Stockton Art Week presents Collide Fest
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The Collegian FEATURE, PAGE 5
Issue 4 • Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 •
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CAFFEINE ADDICTION NOW MORE COMMON BY HANNAH WORKMAN Staff Writer
As young people find themselves with more on their plate, Delta College students like second-year Lily Moreno turn to caffeine to provide them with the fuel needed to get through the day. Moreno began drinking coffee during her first year of college, when her workload started getting heavier. With many tasks to complete and little time to rest, Moreno found coffee energized her. “There’s only 24 hours in a day and there’s so many things we have to do,” she said. “I feel like students, myself included, do depend on caffeine.” According to a 2019 study published in ScienceDirect, caffeine, in any form, was consumed by 92 percent of students surveyed in the past year. Mayo Clinic reports that negative side effects of excessive caffeine consumption include, but are not limited to: migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, frequent urination, upset stomach, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. Moreno has experienced insomnia and the jitters after drinking coffee. Despite this, she doesn’t plan on cutting back as her need for caffeine outweighs the negative side effects she has experienced. “It’s like my go-to,” Moreno said. Like Moreno, second-year Jose Garcia starts most mornings with a cup of coffee from Danner Hall. Garcia, however, is adamant he doesn’t depend upon caffeine to boost his energy. “I only get coffee every morning out of habit,” he said. Unlike Moreno and Garcia, second-year Josiah Blevins recently made the decision to give up consuming caffeine on a daily basis. Blevins used to drink caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea when he had to stay up late to study, but now
Second-year Jose Garcia prepares his morning cup of coffee in Danner Hall. PHOTO BY HANNAH WORKMAN
only does so in moderation. “I gave up caffeine mostly because I’m trying not to ‘need’ to rely on it,” Blevins said. “I want to rely on myself to either get more sleep or study during the day.” Blevins said he thinks students consume an excessive amount of caffeine because it is “addictive”. “Caffeine is a drug,” he said. Unknown to some, caffeine is indeed defined as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. This causes increased alertness. Health experts have even compared Examples of daily caffeine intake by The Collegian. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY caffeine to cocaine. Both drugs raise the VIVIENNE AGUILAR levels of dopamine in the body. Caffeine dents who have developed a dependen- perspective of those students who benis also classified as a stimulant by the cy on caffeine. efit from caffeine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “I’ve never really found caffeine that “It’s great if it helps them, but it’s just as cocaine is. helpful to me personally,” De la Cruz said. important for them to moderate their Second-year Nicolas De la Cruz However, he could understand the usage, too,” he said. thinks it’s “unfortunate” there are stu-
Delta extends fairness to sexual assault victims, compared to other institutions BY YGRAINE MONTGOMERY Senior Staff Writer
On the evening of Oct. 9, a man exposed himself and made a rude comment to a female student in the Science and Math building. The incident was reported to the police, who started an investigation and sent an email notification to Delta College students and faculty. Police followed this up with a video clip of the perpetrator, asking for help identifying the individual. How much of a problem is sexual assault on campus? Every campus across the country must report their crime statistics in a federally mandated report called the Jeanne Clery disclosure of Campus Security Policies and Campus Crime Statistics Act. According to the Clery, Delta had one reported rape on-campus in 2018. There were no cases reported in 2016 and 2017. In 2016 there were three cases of forcible fondling; two cases in 2017, and two in 2018. There were no cases of rape or sexual assault reported during this period at the Manteca Farm campus,
the Mountain House camEvery federally-funded school pus, or the Galt Learning LEADS SOUGHT IN EXPOSURE CASE also has a Title IX Coordinator Center. to investigate the administraDelta College police are looking for infor“There is a perception that mation about a suspect in indecent exposure tive side of the incident. Delta College is an unsafe incident. On Oct. 9, campus police received a Title IX is a Federal law recampus. A lot of this is fu- call about a man exposing himself near the quiring schools to investigate eled by rumor,” said Sergeant Science and Math Building around 9:02 p.m. rape and sexual assault on any The suspect is described as a male in his Jim Bock at the Delta Police campus in the country. department. “Keep in mind 20s with dark complexion; possibly Hispanic, When a rape is reported, the there are people out there wearing a dark colored hoodie, jeans and a police will begin their investigathat will be victimized and black backpack with a colorful stripe. tion and then send a report to the According to Sgt. Jim Bock, there are no will not come forward; but school’s Title IX Coordinator. on the case but night patrols have infor the most part the vast updates The University of Michicreased. Bock encourages anyone who feels majority of the crimes on this unsafe to call campus police for an escort. gan (UMich) was recently in campus are disturbances bethe news because of how they Police have asked that anyone who know cause people don’t get along, anything about this case call (209) 954-5000. chose to implement their Title or petty theft issues. When it IX investigation. comes to serious crimes we An appeals court had given are statistically so far below even the two malls that are UMich the option of allowing lawyers to come in to across the street. Perception isn’t always reality.” cross-examine each witness to find the truth of a comWhen a rape or sexual assault happens on campus, plaint, or the less-preferable option of allowing the the police investigate the criminal side of the matter. See ASSAULT, page 2
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2 NEWS 102519
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Fair focuses on job, volunteer opportunities
Informational activities highlight week of action BY DAVID VICTOR Staff Writer
During the week of Oct. 14-18, Delta College and other community colleges throughout California engaged in the Undocumented Student Week of Action, a student-led campaign which raises awareness and provides resources and information to help support undocumented students. Delta College’s Dreamers Success Center in Holt 201 hosted webinars from Immigrants Rising, an organization which supports and empowers undocumented immigrants to achieve educational and career goals. Webinars on different topics streamed daily, including legal services, financial aid and emotional well-being. The panelists in each webinar encouraged students to visit the Immigrants Rising website at immigrantsrising. org for more resources and information.
LEGAL SERVICES
Students were able to look into a variety of on-campus jobs and volunteer opportunities during the CTE & Workforce Development job and volunteer fair. PHOTO BY SERENA MALDONADO
BY KAROLINA A. MOLINA Staff Writer
On Oct.17, Delta College CTE & Workforce Development hosted a Student Job and Volunteer Fair in Locke Lounge. The fair was created for students to be connected with staff and help guide them to job and volunteer options on campus. “I believe it will help more students be informed, it makes it easier for them. It’s important to help students get out of their circle and work professional jobs,” said student Cecilia Orajel. According to the Employment Development Department the unemployment rate in San Joaquin County on Sept. 2019 was 4.7 percent, 15,200 people unemployed.
Finding a job on campus is beneficial to students who struggle with transportation and work schedules being accommodated to fit school loads. As students, it’s hard to find jobs that understand the student workload and opportunities on campus can help with these issues. “I’m currently looking for a job, something on campus will be more flexible to my schedule,” said student Carmina Telles. Events like these benefit students and helps them find resources, to guide them to where they can apply for jobs. “A lot of students don’t always retain the information that is out there. This way they are able to meet us face to face in a welcoming manner,” said CalWORKS Instruction-
ASSAULT: Policies differ across schools continued from PAGE 1 accused rapist to cross-examine the victim. The university decided to go with the cheaper option. In a sexual misconduct proceeding, UMich would only allow cross-examination by the two parties involved - regardless of the trauma it could produce for a victim to be cross-examined by their attacker. “Questioning by personal advisors – often attorneys – is not allowed at U-M out of concern that not all students would be able to afford counsel,” University of Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said in an article by The College Fix, a non-profit organization of journalists. UMich sees about 20 reported rape and sexual assault claims per year. Hiring a lawyer can cost between $100 and $400 per hour in the U.S., and rape cases can take a long time to prepare and litigate. “I think that requiring direct cross-examination during a live hearing will discourage complainants from coming forward to report sexual misconduct to their colleges,” said Jennifer Boland, Title IX Coordinator at Delta College, in an email interview. “I explain rights and obligations to both the complainant and respondent,” said Boland. “In some cases, it may be agreed upon to resolve a complaint through an informal process. If this is not applicable, it is then assigned to an independent investigator who is not employed by the District to investigate. Both the complainant and the respondent may choose to be accompanied by an advisor of their choice, which may be an attorney. We do not have a live hearing in which the respondent may cross-examine the complainant or vice versa.”
al Support Assistant, Selena Mendoza. Many jobs and volunteer options on campus are meant to help ease students into the workforce; options include book store staff, food services, EOPS, DSPS, the ATTIC, tutors, and teacher”s assistant. “These jobs help build soft and hard skills, like showing up on time, being responsible, good communication, computer skills, and phone etiquette,” said Michelle Castanon, Delta College CTE and Workforce Development program manager. An array of jobs are available on campus to help students build resumes. Hiring is beginning now for the spring semester starting in January.
Students can get free immigration legal services and information on their immigration status in the center from immigration attorney BiSee full story on anca Duenas. DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET Although Duenas is already on Delta’s campus a few times a month, her office will move to the Dreamers Center as of Nov. 1 for consultations each week on Thursdays.
FINANCIAL AID
Director of Higher Education Nancy Jodailis spoke about financial aid for students and how they can apply regardless of immigration status. “Out of the 160 scholarships that they have available here for the students about five of them require U.S. citizenship,” said Marisol Hernandez, marketing and outreach specialist at Delta College. There are scholarship opportunities available for students regardless of citizenship status.
OVERCOMING FEAR
The panelists demonstrated in a presentation how undocumented immigrants avoid routine activities such as driving a car, speaking to school officials or going to public places. “It’s difficult because often times we see all the obstacles that are put into our life that we often times forget all the opportunities and resources that we have available,” said Luis Cisneros, an undocumented immigrants’ rights activist who visited Delta’s Dream Center during the event.
MYDELTA IMPLEMENTATION
Tensions among faculty over system roll into academic senate BY HARPREET SINGH Staff Writer
On Oct. 16 Delta College’s Academic Senate met in the Mustang Room to discuss Ethnic Studies being pushed as a General Education requirement, Open Enrollment cutoff, updating Student Learning Outcomes and moving forward from the MyDelta rollout. Most importantly, how to move forward with issues stemming from the continued MyDelta implementation. Academic Senate President Kathleen Bruce presented four options to the senate regarding possible courses of action to move forward. The most talked about option was to bring in consultants with a focus on shared governance to assess the situation and provide further action. Associate Professor Ricardo Aguilar made it clear that before moving forward, he would like to see a written statement from administration explaining what they have done wrong. “We need to see a list of things, in terms of what the administration think they did wrong ...we have here too many ‘Im sorry’s’ but what are people willing to do, from the administration side, to make it better?” he said. “I’m here for the faculty and students as well, I want to see a list of things before I vote on this. I need to know what it is that they are going to work on”. Art Professor Mario Moreno suggested tabling any action until the next semester, which was met with a response from a passionate Bruce who said she would resign her position if this waits another semester. “If we table this for the next semester, my last day will be the Dec. 2 meeting, and I will be done,” she said. “Because I can not lead anger, all we are right now is anger. I am not going to deal with another year of ‘I don’t know but there is just a lot of angry people’... I can not lead abstractions and vagueness.”
Modern Languages Department Chair Charlene Nunes also commented. “I think you need to continue that conversation until you have at least the anger subsiding, and people feel like there was some sort of resolution. If we table [actions] it’s just going to sit there and you don’t have any process for solutions for future issues as they come, so everybody will just do what they did for the ERP and we know that is a big disaster, to put it mildly.” Radio and Television Professor Adriana Brogger supported the idea. “To keep it internal is not enough, I think we have to bring in a consultant and look at everything that is on the table,” she said. The MyDelta rollout has hit faculty down to the point where some feel in need of self-healing. “If this organization is a family, it’s really hard for a family to be able to do major self healing just with themselves. As much as I hate the idea of spending money to bring in a consultant, a consultant is going to have that unbiased approach, kind of our therapist, where we can get the information that we really need... [and look at it with] less emotion and anger,” said First Vice President of the Academic Senate Dr. Josefina Gomez. Mathematics Professor Jason Broyles added his view, “I just don’t get what we are getting out of [bringing in consultants]. We are going to bring in an outside group to tell us what? We got hosed with a crappy program.” The motion to table action towards MyDelta was ultimately denied. “I would like to move forward because this thing has been festering for way too long,” said Second Vice President David Thomas., “We need to have a learning experience from this, it’s no different from me and my son, when somebody has done something wrong I go over it with him and we move on.” The Academic Senate will meet next on Nov. 6.
3 OPINION 102519
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Sexy Halloween costumes should not be a thing BY MAISY MACATO
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Senior Staff Writer
alloween is just around the corner, making people scramble for last minute costumes. Some costumes shouldn’t actually be considered costumes. I’m talking about the highly inappropriate or culturally-appropriating costumes. Nobody wants to see a white Pocahontas or a white gangster because it could be offensive to some, especially in this political and social climate. Dressing up as another race or ethnicity should definitely be a Halloween costume don’t. Celebrities like Julianne Hough doing blackface for a character from “Orange is the New Black” or Scott Disick as a sheik got backlash because it was disrespectful. What makes regular people who do the same thing any different? Just remember that the line is extremely thin between cultural appropriation and appreciation. Also why do women have only the options of “sexy” costumes like naughty school
girl or sexy versions of fictional characters like Leia from “Star Wars” or Disney princess? People’s professions shouldn’t be a costume because what makes it sexy? Cops, teachers, school girls or animals are not alluring in my personal opinion. I know we should consider that there are adult parties to wear these rated R costumes but it’s not like there are really a lot of Halloween parties here in Stockton. This generalization that women want these kind of costumes makes it harder for the women who just want a cute, conservative costume so they can be comfortable wearing it in public with their kids or just at their work. I personally found it difficult trying to find a costume that wasn’t so revealing with a reasonable price so I probably won’t be dressing up this year. I just hope the industry listens to women about what they want to wear, not what they think we want to wear. Let’s stick to typical Halloween costumes and avoid inappropriate costumes.
Working in retail can have its ups and down, depending on your experiences BY HANNAH WORKMAN
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Staff Writer
orking in retail f****ing sucks.” This is a statement I’ve heard numerous times from co-workers, friends and classmates. Heck, I’ve even said it myself on a particularly rough day. A 2013 study conducted by Manpower Group found that 74 percent of retail employees surveyed admitted to using a computer or phone to look for a new job while on the clock at their current job. There’s no denying that working in retail has its drawbacks. From messy customers to petty thieves, customer service jobs can often expose you to the worst sides of people. At times it’ll make you question: “What am I doing here?” I once picked up a pile of clothes in the fitting room with pee on them. I’ve been threatened after refusing to “return” a thief ’s stolen items. Two co-workers of mine even almost got ran over by a car when confronting a family who walked out of the store with bags full of clothes they didn’t pay for. Still, I can see the good that comes from this line of work. Throughout my year and a half of working in retail, I’ve learned a lot about the nature of people. When you’re servicing the public, the interactions you have with complete strangers will undoubtedly
surprise you. Some customers will view you as a punching bag. To others, you’ll be seen as a therapist. This will teach you how to have a listening ear and you’ll quickly learn how to respond to people in sticky situations. If you once lacked communication skills, you won’t have to worry anymore. I used to be quite shy and timid around people I wasn’t familiar with, but now it’s not too difficult for me to strike up a conversation with a brand new person. Working in retail has generally made me a more open person. I’ve also developed a certain respect for those who work in customer service. When I was younger and went shopping with my mother, I used to not think to pick an item up if I dropped it. I never understood why she got on my case about that. Now, you can bet I pick up every little thing I accidentally drop. I even find myself refolding shirts in stores that aren’t mine. I make sure to acknowledge each employee who greets me because I know how terrible it feels to put yourself out there, only to be shut down by customers who falsely believe they’re above you. A simple smile or “thank you” could go a long way in bettering an employee’s workday. Everyone should work in customer
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.
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ILLUSTRATION FROM FREEPIK.COM
service at least once in their life. It’s a humbling experience, one that teaches you how to be a more compassionate person, how to treat all people with respect and how to be a decent
EDITORS VIVIENNE AGUILAR Editor in Chief/News
AYAANA WILLIAMS Feature
MARIA ABUGARADE RAYO Opinion
AMIRAH AMENHOTEP
Entertainment/Social Media
PAUL MUYSKENS Sports
STAFF ZOEY CAMPBELL KACI KELLEY JEFF LEIVA ALEXZANDRE SALON MATTHEW MILLSAP KAROLINA A. MOLINA JASON ORTEGA HARPREET SINGH DAVID VICTOR HANNAH WORKMAN
human being. Who would have thought you could gain so many life skills from a retail job?
PHOTOJOURNALISM ALEXANDER APCAR SIDNEE GALLARDO NATHAN GILES STEPHANIE JIMENEZ ROBYN JONES SERENA MALDANADO JESSICA MOLANO JOSEPH PETHOUD COLIN WEIS
SENIOR STAFF YGRAINE MONTGOMERY JUSTINE CHAHAL MAISY MACATO
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4 OPINION 102519
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Dungeons & Dragons makes a comeback BY JUSTINE CHAHAL Senior Staff Writer
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here are lots of things people don’t necessarily understand: black holes, Calculus, and the plot of Donnie Darko. People also don’t really understand the allure of Dungeons & Dragons, but that’s changed over the years. It’s becoming a much more popular way to spend time. Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game created in the 1970s. It’s not a game involving exciting graphics, but instead dice and imagination. Originally, the game was seen as a nerdy hobby with extremely complicated rules. I even held the belief myself. However, my perspective, along with the perspective of others, has changed. “Media has definitely helped destigmatize D&D. Of course, things like Stranger Things has helped with that. People are realizing it’s not just for fat nerds playing in their mom’s basement,” says Dragon’s Den employee Tom Douglass. “People who aren’t necessarily hardcore nerds are playing it now.” Douglass has noticed a rise in popularity for the game, along with other tabletop games, over the past five or six years. Fantasy media has always been popular in novels, movies and video games. There’s an endless realm of possibility within the genre, but D&D takes this one step further by providing you a way to create an experience where you can do whatever you want in the spur of the moment. While I personally haven’t been playing the game for a long time, I have been enjoying every minute of it - which is a lot, considering how long sessions can take. I started playing about a year ago with some of my own friends, at first confused by all the rules and game mechanics. It was intimidating, but it’s much easier when you keep playing it.
It’s also fulfilling. My D&D group really enjoys the art and storytelling aspects of the game. When we play, we’re creating something collectively, collaborating and weaving a story together. There are lots of new forms of media popping up revolving around D&D. Streams of games like the “Critical Role” or podcasts like “The Adventure Zone” have become popular over the years because of how the overarching story is told through players, one entertaining for both long-time players and even people who have never touched a 20-sided dice in their life. D&D doesn’t have to be serious though. The real reason people play the game is to just have fun with friends. As many times as I’ve spent crying over a serious moment, I’ve had twice as many tears shed laughing at an unexpectedly hilarious moment. Each individual game (or campaign as it’s usually called) varies by group. Some are more dramatic, others comedic, some much more casual about the rules. D&D doesn’t even have to be confined to a fantasy setting. “There’s a diversity in the genre of the game, including things like sci-fi. It’s for everybody. And, you know, who doesn’t want to escape for a couple of hours?” said Douglass. This diversity has enabled more people to join in the fun. I get excited hearing people talk about their adventures with friends because, in the end, that’s what playing is about - making memories. I am grateful to be able to play because I believe my relationships have grown stronger as a result. D&D is on the rise and I think it will become more popular over time. I hope people who haven’t played yet get the opportunity. It may seem strange at first, but once you really get into it, there’s no other experience like it.
MUSTANG VOICE
Microwaves taking over the head chef position at most restaurants BY AMIRAH AMENHOTEP
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Entertainment Editor
anera Bread is under fire after an employee “exposed” how they make and assemble the restaurant’s popular mac and cheese
dish. The viral video posted on TikTok shows the food comes pre-packaged, frozen and is “cooked” in hot water, lastly, it’s cut open then served. Many are shocked when in reality, they shouldn’t be. When anyone chooses to go out to eat, the food often is not all cooked in house. The mac and cheese is just the tip of the iceberg. Popular food chains have premade everything, from soups to desserts. Unless it’s In-N-Out, it’s not fresh. If you’re looking for the freshest food, restaurant workers can sometimes give you hints. If it can’t be removed, it’s premade. If it’s a mass-ordered dessert, it can be guaranteed that the only reason there is a wait is because there is only one microwave. Other examples are if the menu is huge with tons of options, the food is probably premade. By the same logic, if you get your meal within a fast window on a busy night, it was likely pre-prepared. There isn’t a culinary chef making every single dish, a huge pot of soup or even that “fresh” cake, half the time it’s ran through an oven to warm. Even though that sounds inconvenient, having premade food does benefit everyone from cooks to expediters all the way to the guest waiting at the table. The less time it takes for food to be done, the quicker it can be consumed. “It does ease workload in the kitchen only because you don’t have to take the time to cook it. Especially if the item takes a long time. I feel it’s good at certain places and it depends what the food is,” said Culinary Delta student Kiarra Foster.
‘What would you do if you had more time and money?’
“I would study. I would focus on books and stuff I need.”
“I would paint more. I would also invest my money to help my family.”
Lafayette Hull Art
Jaelyn Morales Communications
“I’d get a laptop.”
Donald Wurliner Civil Engineering
“Spend more time with my family and go on a family vacation.”
Jessica Ochoa EMT
“I would take more classes that I want to take,. As for money, I would like to take trips to Disneyland or trips to Europe.”
Anali Ayala
5 FEATURE 102519
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Collide Fest celebrates Stockton Art Week
(Top left): A woman dressed as a butterfly spreads her wings and shows off bright colors. (Top Right): People line up for projects in the art tents. (Bottom left): A festival worker helps a child write her name at an art table. (Bottom middle): Sikh Gatka members perform martial arts. (Bottom right): A woman participates in an art contest. PHOTOS BY AYAANA WILLIAMS
BY AYAANA WILLIAMS Feature Editor
Vibrant colors reflected off a beautifully lit ofrenda, onto a woman on pegs in a butterfly costume, and onto the people of Stockton; displaying the city’s appreciation for local artistry. Celebrating art in its many forms, people in the community were brought together in honor of Stockton Arts Week. The annual Collide Festival took place on Oct. 19, with
people and families from all around the city gathering at the Weber Point Events Center to celebrate local artistry. This event was free to the public and featured live music, cultural performances, art and clothing vendors, local food trucks and art related activities for people of all ages. “I’ve been wanting to be a part of this,” said Patti Crowder, owner of Patti’s Junk Art. “We’ve had artist’s exhibits down at the county administrative building, art contests,
we’ve had demonstrations where a lot of us teach kids how to draw, paint or just make things out of nothing.” Crowder was just one of the many vendors selling her homemade art. Her station included pictures and jewelry made of recycled materials. Other vendors featured things such as homemade tiedye, scarves, backpacks, personal art and so much more. Multiple local bands and musicians performed on stage
throughout the night, playing covers and originals that the crowd could dance along to. Children and families were also lined up at the art tents for their turn at painting and sculpting activities and workshops. “I think it’s pretty cool,” said Jeremy Arnell. “We don’t get a lot of stuff like this very often and we can definitely use more art appreciation in this city.” This festival brought local art appreciation to life not
brown skin tones. There is even an option to have pierced frosting nipples. “I personally don’t have a direct effect with breast cancer in my family, but it’s one of those things where I could get it myself,” said Pubill. “I even found out that men get breast cancer, which I didn’t know before I did my research and became interested.” Half of the proceeds of each set of cupcakes sold are being donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to investing in research to prevent and cure breast cancer. “This isn’t just boobs, this is all about breast cancer awareness,” said Pubill. D’lilah’s Cakery opened in September of 2018 and has found great success so far in the baking local business.
“I feel like I get to reach out to people my age and talk and get the conversation going in the community,” said Pubill. At just 26 years old, Pubill is leading a thriving local business that inspires other young people with goals and potential to follow their dreams. “A lot of people think it’s inspiring that we’re around the same age and I have a business and I’m successful at that and that makes me feel good that I can inspire somebody,” said Pubill. “To be that light for somebody else feels so good and I wish I had people my age that I could have looked up to.” Visit dlilahscakery.com for more information on store location, hours, services and how to pre-order a couple of “Boobie Cupcakes” to support breast cancer awareness and a local business.
D’lilah’s Cakery owner D’lilah Vanessa Pubill displays her “Boobie Cupcakes” for breast cancer awareness month. PHOTOS BY AYAANA WILLIAMS
D’lilah’s Cakery raises money, awareness with boob cupcakes BY AYAANA WILLIAMS Feature Editor
Mindfulness is being spread in the breast way possible — with cupcakes! D’lilah’s Cakery is selling cupcakes decorated to look like female breasts in honor of breast cancer awareness for the entire month of October. “It’s a less serious take on raising awareness and a lot of young people tend to stray away from it because it’s such a deep and intense topic,” said owner D’lilah Vanessa Pubill. “I feel like this is a good way to raise money, involve the youth and get the conversation started.” These “Boobie Cupcakes” can be bought in store or pre-ordered online through the store’s website in pale ivory, medium brown and deep
only through its content, but through its vibrant decorations as well. String lights ran along the art tents, colored stage lights lit of trees as the night fell and a large ofrenda displayed neon lights, similar to that of the movie “Coco.” “It brings a lot of artists together,” said Crowder. “It shows that there’s a lot of good going on in Stockton, that there’s a lot of very creative people and we just need to be shown.”
6 ENTERTAINMENT 102519
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Te Fa’a No Te ‘Ori drums up a storm on campus BY MAISY MACATO Senior Staff Writer
The anticipation and excitement was high in the theatre awaiting their loved ones’ performances and wondering what place they will get. On Oct. 19, Mata’irea Polynesian Culture Preservation, a non-profit organization, hosted the Te Fa’a No Te ‘Ori solo and drumming competition in the Atherton Theatre. Mata’irea Polynesian Culture Preservation and Tamarii Matairea, a dance institution school, held this competition to raise awareness of Polynesian culture by connecting people through dance, music, customs, and beliefs. Competitors’ ages ranged from 5 to 50 showcasing their talent through cultural dances called the Tamahine and Tamaroa, divided into groups of advanced and beginner. The judges for this competition were Anthony “Coco” Tira of Ahutoru Nui, Terau Piritua of Ori I Tahiti and Alexandra Holman-Mervin of Pupu Ori Hei Tahiti. The drumming was intense and the dancers kept in beat while also noting when they should stop because the drummers would let out a yell signaling the end of their performances. The cheering wasn’t limited to just one dancer. The atmosphere was bright and fun even though it was a little early for some. The MCs Bigg John and Palepa Petaia contributed to that atmosphere by their comedic commentary to pump up the crowd of families. There were vendors outside during the event that sold jewelry, food, and clothes. The competition overall seemed to make everyone happy even if they won or lost: participants, judges, and the audience.
Various performers from the Te Fa’a No Te ’Ori and Drumming Competition. PHOTO BY BONES PETHOUD
Breakfast benefits students BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR Editor in Chief
As scholarship applications loom, students and community members can contribute to awards by enjoying a morning of food and art on campus. “We have expanded on a yearly basis. We have gotten bigger, more students are coming along you know they hear about it and they want to know more about applying, we encourage them to apply every year,” said La Raza Employees Association (LREA) Chair/Public Relations & Community Liaison Claudia Navarro. The annual Dia de los Muertos Scholarship Breakfast hosted by the LREA will be held on Nov. 1 in Danner Hall. More than 200 tickets have been sold so far, and there’s a chance more will be sold at the door. In previous years, however, the event sold out early. The breakfast features pozole, tamales, pan dulce, hot chocolate or coffee, according to fliers for the event. Servers are previous years’ scholarship winners and LREA members. The organization provides the drinks, but vendors supply the main dishes. “We make the purchase from different vendors … in the past we have had different vendors for every item,” said Navarro. Local vendors such as La Victoria Delicatessen in Stockton has and continues to provide items for the fundraiser. La Victoria’s owner, according to Navarro, “has had a relationship with the older generation of LREA members that we’ve had.” Delta alumni, Carlos Perez, “the one who drew the apple for Apple,” according to Navar-
ro, will be making a donation to the breakfast’s silent auction. The artwork will be displayed with a sheet of paper in front of each piece, where attendees write down bids. The $300 scholarship is usually awarded to 26 applicants. LREA sees more than 150 applicants in one year. Students can apply for the scholarship along with others through the Delta College website. “The scholarship does have a couple requirements, and they’re pretty basic: [be of ] Latin descent, they can be undocumented as well, 2.5 GPA, and two recommendation letters,” said Navarro. The five council members of LREA review the scholarship application, so those awarded vary depending on the reviewer. Navarro said all degrees and certificates are weighed equally between students, and the population of Delta’s students who are parents are kept in mind. LREA will bring back Ballet Folklorico de Frank Zapata, a dance performance, in Atherton that night at 7 p.m. Last year the organization was unable to schedule the dance team, but the fundraiser will return. “We do encourage the students … to become alumni members, and basically give back to other students who are in their place now, and we have had a few that have come back and want to join as an alumni member. That’s what really keeps it going,” said Navarro. The Dia de los Muertos Scholarship Breakfast runs from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Nov 1.
REVIEW
Scandal, manipulation, comedy and high school musical numbers all in Netflix’s ‘The Politician’ BY AMIRAH AMENHOTEP Entertainment Editor
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etflix has released another instant hit, “The Politician,” starring Ben Platt (“Pitch Perfect”), Zoey Dutch (“Beautiful Creatures”), Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange. The new original is about winning an election — but not a regular one. A high school student body election is the focus. The twist is that they are using tactics that opponents in an actual government election would use, with scandals and past behaviors brought to light. There is even an episode on how to acquire the school’s minority and swing vote. It also focuses on the main character Payton Hobart, an adopted senior who strives for nothing but perfection.
His whole life is planned out, from what college he is attending, to his future wife and his goal to be president of the United States. Along with his plan he has his childhood best friends, who double as his advisors — and his damage control. They make sure that nothing gets in the way of him winning this private school election. This includes having to do a background check on his running mate Infinity Jackson, a special ed student with leukemia who lives with her money-hungry grandmother, who has her past secrets as well and one that affects the election at hand. This show is a must watch for viewers who enjoy politics and high school drama — as well as for musical fans who know who Ben Platt is.
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The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/sports
Basketball season set to tip off at Delta BY PAUL MUYSKENS Sports Editor
While the weather outside starts to get colder, it’s been heating up inside the gym as the Delta women’s basketball team gets set to open up their season on Nov. 1, when they play host to the Jocelyn Mancebo Classic. “I feel like we have high expectations,” said long-time head coach Gina Johnson about the upcoming season. “We are coming off last year’s final four team. We didn’t win our conference championship but we had a great finish. We are returning seven sophomores along with a really good group of freshmen coming in.” Last season the Mustangs went 26-6 and were two wins away from a state championship but they will have a much different look this year as they will be without their top five leading scorers from last season. “We are missing a lot, but I
am so used to the community college level where we just have to rebuild every year that I guess in a way I don’t panic,” said Johnson as their top four leading scorers last season were sophomores and Trena Rathjen will miss this season with an injury after averaging 8.8 points per game as a freshman last season. “Our sophomores that are returning were in the mix they just weren’t playing a majority of the minutes.” After not playing her senior year in high school, Kendall Weary averaged six points per game as a freshman last season and Monet Brown averaged 5.2 points per game as the two will be the team’s leading scorers back from last year with coach Johnson excited to see what both will bring to the team this season. “We have two or three freshmen that I see playing a lot of minutes,” said Johnson about the new faces to the team this season. “I think they are one of
our top freshman classes. I’m excited and they will have a big impact on the success of the season.” Three of those freshmen are Donja Payne from East Union of Manteca, Sara Ruiz from Bear Creek of Stockton, and Alisha Jones from Beyer of Modesto. “Donja Payne is 6’2 and really raw and has lots of potential to get even better. She has great hands, is long, rebounds well, and has a good touch around the basket.” “Very competitive,” said Johnson when first asked about Sarah Ruiz who has been seeing a significant amount of time at the point guard position but will also be needed to score. “We really need her as a scorer so she will be off the point position a little bit because we love her ability to shoot the three. Great passing and probably one of the better passers I have seen come in as a freshman.” Joining the Mustangs
late was Jones who was the Modesto Bee player of the year during her senior year. “She brings a lot of scoring ability to the team but she is still learning,” said Johnson. “I think she is going to have a great season when she gets in the flow and we expect her to play a lot.” “I loved our team last year but we have more depth this year. I don’t feel like there is one player that can’t come off the bench and play.” With some of the top teams from around the state coming to play in the season-opening Jocelyn Mancebo Classic the Mustangs will get a good early season test to find out where they stand this season. “I’m challenging the girls,” said Johnson. “I’m challenging them here early in the season as we want to win the tournament and it will be difficult.” They will take the court for the first time this season at Blanchard Gym at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, when they will take on Merritt.
Kendall Weary dribbles the ball down the court during a game at home last season. PHOTO BY PAUL MUYSKENS
Fighting instinct drives life of Mustang’s Mendoza on, off the mat jiu-jitsu, and serving as a captain on his football team. He was hit again when school administration told him he wouldn’t graduate with a diploma and that he would never be enrolled in non-remedial classes. “He graduated with so many honors,” his mother said. “He graduated with multiple scholarships after being told he would not even get a diploma.” He was hit again this past year when his mother, who is always by his side, nearly died of heart failure due to malnourishment. She has nearly lived in the hospital for the past few months, making trips in and out frequently. She wears her current streak of seven days away from medical centers as a badge of pride. “She was struggling breathing and [couldn’t] get up, she almost died,” Ron said. “I don’t know what to do without her, I always pray to God to keep her safe, that’s all that matters.”
BY HARPREET SINGH Staff Writer
Ron Mendoza “came out fighting,” said his mother Connie. “He came out not breathing, he was sent to the ICU immediately.” The instinct to fight hasn’t left Ron, now 18. “Life always hit on me,” he said. Since then, all he has done is fight on the school playground, on the mat, in the octagon and within himself. Ron is currently a member of the school’s wrestling team in his first year at Delta College. All the while, he is relentlessly pursuing the title as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) World Champion. EARLY LESSONS Mendoza gets hit a lot, more so outside of wrestling competition. He was hit when he was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder, which makes it tough for one to make sense of the sounds surrounding them, and tough to focus on multiple things at once, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). He speaks in simple and direct terms. He was hit on his elementary school playground where he would be beaten by his classmates because of his fierce way with words. “I was so bad, and very mean to my family and others” Mendoza said. He would come home with bruises on his face and spirit. “He told me when he was 10 he wanted to stop getting beat up,” said Connie. She took him to train martial arts together at Nick Diaz Academy, and she attributes a martial artist’s humble virtues to be the spark that changed him for the better. “When he started training, he started learning discipline and how to calm himself,” his mother said. Though “He even choked me out! He made me pass out!” she said with a laugh. For Ron, training with Diaz has been “the biggest honor.” “I used to be the biggest fan of Nate [Diaz], now he is my coach. I always
Ron Mendoza wrestles in the final match of the dual meet against Sacramento City. PHOTO BY PAUL MUYSKENS
roll with him, and I am going to get him one day, but he kicks my butt,” said Ron. FATHER’S DEPORTATION AND REMOVAL FROM SCHOOL At the same age he was being smacked around at school, Mendoza was hit again when he learned that his father was deported to Mexico after being questioned by police while fishing. “I always love him no matter what, and I always contact him no matter what,” Mendoza said. Ron’s father lived a life of trouble in Southern California before turning things around and becoming an usher in his church. “My husband did a lot of bad things when he was young,” Connie said. “He was deported many times and would keep coming back. Eventually he got
his life together and fell off the radar criminally. One day [the police] caught him fishing and he didn’t have any ID, so [the police] took him to their station and all of his history came back.” Mendoza was taken out of school after his father was deported and did not return until he was 15. “He didn’t have school from [ages] 10-15, he just trained … living and breathing jiu-jitsu at that time,” Connie said. GLORIOUS RETURN TO SCHOOL His return was worrisome at first because his last memories of school were physical altercations, but he turned his second time around into something great. He was a versatile athlete and leader during his four years of high school, competing in swimming, wrestling,
TODAY Nowadays, everything Mendoza does is to better himself as a fighter. With his faith in God accompanying him, his ultimate goal is to have the title of World Champion in Mixed Martial Arts. He follows a strict diet in hopes to attain peak physical ability, which certainly shows in his figure. A few years ago he weighed in at 300 pounds, a weight he cut to as low as 198 pounds. As he climbs out of bed to begin his mornings, his mind is: “focused on grades, lifting weights, wrestling practice, jiu-jitsu.” He is planning on taking up cheerleading in the near future, which he views as another way to improve as an athlete. Cheerleading, for him, is to spend time improving his flexibility, which is important in jiu-jitsu, and is a way for him to get close to pretty girls. His uninterruptible focus on improving himself is something his mother says is a result of his Auditory Processing Disorder. It is said to be a disability, though she said “[APD] is good in this way, for what he wants to do, because he is so focused.”
8 NEWS 102519
The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/news
STOCKTON CAMPUS
OPEN HOUSE Wednesday
October 30 5:00 – 5:25 p.m.
Welcome Session 5:30 – 7:15 p.m.
Undergraduate Programs Offered at the Stockton Campus Bachelor Degrees •
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Academic Resource Fair & Campus Tours 612 East Magnolia Street Stockton, CA 95202
•
– Accounting Concentration – General Business Concentration – Management: Human Resources Concentration – Finance Concentration – Marketing Concentration Starting Fall 2020
Financial Aid & Admissions Workshops
Stockton Campus
Accelerated Degree Programs (UEE)* • • •
Integrated Programs** •
– Multiple Subject Credential (Bilingual Authorization Option)
•
– Relational and Organizational Track •
criminal justice (ba)
Law Enforcement Track
• •
**
– Communications Concentration – History Concentration – Exceptional Children and Youth •
– Developmental Psychology
• •
– Education Specialist Credential – Multiple Subject Credential (Bilingual Authorization Option) – Education Specialist Credential
RSVP:
csustan.edu/stockton * Denotes accelerated degree completion programs offered through University Extended Education (UEE). ** Liberal Studies is a CTC approved Subject Matter Waiver Program.