The Collegian - Published April 23, 2021

Tips to get ready for virtual graduation

Godzilla and King Kong face off in new flick

The Collegian Th ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 6

FEATURE, PAGE 5

Issue 11 • Friday, April 23, 2021 •

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Fundraiser secures $1 million promise

BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

Superintendent/President Dr. Omid Pourzanjani speaks about his experience as a community college student and why donating to the Delta College Foundation is important for students during the virtual fundraiser on April 22. SCREENSHOT BY HANNAH WORKMAN

In an effort to ensure students have access to basic necessities, the Delta College Foundation hosted its first virtual fundraiser on April 22.

The fundraiser, named “Delta Springing Forward,” was organized to raise money for scholarships, books, and transportation assistance for students, according to a news release from the institution.

In a recent survey of more than 1,000 Delta College students, 60 percent of students reported having trouble meeting one or more basic needs.

Forty-two percent of students reported experiencing food insecurity, while 31 percent ex-

perienced housing insecurity due to the pandemic and 18 percent were homeless.

The event, which was hosted

by San Joaquin County District 3 Supervisor Tom Patti and Professor of Digital Media Adriana Brogger, featured stories from past and present students, who highlighted how the institution has impacted their career and life.

John Pimentel, co-founder of Foundation Windpower, was one of the former students who shared testimony.

Pimentel attended Delta College from 1983 to 1985.

He went on to transfer to University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science

and later attended Harvard Business School.

“The whole experience really changed the way I thought about academics,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said he was an “okay” student in high school, but started to apply himself more and saw an improvement in his grades once he started attending Delta College.

“It really started clicking for me,” Pimentel said. “All of a sudden, possibilities started opening up for me that I didn’t really see before.”

Pimentel said his decision to transfer to Berkeley after obtaining his associate’s degree

See FUNDRAISER, page 8

IT’S OUR TURN

Vaccine appointments now open up to ages 16+

BY HANNAH WORKMAN News Editor

Delta College is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to students, made possible through a partnership with Community Medical Centers.

According to a campus-wide email sent on April 21, the first clinic, exclusively for students, will take place on April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dolores Huerta Plaza on campus.

“It’s a great chance for students to get their shots and help us end this pandemic,” Alex Breitler, Director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach said.

After the first clinic, clinics will be held regularly every Tuesday. In order to be vaccinated, students are required to register with Community Medical Centers and book an appointment.

Students register by filling out a Patient Registration and Consent Form.

The forms can be printed at home and

filled out in advance. Forms will also be available at the clinic.

After registering, students are able to schedule an appointment by calling Community Medical Centers at (209) 425-0007 during regular business hours.

Students who are currently under quarantine or have had another vaccine within the past 14 days are ineligible to schedule an appointment.

Those who are pregnant or immunocompromised should consult with their medical provider prior to booking an appointment.

Students who are eligible for an appointment are advised to bring their registration form to the clinic to speed up the check-in process and should expect to be at the clinic for an hour.

An appointment for the second shot will be made before students leave the clinic.

San Joaquin County has admin-

istered 410,698 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as of April 20, according to data from the California Department of Public Health.

A mass vaccination clinic opened at Stockton Arena on April 7.

The clinic is open to San Joaquin County residents and residents of surrounding counties.

All California residents aged 16 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines as of April 15, as announced

by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Individuals who are interested in getting vaccinated can find and schedule available appointments at MyTurn. ca.gov or call the COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255.

New variants threaten reopening plans vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemWhile vaccine roll-outs continue ic,” said California Health and Human into the summer months, new strains of Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly in an COVID-19 are popping up worldwide, April 6 news release from the state. “In posing an ongoing challenge. order to take the next step, we must conSan Joaquin County had 71,735 cases tinue to do our part to keep this momenof COVID-19 as of April 21, with 96.4 tum moving in the right direction, and percent of those cases now “recovered,” that means continuing to wear a mask according to the San Joaquin County and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets COVID-19 data dashboard at sjcphs.org. the vaccine.”

“California has made incredible progAs of April 15, all Californians aged 16 ress controlling the spread of COVID-19 and older are eligible for a vaccine. by staying home, masking, and getting Gov. Gavin Newsom has also said that

BY CHLOE GAMBLE Staff Writer

California could remove restrictions on June 15 if vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians who wish to be vaccinated; and if hospitalization rates are stable and low.

This news means that the economy

See VARIANTS, page 8

NEXT ISSUE: May 7 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY

2 OPINION 042321

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Bloom Graduation (even if it’s virtual) California planning a full reopening on June 15 (pending cases) Conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 Vacations that we’re about to go on to celebrate surviving a year in online education

Gloom

Stimulus checks for everyone In-N-Out Burger building and opening a location across the street from Delta College

Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine being “paused” for issues related to blood clotting

Delta College offering vaccines on campus to students

People who refuse to wear masks in public places that require them, and fighting with essential workers

Administration redesigning degrees and certificates to bring back the classic look

Virtual graduation, only because we still want to walk across the stage, shake hands, and have our moment An increase in mass shootings Dealing with traffic from In-N-Out at Yokuts and Pacific Avenues when the location opens later this year Summer-like weather when it’s only April Essential jobs where layoffs happened (service industry) opening back up at the end of the semester when we’re just trying to finish (we’re grateful, but it’s a lot right now) Seasonal allergies kicking our butts

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.

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

EDITORS

STAFF DANTE CAMACHO CAITLYNN COLEN CHLOE GAMBLE MATTHEW JANG ARIANNA JUAREZ NOAH VANDYKE

DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief/Feature

HANNAH WORKMAN News

ROBYN JONES Opinion

MULTIMEDIA TECH MATTHEW WILSON

ADVISER TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ Entertainment

DAVID VICTOR Sports

CONTACT US:

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 042321

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Student officer hopefuls take part in ASDC forum

BY ROBYN JONES

T

Screenshots from an election featuring the current candidates for the student government positions held by ASDC took place via Zoom on April 21. PHOTO BY ROBYN JONES

Opinion Editor

he Associated Students of Delta College is responsible for providing student input on college decisions that impacts student life on campus, such as the campus facilities, District policies and procedures, curriculum, student equity, and the district budget.

ASDC is also in charge of approving the distribution of funds that is collected through student activity fees to support clubs/organizations, campus events coordinated by the Student Activities office and ASDC programs and services.

On April 21, the current members of the ASDC held a candidates forum featuring students running for a student government position.

All current students of San Joaquin Delta College should participate in the 2021-2022 ASDC Elections on May 4 and 5.

Voting for the future ASDC members is important for the student life at SJDC. The positions these candidates are running for represent the campus as a whole.

Save the date and participate.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT MANDATORY

BY ROBYN JONES Opinion Editor

T

he saying “it’s easier to forget than to forgive” makes more sense now after experiencing life as an adult.

As a child we were taught from a young age that we need to forgive one another so that we can move on easier in life.

What’s confusing is, as we get older forgiving someone who’s cheated on you, betrayed you, seems more like a task.

What should be normalized is understanding that it’s OK not to forgive.

Safeera Sarjoo wrote an

article for Elite Daily, an online American news website, about how not forgiving makes you a stronger person.

In her article she mentions rape and assault victims are always forced into forgiving their abuser, because a person abuses their power by pressuring them to do so.

“Many people fail to realize that we all have our own ways of healing after being hurt or betrayed. While some people feel the need to forgive and let things go, others struggle to do so,” Sarjoo said.

Society has influenced us our entire lives. We were always taught that we have to forgive the other person, but how we

feel after the fact doesn’t matter because the situation should have been dropped at, “ I forgive you, it’s okay.”

Deborah Schurman-Kauflin Ph.D. wrote an article on Psychology Today, titled “Why You Don’t Always Have to Forgive.” ”The truth is that forgiving may be the worst thing you can do,” Schurman-Kauflin writes.

Being a victim of a life traumatizing event leads you into a slow grieving process where you may ask yourself “what do I do now?” Others may pressure you into forgiving the individual that has wronged you, because your issues are interfering with their personal

life.

In other words, what people need to understand is not everyone is ready to forgive, and if they’re not ready, they have the option to never forgive if that’s what helps them move on happily in life.

To me, having to forgive someone sounds like a mandatory chore that helps the other person feel better about themselves. When were kids whether it’s in elementary, middle school, or high school every level had a conflict manager or mascot.

In elementary we had Kelso the Frog. He taught us to forgive and then walk away.

In high school we had student

peer mediators. We had to talk to them about our problems with the person we are conflicting with and then we sign a contract stating that we won’t talk about the situation once we leave the room, or we would risk suspension.

It never made sense to me.

We were forced into forgiving and if we weren’t okay with that we were silenced from talking about the situation to the people we trusted.

Not forgiving someone does not make you a bad person.

Not forgiving someone shows the strength you have to not allow someone to manipulate or hurt you ever again.

It’s OK not to forgive.

Pre-existing health issues complicate vaccine To keep the vulnerable safe, healthier people who are able to get the vaccine, should

BY KENSEY COPE

A

Special to The Collegian

n announcement was delivered on March 25 by Gov. Gavin Newsom that COVID-19 vaccines will be available to the public ages 16 and up on April 15.

As a 17-year-old with a complicated medical history, I now have the option to receive the vaccine and build my immunity to the disease.

However, I have chosen not to get the vaccine.

I have recovered fully from aplastic anemia, which is bone marrow failure.

I couldn’t make blood cells because my bone marrow was damaged badly.

I got aplastic anemia because I started taking ethosuximide when I was 14, which was supposed to help my petit mal seizures, but it did more harm than good. With my hypochondria, I have a fear of getting COVID-19 and getting as sick as I did before.

There have been reports of people contracting acute thrombocytopenia, which is low platelets, one of the components of my once aplastic anemia. These reports have made me more wary of getting the vaccine.

This lockdown has been hard on me, but it has prevented me from contracting the virus. I wasn’t able to see my friends and family for a long time and I hardly got out of my house except if it was to go to the store with my mom or dad.

During this time, I decided to focus on some activities that I lost interest in such as drawing, video editing and gaming. I also focused on my mental and physical health to better myself.

Later in the lockdown, I got to see some family and a couple of friends. I still followed the rules of wearing a mask and 6 feet of distance whenever I saw anyone. I went on a trip during the summer because my parents and I thought it would be a good idea for us to get out of the house. We didn’t think it was healthy for us mentally to be cooped up in a house 24/7 with zero social interac-

tion except going out on a walk or to the store.

I am choosing not to get the vaccine because I do not want to take a chance on being that sick again.

I do not want my parents to have to wake up to another 2 a.m. phone call saying I need to be rushed to the emergency room immediately and go through weekly blood transfusions again.

The status of my health would not be determined whether someone gets vaccinated or not.

Of course, this does not mean I am completely off the hook from getting sick.

If the people around me got the vaccine because they felt a need to, then I would feel safer around them. I would be able to be around them more as well.

If more people got the vaccine, then things can progress more.

More stores can open, more schools can start in-person learning with full capacity, more at-risk people can feel safer, and soon, things can go back to normal before the COVID 19 pandemic.

For now, it is best to follow the rules, Vaccine wear your mask when needed, stay physically distant from others, and get the vaccine if you want to feel secure.

4 FEATURE 042321 COUNTDOWN TO VIRTUAL GRADUATION The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/feature

Here are ways to make online pomp and circumstance memorable

BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Editor in Chief

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken another in-person graduation from the students of Delta College. Stockton Arena, our traditional graduation location,

1

First things first, you need some good, quality snacks. We’re not talking popcorn and celery sticks.

It’s your graduation day — treat yourself.

Go out and get a whole fresh-baked loaf of French bread and splurge on some overpriced deli spinach dip. And most importantly, don’t share.

This is your day.

3 5 7

2 Okay, we know on any typical day 10 a.m. is a little early to start drinking. But what’s one mimosa when you’re at home alone all dressed up for a video camera?

Mimosas are technically brunch drinks aren’t they? Besides, how many Friday nights have you given up to study or finish assignments?

You deserve this one.

Cheers!

4

Invest in a speaker. Here’s your chance to create your own graduation day vibe. Make a beach day playlist and imagine you’re graduating by the ocean.

Put “Africa” by Toto on repeat and take yourself on a safari adventure. Being in a home setting, the choice is yours. Just keep your microphone on mute, please.

Walk your walk.

No, really. Why not walk across your living room like you’re waling across the stage when your name is called?

We doubt your dog is going to judge you. She’s probably seen you do stranger things.

8

is currently home to a mass vaccination site.

That means we’ll be celebrating Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates virtually on May 15 instead. Don’t let the online nature of the celebration get you down. Instead, use the next few weeks to celebrate your accomplishments and prepare.

Decorate your cap! Come on, we’ve been writing essays and taking exams all semester.

It’s time for some arts and crafts.

Make it as inspirational or as funny as you want it.

Just don’t forget to unplug the hot glue gun when you’re done using it.

Yes, it’s sad that our families and friends can’t all get together and watch us walk across the stage, but do you know who can share this special day with us who normally wouldn’t be able to?

Our pets!

Under normal circumstances you probably wouldn’t be able to bring Cocoa the cat to your graduation ceremony, but this is the year of all kinds of exceptions.

6

Get a plug-in, like an HDMI cable, to a device larger than your computer screen.

That way your family can see that photo you made your cousin take of you on campus in it’s best form.

9

Don’t ditch your cap and gown just because the commencement is online.

When you look good, you feel good. So dress your best.

Wear a Christmas sweater underneath your gown if it makes you happy. There are no rules.

10

A little party never hurt anybody.

If you’ve taken our advice so far, you’ve got the food and you’ve got the beats.

You’ve even got a celebration drink.

All you’re missing are the decorations.

Litter your living room with streamers and confetti.

Who’s gonna stop you?

The most important step: Attend the graduation!

It may not be what you imagined but with our guide and your own added flair, it can still be fun.

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‘PARK AND READ’ PROJECT PROVIDES ACCESS TO BOOKS

BY ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ Entertainment Editor

The Park and Read project, which gives donated books to communities in need, was started 6 years ago by Mickey Ditmore and her husband.

“The project impacts families in communities that may have limited access to resources. Through Park and Read, children of various ages have access to a wide variety of literature which in turn helps with reading comprehension and vocabulary expansion,” said Ditmore.

Ditmore was inspired by a public library she saw during a 2014 trip to New York City with her husband. The library “had taken carts of books and placed them outside in Bryant Park where children were playing,” she said.

“It made so much sense to me! It inspired me to create this program in Lodi with a focus on communities that are often overlooked,” Ditmore said.

Ditmore also worked at the Lodi Public Library at the time, which gave her easy access to books the library was getting rid of. It seemed like a great way to not let the books go to waste.

Before the pandemic, Ditmore had a set routine of how she got the books into the hands of children which involved her being able to interact with the kids.

Mickey Ditmore parked her book cart in front of her house after the pandemic restrictions prevented her from gathering in parks. PHOTO

BY ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ

“Pre-COVID, I would take my cart of books out to parks and invite kids to take as many as they’d like. Often times they’d stay close by and read their new (to them) books, and we’d end up talking about the book or having an impromptu

story time. It was a lot of fun to interact with the kids and talk about literature,” said Ditmore.

As much as everything else this changed after the pandemic, she could no longer interact with the kids as she did before and had to come up with new

ways of getting the books out to them.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have not done a park gathering and I have missed it tremendously. Instead, I have parked my cart in front of my house and posted in local Facebook groups for families to come check out the little book cart,” said Ditmore.

She has also been able to find partnerships during the pandemic through a Facebook group she is a part of, some of which have led to increased donations.

Ditmore and her husband’s Park and Read project is currently partnered with the Lodi and Galt Starbucks.

“The Starbucks partnership is fantastic! I am in a few local Facebook groups with a lot of great local folks, and it just so happened the person that manages all of the Lodi and Galt Starbucks stores saw the Migrant Center library project and wanted to get involved,” she said.

The new partnership is set to last through the month of April and Starbuck customers can leave their book donations in the donations basket. This partnership has gained traction and recognition for the Park and Read project, as more and more people see the basket and are compelled to donate themselves.

The project has done well through the partnership as Ditmore has picked up book donations recently at a Star-

bucks in Lodi and she says the donations made were able to fill up her trunk with about 100 books.

As for any previous partnerships the Park and Read project has remained busy before and during the pandemic. One partnership that was very important and close to the heart of Ditmore took place just last month.

“Last month we partnered with a local Girl Scout Troop and Changing Faces Theater Company to build, paint, stock, and erect a free little library at the Harney Lane Migrant Center,” Ditmore said.

She also described this project as a “personal passion” as she is the daughter of immigrants herself, she felt very grateful to be able to give back to this particular community.

Now people looking to donate their books can drop them off in the little library at the migrant center.

“Our goal is to continue to work to expand literacy by making books more accessible and finding ways to make reading exciting,” Mickey said. “We are getting ready to start building another little library to place on the East Side of Lodi this summer. I am hopeful that we will be able to start gathering in parks again soon and we look forward to our continued community partnerships.”

For more information on how and where to donate children’s books visit @parkandreadlodi on Instagram.

NorCal Reptile Expo resumes after pandemic-caused break

BY NOAH VANDYKE Staff Writer

The NorCal Reptile Expo hosted its first show since 2019 this past weekend at the Lodi California Grape Festival grounds.

The expo was hosted at the grounds on April 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Ticket prices for entry were $10 for adults, $7 for ages 4-12, and free for anyone under the age of 3.

The expo featured more than 30 reptile vendors from across the northern valley area and even a few from Southern California and other regions of the state.

Specialized reptile breeders as well as reptile-themed novelty item vendors were exhibited at the event.

Attendees could also get up close and personal with some of the animals, as some of the vendors had reptiles available for petting, holding, and taking pictures.

The expo also featured shows where the audience got a close-up view of a variety of reptiles as well as other animals.

One show featured venomous snakes including a cobra, a water moccasin and a rattlesnake.

The show was hosted by Loma Linda University instructor and researcher Carl Person.

Person and his assistant displayed the snakes and explained the differences in their venom’s potency.

Person demonstrated to the audience how quickly a cobra can strike by taunting it with a blown up balloon.

The cobra popped the balloon within seconds.

Safari Encounters is a nonprofit organization that hosts educational and interactive shows featuring their exotic animals.

Brandi Blue is the owner of Safari encounters, and hosted one of the other shows at the expo.

She introduced to the audience an alligator, a snapping turtle, a lemur and a sloth.

While not all of the animals Blue showed were reptiles, they were certainly exotic.

Robert Prado is the owner of Maverick Pythons, a ball python breeding business. Prado was a vendor at the

Sunday at the expo had a lower attendance than Saturday, allowing for comfortable social distancing. PHOTOS BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS

event.

Prado said that Saturday was a busier day for him than Sunday.

Prado said that at one point on Saturday he had 6 people at his booth at a

time wanting to ask questions or make a purchase.

Sunday was a much more relaxed day and vendors had more time to engage with their customers.

From left: Jerry Sickler from J & S Reptiles company displays one of his Ball Phytons as customers look at a collection of reptile skin and bones. Robert Prado from Maverick Phytons holds a morph. Carl Person demonstrates how fast a cobra can move. Brandi Blue of Safari Encounters holds a sloth who loves blueberries.

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The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/entertainment

ASIAN REPRESENTATION GROWS IN HOLLYWOOD

BY MATTHEW JANG Staff Writer

I

n a time when diversity in American media is being talked about more than ever, one group that has been starting to make its way into the spotlight is the Asian community.

In past years an Asian character in a Western movie was perceived very differently than in a movie that would be made in an Asian country like Korea, China or Japan. In American movies they are very often a comedic role like a Ken Jeong where the joke is on him, the Kung Fu master like Bruce Lee, or somewhere in between like Jackie Chan with not a ton of wiggle room outside those roles. But in the past few years Asian actors, directors, and writers are starting to come into the American mainstream as more well rounded and not forced into any one role.

The most recent example is the movie “Minari” headlined by Youn Yuh-jung, actor Steven Yeun and directed and written by Lee Isaac Chung —all of whom were either winners or nominees at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Oscars.

“Minari” is a 2020 American drama and semi-autobiographical take on Chung’s upbringing. The plot follows a family of South Korean immigrants who try to make it in the rural United States during the 1980s.

Youn, a Korean actress, became the first Asian winner of an individual SAG Award in a motion picture category by winning the best female actor in a supporting role.

Not only did she make history during the SAG, but she also became the first South Korean actress nominated in the Oscar’s Best Supporting Actress category.

“I don’t know how to describe my feelings. I’m being recognized by Westerners,” said Youn during her acceptance speech at the SAG awards.

The leading actor Steven Yuen also made history by becoming the first Asian American actor to ever

be nominated for best actor at the Oscars.

Seven other members of the film’s cast were nominated for the SAG Award Nominations 2021 award, Outstanding Performance By a Cast In A Motion Picture, including “Minari” -Best Picture Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Scott Haze, and Will Patton.

Lee Isaac Chung - Best Director (“Minari”) “Minari” was not the only project to make waves this year.

Steven Yeun - Best Actor in a Leading Role Chloé Zhao made history by becoming the first Asian woman and Youn Yuh-jung - Best Supporting Actress woman of color to be nominated for Best Director at the Oscars for her Chloe Zhao - Best Director (“Nomadland”) movie “Nomadland,” which is also nominated for best picture at the Oscars.

Zhao is also up for Best Film Editing which makes her the first woman to ever receive four Oscar nominations in a single year.

“I think it would mean more to other people than it would to me,” said Zhao. “I just love telling stories, I really do.”

This big 2020 is just a follow-up to the previous year as well. The film “Parasite” became the first Asian film and first foreign language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Bong IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK Joon-ho also became the first South in strong as is shown through the many awards that Korean director to be nominated and they are starting to accumulate. win for Best Director and along with Han Jin-won The days where an Asian character is stuck as the to be nominated and win any screenwriting Oscar for “karate guy” or the butt of a joke that comes off as the movie. racially insensitive are starting to go by the wayside.

While many of the actors, actresses, directors and Directors like Chloé Zhao and actors like Steven writers may seem new here in America they have Yuen are creating a new image for Asians in Hollybeen around for years in their respective countries. wood that proves you don’t have to be Bruce Lee or Recently they have started to break through to Hollywood’s big screen and that representation is coming Jackie Chan to make it.

‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ showcases battle of two storied beasts

BY ESPERANZA HERNANDEZ-MUNOZ

O

Entertainment Editor

ne of the newest blockbuster films of 2021, “Godzilla vs.

Kong” was released on March 31 on HBO Max and in select theaters.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater release is limited, much like everything else movie releases have had to be adjusted.

The sci-fi action film makes for a good movie and somewhat of an easy watch for a typical movie night.

The origin of the rivalry between Godzilla and Kong was not fully explained. Although it was referenced multiple times and simply described as an ancient rivalry. At times it is attributed to there only being able to be one alpha.

One stand-out scene is the opening, which is a stark contrast to most of the film except for the final scene making it a full circle moment. Scenically beautiful and full of a sense of peace and home, the opening scene evokes something that is not felt until the finale, because the film is constantly moving.

After the opening scene there are fast cuts of clips and images that are meant to sum up the backgrounds of Godzilla and Kong. One big takeaway is that they have eliminated every other beast leaving the two of them, but there isn’t enough there that fully addresses their rivalry.

Some confusion is added by the two different storylines that collide at different points in the film.

On one side, there is the story of Godzilla, in which half of the characters are trying to discover the reason behind Godzilla’s recent attack on the technology and intelligence company Apex as they believe something had provoked him.

On the other side, we have Team Kong. Their main objective is to find Hollow Earth, an ecosystem close to the center of the planet, without being detected by Godzilla as they believe Hollow Earth could be the home of the beasts. This would be a good home

for Kong as the isolation dome from the opening scene that was meant to keep Kong safe from Godzilla coming after him would not hold him for much longer.

The film also lacks character development; all the audience knows is the limited background given by the characters as well as the assumptions the viewer can make along the way. This makes it clear that the limited information we know about the characters is due to their dialogue being focused on Godzilla and Kong.

The film is nothing out of this world, but it does not disappoint. The battles between Godzilla and Kong are really well done and some of the best parts of the film. The confrontations between the two are action-packed and everything action movie lovers would want. The audience is taken around large cities such as Hong Kong to witness the destruction left behind by the two’s confrontations.

The CGI work was another highlight as they were able to beautifully bring Godzilla and Kong to life as well as a majestic vision of Hollow Earth as an ancient home for the beasts and as a majestic, nature-filled world.

All the actors do a tremendous job,

PHOTOS COURTESY EPK.TV

but the absolute breakthrough star of the film is Kaylee Hottle, who plays Jia, an orphaned child who is deaf. Hottle, who is also deaf, is fantastic in her film debut.

Hottle is one of the best things in the film through her character’s connection with Kong. She creates an emotional arc and connection not only with Kong but with the audience throughout the film.

The film’s resolution leaves viewers

content because the film essentially settles the argument of Godzilla vs. Kong while leaving both beasts with a positive resolution.

Through revealing enemies in common both beasts were able to see they had more in common than they thought.

Action lovers will be left more than satisfied with multiple epic battles between the two beasts.

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DELTA CANCELS PARTICIPATION IN SPRING II

BY DAVID VICTOR Sports Editor

While Delta’s sports teams have returned to campus for practice, the Mustangs will not participate in the California Community College Athletic Association’s (CCCAA) Spring II following the athletic department’s decision to opt out of official competition on April 19.

Swimming and diving, track and field, men’s golf and beach volleyball are the sports left without a competitive season this spring, while baseball and softball will be limited to participating in scrimmages.

As one of Delta’s athletic representatives to the Big 8 Conference, baseball head coach Reed Peters affirms his team will not have a season this year.

“We won’t be playing,” said baseball head coach Reed Peters.

While other schools were able to prepare early for the Spring II season and begin competing on April 10, Delta is only a few weeks into its return to campus for teams to start practicing as San Joaquin County moved out of the purple tier on April 6.

After opting out of Spring I in December 2020, Delta’s athletics department made the decision to opt in for Spring II on Feb. 26 seeking to give student-athletes a chance to par-

Members of the softball team during an on-campus practice on April 21. Delta has opted to not participated in the Spring II season, which means no official competition for the year. PHOTO BY DAVID VICTOR

ticipate in intercollegiate competition after a year of inactivity.

However, Delta later decided to opt back out as COVID-19 infection rates remained high enough to prevent the county from moving out of the purple tier sooner.

This reduced Delta’s possibilities for Spring II competition as it delayed the return to campus for student-athletes.

“The move from the purple tier to the red tier has slowed our options in regards to our overall return,” said Director

of Athletics Tony Espinoza.

The initial return for training on campus is limited in terms of how much athletes can practice during the week as teams only have the option of practicing either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Moving out of the purple tier only allowed us to gradually start practicing. Twice a week this week, three times next week and four times the following week,” said Peters.

Other counties such as

Sacramento and Stanislaus moved out of the purple tier earlier, allowing other schools in the Big 8 Conference including Cosumnes River, Sacramento City and Modesto Junior College to prepare for the season sooner and participate in intercollegiate competition. San Joaquin County is one of the last counties in the state to move out of the purple tier, negatively impacting the chances for the athletics department to make a sooner return and prepare for the

season.

Although athletes won’t be able to participate in official CCCAA competition, scrimmages will still provide opportunities for softball and baseball players to increase their chances of committing to a four-year program. In an effort to help more athletes get signed, the CCCAA has waived Bylaw 3.3.2.A of its constitution to allow sports teams which have opted out of the organization’s contingency plan to keep and share scrimmage statistics for recruitment purposes.

Delta is seeking to get closer to a full-scale return in the coming weeks.

As more student-athletes get cleared to practice on campus, the athletics department is focused on allowing the teams to have more practice sessions.

“If things continue to run smoothly, we hope to increase the number of days and hours we are working out on campus,” said Espinoza.

In regards to non-official competition, Delta’s athletic director said teams could start participating in scrimmages next month with other teams that have opted out of the season.

“We are working with other ‘limited period’ schools and trying to finalize some scrimmages for early May,” said Espinoza.

Mustangs alumni excel during COVID-19 pandemic

BY DAVID VICTOR Sports Editor

While current student-athletes at Delta have been left with no competition for more than a year, alumni have been able to put on noteworthy performances during the pandemic.

Student-athletes committing to higher education institutions after the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons have been able to overcome the challenges of living in a pandemic and thrive in

competition.

Among those alumni is former Mustangs women’s basketball player Peiton Demps, who committed to Adams State University in 2019 after leading the team in steals during both her freshman and sophomore years.

Now in her senior year, Demps was awarded honors from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) on March 15 for her performance on the court and academic achievement.

Former Delta track and field athletes Jalin Wiggins and Dion Collier have seen action as well.

Wiggins participated in the Webber University Warrior Invitational for Keiser University on Jan. 16 in Florida, where he had the second longest jump of the meet.

Collier took part in the Friends University invite in Wichita, Kan., for Langston University on Jan. 23, where he placed fifth in the 60 meter dash with 6.98 seconds. He also

placed sixth in the 4x400 meter relay race.

Delta alumni have also made their presence felt on the professional level.

Former Mustangs pitcher Dean Kremer made his Major League Baseball debut with the Baltimore Orioles in September of 2020, pitching a one-hitter against the New York Yankees.

Kremer was also the first Israeli-American to play in MLB.

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Trustees back state bill to expand degree offerings

BY DANTE CAMACHO Staff Writer

On April 6 the Delta College board of trustees passed a resolution in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 927, which, if made law, would extend and expand the community college baccalaureate pilot program.

In 2014, Senate Bill (SB) 850 was signed into law authorizing the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to select 15 community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees. Those colleges were selected in 2015 following an application period.

Delta applied for the pilot program with plans to offer an Electron Microscopy degree, according to a Jan. 20, 2015, presentation given to the board of trustees by then-Vice President of Instruction Dr. Matt Wetstein. Electron Microscopy was chosen at the time because of its distinc-

SB850 PILOT DEGREES These California community colleges were selected to offer bachelor’s degrees under SB850, passed in 2014: • • • • • • • • •

Antelope Valley: Airframe Manufacturing Technology Bakersfield: Industrial Automation Cypress: Mortuary Science Feather River: Equine and Ranch Management Foothill: Dental Hygiene MiraCosta: Biomanufacturing Modesto: Respiratory Care Rio Hondo: Automotive Technology San Diego Mesa: Health Information

tiveness, according to the presentation.

Ultimately, Delta was not selected for the program. Modesto Junior College was the closest community college chosen to offer a bachelor’s degree, in respiratory care.

SB 850 was designed as a pilot pro-

• • • • • •

Management Santa Ana: Occupational Studies Santa Monica: Interaction Design Shasta: Health Information Management Skyline: Respiratory Care Solano: Biomanufacturing West Los Angeles: Dental Hygiene — California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

gram, and is due to expire in 2026. AB 927 would remove the expiration date on the program and allow for additional schools to begin offering bachelor’s degrees.

In their letter of support, the Delta board of trustees cites the high demand

for bachelor’s degrees, the high cost of university and low average income of San Joaquin county residents as reasons for supporting the passage of AB 927.

“The passage of this bill is especially significant for our community members in San Joaquin County,” read the letter.

It is unclear what bachelor’s degree Delta College would offer, but community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees cannot duplicate programs already offered by UCs or CSUs under the provisions of both SB 850 and AB 927.

AB 927 is sponsored in the State Assembly by Jose Medina of district 61, representing Riverside and Moreno Valley in Southern California.

The Riverside community college district serving Medina’s constituents consists of three schools: Riverside, Moreno, and Norco colleges. None of these schools are included in the 15 authorized to run bachelor’s programs under SB 850.

Delta Drama gears up for another virtual production ting to know her sister, whom she feels she never got to truly On April 30, Delta Drama know since she lost her life at will begin its all-virtual perfor- such a young age.

The show begins running on mance of “She Kills Monsters.”

April 30. Students can request “Delta Drama is still funcaccess for a free ticket at deltioning, we are still working, and we are still offering oppor- tadrama.com. Once the ticket tunities to perform,” said Pro- is accessed, students have 24 fessor Greg Foro, director of hours to watch the production.

Rehearsals for this play took Delta Drama’s latest play.

This will be the third virtual place entirely via Zoom, with performance the drama depart- Delta drama students making ment has put on this semester. do at home as the COVID-19 This production tells the sto- pandemic continues to limit ry of a high school student who in-person rehearsals.

“People are setting up studios grapples with the tragic loss of her in their homes,” said Foro. “We younger sister in a car accident. provide materials such as green The protagonist discovers that her younger sister wrote a screens and microphones, and in campaign for the role-playing some cases computers or camergame “Dungeons and Drag- as to students so they can set up ons” before her death. The play a home studio, and we rehearse takes us along as she plays out and perform remotely that way.”

If the state of California rethe campaign as a way of getopens its entire economy and

BY ARIANNA JUAREZ Staff Writer

lifts most COVID restrictions on June 15, like Gov. Gavin Newsom announced it would on April 6, the uncertainty over what the fall semester will look like for Delta Drama will certainly remain.

“We don’t know yet how this is all gonna pan out,” said Foro when asked about his department’s plans for potentially holding in-person performances in the ’21-’22 academic year.

“We are batting around ideas of doing an outdoor production, in which case, we could have a live audience.”

One difficulty around choosing a path to follow is the lingering uncertainty over what changes might be made to safety guidelines.

“In some ways just knowing one way or the other would make things easier,” Foro said.

Elsewhere in Stockton, en-

tertainment venues are beginning to release information and promote new bookings for future performances and shows.

The popular regional Mexican music group Grupo MS is slated to be headliners for a show at the Stockton Arena on Nov. 20.

Stockton’s Bob Hope Theatre has begun adding performers to its calendar. Comedian Jeff Dunham is slated to perform at the landmark theater on Dec. 2.

Details about how these events would stay within CDC safety guidelines were not immediately available.

Similarly, the Haggin Museum in the Victory Park neighborhood of Stockton reopened to the public on April 14 with limited capacity.

Even though the museum is open, things aren’t quite back to the normal schedule.

“We do not anticipate hold-

ing many of our regular events or programs nor hosting our late-night 1st & 3rd Thursday evening hours when we initially reopen,” read a statement on the museum’s website.

According to the California Public Health Department’s website, restrictions could be loosened if two specific criteria are met.

As long as the vaccine supply in California remains sufficient for everyone over the age of 16 who wants it, and the “burden of disease” is consistently low, we can expect more entertainment opportunities to spring up in Stockton soon.

According to the CDPH, the “burden of disease” would be classified as “low” as long as “hospitalizations are stable and low, and specifically, hospitalizations among fully vaccinated individuals are low.”

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VARIANTS: Danger in new strains even as vaccines roll out

changed the trajectory of his life.

“If it hadn’t been for Delta, I wouldn’t have been able to make that step, which then enabled an interesting career at a young age,” Pimentel said. “Had I not taken the plunge at Delta, none of those other things would have been possible for me.”

Sukhjanvir Grewal is currently in her first year at Delta College and hopes to transfer Professor of Digital Media Adriana Brogger speaks during the April to University of California, Davis after earning her asso- 22 virtual fundraiser. SCREENSHOT BY HANNAH WORKMAN ciate’s degree in psychology.

“My reasons for going to Delta are just that desire to support our students.”

The biggest donation of the night was givit’s closer, it’s really convenient so I was able en

by Michael Sandhu, a Tracy farmer. to stay at home and continue helping my little Sandhu has committed to $10,000 a month, or sister,” Grewal said. “It’s also more affordable $120,000 a year, for scholarships up to $1 million. than attending a university straight away.”

“We as a family would like to assist students Grewal said the institution offers flexible achieve their long-term goals,” Sandhu said in a course options, allowing her to work a partstatement.

“We understand that for a gifted stutime job while attending college. She also dent coming from a poor background, accessing likes the faculty. higher education could seem impossible.”

“I can’t even begin to explain how amazing Sandhu said he struggled to pay his way and helpful my professors have been,” Grewal through college, working two jobs during the said. “I have been able to reach out to them in day while attending night school. any time of need and ask them any questions “We feel no one should have their education I might have.” limited due to lack of household income,” SandThe Delta College Foundation’s goal was to hu said.

“With the cost of education rising yearly, raise $500,000 or more. we are hoping these scholarships can be of masPatti said the foundation’s donors come sive help to students pursuing their passion while from “all across our community.” minimizing their student debts.” “[They] give generously, according to their Those who are interested in donating to the abilities,” Patti said. “We appreciate all gifts, Delta College Foundation can find more inknowing that they were given with love and formation at deltacollege.edu/ways-donate.

and other businesses might be able to open up for the summer.

However, new strains of the COVID-19 virus are now popping up around the country, putting potential openings in jeopardy.

Variants have been found as close as San Francisco.

“We have detected variants of concern in the San Francisco Bay Area, some of which have been reported to spread more easily and quickly from person to person,” the San Francisco Public Health Division reports on its COVID-19 website. “We don’t yet know exactly how these variants will impact vaccine effectiveness, although we are reassured by clinical trial and real world data that they will still work as intended.”

As people are questioning what is in the vaccine and how safe it is, precautions have been put in place.

“To ensure the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other subject matter experts. The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership and vaccine planning efforts as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts,” according to the state Department of Health.

The Johnson & Johnson single shot has been “paused” by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control pending review related to blood clotting risk. It was the third vaccine given emergency approval by the FDA. “Of more than 6.8 million doses administered nationally, there have been six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot with symptoms occurring 6 to 13 days after vaccination,” the state department of health reported.

The CDPH said that “if you have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination, contact your healthcare provider, or seek medical care.”

FUNDRAISER: Goal was set at $500,000

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