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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 | VOL XCI ISSUE 2 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion
Eagles swat Owls out of playoffs in 87-69 loss BY MIGUEL ROMERO MANAGING EDITOR
MROMERO@CCCLARION.COM
For the second year in a row, Citrus was knocked out of the California Community College Athletic Association men’s Southern California playoffs by Mt. San Jacinto. It
was Citrus’ ninth straight playoff appearance. Led by state leading scorer Samuel Williams, who is averaging 25.8 ppg, the Eagles (23-7) were able to pull away from Citrus in the second half of their second-round matchup for
the 87-69 win. No. 7 Mt. San Jacinto will play No. 2 Saddleback College in the third round of the Southern California Regionals on March 4. Mt. San Jacinto came SE E B AS KETB ALL • PAGE 13
KEEP OFF THE GRASS
With a rise in the number of drug related offenses on campus, Citrus is using new methods to combat a ‘chronic’ problem
BY MEGAN BENDER STAFF WRITER
MBENDER@CCCLARION.COM
N
BY EVAN SOLANO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ESOLANO@CCCLARION.COM
A “No Marijuana on Campus” campaign, aimed at educating students and enforcing campus marijuana policies that they may be unaware of, is underway at Citrus College. The Department of Campus Safety developed the campaign in partnership with the Glendora Police Department. “We noticed an increase over the last couple of years in the number of students who are caught on campus, either bringing marijuana or smoking marijuana,” said Martha McDonald, Ed.D., interim executive dean. In an effort to counter the rise in drug related violations, officials are conducting monthly workshops to educate students on the rules of marijuana use on campus. “I think that there is misconceptions about its use, and we know marijuana is known as a ‘gateway drug’,” McDonald said. “It is about educating them and then [students] can make a deci-
Veterans Center looking to stay successful
“If you don’t tell the students walking around that state laws don’t apply to community colleges, then no one would really know that.”
-Mario Rodriguez
21, business administration major sion on what they are going to do. However, you just can not do it on campus.” At a March 2 workshop in the Hayden Memorial Library, only two students sat in with presenter Mika Chandramohen, an intern in the Student Health Center. “The biggest group I’ve had is 15, smallest is one,” Chandramohen said. “We talk about the consequences of using marijuana on campus and how to distinguish what is allowed on campus ver-
sus what is allowed on the state and federal level,” Chandramohen said. Attending the workshop was Mario Rodriguez, 21, business administration major, who described the session as beneficial. “If you don’t tell the students walking around that state laws don’t apply to community colleges, then no one would really know that,” Rodriguez said. “It’s good information to have.” In addition to educating students, the “No Marijuana on
Campus” campaign also serves to make students aware of the consequences that will be in effect for students who are caught with marijuana on campus. “If we find a student with marijuana in their car, but not smoking, we will give them a warning and ask them to come to our workshops,” McDonald said. “If you are caught smoking marijuana on campus, it will lead to suspension…we want to make sure students understand that.” The penalties are being imposed because of the college’s need to comply with federal guidelines so as not to affect the school’s qualifying for Title IV federal funding. “If we don’t follow these federal laws, that would affect our ability to provide financial aid,” McDonald said. Last semester, 60 percent of Citrus students received some type of federal financial aid through Citrus College, which the workshops help put into perspective. SE E M ARI JUANA • PAGE 5
Baseball swings to victory The Owls win big against Bakersfield PG. 13
early a decade ago Professor Bruce Solheim, Ph.D., and a few student veterans got behind the idea providing a haven for students who had served in the military. The result was the Citrus College Veterans Program. Citrus College was the first college in the nation to offer a transitional course for veterans. For Martha McDonald, Ed.D, interim Executive Dean at Citrus College, this fact sets the veterans center apart from other Community Colleges centers. “Some of the colleges call them resource centers,” said McDonald, who is a Marine veteran. “We call ours the Veterans Success Center because it’s more than just a resource.” According to the VSC website, Citrus College has over 500 veteran students who utilize the VSC to
“We call ours the Veterans Success Center because it’s more than just a resource. ” -Martha McDonald
interim executive dean
study, connect, and readjust to a different lifestyle. Monica Christianson, the VSC Director, can see the students struggle when they return from deployment and no longer have the structure they’re used to on a daily basis To help student veterans’ transition from structured military life to student life, Christianson tries to ‘hand off’ one veteran to the next in an effort to ensure that those returning form deployment feel comfortable. Baron Cheng, 26, who served four years S E E V ET ER AN S • PAGE 1 0
1965 The year the “Citrus Collegian” became the “Citrus College Clarion”
PAGE 2
Clarion
CURRENT EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
LOCAL
STATE
NATIONAL
Duarte begins restoring old hiking trails
LAX runways closures may cause delays
$4.8M in gold bars stolen in armored truck heist
The city of Duarte is currently working on plans to restore part of Fish Canyon Falls trail after receiving a $25,000 grant. The funds were provided by the Los Angeles County 2015 Competitive Excess Funds Grant Program. The city will be hiring eight workers on a part-time temporary basis. The project will focus on widening trails and providing a safe overall experience for hikers. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Glendora to review Route 66 development plan
Mickey Romero/Clarion
Avalon Bay, a 280-unit apartment complex currently being built, was at the center of protest when more than 100 Glendora city residents attended the mid-February city council meeting. The residents submitted multiple requests asking for information on how the five-story structure was approved by city officials and saying it was out of character for the area. They also cited problems with the building’s close proximity to the street. City officials will now review the decade-old zoning plan in the area. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Wanted felon arrested in Irwindale Police apprehended a wanted felon after he allegedly attempted to use a stolen credit card to purchase items in an Irwindale hardware store. The man is wanted by South Gate police on an auto theft warrant and in Manhattan beach for identity theft. He is currently being held without bail, and pending arraignment in West Covina Superior Court. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Twitter/LAX
A new $250 million construction project at Los Angeles International Airport will cause delays as they look to increase the size of the safety areas located at the ends of the runway. The safety area is used in case planes overshoot a landing or on take-off. The project will require that one of the four runaways be closed on a rotating basis over the period of four years.
Guards from Transvalue Inc. of Miami, transporting 275 pounds of gold, were robbed of $4.8 million in gold The truck pulled off to the side of the interstate due to mechanical problems where armed robbers surprised the guards and ordered them to lie on the ground. They were bound and marched into the nearby forest. No guards were injured during the robbery. Transvalue is offering a $50,000 reward
for any information leading to the arrest of these criminals according to chief executive officer Jay Rodriquez. Interstate 95 is typically one of the busiest roads on the East Coast but the rural stretch where the robbery occurred was relatively isolated and bordered by trees and farms.
Lived Long and Prospered: Leonard Nimoy dies at age 83
Source: Los Angeles Times
Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, died of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Friday morning at age 83, according to his son. Despite having stopped smoking 30 years ago, Nimoy announced he was suffering from COPD last year. After visiting the hospital for chest pains on February 19 the actor later tweeted, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.” Nimoy signed off his final tweet with “LLAP” referencing Mr Spock’s famous saying, “Live long and prosper”.
Gas prices soar due to refinery explosion and labor dispute Gas prices in California have risen 25 cents a gallon in less than a week. The rise in cost is due to a Feb. 18 explosion at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance which plays a critical role in producing California-grade gasoline. The refinery has stopped new production pending a state investigation. Labor disputes at a Tesoro oil refinery in Martinez, located in Northern California, has also stopped production. Both refineries make up 17 percent of the state’s crude oil processing capacity. Source: Business Insider
Farmers denied federal water for second year
MCT Direct
Federal officials said Friday that for the second year in a row, most central valley farmers will not receive water from the region’s major irrigation project this summer. California is entering its fourth year of drought and managers of the federal Central Valley Project will not deliver any supplies this year to farmers in the system, who do not have senior water rights. Farmers in Sacramento and San Jouaqin Valley with historic rights must be honored first. Source: Los Angeles Times
Source: Yahoo News
Source: BBC MCT Direct
GLOBAL Ebola makes reappearance in Sierra Leone
Russian Opposition murder leads to “March against fear”
In early February, sick fishermen came to shore to the packed slums surrounding the country’s popular hotels. It is believed they were infected with Ebola The virus passed quarantine lines and brought dozens of new infections and deaths despite volunteers fanning out to contain the outbreak.
Boris Nemtsov, Vladmir Putins political opposition, was murdered in what appeared to be a target killing on February 28. Nemtsov was due to lead an opposition march that became a mourning rally upon his death. Crowds marching on Sunday began shouting “Russia without Putin”.
Source: The New York Times
YouTube
Source: BBC
MCT Direct
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Clarion
O W L B E AT
C L A R I O N
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
S N A P S H O T S
Wild art and random photos from our staffers taken around campus
DR. CLAUDIA OWENSSHIELDS
Everything you need to know about current events in the campus community. If there is something you want us to cover, email us: contact@ccclarion.com March 5
March 5-11
Coffee With A Cop
Scholarship Workshop
The Glendora Police Department will be hosting their first “Coffee With A Cop” of 2015 on March 5. Students will have the opportunity to converse and enjoy a cup of coffee with Glendora Police and Campus Safety officers in the Citrus College quad area, north of the Student Center from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In recognition of Black History Month, a forum titled “Actively Combatting Racism” hosted by Dr. Claudia Owens-Shields, was held for Citrus College students and staff. Shields discussed the relevance of discussing racism on college campuses, explaining the necessary collaboration between all communities of people to combat this system of oppression. “It’s an act of love,” Shields said. “It’s gentle.”
Students may attend a scholarship workshop for hands-on assistance and application overview at the Student Services building. The Citrus College Foundation offers over 80 various scholarships with over 135 awards offered.
March 12
March 7
Applebee’s Breakfast Fundraiser The Veterans Student Network Club will be hosting an all-youcan-eat breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s on March 7. Ticket cost is $10. Applebee’s is located on 377 North Citrus Avenue.
Guest Lecturer: Nataliia Borysenko The Citrus College Office of Academic Affairs and the Citrus College Foundation presents guest lecturer Nataliia Borysenko, Ph.D. Borysenko will speak of the current conflicts in the Ukraine from 2:40 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. in the Citrus College Performing Arts Center, Room 133.
March 19 Representatives from UC, CSU, private and out-of-state universities will be in the Campus Center Mall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives will be assisting students with transfer options and application information. No RSVP is required to attend.
THE 1000 BLOCK
Incident Reports
Pat Cordova-Goff Clarion
L E T ’ S TA L K T E D TA L K S
Upcoming TED Talks topics showings/discussion in the Campus Center at 1:15 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
MAR. 5 “VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IT’S A MENS ISSUE”
Spring College Fair
PAGE 3
Domestic violence and sexual abuse are often called “women issues,” but in this bold, blunt talk, Jackson Katz points out that these are intrinsically men’s issues - and shows how these violent behaviors are tied to definitions of manhood.
MAR. 9 “FIND YOUR VOICE AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE”
This talk begins with a personal story of sexual violence that may be difficult to listen to. But that’s the point, says citizen journalist Meera Vijayann: Speaking out on tough, taboo topics is the spark for change.
APR. 2 “LEATHER AND MEAT WITHOUT KILLING ANIMALS”
In this eye-opening talk, tissue engineering advocate Andras Forgacs argues that biofabricating meat and leather is a civilized way to move past killing animals for hamburgers and handbags.
PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTION COURTESY: TED TALKS
REPORTS ARE PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE CITRUS COLLEGE CAMPUS SAFETY DEPARTMENT. A REPORT IS NOT A STATEMENT OF GUILT.
Petty Theft (488 PC)
Petty Theft (488 PC)
Burglary (459 PC)
Employee Injury
Drug Law Violation (H&S 11357)
LOCATION: PA 154 REPORTED: 01/23/15 CASE #: 2015-006 Disposition: Open
LOCATION: Library REPORTED: 01/27/15 CASE #: 2015-007 Disposition: Open
LOCATION: PE 104 REPORTED: 01/27/15 CASE #: 2015-008 Disposition: Closed
LOCATION: Café REPORTED: 02/04/15 CASE #: 2015-009 Disposition: Closed
LOCATION: South of IC REPORTED: 02/26/15 CASE #: 2015-018 Disposition: Closed
#whatstrending
LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT OR LIFE ON CAMPUS – FIND IT HERE HOOT TWEETS: @merarisanomad: Getting to school two hours before class just for parking. How about building a parking structure @CitrusCollege? @johnbanaag: ”hey @CitrusCollege i was wondering if i could get to class early today” “nope we’re not gonna build more than 2 parking spaces” @drummer4jah: Seriously, the @CitrusCollege wait list system is a joke.
OWLSTAGRAM:
QUOTABLE: “I know of no time in human history where ignorance was better than knowledge.” -Neil deGrasse Tyson CITRUS COLLEGE
CLARION
Evan Solano Margaret O’Neil editor-in-chief Clarion adviser
Mickey Romero Stacy K. Long managing editor Clarion adviser Dillon Cooper sports editor Pat Cordova-Goff features editor Staff Writers: Megan Bender, Fannya Cordova, Cerena Cooper, Nestor Cruz, Mercedes DeGuchy, Marissa Delahussaye, Ricky Guandique, Marco Polo, Christine Vu Le, Jaclyn Spencer.
Use the hashtags: #CCClarion or #citruscollege to be featured on #whatstrending
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 in at ccclarion.com/letters. All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for content.
Citrus College Study Abroad Program
FALL 2015
Citrus College celebrates our 27th semester in London, England. This enriching experience enables you to enjoy historical surroundings, grow intellectually and enhance your overall knowledge of the world while making normal progress toward your degree objectives. Earn 12 units of Citrus College transferable credit in courses taught by faculty from Citrus College or one of the other community colleges in the Southern California Foothills Consortium. Theaters, major symphony orchestras, world-class operatic performances, concerts, recitals, ballet performances and an unparalleled range of live rock and ethnic music are just some of the cultural opportunities available. A wide variety of museums and galleries provide opportunities to view many of the world’s artistic masterpieces. • Most courses are CSU/UC transferable and meet general education requirements. • Accommodations, insurance, on-site student services support staff, and central London transit pass included. Group airfare is available. • British Life and Culture class features exciting guest speakers and field trips. • Optional tours explore the great cities and historic sites of Europe. For a brochure, application or more information call the Citrus College Study Abroad Office, 626-914-8560, or visit our website at www.citruscollege.edu/studyabroad FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.
APPLICATION NOW BEING ACCEPTED! Early application is essential.
Study Abroad • 1000 West Foothill Boulevard, Glendora, CA 91741-1885 • www.citruscollege.edu
Clarion
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 PAGE 5
Marijuana campaign brings new sanctions FR O M PA G E 1
funding then they have to go by federal law,” Rodriguez said. Each year, in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Act, institutions of higher education are required to deliver timely warnings of crimes on campus and report collected data to the campus community. In 2011, Citrus reported 13 disciplinary referrals for drug law violations with no resulting arrests. In 2012, Citrus reported 21 disciplinary referrals and four drug related arrests. In 2013, the college reported 25 drug violations with 14 resulting in disciplinary referrals, according to the Clery Report. McDonald attributes the sudden rise in drug-related offenses to the changes in California state law regarding the use of medicinal marijuana. “I think students have a misunderstanding about what the law says regarding the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes,” McDonald said. With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington, Colorado and Alaska, many marijuana advocates assume that California voters will approve a 2016 ballot initiative. Meanwhile, at Citrus the rules regarding marijuana are outlined in Board Policy 5500, Article 3, which states that students may be disci-
plined for “unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of any controlled substance.” “A lot of times students do not think this BP applies to them because they have a medicinal marijuana card,” McDonald said. “The state law says one thing but as an educational institution, we have to follow federal law and federal law supersedes state law.” An event is scheduled for tomorrow in the UPCOMING Campus CenWORKSHOPS ter mall in aswith MONDAY, sociation the Glendora APRIL 6 Police Department called With MONDAY, “Coffee A Cop” where APRIL 27 students can meet and 11 A.M.-12 P.M. discuss any HAYDEN MEMORIAL questions they LIBRARY: FISHBOWL have with local law enforcement and campus safety. “A lot of students don’t realize we have a really good working relationship with the Glendora Police Department.” McDonald said. It is not McDonald’s or any one person’s intention to tell students what they can or cannot do in their free time, but the administration is adamant about dealing with this issue head on. “Even in the presentation they
Pat Cordova-Goff Clarion
Corporal Shawna Celello answers questions from Citrus Students at Citrus’ “Coffee with a Cop” event last semester. This event continues Campus Safety’s efforts to create a safe platform for students to voice opinions and ask questions regarding law enforcement.
told us ‘we don’t care if you do it, just don’t do it here,’” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been warning students for the last two years,” McDonald said. “We feel that this has been an ongoing issue and has continued to increase.” “We have been pretty lenient in the past, especially when the law changed so we feel that we cannot have this kind of issue continue to grow.”
COFFEE WITH A COP THURSDAY, MARCH 5 11 A.M.-1 P.M. CAMPUS CENTER MALL **FREE CUP OF COFFEE**
special report: enrollment
Rolled out of class BY MICKEY ROMERO MANAGING EDITOR
MROMERO@CCCLARION.COM
Registering and paying for classes can be frustrating, but being dropped from a class can be even worse. Students in California Community Colleges are required to pay their class fees by a certain date. However, while most colleges give their students a few weeks to pay, Citrus gives them only a few days. Citrus opens up their registration about a month before classes start. After registering, students have a maximum of seven days to pay their fees before they are dropped or “rolled out.” A roll-out is the process in which the college’s automated system drops students from classes for non-payment. Students who receive financial aid or veterans benefits are not affect by roll-outs. In 2007, Citrus began implementing the current automated system, Banner, that roll-outs three times during the registration period on every Sunday at 10 p.m. After classes have begun, a student can only be rolled out for three reasons: failing to meet pre-requisites, multiple tardies or absences and for inappropriate conduct. Many other community colleges
Mickey Romero Clarion
Citrus College implements multiple roll-out dates on students in order to avoid sending unpaid fees to the state’s collection process. Citrus is the only school in the local area that uses multiple roll-outs.
in the local area such as Pasadena City, Mt. San Antonio and Glendale Community colleges, roll-out only once during the registration period. They also give students a minimum of three weeks to pay, while going as far as allowing their students to continue through the entire semester without paying with no repercussions. “We had required payment within three days for a long time before we implemented a new system,” said Dee Adams, admissions and records clerk at Pasadena City College. “Then we required payment within a week, and then that was changed. Our previous management changed it to not require payment at all.”
Although PCC students are not required to pay their fees before their classes begin, payment of the fees is required before registering for the following semester. “We send out reminder notices, and students are not able to register for the next term without payment for the prior term. They would have a hold or be blocked,” Adams said. The roll-out process at Citrus College is straightforward. Students are required to pay their fees the end of the week. After classes have begun, students who add classes using an add code are not required by Banner to pay their fees. The student can essentially go the entire semester without paying. “The students who enroll during
the semester that have holds usually end up not paying and we have to send them to collections,” said Gerald Sequeira, dean of admissions and records at Citrus. Collections is a state-wide collection system for people who owe money to the state. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office submits the collection requests for the colleges. Collections retain money from student state tax returns if they are receiving refunds. Whether the multiple roll-outs system benefits students depends on whom you ask. “I had no idea [of the roll-out]. I registered for all the classes I needed during the fall and before the semester even started, I was dropped
from all my classes for failure to pay,” said sophomore Veronica Ortiz-Gil. “I registered again for the classes, but I was all the way at the bottom. I was only able to get two out of the four classes I had originally had but at different times and with different teachers,” she said. Sequeira has a different perspective. By giving students more time to pay, Citrus runs the risk of not recovering the entire amount due when delinquent fees go through collections. Collections also end up charging a penalty fee, which could prove even more harmful to the student. “It can be five years later, and they finally have a refund coming, and the money gets held back,” Sequeira said. “The school then starts to receive funds and it’s with a penalty, which is about 33 percent of the initial fees.” Community colleges make policy changes in different ways, but the changes to PCC’s registration process were not all that difficult to implement. Overseeing admissions services and the registrar’s office, the vice president of enrollment service at PCC had the power to authorize the change. “They would have that authority to be able to work with I.T to do a setup in the system so students can proceed without payment,” Adams said. Changing the process at Citrus might involve vetting a proposal through several constituencies. “I’m not quite sure what the process was back in 2007,” said Sequeira. “But I think that if students wanted to change it, they would have a voice through student government.”
PAGE 6
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
Clarion
FEATURES
Join the club
Getting to know the members of the InterClub Council, the group behind Club Rush BY JACLYN SPENCER STAFF WRITER
JSPENCER@CCCLARION.COM
Campus can be a lonely place when people stay disconnected. With thousands of students coming and going each semester, Club Rush is a chance for students to get connected on campus. With over 20 clubs, and more forming everyday, clubs such Alpha Gamma Sigma, Anime Connection and Gamers Guild will have booths filled with treats and information for students interested in joining.
“I was so clueless that we even had clubs. I got connected and have been connected to various clubs since that day” -Sarah Acevedo
ICC co-president
Club Rush creates an open environment where students can directly interact with club leaders and
members. Students can learn about all the events, volunteer work, and how these clubs can fit any academic or social needs. Tyler Connelly, president of Inter-Club Council, felt disconnected and was skeptical about getting involved his first semester at Citrus College. “I was always a nerd in high school. I never felt important enough to do important things,” said Connelly. Connelly stepped out of his comfort zone when he decided to go to Club Rush. “I saw a flyer for Club Rush, found the Gay Straight Alliance booth. They were nice people, who accepted me,” said Connelly. “From this club, I actually developed a social life.” Going to Club Rush was a turning point for Connelly and other students like Sarah Acevedo, ICC co-president. “In my third semester at Citrus, I was searching for something to be a part of on campus. I happen to walk out of class and into Club Rush,” said Acevedo. “I was so clueless that we even had clubs. I got connected and have been connected to various clubs since that day.” ICC, a club made up student of-
Jaclyn Spencer Clarion
Tyler Connelly, president of the Citrus College Inter-Club Council heads the group’s first meeting of the spring semester. The ICC are the ones behind planning this semesters Club Rush event which will be held on March. 10-11 in the Campus Center Mall.
ficers and other club leaders, sees this event as an opportunity to highlight the clubs and promote campus commodity. This partnership is actively working to increase students’ campus awareness. Students need to know all the clubs and events that are available for them to join and enjoy. “Students need to know we have clubs and, yes, they are awesome. Community at a community college, makes school more fun,” said Connelly. As a graduate student at CSU Fullerton working towards a masters in education, ICC staff adviser Alejandra Toribio is passionate
about creating a tight-knit community on campus. “I am a student myself. I am learning in my graduate program the importance support and connection is for student success on campus,” said Toribio. Students attending Club Rush will also get the chance to participate in contests and interact with other campus guests. “This Club Rush will have more contests and more incentives for club members and participants checking out the event,” said Toribio. “Both days will have radio stations KROQ and AMP booths there creating a fun atmosphere,” said Toribio.
Besides being a fun event, Club Rush makes club membership accessible to all students. “Most students want to get connected. We want this event to help them realize what they can do on campus; from joining a club or making their own club,” said Toribio. ICC and campus clubs are focused on empowering students to make the most of the college experience. “Once I became more invested, I enjoyed coming to Citrus. We are all here, might as well make it a blast,” said Connelly. Club Rush will take place on Campus Center Mall March 10-11 at 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Clarion
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 PAGE 7
MEXICAN ORCHESTRA PREPARES FOR PERFORMANCE BY MARCO POLO STAFF WRITER
MPOLO@CCCLARION.COM
It will be a night to remember for classical music enthusiasts as the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México makes its debut at the Haugh Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 7. The OSEM began touring in the United States in 1979 and over time has made its way to France, Germany, Spain, Poland, and China among other places. The award-winning orchestra, which has performed in the United States in 2008, will perform a variety of classical works and symphonies for the HPAC audience. Established in 1971 by Maestro Enrique Bátiz, the Orquesta began in the city of Toluca, Mexico, in its home, Sala Felipe Villanueva. He continued as their conductor and musical director until 1983 when he left to join the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra. Bátiz returned to the Orquesta Sinfónica in 1990 and remains there today. He has performed with other major orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic and the London Symphony. OSEM has recorded works from renowned composers such
as Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Ludwig van Beethoven. The symphony also took part at the Festival of Music and Dance in Granada, Spain in 2010. They performed two concerts at the palace of Charles V in celebration of the bicentennial of independence and the centenary of the Mexican Revolution. “It’s really going to be a great celebration of Mexican-American symphonic music,” said Bill Hoehne, Citrus College professor of music who plays woodwind instruments. “Presenting a world-renowned orchestra with such an audience-friendly concert, including the best-known classical guitar piece by Joaquin Rodrigo ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ is a special and rare occurrence for the Haugh Performing Arts Center,” said Linda Graves, HPAC interim director. “With our current fast-paced world full of devices to keep us multi-tasking, we have nearly forgotten how to just sit, listen, and enjoy,” Graves said. Joining the 70-member orchestra will be classical guitarist Alfonso Moreno, performing a classical guitar piece by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.
Courtesy of the Haugh Performing Arts Center
Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México will perform at the Haugh Performing Arts Center for the first time on March 7. Tickets are available at the HPAC box office.
“The luxury of a full symphony orchestra on stage at the Haugh Performing Arts Center is a rare and valuable event,” said Bruce Langford, Citrus College professor of music. “Under normal circumstances such an experience would require running the gauntlet of downtown Los Angeles,” Langford said. “But here, close at hand, with plenty of free parking and at a more than reasonable price, is a quality, symphonic experience.” ADVERTISEMENT
ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DEL ESTADO DE MÉXICO SATURDAY, MARCH 7 8 P.M.
TICKET PRICES CAN BE PURCHASED AT HPAC BOX OFFICE OPEN 11 A.M. TO 4.P.M. TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY AND ONE HOUR BEFORE PERFORMANCE TICKETS: SENIOR: $45/$35/$25 STUDENT: $40/$30/$20 16 & UNDER: $20/$15/$10
PAGE 8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
‘...and many more!’
WORDS BY: MERCEDES DEGUCHY PHOTOS BY: EVAN SOLANO
Clarion
SPOTLIGHT
LEFT: Dr. Geraldine Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College, dancing as Night Shift performs during the “Gala After Dark” on January 10.
BELOW: Voice actor and impressionist Jim Meski entertains the crowd during the Centennial Gala January 10 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Claremon
C
itrus celebrates its academic centennial as an active, running college since 1915 marking this 2014 – 2015 year, as its
100th year. Citrus College is supplying their alumni, friends and members of the community various opportunities to network throughout this Centennial period. Past events for this Centennial included the “Superintendent/ President’s Centennial Gala” which was on Saturday, January
10, 2015 which was a formal gala held at the Clare Doubletree and serving a fundraising benefit for the C College Foundation. Another event from semester was the “Cente Homecoming and All-C Reunion” on Saturday, Oct 11, 2014 in the parking lot the Citrus College Stadium w entertainment, food, histo and program displays, as as a car shows and much were provided to the public. The next celebration wil
Clarion
SPOTLIGHT
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semiemont as a Citrus
last ennial Class tober near where orical well more . ll be
ABOVE: Members of the cosmetology department did the make up and modeled for the car show during the All-Class reunion on October 11. Members of the community brought cars from throughout the century to be displayed for guests.
LEFT: Members of the Associated Students of Citrus College and Inter-Club Council pose for a photograph during the All Class Reunion on October 11. The executive board and ICC members volunteered throughout the event held in the stadium parking lot.
BELOW: The All-Class Reunion featured a historical tent where photos and memorabilia from throughout the years were on display for guests to view.
“The Next 100 Years: Happy Birthday Citrus College” thank you event which is scheduled for Wednesday June 3, 2015 at 2 p.m. This event will take place during the week of the college’s official birthday and will serve as a means of expressing gratitude to the staff, sponsors, volunteers and community members at large. Birthday cake is set to be served at 3 p.m. and the event will showcase the colleges’ student performers.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Members of Night Shift, the musical ensemble led by program director Gino Muñoz, perform then jump into the crowd and dance during the “Gala After Dark” event during the Centennial Gala on January 10. The musical group performed hits by Bruno Mars and The Jackson 5.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
Clarion
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
veteran center seeks funding F R O M PA G E 1
in the Marine Corps, began volunteering at the VSC once he returned from deployment. At the VSC, Cheng is in the company of peers that understand the military lifestyle he and other veterans are accustomed to. “The VSC helped me slowly transition back into this type of lifestyle where you’re back at home with family and friends,” Cheng said. Cheng and other veteran often study in the VSC because it is less crowded than the library and they can depend on each other for help and companionship. Christianson witnesses the benefits of the VSC every day. “The most utilized resource here at the VSC is the building itself,” she said. While the VSC continues to provide assistance for student veterans, it is currently struggling with funding. The VSC ran out of grant funding in 2013 and it has been relying on other sources to provide resources to veterans ever since. “I feel like we’re keeping the VSC
Mickey Romero Clarion
The Veterans Success Center serves as a refuge and study hall for the student veterans at Citrus College. The facility offers student vets many amenities such as a computers, couches, tutoring and a place to get school work done.
open with Band-Aids,” McDonald said. “Right now we have funding through the [Citrus College Foundation], from the Associated Students, from a private donor and some from the district.” California Assembly member Roger Hernandez who represents D-48 recently introduced bill AB 393 to assist veteran resource centers in California’s Community College system, as announced Feb. 19 in a press release. The bill would establish a Vet-
erans Resource Centers Grant Program that will allow California community colleges to apply for funding to start a Veterans Resource Center or increase funding for their already established centers. McDonald, Christianson and the Citrus College Foundation director,Christina Garcia, had an opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Roger Hernandez and informed him about the Veterans Success Center on campus.
“Through that meeting [McDonald] was able to share some of the challenges that we face in the community colleges as far as funding for Veteran Success Centers.” A report released by the California Community Colleges Chancellor Office in 2014 found that Veteran Resource Centers are integral in assessing and responding to the unique needs of veteran students. “Veteran students should have one place on each campus to receive assistance,” said Hernandez
The Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program would be administered by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and will allow districts to apply for grants that provide resources to students who are veteran and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Chancellor of California Community Colleges would be responsible for selecting colleges to receive funding awards. The VSC at Citrus was hoping for categorical funding but remains hopeful with the introduction of bill AB 393. Despite the urgency of funding the VSC holds events and fundraisers like their All-You-Can-Eat Applebee’s Fundraising Breakfast on Saturday morning where 50 percent of proceeds will go to the Veterans Student Network Club. “I think we have a very successful program and the biggest challenge is the funding,” said McDonald. “To be able to provide the resources, the support, and the program that we have in place for next academic year we need that funding.” Continuous funding would be beneficial but until then programs like the VSC rely on opportunities like the Veterans Resource Center Grant program. “We’re excited because it’s a start in the right direction,” Christianson said. “There’s going to be some money available for community colleges to tap into to help and that’s what we wanted.”
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Clarion
FEATURES
Students ‘learn by brewing’ BY NESTOR CRUZ STAFF WRITER
NCRUZ@CCCLARION.COM
Citrus College students now have the option of enrolling in a beer etiquette course designed to educate adult learners in brewing and restaurant operations at Innovation Brew Works located in Cal Poly Pomona’s Innovation Village. Innovation Brew Works will be offering a non-credit, face-to-face course aimed at adult learners, through Cal Poly Pomona’s College of the Extended University, an extension school intended for personal and professional skills enhancement. Official admission into Cal Poly Pomona is not required and students must be at least 21 years old to enroll. “There’s so much education and knowledge to be had with beer and beer brewing, so we figured what better way than to actually bring it to an educational facility,” said Koby Harris, head brewer at Innovation Brew Works. The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, a non-profit organization
whose primary mission is to support programs at the university donated $700,000 to construct a laboratory where students engage in an interactive, hands-on brewing experience. In an expanding craft beer industry and high demand for brewers, job opportunities are increasing. Employers are seeking more qualified candidates with actual experience in the brewing field. “The whole philosophy of Cal Poly is learning hands-on, actually getting experience in the field before you go out and try to find a job,” said Aaron Neilson, director of dining services for the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation. “Perhaps you have gone through our beer program and you can say, ‘I know hands-on how it all works.’” Student outcomes in the course include: demonstrating mastery of the carbonation and nitrogenation process; production of yeast strains; and the development of hop and malt blends. The curriculum will allow students to survey the history of beer; learn about food pairings with specific brews, tasting and appreciation, and its development. Students may also delve into other subjects involved in the course such as agriculture, engineering and science. “There’s so much science behind brewing,” Harris said. “Each ingredient has its own chemical composition and they all react and act in different ways.” The opportunity Innovation
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 PAGE 11
Nestor Cruz Clarion
The back portion of Innovation Brew Works serves as the hands-on learning facility for students. The brewery has 18 tanks which include brite tanks and fermenters each serving their own purpose producing over 100 gallons of beer.
Nestor Cruz Clarion
Koby Harris (far right), head brewer at Innovation Brew Works meets with attendants on the Grand Opening of the cafe Feb. 20.
Brew Works is offering has drawn the attention of not just beer enthusiasts but also students who see this as a unique learning experience. “I have actually considered taking the course and look forward to
it,” said Jeanette Squillace, former Citrus College student, who began attending Cal Poly Pomona spring quarter. “I like the fact of having [a brewery] on campus…and that it is available to students.” Innovation Brew Works has been open since September 2014 serving brews from affiliates such as Ritual Brewing Co. from Redlands, Dale Bros. Brewery in Upland and Alosta Brewing Co. in Covina. Innovation Brew Works had a Grand Opening on Friday, Feb. 20 where they were able to finally present seven of their own craft beers to the public after a long battle with endorsements, licensing and permitting rights that prevented the facility from brewing their own beer. Beers produced at Innovation Brew Works are named after prom-
inent figures in the city of Pomona and the university, such as the “Dr. Ortiz Orange Whitbier,” a beer honoring the former president of Cal Poly Pomona. Oranges and barley, key ingredients for the brewing process of some of Innovation Brew Works’ beers are grown at the Spadra Ranch, an off-campus plot of land. The “Culture of Micro-Brewery and Handcraft Beers” course will be taught over a period of four twohour Saturday sessions from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Classes will start April 11 through May 2 for $150 per student. “Come in and have a good time, but we are not producing beer so people can party and just get messed up,” Harris said. “We are here so there is actually education and learning behind it.”
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Clarion
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
Theatre tech students prepared to go big time Emerging theatre technology students are preparing to work with constantly evolving technologies BY CHELSEA BARRON STAFF WRITER
CBARRON@CCCLARION.COM
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ATTENTION CITrus sTudENTs! Your ASCC card (with valid sticker) entitles you to
2 hAlf prICE TICkETs
the day of show at the Haugh Performing Arts Center
Saturday March
7
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ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DEL ESTADO DE MÉXICO Enrique Bátiz, Music Director and Chief Conductor Program: Turina, Danzas Fantásticas Op. 22; Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez; Brahms, Symphony No. 1 Tickets: $45/$35/$25 Student/Senior: $40/$30/$20 16 & under: $20/$15/$10
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When it was first launched, the Emerging Theatre Technologies program offered a handful of classes, a meager collection of equipment, and a newly appointed staff member with high hopes. Today, it boasts participation in more than 75 annual events, an arsenal of upto-date equipment, and students whose training has lead them into jobs as impressive as the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show. Erik Lopez, 24, a former Citrus College student, enrolled in the program when he was 20. His resume now includes Broadway shows, a Superbowl pre-show party for Rihanna, and the concert staging for Katy Perry’s Superbowl halftime show. He “absolutely” plans to return to ETT finish his training. Lopez, who exemplifies what Emerging Theatre Technologies can afford students, describes the program’s evolution as “phenomenal.” “I get a little jealous sometimes when I look at the students and what they get to play with,” Lopez said. “... ‘You’re so lucky!’ I didn’t have any of that. I had to venture out into the real world to learn all this stuff.’” Clarion Ad #2 Dan Volonte, professor of techSpring 2015 nical theatre, reached out to entertainment companies, asking what they needed from students entering the field. Their answer? The ability to use the evolving advanced equipment. Production Resource Group, one of the largest technical equipment companies in the world and the lighting supplier for events like the Super Bowl, has donated multiple pieces to ETT, including the Virtuoso DX2 stage lighting console. This piece, which even used can sell for more than $18,000, was donated in the interest of training students who can compete, get hired and go to work. “The students, they go out into what they call the ‘real world,’ they see all this equipment, and they’ve already played with it all,” Lopez said. “So the program has really evolved nicely for them.” According to the official ETT brochure, graduates of the twoyear program will be well-trained candidates for entry-level and high positions in one or more areas of specialty. Areas of employment include but are not limited to jobs such as theatre technician, stage lighting
Chelsea Barron Clarion
Alicia Robles, production coordinator for ETT, shows off the program’s equipment. She is pictured here with the GrandMA console from Ma Lighting.
Mickey Romero Clarion
Dan Volonte, professor of technical theatre, talks to students in the emerging theatre technologies program on March 3.
“About 75 percent of students who go out on ETT scholarships stay on with their companies full-time.” -Dan Volonte
Professor of technical theatre programmer, audio technician, concert lighting and sound technician, production coordinator, stage electrician, stage manager, assistant stage manager and assistant lighting director. Another bragging point for ETT is its hands-on nature. The fourth semester of the program includes interning at real companies and events. “These internships give students an enormous advantage in the freelance job market. About 75 percent of students who go out on ETT internships stay on with their companies full-time,” Volonte said. According to Payscale.com, entry-level theatre technician salaries can range anywhere from $10 to $25 hourly. Alicia Robles, nicknamed “Mama” by students and clients, is
the program’s production coordinator. A former student of Volonte, she handles the communication between the college and shows in which Citrus students are involved. “We are the only school on the west coast where this is so handson,” Robles said. “We try to train everybody to do everything. It’s no longer a world where you can just be in a specialized field. Now, when you go out, you have to do everything. The more you know, the more valuable you are to a company,” she said. Indeed, ETT offers multiple classes that help shape “valuable” employees. Theatre technicians in this program branch out farther than the typical stage. “It’s lighting, it’s sound, it’s technical direction, it’s automated rigging, it’s everything,” Volonte said. “Everything we learn in the classroom, we are physically applying to live shows.” Volonte described an average day of live event work as meeting up at 7 am, going out to a location, unloading the equipment, setting it up, running all the power, doing the show, getting done around 11 p.m. or midnight, driving back, unloading the truck, and possibly not getting home until 4 am. One perk of the heavy travel is the yearly trip to Hawaii. Volonte takes a handful of promising students in the program with him for two weeks, where they run various concerts on Waikiki Beach. Tuition is approximately $2,250 for California residents, with a $400 expected textbook cost. Students with little to no experience are welcomed. Erik Lopez himself first joined with zero theatre experience. Now he finds himself working at sets like the Pac-Man maze for the Bud Light Superbowl commercial. “A lot of the people who become the really good students don’t know they are. They think that they’re the screw-ups, the outcasts,” Robles said. “They wander into the program by accident, and it just clicks with them... and they become the best people to have around.”
Clarion
SPORTS
SCOREBOARD SAT 2/21 CANYONS L, 79-72
FRI 2/27 MT. SAN JACINTO L, 87-69
NO MORE GAMES
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WED SAT 2/4 2/14 GLENDALE LA VALLEY W, 73-67 L, 50-46
WED 2/18 WEST LA L, 61-50
SAT 2/21 CANYONS L,61-60
NO MORE GAMES
BASEBALL THURS 2/19 SAN BERNARDINO L, 3-2
SAT 2/21 VENTURA L, 6-2
THURS TUE 2/26 3/3 PASADENA BAKERSFIELD W, 7-1 W, 12-4
SOFTBALL TUE 2/24 RIO HONDO W, 11-5
WED 2/25 MT. SAC W, 8-7
SAT 2/27 ALLAN HANCOCK L, 5-1
TUE 3/3 CYPRESS L, 3-2
UPCOMING BASEBALL THURS 3/5 CANYONS 2:00 PM
SAT 3/7 ANTELOPE VALLEY 1:00 PM
TUE 3/10 LA VALLEY 2:30 PM
THURS 3/12 GLENDALE 2:30 PM
DCOOPER@CCCLARION.COM
FRI FRI TUE 3/6 3/6 3/10 CERRITOS FULLERTON BAKERSFIELD 2:30 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM
NO MEET
NO MEET
NO MEET
MEN’S GOLF SUN 3/9 VENTURA 11 AM
HOME
NO ROUNDS
NO ROUNDS
NO ROUNDS
AWAY
Dillon Cooper Clarion
Freshman Mark Williams, #32, gets his shot blocked by Mt. San Jacinto center Austin Klug, #44. Williams finished the game with 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Owls’ 87-69 defeat.
In the second half, the Owls came out strong but were unable to slow down Williams and the Eagles. Mt. San Jacinto guard Blake O’Donnell tied the game up at 50 apiece before Mt. San Jacinto went on an 8-0 run to grab the lead for good. The Owls never gave up, but were ultimately unsuccessful as they fell 87-69. “I just tried to stay calm and just knock shots down,” said Williams. “That was the only
thing going through my head, just knock it down.” Citrus was outscored 50-37 in the second half. The Eagles forced 14 turnovers overall, with nine in the second half alone. The Owls were also outrebounded 50-36 for the game although the Eagles were only able to convert seven second-chance points. “We don’t box-out at times to try and grab the rebound and that’s been hurting us all year,” said
Citrus sophomore guard John Roach. Mt. San Jacinto’s biggest contributions came from the free throw line. The Eagles shot 40 free throws and converting 28 of them. The Owls were 12-15 at the free throw line. “I’ve never seen a game where there were double the amount of fouls for one team,” said Citrus head coach Chris Victor. “But we had our chances in the first half. I thought
we played well and to be up by only three at the half was a good job by Mt. San Jacinto. I thought we controlled that first half.” Roach led Citrus with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Roach and freshman guard Mark Williams were the only two Owls in double digits. Samuel Williams and O’Donnell lead the Eagles with 29 points and 17 points respectively. “We were up and down a lot during the season,” said Victor. “You just watched a game where you saw the team’s abilities in the first half and almost the opposite team in the second half. We weren’t very consistent, and tonight’s game showed the whole season in one final game.” The game provided an opportunity for much needed experience for several of the underclassmen on the team. Ryan Wiley and Mark Williams both played at least 25 minutes, the second and third most played minutes for the Owls.
Baseball builds off of experience on the mound SPORTS EDITOR
WOMEN’S SWIMMING NO MEET
out firing at the beginning of the game with two consecutive three-pointers to take the early 6-0 lead. The Owls (16-11), however, picked up the intensity on the defensive side of the ball. No. 10 Citrus took the lead behind freshman guard Ryan Wiley and sophomore center Chaunce Hill as they spurred the Owls to a 7-0 run. Wiley would finish the game with a total of six points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block, most of which came in the first half. Mt. San Jacinto kept it close. The Eagles out rebounded Citrus 24-17 and went to the free throw line 18 times in contrast to six times for the Owls. Citrus lead 40-37 at halftime. The Eagles’ Samuel Williams led both teams in scoring with 11 points. “Our coach told us, as bad as we played, we were only down three points,” Samuel Williams said. “Either you want to win right now or just go home and have this be the end of your season.”
BY DILLON COOPER
SOFTBALL THURS 3/5 SANTA MONICA 2:30 PM
Men’s basketball faces loss in playoffs F RO M PAGE 1
MEN’S BASKETBALL WED 2/18 WEST LA L, 80-72
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 PAGE 13
With conference play starting yesterday, head coach Steve Gomez and his Owls are hoping to stay on the steady climb that they started last season. In 2013, the Owls ended the season with a 14-21, 8-16 record. 2014 saw improvements in both overall and conference record with the Owls going 20-16, 13-8. Heading into conference play, the Owls are 7-6-1. Sporting a 6-1-1 record at home, their play on campus has been terrific. Their only home loss coming against Mt. San Jacinto with a final score of 7-4 on Feb. 5. At home, the Owls are averaging just over seven runs a game while giving up just over five. Out of their seven wins, the Owls have found themselves trailing at one point in six of them, a couple including a few eight inning comebacks.
Nicholas Sergi and Sean Patton, last season’s leaders in innings pitched and earned run average are back this season and will carry the load for the Owls as they begin conference play. Sergi credits his dominating pitching performances to his defense. “I don’t strike a lot of guys out,” Sergi said. “I know I have a good defense behind me so I try not to do anything extra. I just try to get outs any way I can.” Gomez is expecting another good season from his sophomore pitcher and it is expected Sergi will get a majority of the calls. Pitcher Ryan Ponder got his first start of the season against Pasadena in the last game before conference play starts. Ponder went 2.2 innings and gave up one earned run in the 7-1 victory. Gomez went into the game against Pasadena with the idea that his team will need a sixth starter in
Mercedes DeGuchy Clarion
Owls’ head coach Steve Gomez (right) visits sophomore pitcher Ryan Ponder (left) on the mound during the game against Pasadena City College on Feb. 26. Ponder would pitch 2.2 innings and allow one earned run in the 7-1 win.
the rotation with the long season ahead. While Ponder has seen a majority of his appearances from the bullpen, he’ll be ready when Gomez gives him the starting nod. “I won’t prepare any different whether I start or not,” said Ponder. “I’ll treat every game the same.” Sophomore Taylor Grace paces the Owls’ offense with a .407 batting
average and hits with 24. Grace led last season’s Owls in at bats, batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage. A freshman stepping up in the box this season so far has been third baseman Jonathan Ayala. Ayala is batting .333 in 45 at bats and has eight RBIs. While coach Gomez described the Owls’ offense as “anemic” during
the Pasadena game, the Owls put the ball in play and forced the defense to make plays, which they did not. With seven of nine pitchers being sophomores, the Owls will need to rely on their experienced pitching staff to carry the load if they hope to find any success this season and improve on their 20-16, 13-8 record from last year.
PAGE 14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
Clarion
SPORTS
Softball seeks repeat as conference champions BY DILLON COOPER SPORTS EDITOR
DCOOPER@CCCLARION.COM
Last season for the Owls ended at the hands of Mt. San Antonio College in the Regional Round of the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs. The Owls were swept in two games, losing the first game,11-3, in five innings and the second, 4-3. The Owls season didn’t end before they were able to claim their first Western State Conference Blue championship in seven years with a conference record of 17-4. Citrus shared the title with College of the Canyons, who also had a conference record of 17-4.
Dillon Cooper Clarion
Freshman pitcher Anissa Gallegos tosses a pitch against Mt. SAC,
On the back of freshman pitcher Anissa Gallegos, the Owls sport a 7-4 record and have also knocked off the No. 1 team in Southern California in Mt. SAC. From Charter Oak to Citrus, Gallegos has certainly found her stride on the mound at the college level rather quickly. “Everything happens much faster,” said Gallegos. “If you miss your pitch, you’ll get punished.” Gallegos has started eight games, going 5-2 in the process with a 2.74 earned run average. Sophomore third baseman Erinn Jaramillo ended last season with a .422 average, six home runs, 30 RBIs and 54 hits. Jaramillo already has three home runs this season and is currently batting .514 on the season. With a good blend of sophomores and freshman, the Owls have focused on team camaraderie to build relationships which will hopefully translate to results on the field. “We’ve really focused on getting together and doing stuff as a team,” Jaramillo said. “I think that’s helped in all aspects of the game. During the offseason, Citrus head coach Jackie Boxley had her team hit the weight room harder than previous years, which seems to have had an immediate impact with a total of 14 home runs.
Dillon Cooper Clarion
The Owls celebrate a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh by sophomore Kalei Guillermo against Mt. SAC on Feb. 25. The Owls won 8-7 and currently have a 7-3 record on the year.
“We’ve really focused on getting together and doing stuff as a team.” -Erinn Jaramillo Citrus third baseman
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“Our team busted their butts in the weight room in the winter,” said Boxley. “We lifted more weights than we’ve ever lifted before.” Another beneficiary of the weight room and getting her chances at the plate is sophomore outfielder Kalei Guillermo. Guillermo had a total of 26 at bats in 25 games last season. This season, Guillermo has already eclipsed that number with 28 at
bats in 10 games. Guillermo is batting .429 with 11 RBIs and leads the team in stolen bases with two. The Owls hope their current two-game losing streak is just a minor speed bump as they prepare to defend their WSC title. Citrus will host conference opponent Santa Monica tomorrow with the first pitch at 5:30 p.m.
Clarion
FORUM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 PAGE 15
EDITORIAL Marijuana on campus: leave it in the sock drawer
Many are comparing the struggle over marijuana legalization in the United States to that of the Prohibition era banning alcohol from 1920 to 1933. Today it is difficult to imagine a country that does not permit the sale of alcohol. Although there are tall cans of beer and bottles of liquor legally being sold on nearly every street corner, it is disconcerting to see someone walking down the street or on a school campus casually enjoying an alcoholic beverage. The majority of people would view such a sight as inappropriate and most definitely out of place causing some form of legal action to
be taken. The same logic applies to smoking marijuana in public, or walking around with the smell of “skunk” emanating from your backpack. There is a time and place for such an activity, as there is with drinking alcohol responsibly. While statewide laws allow for medical marijuana license holders to use and carry a certain amount of the drug, the use or possession of marijuana, regardless of personal legality, is strictly forbidden on the Citrus campus. The reason behind this rule is that Citrus
College is a public, federally funded institution and federal law supersedes state law. Admittedly, the federal law classification of marijuana is a touch outdated. Marijuana was classified in 1970 as a “schedule one” drug, which means that it was found to have no medical benefits. Fast forward to today and 23 out of 50 states including California, have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. However the federal classification still stands. With that being said students who are smoking on campus are putting the rest of the student body (particularly those receiving financial aid) in jeopardy of losing the funding that students rely on and much more. Citrus College has also partnered with the Glendora Police Department and have created a “No Marijuana on Campus” campaign that must be upheld or risk the loss of this much needed partnership as well as government backing. The issue at hand is not the lack of sensitivity for the need of such a drug as per state law. Pain and nausea caused by certain medical alignments such as arthritis, cancer, or mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, are a few of the reasons why a licensed physician can recommend a medical marijuana license to a patient. With nearly 13,000 students enrolled here at Citrus College and over 572,000 medical marijuana licenses in California alone there is a good possibility that a percentage of students are licensed to legally use marijuana for their own benefit. It would be naïve to think that medical marijuana doesn’t in fact aid and improve certain aspects of students’ every day lives.
However, the federal laws pertaining to this controlled substance currently define its use and possession as illegal (as outdated as these facts about the drug may be). With a total of 25 documented drug related situations here on Citrus College campus last semester alone, it is an issue that needs to be defined and made clear to the student population. It is not a “lack of sensitivity” issue if a licensed user of the drug is confronted by campus official and asked to put the joint out or smoke it elsewhere. It is simply an act of law enforcement that Citrus College follows considering the laws that federal government of the United States has put forth that must be followed being a federally funded facility. It is understood that every student on this campus is allowed the freedom of their personal lives and issues, and that is what they do on their own time is their business. Citrus simply asks, as well as enforces, students to light up elsewhere if there is a need to do so. For 100 years Citrus College has been providing not just quality education, but a gateway towards a more for fulfilling life to students. So please, respect your school, which is providing you with a better opportunity for the future by following its rules. If getting high allows you to be better prepared for your educational experience, then “wake and bake” in the morning before school but then simply leave it in your sock drawer.
OPINION
Scholarships: An untapped resource BY CERENA COOPER STAFF WRITER
CCOOPER@CCCLARION.COM
At the beginning of each semester, students are burdened with expenses. From textbooks to parking passes, the costs for all the necessities of college life are overwhelming. Most Citrus students have a part-time job, but come from families with limited means and the cost of school can seem insurmountable. However, there is, for those who are unemployed or need supplemental funds, a resource that many students are unaware of: scholarships. Spring is one of the most popular seasons for scholarships. The majority of spring scholarships are disbursed in the fall semester when students will need the most funds. Scholarships are an excellent option for students to pay for their school expenses. Scholarships never need to be repaid. They do not come with restrictions of government financial aid. Students may apply for as many as they qualify for. Unfortunately, students do not
know how or where to look for scholarships, or how to apply for them. Many believe, “Why apply? I won’t get one.” The truth is, you will not get one, if you do not apply. Many community colleges have a scholarship page on their website, including Citrus, that will include internal and external scholarships that are available to any currently enrolled students. The Citrus College online application for the spring 2015 scholarship will open March 5 and close April 2, 2015. There are 12 external scholarships on the Citrus scholarship page that are still open and end in March or April. Many websites offer lists of scholarships. Beware of those that will ask for money or sell your email address. Set up a new email address to be used specifically for scholarship applications. A Google search will produce a huge list of websites, but will usually be a vague result. Be specific when searching for a scholarship. Include information about yourself in the search that is personalized such as your age, ethnicity or major. There are scholarships
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based on height or hair color. Emphasize your unique circumstances, which may include military service or being a single parent. Adding these details will increase your chances of finding a scholarship for which you may be qualified. The most time consuming aspect of applying for a scholarship is writing a personal statement letter. When applying for scholarships, prepare a personal statement letter or essay about yourself that may be attached to applications or copy and paste to online applications. Foundations and organizations will usually ask that an essay be included with each ap-
plication. Think of it as a resume of your academic career to date. In your personal statement letter, applicants should include information about your past academic achievements and future career goals. Why did you choose your major? How do you plan to use what you have learned in your field? Include information on related activities. Do you have a job? Do you volunteer your time? How many units are you taking and how much time and effort do you spend on academics? Finally, include personal information about yourself such as any hardships or obstacles that you may have faced and what you
have done to overcome them. If nothing else is required but the personal statement letter and you have completed the application, submitting is the last procedure. At Citrus College, thousands of dollars in scholarships go unawarded each year but are not because students were not qualified to receive them. Some students are unaware that scholarships are available. Others did not spend the time to apply, and others did not pay attention to the deadline date. Apply for the Citrus College Spring online application and the external scholarships to ease your fall 2015 financial burden.
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