The Collegian — Published March 6, 2020

Celebrating 100 years of suffrage

BASKETBALL PLAYER AWARDED STATE HONOR

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Issue 10 • Friday, March 6, 2020 •

SPORTS, PAGE 7

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Low risk of COVID-19 on campus after student exposed

BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR Editor in Chief

Delta College’s Stockton campus was alerted to a potential COVID-19 exposure case on March 4.

A health sciences student was treating a patient at a medical facility outside of San Joaquin County on Sunday, according to an email sent by Superintendent/President Dr. Omid Pourzanjani to Delta staff on Wednesday afternoon.

The patient later tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 — after the student had returned to school on Monday.

The student hasn't shown any symptoms and has chosen to isolate themselves for a 14day period after learning they were exposed, according to the email.

This student also hasn't test-

ed positive, and is taking precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. There are no confirmed cases at Delta, Pourzanjani wrote.

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that causes respiratory illness, according to the CDC. It was first detected in Wuhan City, China, and has since spread to nearly every continent.

As of Thursday, 11 people have died of the virus in the U.S.: 10 in Washington state and one in Placer County.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in California as a result.

Last week, the Los Rios Community College District announced in a news release that four students had been exposed to COVID-19. All four have since isolated themselves.

The risk to campus remains

low, according to the San Joaquin County Department of Public Health.

“We understand that this might cause concern; however, the San Joaquin County Department of Public Health says that the risk to Delta College students, staff and faculty is very low. Again, out of an abundance of caution, we are sanitizing all relevant areas on campus,” Pourzanjani wrote in his email to the general campus community.

After the alert to the exposure case, a Delta College Facebook group with more than 5,200 people received reactions from the community, urging students to consider the low risk.

Responses ranges from concern about potential spread to ridicule of those posting, specifically as it spreads fear.

One student asked why classes

Student nurse Riddhi Patel gives a handwashing demonstration in the quad. PHOTO BY HANNAH WORKMAN

weren't canceled.

An FAQ on the deltacollege. edu website addressed that specific question.

"On the recommendation of public health experts, Delta remains open and all classes and events are continuing as sched-

ule," the answer read to the "Should I come to class?" question. "We will continue to consult with experts in the public health field and will make any further announcements as conditions warrant."

See COVID-19, page 8

LOOKING FORWARD TO NOVEMBER

Incumbent Tubbs, newcomer Lincoln advance to mayoral primary election Incumbent Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and political newcomer Kevin Lincoln will face off in the November general election on Nov. 3 after earning the top vote on Tuesday in a field of eight.

Results posted at 8:04 a.m. on March 4 from the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters show Tubbs earning 40.63 percent of the vote compared to Lincoln's 21.86 percent.

The registrar expects results to be certified by April 2.

Find other election results at bit.ly/sj2020results.

MAYOR MICHAEL TUBBS Event emcee Max Kinser jokes with students passing by. PHOTO BY HANNAH WORKMAN

'Rock the Vote' encourages participation in General Election A"Rock the Vote" event was Dirty Pillows came together to hosted in the quad on March 5, MORE ONLINE make the celebration possible. to register voters and celebrate Read a story and view a Associate Professor Adriana Women's History Month.

Brogger said KWDC cospongallery of photos from "Rock the Vote" is a Los An- the 'Rock the Vote' event sored the event because voter geles-based nonprofit organiza- at deltacollegian.net. turnout was at 20 percent on tion with a goal to engage young Super Tuesday. Brogger said she voters, according to the organisees this outreach as "a public zation's mission statement. service engagement."

RTV, along with Mi Familia Vota, CommuEntertainment also included rock painting, nity Medical Centers, United States Census, games, and a photo booth. Free tacos were ASDC, The President's Office, and local band also served.

KEVIN LINCOLN

ANDREW JOHNSON, 1.36% BILL SMITH, 12.70% KEVIN LINCOLN, 21.86% MICHAEL TUBBS, 40.63% MOTEC PATRICK SANCHEZ, 9.57% RALPH LEE WHITE, 4.47% SHELLY HOLLIS, 3.43% SHOUA LO, 5.47%

NEXT ISSUE: April 10 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY

2 OPINION 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/opinion

DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT NOT TABOO

BY HANNAH WORKMAN

A

News Editor

ssisted dying has recently been discussed by lawmakers in numerous states and countries, sparking intense debate.

According to MedicineNet, assisted dying is “the practice of providing a competent patient with a prescription for medication for the patient to use with the primary intention of ending his or her own life.”

In the United States, assisted dying is legal in only nine states: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Right-to-die bills are currently being considered in Iowa, New Hampshire and Virginia.

On the international front, the Spanish government has moved forward with a bill that would legalize euthanasia and assisted dying.

A 2018 survey by Gallup found that 72 percent of Americans are in support of assisted dying.

However, there are still some who believe assisted dying is “unethical” and allows medical professionals to “play God.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Assisted dying is, on the contrary, an act of mercy.

It should be the patient’s choice and not limited by laws.

If one has a terminal illness and wishes to die with dignity, then why should they be denied that right?

Some believe aiding a patient in dying is inhumane, but what’s truly inhumane is prolonging a patient’s suffering when they wish to end it.

On Death with Dignity National Center’s website, people share their experiences watching a loved one grapple with terminal illness.

One story was shared by Adrienne Dare, a retired college professor who watched her 90-year-old mother, Louise, battle terminal cancer.

Louise underwent radiation in an attempt to reduce the tumor, but eventually had to stop treatment because the pain was too much for her to bear.

When Louise was in hospice care shortly thereafter, her pain couldn’t be managed by pain medication.

She decided to use Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act to put an end to her suffering.

Adrienne cried upon hearing her mother’s request for the first time, but she knew it’s what was best for her mother.

She said her mother died peacefully within a few minutes after taking the medicine, with a smile on her face.

This experience encouraged Adrienne to become a Death with Dignity advocate. She wanted all patients with terminal illness to have the same choice her mother did.

This story, along with others on Death with Dignity National Center’s website, further solidified my belief that the terminally ill should be given the autonomy to determine their own fates.

The Death with Dignity Act has brought peace to families and could bring peace to so many more if assisted dying is legalized nationally.

Hot Pocket heiress in hot seat after bribery conviction

BY JAELYN MORALES Staff Writer

M

ommy and daddy’s is turning to the go-to solution for rich children to score spots at prestigious universities; Bribery Back in 2019 Yale soccer coach Rudy Meredith was caught in a $1.2 million bribery scandal through parents who wanted their little girl to shine big.

In the same year, Stanford University’s sailing coach John Vandemoer was involved in a $270,000 bribery scandal.

The biggest college admission scandal to date,Operation Varsity Blues, also happened in 2019. In it, two of Hollywood’s biggest leading women, Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were caught with more than 33 other parents trying to get their kids into top-notch universities.

In total, $25 million were used to bribe coaches and admissions offices into letting students who clearly didn’t deserve to be there if mommy and daddy could pay for their GPA or make them appear higher on applications, or getting their names on an athletic roster.

In 2020, we see our first, high profile college-admissions scandal involving the Hot Pocket Heiress.

Michelle Janavs was meant to be the next “Hot Pocket” queen, but instead her throne will be in a jail cell for five months because she managed to bribe her two daughters into, yet again, a prestigious university with $300,000.

It seems like all you need is a swipe of a credit card, and create a very convincing application to be one of USC’s all-star players.

As a college student, I see this as a slap in the face. I am sitting in classrooms, studying hard and earning my spot into my dream college like everyone around me.

Why didn’t I think about paying my way into my dream college? Wait, you have to be rich and entitled to be able to persuade the people in these universities to let you in.

We are seeing that hard work is no longer needed to walk the campus as a student, just a set of millionaire parents. Looking at this from a different angle, this shows that the justice system and prosecutors are finally doing their job right, by catching and slapping the wrists of these millionaire parents.

“People who pay take advantage of it. They have the opportunity to do it right,” said Delta College student Yisell Garcia.

If these families have enough money to pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to get their kids into university, then they have enough money to pay for top of the line tutors to get them in the right way.

“It’s like people with financial aid. You see them buying new iPhones and Airpods and not actually using it what it’s meant for,” Garcia said.

We see this trend where money is being used to find the easy way out instead of helping the situation become better, it’s happening everyday and even in our

The Collegian The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester.

As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves 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.

Cold Hot Pockets to represent the fact that most of the rich who bribe their children into scholar universities will end up cold behind bars. PHOTO BY AMIRAH AMENHOTEP

everyday lives. We are supposed to trust these adults in these universities to accept those who rightfully deserve admission in. High School students across the globe work towards one goal: getting accepted into their dream college.

For many students, they happily get that acceptance letter in the mail, but someone gets their spots on the rowing team taken. The once hard working, straight- A student is let down by a system that was supposed to lead them to a wealthy and successful future; college admissions.

The fact that these scandals are coming to light shows the system is still working the right way.

Revenge is best served like a hot pocket: steaming hot then surprisingly cold.

EDITORS VIVIENNE AGUILAR Editor in Chief/News

HANNAH WORKMAN News

MARIA ABUGARADE RAYO Feature

JUSTINE CHAHAL Entertainment

AMIRAH AMENHOTEP Opinion

PAUL MUYSKENS Sports

TYRA GREEN Social Media The Collegian is a member of the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

CONTACT US:

SENIOR STAFF MAISY MACATO CHRISTOPHER ESCAMILLA

STAFF ELLIE ANDRADE LUPE ANDRADE KIMBERLY BENAVIDES ANGELICA FLORES SIDNEE GALLARDO ISAIN GUZMAN ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ ROBYN JONES C.J. LOVE SERENA MALDONADO

STAFF JAELYN MORALES MADELYNN THOMAS JESSICA TORRES VANESSA VEGA DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS BRANDON YI

ADVISER TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

MULTIMEDIA TECH MATTHEW WILSON

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shima 203/204, (209) 954-5156 or deltacollegian@gmail.com For information about advertising, letters to the editor and editorial standards visit deltacollegian.net

3 OPINION 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/opinion

#adulting: Laundry edition

How many adults can say they know how to fold a fitted sheet? After this step-by-step guide, you’ll definitely know How yo now. u

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MUSTANG VOICE

“Have mandatory appointments to make sure you’re meeting your requirements.”

Armando Garcia

How it’s done

‘What should Delta do to ensure the success of students?’

“I think offer more tutoring services because the tutoring is cool but sometimes you go and their full or they can’t see you for a week, and it’s like I need to be seen now so offering more last minute services would be cool.”

Melissa Garcia

“I think it’s just more of making sure the tutoring stuff is more aware I guess because professors don’t really mention the tutoring area.”

Alaina Farley

“I honestly don’t really know “I believe there should be it’s more of like the students at least some type of way for job to make sure they succeed.” students to actually be motivated, so maybe if every class had like some type of tutoring time.”

Jonathan Thomas

Erneste Narvarte

4 FEATURE 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/feature

ESL students address needs by forming group based on empowerment Founder of Empowering Women, Maricela Gonzalez, helping a student navigate Google Documents.

BY ANGELICA FLORES Staff Writer

There is a knowledge gap that affects many English as a Second Language (ESL) students and makes taking college level classes more challenging than those who have come from high school or where language is not a barrier.

Empowering Women was formed in an attempt to bridge that gap and help ESL students go through the educational pipeline.

It is a student-run, community based-group that conducts workshops in English and Spanish. Students are working on providing the workshops in other languages by non-Spanish speaking ESL students.

It was founded by former ESL Program student, Maricela Gonzalez. “When I started ESL classes, I didn’t

PHOTO BY ANGELICA FLORES

plan on furthering my education but once here, I wanted to better myself because I come from a small town in Mexico where there is no support for women and a belief that women should not go to school,” said Gonzalez, a current student at San Joaquin Delta

College who was interviewed in both English and Spanish.

“We are raised to be good mothers and good wives but never to be good to ourselves.”

As an ESL student, Gonzalez started volunteering for the program. When she finished ESL, she started tak-

ing college level classes. After taking those classes, she faced many challenges.

“There were financial aid complications, I didn’t know how to use a computer, how to use canvas or Google docs and it was so hard for me. So after I asked Sabrina for sup-

port and the office of ESL, I learned a lot,” said Gonzalez.

Sabrina Luviano is the Instructional Support Assistant for the ESL Lab. Gonzalez said “Being here made me realize that there are many women that feel like me.

After they finish ESL, they don’t feel comfortable beginning in regular delta classes so I started to support one woman and the next day, another woman. I helped them individually.

So we got together and thought about helping each other.”

“It is important to give support to each other. A woman can empower many women, give information and give emotional support. But this group is also for men too. So that is important,” said Gonzalez.

The Empowering Women’s Group meets every Friday in the Dreamers Success Center in Holt 201 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Kevin Mititi and Marina Balesteros, volunteers for 209 Cares, clean up on the East Side. PHOTO BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR

Homeless Stocktonians helping others, seeking opportunities

BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR Editor in Chief

(Left): Mark and Mirasol Palileo posing for their engagement pictures by the koi pond in the quad. COURTESY PHOTO BY MIRASOL PALILEO (Right): Mark and Mirasol recreated their engagement pictures in 2020. PHOTO BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS

Making a love connection at Delta College

Not quite ‘love at first sight’ for couple celebrating 15 years

BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Staff Writer

People might not think back to the place they went to junior college and remember anything remarkable about it. For one Stockton couple, Delta College will always hold a place in their hearts.

Mark and Mirasol Palileo’s story started here on campus close to 15 years ago, but it wasn’t love at first sight.

Neither recalls a great first impression. Mirasol remembers thinking Mark was cute and could be her next boyfriend but her friend thought he wasn’t her type so Mirasol wrote him off.

Mark had similar feelings at first.

“She was not initially my type because she was too flirty and outgoing and very forward which I was not comfortable with at first because I was very introverted, shy and reserved before I met her,” said Mark.

Neither of them ever imagined they would end up where they are now.

Mirasol thought Mark “was going to be another guy who would just come and go,” and Mark “could have never imagined [they] would still be together and almost hitting 15 years of relationship in April 2020.”

In February, the two “spent the whole day just reliving where [they] first met, where [they] first

held hands and when [they] first started officially dating over 14 years ago,” said Mark.

Both remember their relationship evolving quickly.

They went from thinking they wouldn’t get along, to Mark going out of his way to visit Mirasol at work.

“I thought he called my work and asked what time my lunch break was, but he said he didn’t and came because he just wanted to see me… of course I invited him to lunch,” said Mirasol.

She goes on to explain how Mark asked her to “meet [him] halfway” and how she understood that to mean that he wanted to continue to get to know her but very soon after, they determined they were in a relationship.

They’ve been together since April 15, 2005 and have now been married for over 5 years.

“I don’t think we would have crossed paths at all if we hadn’t gone to Delta,” said Mark.

If the motivation to learn isn’t enough for you, the next time you question whether you should go to class, keep in mind that you could very well meet the love of your life there.

“Be serious about relationships, friendships and being there for people, eventually you will find someone that you are compatible with,” said Mark.

On Feb. 28, the five man crew of Stockton 209 Cares cleaned a neighbor’s yard because the homeowner is in hospice.

Stockton 209 Cares is a nonprofit organization designed to clean the streets while giving homeless volunteers opportunities to work for gift cards and shower tokens for the downtown Stockton homeless shelters. Those hoping to work are placed on a waitlist, until the organization receives another grant.

Founder Nancy Lamb and the board for 209 Cares work with the city to secure grants and aid. Lamb said notable donors were Christina Fugazi, who donated money which gave the organization time to wait and see if they will receive another grant, and Miguel Villapudua, who pays the dump fees.

209 Cares also works with the district attorney when they run into a situation where the cleanup involves sensitive or dangerous garbage such as sensitive paperwork, needles, unregistered cars, and more.

The group relies on volunteers. “We are not faith based at all, it’s just if you want to give back and if you truly care about the community come on out,” said Lamb.

209 Cares also works with high schoolers volunteers. “[Nancy] gave me an opportunity to keep my mind busy while being on the streets, and that’s what I love about 209 Cares,” said Kevin Mititi, one of the homeless volunteers. Mititi hopes to attend Delta College to study photography, business and more. His eventual goal is to become mayor of Stockton.

“Delta, in professional wise, is gonna help me advance that and make that a reality,” he said.

26-year-old Rosie Saultz is one of the success stories of 209 Cares. She is now two months clean and sober, and gaining her first job experience with 209 Cares.

The organization, through Lamb’s personalized outreach, provides resources homeless individuals need. A main goal of the organization is to place homeless members of our community back with their families, get them jobs, and help stabilize them.

Lamb is currently looking for Saultz’s family in Texas. “I just kind of work with them one-on-one,” she said.

Workers said the organization make them feel like a family.

“We all barely know each other, but we all grew close to each other as we work three days a week,” said Saultz.

Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Lamb on the Stockton 209 Cares Facebook page. They work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. until noon. Upcoming events include youth outreach and Easter at the shelter.

5 FEATURE 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/feature

Culinary Arts providing options for Delta students

(Above): Students, (left to right) Amy Phan, Bailey Poole, Hailey Agnew, and Nick Rossi on the line during lunch service. (Right column from top): Smoked chicken fettuccine: preserved tomato, spinach, onion, mushroom, squash and house made pasta; Winter Citrus Sorbet Trio: local Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and blood orange sorbet with candied citrus peel; Roasted beet and orange salad: local gold, red beets, Cara Cara orange, fennel, arugula, Sierra Nevada Creamery feta cheese; Chocolate, chocolate cake: vanilla cream, blackberry sauce and chocolate gelato; Crispy brussel sprouts: lemon garlic aioli, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction. (Left column top): Amy Phan adding finishing touches before sending out meal; Chef Mark Berkner demonstrating to students the plating of chocolate cake dessert.

PHOTOS BY MARIA ABUGARADE RAYO

BY MARIA ABUGARADE RAYO

C

Feature Editor

ulinary Arts program has been around for over 15 years, they have since expanded its offerings across campus including Student Chef offering fine dining meals in Danner and food pantry workshops showing students how to prepare meals on a budget.

They also offer $5 meals in the cafeteria, letting them “prepare fresher choices for the campus at a reasonable price,” said Culinary Arts Chef Instructor, Mark Berkner.

Throughout the program, students learn about sanitation, the preparation of food, menu planning, cost control and management.

While there are several classes to take to receive the appropriate degrees/ certificates, Cul Art 9/19 seems to be the most thrilling, yet demanding of all.

In these two courses, students run a restaurant better known as Student Chef.

At Student Chef, anyone can take a seat and enjoy a wonderful lunch, put together by the students themselves.

“It can be chaotic at times, but it feels like a real job,” said Austin Brotherton, current Culinary Arts major.

From servers to runners to the back of the

house, every position is occupied by a student.

On the menu you can find dishes like: • Crispy brussel sprouts: lemon garlic aioli, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction • Warm mushroom salad: dragon mushroom farms, dry farmed potatoes, leek, greens, gorgonzola, and dijon vinaigrette • Delta burger: sesame seeded bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayonnaise and mustard served with a side of french fries • Lamb meatballs: chickpea, Moroccan spices, tomato - carrot ribbon & mixed herbs salad with dollops of lemon yogurt • Chocolate, chocolate cake: vanilla cream, blackberry sauce and chocolate gelato On top of running Student Chef, students are also reaching out to fellow students and teaching them how to use food pantry ingredients at home.

Providing demonstrations using ingredients the food pantry has available so students can “get their full nutrients” is the main goal of Food On the Fly, according to Culinary Arts student Christian Has. If running Student Chef and planning demonstrations using

On the menu with Maria

the food pantry wasn’t enough, the Culinary Arts students are also catering meals for $5.

“It is a great way to show others how to build a balanced meal out of items that are available in the pantry,” said Berkner.

Has added, “President Pourzanjani wants something cheap and accessible for the students.

Some of the past $5 meals include: • Loco Moco: white rice, beef patty, brown gravy topped with an over easy egg • Eggplant Napoleon: stack of eggplant layered with spinach, roasted peppers, and goat cheese, on basil

pesto and white beans • Shakshuka: poached eggs, tomato sauce, olive oil, peppers, onion, garlic and spices with a toasted piece of bread On Wednesday afternoons, any left over food gets packaged by the students and deliver meals to the food pantry.

Stop by Danner Hall to check out the $5 meals or Student Chef on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow Delta’s Instagram @sjdeltacollege for updates on upcoming Food On the Fly.

6 ENTERTAINMENT 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/entertainment

(Left:) Matthew Liftin works on the lighting. (Right:) Colorful screens hover in the air above the stage of the Tillie Lewis Theatre. PHOTOS BY C.J. LOVE

FORMER STUDENT LIGHTS UP DELTA STAGE

BY C.J. LOVE Staff Writer

Matthew Litfin, once a Delta College student, now stands on the catwalk of the school’s Tillie Lewis theater making adjustments to one of the many lights positioned high above the stage.

This is just a slice of Litfin’s responsibilities as a guest lighting designer for Delta’s most recent production, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”

Now a 2019 graduate from California State University, Stanislaus with a bachelor’s in theater, Litfin is applying the skills he obtained both in and out of school to help local productions on the technical side, while further honing his abilities.

Technical theater, Litfin’s particular interest when it comes to dramatic arts, encompasses many elements of a production outside of the performers to help elevate and fulfill a vision. This can include set design, sound, lighting, makeup and costumes as well as various other puzzle-pieces that allow a story to live and breathe.

“I was raised as an actor,” said Litfin. “As a small child, I was in church plays. My folks thought it’d be great to have me take theater courses in high school to get me out of my shell — which it did, it helped me a lot, but it also taught me how to become a character and work with other people in productions. It wasn’t until 2014 during my time at Delta College that I wanted to see what else there was to do.”

During high school, Litfin was involved in his

drama department at Tokay High in Lodi, where he sharpened his improvisational skills through the school’s ComedySportz team and played the role Traffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters, as well as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Some time after entering Delta, Litfin decided to take a step back from acting and get more involved with technical theater through their drama program.

“I wanted to learn what it was all about,” Litfin said.

“I took some general electives, but as time went on I was able to discover more of a passion in designing and lighting, especially. There was a lot more work that went into a production than I had thought, as theater is a collaborative art. Delta pretty much taught me everything about the collaborative efforts in producing shows.”

Working with others to add texture, mood, depth, and ambience to scenes is a laborious task demanding hard work and tired nights.

“The most important thing is commitment,” said Michael Gonzalez, Delta student and stage manager for Curious Incident.

“With everything we’ve learned from Matthew Litfin and Kevin Bautch (technical director), I feel like every technician has to be working together and communicating or we’re going to be missing cues and other information. With this show and all the quick changes that happen in the main character’s head, it takes everybody to help fit this together,” said Liftin.

Litfin’s responsibilities cross with Gonzalez, as the

proper cues need to be set for sound and lights when dialogue is spoken or when characters enter. Even a single movement could require a specific light or sound cue.

Cross-collaboration doesn’t end with the crew featured in the show’s program; even some of Delta’s drama classes contribute to the overall production and how it eventually looks, sounds, and feels.

“During the labs of the lighting class I take, we’d construct certain elements of the set that had to do with light and scenery,” said Robert Felton, theater major at Delta College. “The class usually spends time working during the day, so we don’t really interact with the cast. When others were installing the big windows on set, we were working on the starscape in the background. It all has to work together and intersect.”

The effort that drama lab classes put into the set help add to the overall vision of the story.

“The collaboration — the heart, the vision itself — it won’t always be just as you planned it,” said Litfin. “The fact that you’re working with other people who are playing their own vision to help the core vision, that’s what the beauty of theater is. It’s multiple minds coming together help elevate each other and fulfil the vision of the show’s director. Working with the technical director Kevin Bautch is really great, as he was my main professor when I went to Delta. I work as hard as I can on the lighting design for this show. There’s a lot — a lot of coffee’s involved. I do my darndest, though. I put my heart and soul into it.”

Delta Drama’s curious new play adapts a heart-wrenching story

BY JUSTINE CHAHAL

D

Entertainment Editor

elta Drama started its production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” in Tillie Lewis Theatre on Feb. 28.

The play, adapted from the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, depicts autistic fifteen-year-old Christopher’s ( Joseph Dahl) search for the person who killed his neighbor’s dog.

While the play is a mystery, it is much more than that — it is an exploration REVIEW into the effects of autism, not only on the individual on the spectrum itself, but on his family as well. In fact, there is a heavy emphasis on Christopher’s relationship with his father, Ed, (Benjamin Winer) and mother, Judy (Daniela Santiuste-Loera).

It is a very intense play. The show starts off with fierce yelling right as the dead dog is discovered and the intensity from this first scene does not fade away.

Even though the play is rife with comedic moments, the tension still builds over time, forcing the audience at the edge of its seat to watch the drama unfold.

One could feel the audience relax at intermission after an incredibly climatic moment because of how tense everything felt.

It’s emotional and messy to watch how challenging the lives of those with autism can be at times.

The immense emotion of the play can be attributed to Dahl’s acting.

Whether the lead is crying, screaming in fear, or simply talking about his interests, his depiction of Christopher is full of life and energy. His acting is what truly turns Christopher into a fully-realized character the audience cares for.

Dahl also exhibits certain mannerisms those on the autism spectrum display including stimming which is defined as “repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech” by the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit that assists families of those struggling with mental illness.

There was obviously some research put into autism and how those on the spectrum behave. This attention to detail is present in Christopher’s character as well as how Ed and Siobhan, one of Christopher’s teachers (Nina Thiel), interact with him.

The actors overall did a great job on stage.

Despite Thiel’s reading of Christopher’s journal being a bit stiff, she is able to capture both Siobhan’s pride and concern over the young boy.

Wimer does a phenomenal job of playing a powerfully angry and confused father and elevates the most serious of scenes.

There was also a good amount of versatility from actors who played multiple roles.

Rachel Engh, who plays Mrs. Shears among others, is fantastic at switching into different roles at the drop of a hat. The ensemble in general (Cassie Garcia, Nicholas Hernandez, Brianna Pacheco, Alexandra Perez, Vince Sosa) worked cohesively to both act and move props off and on the stage.

Aside from acting, the set design is also something to marvel at. Monitors hover in the air above the stage and change what is displayed on screen to add to the narrative.

Whether it displays a set of numbers Christopher is counting off or the setting the characters are currently at in scene, it is a feature that inspires awe to see and adds something special to the production.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is an emotional powerhouse that can teach us how deeply autism can affect people’s lives and how important it is to ensure children they are capable of achieving anything.

The play will continue to run on March 6-7 at 7 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. Delta Drama will run productions of “Everybody” from May 1-10 in Muller Studio Theatre and “Urinetown” from July 17-26 in Tillie Lewis Theatre.

General admission is free. Tickets can be reserved by calling the DCA Box Office at (209) 954-110 or visiting dca.deltacollege.edu.

7 SPORTS 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/sports

DONJA PAYNE CAPTURES STATE HONOR

BY PAUL MUYSKENS Sports Editor

Freshman Donja Payne shoots a free throw during a game earlier this season against Merced. PHOTO BY PAUL MUYSKENS

While the Delta College women's basketball team is looking to make history this season with their first state championship, they scored another standout moment last week as freshman Donja Payne was named California State Co-Player of the Year.

"I felt amazing," said Payne, reflecting on the moment when she heard she earned an honor that just two others had earned in program history. "I felt like my team really gave me that push. I could not have done it without my teammates."

"I really just wanted to push myself to a different level," said Payne about her goals coming into her first season at Delta. "I knew it was going to take some time and some work. I came in with a mindset of putting in the work."

"She actually only plays 19 minutes," said head coach Gina Johnson. The team does not have a single player that averages more than 20 minutes a game.

"Her numbers would be higher if we didn't have such a deep team," Johnson said.

Vanessa Cochrane currently holds the program's all-time three-point made record with 107 and was named to the All-State second team while freshman Alicia Jones was named to the third-team.

"The biggest factor I think on this year’s team is the entire team really love(s) each oth-

er," said Johnson. "They love playing together and for each other. They really are a bonded group which is really hard to get that in a team.

As a head coach, I couldn't ask for anything more."

Currently ranked the top team in the state, the Mustangs are 28-1 and have won 21 games in a row. All but two of those wins this season have come by double digits, while no win has come by less than nine points. They are also averaging 84.3 points per game which is second best in the state.

"I knew we were going to go really far but the way that we are going and the rate that we are going I am pretty impressed," said Payne.

"This team keeps stepping up and surprising us as coaches," said Johnson about the expectations that come with being ranked as the team to beat. "I don't feel stressed because I feel like they are up for the challenge. The credit is to these young ladies. This team seems to be ready to play every game. They come out with a lot of effort. They have a good work ethic."

"There is a lot of pressure because we want to go all the way," said Payne. "We came this far, we don't want to end on a bad note."

That pressure doesn't seem to be a bad thing for Payne and the Mustangs, however.

"I'd rather have the pressure," said Payne.

"The arrow is right on our back."

The Mustangs will continue to shoot for a first state championship in program history when they host Redwoods this Saturday at 7 p.m.

Men’s basketball season ends in San Francisco

BY BRANDON YI Staff Writer

The Mustangs battled injuries all season long but still managed to finish the season strong entering the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs with a nine-man roster.

After being down by double digits in the second half of the first playoff game on February 26th, the Mustangs came-from-behind against Los Medanos to win 83-72 led by a 22-point performance by Keith Terry.

The team advanced to play top-seeded City College of San Francisco in what would ultimately be the team’s final game of the season.

The Mustangs struggled early and never caught up, losing 113-82 and finishing the season with a 19-11 record.

“We came out and played hard, but we had too many turnovers and gave them the game early,” said sophomore Travis August after a season that saw him lead the team averaging 18.4 points per game.

“We all played hard but they played hard too.

I knew everyone left it all out on the floor with no regrets, and at the end of the day that’s all you can ask for,” said August.

Although eliminated from the playoffs, the Mustangs’ season was not a failure. August recalls the team’s game against Santa Rosa Junior College as one of his highlights .

“My favorite game was against Santa Rosa when we played them at home,” said August.

“We were down six with 30 seconds left and we came back and won off a game-winning shot that I made.”

Before the loss to City College of San Francisco that ended the season the Mustangs won seven games in a row including the game against San Rosa that saw August hit the game-winning basket with just seconds remaining.

Winning their final six games of the regular season the Mustangs finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Big 8 Conference.

Freshman Dillon Autrey will return next season after averaging 14.7 points per game while sophomore Reilly Nabors averaged 10.4 points per game in his final season at Delta.

Travis August goes airborne to pass the ball during a playoff win against Los Medanos. PHOTO BY PAUL MUYSKENS

Assistant baseball coach Patrick Kelly retires after eight seasons at Delta

BY MADELYNN THOMAS

Patrick Kelly smiles during his retirement ceremony on February 8th.

Kelly decided to retire after a lengthy baseball career that started with him playing in the 1950s and finishing after eight seasons with the Mustangs.

Staff Writer

After eight seasons of baseball of Delta College assistant coach Patrick Kelly has decided to retire. He received a jersey at his last game on Feb. 8.

Kelly started playing sports in the 1950’s, played baseball all through college, and received both a baseball and basketball scholarship to the University of Colorado.

Kelly said he didn’t really get into coaching until his son, Ty Kelly who went on to play for the Los Vegas Aviators — was old enough to play Little League.

“I was watching and then they were basically being good Samaritans, they didn’t know what was going on they asked me to help them.”

Kelly would go on to volunteer as his son’s coach until his son started high school.

After his son graduated from St. Mary’s High School, the

COURTESY PHOTO

coach there asked him if he wanted to be part of their staff.

Kelly agreed and coached at St. Mary’s for five years.

Kelly continued on to coach at Delta for eight years and spoke fondly of Rex and Reed Peters, highlighting their kind

nature toward others. Rex is now a baseball coach for UCLA, Reed is the head baseball coach at Delta College.

“Reed and his brother Rex, are two amazing people. They are just the nicest guys, they are totally supportive of the play-

ers, the coaching staff. There’s a reason why they have so much success they’re just really good guys that treat people so well and so fairly.”

Kelly said he believes that Reed is one of the best coaches in the country, with kids from all over the world emailing the coaches for a chance to try out for the baseball team.

“He is so good that we will bring in kids that are really good players and they leave really good players with opportunities to play at four year schools or even professionally,” Kelly said.

Since the Mustangs did so well last season a good number of their freshman received scholarships from other schools. Last year they made it back to the state finals after capturing the state championship two seasons ago.

“So we were pretty much starting from scratch...a lot of kids come in from high school, they’ve never done fitness

training, biometrics, (etc).”

Despite this, Kelly was really impressed with the team’s improvement and thinks the team is going to do well this season.

Kelly said he always promoted positivity towards students to be the best they can be.

“I love when I see them come in as freshmen and when they leave as sophomores they are a totally different person,” he said. “They’re mature, they’re respectful, they understand work ethic.”

The Mustangs are currently 13-5 on the season and last week they had three pitchers combine to pitch a no-hitter for the first time in the career of head coach Reed Peters.

Kohl Drake, Nathen Morris, and Beau Peters combined to pitch the no-hitter as the Mustangs defeated Modesto Junior College 17-0.

8 NEWS 030620

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/news

Hydration station installation starts on campus

BY MADELYNN THOMAS Staff Writer

Staying hydrated as the temperature climbs will be a little easier at Delta College this spring thanks to the installation of hydration stations where students can refill water bottles easily.

“It’s convenient,” said student Mikayla Franco of the new fountains,

which allow a bottle to be held upright for easy fill.

Delta College has installed two stations so far, both in Danner.

The hydration stations are being installed by maintenance.

“It’s a place for the students to fill their water bottles,” said Mark Showers, maintenance manager.

The stations also help by eliminating the use of plastic water bottles,” he said.

Accreditation Team Leader Dr. Lori Bennett listens to members of the audience during a public forum on Tuesday, March 3.

PHOTO BY HANNAH WORKMAN

Accreditation team visits Delta

BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

From March 2-5, Delta College welcomed an evaluation team from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to campus.

The evaluation team is made up of several educational leaders from other community colleges, including Dr. Lori Bennett, the President of Clovis Community College, who is serving as team chair.

Bennett is no stranger to the accreditation process.

She has participated on a total of six accreditation site visits and this is her second stint leading an evaluation team.

“Team chairs are selected based on their expertise and accreditation experience, taking into consideration the mission, culture, and uniqueness of the institution,” Bennett said. “Team chairs generally have experience as a chief executive officer of an institution; others with senior level executive leadership experience may also chair.”

As team chair, Bennett has a wide range of responsibilities.

“The team chair is responsible for organizing the team, working with the college to ensure a smooth site visit, verifying that the evidence supports the narrative of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), noting areas that may have been inadequately recognized by the college itself, and preparing the peer review team report,” Bennett said.

Bennett, along with the rest of the evaluation team, arrived on campus for the site visit on Monday.

A welcome reception was held in DeRicco 275, which was attended by the evaluation team and numerous members of Delta’s administration including Dr. James Todd, vice president of Instruction and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), as well as Dr. Ginger Holden, dean of Student Learning and Assessment, Tina Akers, associate dean of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, and Suzanne Franco, executive administrative assistant in the Instruction and Planning Department.

Todd, Holden, Akers, and Franco are all a part of the Accreditation Core Writing Team.

After the welcome reception, the site visit began.

In addition to verifying that the evidence supports the narrative of the ISER, members of the evaluation team spoke to faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to gain a better understanding of the operations on Delta’s campus.

Public forums were also held in SCMA 161 on Monday and in the South Forum on Tuesday.

At these forums, members of the Delta community were welcomed to learn more about the administration of the college and to provide feedback about the needs of the campus.

An exit report was provided by the evaluation team with preliminary findings on Thursday. Around 50 people attended the brief session.

However, according to Bennett, “the final actions will bet decided and made public in June after the commission meets to review the evidence.”

One is near Delta’s main entrance, the other is across the restrooms in Danner Hall. They are still very new so not many students know about them yet.

Two more will be installed in the Forum and Administration buildings.

“The purpose of the hydration stations is to fill students water bottles and lessen the use of plastic bottles,” said Showers.

“I think they’re a good idea,” said student Kira Daniel.

In total, 10 hydration stations are planned to be set up around Delta, the cost of one hydration station usually is about $1,250 each.

The bookstore will have a sale on water bottles with the Delta logo for 20 percent off to fill at the new hydration stations. The sale runs through spring break.

COVID-19: Precautions taken on campus

vent stigmas associated with COVID-19.

"The risk of getting coronavirus is currentIn the meantime, Delta is taking steps to lowly low in the US, due in part to quick action er the risk of exposure. from health authorities. However, some people Disinfectant and hand sanitizer stations have are worried about the disease. Fear and anxibeen ordered and will be inety can lead to social stigma stalled at high traffic areas towards Chinese or other MORE INFORMATION around campus.

Asian-Americans.

Stigma Signs have been posted on More information about COVID-19 and discrimination can occur restroom mirrors across cam- may be found at: when people associate an inpus with hand washing tips.

• deltacollege.edu/coronavirus fectious disease with a popHand washing stations • bit.ly/coronavirusCDC ulation or nationality, even were set up in the quad on • bit.ly/coronavirusSJC though not everyone in that Thursday where proper techpopulation or from that reniques were demonstrated. gion is specifically at risk for “Public health officials the disease (for example, Chinese-Americans recommend washing your hands with soap and and other Asian-Americans living in the United water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching States)," the FAQ said. your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, Students should continue to attend classes and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unless they are sick. The risk, published inforsick,” said Delta College's FAQ. mation says, remains low at Delta College.

Health science students also passed out If you believe you have been exposed to handouts for proper hand washing during the COVID-19 or developed symptoms, contact Thursday Rock the Vote event in the quad. your primary care provider or San Joaquin The college is also urging staff to help educate County Public Health Clinical Services at 209students about communicable diseases to pre468-3411.

continued from PAGE 1

Conference supports 'Dreamers'

(Top) Art professor Mario Moreno paints butterflies on the sidewalk in front of Danner Hall with students during the Dream Conference.

(Bottom) Finished product in the walkway from Locke parking lot to the Atherton Auditorium.

PHOTOS BY JAELYN MORALES & MARIA ABUGARADE RAYO

BY JESSICA TORRES Staff Writer

"Dreamers" is the term used to describe undocumented youth who want the opportunity to pursue higher education and have dreams for a better future. The California Dream Act Application allows students intent on attending California Colleges or Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid.

On Feb. 29, Delta College held its annual Dream Conference in Atherton Auditorium for undocumented students and allies. The conference was hosted by the Dreamers Success Center and Office of Student Equity & Diversity. Around 60 people attended the conference.

“The conference was put together to particularly help undocumented status

students. To give them the tools to come to college and let them know that their undocumented college education is still possible and really just inspire them,” said Sergio Lara, a resource specialist at the Dreamers Success Center in Holt 201.

The conference started off with keynote speaker Maria Navarro sharing her personal story of being a Dreamer.

“I went through the education system as a dreamer and it was very lonely. I want to build that support for undocumented students because it’s important to have something solidified for the students. A place they can go to and know that it’s there at the center,” said Navarro.

In addition, there were workshops on E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p,

California Dream Act, California Nonresident Exemption Affidavit, and Know Your Rights. Lunch was also provided. During lunch more than 20 booths of different community organizations on resources both on and off campus were set up in Danner Hall “We feel it’s an opportunity to support our local community and provide them information around access to Delta college

and higher education admissions process financing and any relevant laws and policies that could support them on their educational paths. We feel it supports the mission of the college and the district,” said Edward Aguilar manager of Student Equity & Diversity Office in SCMA 341.

The goal is to provide a safe place where Dreamers can go to seek information and guidance.