Aryn Hicks Portfolio
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/sports/2014/11/07/once-a-warrior-always-a-warrior/
Once a Warrior always a Warrior Football is a time honored tradition at El Camino. With a record of 208-105-1 coach John Featherstone has the highest winning percentage of any active coach in the Southern Section of California. With a winning record like that Featherstone and his coaching staff work hard to keep that winning tradition going. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love coaching, I love the game of football (and) I love teaching as much as I do coaching.” Featherstone said. The EC football program is one of the most successful junior college programs in the state. Featherstone who played for EC for two years came back to coach in 1985 and over the years has brought in former players to come back and coach beside him. Assistant head coach and Offensive Coordinator Gene Engle (1975-76), co-offensive coordinator Dan Speltz (85-87), defensive coordinator Andrew Alvillar (91-92), running back coach Ryan Winkler (94-95), defensive line coach Ken Talanoa (91-92), special teams coach Joe Houston(05-06) and wide receiver coach Kevin Norell (2010) have all been Warriors and have come back to impart wisdom on a new batch of players. Their goal not only to win games but to instill values that will be with the players for the rest of their lives. “My experience here set the foundation for the rest of my life.” Joe Houston, special teams coach said. “I want to pursue coaching in my own career and this was the perfect platform for me to do that.” The alumni coaching staff all know what its like to play for Featherstone and Engle. With that in mind they understand what it takes to be successful in the classroom as well as on the field. Through their experience the coaches teach the players the importance of being successful student athletes. ” I played for coach Engle and coach Featherstone, it always was about competition and competing,” Speltz said. “I think I inherited that from them; putting in the work ethic and the wanting to succeed out on the field and in the classroom.” Featherstone has not only led former alumni into careers as coaches but he also has led over a dozen players into the professional football careers like Mike Harris defensive back for the “Jacksonville Jaguars”, and Matt Simms quarter back for the “New York Jets” and Steve Sarkisian who is currently the head coach for the “USC Trojans”. The legacy of the EC football program is not only about the winning put it has changed the lives of dozens of players and inspired them pursue their dreams and come back and coach. “Every morning when I wake up I’ve always looked forward to to going to work at El Camino,” Featherstone said. “Its been a wonderful ride (for the) last 29 years, its gone fast but I have no regrets.
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/11/05/health-center-offers-free-informational-workshops-for-students/
Health Center offers free informational workshops for students Located by the Pool, the Health Center is a place where students can receive free and low cost services like immunizations, vaccinations and psychological counseling. “Our goal for the Health Center is to keep students in the classroom,” Debbie Conover, student health services coordinator, said. “When you have healthy students, you have students who reach their educational goals.” The Health Center also offers free workshops to help students be successful – not only in the classroom but in life. The workshops are free and are led by a clinical psychologist. The workshops are held in the Health Center during walk-in hours. If students are interested in being a part of the nine workshops available on campus, all they need to do is go to the center 15 minutes before the workshop starts and sign up. Workshops are titled Assertiveness Skills, College Students and Substance Abuse, Stress Management Techniques, and Test Anxiety among others give students the skills to navigate through college. “You have to try it for yourself,” Kimberly Lambeth, 45, accounting major, said. “There are many things that help and this (Test Anxiety) workshop has given us some tools to work with and I think they will help if we try to use them.” The workshop gives students the opportunity to ask for help and the tools they need to navigate through whatever difficulties they are facing in their lives. Everything in the Health Center is confidential and nothing that is done there goes in a permanent record. They provide a safe place for students to come and realize they are not alone and there are people who are just like them. The Health Center is supported by the student health fee which every student pays. This means that the nurses, doctors and psychologist can offer several services to students. To receive these services, all a student has to do is be enrolled at EC and have a current student ID. Health services are also offered to the Compton Center students. All they need to do is pay the student health fee which is $19 to the Cashier’s Office at EC, Conover said. In addition to medical services, the Health Center also offers psychological counseling. The counseling is Monday through Friday by appointment only. Students are entitled to six free 50-minute sessions per academic school year. The Health Center’s services allow students to come for assistance with whatever problems they are facing and the workshops are an extension of that. “I think more people should go to the Health Center. Personally, I go for the chiropractor,” Xitalalic Canchola, 19, psychology major, said. “Since I am a cross country runner, it helps a lot with my performance.”
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/10/30/batman-anniversary-brings-crowd-to-distance-education-center/
‘Batman’ anniversary brings crowd to Distance Education Center Gotham City’s finest came out to the Distance Education Center Tuesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Batman. Maria Brown, history professor, hosted her annual Comic Book Day where she celebrated the anniversary of Batman with events that included raffles, costume contest, and lectures by the animators of “Batman: The Animated Series” and Mike Wellman, owner of the store “Comic Bug” in Culver City. “Pop culture is a very intricate part of our lives,” Brown said. “It affects every aspect of our lives so it’s important to understand that and what that impact is.” At Comic Book Day, students came together and learned about the production side of making comic books and television shows. This year while honoring Batman, students were able to have a question and answer session with Rafael Navarro and Kevin Alteri; two animators from the 1990s cartoon “Batman: The Animated Series.” They answered questions, signed autographs and showed story boards from the series signifying Batman’s presence in the past as well as the future. “(Batman) is not just a superhero in a sense that he has powers but he is a hero that is able to push human boundaries,” Brian Manza, 23, liberal arts major, said. “The longevity of it shows how much this fictional character is still part of our culture.” At the end of the event Brown thanked all who attended including the guest speakers, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences Gloria Miranda, as well as other staff members who supported her throughout the years with certificates of appreciation. “(Comic Book Day) provides a learning experience for students,” Brown said. “People not only learn about comic book characters, but they learn about the society they live in.”
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/arts/2014/10/22/superhero-professor-maria-brown-hangs-up-her-cape/
Superhero professor Maria Brown hangs up her cape For the last 40 years Maria Brown has brought her love of history and Pop Culture to the EC campus. This is evident in her exhibit “Shadows of American Popular Culture” where she showcases Batman and Superman and their impact on American Pop culture. “I started doing the exhibit eight years ago and it has grown ever since then,” Brown, history professor, said. For the first exhibit at EC, Brown and her students brought belongings from their childhood like “Scooby-Doo” and “Lord of the Rings” and showcased them. Now in its eighth year she presents the world of superheroes and their impact on American society. “The comic book heroes and I suppose the villains have all those qualities we as individuals wish we had,” Brown said. “There is a little superheroness in all of us.” Brown with the help of longtime friend Kim Reynolds, Senior production artist at Warner Brothers Consumer products, put the exhibit together every semester. The pieces in the exhibit all come from her collection from visiting various comic book conventions, comic book shops and toy stores. “I didn’t know they had an exhibit here,” Fernando Ledezma, 18, biology major, said. “I have been influenced by Batman in my childhood.” Her love of comic books and passion for teaching has kept her in high regards among her students. Some students see her exhibits as eye-opening when they learn the history of superheroes. “People needed (superheroes) back then.” Ledezma said “They were a (sense) of security for many people.” The exhibit also showcases the evolution of the superhero and its influence on what Brown calls American mythology. The exhibit is also done to commemorate the creation or birthday of Superman and Batman, which she celebrates every year. “People need heroes, that’s why the characters are so popular.” Brown said. “Heroes give them a since of hope (and) accomplishment. With her retirement on the way, Brown looks forward to new adventures. She plans to keep busy by revisiting old passions that teaching interfered with. Brown also said she would like to fulfill a childhood dream of visiting Disney World in Florida. She would also like to visit Universal Studios Theme Park to visit the Harry Potter exhibit. “Ms. Brown isn’t like your typical teacher.” Taylar Hicks, 21, business major said. “She makes learning about history fun and exciting.” Some of her fondest memories are from going on field trips to the movies, visiting the Long Beach Comic Con and seeing the reaction of the faces of students experiencing the Comic Con for the first time. Brown will continue with the superhero celebration with her annual Comic Book day that will be held on Oct. 28 where she will celebrate the 78th anniversary of Superman. “When I can interact with the students and we can laugh, talk and learn something at the same time those
experiences are probably the best for me.�
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/features/2014/11/27/student-government-president-reflects-on-first-semester-on-the-job/
Student government president reflects on first semester on the job As the semester draws to a close and students prepare for winter break, Associated Students Organization (ASO) President Rafeed Kahn looks back on his first term and thinks about plans for next year. One of ASO’s plans for next semester is to continue branding and letting students know that ASO is here and that they want to help students. “ASO exists to be the student voice on campus we want to transform El Camino (and) not just have it be a commuter college,” Kahn, 19, psychology major, said. “I feel like El Camino could be more.” Kahn has been a part of ASO for the last two years. He started as a senator for the -behavioral and social sciences division. Like other students coming from high school, Kahn looked forward to getting involved with campus life. He joined the speech and debate and he was inspired by teammate and former ASO President Joy De Guzman. “Joy De Guzman was the former president and she was a huge inspiration to me because we were on the debate team together and she got me interested in ASO,” Kahn said. Always a fan of trying something new, Kahn is involved with different organizations on campus. Described as passionate and determined by members of ASO, Kahn wears many hats as he tries to get involved with campus life at EC. “Rafeed, he’s my right hand,” Kimberly Garcia, ASO student trustee, said. “Because of the passion he has for the school, I feed off it to the point where I want to be that person, too.” Kahn is not only ASO president but he is also involved in the Psychology Club, the Speech and Debate Team, Hands of Friendship Club and he is a student ambassador. A fan of Florence and the Machine, Kahn’s other hobbies include playing Japanese card games, hiking and biking and working with the debate team. Kahn is described as compassionate and determined by members of ASO. “He understands that as much as we love ASO, we are also students and we have other responsibilities,” Kristina Nakao, ASO director of academic affairs, said. Now with the fall semester ending, Kahn and the other members of ASO prepare to make next semester better than the last by getting the word out about ASO. “El Camino is a place where people can be inspired and gain hope and we want to be an organization that facilitates that,” Kahn said.
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/09/20/senate-bill-850-is-game-changer/
Senate Bill 850 is game changer On the way to being implemented, Senate Bill 850 would allow 15 community colleges to participate in a statewide baccalaureate degree program. The pilot program would launch Jan. 1 with each participating community college offering one baccalaureate degree per district. The pilot program would begin no later than the 2017-18 academic year. Students involved in the program would not be charged fees higher than the baccalaureate degree programs at the California State Universities or Universities of California. The students would have until the 2022-23 academic year to complete their degree, according to the bill. “This gives students a career path,” Claudia Striepe, Academic Senate co-president, said. “They can complete full degrees all at one place.” SB850 was introduced by Senator Marty Block of San Diego. The program would allow California to produce one million baccalaureate degrees in order for the state to remain economically competitive, according to the bill. “This would raise the impression of community colleges from an institution that offers A.A’s to four-year degrees,” Striepe said. With the demand for a higher education level in the workplace, the program would offer students and military veterans the chance to earn degrees in courses not offered by CSUs or UCs. It would provide students with the skills needed to get jobs in the vocational fields like health, biotechnology, public safety and other needed fields, according to Section One of the bill. “I had no idea that this was even possible,” Sharai Rodriguez, 22, English major, said. “People would think higher of the community colleges and appreciate it more.” The goal, according to the California Legislature, is that “community colleges can help fill the gap in our higher education system by granting baccalaureate degrees in a limited number of areas in order to meet a growing demand for a skilled workforce.” Community colleges will create a curriculum unique to the degree and the college. Then they will have to report on the progress of its students who are enrolled in the program. They will also need to report on the programs success to the Chancellor’s Office and the board of governors. Once all of the information has been compiled, they then will decide on the future of the baccalaureate program, according to the California Legislature. “More people would enter community colleges with higher goals in mind instead of stopping at and A.A,” Erica McMilliam, 25, nursing major, said.”They would be motivated to get a B.A” The board of governors and the chancellor will develop and adopt a funding model that will support the statewide baccalaureate degree pilot program. The program would join 20 other states such as Florida and Hawaii offering similar degrees, according to Section One of the bill. “This would help the local community and attract a wider variety of students outside of our district,” Streipe said.” The more diversity, the more eclectic the mix, the more interesting the classes are.”
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/10/01/sleep-deprivation-taking-toll-on-students-gpas/
Sleep deprivation taking toll on students’ GPAs A new study shows that college students with poor sleeping habits are much more likely to earn lower grades than those with healthier sleeping habits. The study was done by researchers at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and published in the journal “SLEEP.” According to the article, researchers found that poor sleeping patterns have a negative impact on students’ GPAs. They also found that among first year students, poor habits predicted students dropping or withdrawing from a course. “It takes my students from the front of the line,” Kristie Daniel-DiGregorio, human development associate professor, said. “I can see a change in their personalities.” In the article, researchers found that sleep deprivation had the same effects on students’ grades as binge drinking and smoking marijuana. At EC, it’s not uncommon to see students rushing to classes with cups of coffee or energy drinks in their hands. Students nationwide are always on the go. “I’m always worrying about family, home, and school,” Cyvanna Garcia, 20, nursing major, said. “My mind starts going on overdrive.” Another study done by the University of Alabama showed that students were worried that sleep deprivation could hinder their ability to manage stress and concentrate at work. According to the study, students felt that job stress and lack of time were contributing factors to them not getting enough sleep. “It’s my schedule. I have to stay up,” Jesse Baker, 19, art major said. “I have no time to do anything.” Scheduling can be another cause for students to feel overwhelmed and stressed, leading them to get less sleep. In an article titled “Sleepy college students are worried about their stress level” published by the Huffington Post, the same author of the UA study said if students are unaware of how many hours they should be setting aside for studying outside the classroom, they can quickly mismanage their time and not set enough time for sleep. “I have school every day,” Vanessa Suarez, 21, theater major, said. “I wake up early to do work I put off till (the) last minute.” In both studies, researchers found that students with healthier sleeping habits tend to perform better in school and are overall healthier physically and psychologically. “Effective ways to overcome being sleep deprived include having clear priorities about what actions are important to our goals and taking those actions before they become urgent,” Daniel-DiGregorio said. Editor’s note: This is the first story in a three-part series about sleep deprivation and its effects.
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/10/07/sleep-deprivation-leads-to-poor-mental-and-physical-health/
Sleep deprivation leads to poor mental and physical health It’s true that most people do not get enough sleep. In college, sleep seems to be irrelevant when trying to turn in last minute projects or studying for an exam. However, the effects of sleep deprivation not only have short-term, but long-term consequences. According to the Division of Sleep at Harvard University Medical School’s website, the cost of poor sleeping habits may have profound consequences on long-term health. According to their research, they found that people who consistently fail to get enough sleep are at higher risk of getting chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. “Sleep is so fundamental to our health,” Amy Himsel, psychology professor, said. “When we are sleep deprived on a regular basis, other aspects of our heath start to fall apart like our immune system.” Studies have found that people who suffer from sleep deprivation have impaired judgment, lack of focus, and they tend to eat unhealthy foods. These short-term effects can lead to long-term consequences. “Stress and anxiety. These are things that keep our brains very active,” Himsel said. “A stressed out brain is a busy brain.” Researchers said the minimum amount of sleep a person should get a night is six to eight hours of sleep. In a survey done by The Union, 15 out of 61 students said on average, they get below the minimum hours of sleep, only sleeping three to five hours a night. “When I don’t get a lot of sleep, I feel like I can’t concentrate and it’s harder for me as a music major to even practice,” Maria Aguero, 20, music major, said. Some long-term effects of sleep deprivation can result in a weakened immune system, obesity, and the development of chronic diseases that could lead to shorter life expectancy. Studies show that without proper sleep, the brain can not heal itself in order for it to function properly. “The whole point of sleeping is to slow down your metabolism and your body does a lot of healing,” Julie Poepoe, nurse practitioner, said. “So, when you’re not doing that, you compromise your immune system and you have a tendency to get sick more often.” In order to get over that tired feeling, many students drink caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda and energy drinks, not realizing these things can also affect their sleep and have long-term consequences. Caffeine and alcohol consumed in the afternoon hours can also affect the way people sleep at night. Both of these substances can affect how long and how deep people will sleep during the night. “The energy drinks like the Five Hour Energy (and) the Monster can cause people to have heart palpitations, anxiety, (and) can really overstate physiology and have physical side effects,” Poepoe said. Sleep deprivation affects more than half of Americans. Those who suffer from it are at a higher risk of stroke than those who lead healthier sleeping habits. For students wanting to overcome sleep deprivation, the Health Center is hosting a free workshop on Oct. 28 at 2
p.m. “Students in a group setting benefit from hearing that they are not alone, that other people are experiencing similar difficulties and through learning about (the) benefits of getting good sleep,” Poepoe said. Editor’s note: This is the second story of a three-part series about sleep deprivation and its effects.
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/news/2014/10/24/sleeping-pills-do-more-bad-than-good/
Sleeping pills do more bad than good Many people use sleeping pills as a way to cope with sleep deprivation. What they don’t know or fail to realize is that these drugs can have dangerous side effects. Researchers have found that long term use of sleeping pills can lead to dependence and other issues. “A lot of the things that can help you fall asleep faster end up having some kind of negative consequence,” Amy Himsel, psychology professor, said. Sleeping pills can seem like a reasonable option for students who find it hard to go to sleep. For a full-time student taking 12 units a week, assuming all their classes are 3 units and they take two a day, they have about 16 hours of dedicated free time per day. With work and family responsibilities this still doesn’t feel like enough time to get everything done. Some side effects of using sleeping pills include headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), caffeine can be used in both prescription and over-the-counter medicines to treat tiredness and drowsiness brought on by the pills. Caffeine like sleeping pills can become addictive and this can affect how someone sleeps at night. “I think people have a tendency to abuse caffeine and stimulants whether prescriptive or from Starbucks to kind of push through and it takes a toll cumulatively over time,” Julie Poepoe, nurse practitioner, said. Other concerns about taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs to sleep are that someone can become physically and psychologically dependent on them. Another concern is that over a period of time, a person taking the pills may build up a tolerance to them making them take more at a higher dosage and deepening their dependency. “They can be harmful and later on lead to an illness,” Wynonna Leilua, 20, nursing major, said. Sleeping pills and alcohol can also affect Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the fourth stage in the sleep cycle. REM sleep occurs 90 minutes into a sleep cycle and it’s when the deepest sleep occurs. Without REM sleep, the brain does not get to repair itself and this can lead to drowsiness during the day. “Both those things – sleeping pills and alcohol – reduce your REM sleep,” Himsel said. ” They can help you fall asleep but they don’t help you have great sleep.” Some ways that can help students depend less on caffeine and sleeping pills is having better sleep hygiene. This means taking steps to insure that you have a better night’s sleep. Some tips could be to develop a sleep routine like going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. In order to reach REM, sleep experts suggest doing relaxing things that can quiet the brain like yoga, pleasure reading, and turning off all electronics. “If we don’t get enough REM sleep are memory suffers greatly,” Himsel said. “Our brain needs that period of refurbishment (and) rejuvenation every night.”
eccunion.com
http://www.eccunion.com/features/2014/12/02/students-plan-to-travel-out-of-town-for-the-upcoming-holidays/
Students plan to travel out of town for the upcoming holidays Crowded malls decorated in yuletide cheer and twinkling lights adorn houses as the weather chills. These are the signs that the holiday season has arrived. As the semester draws to a close, students look forward to a break from exams and school. The holiday season is here and with it comes the never ending loop of Christmas songs that play repeatedly on the radio, TV and in the stores. Students seeking a break from school look forward to making travel plans in order to spend time with friends and family during this time. “I am always visiting family,” Nicholas Castro, 22, digital arts major, said. “This Christmas I will be spending Christmas in Mexico with my grandmother.” Traveling and spending time with family is the biggest part of the holidays. It’s the hustle and bustle of getting on a plane, train or car in order to be with loved ones. “On winter (break) on my Filipino side I think we are going to have a little orchestra type band thing,” Cherish Smith, 18, music major, said. “Maybe after we’ll just walk around the neighborhood and watch people caroling.” Here at EC many students not only travel locally but also internationally to reconnect with love ones that they have not are seen in a long time. “For winter break I’m leaving the country,” Guillermo Orellana, 18, biology major, said. “I’m going to El Salvador.” For students not traveling far, local attractions offer fun and excitement. “For winter break I’m planning to go to Riverside and Hemet and hang out with some friends from high school,” Bolivar Hernandez, 21, graphic design major, said. The holidays are a special time where families come together to celebrate each other and reminisce on past memories and plans for the future. “Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only times we can take a breath and be with our family and the only way we can appreciate them is if we can spend time with them,” Castro said.