thecollegian Issue 7 • Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 • deltacollegian.net
/deltacollegian
DREAM STILL ALIVE FOR STUDENTS
“Even though we can renew our status, I still am planning News Editor to go straight into a certifica“I had goals to transfer to tion school for nursing because a higher end four-year college this year my DACA expires, to pursue my career in nurs- and I don’t know how things ing. It’s what I always planned can change from now to then. to do, but now it seems that It pressures me because I didn’t my future lies in the hands of want to just get certified, but Trump. I have to take a new now I have to rearrange my furoute and rearrange my future,” ture,” Vargas said. said Veronica Vargas. On Jan. 27, Delta held the Now Vargas is only one of Delta Dream Conference, hundreds of Delta College stu- where guest speakers and facdents feeling they have to fast- ulty reassured not only stutrack a career path to guarantee dents but the outside commua degree, before President Don- nity that Delta College would ald J. Trump takes any other stand by DACA students on all affirmative actions against the immigration issues. Deferred Action for Childhood Speaker Bianca Duenas, Arrivals (DACA) program. Immigration Attorney for CalOn Sept. 5, Attorney Gen- ifornia Rural Legal Assistance eral Jeff Sessions, announced Foundation, told the audience the end of DACA. she would be one of many The news sent many stu- helping anyone in need, students into panic in regards to dent or community member. their immigration status. “Before there used to be a Bianca Duenas presenting in forum at Delta College on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) As of Jan. 9, a Federal court challenge of paying for educa- Program and the Dream Act for DACA students. PHOTO BY MICHAEL WEBER ruled that while lawsuits are tion for those who were undocpending, the United States umented. If you were someone years. Now, AB 50 California tion for college,” said Duenas. Aid (FAFSA) but at the state Citizenship and Immigration who was not born in the U.S law allows students who live Duenas said now the Cal- level. Services (USCIS) is obligated you were being forced to pay in California, attended middle ifornia Dream Act is in place This means immigrant stuto accept DACA renewal ap- out of state tuition at colleges school here, as well as other re- and it is similar to the Free Ap- dents can receive grants and plications. even though you lived here for quirements to pay in state tui- plication for Federal Student See DREAM, page 8
By Victoria Franco
Student services impacted by retirement, enrollment By Mikael Honzell Senior Staff Writer
Low enrollment remains an issue for the spring semester, which has prompted cuts to services impacting students. Students are seeing the effects, especially in Auxiliary Services. What used to be out the door and wrapped around the library, the line for the bookstore during rush has gotten shorter over the years.
“The lines at the bookstore during rush should be longer than they are now,” according to Fidel Cabuena II, Director of Auxiliary Services. “This last rush I didn’t see that much line or traffic that we normally get.” One reason the lines at the bookstore are shorter is because students are ordering books online from other resources such as Amazon, Cabuena said. Fewer students means fewer services. Danner Hall recently stopped serv-
ing hot grilled lunch. The location only serves breakfast from the grill now. Delta students like Vanessa Lopez aren’t happy about Danner Hall this semester. “I like Delta College and I like the programs that they have, I like the campus,” said Lopez. “However, the availability of food now kind of sucks. And because of the budget cuts too, there’s nowhere to get food.” “Students such as nurses who take night classes at 6 p.m. have no other op-
Sports Editor
Celebrating Dr. King on campus
Delta College is hosting the “Awaken the Dream” concert on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Warren Atherton Auditorium. Tickets are free for students, but must be obtained from the Box Office prior to performance. The concert centers around a celebration of the words, life, and inspiration of Martin Luther King Jr. Featured performances include Stockton’s Poet Laureate Tama Brisbane, Joshua Washington, The Danville Community Band, as well as newly commissioned work by David Conte. The concert is presented by the Stockton Chorale and is supported in part by a grant from the City of Stockton Arts Commission.
See CUTS, page 8
#MeToo movement empowers individuals By Raul Torres
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
tions other than vending machines, unable to go off campus when they have limited time in between classes,” said Lopez. Delta isn’t the only college going through this, according to Toni Sommer, Interim Vice President of Administrative Services. “There are some changes that are happening to community colleges in California.” “One of the ones thats happened here
Women are sharing stories of sexual assault and harassment on social media with the hashtag #MeToo to show that they too, share the same fight. This isn’t the first hashtag to go viral referring to women and the struggle they have to deal with just because they are women in a misogynist world. “I think that it takes a lot of courage for a woman to post their #MeToo story on social media. I think saying it to someone leaves an impact on just one person versus sharing it on social media you have the opportunity to share it with numerous people. Not everyone is willing to share their story on social media and for those who do I think it has done its job because it has created such a powerful movement,” said Delta College student Sol Salazar. In 2012, we had #everydaysexism which brought light to sexism and assault that women deal with everyday just by walking to work. The hashtag #MeToo came from a tweet from actress Alyssa Milano where she tweeted: “If you’ve been sexually assaulted write ‘me
too’ as a reply to this tweet.” It has since evolved into women using it as a hashtag to let other women know they are not alone. #MeToo has become something that let’s women get their story out. For those who do believe that sexual harassment and assault do happen more frequently than we would like to tell ourselves. This shows how many women do have to go on with their life with this looming over their day every single day. “I feel like this is a great outlet for women to share with each other, it’s even more important that these women are actually being believed going up against these in power men. Women have been told time and time again by the public to metaphorically ‘stay in the kitchen’ no matter how much we think we have progressed as a society,” said Delta College student Maribel Montoya. Celebrities have been speaking out, just recently with the Ex-U.S national gymnast team’s doctor Larry Nassar. With superstars like Simone Biles and Aly
See #METOO, page 8
NEXT ISSUE: Feb. 23 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY
2 opinion THE COLLEGIAN SPRING 2018 PRODUCTION STAFF
EDITOR IN CHIEF Alex Coba MANAGING EDITOR Killian Barnhart NEWS Victoria Franco FEATURE Alex Coba OPINION Chanelle Muerong SPORTS Raul Torres ENTERTAINMENT Jasmine Gonzalez Catlan Nguyen SOCIAL MEDIA/PHOTO EDITOR Michael Weber SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Mikael Honzell Elany Orozco STAFF WRITERS Vivienne Aguilar Kayla Brown Carmen Cruz Ricardo Hernandez Daniel Lee Laura Linares Anthony Nguyen Alicia Norton Charles Potts Sabrina Rodriguez Eladie Serna Harpreet Singh Nuntida Sisavat Daniel Sophus Victoria Torres Victor Zuniga PHOTOJOURNALISM STAFF Emily Corder Nuntida Sisavat Catlan Nguyen Jacob Womble Alicia Norton Alex Woods ADVISER Tara Cuslidge-Staiano PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER Haley Pitto ADVERTISING The Collegian offers display advertising. Contact us at (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters raising issues and opinions are encouraged. EDITORIAL Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the staff. Comments, letters and editorials with a byline represent the opinion of the writer. This paper doesn’t endorse or represent the opinions of the adviser, the Mass Communication department, the Fine Arts Division, the printer or Delta College administration. MISSION STATEMENT The Collegian is a student run First Amendment newspaper that prides itself on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence. We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.
thecollegian
Feb. 9, 2018
Do the crime, you’ll (probably) do the time
Do minors deserve to be tried as adults when they commit crimes? By Victoria Franco News Editor
W
e are 30 days into 2018, and Stockton crime has reached a new level. Before, when we would think of robberies or shootings we would picture someone perhaps in their twenties or at least someone around that age. However, there is a new sad reality in our town, where we now are in fear of the crimes being committed by children ranging from 10 to 14. Where is our community headed when we have a 14-year-old being booked in juvenile detention under suspicion of first degree murder? Yet some people still have the audacity to claim that this teenager shouldn’t face severe consequences for his actions. On Jan. 12, Chris Combs was allegedly shot and killed at the March Lane Food 4 Less by 14-year-old Eric Lamar Sloan, Jr. Prior to the shooting, Sloan was on probation for previous encounters with the law. “Just looking at the suspect’s age of 14 is alarming and concerning to us here at the police department and just the action of him pulling
that trigger, what these kids don’t realize now a days is there’s consequences when you pull that trigger,” said Joe Silva with the Stockton Police Department in a statement released by CBS Sacramento. While reading what viewers had to say about the case I was baffled by the fact that many people believe that because Sloan is young, he shouldn’t have to subjected to a long life behind bars. My firm belief is that if you’re old enough to do the crime, you’re old enough to do the time. I agree and understand this is a child with a potential future ahead of him, but does that mean we should teach our community that if you’re young you can get off easy? On Jan. 22, an 11-year-old held up a gas station at gun point attempting to rob the place. How are these young children accessing firearms at their age? A few days later the robber was picked up by police at his elementary school, and yet again we were faced with people claiming we shouldn’t punish the child. Instead, let’s have all the blame and punishment inflicted on the parents.
Many are saying the parents should be blamed for what the children are doing. Although that might be true, what does that mean? Can the children commit the crime because at the end of the day, mommy and daddy will clean up the mess? Why are we not putting the blame on the child who was bold enough to carry a firearm and put another person’s life in jeopardy? Or kill another person? Even though these are young children we are discussing, they’re still old enough to know right from wrong. If they have the mentality that it is okay to take someone else’s life, they should know there are consequences. Stockton needs to not let these children off easy, and make a statement to any other young people thinking about committing a crime that: No matter your age, you will see drastic punishment for your actions. Not putting these children away and leaving them out in society also puts our community in danger and leaves us open to be the next victim in a robbery or shooting.
Student life at Delta nonexistent By Michael Weber
D
Social Media Editor
elta is a great establishment with a lot to offer the community. It is a place to earn degrees and pursue higher education. However, one of the most problematic aspects of attending Delta is its lack of student life. Being a commuter from Lathrop and having long gaps between classes has lead to a difficulty for me as a full-time student. In between classes there isn’t much to do or anywhere to go where I can get a snack or coffee and study. I always find myself leaving campus to go to Empresso, a store or a friend’s house, and if desperate I head home. But heading home every day to fill in the time isn’t very practical or particularly great. It is a waste of time and money to commute. It’s just that there isn’t really a place to be at Delta. Why isn’t there a place on campus that can offer these things? We have a cafeteria, but the food isn’t anything to die for. It also now closes early. If I wanted to get a coffee to study, I would have to go to Danner Hall, then back to the library in the tiny section partitioned to those with snacks and beverage. It’s a lot of hassle for something that should be easy accessed. Student activities are nearly nonexistent to the average student. ASDC is great about hosting events on campus, but they usually occur at a time when I’m in class. Creating and managing a club
hasn’t been easy either. There are rules and regulations clubs have to follow for such little benefits. Managing every little part of my club comes with yellow tape. To set up any kind of table or equipment requires permission. It is easier for random people to express their Free Speech in the quad than Delta’s own ecourstudents. aged to learn. IMAGES FROM Accessing student resources If there isn’t FREEPIK.COM also seems like a chore. It is easy an incentive for to get lost in DeRicco trying students to be to find the right department, and coming to campus, they may make trying to book a counseling appoint- the decision to not come at all. ment is a nightmare. Interacting with others is the No. It seems where I seek satisfaction 1 benefit to being there in person. A in my college life, Delta has a way of college campus should be unifying making it hard. and a center for the community. It I believe there is some hope for should be an environment that lifts the future of Delta. There is a lot of the student to success, not stifle it. potential for people when coming to If Delta refuses to improve the Delta, but the burden of the student quality of life for its students on life is demotivating. campus, then it may as well not have The culture of coming to class a campus at all. and leaving right after is utterly If an effort is made to keep utilitarian and isn’t much different students welcome on campus by than attending class online. improving the student experience, Coming to campus should feel I believe that Delta College could rewarding and engaging. Campus be more accessible to students who should be a place where students are want to be here.
CRIME ALERT: There is none
Campus is much safer than students think By Chanelle Muerong
A
Opinion Editor
lot of different things come to people’s minds when they think of Stockton and the city’s local post-secondary school Delta College. They think of a community college, as place to get educated and a place to meet with friends. Some people, they think of the dangers that come with being in a “dangerous” city. The crime rate for example. A lot of people think that because Delta is located in one of the most dangerous cities in the state, the crime rate is pretty high. But really, Delta’s not bad. I find it pretty safe to be honest. According to Delta’s most recent Clery Act Report, the most reported crime was drug violations back in 2015. Since then, there hasn’t really been much happening. Growing up, it seemed like I was sheltered in safe places. Safe neighborhood, safe schools.
Delta is no exception. From the moment I started here my first semester, I could tell I could relax here. The students were nice and the professors seemed like they cared. I never once thought about the possible dangers that might come with being at a public community college. I wasn’t here a lot my first semester. Like a lot of students, I went to my classes and went home. It wasn’t until my second semester that I started exploring the campus, either alone or with friends. True I have met the occasional person I am uncomfortable being around but the campus is big enough that it’s easy to avoid someone. The security around the campus is pretty good too. Campus police are always around and if you can’t find an officer, the blue phones all around campus will connect you with the police. During my first semester I had accidentally left my favorite hoodie in the library and already left to go home. It had been hours later when I real-
ized that I had left my hoodie and begged my dad to take me back to find it. I live in Tracy, so it’s not too bad of a drive but it’s still far. I had thought someone had stolen it by now to be honest but when I returned to campus, my hoodie was in the same place I had left it. Students want to come to a safe place to learn. Campus police make sure that’s possible. You can take responsibility for your personal safety too. If you have an iPhone, there’s also a feature on the newer iPhones. Pressing the lock button five times in a row allows you to send out an emergency SOS signal to your location. Pressing three times on the power key of a Samsung phone will send an instant SOS to your emergency contacts.
IM
AG E
FRO
Delta’s negative reputation just hearsay By Mikael Honzell Senior Staff Writer
A
lot of people tend to view Delta College as a bad school where dangerous things happen. The school has had a negative stigma attached to it for years. Growing up, I had family members and friends that never set foot on this campus and talked about it like they had a bad experience here. Before graduating high school, going to Delta College seemed like a bad thing as if nothing good comes from it, it was where fights break out everywhere and crimes were always being committed. Why does Delta College have such a negative stigma? Is it because it’s a community college located in Stockton, one of the most violent cities in the state? The crime rate isn’t very high on the Stockton campus, which is surprising given it’s a public campus in a city with a very high crime rate. I think the worst I’ve seen on this campus is someone getting arrested near the Science and Math Center) during my first semester. According to Clery Act Report, the last year to have a high spike in crime was 2015, where eight cases of motor theft were recorded. That same year, a spike of 12 drug violations were also recorded, with seven drug violations the previous year. Drug violations and car theft were the highest committed crimes on campus recorded from 2014 up to now. Once I graduated high school and set foot on campus, I realized Delta wasn’t all that bad. At first, I didn’t stick around often. I would just go to my classes and head home right after like a lot of students do. It wasn’t until my second semester I started to branch out and see what Delta has to offer, which is the opportunity and tools for students to grow and try out new things, possibly sparking a new interest in something they never con-
MF
RE
EPI
K.C
OM
sidered before. When I first came to Delta I planned on majoring in psychology, but I’ve always wanted to do something that involved writing and publishing the things I wrote. When signing up for classes I found the school’s newspaper and after taking the class for one semester I knew I had a new major. What’s nice is there are a lot of different classes that can accommodate just about anyone with a variety of interests, like cooking, welding and radio broadcasting. The people that teach and even take these classes are generally really good at what they do and care deeply about the subject, at least from my experience. I’d say one of the things I dislike about Delta is its color scheme and how long it takes for things such as pot-holes on campus parking lots to be taken care of. Speaking of parking lots, parking can be bad some semesters, but not this one. Other than that, I don’t have many complaints about Delta. However, a lot of budget cuts are happening, leading to things like Danner Hall closing earlier and no longer serving lunch. I don’t think many students will like this, almost feeling driven off campus. Classes will and have already been canceled due to low enrollment, which has been a problem for multiple semesters. Delta College isn’t all that bad. I’ve made great memories here and will always remember it after I’ve gone off to a university, I just hope the school can get back on its feet. Though I wouldn’t have made these memories if I hadn’t gone out of my way to make those memories. If I stuck to doing a lot of students at Delta do, which is just going to class and leaving right after, my view of Delta College would still be negative. It is unfortunate that Delta College has a negative stigma and that the stigma has been around for a long time. Some say its what the students make it, but it also falls on the staff too. Students need to make their voices heard and the staff needs to hear them out, taking into consideration what students have to say. It goes both ways and from what I understand, staff members of Delta College are doing everything they can to make Delta a more satisfactory place for students.
MUSTANG VOICE ‘How do you feel about parking?’
“I haven’t driven in a while because I got in a car crash recently but last week it was fine.”
“I don’t have a car yet so it doesn’t really concern people.”
“I come here in the morning at 7 a.m. so parking isn’t a problem then. I used to come in at noon and there was no parking.”
“I feel like at times it’s very hit or miss because unless you’re here 30 minutes or an hour before then you won’t get any parking.”
“I used to have to come to school an hour early but this semester I’m finding parking really fast, so that’s really good.”
JULIAN VICTORIANO
JAYSYN MCDANIEL
BRANDON COON
DANIELA LOERA
SHELBY FRAZIER
thecollegian
4 feature
Feb. 9, 2018
‘Night of China’ enchants patrons
BY A PHOTO
By Alex Coba Feature Editor
On Jan. 28 Delta College hosted a “Night of China” event as a prelude to the Chinese spring festival celebration in Stockton. This show was presented by the Cultural Awareness program and the Student Equity and Diversity of Delta, as well as the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton. “Night of China” brought together talented artists from China and the Bay Area to showcase performances in celebration of the season. Cultural awareness was the overarching theme for the performance.
“We have the Student Equity and Diversity Committee that really helped us put it together financially to be free to the audience. That’s our mission from the cap committee, we want to make sure the cultural awareness programs would be free to all especially our students,” said the producer Dr. Jun Wang. This show included performances by the Melody Chorus Society, where the group performed a medley of songs that made you feel as though spring has come early to save us from this frigid winter. “We prepared almost one year,” said Jennifer Lemmon who is a part of the chorus. “Our groups comes from different backgrounds some are engineers some are professors, I’m an accounted, most of us come from China … so this is our second homeland.”
LEX CO
BA
This show highlighted a variety of musical styles that the Chinese culture has to offer such as Dizi flute solo by George Xu, to a truly elegant Chinese folk dance by the Bayland dancing group who were draped in traditional Chinese attire, to the tear-inducing Peking opera solo done by Wenli Zhou a member of the melody chorus Society. “The singing was really good the chorus was wonderful ... I think it’s great to have something like to expose our culture to the general public,” said Fe Lau, who attended the performance.The festival celebration continues on March 4 at the 40th annual Chinese New Year parade and festival at Weber Point and the Stockton Civic Auditorium with the parade starting at 10 a.m.
Positive vibes at new poke, tea shop
Superfish gives back to community with a new and affordable place to dine in By Victor Zuniga Staff Writer
Stockton, a city dealing with a modern concept of big company chain lines versus smaller local businesses, now has a new social food lounge in town. Superfish is a poke and tea shop offering a range of dishes and drinks, as well as providing entertainment such as games, live music, art and special events.“The inspiration for Superfish came from wanting to give back to the community with a free collective idea of bringing people together in a safe, positive, and fun environment where they can grab a bite to eat for an affordable price,” said owner Drex Lee. This dine-in spot provides space for locals to share forms of art as well allowing for a needed rest stop for those looking for a new food experience. Entertainment is provided on every day of the week, with a different theme each day. Mondays are game night for a more family orientated experience. Tuesday is live performance night. Wednesday follows that up with arts and crafts food. Thursday allows for local art display. Friday is photography. Finishing off with the weekend, it’s a random grab bag of the other days. The food provided for the store is also locally brought in from vendors around the San Joaquin County area. The ingredients for the drinks are all-natural, a safer alternative to the more sugar filled teas that one would normally get from a tea shop. “Working here is more than just a job, we’re a family and a small community at this place that is slowly growing into something much bigger. Not just for us but for the community as well. With all today’s current issues going on in the
PH
OT O
BY
NU
NT
ID A
SI
SA VA T
world and negativity, there’s a safe haven here for everyone to come together and just enjoy the simple things in life,” said Superfish employee Lina Torres. Being a local business, Superfish allows for workers as well as guest to network. Superfish has its own Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as a website. The connected aspect allows people to reach out and communicate with others via social media outlets. Free wi-fi is also available. Yelp, Instagram, and Facebook provide regular customer and student discounts. Superfish is open from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on 5052 West Ln. Ste 4 A-B.
History checks in at Hotel Stockton By Mikael Honzell Senior Staff Writer
Hotel Stockton, located on 133 E. Weber Ave. Downtown, has been a part of the city for more than 100 years. The building’s classic, Spanish-mission revival type architecture makes it stand out. Though parts of the building have been refurbished over the years, it replicates the original design as close as possible. The inside is lit by dim, vintage looking lamps with iron trimmings that hang on the walls and from the ceiling. “In 1903, city leaders decided that Stockton needed a beautiful, fancy hotel,” said Manuel Laguna, a Stockton Historian. “So some venture capitalists got together and funded it, including the man known as ‘The Potato-King,’ Mr. Shima. He was the first Japanese American millionaire in the country.” With the funding from Shima and the venture capitalists, the Hotel Stockton was finished in 1910. After it opened, people would sail from the Bay Area and get off on El Dorado and go inside the hotel, according to Laguna. In the early 1900s, Stockton was a big attraction like San Francisco or Hollywood is today. Many movies were filmed here, including Oscar-winning film All the Kingsman, where some scenes are recorded in Hotel Stockton and at the old Stockton courthouse on 222 E. Weber. Other movies filmed in Stockton were Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Arc at University of the Pacific and Back The historical beauty of the Hotel Stockton is seen inside and out, with structural elements that remind visitors of a forgotten era. TOP PHOTO AND LEFT BY MIKAEL HONZELL AND ABOVE RIGHT BY ALEX WOOD to The Future, said Laguna. “It is famous,” Laguna said. Laguna. “The lamps are either original, or they’re repliTenants like Mary Taylor talk highly of the building. “A lot of famous stars stayed cas patterned to look after them. “I really like being here. I’ve been here like four years, here because Stockton was The stained glass windows, some of them were damI like it, I’ll probably be here forever. Hollywood North.” aged so they redid them in the same pattern.” I like the pictures and stuff on the walls, two laundry One of the famous stars that stayed at the After the renovations, the number of rooms went rooms and and exercise room.” Hotel Stockton was Frank Sinatra. from 252 to 156. Taylor lived in a duplex before she came to Hotel Stock“Of the three great hotels, there were many Lynn Harwell, manager of Hotel Stockton, loves ton and has been satisfied with where she’s at ever since. beautiful hotels,” Laguna said. “There was The working there and cares for those who take residence “I’m really satisfied, I always tell everybody to come Stockton, there was The Clark and The Wolf, in the building. over here. I really like Lynn, she’s actually the best manThe Clark and The Wolf were knocked down. “There were a lot of good people that stayed here ager I’ve ever had. Some managers ignore what you say, The Clark was replaced by a garage and The with a good, solid history behind them.” said Harwell. they don’t come right away, but she’s quick. I like how Wolf was replaced by a bank building. So this “There was Mr. Edwin Nixon, founder of ‘Black Family they (staff ) treats you with respect.” is the last of the big three here.” According to Laguna, people from all over the world Hotel Stockton stopped fuctioning as a ho- Friday,’ he passed away a few years ago here. And that’s what a lot of people say when they come come to see Stockton because it’s a Port City with a ton tel in the 1960s due to lack of business and was here, that they’re going to live and die here.” of history with other port cities from around the world. used as child welfare offices by San Joaquin To Harwell, the residennts in the building are more Visitors are impressed with what they see. County. than just people that live there. “One thing with the Japanese group I had them her,” In 2005, the building was refurbished. It reShe builds relationships with a lot of them, getting to Laguna said. “The leader said ‘One thing we appreciate opened as an apartment building for those on know what their interests are and making conversation. about Stockton that we don’t have in our city is diverfixed incomes. “There are a lot of good artists that stay here. Some sity.’ And that is something Mr. Shima wanted when “They removed all of the doors and stripped do stain glass, pipes, quite a few that paint, there should Stockton was founded.” all the paint off of them, restrained them,” said be an artist loft,” she said.
Instagram account showscases beauty in Stockton By Raul Torres Sports Editor
In this new age of social media people are following celebrities to imitate their lifestyles, post on pages for likes and comments, or even buy followers to make their followings bigger than reality. Miguel Guillen is using his power and social media to bring light onto our city. Guillen is the creator of the Instagram page @stocktonca which brings a different perspective of Stockton that may be shown from outlets, when most people think of Stockton the narrative is always the same of high crime and the thought of “there is never anything to do” in Stockton. Guillen is trying to change that nar-
rative one post at a time. The Instagram highlights places to eat and visit and when local events come to our area he gives information about them. “I started this eight years ago when Instagram was only for iPhone users at the time, I use to have instameets so people can get to know their own community,” he said. Guillen also has guest instagrammers on the weekends which he has pre-determined for three months in advance of their take over. This gives different perspectives and makes sure places other than popular hotspots are highlighted. There are three steps to become a guest grammer. First, Guillen has to notice your page has a various Stockton highlights and
actually shine light to the city and how it amazing it is. Second, you get a Direct Message asking if you can become a guest poster during a certain week. Guillen says he gets mainly yes responses, but probably 10 percent say no thanks. Third, after you accept you show what you’re going to highlight during your time and post at least three times a day during your weekend. “I started the guest grammers because it doesn’t just show what I like about Stockton. It shows the community as a whole and gives us Stocktonians a voice to share what we like about our city,” said Guillen. “The experience was really cool because you ultimately have an opportunity to showcase some of your own personal favorite spots in Stockton. It was
a good feeling getting positive feedback from people in the city,” said Stockton Native Hector Caravajal who posts under @hectour__ and was a guest. Being a guest gives an individual insight to Stockton and shows how different life can be growing up on one side of town compared to the other. “The Instagram itself in general is great I think. Its informative about things on the weekdays and lets people in the city show their own creativity every weekend,” said Stockton Native Gabriel Valdez who is @thavirus on Instagram. The Instagram @Stocktonca isn’t the only account Guillen manages, he’s also behind @dinestockton, @visitstockton and @drinkstockton.
6 entertainment
thecollegian
Feb. 9, 2018
Stockton Civic Theatre hosts Pulitzer play By Catlan Nguyen
S
Entertainment Editor
tockton Civic Theatre put on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Comedy play, You Can’t Take it With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman from Jan. 17 to Feb. 4 and it was directed by Rob Salas. Originally released on Broadway in 1936, the play follows the eccentric and fascinating adventures of the Sycamore family and their acquaintances in New York. Within the family there’s Grandpa Martin Vanderhof, Penelope Sycamore, Paul Sycamore and the Sycamore’s daughters Essie Carmichael and Alice Sycamore along with Essie’s husband, Ed Carmichael. The story revolves around the out-of-the-ordinary interactions between Alice and her newly found boyfriend, Tony Kirby. All of the actors’ portrayals of their roles worked well together making the audience truly feel like they were watching a wacky family in real life. Standout actors included Esther Henderson who played Essie, the aspiring ballerina. Her ability to purposefully dance in a cringe worthy manner multiple times throughout the play during some ensuing
chaos behind her without breaking character was commendable. Henderson had something in common with her character. “I’ve actually been dancing since I was about two years old, so that’s been about 17 years now and I feel like I have gotten better over the course of my life. And my name’s Esther so- Essie and Esther when I was cast I was like ‘Oh that’s really cool!’” Heidi Gremel, who played Penelope Sycamore, was also a standout actress because of her ability to make every line seem as natural as possible while expressing exactly how Penelope Sycamore would react through her facial expressions. Gremel truly brought to life the supportive and hobby-collecting mother. The obvious crowd favorite was Cindy Braden who played Gay Wellington, the drunken actress friend of Mrs. Sycamore. With her blacking out scenes to her trying to kiss every character in her sight when she was awake, Braden had every audience member dying of laughter. “What I most relate with Kirby is that he believes in the good in people. He appreciates people for just who they are regardless of whether or not it’s
From left, actors Alejandro Gomez, Joey A.G. Vincent, J.C. Costa, R. Israel Rodriguez, Cindy Braden, Shawn Carrington, Heidi Gremel, Martin Lehman, Judy Caruso Williamson, Sarah Spenker, Esther Henderson and Joey Dalonzo at Stockton Civic Theatre in Stockton on Feb. 2. PHOTO BY CATLAN NGUYEN
what he’s doing in life. Instead of making you into someone that he’s used to, he just accepts you,” said R. Israel Rodriguez, who played Tony Kirby. Set Designer Brian Scott Johnson created a detailed and visually stunning set inside of Martin Vanderhof ’s home. Every prop and decoration was impeccable from the stairs to Mrs. Sycamore’s typewriter to Grandpa’s collection of snakes. The set worked in conjunc-
tion with the lighting and sound from when Alice would “turn on” the lights in her living room to whenever someone was at their door, ringing the doorbell. Another notable element of the play was the accurate and lavish costumes done by Costume Designer Jennifer Barker Gatze. Olga Katrina’s regal duchess dress and wrap looked straight from Russia’s royal archives and Essie’s formal dance attire
was fitting for the most prestige ballet performance. Overall, the lighting, sound, set and costumes complemented the plot and actors without overpowering them. Stockton Civic Theatre’s next play will be Dead Man’s Cell Phone which will run from April 25 to May 12. Tickets for upcoming shows can be purchased at sctlivetheatre.com.
Loot Boxes create controversy in gaming community By Killian Barnhart Managing Editor
When Pong was released in 1972, nobody believed two paddles would be ground zero for a multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry spanning across the globe. Video games have become one of the largest pillars of modern entertainment, with Grand Theft Auto 5 selling 11.21 million copies on the first day. That’s $815.7 million made within 24 hours. Add in the micro-transactions in the game’s online feature that allows players to exchange real cash for large quantities of it’s digital counterpart, and you’ve got profit on steroids. However, micro-transactions in video games have been under fire by the very audience these games are tailored to for some time. The audience contends micro-transactions have caused publishers to push out incomplete games, or games with pay-to-win functions, rewarding play-
ers based more on what they pay over how well they play the game. “We should have to get to a certain level to get what we want, instead of paying money for this certain item. That’s what I like in games, like how they did it in the old days,” said Delta Student Treyvion Bonner. The problem was inflamed last year, during the demo period of Electronic Arts’ Star Wars: Battlefront II. The game offered players the ability to purchase an in game loot box or Crate as the feature is called, for items usable in the game. This is nothing abnormal, as game developers usually program cosmetic items such as character costumes, color palettes, animations etc. inside of them. “If I have the extra money sitting around, then yeah, I’ll buy a cosmetic. But if it’s like ‘oh I already bought this and now I have to turn around and buy that too,’ then no I couldn’t do it,” said Kaevon Shearer, another Delta student. However, in Star Wars the loot boxes would also come with upgrades for the players trooper, star fighter and
hero classes that would substantially affect game play online, the more powerful the upgrade. For example, a trooper class could be upgraded so that it’s laser weapon will cool down faster, requiring less reloads. A hero class, Han Solo for example, can be upgraded to increase it’s weapons fire rate for several seconds with each consecutive headshot. The only way to obtain these upgrades was to purchase one of the loot box options. “What’s fair about games like Dead by Daylight is that even if you don’t buy those new characters and perks that come out, they still let you get them through the Blood Shrine. You can earn points and purchase these items. That’s what makes it fair, you grind for it,” said Bonner. The controversy forced EA to temporarily remove all micro transaction options in the game before release. The damage was already done. The controversy brought the concept of loot boxes to the attention of various governments across the world, includ-
ing: Britain, Norway and the United States, who are looking into whether or not this is gambling. You purchase a loot box in the hopes of progressing in game or gaining some edge over other players but the contents are randomly generated and nothing is guaranteed. “You can put in a $1000 and not get anything, that’s pay to win or pay to lose … if they guaranteed rare items at least in every box, I’d say it’s okay. But then they can give you one guarantee and two common items. What’s the point?” said Bonner. Bill 6266, written by three Washington State Senators Kevin Ranker, Reuven Carlyle and Karen Keiser met with the Senate Committee of Labor & Commerce on January 31st. Bill 6266 would have the Washington State Gambling Commission study the use of loot boxes in game and determine whether or not they should be considered gambling by the states law. Several more states are also looking into this, including North Carolina, Hawaii, Connecticut, Minnesota and Georgia.
Emojis open Saudi Arabia to movies after years without By Chanelle Muerong Opinion Editor
In the 1980s, movie theaters were shut down in Saudi Arabia during a wave of ultra-conservatism in the country. In December, the 35-year-old ban was lifted thanks to the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Up until now, the citizens had to travel to a neighboring places such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, according to uk.reuters.com. While the idea of showing commercial movies were allowed, the Crown Prince still needed to pick films that would remain within the kingdom’s moral values. So the children’s films “The Emoji Movie” and “Captain Underpants,” were shown during the double screening in a makeshift theater.
“ I understand they chose those because of moral values. But what’s the point of lifting a ban just to show something that’s censored and geared towards children? You might as well have the ban... also I think that those movies do have subliminal messages hidden in them so are they really censored?” said Shaleen Chand, a Delta student when asked about what she thought about the lift on the ban. Another student, Jennifer Nguyen, had a different opinion. “I think these choices are fine. This shows that their society is slowly changing,” said Nguyen. According to the Reuters website, the first permanent theaters could open as early as March 2018. NBC News reported this lift on the ban was included in a list of things that the Prince was determined in changing, such as allowing women to drive, bringing back concerts and other forms of entertainment.
thecollegian
7 sports
Feb. 9, 2018
Mustangs go undefeated in double-header games By Alex Coba Editor in Chief
Returning from a defeat by West Valley, the Mustangs softball team played its second and third games of the season on Feb. 24 against Cabrillo College and College of Sequoias. The Mustangs won both games, 4-2 against Cabrillo and 8-7 against Sequoias. Delta’s Makayla Altheide scored the team’s first point of the game with a home run. However, the team was down one by the fifth inning after Cabrillo scored two hits prior. The Mustangs managed to make a strong comeback entering the sixth inning as the bases were loaded and the team had zero outs. The team scored to tie up the game and by the end of the sixth inning and managed to score once more solidifying their lead winning the game
4-2 Mustangs. “We played good defense, we ran into some base running outs but we put some pressure on them and they did a good job responding so I wasn’t upset with that, but overall I was very pleased,” said Head Coach Jim Fisher. During the middle of the game pitcher, Samantha Martinez lost her stride a bit but managed to hash it out just in time. “It was just some missed communication on pitching but I knew once we went in and we talked to each other between innings that we were going to figure it out and we did and we went back to work,” said Martinez. Fisher also had some insight on Martinez’s’ pitching performance during the game. “She came into west valley and she got roughed up a little bit and so this game she was much calmer much more con-
Delta’s Samantha Martinez pitches to Cabrillo College’s Kacey Sugimoto during the first game of tournament play on Feb. 3. PHOTO BY ALICIA NORTON
fident probably because she went out and she played so I think you could see her right through the middle they were
adjusting to her so we had to adjust back ... so she did a good job adjusting to them and getting them out,” Fisher
said. The Mustangs’ next home game will be on Feb. 13 against Foothill at 3 p.m.
Men’s basketball late game rally not enough to top Modesto By Raul Torres Sports Editor
The Delta College’s mens basketball fell to Modesto Junior College at Joseph Blanchard Gymnasium 92-83 on Jan. 30. The Mustangs (9-11) couldn’t get used to the fast-paced offense the Pirates (167) ran and trailed by 17 early. The Mustangs clawed back and brought the game within single digits late in the second half, but failed to get the necessary stops needed to try steal the game back from the Pirates. The first half started rough when Delta went down 2-18 within the first five minutes. After the first-time out, Delta then brought it’s intensity. Mustang’s No. 3 Jon Berna finished shooting 6-12 from the field for a team high 16 points and also added a team high eight assists in the loss. “I just feel like we came out flat in the first half, they got guys that can score, we needed to came out with the same intensity we had in the second half in the first,”
said No. 3 Jon Berna. Mustangs are on a three-game losing streak while still over .500 (6-5) in conference play. The basketball program stands in fourth place in conference standings. “We just need to keep winning games and get into the playoffs then hopefully we can make a deep run,” said Berna. Spencer Monteiro No. 24 finished with the teams only double-double scoring 15 points and grabbing a team high 13 rebounds. Forward Alex Smith came off the bench with a well needed offensive spark shooting 4-10 from three and finishing with 14 points. “We have to work better as a group and get things started early,” said Smith. Smith arrives to the game 2-3 hours early and goes through various stretches while getting shots up before home games, while Berna has a superstition of eating a peanut butter jelly sandwich game day. The Mustangs next home game is against American River College on Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Blanchard Gym.
Cheer program sees low enrollment for spring Adding on to community work, the cheer team has made breast cancer Entertainment Editor awareness kits in October and hand deCheerleading at Delta College has been re- livered them to St. Joseph’s patients. vived, with a one-unit class now being offered “The team collaborates and choreographs to bring together the routine,” said current cheerin the physical education department. leader Cassie Garcia. However the Spirit Training The cheer team’s routines course enrollment numbers vary between basketball and have dropped last semester football season. from 23 to seven students due Overall they include choThe cheerleading to confusion about how the reography, tumbling, stunting course is offered as class was offered. and floor cheers. “I think there was a lot of Spirit Training. Saldana has been cheer coach confusion with the class beThe next open course for two basketball seasons and ing that it’s new since it hasn’t runs in the summer as one football season and is also been offered as a class for ten the head cheer coach at Edison PEACTIVE 005, Summer years and a lot of the girls from High School. Spirit Training. the football season were not Prior to Saldana taking the able to enroll this semester. For For more infomation, position, the cheer team was college students, it’s hard for contact Joanna Saldana unable to preform stunts bethem to get their work schedat jsaldana@delcause they were just considered ules rearranged as well as their a club. tacollege.edu. class schedules settled,” said Last semester during footJoanna Saldana, the current ball season they were able to do cheer coach. stunts and take tumbling classes that included Saldana expects to see enrollment numbers practice on stunt techniques. increase during football season due to current “There’s a lot different between college cheerleaders recruiting at various high schools cheer and state cheer. There’s different regand increased exposure on social media. ulations,” said team member Jade Hines. Along with cheering at sporting events, the Spirit Training is offered in the summer, fall Delta cheerleading team has also cheered at and spring semesters. charity runs including the Fun Run for St. JoIn the summer the class is offered as PEACseph’s Walk for Wellness, the Walk for AlzheiTIVE 005A Summer Spirit Training. mer’s and the San Joaquin County Heart Walk.
By Catlan Nguyen
CHEER COURSE
From left, Melissa Zaremba, Evangelina Sanchez, Jade Hines and Mia McNair cheer during the Delta College vs. Modesto Junior College men’s home basketball game on Jan. 30 . PHOTO BY CATLAN NGUYEN
thecollegian
8 news
Feb. 9, 2018
Sparks fly at Delta College
High school students compete in welding competition By Killian Barnhart Managing Editor
On Jan. 26, Delta College played host to a competition between students in welding programs from eight California high schools. The high schools included SJCOE, Venture Academy, Ripon, Escalon, Lincoln, Patterson, Orestimba and Mount Shasta. “The competition is very even. It’s very interesting that students from all the different schools seem to be on the same page as far as their level. There will be one or two stands outs, but mostly, we can see all the instructors are all very, very even as we see in the results,” said judge Ken Herger. Competitors had to pass a written exam, as well as demonstrate skills in the various forms of welding such as MIG, Stick and TIG welding from various different positions. The competitors were provided several diagrams at various different stations for them to accurately replicate. “They take pre-cut pieces of metal and weld them into certain positions so everything’s the same for every kid and they have a diagram they have to go by, so part of it is being able to understand the diagram and layout and part of it is the right process,” said Herger. “So, if you’re supposed to do a uphill weld, it’s an uphill weld, not a flat weld.” The difference between a uphill weld and a flat weld lies in skill, due to running molten metal.
Top, a competitor works on a standard wield. Bottom, a competitor works with stick wield. PHOTOS BY KILLIAN BARNHART
The process requires constant attention, the ability to see what the welder is doing and a complete understanding of what is being done and what needs to be done. Flat welding, on the other hand, requires less pampering and has more room for small mistakes. The Patterson High School team was composed of three seniors and a sophomore, of them was Gage McCord, one of the seniors whose interest in welding had developed out of a desire to continue his family’s lineage of shop working. “I’ve always been a hands-on person,” McCord said. “My dad’s an electrician. It kind of sort of runs in the family, shop working. I kind of got into it because of that. It was the only one with shop-working outside of Mechanics, and I chose this.” The winner of the competition would be awarded with various certificates and awards that would assist them at either finding a welding career or continue their education. “Some kids take this and run. They become welders and move on. Some kids, it’s just a good learning experience. You remember learning how to weld all your life. When you’re an IBM executive and in your garage you have a welder and you’re building a dune buggy or something. You never forget it,” said Herger. Manteca Tech took first place in the overall team category, with the teams Nic Littig taking first place in the individual competition and Nick Cantrell from Escalon High placing second.
DREAM: Services, legal advice offered free to students, community continued from PAGE 1
loans to help pay for school and it can’t be taken away by Trump since it is state funded. “It’s important for students to understand the difference between a loan and a grant. A grant is money that you don’t have to give back, whereas loans you will be paying back. The state of California will fight to the end to protect undocumented people. Yes, federal law does trump state law, but our state
is firm in standing behind immigrants,” said Duenas. Duenas offered more information regarding rights for the undocumented and law updates that have occurred to help those in need. A key emphasis of the presentation was what occurs off campus when students and the community don’t have anyone around to help. Many Delta students are children of illegal parents which causes stress about what will happen to
University of San Francisco
their parents while they are at school. “There’s always that feeling that you’ll come home and they aren’t there. What is going to happen to my siblings and me then?” said Gloria Alonso, a Delta student. Duenas told the audience in case of an emergency it is important for parents to fill out the Care Giver Authorization Affidavit that allows a blood relative, who is a citizen, to take care of their children if deportation should occur. A notarized letter explaining what parents would like for the children
should be written and kept close, as well in order to ensure any children left behind can be taken care of. “I can use all this information Delta gives us to help my parents know what to do in our situation and get insight to know my rights and laws,” said Vargas. For legal advice Duenas will be on campus twice a month to give tips and advice. Services are free and serve the entire Central Valley. “College is possible regardless of your immigration status,” said Duenas.
CUTS: Administrators aware of issues
save $2.5 million out of the budget.” According to an estimate by Sommer, a penis we did something that’s called a SERP. Basi- sion reform is being pushed by the state towards cally what it was, it was an offer that we made the employer contribution, meaning that next to qualify employees who had worked here for a year, the general funds Delta has to pay in pennumber of years and different qualifications that sions will increase by $1.3 million. they could take a retirement and get a incentive, Dr. Lisa Cooper Wilkins, Assistant Superinand the incentive was annuity.” tendent and Vice President of Student Services, There were 47 employees that took the SERP said the school is aware of how students are feeland left in December, leaving holes in staffing in ing about the cuts and closing of services. things such as food services. “I’m excited about what Dr. (Kathy) Hart is Four members retired in food services. trying to do in terms of making things better for “Now we have some major holes in our staff- students and always challenging us to ask if the ing and no control where those holes happened,” decisions we’re making are good for students, Sommer said. “It’s whoever qualified and who and sort of start that way,” said Cooper Wilkins. applied. So for example, as a result of that proOne of the things students can expect to see gram, I have a department now with absolutely in a couple of months is a new website and a no managers. I had 60 percent of the staff of the student information system. food services retire and by union contracts, we “It’s not lost on the institution that students cannot fill those positions with part timers.” would like more food options, faculty and staff The college can hold on to some of the part- had said the same thing. And it’s a real complitime workers but cannot accept more. cated answer as to why it’s been hard to do that, “We’re trying to deal with the staff we have,” but I know it’s something that they’re really trySommer said. “The college has been told that we ing to work on,” said Cooper Wilkins. cannot replace them all because it was done to
continued from PAGE 1
P L E A S A N TO N
LEARN TODAY. CHANGE TOMORROW.
PROGRAMS IN: MANAGEMENT | NURSING
#METOO: Celebrities use hashtag too
(925) 867-2711 | usfca.edu/pleasanton
continued from PAGE 1
6120 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Ste. 150, Pleasanton, CA
Raisman coming out against him telling their stories about how he took advantage of his power and sexually abused
CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HE RE
members of the team. Raisman was one of the women that shared her story with the #MeToo and gave a powerful speech in front of Nassar. Raisman told Nassar in front
of everyone in court: “Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force and you are nothing.”