Clarion 3/20/19 by Citrus College Clarion

CLARION c i t r u s

c o l l e g e

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 | VOL LXXII ISSUE 11 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion

Library opens new lactation station

Spraying Nostalgia

BY GISELLE VARGAS STAFF REPORTER

GVARGAS@CCCLARION.COM

Hayden Memorial Library installs a lactation station at LI-128. The station is in a private and secure room that can be locked from the inside. The room also contains a first aid kit and water bottles, in case of emergency. “Any time the library is open, the lactation station is available,” Librarian Sarah Bosler said. Everybody can access the lactation station by asking the checkout desk; any librarian will lead the way to the room. Prior the installment of the lactation station, the only places on campus available for students to breastfeed was in the health center by sharing the area with medical appointments and the CalWORKS offices for students in the program. The California Assembly Bill 2785 states that every community college should have reasonable accommodation for breastfeeding students no later than Jan. 1, 2020. “Maryann Tolano-Leveque (Dean of Students) called me and said there has been legislation pass and that had to be lactation station provided for breastfeeding or pumping mothers and that they were trying to make them across campus,” Lari Kirby, library services supervisor said.

Graffiti turns into a welcome sight for students far away from home read full story at ccclarion.com

Malcolm Castelli Clarion

A jolly wizard resides on the underbelly of the Christ of the Expiration Bridge in Seville, Spain on March 15. After almost missing the graffiti that is painted on the edifice under the bridge, it seemed as if the wizard was mischievously happy after finding him.

new tax affects students Glendora passes new law adding a 0.75% sales tax on all items sold within the city BY RUBY MUNOZ

Campus Center renovation to end BY ANDRE LOPEZ STAFF REPORTER

ALOPEZ@CCCLARION.COM

The seemingly never-ending construction of the Campus Center will end soon. The renovation project started just over a year ago. It began in October 2017 and will now be finished in the coming months. The $4.51 million project includes many new features that will help students. In an email interview with Fred Diamond, the facilities and construction director, “The entire interior of the Campus Center has been redone. All walls, floors, ceilings, rooms, technology, lighting, SEE C A MP U S C E N T E R • PA GE 5

STAFF WRITER

RMUNOZ@CCCLARION.COM

& VICMAN THOME STAFF WRITER

VTHOME@CCCLARION.COM

In a considerably close 53 to 43 percent, the residents of Glendora voted to pass Measure E through a series of special elections that were held on March 5. Measure E is a municipal law that will enact a 0.75 percent sales tax to all items sold within the city of Glendora. This extra tax will raise $5 million that will be used to fund more programs and community events in local parks and the Glendora Public Library. Along with funding designated for the Parks and Recreation department, part of the $5 million will also go to public services. This part of the fund will be used to repair street lights and

potholes that are found in Glendora. For many business owners this tax was hard hitting, it drove customers away from Glendora and into other cities taking their money with them. “People don’t want to shop in Glendora anymore because of the sales tax that was added,” said Cathy Jarvis, owner of The Wishing Well, a gift shop located in downtown Glendora. Jarvis also explained that many other business owners have taken to a Facebook group for business owners to explain

their frustrations on the new business tax. “People are concerned,” she said. But this doesn’t just affect residents in the city. Since Citrus College is found within the Glendora borders, the extra sales tax will apply to the Owl Bookstore and the Art and Coffee Bar, affecting students who eat and buy on campus. For many students this is a necessity, so they are left without many other options on where else they can get what they need. Buying scantrons and blue books are a requirement for many courses on campus and often times buying them on campus is the only way to get them. “I feel like I would still buy, I don’t know where else to get scantrons,” said Leslie

Shooting Star sisters

Sisters Kaylene Brown and Kyannie Brown inspire each other to keep playing basketball PG. 10

Mascorro, an administration of justice major. For others, it was only a matter of convenience and accessibility. “I buy what I need to buy because it on campus,” business administration student Michelle Mesa said. She also explained that going off campus would be a hassle for her due to parking and walking times to the nearest businesses located almost a block away on Alosta Avenue. “It will cost students more. The difficult thing is, is that, when one city adds such a high tax then a lot of people would rather go somewhere else or out of the area,” Eric Magallon, the enterprise service manager for Citrus College. Magallon also said that he expects students to buy less products from the campus retail services. They will be forced to leave campus and go take their money somewhere else.

purely blue

Citrus College band gives performance at Myrtle Tree Cafe in Monrovia. PG. 9

PAGE 2

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 CITRUS COLLEGE

CLARION Charity Wang editor-in-chief John Michaelides managing editor Lydia Egan arts & entertainment editor Logan Gray photo editor (sports & AE) Joshua Hernandez features editor Tannan Luzzo sports editor/circulation manager Timothy Petersen opinions editor Xela Quintana art editor Liandra Thibodeaux photo editor (news and features) Malcolm Castelli foreign correspondent

Owling w/ Laughter

Clarion CORRECTIONS

A COMIC STRIP BY XELA QUINTANA

In the March 6 issue of the Clarion, a photo for the Rocket Owls was incorrectly attributed to David Helander. The photo is courtesy of the Rocket Owls’ Instagram.

OWL BEAT Everything you need to know about current events on the campus community. If there is something you want us to cover, email us: contact@ccclarion.com • MARCH 20 & 21 - HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL BLOOD DRIVE

Students are encouraged to give blood from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Campus Center Mall. All donors will receive a Baskin Robbins gift card for a free pint of ice cream. A photo ID is required. • MARCH 31 - CITRUS COLLEGE NIGHT AT ONTARIO REIGN GAME

The Citrus Alumni & Friends Association invites students to attend the Ontario Reign game against the Stockton Heat at 3 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena for Marvel Super Hero Night. Tickets include a pre-game meet and greet with Marvel characters. Special ticket prices are $20 for students and $25 for alumni. Tickets can be purchased at http://www. alumni@citruscollege.edu.

Staff Reporters: James Duffy, Joseph Durham, David Helander, Andre Lopez, Elizabeth Monico, Charlie Moniot, Ruby Munoz, Vicman Thome, Giselle Vargas, Isaiah Wesby Copy Desk: Kai Johnson, Ross Pelser Editorial Board: Logan Gray, Tannan Luzzo, Lauren Mann, Jerick Palacio, Timothy Petersen Freelance Contributors: Alana Daly O’ Brien, Manuel Diaz, Sammy Fernandes, Jordyn Green, Alejandro Huerta, Elliott Shelley-Jones, Dave Stout

• APRIL 4 & 22 - MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

A mobile food pantry will be available to students from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 4 and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 in the Campus Center Mall, near the Hayden Memorial Library and Campus Center. Students are encouraged to bring their own bags. • MARCH 21 - I.S.A HEALING CIRCLE

Indigenous Students Associations will be having an event by welcoming and honoring the start of spring season with morning prayers for the new circle at 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. the location will be in front of the LB buiilding. • APRIL 5 - STUDENT GOVERNMENT DEADLINE

Elections will be starting soon and the application deadline is at 11:59 p.m on April 5

Patrick Schmiedt Clarion adviser Stacy K. Long Clarion adviser

APRIL WORKSHOPS

The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester. Ads are not endorsed by the Clarion. Editorials are the opinion of at least 75 percent of the Editorial Board. All other opinion is that of the writer. Views expressed do not represent those of the adviser, faculty, administration, Associated Students of Citrus College and/or CCCBOT. Libel will not be published. The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. If you have any gripes, questions, or comments... We want to hear from you! Send your letters to ccclarion.com/letters. All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for content.

Draw your own perspective on how the spring season has been for you. Then tag us and use #CitrusCollege in your submission and we’ll feature the best one.

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MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1 NOTE TAKING 1 - 2 p.m.

2 LEARNING STYLES 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

3 GOAL SETTING 3 - 4 p.m.

4 TEST TAKING 3 - 4 p.m.

8 TIME MGMT 1 - 2 p.m.

9 MATH ANXIETY 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

10 STRESS MGMT 2 - 3 p.m.

11 STUDY SKILLS 4 - 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

S P R I N SPRING G BREAK B R E A K

@ccclarion @citruscollegeclarion @ccclarion • All workshops will be in SS 281 unless otherwise posted

THE 1000 BLOCK

#citruscollege

WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE? USE THIS HASHTAG ON SOCIAL MEDIA

HOOT TWEETS:

CITRUSCOLLEGE: @CitrusCollege: FYI: Citrus College will be conducting an emergency drill during the evening hours of thursday, 3/21 EHSGUIDENCE: @ehs_guidance: We just become Biologist! Great BioTech Program

OWLSTAGRAM:

Incident Reports Grand Theft

LOCATION: South Bungalow (SB Building) REPORTED: 1/31 1:15 p.m CASE #: 2019-004 DISPOSITION: Closed

Vandalism

LOCATION:Performing Arts Center REPORTED: 2/26 12:05 a.m CASE #: 2019-006 DISPOSITION: Closed

Indecent Exposure

LOCATION: Church Lot REPORTED: 2/27 12:04 a.m CASE #: 2019-008 DISPOSITION: Closed

Vandalism

LOCATION: S8 Parking Lot REPORTED: 2/05 8:30 p.m CASE #2019-005 DISPOSITION: Closed

Drug Law Violation

LOCATION: S6 Parking Lot REPORTED: 2/27 12:27 p.m CASE #: 2019-007 DISPOSITION: Closed

Damage to District Property

LOCATION: Stadium REPORTED: 3/17 from 6 a.m to 4 p.m CASE #: 2019-009 DISPOSITION: Closed

REPORTS ARE PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE CITRUS COLLEGE CAMPUS SAFETY DEPARTMENT. A REPORT IS NOT A STATEMENT OF GUILT.

Clarion

FORUM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 PAGE 3

EDITORIAL

lockdown sparks debate about communication On the morning of Jan. 15, Citrus College went on lockdown with little information given to students about the circumstances and leading to an influx of hearsay. After this experience, Citrus College’s administration has become aware of the necessary changes required for emergency situations. In particular, the spread of inaccurate information has destructive effects during a situation such as a lockdown. While many may have found the lack of details frustrating, Citrus College and Glendora Police Department have a responsibility to make credible reports, which take time to certify. Lies and misinformation take no time at all. Many students relied on social media to find out what was happening on campus, but unfortunately most of the statements made were false. The circulating gossip spread to Twitter where people began making claims that contradicted Glendora Police reports. Various users continued to send out tweets such as “There is an active shooter on citrus (sic) by the math building” although GPD already established they were still actively investigating a threat at Citrus College on Twitter. The distressing tweets spread, grabbing the attention of many while overshadowing credible news. For those on and off campus, it quickly became unclear what was happening. Students and staff alike are responsible for making the mistake of relaying false claims. Still, when given

Illustration by Charity Wang Clarion

little information during a lockdown, no communication from their most trusted source could potentially create just as much panic. Although Citrus College was following Glendora Police Department’s instructions in sending out minimal

alerts, more consistent and succinct communication would be beneficial in limiting false rumors and uncertain claims made online. During these critical situations, communication is essential and miscommunication is equally

detrimental. The various falsehoods that stem from the misinterpreted alerts can create further complications while attempting to understand the situation as a student body, as a staff member and as a community.

The lockdown was a high stress situation that was fortunately resolved peacefully. From this experience, Citrus College is reminded of what they can do to reduce any unnecessary tension amid the chaos under these circumstances.

OPINION

How much longer are we willing to wait? BY TIM PETERSEN OPINIONS EDITOR

TPETERSEN@CCCLARION.COM

Climate change needs to be treated with a sense of urgency. The consequences of inaction will cost countless dollars and lives in the future. Here in the U.S., our government is playing the same partisan politics with our climate that they do with healthcare and immigration. This tired approach is inefficient and dangerous. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic Congresswoman from New York’s 14th district, is taking steps to push the issue. Her proposed Green New Deal would create jobs in clean energy industries such as wind and solar. The house resolution also sets the goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy in the next ten years. To a fault, the resolution is a bit broad. Some sections of the house resolution go beyond climate change and focus on social reform. For instance, Ocasio-Cortez calls for quality health care, affordable housing and economic security. These issues are important, but if legislation is to be passed, a moderate approach needs to be taken. Proposed climate change legislation needs to be focused on climate change alone. Republicans will not pass legislation that has a left-leaning bias. Also, switching to 100 percent renewable energies in the next 10 years will decimate oil and coal communities. This fact alone will bring strong opposition, but these same commu-

Photo Illustration by Xela Quintana Clarion

nities will be decimated if nothing is done to combat climate change. What the authors of the Green New Deal do understand is the

urgency of the situation. The text of the Green New Deal references a report by the U.N. and the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change published in October of 2018. Currently, the global average temperature is 1.5 degree Celsius

(2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The report states that world governments such as the U.S., China and the U.K. have until 2050 to bring carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero. The IPCC believes a reduction in carbon dioxide levels will keep the global average temperature from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). The IPCC report says if the global average temperature does rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius, the impact on our climate will be devastating. Changes in climate will lead to extreme heat and drought, which could lead to widespread famine. Governments need to enact laws now in order to reach this goal. Sections of the Green New Deal echo the same urgency as IPCC’s call to action. As for the local impact of climate change, a study published by researchers at UCLA on April 23, 2018, says that Southern California will experience periods of drought followed by bouts of heavy precipitation. These weather patterns have been seen in the past ten years and have intensified wildfires in our area. If these reports are credible, there is no time for political gridlock on this issue. The Green New Deal is aggressive with its goals. Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to act now, rather than react to climate change later. Rapid change in energy and agriculture is imperative. Climate change is a real national emergency and needs to be treated as such.

SUMMER 2019

KYOTO, JAPAN JUNE 29 – JULY 27, 2019 DEPOSIT DEADLINE: MARCH 21,2019 *Waitlist may be available after deadline

Enroll in up to six units of CSU/UC transferable credits!

STUDY ABROAD

RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. Meeting dates, brochure and course information are available at citruscollege.edu/studyabroad. For more information, email studyabroad@citruscollege.edu or call 626-914-8560.

FALL 2019

LONDON, ENGLAND SEPT. 6 – NOV. 29, 2019

NEXT MEETING: FRIDAY, 3/22 AT NOON IN CI 159 Enroll in up to six units of CSU/UC transferable credits!

Clarion

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 PAGE 5

Meta-majors open up pathways BY GISELLE VARGAS STAFF REPORTER

GVARGAS@CCCLARION.COM

The Guided Pathways program is in progress and will be implemented no later than 2022, which is the state deadline. Citrus College and 114 other community colleges have implemented this program with the purpose of helping students achieve their academic goals. “It’s a way for students to be able to connect to a college by thinking about it from their career,” said Victoria Dominguez, faculty co-lead of Guided Pathway and mathematics & business professor. The concept behind the program is sorting students into groups called meta-majors at Citrus, they will be referred to as Career Academic Pathways — with groups divided by student’s majors and interests. “If you are not super familiar with the application process and what is your major about and what you want to do with it, this is one piece of Guided Pathways, of making that selection process, a little more clear,” said Natalie Desimone, Faculty co-lead of Guided Pathways and counseling faculty member. The groups in Career Academic Pathways are categories by Art & Design, Business & Technology, Communications & Human Services, Health & Well-being, Law & Public Services and Science & Math. Inside each group, there will be a support group. “(Students) have very complicated lives in community college,” Dominguez said. “They are usually working a lot, they

Lydia Egan Clarion

Alicia Rodriguez, child development major, looking into the new center.

CAMPUS CENTER F R OM PAGE 1

Photo Illustration by Xela Quintana Clarion

Career Academic Pathways will be implemented by 2022 to encourage student participation in their declared major.

may have other responsibilities, caring for family and caring for other people. So, time is of the essence for them.” For students with undeclared majors, Career Academic Pathways is designed to help students explore a field and set an education plan.

New counseling classes will be implemented. The courses taken will also count for the major the students eventually decide on in their chosen group in the Career Academic Pathways program. There are four pillars in Guided Pathways: Clarifying the path, ADVERTISEMENT

Enter the path, Stay in the path and Learning. “It’s a framework. It is going to change the way students enter the college, the way hopefully you come on board, and a little less confusing from how you get to application to your first class,” Desimone said.

etc. are new. The facility is vibrant, welcoming, functional and the students will find it to be very nice.” With most of the work already completed, the Campus Center is currently going through a final clean phase and preparations with a shipment of furniture in late May. Along with Diamond, the construction is being completed by the design team of Westberg+White, Horizons Construction and project inspector Gary Glide. “The modernization of the Campus Center will provide a welcoming place for students to gather, collaborate, study, learn, and experience the collegiate student life environment. We serve the students at Citrus College,” Diamond said. Once the Campus Center is completed and opens, the next project is to update and renovate the ED building as a part of the bond Measure G that was passed a few years ago. “I hope that the students gain an appreciation for the college experience and learning environment that the Campus Center provides,” Diamond said.

Women’s History Month Thursday, March 21, 2019 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.)

Haugh Performing Arts Center The event is open to the public and no tickets are required. Student lot parking is available to the public with a purchase of a daily parking permit. Book sales and signing opportunity to follow the event. “Miss Burma” is also available for purchase in the campus bookstore.

Charmaine Craig

Award-winning author Charmain Craig studied literature at Harvard College, received her MFA from the University of California, Irvine, and serves as a faculty member in the Department of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside. Her first novel, “The Good Men,” was a national bestseller translated into six languages. Her second novel, “Miss Burma,” longlisted for the 2017 National Book Award for Fiction and is based on the lives of her mother and grandparents, all born in Burma. Formerly an actor in film and television, Ms. Craig grew up in Los Angeles, where she now resides.

This event was made possible by the generosity of our donors and supporters.

For more information, call the Office of Student Affairs at 626-914-8601.

Clarion

FEATURES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 PAGE 7

Domenique Dominguez, 21, theatre arts major, sings Green Day songs on March 13 in the Campus Center Mall. Dominguez will be performing in the upcoming “American Idiot” musical.

Charity Wang Clarion

First-generation theatre arts major takes center stage BY LYDIA EGAN STAFF REPORTER

LEGAN@CCCLARION.COM

A first-generation college student and consistent Haugh Performing Arts Center performer gravitated toward musical theatre after she saw Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Domenique Dominguez, a 21-year-old theater arts major said she felt a connection to Miranda’s characters. “Musical theatre, classically, is usually very ‘boy loves girl, they’re happy,’” Dominguez said. “I love ‘In

the Heights’ because it deals with such real feelings.” Dominguez said she identified with the character Nina— a first-generation Hispanic college student pressured to attend and pay for college. “(‘In the Heights’) felt more like the life I’ve experienced growing up,” Dominguez said. “It’s nice to see representation.” Before coming to Citrus, Dominguez planned to attend UCLA in 2015, but could not afford the cost. She said she had a “gut feeling that she would spend her time and

money better here at Citrus.” Performing has been regular a part of Dominguez’s life. She grew up participating in theatre and recorded numerous television pilots. At Citrus, she has participated in Citrus Singers, Night Shift, the summer conservatory program and various musicals at HPAC. Dominguez said attending Citrus made her grow as a performer and opened many doors for her. “This school will forever be my favorite place,” Dominguez said. Although she said she worked a

little bit in television, Dominguez said she prefers live theater due to the connection she makes with the audience. “It’s addicting,” Dominguez said. “It feels like you made a billion friends in one room, even though you’ve spoken to none of them.” Dominguez was cast to play “St. Jimmy” in a production of the Green Day- inspired musical “American Idiot” in April at the Haugh Performing Arts Center. The character is the figment of main character, Johnny’s imagination, and explores his character

when struggling with the dark side of fame. “It’s kind of fun,” Dominguez said. “I get to, like, not have any morals for an entire show and just be a bad guy.” Once she earns her associate’s degree, Dominguez plans to focus on appearing in more shows and eventually move to New York. Just like her inspiration, Nina from “In the Heights,” Dominguez aspires to do musical theatre to influence others. “That’s what art is in general,” Dominguez said. “Trying to touch other people through what you do.”

FINANCIAL AID LITERACY AWARENESS FAIR

Thursday, April 11 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Campus Center Mall Hosted by the Financial Aid Office

Learn About Resources

Win Prizes Admissions and Records AmeriCorps Automotive Technologies California Department of Insurance Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services

Free Food

ECMC – Student Loan Repayment East Valley Community Health Center – Covered California EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs Financial Aid Foothill Credit Union

Play Games

Foster/Kinship Education and Resource Programs Los Angeles Metro Options Child Development Center Study Abroad

For more information, call 626-914-8592 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora, CA 91741

Get information regarding: Scholarships, Cal Grants, California College Promise Grant, Work Study, Chafee Grant, Dream Act, Student Loans and more!

CITRUS COLLEGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP • More than 200 scholarships available • Application opens: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • Deadline to submit application: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 • Scholarship Reception: Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 Visit https://citruscollege.academicworks.com to apply.

Need Help? All scholarship workshops are offered in the Student Services Bldg. Date

Room

Time

Monday, March 25

SS 109

9 to 10 a.m.

Thursday, March 28

SS 109

2 to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 2

SS 109

9 to 10 a.m.

Thursday, April 4

SS 109

3 to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 10

SS 109

2 to 3 p.m.

Friday, April 12

SS 109

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on how you can support and promote student success through the Citrus College Scholarship Program, contact the Foundation at 626-914-8825 or foundation@citruscollege.edu

For more information, call the Financial Aid office at 626-914-8592

Clarion

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 PAGE 9 ADVERTISEMENT

Purely Blue performs different genres of music on Feb. 22 at the Myrtle Tree Cafe in Monrovia.

Elizabeth Monico Clarion

Purely Blue from pop II Class performs with flying colors BY JOSEPH DURHAM STAFF REPORTER

JDURHAM@CCCLARION.COM

& ELIZABETH MONICO STAFF WRITER

EMONICO@CCCLARION.COM

Purely Blue, a band formed by students in Citrus College’s Pop II class, gave a performance at the Myrtle Tree Cafe in Monrovia on Friday, Feb. 22. The band advertised the show beforehand, stating their audience should come “ready to dance.” They drew a fairly large crowd, filling the cafe with listeners of all ages. The band played a range of songs, classic and contemporary, and mixed up the usual pop-heavy rou-

tine with a number of rock songs. Purely Blue brought the audience to their feet with newer songs, like “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore, and older hits, such as “Rock Steady” by Bad Company. Some standout performers added the extra flare to songs needed to bring the crowd to their feet. Singer Ashley Ponce turned mothers and children into rock stars as they enjoyed her performance of the old Bad Company song, and guitarist Abraham Chavez gave everybody in the cafe a new appreciation for his art through a few energizing solos. Funky, psychedelic and a smidge of pop rock, Pop II is an extremely diverse band who perform covers

of songs like: “American Idiot” by Green Day, “Rocksteady” by The Whispers and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. Through the performance at Citrus College Pop II had a very interesting way of performing. Once a singer or drummer had sang their selected songs, they would walk off stage without a word then another singer or drummer would come to replace them. The transitions were seamless and the vocals from the songs received numerous applause and cheers. One of the lead singers electrified the crowd and managed to stay in terrific pitch throughout the duration of her performance.

The spirit of rock arrives with ‘American Idiot’ Popular musical inspired by Green Day music will be at the Haugh BY ALEJANDRO HUERTA STAFF REPORTER

AHUERTA@CCCLARION.COM

Two-time Tony Award-winning musical “American Idiot” arrives on April 5 at the the Haugh Performing Arts Center. The hit performance is based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning album “American Idiot” released in 2004. Citrus dance instructor Renee Liskey is the stage director and choreographer for “American Idiot” and Citrus instructor Sean Fitzpatrick directs music. Liskey emphasized how this musical will be a different experience for Citrus compared to previous musicals. “This is an experiment for us over here, we haven’t done anything this edgy in quite a while,” Liskey said. “It’s going to be something new for our patrons that have been coming to our shows in prior years.” The stage presentation for this musical will allow the audience to be a part of the show, up close and personal. “We’re doing this in the round, the audience is actually on stage with the cast members, as supposed to them sitting in the house seats in the theatre,” Liskey said. “The entire set is built on the stage kind of backwards and the audience will be sitting in a circle on the stage with the actors.

Liandra Thibodeaux Clarion

The cast of American Idiot rehearses on March 4 in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on the theater stage.

“It’s going to be a new interesting thing for people that have been coming to the professional shows here for a long time.” Attendants will witness the songs from the Green Day “American Idiot” album and experience the vivid story through the unity of dancers, actors and instrumental students at Citrus College. “Our division is really integrative as we work together, so it’s fun to watch the actors and the dancers work with instrumentalists…They work together and it’s really fun to see them come up with new ideas,” Liskey said. Liskey said she hopes the performance will motivate people of all ages to get more out of the music emotionally and to connect with the story’s depth. “It’s going to be a new experience for maybe a lot of our older patrons,”

Liskey said. “I’m hoping that it brings in some new blood to the theatre. It’s always fun to see new people come in and start to enjoy theatre that didn’t enjoy it before.” Liskey said her overall goal toward the performance is to allow people to open their mind to things they didn’t know about, especially towards Citrus’ Performing Arts. “I’m hoping to bring in a new cycle of people to start enjoying the musical theatre that we offer here at Citrus,” Liskey said. “American Idiot” is at 7 p.m. on April 5 and 6 and 2 p.m. on April 6, with a potential fourth show to be added, if those first three shows sell out. General admission tickets are $26, Citrus students, faculty and staff may purchase two tickets for $13 each. Seniors may purchase tickets for $22. Tickets at the door cost $30 for everyone.

PAGE 10

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019

Clarion

Basketball sisters turn tragedy into triumph BY TANNAN LUZZO SPORTS EDITOR

TLUZZO@CCCLARION.COM

Adversity hits everyone one way or another. It attacks the weakest spots and typically brings people to a crossroad: tap out or advance with resilience. For Citrus College women’s basketball players Kyannie and Kaylene Brown, giving up was never an option — let alone a thought. On April 23, 2015, life for the Browns changed forever when their grandfather Manuel Olvera died after a battle with gallbladder/bile duct cancer. “He always pushed us to go hard every single day, and he taught both of us to never give up no matter how hard it got,” Kyannie Brown said. Olvera had stomach pain for months and despite the entire family’s recommendation to go to the doctor he declined. “He didn’t want to, because he said that he felt that if he had surgery he wasn’t going to wake up and he didn’t want to leave his grandkids alone, so after that, he dealt with the pain,” Kyannie Brown said. One day the pain became so unbearable for Olvera that he decided it was time to seek help. “It got really bad and it even caused him to fall on the floor, so that night we went to the hospital,” Kyannie said. Initially the doctors said he was OK, but upon further testing they discovered a mass of cancer behind his gallbladder. He was subsequently given six months to live. The sisters were close to Olvera. He lived with them at home and shared a close loving relationship with everyone in the family. Olvera helped raise the Browns and was like a father figure their whole lives. “He was really close to them, so that was a big roadblock for Kyannie’s freshman year,” Citrus College head coach Linnae Barber said. “He was like dad. They didn’t have their dad.” Olvera passed away in the family home headed by their single mother, Sylvia Olvera. “It was hard, because we watched him take his last breath like right in front of us, and seeing that is kind of hard to forget sometimes,” Kyannie said. While the sad memories occasionally rise to the surface, they try to focus on the positive memories — how happy he was, how he liked to dance when he arrived home and how he shared a close knit bond with his granddaughters. “I feel like sunflowers represent happiness,” Kyannie said. “My grandpa was always a happy person. You never saw him down. He was always like smiling, happy, dancing like as soon as he walked in the house.” When they see a sunflower, they are reminded of Olvera and the light he brought into everyone’s lives, not just their own. The sisters credited Olvera for assisting their mom in raising them and their little sister Stephanie from infancy. “My mom struggled,and he played a big part in helping her out,” Kyannie said. “With everything,” Kaylene added. Even though it was no simple task for their mom to raise three daughters, she sacrificed a lot to make sure her daughters were OK. Sometimes, Kaylene wasn’t even aware at times of how challenging the circumstances were for their mom. “I knew we didn’t have a lot of money and all that stuff, but I didn’t know it was like that bad,” Kaylene

Citrus College women’s basketball teammates and sisters Kaylene Brown, left, and Kyannie Brown pose for a photo inside the Owls’ Nest.

said. “I still had a good childhood,but it just wasn’t as good as other kids would have it when they would have two parents.” Life was not always the simplest for the Browns, especially living in a single-parent household. “My mom’s just a really strong person,and I’m really blessed to have her in my life because without her I wouldn’t be where I am today; and I just want to make her proud, that’s all,” Kyannie said. Sylvia Brown has always done whatever she can to help her daughters succeed. “My mom is just unbelievable. She does a lot especially being a single mom. Taking care of her three girls... that’s not easy, especially with us being in sports. Just for us to make it to a 5 a.m. practice we have to wake up at 3 o’clock in the morning,” Kaylene said. Hard work and dedication demonstrated by their mom throughout their lives has been motivating for them to keep going when times do get tough. “It’s just unbelievable because if she’s able to do all of that and still keep waking up every morning and going every single day, non-stop, then there is no excuse for me not to push for her and push for myself,” Kaylene said. BASKETBALL Kyannie Brown started playing basketball her freshman year in high school, a rare feat for someone playing college athletics, The 5-foot10- inch sophomore earned Western States East conference MVP honors, conference player of the year award, 1st team all-conference honors and was featured in a CCCWBCA Sophomore Showcase during the CCCAA State Basketball Championship weekend. During the 2018-2019 campaign, Kyannie averaged 17.4 points per game along with 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field. She started all but two games and carried her team to 18-10 record and postseason trip that finished in the first round when the Owls lost to Cerritos College. Kyannie led the conference in scoring and finished third in rebounds per game. Her defensive game improved from her first season as well. She

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FIGHTING OWLS

RESULTS AND UPCOMING SPORTS CALENDAR MEN’S BASKETBALL 25-7 3/14 Sequoias W, 70-59 3/16 San Francisco L, 82-76

MEN’S GOLF 10 a.m. 3/25 Monday @ Victor Valley 10 a.m. 4/1 Monday @ College of the Canyons MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING

3/29 Friday @LA Valley College Tannan Luzzo Clarion

Kaylene Brown and Kyannie Brown dribble basketballs inside the gym. Kyannie Brown led the Western State East conference in scoring and finished third in rebounds per game.

tallied an average of 1.4 blocks per game and 1.3 steals per game. “I remember saying, ‘I want to play college ball’, so it’s kinda crazy that I’m playing college ball right now,” Kyannie said. Barber saw potential in Kyannie the moment she watched her play basketball for the first time. “She just has a special gift, and so when I watched her play I’m like ‘that girl is going to be something special,’” Barber said. “She was one kid I really, really wanted.” After the success Kyannie had, Kaylene quickly followed and started playing basketball, though it was initially a surprise. “I wasn’t into sports really,” Kaylene said. “I was into music and I wanted to be in choir and sing.” She decided to try out and join the squad during her own sophomore year at Montebello High School begining her own journey with basketball while discovering her own identity. CITRUS After their initial years of development at Montebello High School together, and after the death of their grandfather, Kyannie played basketball at Citrus first. Kyannie said being separated from Kaylene was weird, but admitted that she enjoyed being able to take a step back and watch her little

sister develop. “It was cool because I got to see her grow up,” Kyannie said. “I was at (Citrus) all the time so I didn’t get to see much, but when I would go see her play I could see her improvements and stuff like that.” Kaylene also thought the transition was tough without the normalcy of her older sister by her side. “It was weird not being able to see her every day, but I just didn’t like the team I was on,” Kaylene said. “We just didn’t connect. It was hard to not play with someone I’m used to playing, and we know what we like.” While being separated from any sibling can be a challenge independence provides a pathway for personal growth. “It also helped me be more independent,and by not having to depend on (Kyannie), I was able to grow out of my shell and not always have her behind me,” Kaylene said. As most strong recruits do, Kyannie had several offers to play college basketball. Kyannies decision to attend Citrus was simple – the coaching staff was unmatched. “There’s not really many coaches out there like (Barber), because for her it’s more than basketball,” Kyannie said.