The Collegian -- Published Dec. 13, 2013

thecollegian Issue 7 • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

INSIDE

SCIENCE & MATH BUILDING READY

One free copy JH

Hart receives Athena Award by valerie smith news@deltacollegian.net

On track to be youngest lawyer in California Page 5

Writer speaks about loss of dad impacting holidays Page 2

PHOTOS BY CHRIS HOWZE

Art hidden during World War II discovered Page 5

UPCOMING Textbook buyback and rental returns begins today, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Final week study break, free food with ID Dec. 16 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FIND US

READY FOR STUDENTS: Top, faculty and staff were invited to tour the new Science & Math Building on Dec. 5. Departments began moving into the building on Dec. 10. Left, Maintenance workers wash down the entrance to the new building, making the final touches for opening. Right, storerooms on the first floor between the classrooms. Classes will move to the building in the spring.

Dr. Kathy Hart, President/Superintendent of Delta College, received the Athena Award at the Stockton Golf and Country Club on Nov. 21.

“The Athena Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, and wisdom,” states the awarding organization.

It’s not only a prestigious award for women making a difference in their communities, but also, contributing to progress life quality and impact individuals every day.

Hart was nominated for the award by the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, women’s organizations and former Athena Award recipi- DR. KATHY HART ents in the Stockton area.

Former Athena Award recipients came into her office as a surprise to notify her of the honor.

“A group of them came to tell me I’ve been selected so that was great,” said Hart.

Receiving the honor for women advancement is an award that is humbling for Hart.

Her advice for women or men in our college community was heavy in motivation and seeking help.

“One, I think women and men need to identify role models who may be women, and may be men that exemplify people they want to be like, it also relates to finding a role model in the occupation you may want,” said Hart.

With heavy work ethic throughout Hart’s life, education came to the forefront.

See ATHENA, Page 8

Trustees asked to consider selling Manteca farm by sonya herrera news@deltacollegian.net

San Joaquin Delta College is considering the possible sell of the 160-acre farm in Manteca.

But opponents to the sale have already emerged.

Dr. Kathy Hart, Superintendent/President of Delta College, emphasized the need for calm.

“I like to say to people when they get all excited about this, ‘If this project is a yardstick, we’re at like one sixteenth of an inch,’” Hart said.

The Manteca Center Farm Laboratory lies northwest of the Lathrop Road exit off of Highway 99.

The farm serves animal husbandry, plant science and soil science students and harbors numerous almond varieties as well as sheep, horses and cattle.

The property was purchased in 1966 and has been cared for by many faculty members, including former instructor Dean McNeilly, who was hired in 1963.

McNeilly spoke before the Board of Trustees on Nov. 19 about the unsuitability of a proposed replacement site for Delta’s Agriculture program.

The replacement site is land located on Liberty Road in Galt.

“Think about the problems you have getting water, taking care of the sewage, natural gas

and the development of infrastructure,” said McNeilly “It’d take years to resolve, and the development would be extremely expensive.”

Hart said studies of the new site, along with information obtained from the state “do not agree with the people who say that it’s not a good site.”

Delta Plant Science and Agricultural Business Professor Todd Burnett also opposes the sale.

He views such an exchange as yet another concession by the agricultural community to developers and local government fee-collectors.

“We’re talking about taking something that’s paid for, that’s a learning laboratory and

converting it to houses,” Burnett stated before the Board of Trustees on Oct. 15. “And I just can’t condone urban sprawl.”

Delta’s Academic Senate is also opposed to the sale saying it would be better to preserve the existing lab.

At the trustee meeting, Academic Senate President Diane Oran read a resolution calling for current preservation of the lab “instead of starting anew, with costly buildings, classrooms and irrigation systems.”

Hart said it’s important to keep an open mind.

“What I keep asking people is, don’t just reject this idea out

See FARM, Page 8

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opinion

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Holidays a solemn reminder of loved ones lost by valerie smith news@deltacollegian.net

H

olidays without a loved one can bring sadness to the heart.

Memories drift and linger in the room from those who are dead and gone, grasping to any hope you will be reunited with them in the future.

There are special memories I reminisce about during Christmas.

Having my father pass away five years ago, changed the holidays. Not only was there a change in what my family did for the holidays and its dynamic, there was also an empty chair at the dinner table.

A silence in laughter, and a place that can never be filled in my heart.

Prior to my father passing we would either head to his mother’s, my Grandma’s house, every Christmas day before he became paralyzed and was stricken with stage-five cancer.

On Christmas Eve, I remember my brother and I falling asleep on the couch anxiously waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Seeing my father take bites out of the cookies we set out for Santa, those are the things I miss.

I miss being able to grab my father’s hand, and tell him I love him, and feeling warm inside because my entire family is under one roof.

Holidays changed after my father fell ill. I feel my family and I cherished every moment with him more than before.

We would stay home for the holidays, and have it just be him, my mother, brother, sister and I. Although we aren’t a huge family, it was just the right amount for me. The happiness that lit his face the last Christmas we spent with him, I will never forget.

I even took him on a tradition he and I would do every Christmas since I was little.

He used to take me to pick out our Christmas tree, usually just him, my brother and I. That year I took him and let him choose our Christmas tree.

These are the memories that are forever ingrained in my mind.

Since that year, it has been hard for me to bring myself to get a Christmas tree. It used to be one of favorite things to do, but has grown into something I’m scared to do — holding back tears while browsing the trees.

We knew we would have to let him go one day, and tried to prepare ourselves for it. The

sad truth is no one is ever prepared to lose a loved one.

Whether it’s a family member far away, in disagreement with, or lost at the hands of tragedy the pain will always remain.

The saying “everything heals with time,” I feel holds truth. The wound will never heal, but things will get easier.

As I’ve grown into the person I am today losing my father had previously left me with a bitter chip on my shoulder, jealousy would strike me every time I saw a family together, or a little girl holding her father’s hand.

I have now let the chip on my shoulder disappear and have come to terms with the loss. It still hurts every holiday, but rather than grieving in depression I remember the happy memories that bring me joy and solace.

If there is one piece of advice I can give to those going through the same struggle I do every holiday: to keep faith and hope, grab hold of those important to you and always remind them how much you love them.

Remember this Christmas to express your gratitude and love to those who you cherish, because you never know God forbid if it will be their last holiday.

Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker may live on through films by chris howze

news@deltacollegian.net

F

ilm fans worldwide were stunned when “Fast and the Furious” star Paul Walker died in a car crash in a moment of cruel irony.

Walker was in the middle of filming the seventh film in the robust movie franchise.

Not only will he missed by his own family, but the family he gained in the 10-plus years he played Brian O’Conner.

Universal Studios, to its credit, has been classy about how its handled this tragedy.

First, the company halted production of the seventh film to let the cast and crew mourn.

Second, a portion of the sales of the “Fast 6” DVD, which went on sell this week, will go towards Walker’s Charity “Reach Out Worldwide.”

It was the charity that Walker attended a benefit for on the day he died.

As a film fan I was shocked by Walker’s sudden death in the same way I was when I found out Heath Ledger died.

But the film fan in me has been left wondering.

What happens now?

When Ledger died he had finished all of his work on “The Dark Knight,” so it didn’t significantly alter production.

With Walker, the newest “Fast” movie was just over the middle point in the shoot.

“The Crow” experienced much of the

same thing when its star Brandon Lee died on set from an accidental gunshot.

Yet the film still was completed thanks to clever editing and use of stunt doubles.

People are assuming the filmmakers will just kill off Walker’s character.

That’s unimaginative and tasteless.

Given that the film is about highspeed pursuits, I think the choice of killing him off would hit too close to home.

I say either they find a way to finish the film with what they have without killing off Brian or, and this is far more expensive of an idea, scrap all the footage with his character and reshoot the film under the idea that after the ending of “Fast 6,” the character is done with the criminal life and is settling down with his wife and new baby.

That way while the man may be gone, his character will live on, but never have to be utilized.

“The Fast and the Furious” series has now become Universal Studios highest grossing franchise surpassing the “Jurassic Park” movies.

I first criticized the series as being “Point Break,” with cars instead of surfboards and less Patrick Swayze, but it’s grown into much more.

The last two films, in particular, abandoned the series’ original tropes of illegal street racing for an excuse to watch charming criminals perform insane heists and stunts while trying to get the better of the law and rivals.

It has become one of the last bastions of well-made, non-pretentious actions films with the goal of entertaining.

THE COLLEGIAN — FALL 2013 Editor In Chief Chris Howze News Editor Justin Tristano Opinion Editor Christina Cornejo Feature Editor Valerie Smith Entertainment Editor Chris Howze Sports Editor Jermaine Davis

Staff Eric Carranza Derrion Dunn Kevin Fleischman Sonya Herrera Kenneth Huntley Michael Johnson Santana Juache Valerie Lancer Eleanor Mafi Sean Mendoza Karina Ramirez Diane Rivera Amanda Sarisky Heidi Sharp Hannah Stevens Brianna Torres Adviser Tara Cuslidge-Staiano

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Editorial Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the entire Collegian staff.

Call (209) 954-5156 or email deltacollegian@gmail.com for more information.

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Mission statement The Collegian is a student run First Amendment newspaper that prides itself on its commitment to the students of San Joaquin Delta College while maintaining its independence of any outside influence.

The Collegian will 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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opinion

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Knockout Game is more assault, less game by eric carranza news@deltacollegian.net

A

t first there were games like hand ball, tether ball and four square.

Then came aggressive games like “wall ball,” “bloody knuckles” and “quarters,” that leave some injured in the end.

Apparently those games weren’t tough enough for people, because now we have the Knockout Game, a game that shouldn’t exist.

The name says it all: knock out.

People knock out unsuspecting victims off the street.

When it first began, people just thought the victims were attacked for reasons of dislike or hate.

No one thought the reason would be for the amusement of friends.

In New York, police were investigating these recent incidents as possible hate crimes, because this was happening to the Jewish community. Police believed the attackers were targeting victims for their background.

New York’s problem may be an ethnicity thing, but in other cities it was clear the victims were anyone the suspect wanted them to be.

In Washington D.C., a woman was attacked by bikers and sucker punched in the back of the head.

To some it wasn’t a big deal until Sept.

13, when a 13-year-old boy was sentenced to 18 months in jail for punching a 51-year-old man, killing him.

“The teen said he and his friends were playing a street game called ‘knockout.’ His punch apparently had little to no effect, but the follow-up from a 16-year-old boy caused bleeding in the victim’s brain, and he died in late May,” according to FOXNY news.

It’s crazy how one person can make up a game and so many people are willing to follow along like this.

But not everyone is surprised by this new trend and how ridiculous people are becoming. One Delta student believes this is just another one of a series of modern day pranks. “ How can you be surprised. You’re

Service workers deserve your kindness this season by valerie smith news@deltacollegian.net

B

eing in the food and hospitality business and knowing a bit about customer service, holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas in particular — can turn into nightmares for servers, sales associates, baristas, bartenders and shoppers.

Those customers who can turn everything from bad to worse are the nightmare which I refer to.

“I ordered a venti, triple soy, caramel macchiato at 200 degrees, no foam with whip. This has foam on it, and I can taste that it’s not at 200 degrees and has no whip.”

Okay, now who else has been in this situation?

As college students most of us are working customer service jobs at minimum wage trying to get by with the little we make, and afford bills and food on a budget.

Does this mean we have to take abuse from irritated and short-tempered shoppers during the Christmas season?

Take into consideration how many customers any given business can get on an average day nearing Christmas. With that I would like to give a few customer etiquette pointers: 1. Patience is a virtue. Yes, we are all going to make mistakes whether we put your order wrong, or forgot to ring in the extra 25 percent off. Have a little empathy for the poor girl or boy trying to help. Don’t go off on a rampage for a little mistake.

2. Don’t demand ask politely. Nine times out of ten, the employee who is helping is more than willing to get what shoppers are asking for. So don’t go in with an attitude demanding what you want, ask politely and there may be deals or discounts shared.

3. Keep in mind prior experiences. Whether working at a high-end office or corporate job or serving a table of ten, we have all had to deal with a disgruntled person at one time or another. Keep this in mind when approaching employees. We’re trying our best.

talking about the same society that came up with things like teepeeing, flame bags with dog crap in them. So to me this isn’t a surprise, it’s what I expect. It’s sad but true,” said Noe Ruiz.

Not everyone believes the Knockout Game is a trend.

The NYPD doesn’t believe all this is a trend. The department believes the knockouts are simply assaults.

In an editorial in the New York Post, Thomas Sowell reflected similar sentiments that this game is not new. “[A]uthorities in New York seem to have been caught by surprise, even though this knockout game has been played for years by young black gangs in other cities and other states, against people besides Jews — the victims being either whites in general or people of Asian ancestry,” wrote Sowell. “Sometimes, the attacks are reported, but only as isolated attacks by unspecified ‘teens’ or ‘young people’ against unspecified victims, without any reference to the racial makeup of the attackers or the victims — and with no mention of

racial epithets by the young hoodlums exulting in their own ‘achievement.’”

When I really think of what this all means to me, I think of two words: pathetic and sad.

It’s pathetic because just this alone shows the way people have come to be.

Humanity has reached a new low.

Playing sports and video games or partying isn’t enough to keep people preoccupied. You have to create harm in society for those who do nothing to bother you.

It’s sad because I am apart of this generation that continues to assault random people, realizing this will not be the last thing that disappoints me about my generation.

What if I witness someone walk up to a person in front of me and knock that person out?

People should try to understand how it would feel to be attacked like that.

I’m not saying go out and be a super hero, and knock them out back, but those of us around should help call police and make sure it stops.

Flights will become more entertaining

FAA allows the usage of electronic devices on flights by kevin fleischman news@deltacollegian.net

W

hen you are at an airport usually you will find passengers upset with their airline carrier because they are forced to disconnect from their phones and the Internet for several hour-long flights.

Luckily for passengers some of their frustration may soon be going away, because the FAA has announced in a news release that airlines can safely expand the use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight.

The FAA expects many of the airlines will be able to prove that planes will safely allow passengers to use devices from gate to gate if in airplane mode.

Many experts guided this decision in a group that included representatives from airlines, passengers, flight attendants and the mobile technology industry.

One group that supports the FAA decision to loosen the ban on PEDs is the Association of Professional Flight Attendants Union.

Union President Laura Glading said this will be a good thing for both the union and passengers because it’s just the way technology is heading in today’s society.

Passengers always have cell phones, iPad and tablets everywhere they go.

“We’re frankly tired of feeling like ‘hall monitors’ when it comes to this issue, said Glading in a news release from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

Former Delta student Justin Wall who flies frequently when going on vacation trips with his family said he favors the new rule to allow

PEDs from the beginning of the flight because “most passengers want to either talk or text their family before they actually takeoff from the airport.”

Wall also mention that technology keeps changing and companies are inventing new ways for people to connect with each other.

“The FAA decision to allow devices from gate to gate is a positive one because it will bring more travelers to the friendly skies, but at the same time it will bring more money into the technology companies pockets as passengers will continue to buy the newest gadets,” said Wall.

This decision is for the best, because technology keeps changing.

People need to communicate and know what’s going on constantly. Before you couldn’t access the Internet, and the only thing you could do was talk on a phone before and after the flight.

Now, airlines that don’t offer entertainment for passengers, will allow people to access more forms of entertainment mid-flight.

Children can now do more to keep busy on a plane, and if a lot of people have tablets, they can keep children better occupied.

There may be problems with this new decision.

There may be people who are annoyed by people talking on their phones on the plane.

Passengers who sit near someone who is talking may be bothered by the conversation and the noise.

Whether you like the new changes or not this is the direction that airlines are going, and it will make flights more bearable for many flight attendants and passengers who were not forced to shut off all devices.

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feature

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Website connects students to work by karina ramirez deltacollegian@gmail.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT WALSH

NOT TYPICAL: Robert Walsh, middle, is an amatuer photographer, mechanic and all-around unique student. Left, his shot of Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. Right, the 1965 Mustang he worked to restore and works on during his free time.

Student a man of life, leisure by valerie smith

deltacollegian@gmail.com

Robert Walsh, a 64-year-old Delta College student, is more than your average man.

Walsh began at Delta in 1983, and has returned on and off for 30 years.

“Actually some of the first classes I took were work related, I worked for the Department of Corrections for 24 years,” said Walsh.

Walsh worked as a correctional officer for Stockton, and retired recently as a lieutenant about three years ago.

Walsh is also a Vietnam-era war veteran, but he never got out of basic training in 1974 and blew his knee.

“At that time Vietnam was winding down, and they figured I would

be more trouble than I was worth,” said Walsh.

Although, Walsh is now a recreational student, he prides himself in staying occupied and agile while taking classes.

“At times I feel somewhat bad that as a recreational student I’m taking someone’s spot,” said Walsh.

Walsh stresses the value of education for adults and young-adults at Delta.

“We’ve got a lot of good programs of study here, and older students can benefit from it just as much as young ones,” said Walsh.

His current classes include History Through Film and a photography lab.

He also has numerous hobbies.

Walsh has been pursuing photography for 45 years.

He has been a competition pistol

shooter for nearly that long, while working on old-school cars and writing for enjoyment.

“Writing is much more convenient to do now with the web, I’ve always been a fair wordsmith, and bright. I read alot,” said Walsh.

The Pacovilla blog and the Electronics magazine are two forums he currently contributes to.

Walsh has a distinctive style, sporting creative T-shirts and uniformlike attire, among Celtic crosses and torque bracelets a part of Irish culture.

“It’s kind of an artistic and political statement,” said Walsh about his attire.

All around Walsh is more than your average student.

“Sometimes people fool ya,” said Walsh.

Tamales for every time of year by sonya herrera deltacollegian@gmail.com

A tamale can be made of many things.

Some tamales are made from rice and banana leaves; some are made from fruits such as guava and pineapple. Some Delta students have even rolled turkey tamales for Thanksgiving!

Whatever the flavor, tamales are a common sight during the holiday season, and are enjoyed by Delta students of different backgrounds.

Despite the treat’s popularity, many students have never eaten a single tamale. Delta student Jerry Sakun thinks those students are missing out.

“Tamales are awesome,” he said.

The treat is mainly associated with Mexican cuisine and culture.

Tamales have traveled throughout South and North America and have evolved into many different varieties, including sweet tamales and breakfast tamales.

Most students’ favorite tamale memories have to do with family.

Delta student Bo Baca’s mother used to make sweet tamales.

“She was originally from Mexico, and everybody has regular tamales

but she had sweet tamales, with cinnamon and raisin.” said Baca. “I’ll always have a fond memory for that.”

Delta student Terreon Wofford said that he helped his mother roll tamales for Christmas last year.

“We made turkey tamales, and we made chicken tamales,” he said. “We made them kind of like a hybrid between enchiladas, too, so it was really good.”

Some students prefer to consume tamales more traditionally.

“The best way to eat them, though, is with atole. It’s a type of drink. I forgot how you call it in English, but it’s really, really good with it,”said Johnathan Herrera.

Atole is a corn-based beverage often served with tamales during the holidays. Readers may not know that corn originally evolved from maize, a plant domesticated by ancient Mesoamericans, including some Delta students’ Mexican ancestors.

The Christmas treat isn’t for everyone.

“I’m not too much of a fan of

PHOTO COURTESY OF SONYA HERRERA

them,” said Delta student Jamal Crawford. “I appreciate the Mexican culture for making them, but, me, personally, I don’t prefer buying them anymore.”

Homemade tamales are made year-round.

“My mom just makes tamales regardless of whether it’s holiday or not,” said Jorge Gonzalez. “They’re not really ‘holiday’ for me.”

For the rest of us less fortunate students, homemade tamales will remain associated to the holidays.

“Best homemade food we got,” said Delta student Chris Hinojosa. “That’s why I wait for this time of year.”

In August 2013, the unemployment rate for California was 8.9 percent.

For San Joaquin County, the rate was 12.2 percent the same month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the State of California Employment Education Development Department.

Finding a job is an obstacle when facing those bleak numbers. But social networks may provide an answer.

FirstJob.com offers not only job listings, but also direct contact with employers.

The site, which launched in April, is mostly directed toward college students and graduates.

Once a profile is created on the site it integrates with the user’s Facebook profile.

FirstJob checks contacts and lists the companies where they work at, but it does not interfere with other profiles.

“We don’t post anything to their wall. It’s not like were looking through their contacts,” said Eduardo Ronquillo, former Delta student and the Vice President of Sales at FirstJob.com.

FirstJob uses an “EZ Vouch” system in which contacts can vouch for you on the FirstJob profile.

Contacts can validate skills and endorse users for specific companies. The site also shows statistics as to what companies are viewing a profile and the current statuses on applications.

“We scrap the Internet for high quality positions, they can apply directly from our website,” he said.

The site currently has more than 100,000 job listings nationwide, but Delta students can easily benefit as well.

“We have jobs listed in Stockton. At the time we have over 100 results, that’s always changing,” said Ronquillo. “[There’s] success in sales, marketing, finance, and analysts … these employers are constantly needing new people. We’ve definitely helped people find jobs.”

Most industries are shown in the website.

Internships and positions that have zero to five years of experience required are available.

FirstJob has partnerships with over 20 companies, including AXA Advisers, New York Life and Farmers Insurance.

The website also offers helpful blogs, with topics like tips to ace an interview. The most important factor in getting a job however, Ronquillo said, starts with a resume.

“They really want … a detailed cover letter.

When writing a resume, have a short description of your role… and show achievements. Giving a concise overview will really help you differentiate yourself from other job seekers, we sort the best applicants,” he said. “The format of the resume, a lot of people sent word docs and rich text fonts – not what you want. I prefer sending in a .pdf format so it can’t be altered.”

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feature

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Former Middle College student making leaps, bounds in education aspirations, now focusing on State Bar by christina cornejo deltacollegian@gmail.com

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA CORNEJO

What started as a sibling rivalry for former Middle College High School student Parker Shelton turned into a race towards possibly becoming the youngest practicing lawyer in California.

Shelton is only 19 and has already managed to test out of high school, study a couple years at Delta and complete law school – all before many students his age start their second year in college.

Shelton grew tired of the high school experience at Middle College, and by 16 he had found a way to test out of his requirements. He took the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), which allows those who pass early exit from high school to continue education in college.

“While I was in high school for those two years I was taking Delta classes, and I was almost done,” said Shelton. “That was another big motivator of why I wanted to finish early, because I would have had three Delta classes to take for my last two years of high school there. So, I was 16 when I got out, and then I was taking 18 units at Delta and studying for the law school admission tests.”

Humphreys College Lawrence Driven School of Law accepted Shelton through a special admission policy that has allowed a few before him early entry into law school, including his brother.

“Realistically, my biggest driving factor

was my brother Connor,” said Shelton. “He did the whole Delta thing, just not at Delta Middle College. I just saw what he was doing, and I guess it was that sibling rivalry that made me want to do better than him in everything.”

His brother, Connor Shelton paved a similar path through his education. He was able to enter law school at the age of 18, while Parker Shelton managed to make it in at the age of 16.

Ultimately, Shelton’s determination for studying was the major contributor to his success in reaching law school.

“I was waking up every morning at 6 a.m. and I studied all day and then took classes in Sacramento to prep for that,” said Shelton. “I got home at like midnight, so it was like six hours a night of sleep. I really worked my butt off during that time but then I got a really good score on the law school admission test, the LSATs.” Shelton has already delved into attorney work at the Stockton DUI and Felony Drug Collaborative Courts where he helped give defense advice to those who had violated probation.

“I had to argue why they should not send back to jail and to let this one slide. I did that on various factors like how they’d been performing recently and what their life was like, and sometimes I would bring in legal arguments. It was mostly a sentencing phase so it wasn’t that much of legal arguments, but it was still really interesting,

and I still got to help a lot of those people in poorer situations,” said Shelton.

Having already finished law school, Shelton is now gearing up to take the State Bar exam to become a fully licensed attorney.

If he passes the exam in late February, he will be the youngest practicing attorney in California.

However, his path into law may take him through more rigorous studies as he decides between becoming a criminal defense attorney or a patent lawyer, which requires undergraduate study in engineering.

“Patent attorney seems really interesting and there’s a lot of money in it. On the other hand, there’s criminal defense, which is really interesting. Although there’s not as much money in it, there’s a lot of potential to help others, which is a big driving factor for me on that one,” said Shelton.

In the meantime, Shelton will continue an aggressive studying schedule for the 16 law subjects he has to know to pass the BAR exam.

He receives continued support from his family who has helped it become possible to make it this far.

His advice to Delta students who would follow his path into law is this: “Take everything really seriously. Study your absolute hardest whenever you get the chance to,” he said. “Obviously, slow down to enjoy life so you don’t get overwhelmed.

If you put the time in, you’re going to be successful.”

Hidden Jewish ARTWORK found in collector’s apartment by santana juache deltacollegian@gmail.com

The German National Socialist political party tried to destroy all traces of modern art during their reign of terror through Europe focusing on the Jewish population.

Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler rejected Cubism, Surrealism, Dada and other artistic movements. Anything the Nazi’s didn’t approve of was eliminated or put in a “degenerate” art exhibit for display.

Remaining pieces were displayed for public humiliation or stolen and kept by Hitler and high-ranking officials for personal collections. It was a sign of a Nazi’s elite status.

According to the documentary “The Rape of Europa,” curators and volunteers at The Louvre Museum in Paris packed up the museum’s collection when they heard the Nazi’s were coming. Relocated pieces included the timeless “Winged Victory,” which is about 2,200 years old, and the iconic “Mona Lisa.”

The Hermitage Museum in Russia wasn’t able to pack quick enough and was looted from the inside out, according to the documentary.

Many art pieces weren’t seen again until recently.

The Huffington Post reported that 1,500 paintings were recently discovered, worth over $1 billion, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. “… A couple hundred of the paintings have been identified as belonging to museum collections. That is

the easy part because the records are accessible and the works — mostly paintings — can be returned to their rightful owners fairly quickly,” said Jeffrey Ruda, Professor of Art History at University of California, Davis, in an email interview.

The paintings were found in Cornelius Gurlitt’s apartment in Munich, Germany; in the spring of 2011, but the German government kept it secret. The discovery was an accident when authorities showed up at Gurlitt’s home to investigate him for tax evasion.

Cornelius is the son of Hildebrandt Gurlitt. Hildebrandt was a Jewish art historian who was forced into collaborating with the Nazis, according to the Huffington Post article.

After the war, he was interrogated by the American forces about the collection, but he claimed it was destroyed. He was let go since he was seen as a victim of his Jewish heritage.

Cornelius used Switzerland-based bank accounts to hide the money he got from the selling paintings. Even after the raid on his apartment, in 2011, he still managed to sell a painting by the German Expressionist Max Beckmann for around $1 million.

The return of some paintings pose issues of identification as to who owned them.

“However, a much greater number of the artworks probably came from private collections. It will be very hard to track down who owns these artworks, and even to identify what some of them are, because many private ownership documents and other records were de-

stroyed during and since World War II, and practically all the original owners have died,” said Ruda. “Sorting out all that material is likely to take years. I’m sure that heirs will be found for some of it, but valid owners may never be found for many items. My best guess is that those works may be sold for charity.”

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

entertainment

6

Weirdest Christmas flicks of all time by chris howze

It counts because of all the Christmas music permeating throughout.

news@deltacollegian.net

I

t’s Christmastime and that means holiday movies invading every television network in existence.

I am a movie buff and naturally I have a list of my favorite films: “A Christmas Story,” the disgustingly adorable “Love Actually” or Bill Murray’s “Scrooged.”

This year I decided what would be fun and different is to compile a list of not-so-traditional holiday movies. These movies take place at Christmas but don’t trouble themselves with issues of yuletide cheer.

‘DIE HARD’

One of the best action movies ever made takes place at Christmastime for thematic reasons sure, with the subtext of the hero John McClaine coming to Los Angeles to see his estranged wife in hopes of spending the holiday with her and their children.

I really think its at the most wonderful time of the year so it can have this line of dialogue: “Now I have a machinegun. Ho, Ho, Ho.”

‘LETHAL WEAPON’

Nothing screams Christmas cheer like a prostitute taking a swan dive out a high rise, a conspiracy involving the import/export of heroin, a suicidal cop partnered with one ready to retire and torture via Gary Busey.

‘GREMLINS’

The film parents weren’t sure to let their children watch with it’s bizarre mix of cute, fuzzy creatures and creepy demonic looking little cretins with a penchant for Snow White and causing tons of property damage.

This movie gets kudos for being PG rated and including little monsters getting thrown into blenders, microwaves, decapitated or full on melted, while Johnny Mathis’ “Do You Hear What I Hear” plays in backround.

‘BATMAN RETURNS’

Possibly the darkest of all the Batman films, which is no small feat. This showcases an absurd and often grotesque carnival of people with weird animal motifs prancing about in rubber costumes while snow blankets Gotham City.

The film’s story, music and performances gives off an opera vibe. In the end it was just funny given how adult this film was to see Mc Donald’s try to sell happy meals promoting it.

‘BLACK CHRISTMAS’

I saved the absolute best for last. This 1974 cult horror classic about a nutter preying on a sorority house on Christmas Eve was directed

by Bob Clark who also ironically directed “A Christmas Story” later in life. It’s the most insane double feature imaginable.

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Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Looking back on a nostalgic film classic of the holiday season by diane rivera

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W

e all have a favorite holiday film. For me it’s the 1994 remake of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

The original 1947 classic still stands the test of time but I’m more emotionally attached to the remake, being that I grew up with it.

In both versions the story concerns a department store Santa Claus claiming to be the real deal. He is institutionalized as insane, while a young lawyer tries to prove in court that the man’s claims are genuine.

The 1994 version, written by John Hughes, isn’t radically different but remixes the story into a contemporary setting.

The performances, especially that of Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle, are wonderful. The score by Bruce Broughton is also worth mentioning. It exudes holiday nostalgia, bringing back memories of Christmases past.

The core theme running throughout either version is faith, not just in Santa Claus, but in a more general sense.

This theme is strengthened with a line in the 1947 original: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

The underlying idea is there can still be hope in a world that has become jaded and cynical.

There are people out there that look beyond their selfish needs to focus on the needs of others. If people no longer believe in what the symbol of Santa Claus is then we are doomed to live a life filled with doubt.

If you haven’t seen either version of the film, you are missing out on a true classic.

‘Catching Fire’ film adaptation thrills, but divides fans of book by amanda sarisky

improvement from the original movie.

The characters grew significantly, especially Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta. The character was a he second film adaptation of Suzanne bit of an afterthought in the first film, so I was Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy, pleased with how director Francis Lawrence “Catching Fire,” opened on Nov. 21 made Peeta a more realized character. with the largest debut of all The new characters added to the film time for the month. also attracted positive and negative reRATING (OUT OF 5) The film received strong views. Some fans didn’t think actor Sam reviews from critics, but fans Claflin was attractive enough to play the of the book, including myself, role of District 4 winner Finnick Odair. wanted more. Although the film Delta student Katelyn Arata didn’t remained relatively true to the have the same feeling. book, I felt important scenes in the book were “I personally found Finnick to be a very atexcluded from the film. tractive male,” Arata said. “The way he portrayed In the book Haymitch, a former game winner Finnick also added to his attractiveness. Especially and mentor to Katniss and Peeta, suffers trausince it was the way that Finnick carried himself matic flashbacks from his time in the games. He that made him such an attractive character.” then tells the pair what happened to his family as Many, including Arata, said sometimes fans a result of his victory. of books can be incredibly picky when their During the games, Haymitch used a force favorite books are adapted for the big screen. field to his advantage, killing his final opponent. “I think when reading the book, the reader beIn doing so, he embarrasses the Capitol, much comes attached to characters for reasons regardlike Katniss did in her final act of the Huning their personal experiences and beliefs,” Arata ger Games. President Snow was so angry over said. “So when a movie is adapted, the actors or Haymitch’s defiance he had his family killed. directors may take different path, so the reader This event resulted in Haymitch becoming an may disagree with that adaption.” alcoholic and drug abuser.

Although I missed a few scenes, “Catching I found this to be one of the most profound Fire” was a huge improvement from the first and important events in the book, and was movie. The sequel increased my excitement for the disappointed to see it omitted in the film. Befinal two films, with the final book, “Mockingjay,” sides that, overall I felt “Catching Fire” was an being split in two.

news@deltacollegian.net

T

7

sports

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

Mustangs see split seasons with victories, loses by jermaine davis news@deltacollegian.net

Delta College sports teams have endured a lot of up and down results within the Big 8 Conference.

With the baseball, football, water polo and soccer seasons ending for these sports, there are several reasons for Mustang fans to remain positive heading into the spring.

led the team in tackles, Christopherson with 101, 10.1 per game, and Ramos with 85, 8.5 per game.

Freshman Defensive Lineman, Nathan DiDonato also made contributions to the defensive by leading the team in sacks with five.

WATER POLO

Delta’s baseball team finished No. 3 in the conference with an overall record of 28-14, going 14-5 at home and 13-8 on the road.

Sophomore Jordan Devencenzi, who earned Big 8 Conference Player of the Month honors in April, ended the season with impressive stats.

Devencenzi had a batting average of .354, with two home runs and 33 runs batted in.

Outfielders Tyler Steib and Rudy Perez, led the team in stolen bases with (21, 16) respectively.

Sophomore pitchers Alex Lott, Sam Held and Matt Valencia led the pitching staff in stats. Lott had an Earned Run Average of .137, while Held won seven games and Valencia recorded 53 strikeouts.

The women’s and men’s water polo teams both had good seasons in 2013.

The women advanced to the conference tournament and the men made it to the playoffs.

The women’s team finished with an overall record of 16-15, advancing to the conference tournament winning one out of three games played.

Freshman Nicole Cunningham led the team in points (75), while fellow freshman Victoria Dettloff led in assist (46) and steals (153).

“With all of these girls being freshmen, they really impressed me with how well they played in the tournament. We were so, so close to making it to the Nor Cal Tournament,” said Head Coach Nathan Varosh. “The fact that they were there, they experienced that ... the possibilities are endless for next year, we’re really excited.”

The men’s overall record was 7-8, advancing to the playoffs where the team fell to Diablo Valley College losing the match 17-8.

FOOTBALL

SOCCER

BASEBALL

Delta’s football team took a step backwards in comparison to the team’s 2012 Silicon Valley Bowl Championship season.

Gary Barlow’s 13th season as head coach for the Mustangs was one he’d probably like to forget.

The team finished last in the conference with a record of 2-8, with a road record of 0-5 in 2013.

Sophomore Running Back Theo Wofford provided a bright spot for the team by leading the conference in rushing yards per game with 106.6 and rushing touchdowns with 15.

Sophomore and freshman Linebacker’s James Christopherson and Adrian Ramos

Delta’s men’s and women’s soccer seasons were both hampered with injuries to key players, which made a huge impact in the results on the field.

The men’s team ended its campaign with a disappointing record of 7-10-3, finishing last in the Big 8 Conference with a winning percentage of .425 in 2013.

The women finished fourth in the conference with an overall record of 9-7-5, with an impressive home record of 6-1-4.

The Lady Mustangs advanced to the playoffs as expected, but lost a hard fought battle against Consumer River College 0-1.

Sophomore Goal Keeper Hanna Boger only allowed 11 goals in 20 games played, while freshman Monica Arroyo led the team in points (13).

Stockton princpal talks path to NFL refereeing by kevin fleischman news@deltacollegian.net

Hundreds of people eat, sleep and breathe sports.

A 2011 National Football League poll showed 64 percent of Americans watch the NFL on Sundays.

Fans cheer for their teams to win and watch for their favorite players to make a catch or touchdown.

A negative side to the game is that fans sometimes don’t like the game officials. Football fans think NFL referees favor one team over another.

In reality, referees enforce the rules and see that the game runs smoothly.

Peter Morelli, a Stockton resident and Principal of St. Mary’s High School, has been an NFL Referee since 1997.

Morelli started officiating out of high school when his father and uncle got him involved refereeing high school football. Starting out, he worked freshmen and the JV games.

After working his assignment, Morelli would stay to observe the varsity game to pick up pointers from veteran officials.

Morelli said he “wasn’t sure if he would fall in love with officiating or have the passion for it but since he played the game of football it was a way for him to stay involved.”

When he was 20, Morelli decided to start officiating junior college football games. By the time he was 24, he had his own crew where he became the head referee.

Morelli said he worked 18 years officiating at the high school level.

He then moved up to Division I. In 1989, Morelli became principal of St. Mary’s and was refereeing Division I. He stopped working high school games to devote more time to the college level.

In Division I, Morelli was assigned to work the Santa Clara and St. Mary’s College game, which was now NFL White Hat referee Bill Leavy’s crew.

Leavy, who usually took the lead role, let Morelli be in charge for the game.

Morelli said he was excited because it was a televised game and he got to wear the microphone and announce to the stadium.

What Morelli didn’t know was there was an NFL Scout at the game to observe Leavy, because he had an application in with the NFL. After the game, the scout asked Morelli if he had submitted an NFL application. Morelli answered no. The scout encouraged him to apply.

He did and was accepted.

The process is a lot tougher to get into the NFL as an official.

“The top three things they look for,” Morelli said, “is if you are athletic looking, good demeanor, and communicate well with coaches and players.”

Once the NFL has determined a person is fit and serious, the league does a psychological profile test to see if candidates can handle stress. After that, there is an extensive FBI background check.

Morelli has worked with the NFL since 1997.

He said the biggest thing fans of the game don’t understand is how many hours he and fellow officials put in during the week to prepare themselves for the games.

Morelli said he personally reviews film he receives from the NFL for his next game assignment to give him an idea of what to expect from the teams.

It’s more than just showing up to the stadium on Sunday mornings, working the game and then leaving the moment the game ends.

All the preparation starts back in early July for him with the start of training camp.

Morelli encourages anyone interested in becoming a football official to start out working at the high school level by contacting the NCOA South Football Association.

Strong season for Mustang volleyball ends by eleanor mafi

news@deltacollegian.net

Delta College women’s volleyball played a tough match in the third round of the regional playoffs against Cabrillo College of Santa Cruz, resulting in the Mustangs elimination.

"I was a bit nervous but I got that out the first match. I just wanted to win so badly because we had nothing to lose," said Jackie Ahloo, after the final game.

The Mustangs ended the season with a record of 21-6 in Big Conference 8, ranked eight in state and four in Northern California.

Outside Hitter Lauren Kissel led the state in kills.

"I think we did fairly well. I think success isn't based simply on record but looking at how much we have grown from the beginning and we have grown tremendously. We made it to Elite 8 and lost to the team that took the entire thing,” said Kamea Chock.

The Mustangs have sophomore base that will continue to take their individual love of the game to the next level. Several players will be transferring to four-year colleges after this season.

Five freshman are expected to return next season.

Half of the Mustangs starters this season were sophomores, playing under the guidance of Head Coach Molly Mordaunt, as well as assistant coaches Patty Paniagua and Jasmine Howard.

"I think we had a fairly good season even though it did not turn out the way I hoped because I would have loved to go to Final Four but it is all a learning an growing process," said Chock.

8

news

Issue 7 • Dec. 13, 2013 • deltacollegian.net

FARM: Delta explores sell of Manteca agriculture lab continued from PAGE 1 of hand,” Hart said. “We know that this land in Manteca is worth [a lot] of money.”

The land has an estimated value of $21 million.

Hart said these funds could be used for “desperately needed” repairs to the main campus, as well as for an improved agricultural program.

She maintains that agricultural studies would remain a priority. “[Agriculture] would be the focus of those things that we would do,” said Hart during the meeting.

On Nov. 8, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.

Although no greater in magnitude than Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast including New York City in late 2012, the typhoon left the island devastated.

Several poorly structured buildings crumbled due to the high wind forces. Many people are without clean water and electricity and little or no access to hospitals or food.

While the event happened far away, Stockton’s abundant Filipino community has taken action to help those impacted by the disaster.

For Stockton resident Voltaire Hortizuela the devastation of the Philippines has brought sadness to him and his family.

“I am a first generation Filipino-American, my parents were both born in the Philip-

This time he broke into the Student Chef Lounge through the entrance before prying open The Culinary Arts Depart- the register and stealing $70 in ment was recently victim to cash. He also rolled away on his multiple burglaries on campus. bicycle with recyclables left beThe most recent crime com- hind by the students. mitted involves the cafeteria “They have me on video … You kitchen and the see me walking Student Chef through, making Lounge located MORE ONLINE sure all the doors in Danner Hall. Read a story on the recent are locked and Nov. 9, a shooting near the main campus then 20 minutes man strolled into entrance at deltacollegian.net. later he comes Danner Hall and in,” said Instrucbroke into the tional Support Assistant McKinzie cafeteria’s kitchen through an un- Harrison. “It’s very unfortunate locked door, stealing packages of that this has happened, but all we meat and Gatorade drinks before can do is move forward and premaking his way to the Student pare for our Winter Feast.”

Chef Lounge where he took $17 The thief struck again on Nov. 23. dollars from the register.

Campus police set up a sting The alleged theif came to clean operation, resulting in the assailup again at 6:03 p.m. on Nov. 16. ant being caught red-handed. news@deltacollegian.net

PHOTO BY SONYA HERRERA

SELLING THE FARM: The Manteca Farm Laboratory, shown above, is worth an estimated $21 million, money that, if the farm is sold, can be used for other expenses.

Local Filipino community takes action to provide aid news@deltacollegian.net

Culinary Arts thief caught by jermaine davis

Typhoon Haiyan devastates Philippines by amanda sarisky

CAMPUS SAFETY

pines,” Hortizuela said.

Hortizuela’s father moved to Stockton in 1982. His mother followed in 1993.

His mother and father still have family in the Philippines.

“When we first saw the footage we all started crying, seeing all of those people dig through the rubble to find loved ones and seeing entire areas washed away was devastating,” Hortizuela said.

The typhoon severely damaged power lines and cell towers, making contact nearly impossible.

“We were immediately worried about our [family’s] safety, when a typhoon hits you can never know how hard it’ll hit or how far the damage will spread,” Hortizuela said.

Hortizuela’s family is located in the northern Philippines.

Haiyan largely impacted the southern and central portion of the Philippines.

“I was especially relieved when I heard they were okay because my moms parents are getting older and have been having a hard time getting around, so when we heard they were safe we were so relieved,” Hortizuela said.

Although Hortizuela and his family know their family is safe they still have donated money to various charities so others can be aided.

“My parents have donated to the Red Cross, Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund and the Cabanayan Organization Fun,” Hortizuela said.

Although the Philippines is struggling now, Hortizuela said we shouldn’t count the Philippines out.

“We may be down right now but we’re headed back up and Filipino people are so kind hearted, loving and caring that we will surpass this unfortunate disaster,” Hortizuela said.

ATHENA: ‘Don’t sit around waiting’ said president continued from PAGE 1 Hart attended Purdue University, and received her undergraduate degree in English and education.

Hart then pursued her masters at Boling Green State, and received her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in higher education and administration.

Prior to earning her Ph.D., Hart earned had her masters and was Director

of Freshman English at Bowling State.

In 1986 she inherited money from two older cousins and wanted to go back to school.

“I loved my job then but will I love it in 20 years,” said Hart.

Hart decided after Michigan State her heart was in education and administration. In 1994 she became Assistant

Council admonishes mayor by hannah stevens news@deltacollegian.net

Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Stockton City Council voted to “admonish” Mayor Anthony Silva for violating the Brown Act. Section 54963(a) of the Brown Act “prohibits any person from disclosing any confidential information obtained in closed session unless specifically authorized.”

Stockton City Attorney John Luebberke wrote a report recommending the City Council censure Silva in the future.

“Mayor Anthony Silva, following confidential discussions, closed session regarding the appointment of a city manager, did unlawfully share certain confidential information with several media outlets,” said Leubberke.

Multiple news reports were published that refer to Silva’s “news release,” informing reporters that the chosen candidate to be Stockton’s next City

Division Chair of Communication skills at Delta. In 2000 Hart was promoted to the Division Chair.

Hart was promoted to acting superintendent/president in 2012. She officially took the position later that year.

Hart has worked her way up in education and administration. All the while using her influence and knowledge to help others.

“One thing that’s interesting about that is it’s hard to be an internal candidate, everyone knows you,” said Hart.

Manager was David Garcia.

“The city council finds that in addition to violating the Brown Act, the unauthorized release of this confidential information by Mayor Anthony Silva created unnecessary confusion, and brought unwarranted ridicule and embarrassment to the City of Stockton and the City Council itself,” said Leubberke.

The City Council is referring the issue to the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury.

Many citizens believe that although the mayor made a mistake, he shouldn’t be punished.

Delta College student, Domingo Sato, 18, was among many protesters holding signs in support of Silva outside of the meeting.

“The mayor is giving the city hope and bringing the city back onto its feet. It’s getting safer.

I’m seeing less crimes, less homicides. We should support him,” Sato said.

“I had to be prepared and never wanted people to think I was going to be handed the job, and I wanted everyone to know I don’t take things for granted.”

Hart continues to inspire those women and student around her, and is heavily engaged in the Stockton community and many of its foundations and organizations.

One note Hart emphasized student’s to take to mind is: “Don’t sit around waiting for someone to come and ask if you need help, actively pursue people who can help you and ask them for help.”