C A L I F O R N I A INDEX
C alendar & B riefs Perspective S ports
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VOLUME 66, ISSUE 43
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Severo Avitia paints his community with pride. —See Perspectives page 4.
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Cinco de Mayo: what is it
n FESTIVAL : The Mexican
holiday celebrates national pride and cultural unity both north and south of the border. By FRANK C. DIAZ & NATHAN ORME
Daily Titan Staff Writers
MYLES ROBINSON/Daily Titan
A jacknifed 18-wheeler blocks the 57 southbound near Yorba Linda Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon. Six cars were also involved in the noninjury accident, which happened at 12:23 p.m. It was the second of three unrelated accidents occurring within 20 minutes of each other between the Nutwood and Yorba Linda offramps. Rain was considered to be a factor in each of them, according to the Fullerton Fire Department.
Viva Mexico! And welcome to the most American of all Mexican holidays: Cinco de Mayo. Contrary to what many Americans might think, the May 5 celebration does not commemorate Mexico’s independence. The country won its independence from Spanish rule on September 16, 1821. On May 5, 1862, a small army of Mexicans defeated a superior French force that had invaded the country. The battle did not drive the French out, but it was, as professor Isaac Cardenas of the Chicano Studies Department put it, “the beginning of the end of French occupation.” Capitalist economics tells us that like St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween, Cinco de Mayo is a chance to sell, sell, sell. At El Torito Grill on Tuesday, the answering machine encour-
aged patrons to “ride on down” to the restaurant to enjoy special discounts on beer with Mexican names: Tecate and Pacifico. The Cinco de Mayo celebration dates back to a famous battle that occurred in 1862, 41 years after Miguel Hidalgo made his famous call—or “El Grito”—for independence from Spanish rule. In the years directly follwing the answer to Hidalgo’s call, Mexico was threatened by other, more powerful nations. Mexicans fought wars along their borders, lost territory to the United States and were even invaded twice by France. After Spanish rule ended, the southern portions of the country broke off, forming what is now known as Central America. Following the Mexican-American War of 1848, the northern portion of the “Mexican Empire” was lost to the U.S. In 1861, Napoleon Bonaparte, aided by conservative Mexican factions, instigated the second French invasion of Mexico. Despite efforts by democratic Mexicans to prevent the capture of Mexico City, the invasion was successful.
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University Singers prepare for South American tour n MUSIC : 14 CSUF singers
will spend two weeks over the summer on a 10-city tour. By CHRISTOPHER LAMB Daily Titan Staff Writer
After finals, students will be heading out in different directions. Some Cal State Fullerton students might go on a trip, some might go to summer school. But 14 members of University Singers are doing both. The 14 members of University Singers, part of the mixed choir of
CSUF, will be going with the Pacific Choral on a ten-day tour of South America. They will be touring for two weeks, leaving on July 20 and returning August 3. “It’s an honor to be their guests, it will be a cross-cultural experience in music society. We will get to train and sing with orchestra of different countries,” alto Virginia Ubels said. The Singers perform their first concert with the National Philharmonica and the National Philharmonica Choir, the national choir of Argentina, University Singers director John Alexander said. They will
perform two concerts in the cities of Buenos Aires and La Plata of Argentina. “Our goal is to get to know as much about choral music from South America as we can and increase the communication between the U.S. and South America,” Alexander said. After La Plata, the group will travel across the river to Uruguay to perform in the capital, Montevideo. The choir will be performing with the National Radio Orchestra in a concert that will be nationally televised across South America, Alex-
MYLES ROBINSON/Daily Titan
see SINGERS/ John Alexander leads the University Singers Choir in preparation for the tour to South America.
Internship promises adventure Making his own entrance
such as this one, they will be able to see what ROTC is all about and decide whether they like it or not,Vandooren said. What participants can surely plan on seeing at the five-week internBy CYNDI NGUYEN ship is a series of instruction on fire Special to the Daily Titan weapons (M-16,M-60, hand gre nades), weapons firing, exercises in land navigation, and With the onset of lazy leadership reaction courses. summer days just around the Participants will also engage corner,finding ways to comin a variety of adventure trainbat the summertime blues may ing that includes rapelling and be at the forefront of students’ small group tactics (a course in minds these days. But Cal State learning to work with and lead Fullerton’s ROTC offer these a squadron of soldier). suggestions to invite some Besides military adventure back into summer. skills,Vandooren said the types Ever wondered what it would of training exercises experibe like to go rapelling over a enced at the summer internthree-story tower with nothship gives people after-reaction ing but a rope tied around your reports and feedback on their waist? performances that they would Or how about engaging in not normally receive in other a mock wargame of laser tag situations. fully equipped in army gear? It is this type of feedback These are just some of the and interaction with top miliactivities students can particitary trainers through the internpate in as part of a five-week ship experience that cadet Army ROTC Leadership InternJames Martin credited with ship Program being held in Fort providing him essential skills Knox,Kentucky. The program, he can use in other facets of which is designed mainly for his life. sophomores and juniors with “Literally, almost every two years left in school, will job out there in the civilgive participants the opportuian world,you can find in the nity to learn more about ROTC MEAGO YUO/For the Daily Titan army,” Martin said. “Even betas well as receive hands-on ROTC students practice the art of rappelIng. ter is the fact that any skills leadership training from some required by a certain job, the of the nation’s top military trainers. By sending people to programs “It’s a combination of a watersee ROTC/
n PROGRAM : A five-week
summer ROTC intership offers leadership training.
down version of boot camp plus out-door leadership training rolled in one,” said Major Adrienne Vandooren, officer in charge of the ROTC at CSUF. “Much of the training at this internship will teach participants to be more assertive and confident leaders.”
Former professor James D. Young has raised over $260,000 in donations for Rotary International Club. By TIM PALACIOS
Special to the Daily Titan When you are 76 and retired from a long spanning successful theater career, yet can still gracefully step across a room with the ease of Fred Astaire, or bring a spark of excitement into a boardroom with the dynamics of a J.D. Rockefeller, or appear on stage with the charisma of the famous 1920s people’s lawyer Clarence Darrow, what do you do? If you are James D. Young, professor emeri-
Copyright ©1998, Daily Titan
tus of theatre and arts at Cal State Fullerton, you make an entrance. When it comes to making entrances, there are no limits to how far Young will go. He travels around the world doing his oneman show portraying Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International, a club now boasting a membership of 1.1 million in over 26,000 clubs in more than a 158 countries. Young’s performance has helped raise well over $260,000 in donations to Rotary. So popular is his performance, that Young has had invitations to do Paul Harris all the way until May 2000. “I’m resisting it,” says Young, “because I have so many other things to do and not enough time.” Young, 77, is no novice when it comes to performing. He possesses the credentials and background experience to carry himself with an air of superiority and could retire without qualms if he chooses to. Young, originally was destined to be a lawyer like his father, but instead studied the performing arts, eventually founding theater departments at two universities, Pepperdine and Cal State Fullerton. Far from retiring, Young now tours the world doing Harris with his wife Dottie. He also just edited a 450-page book about Laura King, “the British actress who came to America and was the main headliner on stage the night of President Lincoln’s assassination,” says
Young. “I also plan on writing a biography on Earl V. Pullias, a great figure in education who had a large effect on California’s education system.” Adding to his list of things to do, Young also teaches a class that analyzes, critiques and writes poetry at the Ruby Gerontology Center. Although not a professional lawyer by trade, Young, with his soft, deep voice can turn a boardroom meeting into a dramatic event. He carefully orates his thoughts on what he sees going on in a situation. Whether he is speaking passionately about one of his many charitable causes or pouring his heart out over his appreciation of the work the maintenance people at CSUF do, he can easily convince you and gain your support. Young’s professional characteristics enable him to instruct professional lawyers on courtroom showmanship, which he is often hired to do. He has also taught acting courses involving potential lawyers at UC Berkeley. Young quietly sits still and attentive as others express their opinions and ideas. He is no attention hog, and critics may find his show based on a predominately unknown Harris rather than Rockefeller, Stanford or other peculiar highprofile persons. Young replies, “If you are going
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A GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING
BRIEFS
Shadow Day
The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists have created Shadow Day, an outreach program for students of Anaheim High School to experience a day in the life of a college student. High school students will be the college students’ shadow for the day. The Promotion and Awareness of Careers in Engineering and Science outreach program will be pairing the high school students with the college students. The college student will be able to present the university atmosphere and show how daily college classes operate. The program hopes to pique the interest of students in attending college, increase the number of Latinos entering the university and the engineering field. In conducting activities of the PACES program, MAES student members work as mentors with Mexican-American and Latino youths, as well as students from all other ethnic backgrounds, in order to promote the programs’
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ander said. The tour finale will end with concerts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where their performance will be joined with the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra. “We will have two days flying, four in Buenos Aires, one in La Plata, three in other places and four in Rio,” Alexander said. “It should be a life memorable experience.” Alexander said he does not think communicating with the musicians in South America will create a language barrier, because they will share the common language of music. One student, tenor Steven Ottomaniyi, said he is looking forward to practicing the languages he has learned at
objective to prepare prospective students for engineering and technical careers.
All-night studying The Titan Student Union will extend its hours to help students prepare for upcoming spring semester finals beginning May 18 and continuing until 11 p.m. on May 29. The “All Night Study” program has been around for more than 10 years in the Titan Student Union. The program will begin Monday the week before finals and continue until the last day of final exams. Several lounges and study areas will be available for individuals as well as study groups to work on projects and prepare for finals. The Information and Services Desk, the Mainframe computer lounge and the Games and Recreation areas will also extend their hours for late-night customers. For more information, contact the Titan Student Union’s assistant director for operations, Kurt Borsting, at 278-7719. CSUF, though. “It will be a good experience, sight-seeing, visiting different countries and it will give me a chance to practice my Spanish and Portuguese,” Ottomaniyi said. University Singers has 54 members in the choir, but the cost deterred many members from going this summer. The trip costs $3,200 per student, and a small part of the cost is funded by the InstructionalRelated Activities fund of Associated Students, Alexander said. Students have to pay $2,600 out of their own pocket. “It’s definitely worth it,” bass player Chris Job said. “We get to work with professional musicians, visit three South American countries and three major cities.”
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May 6, 1998
WEDNESDAY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Los Sabios Del Norte will play dancing tunes today at noon in the Quad. The event is sponsored by Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer will be speaking today at 6 p.m. in the Titan Student Union Ontiveros A and B. The event is sponsored by the College Republican Club. Super-secret ska band (the Aquabats) spreads hyper-frenetic glee at Becker Ampitheatre today at noon. Brought to you free of charge from Associated Students Productions. Spanish Cultural Festival will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Titan Student Union Titan Theatre. The performances will include a play in Spanish, “El burlador de Sevilla”
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army has the capability to train you for it.” Martin, a completion cadet for ROTC at CSUF and a criminal justice major, participated in the internship program in past years. He and other cadets stayed in barrack housing, endured 110-degree weather and faced the challenges of mental and physical stamina daily. As part of their military training and test of leadership skills,specific outdoor activities are geared towards training cadets to lead their own squadron of soldiers. Leadership reaction courses and small group tactics are examples of some of the few activities in which individual cadets must lead a group of 16 to 20 soldiers on an assigned mission. “Many times you’re thrown into
and a folkstyle musical and dance performance. Admission is free. For more information contact Lydia Velez in the Foreign Languages Department, 278-4192. Associated Students Productions presents “Great Expectations” Thursday in Titan Student Union Titan Theatre at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission is free. Associated Student Productions presents skanksters Low Pressure Thursday at noon in the Pub. Admission is free. University Singers will perform in the Little Theatre on Friday at 8 p.m. For more information call the Performing Arts Box Office, 278-3371. Admission is $8, or $5 with Titan ID.
“The All Night Strut,” a sassy musical with blues, jazz and bebop opens Friday at 8 p.m. For more information call the Performing Arts Box Office 278-3371. Admission $25 and $20 ($2 off with Titan ID). The Society of Professional Journalists has invited Jeff Kramer, a humor columnist for the Orange County Register, to speak about his experiences in journalism. The meeting will be held on Monday at noon in University Hall, room 204.
The Women’s Choir will perform an all-Baltic music concert in the Little Theatre on Sunday. For more information call
the Performing Arts Box Office, 278-3371. Admission is $8, or $5 with Titan ID. A Candidate Forum will be held on May 12 and 13. The forum will include two candidates: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darrell Issa at 3 p.m., May 12 in Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion A; and State Senator Bill Lockyer at 1:30 p.m. on May 13 in Portola Pavilion C. The event is free to the public. A Lecture entitled “Becoming Mexican American in the 1990’s” will be presented by George J. Sanchez in Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion C on May 12. For information, call Michael C. Steiner, 278-3640.
Jay Vales Vales
a situation that you’re completely unprepared for. This program trains you to adapt, adjust and think in situations where you don’t know enough information,” Martin said. “Everybody knows what to do when thrown into a situation that is totally familiar to them. But the important thing is how well you react and think in unfamiliar territory.” Joe Garrisi, a MS-4 cadet and psychology major said the internships offers self-discipline, assertiveness and the opportunity to meet a variety of people and those are just a few of the many aspects involved. “Spending the summer at this internship told me a lot about myself,” Garrisi said. “I was very shy but being there helped me to break out of my shyness. You’re put in a situation where you make a lot of friends and bond with the people you train with.” The five-week internship program
offers three different sessions in the summer starting from early June, mid-June and late June. Participants can attend the all-paid program, which includes airfare and housing, under no committment or obligations for army service. Participants will also receive three to eight units of college credit and can qualify for
officer training at CSUF. Upon completion of the internship, participants will also receive $700 and be eligible for a variety of full tuition ROTC scholarships available. “I was really tired and I lacked major sleep,” Garrisi said. “But that’s just part of life and the fun of it.”
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to do a one-man show, you should care personally for the subject and have a good reason for doing it. If you are just out to make a name for yourself and be in the spotlight. the audience will see your ego coming through and they will not like it.” “He’s not trying to make a living off it, he’s doing it as a labor of love,” says Judy Mandel, associate vice president for public affairs at CSUF. Mundell is a long-time friend and associate who has worked with Young on the “It’s Our University” committee which raises funds for student and university needs. Indeed, Young and Paul Harris have one strong quality that binds them, charity. Paul Harris, a dynamic business man, started Rotary in 1905. Rotary is involved in world wide education-related programs such as helping the poor, organizing shut-ins and fighting diseases. Of Young’s performance, Mandel says, “I was very interested how I was going to be able to know who this person (Harris) was. He did it
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in a way where he introduced the person and exposed his desire to start the Rotary Club.” Doing Harris has been a great experience for Young and his wife Dottie. So frequent were performances, at one point says Dottie, “I could qualify for my valet license.” Young’s Harris monologue has taken him and his wife to six different countries and well over 100 cities. They stayed in the private residences of local Rotarians on all their overnight trips. “We get to go out and visit the real life of places we go instead of the tourist traps,” Young says. Yesterday, Young had the crowd roaring with laughter as he entertained the audience with his Paul Harris routine at a performance in Brea. On one trip in Galax, Virginia, a small hamlet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Young discovered he was staying at the home of a cousin he’d never before met. “It was a total surprise to both of us,” says Young. On another trip in Loveland, Colorado after performing, a former student hailed him with congratulations saying, “you did it
right, you did it right,” apparently pleased to see his theater instructor could actually perform. Young reminds one of both David Niven and Cary Grant in the 1950s movie, “The Bishops Wife.” “He knows how to walk into a room and make it his,” Mandel says. Young has an elegant voice and speaks poetically with a perfect diction that draws a listener in. So, other than an original 1900s wool suit, Young need only pack his toothbrush to do a show. Young has prepared for the Harris role all his life. There was a time when he would stage theater productions in the CSUF parking lots. Young says, “A multitude of elaborate props are not necessary. The words that one speaks create mental images, the props are in the audience’s minds and it’s up to the performer to draw them up.” Paul Harris didn’t originally start out as a one-man show, Young says. “It was very difficult putting it together and at first I didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off. But then I said, wait a minute I’ve been teaching this all my life. Of course I can do it.” Besides his work with Rotary
International, Young also participates in a committee that raises money for cancer units at St. Jude’s Medical Center. He helped Hope International secure a Wurlitzer organ and piano along with valuable sheet music and books, and he gives time to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Young works tirelessly for people in need of assistance. Young is in and out of his home all day doing charity work. “We haven’t slowed down that’s for sure,” says wife Dottie, who has occasionally played the part of Harris’ wife, Jeannie. “This (Harris) is just one thing,” she said. We’re care givers for three families, helping sick ailing relatives and a blind woman with a broken hip,” she says, “I was hoping retirement wouldn’t be dull and it hasn’t been.”
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Cinco de Mayo celebrates the defeat of French forces by the poorly trained and poorly equipped Mexican army, at the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The Mexican army was outnumbered two-to-one by the highly trained and better equipped French. The defeat of the French forces served as an inspirational rallying point for the defenders even though France succeeded in capturing the city a year later. The French maintained rule of Mexico until 1867 when forces led by Benito Juarez finally ousted the French and executed the ruling Emperor Maximilian. Although celebrated in Mexico as a national holiday, Cindo de Mayo’s significance is as a patriotic rallying point in Mexico’s history. For the country, it symbolizes the defeat of a greater, more highly trained invader by the determined defenders.
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As such, in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo emotionally symbolizes the right of the people to self-determination and national sovereignty. In this country, that symbolism takes on new meaning as people of Mexican heritage celebrate the event. American festivals celebrating this day have a greater sense of cultural unity and pride for the Latino population rather than celebrating the original defeat of the French. Cardenas said that the high Latino population in California and the Southwest, celebration in the schools and commercialization have contributed to the holiday’s popularity amongst the non-Mexican celebrators. But to those with connection to the lands south of the border, the migration of the holiday provides a chance to maintain ethnic roots. “For those of Mexican heritage in this country, it is a way to celebrate that heritage and Mexico’s self-determination,” Cardenas said.
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Sports
May 6, 1998
Regional play may be determined for Titans vs LBSU n SOFTBALL: Titans to play
With dual sweeps this past week-
49ers if rain, weather permits. end against UC Santa Barbara and By Jeff Howe Daily Titan Staff Writer Tonight’s softball contest against Long Beach State will go a long way to determine if in fact the Cal State Fullerton softball team will be playing in regionals or packing it up until next season. In an important Big West Conference match-up, the Titans will battle the 49ers in an effort to secure a winning record in conference and a berth in regional play. “You never know until the committee votes on the weekend,” said Titan Head Coach Judi Garman.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSUF raised its overall record to 31-28 while pulling even at 15-15 in conference. A sweep against LBSU—the thirdranked team in the conference at 3616, 17-11—will not only guarantee a winning record in conference for the Titans, but may also give CSUF the edge in voting. “You won’t even be considered if you don’t have a winning record,” Garman said. The Titans have put in a bid to host
some regional action. However, no team that is not included in play can be a host. “Whether we go to regionals or not, we just want to finish strong,” said Kristy Osborne. Finishing strong hasn’t looked to be a problem of late. During the two weekend series, the Titans racked up a total of 28 runs on 46 hits. CSUF has benefited by the hitting of Osborne, whose combined 8-for-14 performance this weekend propelled her amongst the team leaders with a .375 average. Dating back to the LBSU
series April 25, Osborne is 13-for-19 (.684). Brenda Iglesias has contributed in a big way as well. In game one versus Cal Poly SLO, Iglesias had three straight doubles. “She had taken some good swings against UCSB,” Garman said. “And she did really well at third base, too.” But the Titan offense will have a tough draw in the LBSU pitching staff. Three of the four pitchers have ERAs less than 2.00. However, when these two teams last met, it was a low-scoring affair all around. The
49ers took the first game 1-0 on a suicide squeeze while the Titans won the second 2-0. Osborne has been playing first base more of late with the juggling of the infield. The normal first baseman, Stacy Pierson, has been playing shortstop for the past six games with the absence of Christa Saindon. Saindon, out since game two against Fresno State April 28, has been suspended indefinitely for academic reasons, according to Garman.
“You have to be committed to academics and she doesn’t seem to follow the same philosophy as we do,” Garman said. Garman added that she was unsure as to whether Saindon will return next year. Although the game is scheduled for tonight, rain may cause a delay or cancellation. Call (714) 278-CSUF for details.
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Perspectives
Wednesday, May 6, 1998
Severo Avitia is determined to clean up his neighborhood any way he can— even if it means facing off ost people would like to change the world. But, only a few strive to carry their thoughts into action. Most fail, but a few are successful. Severo Avitia, a 17-year Sun Valley City resident from Mexico is one of those few who has struggled even against the odds of not speaking English and has made out of his adopted city a gang and graffiti-free community. “Sun Valley used to be one of the highest crime-rated areas nationwide,”said J. Garcia, Los Angeles Police Department Senior Officer. “Over the past five years gang activity has significantly declined. From having over 1,500 gangs and 20,000 gang members, we have reached a point where we only have less than 500 gang members, who actually don’t cause major trouble.” Although, Garcia attributes the decline in crime to community-based policing, he specially acknowledges Avitia’s 10-year volunteer services as being “fundamental”in their long-strive battle against crime. “I haven’t done anything extraordinary,”said Avitia, whose volunteer services have gained international recognition. The Mexican consulate invited him to host a televised gang prevention program forum last year. “I simply got tired one day of looking at my neighborhood covered up with graffiti without thinking about any possible consequences I just decided to start by painting the walls,”Avitia said. Only a bucket of paint and a paintbrush were Avitia’s necessary tools for his longed-battle. After painting the walls in his neighborhood, he began walking into other neighborhoods to do the same thing. “People would just look at me thinking I was crazy,”Avitia recalls smiling. “I would hear people whisper things like, ‘he is not going to last long, he is going to end up getting killed if he doesn’t stop,’ but I didn’t care because I knew I wasn’t hurting anybody, instead, I was benefiting the community.” Avitia admits his prior resentment against gang members and thought of them as being “low-lives”, but covering graffiti not only gave him a cleaner neighborhood, it gave him plenty of new friendships. “Most of these guys have a great heart,”Avitia says. “They never, never tried to hurt me or disrespect me, actually, they would even help me clean the walls.” Avitia developed a friendly relationship with them and soon he found himself attending their private meetings where they gathered to share personal problems. Avitia said lack of attention at home is what makes them join a gang. “This makes them go trough a lot of emotional problems,”Avitia said. “As young people its crucial for them to know they have someone that understands and protects them. Unfortunately, society also tends to take them for granted and instead of taking the time to listen, we constantly accuse them of causing trouble, and if they see that this is the only way to get attention, they will do that.” Realizing that gang problems went deeper than graffiti stains made Avitia look for other forms of gang prevention assistance. Avitia turned to sports because he thought it was the best way to keep these youngsters off the streets. He begun coaching baseball and basketball teams at Sun Valley Park, a place known for having the highest gang activity. The fact that he was well-known in the gang community made it easier for them to join Avitia’s sports groups. But, he wouldn’t only focus on sports, after every practice he would take time to talk to them. “He has always been really nice to everybody,”said Baldemar Hernandez, who is one of the many motivated by Avitia in changing their life styles. “I don’t think he is doing an easy job, because normally this group is hard to reach because of all the problems and insecurities we go through. But, he has a sense of trustworthiness. He has a special kindness, and most important, he not only seems as he cares, but he really does.” Hernandez’ said Avitia’s dedication in helping the youth is admirable because there hasn’t been a time in the four years that he knows him that he hasn’t come to the park, considering he works full-time and only makes slightly above the minimum-wage. Sharon Pereyra is one of the few people who have assisted Avitia in getting funds for sports materials, she contributed by providing baseball gloves and bats. “This man simply amazes me,”Pereyra said. “He goes out of his way to help these kids. He lives from a minimum-wage income and still voluntarily contributes from his own funds.” Avitia is the father of four, three adults and one child. Two of the adults still live at home along with their children. “He is very family-oriented,”Pereyra emphasized. “Other than still helping his grown-up children, he also supports his brother in-law’s three kids because the family is going through some financial problems.” Although gang activity has significantly declined during the last years, Avitia is aware that future generations still run the risk of getting involved in a gang if they are not given sufficient attention. He is now concentrating on coaching baseball teams for children ages five to ten. “Children are as fragile as a rose without water,”Avitia said. “We need to come together and work with our children. It’s not enough to support them in their academic achievements, we have to constantly reassure them that they can count on us for emotional support.” Because of the recognition he has gained as a community leader, Avitia works closely with police and city councilmembers within the city. He is trying to convince city councilman, Richard Alarcon, to build a gym at Sun Valley Park because during rainy season there is no indoor location for any recreational activities. “We’re looking closely at his petition,”said Manny Figueras, field deputy for Richard Alarcon. “It just amazing what this man has done for our community. He comes and devotes a hundred percent of his spare-time to spend it with the kids at the park. I mean, it is just amazing for somebody to do that considering that he is not even getting paid for it.”
STORY BY JANETH HERNANDEZ /
“People would just look at me thinking I was crazy. I would hear people whisper things like, ‘he is not going to last