude could be good or bad but she used her personality traits to turn a person with a lot of maturity, wisdom and focus,”

education was a game, but now its serious,” Bennett said. “When I started going here I was a boy, but the coaches here helped me become a man.”

“In this program basketball is more about life and becoming a man, while other programs are just about the game,” he said.

Assistant coach Hardy Asprilla says he has seen the tremendous growth that Bennett has had from start to finish.

“People will remember his huge smile and confidence on and off the court,” he said. “We knew if he was still smiling we had a chance to win.”

“He is a great player that always walked in trying to prove something because he was shorter than the other guys,” Asprilla said. “He has proved he was our toughest player. I am very proud of him.”

Bennett will be transferring to Chaminade University in Hawaii, and will be playing basketball for the Chaminade Silverswords and majoring in communications.

“I am very excited about going to school in Hawaii this fall,” Bennett said.

“Being out there on my own will show she continued.

“She is an intelligent and hardworking individual, who has had a lot of obstacles but has persevered.”

For Nieves, who has been playing basketball since she was six years old, the game has been a big part of her life. She cannot see her life without it.

“For me the game is my life,” she said. “But I have also realized that it is the key to a better education and that is as important as the game.”

Nieves finished her final season with the Owls with 52 assists, 104 rebounds and 392 points scored.

Looking back, she said her most memorable game was that against Los Angeles Pierce College, which resulted in an Owls victory and advancement to the second round of the 2008-2009 playoffs.

“When we beat Pierce after Jasmine Matthews scored the winning basket, the game had been so intense that when that happened, I remember my teammates and I crying because of the excitement,” she said.

However, despite beingbeaten by Ventura Community College in the second round Nieves said that the experience of being in the playoffs was a good overall.

Nieves will be graduating at the end of the semester and transferring

June 3, 2009

Speaking SPORTS...

of

By Frank Ram

Retirement of coach marks end of era

Steven Bennett me how much of a man I really am.”

Beyond college, Bennett said that basketball is definitely in his future, but it is not his only option.

“I am going take basketball as far as it will take me, whether that is the NBA, overseas or in a minor league,” he said. “But I can’t just depend on that because a lot of other stuff can happen that would end it. I feel now that basketball might not always be there but a degree will.”

“Everyone thought I was too short to play basketball, but instead of arguing I let my performance do the talking,” he said.

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com this fall. But where she will transfer she says is still undecided.

“I will be majoring in kinesiology but I am not sure where I will be attending yet,” she said. “Most likely it will be at San Diego Christian College.”

Her future after college is also up in the air, but whatever she does or where she ends up she says basketball will be a major part of her life.

“I want to play for the WNBA and I know I can make it if I really put my heart into it,” she said. “Or I could play overseas, either way basketball is going to be one of the main parts of my life.”

She says her time at Citrus has made her a better athlete and person.

“My time here has been a learning experience,” Nieves said. “My coaches have taught me a lot and I have improved as an athlete.”

“But more importantly I have become more of a leader, coach Anderson and Peterson have taught me that ‘you have to work for what you want, nothing is promised,” she said.

“Because of my time playing on the Owls I now believe in giving everything I do 110 percent and never giving up.”

Andrew Vasquez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Citrus’ men’s golf head coach Mash Shumaker has retired and current women’s head coach Trip Horton will serve as head coach for both teams.

Shumaker served as head coach for the Owls for 22 years. Prior to taking the position, Shumaker served as the assistant coach to former head coach Jack Kakuuchi for seven years.

During Shumaker’s tenure at Citrus, he won a conference championship in 1966 while Citrus was a part of the Foothill Conference.

He also enjoyed several second place finishes during his time in the Orange Empire, Foothill and Western State conferences.

One of the more standout players to come out of Citrus during Shumaker’s time is Patrick Burke.

After attending Citrus, Burke turned pro and competed on both the PGA and Nationwide tours.

According to Yahoo Sports, his career earnings to date are $972,047.

Before he took over the program as a coach, Shumaker played for the Owls and was part of the 1970 conference championship squad. Shumaker finished his college education at UC Santa Barbara, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science.

He would go on to be a professional golfer for about five years, according to web.me.com.

During his tenure at Citrus, Shumaker served as president of the California Community College Golf Coach Association for three years and spent 19 years as the conference representative for the Foothill and Western State conferences.

His successor, Horton, will be entering his fourth year as head coach for the women’s team when he takes the helm of the men’s team.

Shumaker devoted a big portion of his life to Citrus College athletics.

He will be missed.

A&E

June 3, 2009

A & E Editor - Emily Rios - Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

Keepin’ Summer Faves it real:

By Emil y Rios Clarion Managing Editor

With the television season wrapping up, what is a reality TV junkie to do?

Get caught up in the summer season, of course.

The fifth season of “Jon and Kate plus 8,” which began on May 25 definitely promises to be interesting. Instead of watching the happy family with two sets of multiples going through their daily lives, viewers can look forward to watching parents plagued by media accus-

tions of infidelity and a family hounded by paparazzi.

In the opening episode, which chronicled the sextuplets’ fifth birthday party, it was evident that parents Jon and Kate are not on good terms In the interview segment at the end of the episode, both admitted that they were unsure where their marriage was headed, but they stated that the children still and will always be their top priority.

As a viewer, I am torn. Part of me thinks that if the Gos-

selins’ marriage is falling apart, it would probably be better to end the reality show to spare their young children the pain of one day looking back at these episodes and finally understanding what really went on.

But the reality TV junkie in me wants to see how everything plays out and how the family is going to navigate through this difficult time.

I’m a sucker for any show about finding love, even though they usually end in breakups.

I’m a sucker for a potential happily-ever-after ending, which is why I have been watching “The Bachelorette.”

This season’s bachelorette is Jillian Harris, the quirky interior designer from Canada who delighted audiences on the last season of “The Bachelor.”

Harris, who was the second

D e N e U SOTES e BY Back on my B.S.

Busta Rhymes It’s been about three years since his last release, but now he’s “back in the most immaculate way.”

After many delays, including a change of a major record label, Busta Rhymes has released his eighth solo album, “Back on my B.S.” The album, originally scheduled to be released in 2007, hit shelves May 19.

Busta starts off with a humerous introduction to the album in an opera like fashion and gets right into his flow, letting listeners know he is back with his bold personality and unique rap style.

After the first track however, song like “Give Them What They Askin For” are a little questionable. With an average truck provided by Ron Browz.

Busta gets back on the right track with “Hustler’s Anthem ‘09” featuring T-Pain and Arab Money, two of the albums singles. Both are hot club songs, but not enough to save the album.

Busta offers two more songs that are better than the other 10 tracks.

Citrus College Clarion 13

“Kill Dem,” featuring Pharell and Rosh, unleashes Busta’s Jamaican side over a Timberlandstyle production. This isnt the best Busta and Neptune calaboration. It sounds more like a song suited for Pharell featuring Busta rather than a Busta Rhymes song.

But I guess its better than most of the songs on the album.

“Imma Go and Get My Shows” Busta Rhymes has hot digress lyrics but the production from DJ Scratch could have been better. Overall, Busta brings the Lyrical content but if you’re looking for anything more, you’re out of luck.

“Back on by B.S.” doesn’t show what Busta is capable of.

Most of the tracks seem like album fillers that the listeners can do without. It is better than his last album “The Big Bang,” but it does not equal up to the 1996 album “The Coming.”

I give Busta an “A” for effort, but I think this album is going back on the shelf.

—Irene Davis

The High End of Low Marilyn Manson The Antichrist Superstar himself is back. As always he has reinvented himself and his sound and has done so with ease.

Known for his shock quality in music and appearance, Marilyn Manson has made a name for himself as one of the kings of gothic shock rock and has been despised by religious and parental groups and been on the walls of thousands of teenagers’ bedrooms since the early 1990s’.

Manson’s seventh studio album, “The High End of Low” with its’ raw emotion and stripped down sound mixed with all of the flair fans have come to love.

Unlike many of his most famous works to date such as “HolyWood” and “Antichrist Superstar,” “The High End of Low” is not a concept album, but a stand-alone record that focuses on feelings of lost love, depression and the destruction of so-

Defying Gravity

Keith Urban is one of country music’s leading male artist and he is back again with insightful songs about life and love with is latest album Defying Gravity.

The album has already garnered Urban some instant radio hits and is his first album to make the number one spot on Billboard 200.

The debut single “Sweet

runner-up on “The Bachelor,” now has her chance to find love among 25 eligible bachelors, except that this season five handsome men arrived late to the first night, making Harris the first contestant to have 30 suitors from which to choose.

Another show that I am all about, even though it is completely ridiculous, is “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.”

Airing on NBC Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m., it features 11 celebrities who have been sent to Costa Rica.

The contestants include: actor Stephen Baldwin; Patti Blagojevich, wife of impeached Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich; actor Lou Diamond Phillips; supermodel Janice Dickinson; comedy duo Frangela; season 6 American

Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar, Heidi and Spencer Pratt, former NBA player John Sally and former WWE diva Torre Wilson.

I couldn’t help but find myself amused. I hate bugs and being in an unfamiliar place, but I find it mildly entertaining watching people who live a more pampered life than myself having to deal with bugs and being dirty.

Besides the Pratts—well Spencer who seemed to always be stirring something up, all of the contestants are for the most part getting along. But watching the craziness unfold is sure to make the summer fly by.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

ciety.

“Devour,” is one such song that harkens a more raw sound and it is Manson’s emotional outlet where he expresses his feelings of longing for someone he cannot have. “I’ll swallow up all of you/Like a big bottle of big, big pills/ You’re the one I should never take/But I can’t sleep until I devour you/I can’t sleep until I devour you/You’re a flower that’s withering/I can’t feel your thorns in my head/And I’ll love you, if you let me.” Manson finishes the song screaming the lyrics in such a manner that makes it is difficult not to be overtaken by his emotion and feel longing for the person he is singing about.

“Four Rusted Horses” is a dark song that is indicative of a shift in the band’s sound while still retaining Manson’s trademark lyrical content about death and despair.

“Four rusted horses strangled by their own rope/Where children love singing/We’ll know that their tied hearts had broke/That their tied hearts had broke.” The beat is catchy, playing on a very bass-oriented low chorus, and Manson’s

voice is low and gravely. The song should only be played at the maximum volume of a car stereo.

The album’s first single, “Armagod***n-motherf***in-geddon,” is a Billy Idol song in an alternate universe. With the intro sounding like a darker version of the riffs for the chorus of “White Wedding” Manson wastes no time in shocking us with lyrics that are bound to make parents everywhere cringe. “Death to the ladies first, then the gentlemen/Forgery, taxes, facelifts, abortion, nervous breakdowns/Satanic girls gone wild, truly [expletive] suicidal.” In the song, Manson sings about the reasons why people think the world is going to end, seemingly making fun of everyone who thinks that we have lost our morality because society has become freer and more accepting.

“The High End of Low” is another high achievement for Manson and shows he has vitality in an industry where vitality is rarer than talent itself. than talent itself.

—Andrew Vasquez

Thing” delves into love and the feeling of just wanting to be with your sweet thing. The topic is covered often, but Urban’s sings with such believability that ladies are sure to swoon: “Oh, come on sweet thing/Won't you climb on out of your window/While the world's sleepin’/Cause you know I need you and/There's no way I'll be leaving'/Till we're kissin’ on the porch swing.”

“Kiss A Girl” is another classic Urban love song that the artist can’t seem to fail at: “It's that moment when you

start closin' in/First you're holding back, then surrendering/It can start a fire, light up the sky/Such a simple thing, do you wanna try?”

Other bright spots on the album include “Standing Right in Front of You” and “Thank You.” Although I didn’t like his latest venture as much as his 2006 Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing, Defying Gravity shows Urban’s ability to blend insightful lyrics into chart-topping songs that are a masterful blend of country, pop and rock.

—Emily Rios

14

A&E

Citrus College Clarion

June 3, 2009

Up flys high at box office

By Jonny Arellano Clarion Staff Writer s a kid, we sometimes grow up with wild fantasies and wishes of going to far-off destinations. We dream that someday we will be able to explore places unheard of.

“Up” is a story about Carl Fredericksen who aspires to be exactly like his child hood hero, Charles Muntz. Muntz is an extraordinary world explorer who is famous for his extravagant finds of fossils.

Carl meets a young girl named Ellie who also adores Muntz. Carl and Ellie grow up together and love exploring an old abandoned house, which they made into their playhouse. As years go by, they fall in love and marry. They buy their childhood playhouse and move in. Time passes by and they still love thinking about Paradise Falls, a destination in South America that they both have always wanted to live.

Years go by and Ellie and Carl get older and life calms down for them. Eventually, Ellie gets sick and passes on, leaving Carl alone and in return, bitter.

One day Carl gets a visit from a young Boy Scout named Russell, who Carl quickly ignores.

Russell is persistent in helping Carl with a task so that he can earn a badge for assisting the elderly. Carl sends Russell off on a wild goose hunt for a fake rodent that does not exist so that he can get Russell out of his hair. Mean-

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“It really is writers’ imaginations at their best.

‘Up’ is sweet, funny, cute, and silly, and even contains sentimental moments.” while, Carl’s house is trying to be bought by a developer who wishes to build skyscrapers in place of his old, little house. Carl stands his ground and refuses to sell his home which holds many precious memories of his adventures with Ellie.

Carl gets in a little bit of trouble after accidentally striking a construction worker a little too hard with his walker after one of the construction workers men crash into Carl’s mailbox, which Carl and Ellie made together. Carl is sentenced by the court to move to a senior retirement home for his actions in hurting the construction worker. Distraught about the whole ordeal, Carl must obey the law and packs his bags.

Retirement home employees come to pick up Carl and before they can leave with him, balloons flutter out of the top of his house and bystanders can only watch in awe while colorful balloons rise higher and higher. Carl’s house lifts off of the ground and begins to float into the sky. Carl has planned to fly away with his house to Paradise Falls in South America, where he can live the remainder of his years.

Upon flying through the clear

blue sky, Carl finds he has a guest. Accidentally Russell was under Carl's house while looking for the wild animal Carl instructed Russell to find. Now, Russell is now bound for Paradise Falls along with Carl. They have no idea what they are in store for, but their adventure has barely begun.

“Up” is Pixar’s 10th film with Disney and once again they have proved that together they can create movies that are bound to be blockbusters. While I myself have seen nine out of the 10 Disney Pixar movies, I can honestly say that “Up” is my favorite. It has a storyline that viewers of any age can enjoy. It has the right humor for children and contains entertainment to capture an older viewer’s attention.

With rich colorful graphics, it is hard to even blink during the movie and on top of it; “Up” is in 3D. This movie held my attention the whole time and had me laughing in my seat. It really is writers’ imaginations at their best. “Up” is sweet, funny, cute, and silly, and even contains sentimental moments.

Nonetheless, “Up” went beyond my expectations and I truly enjoyed it. It had a profound effect on me. During one scene, Carl realizes that even though he lost Ellie, life goes on and that she would want him to move on and live a happy life. He learns that Ellies death was not in return his death and it was a moment in the movie that made the film that much more special.

“Up” was well worth the $14 it cost and I most likely will see it once more in theaters.

“Up” has a run time of 96 minutes and features the voices of Ed Asner as Carl Fredricksen, Christopher Plummer as Charles Muntz, and Jordan Nagai as Russell. “Up” scored $68.2 million in

www.sreliart.com its opening weekend, again proving that when Disney and Pixar join forces, they make magic happen.

Jonny Arellano can be reached at Jonnyarellano@aol.com

Book gives deep insight to ballclub’s history

By Frank Ram Clarion Co-Editor In Chief he Dodgers are a legendary franchise in the history of Los Angeles sports.

In the book, “100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” author Jon Weisman discusses the Dodgers’ history in 100 segments.

Weisman is the author of the Dodger blog “Dodger Thoughts,” which is now on the LA Times website. He is also the associate editor, feature for Variety. He has also written for the Los Angeles Daily News, Sportsillustrated.com, and The Hardball Times.

Weisman’s first subject in the book examines the impact Jackie Robinson had on the ballclub’s legacy. He does break down the process that led to Robinson becoming the player who broke the color barrier in baseball, but also discusses the impact his playing talent had on the success of the team.

Robinson, who had a career onbase percentage of .409 and a slugging percentage of .474, played a vital role in leading the ballclub to six pennants and the franchise’s first World Series title in his 10year MLB career.

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amazon.com

“100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” is a must buy for all Dodgers fans.

The very next story talks about arguably the biggest Dodger of them all: Vin Scully.

Weisman describes Scully’s voice as “a cozy quilt on a cold morning, a cool breeze on a blistering day.”

He goes on to say that listening to one of Scully’s broadcasts is more than something you listen to; it’s something you feel.

Weisman touches on great feats in Dodgers history, such as Eric Gagne’s historic 84-consecutivesaves streak. He also does not shy away from controversy as he touches upon the fact that the streak is now somewhat tainted due to the fact that Gagne was named in the Mitchell Report.

As far as the things-to-do portion of the book, Weisman encourages fans to take in a Dodgers minor league game, attend a Dodgers road game, join the

Dodgers online community and eat a Philippe’s French dip before attending a game.

The book covers up to the 2008 season and the historical trade to bring Manny Ramirez on board for the stretch run.

The section was appropriately titled “And a Manny Shall Lead Them,” due to the fact that the team achieved their first playoff series victory in more than 20 years with Ramirez as the leader of the squad.

No mention of the 50-game suspension was made as the book was released before the suspension was given.

“100 Thing Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” is a must buy for all Dodger fans. It gives deep insight to the ballclub and serves as a one-stop guide to everything Dodgers.

The book can be purchased for $14.95 online or at most bookstores.

It will give the casual fan as well as the long time diehard the opportunity to fully grasp the Dodgers history and tradition.

Frank Ram can be reached at Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com

June 3, 2009

A&E

Citrus College Clarion

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Occupy your vacation with summer reads

By Emily Rios

Clarion Co-Editor In Chief ith summer quickly approaching, students can imagine leisurely days of relaxation sitting around the pool doing nothing.

Most people do not have the luxury or the time to sit around all day, but a simple way to relax is to pick up a book whenever you have some free time.

Several books have piqued my interest and I have either read them, am reading them or am planning on reading them as the summer progresses.

My Sister’s Keeper: Written by Jodi Picoult, the story chronicles the lives of a family that is faced with a delinquent son, a daughter who is terminally ill and another that was conceived to save her sister. Problems arise when the younger daughter, Anna, decides to sue her parents

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because she no longer wants to undergo medical procedures to help save her sister, Kate. Picoult weaves a heart-wrenching tale about the interworking of a family in crisis and the depth that a bond between two sisters can go to. This novel shocks you at the end and makes you think about the relationships you have in your own life.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist: In his latest memoir Michael J. Fox

chronicles the last 10 years of his life as he’s gone from actor to poster person for Parkinson’s Disease and eventually to a man who was able to delve into self-discovery and focus on his family. The central theme of the book is optimism and how the different obstacles Fox has gone through has shaped the way he looks at life.

Safe at Home: Anyone who is a fan of the Dodgers knows that actress Alyssa Milano is a frequent at-

tendant at games. She even created her own women’s sports-clothing line, Touch. In Safe at Home, Milano weaves her love of the Dodgers and baseball with stories of her own life growing up as a child star. Baseball is not only a passion for a Milano, but a staple in her life that remained a constant through everything else she was going through.

I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can: In his recent memoir, Daytime Emmy winning host Tom Bergeron writes

Amazon.com about how he has found a way to meditate and remain calm in the midst of hosting TV shows and being a husband and father.

Summer reading does not have to consume lots of your time or cost a lot of money. Swap books with your friends or even start your own little book club.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

2009 Key of Knowledge Recipients Christopher Bryan James C. Burdick Melia Joann Collins Barbara Curcic Brian Hong Daiki Matsuura Pauline Samson Irinia Ten Courtney Walborn Dongning Zhang

16 Citrus College Clarion

Opinions Opinions Editor Frank Ram- Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com

June 3, 2009

Treat your skin right this summer

By Ashley Broussard Clarion Staff Writer Summer is fast approaching, which most likely means you will be spending time in the great outdoors.

From beaches and pools, to amusement parks and road trips your skin will be exposed to the sun a lot and it is important to know the right ways to protect it.

The sun sends out ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB rays, which are what you are supposed to protect your body from because they can accelerate the aging of skin.

UVA rays are the same strength all year round and can cause damage to your exposed skin even if you only travel or walk in the sun several times a week. UVB rays are strongest during the summer months and have gained the nickname “tanning rays.”

Wearing sunscreen is the easiest way for protection and should be worn everyday.

It is important to apply sunscreen even if you are not going to be majorly exposed to the sun because even on cloudy or snowy

days the sun’s ultraviolet rays can go through the clouds.

Also, while UVB rays cannot go through glass windows, UVA rays can. Even so on days you know you are going to be mostly inside, apply protection to areas of your body that are not covered by clothing such as your hands and face.

So which is the best sunscreen?

How much do you wear? How often do you re-apply?

Finding the right protection can be a confusing task because there are so many choices of brands, sprays, lotions, and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) numbers.

A SPF number on the label of a sunscreen is its rating of ability to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

First, it is important to pick out a sunscreen that has both UVA and UBV light protection with an SPF of at least 15. For all the protection you can get, select a waterproof sunscreen that will not be removed by sweating or swimming.

There are also moisturizers and lip-balms that contain SPF, such as Clean and Clear Morning Glow

Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15 and ChapStick Moisturizer SPF 15.

Sunscreen should be applied to the skin at least 15 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and then re-applied at least every two hours. An ounce, or one full shotglass amount of sunscreen, is the recommended amount to be applied.

There are other ways to be safe while outdoors.

Seek shade whenever possible, especially during the rays’ strongest hours (10 a.m. through 4 p.m.), wear protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses, and most importantly don’t go to tanning beds.

As the days’ temperature slowly heat up, and the shorts, skirts, dresses, and sandals come out of the corners of your closet, remember to be safe in the sun while you’re having lots of fun.

Ashley Broussard can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

McClatchey-Tribune Media Services

Consuming less meat, living healthier lives

By Sandra Lopez Clarion Staff Writer Radical animal rights activists try to make you feel guilty about eating meat. This article is not about making anyone feel guilty. It is simply an attempt to state the facts about meat consumption.

There are many reasons for lowering one’s intake of meat and poultry. One of the most important reasons is to improve one’s own personal health.

According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, vegetarians are 25 to 50 percent less likely to get develop cancer, which they attribute to a healthy intake of lowfat and high fiber foods.

There is a new documentary that is trying to bring awareness to what people are really consuming. “Food Inc.,” by filmmaker Robert Kenner, will open on June 12 in selected Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York theaters.

According to the “Food Inc.” website, “some of our most important staple foods have been fundamentally altered and genetically engineered meat and produce have already invaded our grocery stores and our kitchen pantries.”

The results of genetically engineered meat include, but are not limited to, big-breasted chicken, pigs that contain human growth genes and fish that contain cattle growth genes.

Although red meat is a good source of protein and iron, it also involves health risks. Consuming less red meat can lower cholesterol levels, as well as the risk of cancer.

The Center for Food Safety states that “human health effects can include higher risks of toxicity, allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and cancer.”

According to the Food and Drug Administration, poultry is the No. 1 cause of foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, 325,000 end up going to the hospital and 5,000 die each year from such

food-borne illnesses.

Many people do not understand the side effects of eating livestock that are injected with hormones. These six hormones include oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone and synthetic zeranol, trenbolone and melengestrol.

The reason farmers use hormones in their meat is because pay is based on the weight of the animals that they sell for slaughter. So, the more an animal weighs, the bigger their profit.

Crew workers have to clean the slaughterhouse, where three to four thousand cattle are billed a day from the hours of midnight to sunrise. Workers use a high-pressure hose that contains a mixture of water and chlorine.

Many workers are sickened by the fumes and many more workers have lost arms and fingers due to the machines being left on.

Schlosser paints a grim picture: “Although official statistics are not kept, the death rate among slaughterhouse sanitation crews is extremely high. They are the ultimate in disposable workers; illegal, illiterate, impoverished, untrained.”

Workers are required to cut the processed meat so fast that they often cut themselves accidently and forget to wash the knives.

Citrus College students can help cut down on meat consumption by trying vegetarian food options offered at the student Owl Café.

For example, a veggie burger can be purchased for $3 and a veggie sandwich can be brought for $5. Other cheaper options include grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, or salads. Although these are decent choices, the food options could still be improved.

There are many places, such as Bastyr University located north of Seattle, Washington, that sell things such as potato pancakes, barbeque tempeh, corn on the cob, roasted vegetable sandwiches, and garlic potatoes.

Off-campus food options include the Fresh & Easy grocery store, where students can find fresh fruit and vegetable meals. Subway is also a cheap fast food restaurant where students can purchase $5 foot subs and mix and match any McClatchey-Tribune Media Services vegetables that they please.

Vegetarian food is often pricey and harder In “Fast Food Nation,” an investigative book about meat consumption in America, to find than traditional food choices. However, journalist Eric Schlosser wrote that meat con- eating less meat will not only protect the anisumption affects not only meat eaters, but also mals and workers, but also the consumer. the workers who process the animals.

According to Schlosser, some of the most dangerous jobs today are the duties of the lateSandra Lopez night slaughterhouse cleaning crew. Slaughcan be reached at terhouse workers are often from foreign countries and desperate for money. ccclarion@hotmail.com

June 3, 2009

Opinions

Citrus College Clarion

17

Diplomacy essential for conflict victory

By Nick Hernandez Clarion Staff Writer Military victories, although important, are not the key to winning unconventional wars. During the Vietnam War this was a valuable lesson to learn.

Today we find ourselves within a similar conflict with similar problems that need to be faced in a different light. Although the Bush Administration has tackled the war in Afghanistan in a traditional sense, it is a relief that President Obama has stressed a new approach to fighting the war in Afghanistan.

The Obama Administration has urged Congress to appropriate funding for schools, hospitals and other infrastructure Afghanistan desperately needs. This is a much-needed change of approach to help our cause in Afghanistan. We must show that we are not a warmongering nation, but one of democracy and freedom.

The reason that this is so important could be easily illustrated using the example of the Vietnam War. Before American involvement in Vietnam began, U.S. Green Berets trained Ho Chi Mihn, who became the leader of the communist movement in Vietnam.

After the Japanese were pushed back, Ho Chi Mihn was ready to adapt Western democracy for his country. He was a great supporter of the American government and wished to model Vietnam after the United States.

Unfortunately after World War II the United States supported French attempts to re-colonize Vietnam, ultimately abandoning the Vietnamese people to the French.

The Vietnamese people sought out assistance from their enemy at the time, communist China, to help them fight against the French. Weakened by World War II, the French were unsuccessful in re-colonizing Vietnam and soon left the

Giving the Afghani public support for our actions will help facilitate communication between citizens and U.S. forces country. Although American involvement in Vietnam gave rise to debate about the purpose of our presence there, the U.S. government stated it was to stop the spread of communism in southeast Asia. The U.S. involvement lasted from 1959 to 1975, taking a toll on the U.S. financially and emotionally as a country.

Sadly when the Americans left the country in 1975, South Vietnam was engulfed by the communist North Vietnamese.

The American involvement in the Soviet-Afghanistan war in 1979 followed a very similar pattern. The former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan at the urging of the Afghanistan government to fight against Afghani rebels known as the Mujahideen. The anti-communist rebels gained support from the United States from weapons to training. After battling viciously with the Mujahideen, the former Soviet Union left the nation defeated in 1989. Although supporting the Afghani Mujahideen, the United States soon left the nation to fend for itself. The country seemed to take up arms with a new group of Islamic extremists known as Al-Qaida.

Sept. 11 caused an outcry for retribution. Under the Bush Administration, the U.S. sent troops to hunt down and destroy all Al-Qaida members. Although militarily speaking it was a largely successful mission, but as the U.S. started to put more troops into Iraq, Al- Qaida forces slowly gained a foot hold back in Afghanistan.

McClatchey-Tribune Media Services The real victims of both conflicts are the local citizens of both nations. After the Vietnam War, any citizen who was seen or even suspected of helping the U.S. was tortured and/or killed. Many Vietnamese were forced to take arms against the U.S. no matter what they believed in. This pattern is followed by AlQaida in Afghanistan today.

Although American military presence is critical in the Afghanistan war, the support and assistance to its citizens is also crucial. American Special Forces are trying to assist the citizens of Afghanistan by providing food, medicine and trained medical attention. However, this effort is still not enough. The American government must invest more money and follow the Special Forces’ lead in helping the Afghanis.

Helping the people of Afghanistan will get us a better footing in the war.

Because this conflict is not a conventional war, members of Al-Qaida must be sought out using the “search and destroy” tactic that was also used in Vietnam. In order to find Al-Qaida the American forces must rely on the Afghani citizens to give them information on Al-Qaida positions. Giving the Afghani public aid will help facilitate communication between the citizens and U.S. forces.

But if we follow the pattern of Vietnam and ignore Afghanistan’s citizens we will lose public support for our actions and might lose our ultimate goal: insuring our own safety.

Nick Hernandez can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

Letters to the Editor Response to ‘When study drugs become an addiction’ I do not doubt that Chris Smith was addicted to “study drugs” and that quitting drugs was the hardest thing he has ever done. I do not advocate taking any prescription drug that has not been correctly prescribed to anyone. Aside from these sentences in the entire article, there is no mention of the purpose of these drugs for patients who take them legally.

My experience is quite different.

I am a 47-year-old woman. I am a wife and I have two active sons who are 6 and 9 years old and two daughters who are 11 and 13. The motherhood factor alone might be enough for anyone to lose focus. I returned to Citrus College this spring to continue my education after my youngest child started kindergarten.

The statement “prescription holder needs their supply to be calm...” offends me. I was diag-

nosed with ADD about five years ago. Since then I have tried several different forms of methylphenidate with varying success. I do not take my medication to be calm. I take it to stay focused. In my experience, having ADD is comparable to listening to a radio with a dozen station tuned on at once. My meds do not cure me of ADD; they help to block out the multitude of distractions I face every day. For me, when students walk in late to a class during a professor’s lecture, it is a distraction. When another student begins texting during class, it is not only distracting, but rude.

While our class was watching a movie on which we would be tested, one student was typing her homework for another class.

Have you ever tried to watch a movie while someone next to you is typing? But I digress.

Mr. Smith states “some people with prescriptions don’t take

theirs, or at least not regularly...” After taking a prescription for ADD for a time the drug begins to lose its effectiveness.

The body develops a tolerance and stopping the drug for a time increased its effectiveness. I have never given away or sold any of my medication.

Not everyone who takes Adderall, Ritalin or other prescriptions for ADD or ADHD abuses them. Are they dangerous? They certainly could be when abused, but so is Tylenol.

I would hope that anyone diagnosed with ADD or ADHD would work with their physician to find a treatment plan and coping mechanisms that work best for them.

- Wendy McCord Citrus College Student

We want to hear from you

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 or length.

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Opinions

Citrus College Clarion

June 3, 2009

Spoiled California students need to accept possible fee hikes

By Dustin Call Clarion News Editor

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n the wake of the state Legislative Analyst Office’s proposal to raise community college per unit fees, it has become a real possibility that Citrus College students could end up paying more for classes.

With large amounts of money being cut from public higher education, the California State University and University of California systems have both raised their fees already.

Now, in the aftermath of the voters’ rejection of five of the May 19 ballot propositions, the LAO has proposed that California Community Colleges also raise fees from $20 per unit to as high as $60 per unit.

Most students will probably be outraged by this idea. It is the state legislators that got us into this state budget mess. Now they want to cut money from the higher education budget causing students and teachers to suffer. These budget cuts are what might drive California Community Colleges to raise fees in order to continue providing enough courses for students.

In March of this semester, student government representatives from Citrus College, along with other students from Citrus, traveled to Sacramento to participate in a statewide rally against funding cuts to community colleges.

Thousands of students and other upset residents from across California

swarmed the steps of the Capitol waving signs and chanting.

Their disapproval (an understatement, I know) of the state’s budget mess is completely understandable. Education provides for the future of California’s well being. Cutting funding for education could negatively impact us in ways we cannot even comprehend yet.

However, when almost 40 percent of the state’s 2009-10 budget is allotted for educational spending, those inside the education realm cannot expect lawmakers to close the $24 billion deficit without cutting educational funding.

Ideally I know that many would prefer to just oust the whole legislature and the governor, but that still would not solve the problem. Before action is taken against those who got us into this mess, the deficit has to be resolved. It’s a sad situation, but it’s reality.

What Californians, especially students, need to do now is bite the bullet.

Because of funding cuts to our community colleges, the state needs to raise the fees. Raising it to $60 could be a little too extreme. A more moderate increase to $30 would still be reasonable and provide significant revenue.

Californians don’t know how spoiled they really are compared to other states in the union. Anytime something doesn’t go the way Californians want, they rise up and whine like babies. Just deal with less-than-perfect for once!

California Community Colleges have by far the lowest fee rate in the whole country.

It’s not going to kill anyone to pay a little more to go to school.

Consider yourself lucky to be paying the low rates that you do now.

Cuts are

going to be made all around and no matter where you go people are going to be hurting. If cuts are made to health and human services, those people who are affected by them are going to feel the same way that students do.

If California Community Colleges raise fees, students will suffer, along with myself.

Most students at Citrus probably still live at home and have their parents to support them. I have a wife to support while going to school. I can’t afford to

pay higher fees any more than the next man.

But when it comes down to it, someone has to be unselfish and accept what is best for the entire state.

We can deal with Sacramento later.

Dustin Call can be reached at dcall4@gmail.com

Finding the right career path is not an easy task

By Mitchie Pardilla Clarion Staff Writer Community college students often find it difficult to decide on a career path that we hope will lead to success and to help us become the persons we want to be.

Input from family and friends, salary and benefits all contribute to this decision-making process.

When I was in my senior year of high school all of my girlfriends already thought they knew what they wanted to major in. My story is a little bit different. All I knew was that I didn’t want to do a lot of math and science.

Eventually I chose to study mass communications. I don’t really know if I will pursue that major, but I do know that I like to write, even though I’m not that good at it yet.

My classmates ask me: why journalism? Like most beginning reporters, tell personal stories, but most often discovering journalism is just accidental. However, almost all of us were wrong in our assumption that journalism would be easy.

We all fell in love with Journalism, which is about writing stories based on facts, covering the who, what, when, where and why. If you don’t look any further, journalism looks easy.

But being a journalist can be frustrating, annoying, and even frightening.

Getting the facts straight, even though you can’t find sources, is essential. You need to get quotes

McClatchey-Tribune Media Services from your subjects and be firm enough to know what you want.

You need to understand what you wrote. You should always try to avoid expressing your opinion in news.

Deadlines are really deadlines;

your articles won’t go to the printer if the rewrites are late.

On the other hand, journalism can be entertaining and lots of fun.

You get to meet newsmakers and learn about interesting people as you profile them. After you inter-

view a source, you often realize that you share so many things in common, and sometimes you gain a friend.

Sometimes sources are busy and don’t want to talk to you. In those cases you need to be persuasive and

think of reasons why they would to want to talk to you. Covering news can be inspiring and can make you realize that there is more than what you see to every story. You learn to look deeper into events that shape our world. Everywhere you go, you discover people and ideas that you know would make good articles.

Writing facts and telling stories are the most important functions of the media. Print newspapers are especially important to society. Those pages represent the hard work of the people behind the bylines. Student publications like the Clarion are the voice of the students. To stop printing the paper would be detrimental to us students as well as to the whole campus community.

Finding your bliss and pursuing your passion is not as easy as it may seem at first. Hard work should always be there as you strive to be a better person and develop into the man or women you want to be.

The magic of the printed word can motivate us to pursue our goals.

No matter how many times we fail, we must stand up and try again, being open and accepting new challenges of whatever life throws at us.

Being persistent and resisting to give up shapes us, as we strive to make the world a better place.

Mitchie Pardilla can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com

June 3, 2009

Editorials Editorials Editor Frank Ram - Ram_Frank23@yahoo.com

Citrus College Clarion 19

Take charge today and write your Legislature nder the current circumstances of a failing economy, a seemingly untrustworthy California state legislator, and a burlap sack of worries getting heavier every day, a shocking and harsh reality is being revealed to us: "Tough times are ahead," said Jack Scott, Chancellor of California Community Colleges.

The repercussions of California's current fiscal state on Community Colleges and the entire public school system will be devastating.

The Legislative Analyst Office has proposed increasing the cost of community college courses from $20 to $60 per unit. Eliminating the Cal Grant is also a suggestion, along with making more than 50 percent in cuts to categorical programs. It will be long, it will be hard, and it will hurt.

As time ticks on, decisions are being made that will shape the future of public education in California for a presently unpredictable amount of years. That a hard blow will be felt by the already bruised and bloody public education system is an undeniable truth. But, it is important for us to remember that we have a voice.

There is a $13.98 billion deficit in the 2009-10 state budget, Scott said.

Right now the legislature is drafting the budget for 2009-10, and their deadline is July 1. The budget Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed to the legislature "has disproportionately cut community colleges," Scott said.

The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges urges us all to send a message to our legislators protesting the disproportionate cuts in education and to attend a public hearing in the state’s capital where the Joint Legislative Budget

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IN

CHIEF

Frank Ram and Emily Rios MANAGING EDITOR Emily Rios NEWS EDITOR Dustin Call Life Editor Frank Ram Sports Editor Irene Davis A&E Editor Emily Rios Opinions/Editorials Editor Frank Ram Online Editor Emily Rios Photo Technician Frank Ram Conference Committee will be considering the education budget. Unfortunately, many will not be able to attend this hearing and for them a simple correspondence is the preferred option.

The primary goal of elected officials is to represent us. Writing to our senators, representatives and other elected officials is one of many ways we can inform them of what we want and need the most.

When writing to an elected official, clearly state your purpose for doing so and your deepest concerns.

For example, if you think the education system has suffered enough, say so. Provide facts that support your stance, and most importantly state who you are, your credentials, and your relevancy to the matter at hand.

Letters should be kept brief and to the point; no more than one page in length. That's it. Seal it up and send

Jared Nokturne Citrus College Clarion it off with a return address. house, on May 8. "Education should If you prefer to conserve your be the first civil right of the 21st cennow precious 44-cent stamps, then tury," he said. send your letter as an e-mail. If you This is happening to our sons and are not particularly good at letter daughters, to our brothers and siswriting, then you can simply make ters. This is happening to anyone a phone call. who takes part in the nurturing and “E-mails and phone calls get development of the minds that will counted by staff aids,” said Robert shape tomorrow's world. What will Borsage, co-founder of the Cam- our future work force look like after paign for America’s Future. He also coming out of a neglected public edsuggests attending local town meet- ucation system? ings in order to reach your represenTelephones in the offices of Caltatives directly. ifornia state lawmakers should be You might as well act right now. ringing off their hooks right now.

Walk on over to a computer lab, The mail carrier should be deliveropen a word document and type. ing mail into their office buildings For heaven’s sake, people, by the truckload. All of these phone scream at the top of your lungs. This calls, and all of these letters, should is happening to you. be coming from you. The students, "If a foreign power did to our the parents, the teachers, the adminchildren what we did, we would istrators. The people. Make your consider it an act of war," said Newt voices heard.

Gengrich, former speaker of the .

Senator Bob Huff Representative of Citrus College Glendora Office: 2605 E. Foothill Blvd. #A Glendora, CA 91740 Email Address: www.cssrc.us/web/29/contact_me.aspx

Assemblyman Anthony Adams Representative of Citrus College Claremont Office: 915-c W. Foothill Blvd. #359 Claremont, CA 91711 Email Address: Anthony@anthonyadams.com

Find your representative @ www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html

Get involved in school politics

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Clarion

EDITOR

Contact Your Legislator

he Associated Students of Citrus College recently held elections for the Fall 2009 Executive Board.

The Clarion would like to take a moment to congratulate the newly elected ASCC officials.

In many instances, as in the case of newly-elected president Karlyn Bradley, students run unopposed. When running unopposed, students must still get 50 votes to take office.

With a campus of 14,000 stu-

Citrus College

dents, more students should take an active role in student government. ASCC plays an important role on campus.

ASCC is responsible for a halfa-million dollar budget that is distributed to various campus groups and programs that benefit students including athletics, fine arts and campus activities. They also make funding decisions for field trips and club activities.

Members of ASCC participate in shared governance committees alongside faculty members to

work on crucial issues facing the campus.

This semester’s executive board has been active in fighting for what is best for the student body.

In March, 16 students from ASCC and an adviser traveled to Sacramento to participate in the March in March rally to protest against budget cuts on education.

They have also been active supporters of the Metro Gold Line, sponsoring a May 7 rally urging the community to take action to

get this project completed.

ASCC has a loud voice on campus and gives students numerous opportunities to learn and serve the campus.

The Clarion encourages students to run for ASCC positions.

No matter who you are and where you come from, dare to make your voice heard.

Adviser Margaret C. O’Neil Staff Writers Jonny Arellano, Ashley Broussard, Sandra Lopez, Mitchie Pardilla, Cheyenne Scharff, Rebecca Vicino Correspondents Andrew Vasquez Photographers/Artists Jared Nokturne, Alonso Ramirez, Cheyenne Scharff, Andrew Vasquez Page Designers Jonny Arellano, Dustin Call, Jared Nokturne, Frank Ram, Emily Rios, Andrew Vasquez The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester.

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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 the 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 or length.

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Citrus College Clarion

20

June 3, 2009

Business club focuses on service

By Emily Rios

Clarion Co-Editor In Chief rmed with hard hats, hammers and caulking guns, students from the Citrus Business Association recently devoted a day to community service.

Five students, along with the business association adviser professor Robert Smolin, spent May 29 caulking seams, drilling holes and hammering nails at a Monrovia home building project sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity chapter.

The four-home Sherman Avenue site, which had its groundbreaking on Sept. 13, 2008, is the first Habitat house built in Monrovia.

So what led these business-minded students to tackle a local service project?

“We were looking to do a volunteer project, and this came up,” said the the business club’s vice president Freddy Monteblanco.

Community service is written into the club’s charter, but volunteerism has not always been consistent, Smolin said.

He expressed hope that Citrus students would undertake a service project every semester.

During a Habitat for Humanity build, the families who will eventually occupy the homes work hand-in-hand with volunteers.

Citrus Business Association members were fortunate to be working on site on a day when a home recipient was also working.

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Kusun Gooretilleke, president of the Citrus Business Association, inspects his work on one of the houses being built by Habitat for Humanity, during a day that the Citrus College club volunteered to help with its construction.

“It is a good, humbling experience to work,” said Mario DelGrosso, who will be living in one of the four houses. “I’m invested and have something to gain, but it’s good to see people who are not invested give outside of themselves.”

Monteblanco and Business Association President Kusun Gooretilleke agree that that participating in the build, even for one day, was a great experience. It felt good knowing that they were giving back to their community, they said.

“I thought the day went great,” Gooretilleke said. “Even though we were doing basic tasks, we wanted to make sure we were making a difference, and the site manager assured us that everything volunteers do makes a difference.”

At the end of the day, the Citrus students sat for an hour with a home recipient and heard his story, which they described as a rewarding experience.

“Individuals can show up at the site every day except Sunday and Monday and sign a release in order to volunteer,” site manager Johnny Haynes said. “Groups of more than three who are interested can contact the office at (626) 792-3838.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity, visit www.sgvhabitat.org.

Emily Rios can be reached at Rios_EmilyC@yahoo.com

Citrus Business Association Vice President Freddy Monteblanco carefully hammers nails into a house being constructed by Habitat for Humanity in the early morning of Friday, May 29.

Photos by Andrew Vasquez

Jennifer Beal, a member of the Citrus College Business Association, finishes adding glue to the unfinished windows of a house being constructed by the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity. cmyk

Citrus Business Association member Kurtis Coulter scales down the ladder of one of the two houses being built by the Habitat for Humanity and the association on May 29.

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