The Collegian -- Published Dec. 7, 2018

‘Thank u, next’ inspires change

Stockton gym keeps boxing dreams alive

Air quality prompts class cancellations

OPINION, PAGE 3

FEATURE, PAGE 4

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The Collegian Issue 6 • Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 •

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CLOSURES CAUSE UPSET

Student progress thwarted by five days of campus shutdowns BYJASMINE GONZALES Entertainment Editor

Classes on Wednesday, Dec. 5 were canceled for a national day of mourning.

The proclamation came from President Donald J. Trump, the day after the death of President George H.W. Bush Nov. 30.

“President Bush led a great American life, one that combined and personified two of our Nation’s greatest virtues: an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to public service. Our country will greatly miss his inspiring example,” said Trump in his official proclamation issued Dec. 1.

The order shutdown parts of the federal government, including the

Post Office. Delta College observed a holiday based on labor contracts from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and the California Teachers’ Association (CTA).

The 2015-2018 CSEA contract specifies days declared “by the President or Governor of the state as a … mourning” day be a “paid holiday” for “all employees in the bargaining unit.” The 20152018 CTA contract states “Any additional holiday, or day for a public fast or thanksgiving appointed by the Governor or President,shall be observed as a non-duty day, provided that the day so appointed is one on which the public

Former Delta officer helps wildfire victims

READ MORE ABOUT THE CAMPUS SHUTDOWN AND THE IMPACT ON ATHLETICS

SPORTS, PAGE 7 schools shall close.”

Students were informed of the closure via social media late Monday.

Still, some students showed up for class on Wednesday.

Alexander Brown Thomas said he didn’t receive any notification of the shutdown.

“I could’ve been sleeping,” he said.

It’s bad timing, considering finals start next week and professors are still recovering from the campus closure that took place be-

ginning at noon on Nov. 15 and running through Nov. 25.

The initial shutdown caused a ripple effect, impacting much of the campus.

Culinary Arts students had a 50-percent off sale.

The League of United Latin American Citizens Annual Youth Conference, scheduled for Nov. 16, was canceled. An Intramural Debate Tournament was slated for Nov. 17. It was rescheduled to Dec. 8.

Sports were also impacted, as games had to be canceled or moved. Scheduled practices were moved.

“Our staff was very understanding and supportive regarding the closure.

See CLOSURE, page 8

BY TYRA GREEN Staff Writer

On Nov. 8, a wildfire started in Butte County and spread throughout parts of Northern California, killing at least 88 people and entirely destroying the town of Paradise.

Former Delta College Police Officer John Wolf has set up a donation campaign for the victims of the blaze, named the Camp Fire.

“This is a way to get donations for things they can use right now,” said Wolf.

Back in 2008, Wolf was the victim of a house fire, in which he and his family were left with almost nothing.

Wolf remembers it taking more than a year for his family to get back to where they had been before the fire.

“I want to bring awareness of how devastating this fire was for people,” said Wolf.

Wolf will be collecting donations from Friday to Monday and on Wednesdays until Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations are being accepted near the Campus Police Department parking lot, across from the Shima parking lot, under a blue canopy tent.

Wolf ’s goal after collecting donations is to travel to reception centers in Chico and Oroville to drop off the donations. He has been in contact with these area reception centers to make sure that the donations being collected can be used as daily items for the victims.

Some of the items that are being asked for include canned food, bottled water, new school supplies and new articles of clothing. Cash donations and used clothing

John Wolf in the storage container where all of the donations are being held. Donations include toys, school supplies, water bottles and more. PHOTO BY CATLAN NGUYEN

will not be accepted.

Nursing professor Nicole Porter, culinary arts Professor Mark Berkner and political science professor Cirian Villavicencio also took part in collecting and delivering donations, as well as cooking and serving meals for evacuees.

Plaza dedicated to activist Huerta

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

The Board of Trustees approved for Delta College to honor Dolores Huerta, a civil rights advocate and American labor leader.

There are a plethora of things Huerta has done for her community, which is why Dr. Sarah Seekatz, Associate Professor of Mexican American History, and Lynn Hawley Associate Professor of Women’s History decided it was time for Delta to celebrate and honor Huerta for her dedication to helping others improve their lives.

Huerta, a graduate of Delta’s precursor Stockton College, will have the plaza area south of the Science and Mathematics Building bear her name now.

“Dr. Seekatz got the La Raza Employees Association, MEChA and the Academic Senate to write letters of support, as well as many of her students in her Mexican-American history classes. We put together a presentation which we showed to the Heritage Committee. Once it was approved by the Heritage Board, then the Board of Trustees voted to approve it,” said Hawley.

Approval for the naming came at the Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 27.

Now, the goal is to raise $2,500 to extend a planter and install a name plaque.

There is hope of raising more than the goal amount, which will establish the Dolores Huerta Scholarship Fund.

“Many students tell me about their relatives who were a part of the farmworker movement here in the Central Valley. Dolores Huerta fought for them and many others. When we encountered obstacles in this naming process I would think about farmworkers and women and Mexican Americans who deserve to be seen in our history books, statues, and buildings and spaces named for historic figures,” said Seekatz.

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with colleague Cesar Chavez. Her career as a labor rights activist, lifelong fighter for social justice for farm workers, women and LGBTQ+ community had her honored by President Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

There are many reasons Huerta is being honored but the Delta professors believe students who are first generation, Latinx, and low-income students will see how they can make a difference like Huerta did.

Seekatz and Hawley want to inspire Delta students with Huerta’s life of activism and dedication to helping others.

“We wanted the Plaza to be dedicated to this great Latina who comes from a similar background as many of the students who attend Delta now and look at what she’s done,” said Hawley.

Seekatz and Hawley hope the plaque can be installed in 2019.

For information on how you can help with contact Seekatz at sseekatz@deltacollege. edu or Hawley at lhawley@deltacollege.edu.

NEXT ISSUE: Spring 2019 • CONTACT US: deltacollegian@gmail.com or (209) 954-5156 • ONE FREE COPY

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People of color responsible for more acts of racism than you’d think

BY CATLAN NGUYEN

W

Feature Editor

e can’t overlook the ever-present racism among minority groups. According to Wikipedia, interminority racism is defined as prejudice or discrimination between racial minorities.

Typically, the common belief is that people of color are less likely to discriminate or hold prejudices over others based on race. We all share similar struggles so why ostracize one another?

However, prejudice and racism still exists among people of color.

Recently, two short video clips have gone viral on Twitter posted by user @ Maxx_kee on Nov. 11. The two videos follow a black man filming and pranking two Asian restaurants.

The first clip shows him asking

an Asian man in a restaurant if they served cats and he replied: “Next door.”

The man then goes to ask an Asian woman in the adjacent restaurant if they serve “fried cat.”

Currently, the second video has tens of thousands of retweets and likes.

The backlash among social media users included pointing out the hurt on her face and her obvious distress about the racism she was facing throughout the video. The controversial video has garnered outraged comments from every side.

In our current news cycle, black Americans are reported as recurring victims of police brutality and seem to be the most oppressed in modern America.

However, they aren’t allowed to be racist when it’s funny for them. Any person of any race should be wary of when to make a racist joke.

It’s hypocritical to call out racism solely when it affects you.

Speaking as a Vietnamese-American woman, I recognize Asian-Americans aren’t as oppressed and victimized by institutional racism as other races are in America: At least not in modern-day America.

However, we’re still susceptible to prejudice and are not fully regarded as equal.

But what about good stereotypes?

Many believe good stereotypes can’t be offensive because they are preconceived compliments. We’ve all heard the saying that all Asians are smart and good at math. How can that be offensive?

Even though these aren’t hurtful they still perpetuate the idea of inequality. They allow us to put people in boxes and label them based on the color of their skin.

But what if the stereotypes are true?

Naturally, stereotypes must stem from somewhere but we can’t let them dictate how we view others. We can’t put people into neat little boxes, because at the end of the day we’re all human and have unique stories.

Racist mindsets that are built into our country are sprinkled with stereotypes and divisive language.

In our increasingly unpredictable political climate, we must maintain a sense of empathy.

Basically, being a people of color doesn’t make it acceptable for you to be racist even if you are just joking around. You also aren’t allowed to say the N-word if you have a black friend.

I’m a fan of dark humor and laughing as much as the next person, but beware: Many jokes can have tidbits of judgment and continue the cycle of racist perspectives.

You’re setting yourself up for failure

BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR

E

Opinion Editor

veryone wants to hear gossip, spread jokes and boast about their beliefs. Social media has changed the way people present themselves to the world.

What does this mean for the near future? As you apply for internships and jobs you’ll have to consider: Do I want my future employer seeing the “me” that I have created on social media?

The answer is probably no.

The truth is, many of us are going to need to do lots of cleaning when it comes to our online associations.

“If you think employers won’t look at your social media presence, or you think they’ll disregard your bad behavior online, you’re wrong,” said Tara Cuslidge-Staiano, Associate Professor of Mass Communication/Journalism who designed the Social Media & Society course on campus. “Your activity, good and bad, may be the difference between you getting a first interview or not.”

For example, the Stockton Police Department posted news of an alleged vehicular manslaughter arrest on Facebook Nov. 28.

Victor Mow, a former San Joaquin County Supervisor, was arrested and booked in county jail. The police department posted his mug shot and information about the arrest on the popular social media site.

The comments to this specific post are an embarrassment to the community.

1425 Lik Racist jokes compare Mow to 1425 Likes

Mr. Miyagi from “The Karate Kid” movies.

More comments followed by people who weren’t pleased with Mow’s decade of work as a public servant. All the comments had names next to them. All profiles could be clicked to view the profiles.

Although defamation and racism is found to be common across all social media platforms, those taking part should note how they put themselves at risk. The comments on Stockton PD’s post of Mow were shared from users who have their full names displayed above their absent morals, plain to see for anyone with a Facebook account.

How often do you think about your words being held against you? Words are powerful. If you associate yourself with morally incriminating posts, comments, likes, shares, whatever, it might stick with you forever.

Next think of social views altogether. Politics are very tricky and people tend to avoid speaking of their beliefs in casual conversation. However, with the beautiful invention that is social media, etiquette as a social norm has been thrown out the window.

Posts are shoved in our faces that read “HEY SNOWFLAKE” or “Impeach the Loser!” No matter the stance you take, an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. If someone you want to work with sees that you lean one way or another, they might assume you are not open to compromise and negotiation.

Today, those of us who are searching to land a career will be subjected to instant searches of our social media presence. This is important to consider everyday.

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 VICTORIA FRANCO Editor in Chief/News

CATLAN NGUYEN Feature

VIVIENNE AGUILAR Opinion

JASMINE GONZALEZ Entertainment

PAUL MUYSKENS Sports

“Fifteen years ago when we had less social media presence, it wasn’t uncommon for a person with a view considered contrary to popular opinion, particularly in a group setting, to not insert opinion into the conversation,” said Cuslidge-Staiano, who also advises the campus newspaper. “We have become more comfortable expressing our views because of social media.

Many are OK posting status updates they know will engage or incite because they feel protected behind their computer or phone.”

What you say, do and post online is who you are. Go above and beyond the usual advice of not posting about how you love to drink, get high, and dance naked. Think about who you have associated yourself with online.

Does “online you” represent the school you go to? How about the community you want to or are currently serving?

Is your future boss going to want to see your rants on social issues that should otherwise be kept private?

“I recommend changing settings on accounts to private,” said Cuslidge-Staiano. “But understand that if someone really wants access your social media posts, there are ways to get to them - whether through one of your friends or loopholes in privacy settings. So my general caution is to make sure you stand behind what you post.

I always ask myself: What would my grandmother say about this?”

The world doesn’t want to know everything about you. Create an air of mystery on your social media. Let your actions speak for you, not your retweets.

SENIOR STAFF JOEY BOSCACCI VICTORIA TORRES

STAFF

MULTIMEDIA TECH MATTHEW WILSON

ADVISER TARA CUSLIDGE-STAIANO

KOLBE AMEN TYRA GREEN ADRIANA HERNANDEZ JOSEPH MUNOZ NUNTIDA SISAVAT AYAANA WILLIAMS

AMIRAH AMENHOTEP 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

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Teach yourself love, patience, and pain...

BY VICTORIA TORRES Senior Staff Writer

A

riana Grande is a dangerous woman making her mark on pop culture, especially with the Internet breaking single “Thank u,

next.”

The music video for the single was debuted Dec.1, and in less than 22 hours broke the YouTube record for most views in 24 hours at 46 million.

Grande can do it all.

She made a hit single and music video that broke the Internet in a span of six weeks from the time of her split with Pete Davidson, while still grieving over her ex’s Mac Miller’s death.

We have no excuses folks. We can do everything, without having a Britney Spears moment.

Life can be hard for us normal people. We have normal everyday issues, celebrities do too though, and unless your life’s information and problems are being blasted on TMZ like Grande’s, take a seat.

We can all learn a lesson here.

This May, Grande and Miller split after being together for about two years.

Later that month, it was rumored Grande and Davidson were an “item”.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wow that’s not a heartbreak,” or “She got over Mac Miller really fast.”

I thought the same, but why do her decisions for herself matter to anyone else?

They don’t.

I’m sure most of us don’t like when people around us judge our decisions, so why be so hypocritical to judge her, or anyone for that matter? It’s most likely no one ever knows both sides to a story or how someone has been feeling for months. S0o just try and have an open heart. Months later, after being engaged, she now deals with Miller’s death,

a grief few have known (celebrities and us normal people) and a few weeks later have her engagement fail, a situation many have been in too.

Let’s just say 2018 was far from a perfect year and we’ve all had those years. We should be inspired Grande gives us something to look up to.

She didn’t just stay on the ground when she got knocked down, she took all of her experiences and emotions and turned them into “Thank u, next.”

We can all appreciate our experiences in life. As they shape us to be who we are, and the lessons we will always remember, but we can’t stay down when we get knocked down.

If Grande can go through all of that, we can get through the hard times too.

Sometimes, the people or situations that are negative in our lives are there to teach us a lesson, but why can’t we say thank you, next, too?

What will it take to provide students with a functioning cafeteria?

BY AYAANA WILLIAMS Staff Writer

A

s the year comes to a close and instructors and students begin to prepare for finals and the spring semester, many on campus are wondering if Delta will revive the grill in Danner Hall.

Danner originally closed completely at the beginning of the fall semester due to staff cutbacks, but has since reopened due to demand.

However, instead of restoring what Danner Hall originally was, only premade hot foods and refrigerated items were made available.

But for students who knew and loved the breakfast grill, it’s just not enough.

A majority of students on campus pay with money and time to attend Delta.

We aren’t just paying for our education, but for services that come along with it such as a cafeteria grill where we can get fresh, hot food.

In the beginning of the semester, Delta offered food trucks which would surround campus at certain times as a solution to make up for lack of food on campus.

Although many took interest in them, prices were much higher at the food trucks compared to prices at the cafeteria grill prior to its closing.

The food trucks are now rarely seen around campus and as the weather gets

MUSTANG VOICE

“I go to my parents, but I’m also a Highway Patrol cadet, so I also have some officers that I go to for advice.”

Sawan Verma

colder, students are again left with few options for hot food.

“I really don’t know why they would get rid of the cafeteria in the first place,” said student Christina Torres. “I mean, like, I’m sure they have their reasons but do they really not care enough to provide us with decent food?”

The point of a cafeteria on campus is for students to be able to eat not only before and after classes, but in between so they don’t feel the need to leave campus.

When students leave between classes to get food, they’re less likely to want to come back to campus for their next class or classes, resulting in scarcity of attendance.

As students, many of us stay up late doing homework and get up early to go to classes, when the opportunity arises to leave campus (such as going home or out to eat), there’s a good chance a student will realize how tired they are, and find little motivation to make it to their next class.

Unfortunately, as much as this may seem like a student issue, when it begins to become excessive, it develops into a problem for Delta College as well.

If Delta’s priority is to keep students attending classes regularly, then the focus should be less on what fits the administration’s fiscal agenda, and more on what is going to keep students at school.

‘Who do you go to for ‘adulting’ advice, either in your personal or academic life?’

“I usually ask my brothers, since they help me with everything, but here on campus I would go to my English teacher.”

Rosio Cedeno

“To be honest, I get information from the people who have done it. I know people who work in different fields, so I would go to them. It just depends on the situation I guess.”

Richley Gatewood

“I go to various people. My parents are one. Second, I have a lot of mentors around the city, so I have my old high school teacher that I go to, and there are other people who work in the city who I can ask.”

“I go to my mom, she works here so she has advice for school and life, and I really just feel that her experience in life has helped me and guided me through my own life.”

Hector Carvajal

Victoria Alarca

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Horticulture spreads holiday cheer with handmade wreaths

LOPEZ’S LEGACY SHARED AT FAT CITY

BY MIKAEL HONZELL Staff Writer

As a child in Mexico, hall of fame boxer Yaqui Lopez watched bullfighting matches in awe.

“I liked the bullfighting, I loved it,” said Lopez, who runs Fat City Boxing Club at 835 E. Miner Ave. in Stockton. “I loved it because I see the (matadors) that come in the fancy dresses, and nice big cars and all the people would clap for them. I wanted to be one of those guys.”

The fascination, though, led Lopez away from the bullfighting ring and into the boxing ring.

A rained out competition meant the matadors left town by train, but the bull stayed behind. Lopez, after talking to officials, was given a chance to fight the bull at only 12.

While fighting, he was injured when the bull struck him in the leg. It didn’t change Lopez’s want to engage in physically dangerous competition.

“After that, my mother was here and my dad and they know what I like (competing), so they brought me here,” Lopez said.

Lopez and his family moved from Zacatecas, Mexico, to Linden when he was 14.

Lopez attended school for about six months before deciding it wasn’t for him, leading to him working in the fields.

When Lopez turned 18, he met his now wife Beatrice. He later learned Beatrice’s father was a boxing promoter.

Lopez talked to her father about training and becoming a boxer.

“I met her (Beatrice’s) father in 1969. I asked him (if he could train me) and he said ‘Yeah, why not? You look like a tough Mexican.’ Anyway, things started like that.”

After meeting Beatrice’s father, Lopez trained and went to Oakland and spawned for 15 days, where he fought in sessions of about three rounds. He lost the first match.

Determined, he fought a few more rounds with the same individual that beat him the first time and gradually got better and ended a match with a draw, eventually beating the same opponent.

Lopez boxed as an amateur until he went pro in 1972. He retired in 1984.

While competing amateur, Lopez totaled 15 wins and three losses. He won many more matches after turning pro.

When describing his career, Lopez pulled out and went through magazines, photos, ar-

ticles and other types of documentation of his boxing career.

In one magazine, a match Lopez was in was listed as boxing’s top 100 greatest fights.

His match was listed as No. 14, where he fought against former boxer Matthew Saad Muhammad.

Although Lopez lost the match with a TKO in the 11th round, Lopez looks back on the widely considered classic match fondly, as well as his entire career.

“Boxing is good if you like it, you know,” said Lopez. “Boxing will make you a man, it made me a man. Boxing made me respect people.”

After retiring, Lopez’s wife asked him what he wanted to do after retiring. Lopez wanted to open a gym and train boxers.

He would then travel to the Bay Area, and Minneapolis, among other places, and train boxers and prepping them for their fights.

Seven years ago, after Lopez stopped traveling and training boxers around the country, he took over Fat City.

Lopez, being a successful former professional boxer, wants to pass on what he’s learned over the years to young up and coming boxers.

Lopez said Fat City is a great gym to learn how to box.

“There’s a lot of gyms in Stockton,” Lopez said. “I don’t want to tell you that it’s the best gym, but I fight for the championship of the world five times. I was the North American boxing champion,” “Sure, there’s a lot of gyms, but they won’t tell you exactly what to do, they don’t teach you the specific way to throw punches and techniques. And I love it,” said Lopez.

Fat City is ran with the help of donations and paid gym memberships.

If one would like to be a gym member of Fat City, the monthly price is $70 for those 13 and over. For those that are 12 and under, the monthly payment is $50.

“Boxing is the tougher than any other game,” Lopez said. “Boxing is one on one. If you’re hurt, you don’t tell your manager ‘please get another guy to replace me,’ like in basketball, baseball or football. You push through it.”

Opinion Editor

(Upper left) Owner of Fat City Yaqui Lopez when he was actively boxing.

(Upper right and center left) Local youth practicing and training at Fat City. (Above) Lopez today. (Bottom left) Fat City Boxing Club located on 835 E. Miner Avenue in Stockton. PHOTOS BY ROBERT RUIZ

Students inspire others to rediscover style, confidence

BY VICTORIA TORRES Sports Editor

After dabbling into fashion in high school, former Delta student Franky Roman is looking to make his mark in the fashion community.

David Flores, fellow designer and creator got to an early start in fashion at the age of six. His grandmother taught him how to sew.

“When I was little, mom and grandmother always encouraged arts and crafts. I started sewing when I was around six,” said David Flores.

Franky Roman and David Flores created the fashion-line Lavender Child. They named it this because they both like the color and consider the word “child” to be inclusive.

“We liked lavender as a color and we added the child to give it a sort of “free people” vibe. Very boho, simple, and yet can be

non-gender specific,” said Roman.

The two spoke about starting up a line for years but they say it wasn’t until they were a few drinks in and started talking about who their clients would be. That lead to starting Lavender Child.

“She is a free spirited woman who is around 25 to 40 of age… we try to keep it gender neutral. Handmade garments for the free and confident,” said Flores.

Lavender Child can be found in local markets and boutiques selling their clothes for nothing more than fifty dollars. Everything is all handmade.

“Everything we make has been made by us. We do not do production with factories or anything,” said Flores.

There is a lot of determination behind the line from brainstorming to looking at colors and inspirational pictures.

After his first fashion show, Roman’s mom was on board to see him thrive and do what he loves and is good at.

“I just facilitate them so they can actualize their visions. They put in all the work, they made all Delta’s Horticulture Club the planning, they came up with hosted its second annual Wreath price points. They purchased our Fundraiser. With some variations extra little fun stuff and so I just on last year’s sales tactics, the want to make it known so that fundraiser proved successful. they get their credit,” said CandeMirna Juarez, Secretary of the lo-Mize.

Horticulture Club notes that she The wreaths were worked on is thankful for the support to the in Shima and the Greenhouse on program by those who bought campus. Candelo-Mize says the wreaths from the club instead of supplies were donated by a Christbuying them from the chain store. mas tree lot off of Eight Mile and The designs for the wreaths Lower Sacramento Road, as well ranged from small to extra-large as purchased by the students. and featured “full”, “minimalist,” The majority of buyers this year and “holiday stars.” and last came from Delta’s faculty, Most of the decorations came staff and Board of Trustee memfrom materials harvested in the bers. Ed Aguilar and Jim Husting, Horticulture demonstration gar- Laura Ochoa-Sanchez, and Dr. den on campus.

Teresa Brown were all mentioned Pre-orders allowed club mem- by the club as notable supporters. bers time to customize the The funds raised from the wreaths for each buyer, a lesson wreaths will send Horticulture they learned from last year. Kim- Club students on field trips to berly Valdez, President of Hor- Horticultural Expositions and ticulture Club and Advisor Tina bring guest speakers from the agCandelo-Mize went back and ricultural field to them. forth giving each other credit for Projects such as the “Veggie the idea of allowing customers Starts” the Spring Fundraiser, and time to pre-order customizable gardening workshops taught by wreaths. In the end they decided students are next for the Hortithe previous president deserved culture Club. the glory for saving students time “This gives us hands on experiand money.

BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR

“Practice, practice, practice. You won’t be good at something if you give up after the first mistake,” said Roman.

From being in a local boutique, selling online, and appearing at local markets, the brand will one day have its own storefront for the free spirited people that Lavender Child represents.

For now, Lavender Child can be found for online shoppers on Etsy Pleated hem blouse now in their line. PHOTO COURTESY OF under Lavender Child De- FLORES AND ROMAN FROM THEIR INSTAGRAM @LAVENsigns. For those who like DERCHILDDESIGNS going in store, Lavender Wednesday from 12 to 5 p.m. They’re closed Child can be found at The Fashionable You Monday and Sunday.

Boutique in downtown Lodi, address 9 S. To stay updated on their new items, folSacramento St. low the brand on Instagram at lavenderStore hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Fri- childdesigns. day and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

(Top) Kimberly Valdez and Mirna Juarez finishing wreaths on Nov. 28 for the fundraiser. (Above) Cynthia Morng decorating holiday stars. PHOTOS BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR

ence working in the industry and then our field trips give us exposure to industry related things that we probably wouldn’t see normally. Our fundraisers help us pay for those trips to get that exposure that we need. Exposes us to new jobs, research that we haven’t come across,” said Valdez.

Avoiding difficult family questions during holidays

BY CATLAN NGUYEN Feature Editor

With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, the following advice was born out of patience and frustration.

Hopefully, these tips will be helpful for when you see extended family again during the holiday season.

Tip #1: Leave Politics Alone The most important tip is to NEVER bring up politics with any family member especially if it will only lead to heated, close-minded, stubborn arguments. While we would all love to make others see our point of view, the holidays just isn’t the time. Arguing will not make people want to agree with you.

Politics doesn’t make for merry small talk.

Tip #2 Misdirection is Key To avoid the rapid-fire grilling from Aunt Becky about why you don’t have a boyfriend/girlfriend or

when the next baby is coming, ask them questions about their lives or answer their questions with a question.

Most people will love droning on about themselves so you should be safe for a while.

Also, keep yourself busy by helping out in the kitchen or playing with your nieces/nephews. This will make it harder for Aunt Becky to interrogate you.

The go-to line you’ll want to remember is “I need to help (insert family member’s name) with this.”

Tip #4 Distraction can be good too If you know how to play an instrument, sport or you found a movie or board game that your family will love, have them focus on any of these instead of your love life.

Play them a jolly tune.

Toss a football around or go sledding.

Invest in jumbo Jenga.

Watch “Elf ” for the millionth time. These can all be enjoyable as well so your holidays aren’t a complete hell-hole.

Always look for that silver lining.

Tip #3 Find Your People Surely, you must like someone in your family: your siblings, cousins, grandma, dog.

Revel in getting to catch up with them and basically help each other hide out from Aunt Becky.

Your sweet cousin Lana will act as a buffer to any dreaded conversations.

Sidenote: If the only family member you like is the family dog then I would seriously consider not visiting home for the holidays.

These tips should help you survive the endless amounts of quality family time coming up. Remember, most family members want what’s best for you and envy your youth. Try to see the good in them and remember they come from a place of love.

Good luck.

Bonus tip: You can book yourself a vacation during the holidays with a significant other or mutual lone soul who also can’t stand their family. This is the ultimate way to avoid family questions.

6 ENTERTAINMENT 120718

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/entertainment

INTERNET BREAKER AN EYE OPENER

BY CATLAN NGUYEN

U

Feature Editor

pset about how women and female characters are portrayed in movies?

Then you’ll find “Ralph Breaks the Internet” a breath of fresh air.

The follow up to 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph” is a hit and not just for children.

As always, Disney knocks it out of the park with the animation, visuals and soundtrack.

However, this movie stands out because of how the storyline unfolds.

Our protagonists from the first movie, Vanellope and

PHOTOS BY EPK.TV

Ralph, are thrown into a whole new world when a problem calls for them to venture into the Internet.

Vanellope and Ralph are arcade game characters and became an unlikely pair of friends in the first movie. The second movie calls for the two to rally and fix the game Vanellope is in.

Vanellope comes to a crossroads when she needs to pick between her friendship with Ralph and her dream to be in a more challenging, fun video game. She meets new character Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot, who also races in a much more intense and hardcore game. Vanellope admires and

befriends Shank and wants to race in her game.

Basically, the movie’s main conflict is having to choose between your loved ones and your dream job.

The plot of the movie must be commended because the female characters are depicted like modern-day women.

Vanellope, along with countless other female characters are shown as strong, capable and independent.

All of the Disney princesses make a cameo in this movie.

Their scene especially sheds light on how women are finally beginning to be depicted as three-dimensional characters.

Vanellope claims she is also

a princess since she is in her arcade game. The other princesses ask her multiple questions that are satirical about the plights from their own movies. The best line of that entire scene was when Rapunzel asks Vanellope, “Do people assume all of your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?” Vanellope then replies, “Yeah, what’s up with that?!”

Sexism isn’t the only theme the film tackles.

Vanellope and countless other characters are left “gameless” after a tween breaks the steering wheel off of their game.

This is similar to advances in technology leaving many

people jobless. Nowadays, most games are played on the internet or on a console. Many arcade games are dying out.

This points to our constantly changing economy.

The overall message that I hope viewers understand from this movie is realizing how one can grow out of friendships and relationships.

Don’t let anybody stop you from pursuing your dreams.

I highly recommend you take your children, siblings, nieces and more to see this movie. Not only will they find it hilarious and fun, you also might just learn a lesson or two.

buggy, unfinished state that fails to hold up to the expectations consumers have for the product.

Some other “AAA” titles, although content complete, are designed in a way to nickel and dime the player and heavily incentivise spending real cash on in game items and boosts.

Although Red Dead Redemption 2 is at the top of many people’s game of the year lists, the beta for its online mode has come under fire for its in game economy. Much like Rockstar Games’ other title Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Online was designed for players to either grind hundreds of hours to get what they want, or spend real money to outright buy it. This

backlash seems to have worked to some extent, as Rockstar has announced that they will be adjusting the economy in the game in a recent developer update.

Another key offender this year is Call of Duty.

Although publisher Activision and developer Treyarch got rid of outright buying loot boxes, the studio just rolled them over into their version of a “battle pass”, not much unlike the one you see in Fortnite.

The difference is what the player is getting and the time it takes. Most of the Call of Duty battle pass is made up of randomized loot boxes, so a player has no idea how long it will take to get what they want, or how much it will cost if they outright buy tiers.

These trends have been seeping their way into the “AAA” game space for a number of years, stemming from developments in the early access and free-to-play space. Publishers and developers have learned that players will pay for a game even if it is unfin-

ished with the expectation that it will get better over time.

Other publishers have adopted the monetization practices of free-to-play mobile games and dropped them into their fullpriced titles.

As a college student with limited income, these games have become disappointing as I feel like I’m not getting the product and enjoyment I was expecting. With that being said, plenty of games have released throughout the year that are fantastic, complete and fulfilling gameplay experiences.

The key is to always hold off, wait for reviews, and then see if a game is worth the time and money.

Games reaching players at unfinished level

BY JOEY BOSCACCI

T

Senior Staff Writer

he last few years have seen an increase in troubling trends within the games industry. Namely, more and more “AAA” games are releasing that are either unfinished or over-monetized, with both being the case in many situations.

2018 has been relatively good on this front up until the standard holiday season titles started cropping up.

Titles such as Battlefield V and Fallout 76 clearly needed more time for balancing and polish. Even after the developers held public beta testing for both games, they still release in a

AGE OF ETERNITY by Tomás Medina

7 SPORTS 120718

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/sports

(Above) Kiera Hupman kicks the ball down the field in the first half of the Mustang’s Elite 8 game. (Below) Amanda Leal celebrates with teammates. PHOTOS BY PAUL MUYSKENS

Women’s soccer makes program history

BY PAUL MUYSKENS Staff Writer

The Delta Mustangs made history on a rainy Tuesday in Stockton as the women’s soccer team advanced to the state championship tournament for the first time in program history, with a penalty kick shootout win over Hartnell College on Nov. 27.

Reaching the third round of the California Community College Athletic Association Regional Championship for the third season in a row, the Mustangs’ defense came up big with its second straight shutout before goalkeeper Amanda Leal made three saves in the shootout.

The Mustangs prevailed 3-1 in the shootout after 120 scoreless minutes.

“This is extremely exciting,” said Leal after the game. “The last couple weeks have kind of been a reflection of our season.

We always knew we could get it done if we stuck together.”

“Amanda is extremely athletic, but I think penalties today really came down to focus and she was able to make reads

on the plays and then make saves,” said head coach Adrienne Sorenson about her sophomore goalkeeper. “I’m just really proud of her and she has grown so much over the last year and a half.”

Jaylin Meza, Jay Her and Kylie Zentner all scored on penalty kicks to set the stage

Poor air quality disrupts home games Soccer teams forced to open playoffs on the road

BY JOSEPH MUNOZ Staff Writer

When Delta College closed for the week of Nov. 19 due to poor air quality, many campus events were canceled or postponed.

Delta College campus was originally closed from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18 and was then extended to all of Thanksgiving week.

Delta sporting events, including both men’s and women’s soccer playoff games, which were scheduled to be played Nov. 17 at Delta College were part of the cancellations.

Both games were rescheduled to Nov. 20 and were moved to Hartnell College’s Rabobank Stadium.

While both teams were still technically the home team, the

Mustangs had to play important games on unfamiliar turf after going undefeated at home during the season.

“The players were very concerned about the location change due to the fact that the team was undefeated at home and the venue was actually closer to the opposing team.

When you have to travel for a game, short or long distances it is taxing on any team,” said men’s soccer Head Coach Joshua Bradley.

The men’s soccer team lost the game 1-0 against the Skyline Trojans and were knocked out of the playoffs.

The women’s team won it’s game against the Canada Colts 2-1 and would go on to advance to the California Community College Athletics Association

state championships.

Athletic Director Tony Espinoza worked with teams to move the games in time.

“We had two soccer games that moved out to Rabobank Stadium in Salinas and our volleyball game was pushed back a day. In addition, our women’s basketball team had a tournament that was canceled in the bay area. Overall, we were able to adjust,” said Espinoza.

The transition between stadiums was handled well, according to Bradley.

“The training staff and administration made the change in venue very easy and were on call to help both soccer programs secure an alternate venue, transportation, and support staff the day of the event. Delta college was well represented in a time of need,” Bradley said.

for the win, with Leal’s third save setting off a massive celebration.

“This was our goal at the beginning of the year, so to be able to have a shot at a state championship is a pretty amazing thing,” said Sorenson.

Due to the Delta campus being closed because of air quality concerns from Nov. 15 to Nov. 26, the team was unable to open the playoffs with a home game and instead had to go to Salinas, where the Mustangs opened the playoffs with a 2-1 win over Canada.

The team then won at Folsom Lake by a 1-0 final score to advance to the Elite 8 for the third year in a row.

“I think we kind of could have gone one of two ways when we lost our home game

with the fires,” said Sorenson.

“I just told them we are tough. … I’m really proud of them.”

Their season came to an end one game shy of the championship game as they lost 2-1 to Santiago Canyon in the semifinals on Nov. 30. Going undefeated at home they finished with a record of 19-4-3.

Jaylin Meza scored her 11th goal of the season in the loss as she converted on a perfectly taken free kick in the game’s final moments.

Jay Her led the team with 13 goals on the season as a total of seven players scored at least six goals during the year.

In the United Soccer Coaches rankings, the Mustangs finished the season ranked ninth in the nation — their highest ranking in program history.

Delta College fall sports roundup

BY PAUL MUYSKENS Staff Writer

Women’s Volleyball While the team didn’t reach the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship game this season it was still a solid year that saw the Mustangs make the playoffs and finish the season with a 18-9 record.

Amilya Thompson led the way for postseason honors as she was named an American Coaches Association All-American and the Big 8 MVP for the second year in a row. During her final season with the Mustangs she had a team-best 302 kills.

Sophomores Ashley Apel and Kelly Markham also received first-team all-Big 8 honors. Along with Thompson, the three were honored as Torch of Excellence honorees which recognized their

work not only on the court but in the classroom as well.

Water Polo Former Delta College athlete and current head coach Nathan Varosh continues his outstanding work as the women’s water polo team made the state championships for the fourth year in a row. The team finished in third place with a record of 22-11.

Sophomore Maddie Wittkowske led the offense with 69 goals while Leti Mosqueda added 50 goals. Goalie Tahlia Pou stopped 181 shots during the regular season.

Caden Nord scored a team-high 73 goals for the men’s team as it finished 1622 after a first round exit in the playoffs.

See full story on DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET

8 NEWS 120718

The Collegian • deltacollegian.net/news

Annual tree-lighting ceremony delayed

Stockton’s Tree of Lights at night on Nov. 30. The tree lighting ceremony was rescheduled from Nov. 20 to Tuesday, Dec. 11 due to the poor air quality. Lights on the tree can be bought and dedicated to loved one and all of the proceeds will go towards San Joaquin County Hospice services. PHOTOS BY CATLAN NGUYEN

CLOSURE: Air quality, Bush death reasons for canceled classes, campus shutdowns continued from PAGE 1 We did have to move some practice locations, times and even some game locations.

We had two soccer games that moved out to Rabobank Stadium in Salinas and our volleyball game was pushed back a day. In addition, our women’s basketball team had a tournament that was canceled in the bay area. Overall, we were able to adjust. More importantly

our thoughts and prayers go out to the city of Paradise and the surrounding areas,” said Tony Espinoza.

An email sent out at noon on Nov. 15 provided no advance notice about the possibility of classes being canceled.

Students had started a petition on change.org in response to Stanislaus State canceling classes in Turlock and Stockton.

“Well that’s a little irrespon-

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MIDTOWN CORRIDOR

sible cause people could have stuff to turn in and it’s so close to finals so people might need to use the library,” said student Sara Canela.

Campus is still recovering from the effects of the time off.

Brown Thomas, who came on Dec. 5, said he was “upset.”

“You have to wake up expecting that you have to go to class and you show up and it’s empty,” he said.

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Foster Youth distributes lunches to community

BY VIVIENNE AGUILAR Opinion Editor

“These people in Stockton, they need as much help as they can get because it’s getting really bad out here.

Say, if you have any food laying around ... That doesn’t mean like expired food, if it’s expired food throw it away. If you have leftovers or anything for the holidays… put it in a tupperware or put it in a baggie and actually give it to the homeless. ‘Cause these people don’t eat for days. You guys have a home, you have everything. They don’t have nothing.

All you can pretty much do is help,” said Jeremy Rodrigus, a member of the Delta College Foster Youth Program.

On Nov. 28 Delta’s Foster Youth Center welcomed students and faculty to assist them in building and distributing lunches for the homeless population around the school.

Dameion M. Renault, Delta’s Foster Care Education Manager, said the day was dedicated for “the campus to get to know more and more about what we do and how we serve this population.”

November was Homelessness Awareness Month, and in honor of this the program wanted to involve the campus in an event.

The initial “Lunch Building” project needed to be rescheduled due to the school’s closure in response to the poor air quality from the Camp Fire.

“It wasn’t hard to reschedule after the school shut down. It was difficult getting students on campus once the school was shut down. Students who would’ve volunteered their time now have something else planned because their schedules got pushed back,” said Patty LaMar, Student Program Assistant for the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program.

The Foster Youth Program can be found in Budd 205.

Roughly 65 lunches were built from 10 a.m. until noon.

Ed Aguilar, Manager of Student Equity helped out a lot according to Hailey Lopez, a mentor in the Foster Youth Building.

It rained on Nov. 28 but the two groups scheduled to deliver lunches to the homeless weren’t discouraged.

Kueleza Vega, a writing tutor for the Foster Youth Department said the group of students and faculty working within the department are close-knit and willing to help with anything they can.

The Foster Youth Department regularly offers food, hygiene products and connections to housing and necessities for students at risk for homelessness.

“Who we serve are students of Delta College that are struggling with homelessness or foster care or formerly incarcerated. Our target is on serving in this way is connecting students with housing everyday so [this event’s purpose is to] raise awareness that we’re here- we’re able to provide service.

We’re here, to politely connect the homeless population with help,” said Renault.

Currently eight students at Delta are known to be homeless and many more are in poor living situations.

The Foster Youth Program is designed to be all inclusive of students in need.