AVC Examiner Vol. 41 No. 4

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Graduation 2011

Take a tour of AVC’s new math and science buildings Photos by Marcus Russell/Examiner

A look at the observation deck that will hold telescopes for the AVC students to use.

Doug Jensen points out where the J bars will be put in at the beginning of January.

AVC to feature a Subway restaurant

By Kristi Phillips Staff Writer

The walkway behind all the chemistry labs that connect the prep rooms. it also allows the teachers to look into the diferent lab rooms to keep a watchful eye over the students.

A Subway restaurant will be the newest element in the new math and science buildings currently under construction at Antelope Valley College.

Four years ago there was a survey conducted on campus for what kind of food students would want on campus. Results revealed a healthier choice of food is what students wanted.

AVC put out a request for approval (RFP) to see what kind of restaurant would respond. The restaurant had to fit the criteria that AVC had, based on the request of the students. The college will get a percentage of the gross income that Subway receives.

“The campus is moving to the north side of the school, so students need a second option,” Doug Jensen, Director of Facilities, Planning and Campus Development said.

In the new buildings, besides Subway, there will be a dining room where students can eat and lounge in between classes.

“A Subway on campus is a good healthy alternative that will promote students to eat healthy,” said Paul Chopra, franchisee of the new Subway. Chopra is also a franchisee for 11 of the Subways located in the Antelope Valley.

When the new math and science buildings are finished, the Subway in the building will be hiring, giving a great opportunity for students who are seeking for a job to be employed.

Graduation 2011

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Students with disabilities are crying out for help

By Kristi Phillips Staff Writer

By Cornell Hudson

A report has raised questions concerning the issues that disabled students and employees face here at AVC. The report, which was filed on Nov. 14 by student trustee Sandra Govin, outlined problems such as the lack of easy wheelchair access for the Office of Student Disabilities (OSD).

“The automatic door opener is something very important that we need,” said Dr. Louis Lucero, the Director of OSD. The door to the office is not equipped with the automatic door openers that can be seen in other buildings on campus. In order to enter or exit the building, students must open the door and call for help. “Another thing that is important is our ramp,” Lucero said. According to the report, the testing center’s ramp measurements are preferable “due to the fact it allows for a wider turning radius on the landing, making it easier for students in wheelchairs to enter the doorway.”

The restrooms on campus are also difficult for disabled students to access without assistance due to “the lack of hand dexterity,” as stated in the report.

Disability issues were brought up to the Board of Trustees for review on the same day the report was filed.

“The school is looking into it. They know there’s a need for change at the disability center,” Lucero said. Lucero went on to say that Dr. Jackie Fisher is looking to see what changes the Board have made since the previous meeting last month.

A second big issue brought up on the report are students that smoke in the parking lot.

“Smokers congregate in the area of the first solar panels across the street from the Learning Center.

This means that students in wheelchairs must [go through] the cigarette smoke to access their vehicles,” Govin said. “There’s a lot of people in wheelchairs that also have health issues,” Lucero said.

Staff Writer

Courtney Unander/ Examiner

Students in wheelchairs struggle to get into the disability center without an automatic door.

In this area, drivers also tend to drop and pick up students, blocking the usage of the curb-cut and access to the crosswalk. When students are getting dropped off and block the crosswalk, students in wheelchairs that are trying to get across may try to get around the front of a car. But because they are in wheelchairs, it may be a safety hazard.

Phone posts also accessible to students in a state of emergency. “Not all emergency phone posts are accessible to students in wheelchairs,” Govin said.

According to Lucero, the phones are at a “good height” for students in wheelchairs. The issues are the islands that the emergency phone posts are located, some of which may not have access to roll onto the island.

Govin believes that in the event of an emergency, a student in a wheelchair would not be capable of calling for services.

“There needs to be more handicapped parking

spaces with crosshatching on both sides to accommodate lifts,” Govin said. Lifts differ with between vehicles, so students in wheelchairs may have their lifts on the left, right or back of their car.

If someones lift is on the right side of their car, students may struggle to use their lift if a car is right next to them. “With the new parking lot, it is really hard to use a lift due to the limited space,” Govin said.

According to the report, there are several locations on campus where the pavement is uneven, especially around the Library Plaza Area.

Lucero says that he is “very supportive of OSD” and is aware of these issues. Hills and walls can also be a burden to students with disabilities. Though some students may not look at these as an obstruction, they can be physically challenging to other students.

“As a community, we need to come together and communicate and focus on the issues that need to be fixed,” Lucero said.

$233,906 of the embezzled funds.

The Bureau reported that the funds were spent on personal things, and that they are probably mostly spent. According to Detective Key Budge of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department via the Antelope Valley Press, there are “no assets we can see from the money that was stolen. There’s no assets to go out and grab. The money was spent on an increased lifestyle – eating out, entertainment, vacations […] Taking everyone to Disneyland, taking everyone to dinner.”

Borquez has pleaded not guilty, but has simultaneously admitted to the theft of funds.

Unable to afford the $250,000 bail, she is due to stay in prison until she is sentenced.

The amount of punishment for the various charges and money owed back to the college depends largely on how much was actually taken, which is being disputed by the defense.

Along with the accusations of fraud, Borquez also faces criminal charges for stealing the identity of the dean of Student Development Services. Officials allege that a false credit card was created to facilitate the fraud.

Since Borquez’s arrest, officials have assured that new processes are being implemented to ensure that thefts like these do not occur again. “Once we’d uncovered the alleged act that she’d been engaged in, we made sure the student’s ASO budget was covered,” said Dr. Jackie Fisher Sr., “and we resolved the issue with the bonding agency. We also put in place some checks and balances to make sure that any expenditures or revenue goes through a complete vetting process to ensure that they are valid […] and correct.”

Borquez’s next court date is set for Dec. 14.

Ex-staff member arrested for embezzlement

By Ben Fassett Staff Writer

Mandy Borquez, 33, was arrested on Nov. 9 and charged with six counts of embezzlement and identity theft. The former accounting assistant allegedly made away with $500,000 dollars during her tenure from the Student Development fund, revenue provided for by students from such activities as athletic events, snack bar sales and student club accounts.

Signs of discrepancies first appeared in early 2010, spanning almost the entire length of Borquez’s tenure which started in 2004.

Borquez tended her resignation in February, after which a 10-month investigation was launched by the Commercial Crime Bureau. Enlisting the help of a bonding agency, Antelope Valley College was able to recoup

Crime in the Antelope Valley

When a citizen locks a door, closes a curtain or invites their mate on a date at the park, they expect some sort of privacy. At the same time, crimes are unexpected and the Lancaster Sheriffs Department has made it a point to be on time in getting to the crime scene.

Sheriffs also feel like they need to have an advantage when in pursuit of a suspect.

Scheduled to begin May 2012, Lancaster CityCouncilwillhaveanew“babysitter”10 hours a day and 3,000 feet in the air. Sheriff helicopters are already equipped with cameras that begin recording during a crime, but Mayor R. Rex Parris wants to take it a step further with aircraft surveillance throughout the day at any time or place.

This idea has aroused concern with residents in the Antelope Valley. “I don’t see the need to have a camera watching my every move like I’m some kind of a criminal,” AVC student and Lancaster resident Everette Calloway said.

The spy plane program will cost just about $1.3 million dollars to start and $90,000 a month to maintain. Although many residents feel the same, Los Angeles County says the plan will bring the crime rate down 40 percent.

By Travion Bynum Staff Writer

Palmdale Deputies arrested two people Sunday evening after allegedly robbing the Smoke Shop.

A witness inside the store ran out when the robbery began and called the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station to report the armed robbery, which took place at 2531 East Ave. S, according to Deputy Robbie Royster of the Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Department.

The suspects, Robin Engram and Jeffery Johnson, allegedly entered the store at 6:30 p. m. “Both Engram and Jonsom were wearing masks,” Royster said.

Deputies Luter and Camps, along with assisting units, conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle near the 4000 block of Elwood Ave., which is the residence of Johnson, and detained the two for investigation. During the search, Deputies located a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic handgun, a pair of black gloves, a black ski mask and scarf, as well as a large amount of money.

Engram and Johnson were transported to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, where Engram was booked on robbery charges.

Johnson, who was formerly convicted of felony possession and concealment of a firearm, was booked on robbery charges

Features

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A flirting how-to for campus fellas Rule number 1: Following someone to class is borderline stalking.

Don’t do it.

Paola Lara knows from experience how creepy guys can be. “Three guys were following me to my Spanish class a couple days ago.

I ignored them and they kept on following me saying stuff like, ‘I like a girl with spice’.

So I just sat down next to a random girl, pretending we were having a conversation. Yeah, it bothers me.”

Rule number 2: Nicknames aren’t always cute.

“I was walking to my car and this guy said something like you look like a wifey,” said Melissa Garibay. “It was awkward. I just walked to my car and locked it. Just tell them you’re a lesbian.”

By Mindy Simmons & Codie Walsh If you have ever yelled to get a woman’s attention, asked for her number before even knowing her name or just gawked without saying a word, then this article is for you.

Graduation 2011 The women of AVC are fed up with these attempts at “flirting” and wish to voice their stories in the hope that you might learn the right way to approach someone—anyone.

We searched around campus to see if we could find anyone willing to share their stories, realizing that

everyone who we spoke with knew exactly what we were talking about and were eager to talk to us.

From the ladies’ stories we put together a few rules of thumb that might help you get some digits.

You may want to write this down and practice it three times a day.

Rule number 4: Sometimes corny works.

Rule number 3: Don’t be dumb. Get your facts right.

“I was walking to the bathroom and I heard some guy yell ‘Yo! Yo! You with the blonde hair!’ I turned around and saw this tall man standing not too far off. He gestured for me to come over. Normally I wouldn’t do so, but I hated the class I was in and didn’t mind killing some time. I walked over, and the guy took a minute of looking me over before he said, ‘You look like that one chick.’ Precise, right?

So I said, ‘What chick?’ He cracked a smile and said, ‘You know that one girl. Kanye West’s girlfriend or something.’ At this point I was really confused, until he had an epiphany and yelled ‘Taylor Swift!’ (This was the same time of the Kanye West and Taylor Swift controversy). I laughed and went to walk away and he said. ‘Wanna get dinner with me, Mrs. Swift?’

I kept walking.”

Take a tip from Kevin Mcgalliard, “There was a very pretty girl and I looked nice. I had my dress shirt and tie on, and she had really pretty eyes. So I told her, ‘you’re really lucky to have those’, it was really corny, but sometimes corny works.”

Now, we aren’t saying chivalry is completely dead. We will say that there’s work that needs to be done. We appreciate your feeble attempts of flattery, and we realize you’re trying, but how many times do you need to be rejected to realize that calling out, “Ay yo, blue shirt! Can I get your number” will not get you the number.

Let’s be honest, every woman would love to have John Cusack stand outside their window playing, “In Your Eyes.” But luckily for you this is the real world; and in the real world, subtly works. Instead of showing your true colors, try holding the door, or complementing them on their attire (not body parts), or try even talking to them about school and how great the school paper is. Remember fellas, it’s the little things that count. Don’t be stupid. You are welcome.

The Taste Buds tackle city favorite Katz n’ Jammers

By Mindy Simmons & Codie Walsh Staff Writers

Katz n’ Jammers is a ‘50s style diner located right off Lancaster Boulevard. It should have a blue ribbon outside its window to advertise its malts and shakes, because these things are a blend of heaven.

Although its hours are odd, only being open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., they are worth the tricky scheduling.

I (Mindy) was excited when I read the menu, which had no shortage of bacon and avocado. The issue at hand was the Mindy Simmons/ Examiner fact that it was about 8 a.m., and I cannot customers come to Katz n’ Jammers for the be trusted to make vital food decisions good food but stay for the amazing shakes that early in the morning. The pressure

was on after the waitress had already visited us once, so when she came back the second time and asked if we were ready, “Yeah okay,” I grumbled and ordered the item that had “Customer Favorite” next to it. I appreciated that the products were fresh, but that’s all I really thought of them.

Sure freshness is a huge factor when it comes to food, but flavor is just as important. For me, the chicken was under seasoned and just bland.

Maybe I’m not blessed with the gift of ordering, or maybe they shouldn’t put “Customer Favorite” next to items that aren’t worthy of praise. Maybe I’m just bitter. Either way, I wasn’t impressed with my chicken sandwich.I was impressed,

however, with the shake menu and presentation.

We shared a peanut butter and chocolate shake with whipped cream on top. It was rich, delectable and creamy. Think of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup blended together with milk and ice cream. This is a combination made in heaven.

Reading through the menu, I (Codie) wasn’t sure if I should try the “Customer Favorite” or venture to something unwanted by the regulars.

The internal debate was solved when the waitress mentioned the regulars very rarely drove away from the usual shake fla-

See Jammin’, page 7

Features

Graduation 2011

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Breaking Dawn - Part 1 breaks the box office

By Sarah Niemann Staff Writer

You love it, or you hate it. You might even call it a cult classic. Either way, you have to recognize that the ”Twilight” franchise has become a phenomenon.

Director Bill Condon did an amazing job of turning what was possibly one of the worst books in the saga into an epic, and has the ticket sales to prove it. “Breaking Dawn - Part 1” brought in $6.2 million its first weekend out.

Since the fourth installment of this vampire-werewolf-human love triangle was released, it has earned an astonishing $221.3 million in ticket sales nationally and $483.3 million globally.

Stephenie Meyer can finally say she found someone to capture the characters the way she had intended them to be seen.

That’s something the first three directors couldn’t quite pull off.

Unlike the other “Twilight” movies, the character development in “Breaking Dawn - Part 1” finally allowed audience members who haven’t read the books to

understand how dynamic the characters and their relationships are.

Although the movie had some cheesy parts that could have been done a lot better, such as werewolves communicating telepathically, the first part to “Breaking Dawn” was beautifully done.

Jacob’s obsession with Bella is at an all-time high, which is explained when everything finally falls into place at the end.

Even first time “Twilighters” fell in love with the story.

The director had some fun with the soundtrack, bringing in songs from the first “Twilight” to subtley show significance to certain scenes throughout the movie.

Thinking back to the first “Twilight,” the song “Flightless Bird” by American Mouth played when Bella and Edward danced in the gazebo at prom. It is the same song heard in the background as they have their Summit Films/Courtesy photo first kiss as husband and wife. The Bella finally gets the vampire of her dreams, piano ballad Edward writes for her as evidenced by the huge ring on her finger. in the first movie performed by

Carter Burwell, is also played a couple of times in “Breaking Dawn,” such as when they go on their honeymoon, and again when Edward realizes he can now read the baby’s thoughts and decides that the little one isn’t as bad as he thought.

With all of the good things about the movie, however, there are some flubs.

When Edward and Bella go on their honeymoon to Isle Esme, off the coast of Brazil, there are more than a couple of scenes where the happy couple are taking in some sunshine.

Not a problem! As everyone knows, the “Twilight” vampires don’t burst into flames in the sunlight.

The problem is that Mr. Cullen isn’t the sparkly vampire the fans have grown to love. Some “Twi-Hards” will find the fact that it veered away from the book more than mildly irritating.

But it didn’t stray very far from the path, and when it did veer, it helped the movie more than it hindered it.

All in all, whether you’re a crazy “TwiHard,” have a soft spot for the saga or just a regular person, “Breaking Dawn - Part 1” is definitely worth going to see.

Forget the sterotypes and Anime-te your life!

By Jordan Lofgren Staff Writer

After you’re done watching your overrated, never-changing crime shows, overplayed sitcoms and cliché-laden, tweeny, vampire love crap, maybe you should check out something creative, well-made and well-written; something like these three anime series that I’ve checked out and would like to share with you in order to save that last remaining entertainment brain cell in your head.

Hopefully, you’ll find out that you’re actually not one of many in a flock of sheeple. Geeks, get ready to reach a metaphorical (and maybe literal) climax. We’re talking anime.

ahkashi_h/Courtesy photo

“Fooly Cooly” (FLCL) After watching this six-episode series twice, I still don’t have a clue what was going on. The story is about a teenage boy named Naota Nandaba who gets hit by a motorcycle-riding alien called Haruko Haruhara.

After he gets hit, his life begins to turn upsidedown; imprisoned aliens start to make their way through his forehead to help eradicate the world of its wrinkles. The wrinkles in the story and a metaphor for creativity and variety in mankind; this would explain the mysterious, giant irons that are placed in the cities of the world. The empire bent on ironing out the world is on its way and the monsters keep getting stronger.

When they actually do show up, Naota and Haruko hope to be ready to rock the world, quite literally. Because of the length of the series, the creators have packed so much information into every minute of the story. The animation is kind of average, but everything else is anything but.

Now, I may be completely wrong about the point of the series but I think that the entire thing is one big metaphor for growing up into adulthood and accepting responsibility, which relates perfectly to college students.

“Gosick”

FLCL is the craziest of anime series; you can watch over and over and find something Next up, we have an anime that came out in Japan back in January called Gosick. At new each time.

rique’s past and how she is the baby of a woman who was raped. Her mother was then banished, and her father locked her up in a cell where he tortured her.

These scenes of her being a child are extremely tear-inducing. In one of the early episodes, an old man makes this prediction to Kujo and Victorique: “A wind will surely blow which will separate the two of you.” As the series comes down to its final six or so episodes, the story and William Lofgren/Courtesy photo country revolve around Victorique and her faThe relationship between the two leads ther; he takes over the country through corruption and is pushing the country into war. makes this excellent series a must-see.

The scale of the story becomes so massive first glance, Gosick may look like another high that it can be overwhelming. The last few epischool anime that’s been targeted to teenage sodes made me cry and become angry with fans, but as you progressive further into its story, the villains because of how evil they were you start to realize that it is full of adult situa- to Victorique. I won’t ruin the ending, but it tions in the form of teenagers. The story increas- gave me chills. es in depth up till the final minute of the series.

Each moment shared with the two main The 24-episode series starts off after World War characters is so well-done that you can feel the I with a teen named Kujo, who is the son of a emotion between them. With moments of tears well-respected soldier in Japan. scattered about from start to finish, Gosick is a He is transferred over to a school in the fic- perfect story told that I won’t forget. tional country of Sauville. He meets a blondehaired, stubborn girl named Victorique. She’s “Elfen Lied” an outcast in the school; she never goes to class and spends all of her time at the top floor of the Elfen Lied is an anime about a girl named school’s giant library reading books. Her brother Lucy/Nyu, an escaped Diclonius with a split is a detective who comes to her for help in solv- personality and a vengeful agenda against huing mysteries that the police are unable to solve. mans. Diclonius are a lot like humans except Throughout the first few episodes, she and Kujo See Anime, page 6 grow closer while we learn more about Victo-

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Features

Graduation 2011

‘1Q84’ is a strange, beautiful and muddled thing

By Omar Castellon Staff Writer

Originally released as three books in their native Japan, Haruki Murakami’s “1Q84” was recently released in North America as a single and massive volume. The product of three years of labor, “1Q84” may be Murakami’s most ambitious work to date. Be that as it may, however, ambition is not all that’s needed to write an excellent book.

Set in 1984, the novel features two protagonists: Tengo and Aomame. Tengo, a male mathematics teacher, is an aspiring novelist who is tasked with reworking a novella called “Air Chrysalis,” written by an enigmatic teenager called Fuka-Eri. Aomame is a female fitness instructor who moonlights as an assassin targeting abusive husbands.

Our hero and heroine, through radically different means, are transported into a different world. Initially, neither seems to understand this, given that there is nothing that explicitly separates this new world from the old one. Eventually, each comes to realize that they’re living in a different reality. Aomame calls it 1Q84, explaining that the Q stands for question.

1Q84 is a world parading between reality and fantasy, where creatures called the Little People live. Most are unaware of their existence, but they apparently wield a great power, capable of affecting the lives of people through roundabout means. Their presence also leads to the creation of a cult.

Once again, through seemingly unrelated actions, Tengo and Aomame find themselves intertwined with happenings of this cult known as Sakigake. They become wanted for distinct offenses. In an attempt to keep spoilers to a minimum, just know that the duo are targeted because of their activities as a writer and assassin, respectively.

By the time “1Q84” has reached this point, we’ve learned that Tengo and Aomame both lived through isolated and lonely childhoods. While they were both 10 years old, they briefly held hands which left a deep imprint in both of their minds. In the present, 20 years later, each looks back on this wordless exchange as the only time they experienced love. Even now, despite losing all contact two decades ago, those same emotions remain, though they’re unaware of how the other feels.

While that rough survey of “1Q84” sounds interesting, if it doesn’t have a talented writer at its command, all of its worth is lost.

Fortunately, Murakami has long since proven himself to be a skillful writer and his experience shines throughout the text. The language flows naturally, oftentimes with an almost ethereal quality and it rarely comes off as forced. Those intimidated by the novel’s girth, which approaches 930 pages,, will be pleased to know that Murakami’s use of language is well grounded, just lightly treading into the realm of the grandiose. It makes for a comfortable read.

Anime Continued from 5 that they have small horns coming out of their skulls and invisible extensions from their bodies called vectors, which are made of tiny amounts of energy traveling at a high speed. Lucy escapes from a Diclonius-testing facility in the first minutes of the series, dismembering dozens of helpless security personnel along the way. After making her way outside, a sniper shoots her in the side of the head, causing her to lose her memory and revert to her childlike personality, Nyu. She is then found standing naked on the beach by a college-aged guy named Kohta and his cousin Yuka and taken into their home. As the story progresses, they take in a homeless girl and another Di-

This novel also creatively skews the lines separating various genres. With elements of romance, mystery, drama, fantasy, and more, “1Q84” eludes traditional classification, but this transient nature only adds to the its charm. It is truly wonderful to see just how deftly Murakami handles these various styles. Aside from its genre bending and solid writing, another redeeming quality of “1Q84” is its subtle and sometimes blatant commentary. Murakami’s jabs and pokes toward the literary world, the business world, marital relations and Japanese society are insightful, but serve the larger purpose of making the world feel visceral and alive.

Nevertheless, for all its craftsmanship and alluring plotlines, “1Q84” is a deeply flawed work.

For one, it is a victim of its own length. Its final book, in particular, is overly repetitive. Due to various circumstances, the characters involved all fall into their own daily routines, which itself isn’t bad, but when each chapter details the mundane rituals of each character, it becomes a chore to read. I acknowledge that repetition can serve a purpose, but in these instances it amounts to nothing more than a filler.

Likewise, whenever there’s dialogue between characters, one will often parrot what the other just said. Someone can easily interpret this as something that emphasizes the unpredictable and uncertain essence of the world of 1Q84, but it’s a practice that becomes annoying.

I don’t doubt that many readers will be disappointed by how much Murakami’s novel leaves unanswered. The work leaves enough for its audience to concoct their own conclusions regarding these points, but it is frustrating to engage yourself with a fascinating plot line only to be met with a dead end.

This ambiguity, is intentional and characteristic of Murakami’s writing. Indeed, he seems to have anticipated this criticism and even expresses this notion within the novel. While reading through reviews of “Air Chrysalis,” Tengo stumbles on to one that claims that while full of interesting descriptions, Fuka-Eri’s work leaves readers completely in the dark about certain elements.

Believe it or not, “1Q84” also suffers from the opposite problem. There are too many instances in which the novel is needlessly transparent. For example, during the course of the novel, Aomame becomes pregnant without having had intercourse. The novel offers enough background information and narrative to arrive at the proper conclusion.

Unfortunately, instead of remaining subtle and allowing the reader to piece everything together, Murakami presents the answer outright. Mind you, most readers will figure out the mystery surrounding Aomame’s pregnancy before they’re fed the official answer, but it is still something that shouldn’t be done. It’s an action that mocks the intelligence of readers. However, it can certainly be argued that this was done as a response to the critics, as if to say, “Am I clear enough now? Now do you understand me?” In any case, others may also have a cold response toward Murakami’s clonius, making a small family. The facility where she escaped from becomes hell-bent on killing Lucy by using any means possible, including sacrificing the lives of those who live and work there. Within the middle of the 13-episode series, the story shifts slightly and decides to show us the lives of Lucy, Kohta and Yuka as they were children. This is where the emotions start coming into play. Lucy was bullied as a child in school; her only friend was an abandoned dog that the bullies found and beat to death. Subsequently, Lucy uses her vectors for the first time, murdering them in an extremely graphic scene. After this happens, we learn about how Kohta and Lucy were connected, how Kohta’s young sister had died and a lot more. The ending to the anime is superb. It’s bittersweet and fits perfectly with the childhood stories as well as the story after Lucy’s escape from the facility. Many believe Elfen Lied is the most graphic anime ever made. The blood may be too much to handle for the

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc./Courtesy photo

Chip Kidd designed the amazing book jacket, capturing the cryptic feel of the story. depictions of sexuality. Occasionally, the descriptions and figurative language used are peculiar, but for the most part they’re juvenile, in my opinion. It personally doesn’t bother me, but I find these passages humorous in the same way I do made-for-T.V. movies. In other words, these segments are pulpy in the worst way possible.

Similarly, some will view the love between Tengo and Aomame as absurd. It isn’t founded on anything substantial, other than a vague deep connection. Love based on such shallow premises is more befitting of a children’s story.

Of all the novels I’ve read in my admittedly short lifetime, “1Q84” is one of the most unique and elaborate. Its cryptic and bizarre plot lines reveal a work that straddles the line between literature and pop fiction. I won’t make that distinction here, but I will say that I found something of value in its 930 pages. By no stretch of the imagination is “1Q84” a great novel (this will be disputed), but it is undeniably special. There is something beautiful that permeates from its words and its binding, something worth examining even as nothing more than a novelty. “1Q84” is a polarizing book, to be sure, but I don’t regret opening it and diving in. squeamish, but don’t let that stop you from checking this one out.

There’s the list of anime that I’ve seen that outmatch any Hollywood drone you can name. So give something that’s not from America a chance by watching one of the listed shows here, and you won’t be disappointed. You are allowed to give the money-hungry Hollywood execuADV Films/Courtesy photo tives the finger, so do it before Lucy seeks revenge on they stick some more regurgitated crap down your throat. mankind in Elfen Lied.

Graduation 2011

Features

Page 7

The battle over Battle of the Bands has a victor

By Mindy Simmons Staff Writer

A resounding sigh of relief was heard throughout Lancaster City Hall on Monday, Nov. 21, when the battle over Battle of the Bands ended with a unanimous vote to permit Industry Theatre’s conditional use permit to allow a concert venue with on-sale consumption of alcoholic beverages.

New Life Community Church was in opposition with the Industry Theater with regards of selling alcohol within 300 feet of them. With the help of Facebook, carefully planned meetings and a few trips to City Hall, Tully Huffaker’s Industry Theater managed to respectfully gain an audience of supporters who were willing to put in their time and effort to help bring a music venue to the Antelope Valley.

At the second Commissions Meeting, wellrehearsed speakers presented the many benefits that can come out of the Theater. They addressed their efforts of community outreach, the importance of local revenue and assured everyone that safety was a priority on their list.

“Every artist needs a safe and supportive environment to gather, relax and share. The more venues we have, the better,” Kristen Bote said, “visual artists have the AVC Art Gallery, Cedar Art Gallery and the Lake LA School Gallery.

Musicians have the Cedar Center, but otherwise have sadly few opportunities to exhibit their talent and energy.”

Jed Bookout spoke about the effort to promote community outreach and said, “Not all kids are good at sports. A lot of kids who are bad at sports are really good at music, so this place can be a place where they can hang out […] a lot of times

Jammin’ Continued from 4 vors: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. If the customers were too scared to try something as heavenly as the chocolate peanut butter shake, how could I trust them when it came to ordering my meal? Exactly, I couldn’t.

I threw out the “Customer Favorite” choice and went with my initial desire: the Californian omelet. With the breakfast came the option of potatoes or home-style fries and toast or a biscuit and gravy. I decided on the homestyle fries and biscuit and gravy.

Thick chunks of crispy bacon, eggs saturated in fat, tons of melted cheese, all topped with slices of avocado make for a pretty dang delicious omelet.

The home-style fries were cooked to a delightful crunch and sprinkled with green onions, which gave this dish a fresh break from all the fried goodness.

Unfortunately, the biscuit and gravy wasn’t able to amaze my taste buds. It might be par-

we have the doors open, so kids can come, sit down, play guitar, and talk with each other.”

Most importantly, the issue of alcohol was addressed when Megan Lemos said, “A beer and wine license is not an invitation for crime; it means revenue. Revenue means continued support for our organization.” She made it clear to the commissioners that without beer and wine, their venue would not be able to prosper.

After presenting their speeches, they assured the commissioners that the Industry Theatre would be safe, creative and beneficial to the community; all five votes were casted in their favor. “All of this ended up being a blessing in disguise, because the people who really cared a lot about it are now here and they showed us that they wanted to be a part of it,” Public Relations Coordinator Brian Torsney said.

Not only did they discover who really cared about the theater, but they also gained a large handful of followers. They already have over 600 fans on Facebook before their first show.

With these followers Huffaker plans on involving them with volunteer projects like boxcar productions, internship programs and creating more venues for all types of music lovers, even jazz.

“We booked Kris Roe, who is the lead singer of The Ataris,” said Torsney, “they will be here Dec. 9 and our shows are for an all-age audience, so everyone can come […] Security will be there, that’s really important to us.”

Not only will The Ataris be performing at the Industry Theater, but their first show will be on Saturday, Dec. 3, featuring the band Strung Out. Show your support for the Industry Theatre by attending their first show with security, alcohol and local live music. Follow the Industry Theatre on Facebook to receive updates on upcoming events. tially my fault for trying everything else before this side and allowing it to get cold; then again, temperature doesn’t affect seasoning.

Overall, their breakfast is worth the time, but we recommend you order something other than a “customer favorite”.

The shakes and malts are absolutely delicious, so you should definitely stop by just to taste their creamy goodness. Service is friendly, but one waitress seems to be running the diner herself.

Maybe it was just when we went, which was on a Monday morning, so the crowds weren’t too bad. Don’t be too shocked if it takes a while for your food to reach you, or for the waitress to come back and check on you. The only other problem is the hours.

We lucked out because we had a journalism assignment that morning, so we were already awake. This is a rarity. We would love to return to enjoy another shake and their mouthwatering omelets, but between classes, work and our lack of will to get up earlier than necessary, it hasn’t happened.

If you have the time and don’t mind early mornings, be sure to stop by Katz n’ Jammers. Your taste buds will thank you.

Mindy Simmons / Examiner

After their victory at Lancaster City Hall, the staff of the Industry Theatre prepares for their first venue since the incident began. This staffer finds the open area of the theatre good enough for some skateboarding taking the opportunity of free time to get in some practice.

n o Eye

n o i h s a F

aria M By s Corte

This was a great year for the fashion world.

Here are the fashion trends that blew up!

Girls, Girls, Girls

Bohemian

This style instantly gives you f an aura o . originality e You danc t a to the be wn of your o are drum and free of all that the stress is around you.

Lace

Lace material gives out an overall elegant look. It is extremely versatile.

No matter how you wear it, you’ll look ethereal.

Cardigan

s

e Possibly th most attractive piece of clothing a wn, guy can o the v-neck highlights nd the chest a biceps.

The cut slopes to minimize and accent the delicacy of the shoulders.

Seen here: Jessica Miller

Cat Eye s Sunglasse

ll The overa ese shape of th are sunglasses nd feminine a the highlight re soft structu . ce a f of a girls : Seen here h Codie Wals

Cardigans are universal fashion statements that form perfectly to of every girl y every bod type.

V-Neck

Over the Shoulder

Clear Ray-Bans a These add ok lo geek-chic t. to any outfi and The color shape the emphasize f the structure o face. : Seen here en ll Travis A

Dress Shirts In the words of ZZ Top, “Every girl is crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man.”

The Boys Club

Evania Ramirez: Best Dressed Girl at AVC

19-year-old Evania Ramirez is a fashion trail-blazer, paving the way for girls everywhere. That is why she is AVC’s Best Dressed Girl. Ramirez describes her style as childish, using it to embrace her youth, instead of fast-forwarding through it.

“Everyone is so focused on growing up and acting like an adult,” she said. “It’s too much of a facade to look old when I don’t feel old.”

The most refreshing thing about Ramirez’s style is that instead of following along with the usual fashion trends floating around, she takes cues from one of her favorite literary characters.

“Lolita from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel.

She is only a child, but a very precocious one. I like to keep ‘what would Lolita wear today?’ in my thoughts when I get dressed in the morning.”

She admits to loving the current minimalist effort going around, meaning piecing together looks that are well-constructed but seem effortless.

“I have always been in love with Peter Pan collars, or collars in general,” she said.

One thing she will never be seen in, however, is cleavage-exposing clothing, which she finds unflattering and tasteless.

Recreating her look is actually very easy and inexpensive. Ramirez says that she finds most of her favorite and interesting pieces of clothing at thrift stores. They usually contain some very beautiful hidden gems. They are also great if you are on a budget and want to mimic the current trends of the season.

Black Leather Jackets

Blazers

Blazers add to sophistication ce any casual pie of clothing in e. your wardrob You’ll look l sharp and coo g in without look like you’re over doing it.

Seen here: Danny Tran

For more tips check out the review for Lauren Conrad’s fashion book “Style” on the Marauder News blog site.

The leather jacket has always been a staple of cool.

From Elvis iPresley to Em s nem, it scream le b out “Irresisti Bad Boy.”

fASHION fAUX pAS OF THE yEAR

With the good comes the bad. Here are some trends that should have never seen the light of day.

Worst Girl Trends Neopr en Neoprene e is spande x, which me an it shouldn s ’t be worn as regular clothing.

Mix in short le ngth and neon colors an d you’ve g ot a fashion disaster.

Ugg Bo o Ugg boots ts make you r feet look dispropor tio to your le nal gs, creating th e visual tha ty have bigg ou er feet than you actually d o.

Unless it ’s winter, lo ck them up.

Worst Guy Trends Baggy Jeans Trust me when I s ay that no o ne is interes ted in the pattern, s ize or design er of your boxers. P ull them up o r walk awa y.

Photography by Mindy Simmons.

EXTREM E Skinny Jeans When yo ur jeans are tighter th an mine, we ha a big pro ve blem.

Find the middle gr ound between baggy an d skinny an d stay there .

ALL-Ov er Anim al Print Cover yo urself from hea d to toe in animal pr and you r int un the risk of lo okin like you ju g st stepped o ut in your Hall oween costume.

Small doses are better.

Large do ses look tack y.

Stupid Slogan T-Shir ts These sh irts are extrem ely tasteless and the guys who wear them are even more so.

You think you look reall y cool, but you do not.

Examiner staff Mindy Simmons Photographer Staff for 1 semester

Codie Walsh Sports Co-Editor Staff for 1 semester

Ben Fassett Lead Writer Staff for 3 semesters

Jordan Lofgren Copy Editor Staff for 2 semesters Jim Burns Advisor Staff for 7 semesters Josh Sanchez Features Editor Staff for 3 semesters

Maria Cortes Staff Writer Staff for 1 semester

Omar Castellon Online Editor Staff for 1 semester

Kristi Phillips News Editor Staff for 1 semester

Brandon Bird Staff Photographer Staff for 2 semesters Travion Bynum Staff Writer Staff for 1 semester Sarah Niemann Editor-in-Chief Staff for 4 semesters

Natasha Castro Managing Editor Staff for 2 semesters Marcus Russell Sports Co-Editor Staff for 1 semester

Cornell Hudson Staff Writer Staff for 1 semester

Courtney Unander Photo Editor Staff for 2 semesters

Page 14

Graduation 2011

Best place to act like a kid: who wants to play?

By Sarah Niemann Staff Writer

Who wouldn’t like to go back to the simpler times in life, before we had to trade in our bikes and cartoon lunch boxes for over-priced textbooks and midterms?

Although playing two-hand touch in the street and having sleepovers is far more desirable, we all know that those days have come and gone.

But it never hurts to pretend.

Mulligan Family Fun Center is the perfect place to do just that. If you have lived in the AV for very long, you may remember the Discovery Zone.

Right about now, you’re probably reminiscing about all of the fun times you had there as you were growing up.

It’s that kind of nostalgia that makes

Mulligans the best place to act like a kid.

I remember my favorite part of Discovery Zone being the laser tag. After it closed down there was not another place out here that could quite capture how fun that laser tag was— until Mulligan.

Not only is the laser tag a little blast from the past, but it’s cheap enough to fit into a student’s budget at $5 a round.

If you’re like us, however, one round just won’t cut it.

For $20 you get a wrist band and play as much as you want all day long.

Yes, you read that correctly. A paltry sum will give you as much laser tag as you can possibly handle, and free range on whatever else you want to do there like golf, bumper boats or go-carting.

The days of being a kid are gone, but at Mulligan you have a chance to escape reality, for a little while at least.

Mulligan Family Fun Center/Courtesy photo

Tap into your inner child; go play laser tag at Mulligan Family Fun Center.

The best place to hide a body

By Omar Castellon Staff Writer

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Unlike this poor fool right here, please don’t hide a body in the desert.

Perhaps it was the sight of a partner’s infidelity, or someone just gave you a funny look.

Maybe they had the audacity to step on your new shoes. Whatever the case, something has driven you to murder.

The concept of civil discourse escapes you, but that isn’t important now. What matters is the lifeless mass of organs, bones and sinew lying in the middle of your floor. It’s really killing the mood, and soon its stench will fill the room. The body obviously needs to be moved for the sake of cleanliness, and I suppose to evade law enforcement as well.

But where in this bleak expanse known as the Antelope Valley would it be most convenient

and practical to hide a corpse?

Assuming the deed was performed as cleanly as possible, the solution is simple. Despite living in a desert, the AV does house large bodies of water. For your malicious purposes, however, consider the aqueduct. It seems a little obvious, but if you left no proprietary evidence to be sought out, then you may have a realistic chance of escape. Depending on where the body is dumped in the aqueduct, it can take days before it reaches a point where it can be retrieved. In that time, the combination of moving water and the natural process of decomposition could make it difficult to link the body to you.

This is just something to consider the next time you feel that urge to kill. Or you can simply keep your cool the next time someone steps on your shoes. Do what you want; I’m not here to judge.

Where is the best place to get caught shoplifting?

By Codie Walsh Staff Writer

Ever find exactly what you were looking for, only to realize that you don’t have money to pay for it? Or maybe it was intentional from the start and you were just looking for a little five-finger-discount?

Either way you took off the security tags and all of the packaging, took a deep breath, and just

Mindy Simmons / Examiner

They are watching you

walked nonchalantly out of the store. If you did this right, no worries, you didn’t get caught; but if you did get caught it might not be your fault. This system usually works.

We say usually because there is one exception: Wal Mart.

For being super-sized, you would think that the Wal Mart staff would not have time to monitor their products and catch thieves in the act, but unfortunately this is not the case.

I have heard far too many

horror stories about undercover spies accompanying Wal Mart customers on their shopping experience. Lets be honest, sometimes every day low prices just won’t cut it for your average broke college student. Four separate attempts have resulted in angry rent-a-cops catching the thieves in the act.

Now nothing happens besides wasted time, useless lectures, and empty threats if you are cute, lucky or smooth with your words. But if you’re just a mere

mortal like me, and you are getting ready to bust a mission, take a look in the mirror and look to see if you put on that free mascara you picked up last week.

I’m just saying, you’ve been warned. From the stories of my broke friends, lets say it is pretty embarrassing to have a grown man dressed in a cop costume drag you into his security office.

Next time you’re in Wal Mart, take a minute to think: is mascara worth the risk? If you’re answer is yes, good luck.

Page 15

Graduation 2011

Best places to see ghosts Best place to

dine and dash

Sarah Niemann/ Examiner

Crosses hang on the wall of the most haunted place in the AV.

By Sarah Niemann Staff Writer

It is no secret that the Antelope Valley is a really boring place to live. So why would you stick around after death?

The valley is like a giant hole: the dead just seem to get stuck here.

For whatever reason, the AV has some pretty creepy places, one of the spookiest being the Grande Hall on 90th St. East. I’ve been to the Grande Hall a few times now, and it is the only place that I’ve seen any type of real activity.

If you are heading north on 90th St. East, the hall comes up on your right-hand side around Ave. G. It’s the only building around for miles, so you can’t miss it.

Besides the fact that the structure itself is falling apart and looks like something right out of the next “Paranormal Activity” movie, there’s an eerie feeling as soon as you step inside.

At the hall you are definitely going to hear scary noises and get the feeling that you are being watched. If you want to actually see something, make sure to bring a camera. Every time I’ve been there, all of the visual proof of the place being haunted has been seen in the pictures we took while we were there. I’ve caught floating orbs, figures and the people in my group being surrounded by what looks like a thick fog.

Walking around, the creepiest room is the one that is a step down from the big room in the center. As long as you are snapping pictures, you will find something. That’s always where I’ve see the most activity, and the feeling of that room gives me the chills.

There’s no doubt that something or someone is still “living” or not living in the Grande Hall.

So next time you’re sitting around complaining about having nothing to do, take a trip to the Grande Hall. It might be a little bit of a drive, but you won’t be disappointed.

Also known as “dine and ditch”, “chomp and romp” or “lick and leave”. Now, just because I’m informing you that I may have found an optable place to dine and dash, doesn’t mean I’m encouraging you to commit a crime. Being a food server myself, I realize that if you dined and ditched on my watch, the money would come right out of my paycheck. Oddly enough, however, BJ’s restaurant managed to wake up my hoodlum alter ego and had me thinking, “It would be so easy to leave without paying the bill.”

So if you’re ever hypothetically starving, in the mood for some theoretically delicious grub, assuming a lack of cash and willing to face the speculative consequences of karma, then I think I’ve found the perfect place for you. I’ve got a few tips, too.

Before heading to BJ’s, stop by your lo-

By Mindy Simmons Staff Writer

cal Goodwill and pick up a nice, tailored and incredibly inexpensive jacket. This will serve as a decoy. After you’ve enjoyed the delicious food BJ’s has to offer, leave your jacket on the table and head to the bathroom located conveniently right next to the entrance. Make sure you bring your personal belongings. Once you’ve powdered your nose (plucked your ear hair, waxed your toes) in the bathroom, walk out of the bathroom casually and make a quick left.

You’re facing the door now. Put on your best satisfied smile and walk out of there.

Easy, isn’t it?

BJ’s restaurant is a food branch I greatly respect for its food and customer service, but whoever designed the floor plans really should have reconsidered the idea of placing the bathrooms right next to an easily accessible exit.

Mindy Simmons/ Examiner

Ideally, you wouldn’t hypothetically get caught doing this

Best place to go shooting

By Josh Sanchez Staff Writer

Josh Sanchez / Examiner

Mike Pierce takes aim at a sillouette target about 100 meters away. His weapon is an old Soviet M91/30 Mosin Nagant

If you’re like many of the recreational shooters in the AV, then you find yourself lacking a safe place to get some target practice in. There are only a few ranges in the AV. The Gun Shop has a pistol range in its basement, but you can’t fire large calibers there. The only rifle range here belongs to the Desert

Marksmen, a group of shooters who have been operating in the AV since 1954. Their range is really nice, but it’s members only.

So what is the budget-minded marksman to do?

Well, if you read up on your state law, then you’ll find that in California you are able to shoot on public land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and has been zoned for recreational shooting and hunting.

So where in the AV is the best

place to get some target practice?

Call up the BLM, buy one of their maps that shows what property is zoned for shooting, get your gun, ammo, and targets and go to your new spot. Be warned though, if you do decide to do this then you must pick up your trash.

That means you pick up your brass, targets, and what ever else you bring out there. And never shoot glass.

If you have any questions be sure to ask your local sheriff

Page 16

Graduation 2011

Where is the best place to go to church?

By Maria Cortes Staff Writer

Saint Andrew’s Abbey is the best place to attend church in the Antelope Valley.

Nestled deep in Valyermo, the abbey is surrounded by beautiful greenery and provides an overall friendly environment for all who visit. The abbey grounds are spectacular. There is lush green grass, trees of all types and a pond filled with ducks, fishes and turtles that creates a sense of complete relaxation.

There are speakers placed around the abbey grounds so that visitors are able to enjoy the scenery and listen to the services at the same time. There are also separate designated areas for youth retreats and arts and crafts.

A large bell sits in front of the church.

It is rung whenever church services are about to begin.

The church itself embodies beauty in simplicity. There is nothing extravagant about the church and yet the stained glass windows and inspirational artwork combine to establish a serenity that couldn’t be found in a busy and overpopulated venue.

Saint Andrew’s Abbey is a Benedictine monastery that can trace its heritage down to the middle Ages.

The original community was founded in China and because of this the abbey grounds are rich in Chinese architecture. Next to the pond is a small red and green shed that is guarded by two tiger statues in mid growl, as if they are there for protection. The walkway to the shed is inscribed with Chinese symbols and at the side of the structure is a small white statue of a monk with a prayer book in one hand, blessing the area.

The abbey gift shop is full of beautiful keepsakes. There you can buy religious literary works, non-religious literary works such as The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, holy prayer cards, rosary beads that can be blessed upon request and jewelry such as rings, necklaces and silver coins that depict religious figures or prayers.

You can also buy coffee mugs, homemade preserves, honey, holiday greeting cards, religious ceramic figurines and holiday gift baskets.

There is also a children’s section where you can buy a “Make your own Rosary”

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Saint Andrew’s Abbey shows off some of its gorgeous Chinese architecture

kit. All of the proceeds of the shop go to supporting the monastery.

Saint Andrew’s Abbey is located on 31001 North Valyermo road. When I arrived, I was greeted with an overall sense

The best place to find gold

By Josh Sanchez Staff Writer

Courtney Unander / Examiner

Eureka delicious gold in a pan, though they aren’t flakes or nuggets, gold coins are just as valuable, sometimes more.

of kindness and comfortableness.

It is child-friendly and perfect for people who appreciate the calm serenity of nature. It is a perfect place to attend church with the people you love.

In 1848, gold was discovered in California.

Our infant state saw one of the largest movements of people this country has ever seen; everyone was going to the gold fields to strike it rich. That was more than 160 years ago, Many people lost out, and the people who ended up getting rich were the ones who “mined the miners” merchants who would exchange goods and services for gold, before turning it around for a greater profit.

Today, gold is well above $1,700 per troy ounce. Mines that have lay dormant for 50 years

or more are once again active and producing gold once more, since it has become profitable to do so. For the common individual, one question remains: “Where can I find the gold?”

Honestly there is no place in the Antelope Valley where one can mine gold; all the gold bearing land has been privatized.

So, the best place to find gold in the AV, is a pawnshop. Ricks Pawn Shop located on Avenue I between 10th and Sierra highway is the best pawnshop in the AV. They regularly check the market price for gold, guaranteeing a fair transaction each time. So the next time you have some money you’d like to save, buy gold instead and sell it a few years down the line for a profit.

Graduation 2011

Page 17

Best illegal place to drink

By Ben Fassett Staff Writer

Drinking at home is kind of sad. Sure, you can turn anything in your day into a drinking game, but it only holds its appeal for so long.

You can head to a bar, but they suck, too.

There’s nothing worse than finding yourself stuck in a bar stool at the Trap, your nose tipped into your mug as you’re forced to listen to the withered old lizard of a woman next to you as she recalls the good old days, back with the Grateful Dead were going strong and she had all of her teeth – except, of course, for the night when she decides to slobber all over your jaw and leave you reaching for the bleach to clean the venereal disease and ancient beer off of your face.

This leaves the average drunkard left wandering the streets with a brown paper bag

wrapped around a tall can.

In case you haven’t realized, however, that is a very stupid idea. Every time I see one of you sad sacks walking in a heavily populated area with a bottle in hand, I want to kick you.

There’s a better way to do it.

You’d think it’d be common sense. We live in a desert, surrounded by miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles. For the love of God, go there.

How stupid can you possibly be to get picked up for public intoxication when you could walk for fifteen minutes in nearly any part of the city or the outskirts thereof and find yourself out of the public’s scrutiny. You can kick a coyote. You can sit in a ragged futon left there for five years. You can make a drinking game out of evading broken glass in your bare feet. Best of all, you’re not bothering anybody with your dumb antics. That makes the desert the best place to drink illegally.

Russell Spencer/Courtesy photo

Want to enjoy the outdoors and avoid the police? Drink away your troubles in Nadaland where nobody knows your name and no one cares

Best illegal place to skate

By Kristi Phillips Staff Writer

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Timothy Carmichael heel flips over the seven stair at Shadow Hills

If you’re into nollie backside flipping off of a seven stair or finding a spacious place to skate flat ground, then Shadow Hills Intermediate School is the best skate spot for you.

“Shadow Hills in particular is a great skate spot because it’s spacious, the concrete is smooth and the place just has a lot to offer,” Timothy Carmichael, a local skateboarder and AVC student said.

“Skateboarding has been a passion of mine since I was young; the feeling of

riding away knowing you landed a trick is the best feeling in the world.”

Since Shadow Hills is a school, security is always on high alert. Most skateboarders can easily escape the security guards, though, by jumping over fences and being stealthy.

But if cops roll around, you may be in big trouble. Skateboarding at a school is prohibited and you can get a ticket for it.

The school is located off of 60th St. East and Ave. S. If you’re willing to run the risk of dodging security guards and cops, then Shadow Hills is worth it, because it’s the best illegal skate spot in the Antelope Valley.

Where can you use the very best public restroom?

By Mindy Simmons Staff Writer

If anyone else shares the irrational fear of using public restrooms, you too will appreciate this gem of a restroom.

After looking at countless restrooms, I decided to focus on a list of criteria needed for a desirable restroom. I narrowed it down to three things that concerned me the most: its cleanliness, any personal flair and the noise level.

Lo and behold, I stumbled across Buffalo Wild Wings’ glorious washroom.

As soon as I walked into their restroom,

I realized that I wouldn’t miss a second of the game with the sports announcer’s voice ringing crystal clear overhead. I paused for a second and looked up next to the vanity to see a television, tuned to the same game being featured in the bar.

I happily checked off two out of the three on my checklist. Both personal Mindy Simmons / Examiner flair and noise level were The beautiful T.Vs in the bathroom at Buffalo Wild Wings now off the list.

You may be wondering

why I mention noise level, but I think you’ll understand once I explain. Do you ever want to void your bladder without the worry of others hearing? The sports announcers’ voices happily drones everything else out.

I walked towards one of the high-walled stalls, and as I opened the door a cast member walked out, broom in hand, having just tidied up the place. Cleanliness: check.

While I don’t think anybody would want to take residency in this place, but by the Antelope Valley’s standards, this restroom fulfills my worrisome needs. I managed to check off all of my criterion, which makes it the best to me.

Opinion

Page 18

Graduation 2011

Editorial: We have some new fascists marching over the horizon, trying to shape our education and dictate how we pursue it. They’re not wearing jackboots or shiny helmets, no – they are a far more insidious and subtle enemy than that. They’re trying to cook up policies that revoke the inalienable right to pursue your academic goals as you see fit.

Ladies and gentleman, we present to you the California Community College Student Success Task Force. The name alone sounds menacing, doesn’t it?

So what is it that these usurpers are trying to keelhaul you with?

Let’s talk a little about what they’ve almost managed to get away with.

Their original version of “Mein Kompf” (otherwise known as the “Draft Recommendations of the California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force”) decided, in the beginning, that certain programs would simply have to go away.

They recommended that legislature “should ensure that state subsidization for instruction, whether it be credit or noncredit courses, is limited to those courses that are included in a program of study and informed by a student education plan.”

Wow. Censorship lives, gentle reader, and if you ever need an example, this is it. Worse, this isn’t even aggressive censorship – they don’t want to take away certain courses because they disagree on any moral standpoint.

They want to take them away because they are a distraction from making you a cog in the proverbial assembly line. You are here to work, not to learn.

What do you think are the odds that this is talking about programs that deal with music, creative writing or theater?

They seem pretty good, don’t they? Hang on, it gets better.

Another touchy portion of the text proposes to limit noncredit classes to those identified as “Career Development.”

This would have meant that high priority courses such as English as a Second Language would probably have gone right out the window. Once again, if it doesn’t get you out there immediately with a wrench in your hand, it has no use.

Now you have to remember that this is the kind of shady crap they almost got away with. On Nov. 9, the Task Force suddenly realized that it was getting ahead of itself and issued a memo to assure everyone that everything was just peachy, and that they are reconsidering the proposals. So why is this still important?

Because much of the wrongs they are supposedly righting are simply being thrown back on the drawing board “pending the drafting of alternate language.” That means that we are not out of the woods yet, folks.

Institutions like these, who have already tried to hack away at your personal freedoms, have a tendency to make their second strike far more subtle.

Besides, there’s still something terrible lurking in the words.

The Task Force tells us very early that they want to “encourage students to declare a program of study upon admission, and require declaration by the end of their second term.” This means that if you go to college, you had damn well better know what it is you want a degree in.

Apparently, these people think that it’s very uncouth to go to college to gain personal knowledge.

There’s no use for someone who wants to enroll to take a broad spectrum of courses while they try to figure out what it is they actually want to do. There’s no need to pander to people who might be thirsty to learn something. Right?

Wrong.

The point to all of this is that education is a personal liberty as well as a legislative responsibility.

We come to our schools to learn a trade, yes. We also come here to learn for ourselves.

To threaten our ability to learn as we see fit, and to remove the ability to absorb the already limited variety of curriculum, is a heresy of the highest degree. No one should ever tell you what to do with your mind.

So now the task is left to you.

It is your duty to make your voice heard. You can contact the following people to ensure that the buck stops here. There is nothing so dangerous in this day and age as complacency. Do not fall prey to what others would have you do.

California Community Colleges Board of Governors Njeri Griffin Board Liaison (916) 445-8508

California State Governor Jerry Brown

State Capitol Building, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-2841

California State Senate Senator Sharon Runner

17th District of California State Capitol Building, Room 2048 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 681-4017 Lancaster Office 846 W. Lancaster Blvd., Suite 101 Lancaster CA 93534 (662) 729-6232

Antelope Valley District Office 41319 12th St. West, Suite 105 Palmdale, CA 93551 (661) 267-7636 Or go to http://cccco.edu

Graduation 2011

Opinion and potentially encourage promiscuous behavior.

Slowly but surely, after dozens of threats from the PTC, companies started pulling its advertisements from the show. First to surrender was Taco Bell, then General Motors, Wrigley Gum, L’Oreal, Subway, H&R Block and Schick razors.

The council then called for a federal investigation after it labeled the show, “the most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen.”

Unfortunately, MTV remained calm after the numerous attacks saying, “We... have taken numerous steps to alert viewers to the strong subject matter so that they can choose for themselves whether it is appropriate.” The series aired at 11:00 p.m., as a way to filter younger viewers, and age Courtesy photo / MTV verification was needed if people wanted to view the show online. show and all businesses that were in any What the PTC, I believe, failed to way associated with it. “Skins” was labeled recognize was that even though the “child pornography” and the censorship characters were young, the actors portraying debates began. them were not. The youngest actress was The main concern that The Parents Eleanor Zichy, who played Eura Snyder, who Television Council had was that the was 15 years old at the time. characters in the show were no older than 17 Eura’s character was never depicted and sex was the major theme of the show. having sex, taking drugs or drinking alcohol.

Explicit sexual acts were being performed She is only seen as slightly rattled and messy with their classmates, people of the same sex from the previous nights of partying. (the character Tea is a lesbian), teachers and “I’m much more concerned with the adults more than a decade older than them. opinions of the teenagers of America than The council believed that the shows content would be harmful to younger viewers See Skins page 20

MTV’s “Skins” and the Battle of the Censors

By Maria Cortes Staff Writer

MTV brought to life its American version of the hugely successful UK series “Skins,” on Jan.17. The show followed the lives of Tony, Michell, Stanley, Tea, Abbud, Chris, Cadie, Daisy, and Eura. The nine high school students led extraordinary lives filled with sex, drugs, alcohol, familial issues and homosexuality.

Almost immediately after the show aired, The Parents Television Council (PTC) sharpened its pitchforks, lit its torches and began a full-scale war against MTV, the

Weighing in on Board election results

By Kristi Phillips Staff Writer

Five candidates were up for election for the two seats open on the board this year.

The candidates running were Lew Stults, Steve Fox, Margaret “Margie” Chavez, Marginese Streeter, and the incumbent Jack Seefus.

After many weeks of shaking hands, interacting with students and posting campaign signs all over the Antelope Valley, the results are finally in.

The two candidates who won are Jack Seefus and Lew Stults. I have to say that I am happy that Stults won. I went to the board of trustee race on Sept. 28, and I was very pleased with his speech.

Stults was the only one who brought up concerns that I care about. The two things that he said he would look into changing if he got elected were financial aid and Wi-Fi on campus.

Now, financial aid really bugs me. I’ve had friends receive roughly $2,500 from financial aid. Realistically, $2,500 is a lot for one semester at a community college.

With tuition, books and supplies, I can’t see a semester costing more than $1,000 tops. So what to do with the extra $1,500?

I feel as if it is an excessive amount and

Stults showed he is aware of it.

He said if he got elected, he would try to put some kind of monitor on financial aid, perhaps something like all money gets put into a card that will be monitored by officials to make sure the money is being used correctly.

Placing a monitor on funds would be a good way to show the federal government how much a semester at AVC costs, providing a better good estimate of how much to give a student for financial aid.

Wi-Fi also upsets me. The majority of community colleges in California provide students with free Wi-Fi on campus. The library and the computer lab both offer computers with Internet that students can go on, yet the problem I have with that, is the student-to-computer ratio is unbalanced.

If AVC offered free Wi-Fi on campus, then this wouldn’t be an issue. Instead of relying on the library and computer lab, I can instead just bring my laptop to school and connect.

Stults was the only one who brought up this concern. Chavez was opposed to financial aid being monitored because she believed that students need that extra money to buy things that aren’t directly school related such as a car.

“Some students need to use that money

to buy a car,” Chavez said after the trustee race. “Without transportation, how are they supposed to get to school?” A good argument on Chavez’s part, but the federal government is not responsible for giving out money so student’s can buy cars.

I was not surprised that Seefus won.

Board incumbents usually have an advantage because they’ve already been in that position. A prime example is Earl Wilson, who was a board incumbent for 36 years before retiring.

During the trustee race, Seefus was asked how he made a point to interact with the students on campus. He went on about the different students that he has met and how he will be dedicated to interacting with students, if he elected.

After the trustee race was over, Seefus had the perfect opportunity to stay after and talk with the students, officials and faculty who were present. What a shame that right after the race ended, he walked off the stage and decided to not bask everyone with his presence.

All in all, I was pretty happy with the results. I have no doubt that Stults will be a great addition to the board. In regards to Seefus though, my expectations are low and will remain like that until he proves me wrong.

Page 19

Contrary to the belief of your staff writer, Brandon Bird, people in our society today actually enjoy seeing animals within organized establishments.

The controlled environments that these creatures are placed in are actually among some of the safest places that they can be in.

Animals in captivity are normally treated better in captivity then outside of it.

They are placed in an environment where they regularly receive food, safety and the ability to safely reproduce. The mere fact that he has the audacity to blame SeaWorld for the murder of dolphins in Taiji, Japan shows his complete ignorance for the topic.

The documentary “The Cove,” that was released in order to publicize the alleged mistreatment of the dolphins, isn’t even blaming the water parks, according to an article published by the Orlando Sentinel in April 2009.

It only criticizes SeaWorld for not doing more to stop the horrendous events. So, your writer is only accusing SeaWorld of not being a Good Samaritan.

If that is the case, then he should also blame staff writer Joshua Sanchez, who in the story placed just below the “Sea Spot swim: SeaWorld causes dolphin slaughter” article, admitted that he himself didn’t stop a violent act from taking place.

So it seems like accountability remains an issue on page 10 of the November 2011 issue. And finally, the call to action is nothing but insulting.

How do you dare wish that I “lose sleep, suffer from depression, and get ulcers all before [my] next birthday,” then plead for me to help stop the dolphin slaughters? Seems like the dolphins aren’t the only ones who need saving.

-Pete Moye

Opinion

Page 20

Skins Continued from 19 And the teenagers of America loved “Skins.” The series finale was met with 1.2 million viewers from all over the country.

Yet, even its impressive ratings could not save “Skins” from meeting its end.

The final episode was aired on March 21 and soon after MTV announced the series impending cancellation.

The Parents Television Council won and I was left with questions. There are literally dozens of shows on air at this very second which contain the same, maybe even worse, content than “Skins.” We have “Jersey Shore,” “The Real World,” “The Hard Life of R.J. Berger,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Dairies” and the show set to replace “Skins,” “I Just Want My Pants Back.”

What are the differences between these shows and “Skins?” Age. Child pornography was The Parents Television Council’s main argument. The characters were too young to be put in such provocative situations.

I find this completely idiotic. “The Hard Life of R.J. Berger” is based on the life of a high school boy who is a complete social outcast until the entire school finds out that he has a huge male appendage, to use the less provocative term.

Should I mention the impact that “The Real World” has had on American adolescent society?

The video entry to be on the show is practically five minutes of convincing MTV why you’re either the perfect party girl or out-ofcontrol “hot” guy.

Another show I want to bring to public attention is “The Secret Life of an American Teenager.” The show follows the life of Amy Juergens, a high school freshman who learns she’s pregnant after having sex with Ricky Underwood, a junior, during band camp.

The entire show is painfully out of touch with reality. It is not the “secret life,” it is the “overly dramatized life.”

The show contains multiple pregnancies in a span of three school years, the birth of still-born baby, there are several marriage proposals, engagements, weddings, and divorces that take place, and all the while Amy Juergens manages to somehow hold on to her sanity.

Her parents support her every step of the way, her baby’s father is ready to help without hesitation and she even manages to have a stable relationship with another boy who is also ready to help her with her baby. At one point the 16-year-old boy proposes to her.

This kind of stuff doesn’t happen in real life. “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” is not only overly dramatized, but it glamorizes teenage pregnancy.

The show tells a teenage girl that if they get pregnant nothing changes and everyone is willing to stand by your side no matter what. Unfortunately for those of us who live in the real world, we know that this is far from the actual truth.

The show was also set in a high-middle class society with a predominantly white cast. Would “Skins” have been cancelled if the characters were mainly white and everyone lived in neat two-story houses with expensive clothing and impressive cars?

No, it would have been another show depicting rich kids going crazy and likely would’ve lasted three or four more seasons.

Examiner Staff Editor in Chief Sarah Niemann Managing Editor Natasha Castro News Editor Kristi Phillips

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Graduation 2011

Message to all students A letter to AVC’s most inactive constituent

Far too often, junior college students float though their two years on campus completely oblivious as to what is going on around them. In the past that hasn’t been so much of an issue, however now, with budget cuts and all of the changes that come with them, it’s more important than ever that we as a student body take notice.

Go to the Board of Trustees meetings, participate in the rallies. What’s going on now is going to affect students for years to come… make sure your voice is heard!

It’s a sad sight when you look around the board room and a majority of seats are either empty, or filled by faculty and staff. Not only that, but students who actually have official say in what is going on are too busy texting and making googly eyes at other people in the room.

So you have to help yourselves. The Board isn’t against us, but unless we make our presence known they will look right past our wishes.

My time at AVC is coming to an end, but yours may not be. Do your part to make sure your final semesters are the way you want them to be.

Sarah Niemann Editor-in-Chief

“Skins” may have depicted the gritty and troubled lives of teenagers who party far too much, but they managed to show the side-effects that that lifestyle held.

People get arrested, their mental and physical health gets put in danger and their family lives become tense and strained. They show that that type of lifestyle is too intense for such young adolescents to be leading.

So, honestly, think about it, which show is worse for children to watch?

The show that tells them that if they

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get pregnant, or get someone pregnant, their lives will be consequence-free?

Or is it the show that teaches them that getting involved in sex, drugs and alcohol at such an early age can have a seriously negative impact on their young lives?

I’d go with the second choice, but that’s just my opinion. Something does tell me, however, that The Parents Television Council boycotted the wrong show. Next time, focus on the show encouraging your daughters to get pregnant.

Antelope Valley College’s Examiner is published

by AVC Language Arts classes, typeset on campus and distributed Wednesdays during the school year.

Examiner editorials and editorial cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board. All other opinion and editorial page material is the opinion of the individual writer/artist, not of the Examiner. Views expressed in the Examiner do not necessarily reflect those of the advisers, faculty members, administration or the Associated Student Organization. Requests for news or feature coverage or concerns about editorial or advertising content should be addressed to the Editor in Chief. The Examiner is published under the auspices of the Antelope Valley Community College District Board of Trustees; however, sole responsibility for the content rests with the Examiner editorial board. The Examiner is printed by Aerotech News & Publishing.

Sports

Page 21

Graduation 2011

The goddess of the hoop and ball: Malika Jackson

By Codie Walsh Staff Writer

Sophomore Malika Jackson is this year’s player to watch. Jackson has been playing since she was five.

“It’s like I was born to play basketball. I came out with a basketball.” At Pete Knight, Jackson was a four-year starter for the Hawks, the first in school history. She was first all-time in games played, total rebounds and three-point baskets. By her junior year of high school, she had already been named All Golden League three times, was named Golden League Most Valuable Player, and First Team All-CIF Division II. For her senior year she averaged 11.2 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per game. She played volleyball and ran track in high school, but her passion remained in basketball.

Jackson came to AVC because of the basketball program. “Coach Tenner got me to come here. It’s a very good program,” said Jackson. “I think it’s one of the best J-C programs around.” Last year, Jackson continued to thrive.

She was named All-Glendale Tournament. She had a game high of four three pointers in a Marauder loss

against Moorpark. In the last 11 seconds against Mt. San Jacinto, Jackson was able to score five points to turn a three-point deficit into a win for AVC. She averaged 8.87 points per game, 4.45 rebounds per game and 2.58 assists per game.

While being a star athlete, Jackson is majoring in Kinesiology. Currently, Jackson is not certain where she wants to continue her education; “I have a lot of options, so I don’t want to decide early,” said Jackson.

Wherever she transfers, Jackson wants to keep playing basketball, and ultimately would like to play overseas.

When asked about the coming season, Jackson said, “I think we’re going to wake up a lot of people. I’ve heard a lot of negatives about our team this year, but I think we’re going to turn a lot of heads. I’m very confident about this year.”

The team’s biggest games this year will be against San Bernardino Valley. Last year in conference, the Marauders lost twice to San Bernardino. San Bernardino went on to win the Foothill Conference Championship, while AVC placed third.

Jan. 1 marks the beginning of the Foothill Conference for the Women’s Marauder basketball team. Come support the team as they continue to thrive with Malika Jackson leading the team.

AVC volleyball team takes last loss of the season

By Codie Walsh Staff Writer

During the the final home game of the regular season for the Women’s volleyball team, they were able to defeat San Bernardino Valley College: 25-14, 25-4, 22-25, 25-16.

Fans filled the bleachers, cheering on their team. The soccer team led the cheers “You don’t want none! A-V-C!” During game one AVC was able to go on a 10-0 run, giving them the lead early on. Game two was over quickly. The Marauders dominated throughout the game on their way to a 25-4 win.

After the second game, Head Coach Jane Cwayna honored the players’ parents. Each woman ran to the stands to thank their family member, take a picture and pass off a white rose.

During game three they “had a pause,” star player Kristal Campos said. This pause resulted in the loss of the third game by a score

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Raelyn Sherouse celebrates with teammates.

of 22-25. However, the team was able to once again dominate in the fourth game with a win of 25-16. “Right after the presentation the girls got emotional. They were focusing on family which is way more important, so that loss doesn’t even count,” said Mark Cruz, Assistant to the Head Coach.

This win gave AVC the co-title Foothill Conference Champions. “The girls came out to play. I’m very proud of them. They worked hard. They executed the game plan,” Mark Cruz said. “The reason the girls had a rough start [is] because they didn’t know how good they were and they finally figured it out.” Congratulations to the Women’s volleyball team!

You did a outstanding job representing AVC.

Mindy Simmons/ Examiner

Star player Malika Jackson poses for the AVC Examiner.

Coach’s Choice for Football:

Head Coach Perry Jehlicka chose Derek Dison and Isaiah Culver For the six games he has played in, Quarterback Derek Dison has 110 passes complete for a total of 1,332 yards, giving him an average of 222.0 yards per game and 11 touchdowns. Dison has an average of 24.0 yards rushing per game.

Isaish Culver has caught the football 24 times for a total of 407 yards and an average of 17.0 yards per reception. He has scored three touchdowns and averages 45.2 yards per game.

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Victoria Munz going up for a spike

For Other Coach’s Choices See pg. 22

Page 22

Coach’s Choice

Sports

Graduation 2011

By Codie Walsh Staff Writer

AVC coaches recognize their best players this season

Volleyball:

Head Coach Jane Cwayna chose Allyson Lods and Kristal Campos. “[Kristal Campos] is aggressive. She’s also disappointed when she doesn’t do well. She wants to win and she’s very determined,” Coach Cwayan said. Campos has a total of 187 kills, 177 digs and 13 blocks. She holds Individual Match Highs for kills in five sets (8), attack attempts in four sets (6), and blocks in five sets (5). Campos was named first team for the Foothill Conference.

“[Allyson Lods] is an outstanding player. She hustles. She has heart. She’s disappointed if she doesn’t do well. She’s really a perfectionist,” Coach Cwayna said. Lods has a total of 338 digs, 518 assists and a kill percentage of 0.60. She holds this season’s Individual Match Highs for digs in three sets, digs in four sets and digs in five sets: nine, eight and four. She was also named 2011 Foothill Conference Player of the Year.

Cross Country:

Head Coach Mark Covert chose Emma Ramirez. “[Ramirez] won Foothill Conference,” Coach Covert said. Emma Ramirez was able to win first with a time of 17 minutes 56 seconds. This was her first time breaking 18 minutes, giving her a new pace record. For the SoCal Championship, Ramirez ran 19 minutes 1.9 seconds to give her twenty-fifth place in the Southern section.

Continued from 21 Soccer:

After much deliberation in a field of candidates, Coach Jerry Stupar finally chose Stacie Guijarro, Carla Hager and Beatrice Giles as his top players.

Stacie Guijarro won Conference Player of the Year and made first team allConference. She had a total of 10 assists and 26 goals, 20 of which were scored in Conference. Guijarro is now the alltime leader in the school for points and goals. She is in the top for the state of California for points. “She has power up top and a finishing capability,” Coach Stuper said. “She’ll probably get regional recognition.”

For the second time, Carla Hager made first team all-conference. In the regular season Hager had 13 assists, which is the second highest in all-time assists. “She’s the backbone of our middle. She works so hard all the time. She leads by example,” Coach Stuper said.

“She plays injured; she had a hamstring injury and wouldn’t allow me to pull her out. She just doesn’t stop. She was a huge part of that [conference win]. She kept us together offensively and defensively.”

Beatrice Giles also made first team all-conference. “Wow. She’s five-two but she plays like she’s six feet. When you look at her, you would not think she’s a player at the level she’s at. She’s a huge part of our defense. She’s very fast, very quick,” Coach Stuper said. “She completely shuts down her side. Teams stop attacking the left side because they can’t get past her. She’s good stripping the ball. She’s good at 50-50 challenges.

She’s good at initiating offense from defense. She captains this team and is a great role model who leads by example.”

Graduation 2011

Sports

Page 23

AVC wins the last game against Chaffey College

By Travion Bynum Staff Writer

The AVC Marauders overcame a tense game on Saturday, Nov. 12 against the Chaffey College Panthers. With it being their last game of the season, the Marauders had a lot of pressure under their belt. “Everybody was excited and tired of losing, so as of this being the last game, we played our hearts out,” said Michael Cooper, wide receiver from AVC. The game ended 44-39 with the Marauders taking the win to end the season. AVC started out the game giving the Panthers a safety and trailed 12-0 with 11:25 left in the second quarter. But the Marauders snapped back and scored four straight times, including two passing touchdowns and a rushing score by the quarterback Derrick Dison. Kyle Steffes, a “record-breaking kicker” at AVC, kicked a 40yard field goal to end the second quarter 12-16.

The Marauders had the momentum coming into halftime.

In the third and fourth quarters, running back Kenny Steward was a big help with his

Marcus Russell / Examiner

Derrick Dison evading Chaffey’s intense defense and throwing a touchdown pass. yards; he gained 60 yards rushing from the 30 to the opposite side 30-yard line. AVC fought hard throughout the whole game, which ended in their favor 39-44.

Chaffey tried to fight back, but the Marauders’ pride and it being their last game made them fight even harder. Dison ended his season second in the Marauder passing percent-

ages; he had 208 yards passing on a 17 for 31 day, with four touchdowns. He had two more rushing touchdowns on a 52-yard rushing day.

Steward ended his Marauder career with another 100-yard performance, gaining 104 yards on 21 carries. Defensive back Michael Lowder had 10 tackles to leading AVC, including a fumble recovery and the biggest hit of the night.

The team did some things they haven’t done in a while. They snapped a five-game losing streak, a nine-game losing streak in Brent Carder Marauder Stadium and a six-game losing streak in the central west division. Dison and Isaiah Culver led the Marauders with two touchdowns each.

“We finally overcame adversity. We never actually won a home game this season, so this is a good moment for us. We made all the drives we needed. The star player, I think, was Jeremy Evans because he’s the man; he’s number one in receiving yards in the state,” Thomas Henry, red shirt for AVC said.

Even though the Marauders had somewhat of a bad season, winning this game against the Chaffey Panthers at home gave them something positive to end on.

There’s a first time for everything, even for AVC

By Codie Walsh Staff Writer

For the first time in the history of the soccer program, the Women’s soccer team is Foothill Champions. “We’ve been close twice, but we’ve never had a Conference Championship,” said Head Coach Jerry Stupar. The team not only won the Foothill Conference but also 12 players received recognition, including Player of the Year Stacie Guijarro.

Coach Stupar also received Coach of the Year, his second in the past three years.

In 2007, AVC wasn’t even a competitive team; with a record of 1-17-2, the team was in last place.

The 2008 season came with a change in coaching staff: Jerry Stupar left College of the Canyons and came here. “In 2008, I just wanted to have a competitive team,” said Stupar. “I wanted to develop networking and recruiting and put AVC on the map.” He was successful; the team went from being in last to fifth in the Foothill Conference with a record of 12-7-1.

2009 was also a successful year.

The team was able to place second in the Foothill Conference, but ended up losing in overtime to Venture College, ending their postseason.

With 18 freshmen, 2010 was a rebuilding season. “The girls were tal-

ented defensively, but we were not one of the top teams in scoring. We would end up tying or losing games 1-0. But it worked to our advantage because a majority of the girls came back.”

This year has definitely been another success. The team had a record of 162-2. This team has broken countless school records, played phenomenally and made AVC proud. “Our goal was to win Conference, but we ended up accomplishing so much more: an 11game undefeated record, nine wins in a row, nine shutouts, 64 goals, 15 goals, second in state, and eight players with awards,” Stupar said. “The girls trained from spring to recruiting to summer.

They dragged themselves out of bed every morning to put the work in. They got more people in the community involved.”

The next step for the team will be studying tactics in lecture, finishing, getting more players involved in the attack, and fitness. The Marauder’s soccer team will undoubtedly continue to make AVC proud.

For the 2012 season Coach Stupar invites you to try-out. “If you play soccer and I don’t know you, why is that? If you know somebody that’s playing locally in pick-up games or club or recreation, come talk to me. It’s open to anybody–it could be anywhere up to 25 years old. We want this to be the community team,” said Stupar. “I’m not

Brandon Bird / Examiner

Morgan Jones, right, looks on as her teammate protects the ball from a defender. linked to any club or any specific high school. If you’re not going to division one scholarship, you should start off here and we will help you get to where you want.”

He used three former players as examples: Shannon Cox, Chelsea Porter and Lauren Miszklevitz. “All started and they’re being successful. They’re going to graduate this year. It’s not about just soccer; academics are also important. We want a program that’s successful on and off the field,” Stupar

said. “Every year, schools are looking to grab players from us. It shows that playing J-C is not going to hinder you from getting to where you want to go. I feel confident about the players leaving AVC that they’re going to be successful.”

If you play soccer and would like to be part of a winning tradition, Coach Stupar would more than welcome you.

Congratulations, ladies! We couldn’t be more proud of you.

Graduation List

Page 24

Alexis M. Abarca Victor Aburto Jillian Amanda Ackerman Karla Beverly Alabi Verenice A. Alecio Britney Nicole Allen Rebecca Lynne Alvarado Alexis Alyssa Alvarez Lauren Alvord Nancy P. Amaya Laura Miranda Aragon Linda J. Araya Marcella Maria Ardito Katrina Denise Auguste Yesenia A. Ayon Digna R. Baloy Nicole Ann Bandy Nicole Shiree Barker Karla Yeena Beck Alexis A. Begue Judith Arabel Benitez Andrew A. Bernard Marita Bersamira Erica Lyn Bestwick Jacqueline Terry Boyster Uthanna Eena Bracy Bree Joy-Marie Breckenridge Tamico Dianne Brown Karen Supremo Camago Alicia Lynn Cambaliza Kathleen M. Canfield Seahbain Brigette Cardenas Rebecca Ann Carlson Katherine Michelle Carlton Zachariah Edward Carrubba Amenah Kashmirah Carter Jaquay Sheral Carter Nicholas A. Carter Kyle Michael Casey Alejandra Castaneda Yesenia Castaneda Anthony Castellanos Monica Castillo Daisha Levette Cato Josie Chavez Tabitha Mia Chavez Christopher Michael Chinchilla Juliana M. Clay Charles Dwayne Cole Jr. Bridgette A. Collins Stephanie D. Conley Cameron Roy Coon Brittany Lynn Cooper Nakia Marie Cornelius William M. Cornell Leslie Ann Craft Dominic Angelo Dahlia Clarin D. Davis Ebony Davis Kendra Mercedes Davis

Natalie C. Davison Amanda V. Day Lori Ann Day Kimberly Amber Dean Samantha Elise DeVeaux Michael Ray Devin Enjoli B. Dewester Kimberly Cherise Eckmann Charnnel S. D. Ellis Catherine Marie Ellison Matthew James Erjavac Debrah Catherine Espinoza Karlia Giset Espinoza Emily Marie Esposito Vilma Estrada Rena Roshell Euwing Carolyn Evans Richard John Falcioni Ralph Falcon Toshie Marlene Famularo Sawsan A. Farrukh Moira T. Feeley Christian Figueroa Ryan Patrick Finch Katarina A. Flynn Tecola Erica Foster Crystal L. French Trevor Benjamin Frey Alicia Jessica Garcia Mike David Garcia Debbie Sincerbox Garrett Avery D. Giannoulis Alexis Leeanne Giba Melanie Sue Gimbel Alyssa Renee Gonzalez Jaime Adrian Gonzalez Gloria Gowan Morgan Leigh Green Chantevia M. Griffin Melissa Kaye Grubb Stephanie Marie Gutierrez Megan Elizabeth Haussmann Cindy M. Hegenbart Darren David Hendrix Antonia A. Heredia Jaime Hernandez Sammy Hernandez Stephanie Hernandez Edwin Rolando Herrera Vanessa Elizabeth Hines Christine Joy Hipolito Shekeda T. Holland Daniel Raymond Hubler Marzel S. Hughes Samantha Jacqueline Huizar Tuesday Rochelle Hunter Dache Eva Jackson Brittani C. Jefferson Brittni Nicole Jeffrey Chelsea Lynn Johnson Danielle M. Johnson Paul R. Johnson Stephanie V. Jones Brittany Fae Keel Kimberly Ryan Keene Kenneth W. Kehoe Jeffrey M. Kelley Jordyn Suzanne Kelley Tanya Lynn Kelley Natasha L. Kimbro

Hadrian Mekii Kirkwood Iamee Renae Kling Garrid Cassidy Klippness Sarajane Katherine Kolt Jessica Frances Kraft Sara Nicole Kredo Heather Breanna Lange Iliana B. Leal Charles Edward Lemley IV Jeffrey Elias Lopez Jessica Lopez Yvette Lopez Delmis L. Lorenzo Amber Marie Lucido Jan Peter L. Mamuric Gioia Mandaro-Mayes Sarah Elizabeth Manetti Brandon T. Mann Phillip D. Manuel Jr. Gregory Michael Marrujo Khia Diane Martin Angel D. Martinez Jessica A. Martinez Lillian A. Martinez Max Graham Matta Richard A. Matthews Racquel M. May Cole J. McCandless Monique Candice Mcclure III Yolanda Denise McDuffie Kelly Elizabeth Mcintyre Julie Y. Mckeehan Jonathan Mejia Karla Arely Menjivar Chavez Cynthia M. Mesa Jennie Meza Kayla Kathryn Miller Melissia Marie Miller Victoria Anne Miller Dottie R. Milligan Nicole Jeanne Montgomery Tiana C. Montgomery Jazemen Mechelle Moreno Mirna I. Moreno Tonya R. Moss Shyla M. Mueller Jack Jeremy Muns Luz Maria Nadonza Allie Kay Nelson Stacey-AnnNicole Nembhard-Taylor Katie Lynn Neukircher Christie Princess Ninah Christie Lynne Nowell Armando Nunez Karole Puga Obrikat David Alan Ortiz Onyekachi E. Osuchukwu III Ana Magdalina Palos Davitta Nacole Patterson Brandie Monique Pelayo Karen Jacqlyn Peralta Lanique Erika Phillips Jessica Jeannette Plascencia Aaron Christopher Plummer Sandra Ponce Jennifer Pratt Durell B. Prudhomme Melony Ann Rape Karen Maria Rasch-Herrera Monica R. Reese

Graduation 2011 Rosin Flores Reveles Angel S. Richard Delphia L. Robinson Alexandra Lee Ross Adriana Ruiz Patrick Anthony Salazar Karina Estefany Sanchez Victor Manuel Sanchez Jr. Briana Marie Sandoval Jessenia J. Sandoval Stacie L. Santiago Joseph Patrick Scimonelli Iris Scott Jessica N. Sedano Linda Smalls Danielle Cristine Smallwood Hannah Marie Smith Jamie Juanita Smith Laurie L. Smith Terrance J. Snow Sr. Joel Benton Sobaski Michael A. Solis IV Enny Abigail Sosa Elizabeth Soto Aturina Spear Roberta Teresa Springer Nicole Noelle Stanick Alford Jerome Staten Jr. Patricia Ann Stoliker Nicole B. Strickland Meggan Michelle Stroup Ryan Thomas Tague Caricia Shaunetta Tate Herbert Alexander Tejada Jr. Chevy Charrie Tennison Melissa Catherine Toftee Sarah Alyse Topel Francesca Lynette Torres Nicole Renae Torrez Sonia Elizabeth Tran Erika Valdez Blase Gregory Van Splinter Diana Stephanie Vasquez Monique Michelle Vega Jonathan Anthony Velasquez Nancy Velazquez Gretchen G. Vidal Julie Anna Villarreal Lauralee Wagner Rebecca A. Wallace John Eric Warren Cole William Wassner Rachel L. Weaver Crystal Lawanda Wells Jeremiah Steven West Paul Whang Kenneth Mark Williams Lionel Shavon Williams Perrie Dee Saul Williams Andrelle Celeste Williamson Gary M. Winfield Hayley Joy Worthington Tiffany Lelli Youkhanehpour Joshua Zavaleta Adrian Ricardo Zelada Katryana Chantal Zide John Paul Zweckbronner