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FEATURES: The cats of El Camino
EL CAMINO COLLEGE
March 28, 2013
Bubbling with activity
Naked affection fosters infection
Monique Judge Opinion Co-editor
Betty Rene Norman/ Union Andy, whose parents asked that his last name not be released, blows bubbles on the Schauerman Library lawn during Childrens Story and Activity Hour last Friday.
Torrance, California
Look at the people in your immediate vicinity. More than likely one of them has had a sexuallytransmitted disease (STD). Melanie Bronstein is one of two nurse practitioners who run the STD clinic at the EC student health center. She says college students are contracting STDs at an alarming rate. “Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common, then chlamydia, then gonorrhea. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) actually appears a lot as well, Bronstein said. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 2 sexually active people will get an STD by the age of 25 with more than 50 percent contracting HPV. “HPV is a risk factor for cancer, and young people don’t seem to be worried about it,” Bronstein said. Bronstein added that young people seem to be more worried about contracting herpes. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 people are infected with herpes in the U.S. Debbie Conover, coordinator of the student health center, said that the health center is doing its part to combat the issue by offering free condoms to students.
There is also an STD clinic every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m., and students can get tested without an appointment, Conover said. Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea is done by urine sample; the test for syphilis is done by blood test, and HIV tests, which oare offered twice a month on Tuesdays, are done by cheek swab with the re-
sults being available in 15 minutes, Bronstein said. Bronstein thinks the importance of testing cannot be stressed enough. She said that testing is important because transmission rates and incubation periods vary. “Anytime you have unprotected sexual intercourse, meaning without a condom, you are at risk for an STD and should be tested,” Bronstein added. According to the CDC website, “If you are a sexually active female 25 years or younger, get tested every year for chlamydia and other
STDs.” Bronstein urges the use of condoms and recommends getting vaccinated for HPV. “The Gardisil vaccine is now being offered for free to students who qualify,” Bronstein said. The CDC advises that the most reliable ways to avoid transmission of STDs are to abstain or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner, but Bronstein feels that even those who are in monogamous relationships should be tested. “If there is any question in your mind that your partner may have had sex with someone else, and you and that partner are not using condoms, you should be tested,” Bronstein said. If students are uncomfortable being tested in the student health center, the health center will provide literature and information on other places for testing including Women’s Clinic at Harbor General, South Bay Family Medical Center and Planned Parenthood.
Forensics team wins state championship
El Camino to host DUI Awareness Fair
Eric Hsieh
Matt Simon
Staff Writer
For many, March 14 marks the beginning of a series of innocuous holidays. From Pi Day for math lovers, to St. Patrick’s Day for those majoring in festivities with a minor in hangovers. For students of EC’s Speech and Debate team, however, it marked something radically different: opening day of their fourday battle at the Woodland Hills Marriot to be the best in the state. When the tournament ended, EC stood at the top; boasting
first in overall placement; the top speaker of the entire state, Jonny Deatherage, 24, political science major, and an array of medals. “The air of the tournament is very strenuous. You’re locked away in a hotel for four days,” Deatherage, said. “You become exhausted, your nerves are all over the place, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.” EC didn’t breeze through the state tournament, however. It faced a total of 31 other schools, from trying rivals to unpredictable newcomers. “There’s a team at Irvine Val-
ley College whom we’ve developed a rivalry with,” Deatherage said. “They’re our top competitors in the league, so we’re always battling for first or second.” The team attributed it’s success to many hours of preperation. “We don’t just go to practice, and then it ends,” Harrison Shieh, president of the team, 20, math and economics major said. “You go home, and whether it’s a function of watching the news, or learning from other debaters, you’re always learning background on info you need to know about.”
institution. “In 2002, Ms. Noble donated a substantiate amount of $70,000 to the fine cabinetry and wood work program here at EC. She has also supported the students through Noble Scholarships,” Gleason said. An endowment project was something that Gleason has been working on for approximately six months. “Last year in November, it was just an idea that I was commenting to Ms. Noble and she said if there was anything she could do to help let her know,” Gleason said. Noble decided to help Gleason with a planned gift that will as Gleason said, “start raising contributions to help affect the budget of the college.”
She said that from this 2 million dollar gift, $100,000 will generate earnings every year. The $2 million will stay invested,” Gleason said. According to the EC Foundation plan, the donation to establish an endowed chair for EC will be take place in a permanently restricted account by the El Camino College Foundation. Net income should be paid as an annual charitable grant to EC for faculty position in the Business Department. Not only has Noble been a gracious donator to EC but she has also been a continuous supporter of other academic institutions along with supporting her local South Bay Community. “Ms. Noble’s husband Joe made his earnings through real
estate and with that she has been a supporting philanthropist. She supports Redondo Union High School and University of Southern California (USC). The Noble’s also donated Noble Park in Hermosa Beach to preserve the greenery for the local residents,” Gleason said. Gleason said that a private ceremony in recognition of Noble had taken place before the unveiling of the EC Mathematics, Business and Allied Health (MBA) Building. “They give because they truly believe in what the organization does. And she has a tremendous trust in EC,” Gleason said.
Undecided Majors Workshop
Nursing Information Workshop
Cal State Fullerton Campus Tour
UC Santa Barbara Campus Tour
Health Sciences Workshop
Today from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a undecided Major Workshop in SSC 207. The event will cover options available to undecided students. For more information contact Career Services at ext. 6137.
On April 4 there will be nursing information workshop in the Distance Education Room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call 310-660-3593 ext. 3404 or visit the Counseling Center.
On April 13 the Transfer Center will be hosting a tour of the CSU Fullerton campus. The event is open to the public and students can find out more by calling 310660-3593 ext. 6137.
There will be a tour of the UC Santa Barbara campus on April 13. The event will be hosted by the Transfer Center and prospective students can find out more by contacting 310-660-3593 ext. 6137
On April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a Health Science Information Workshop. The event will be hosted by the Counseling Center. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at ext. 3404.
Staff Writer
In hopes of spreading DUI awareness, EC will sponsor its 13th Annual South Bay DUI Awareness Fair on April 3. “This event is to spread prevention education for students,” Jeffrey Lewis, EC Police Officer, said. Some students on campus believe this is an event that others should attend for better knowledge of the consequences of drinking and driving. “I know a few people who have
El Camino receives $2 million donation Karen Garcia
Online Associate Editor
NEWS LINE
Supporting academic institutions Elizabeth Noble gives back to the South Bay community. “I just wanted to help academically. It (EC) doesn’t get money or funds like other universities do and it needs money like anyone else,” Elizabeth Noble said. Noble married to the late Joe Boyd Noble, one of the 50 distinguished almuni of EC, donated a gift of $2 million toward a chair endowment for EC. Katie Gleason, Executive Director of the El Camino College Foundation, comments on Noble’s continuous support she has given to the EC campus and overall
By Eric Hsieh
gotten a DUI in the past, so I think this is a pretty cool event for the college to have,” Daniel Flores, 19, sociology major said. “I think if they had been more aware of the consequences my friends would have thought twice before drinking and driving.” The event will take place on the Schauerman Library Lawn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will include a wide variety of handson activities that will showcase the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. “One demonstration is a course that will allow students to put
goggles on that would demonstrate what it’s like to have a high BAC (blood-alcohol level),” Lewis said. The fair is an informative event that will give students knowledge and know-how if they are faced with the situation of drinking and driving. Some of the more interesting graphic demonstrations of the event will be the “crash car,” which was part of an alcohol related accident that will provide a visual for how serious things can get if you drive under the influence.
Photog name/ Union EC President Tom Fallo helps Elizabeth Noble out of the MBA building following her recognition ceremony on March 6.
news
2 El Camino College Union POLICE BEat By Karen Garcia
Parking problems not just for vehicles
Handicap fraud leads to confiscation and citation March 20, 9:30 a.m.–A cadet was performing a handicap placard check in Lot A near the Administration Office. Upon investigation, the driver stated he had mistakenly taken his grandfather’s placard. A record check was done and there was no record of a handicap placard issued to the driver. The driver was cited and the placard was confiscated.
Paramedics attend to ill student in class March 20, 7 p.m.–Officers were dispatched to the Social Science Building regarding a female complaining about pains in her chest and difficulty breathing. Upon the officers arrival they found the female setting at her desk trembling and stating she felt very cold. Paramedics were called in and recommended the female be transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.
Soccer fued turns violent March 20, 7 p.m.–Officers were dispatched to Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Chadron Avenue regarding two males that were fighting. The two males were related and admitted that they had been fighting over a game of soccer. One of the males had kicked the ball and it happened to hit the other male’s car. Neither side wanted to prosecute.
Driver caught with no lisence or insurance March 20, 8 p.m.–Officers on patrol noticed a vehicle on Manhattan Beach Boulevard making an illegal left turn west bound from EC. Officers discovered that the license of the driver was expired. The driver was cited for driving with an expired license and not having any evidence of insurance.
Student returns to bicycle only to find it stolen March 21, 5:55 p.m.–A male student came to the EC Police Department stating that he locked his bicycle with a cable lock at a bike rack on the east side of the book store at noon. When the male came back at around 5 p.m. he discovered the bike was stolen.
Vehicle impounded for outdated registration March 26, 10 a.m.–Police cadets patrolling in Lot H found a vehicle with registration tags that were not up to date. The cadets did a records check through dispatch and found that the registration had expired as of Sept., 2012. The vehicle was impounded for having expired registration of over six months.
Student files report on harassing texter March 26, Noon–Officers spoke with a female student who had concerns about recent text messages that she had been receiving from a male who was in her study group in the past. The male was sending text messages to ask her out but the she found that his messages were offensive and disrespectful. The female had not seen the him since Dec., 2012 and has asked the male to stop texting her. She is now forced to change her phone number.
March 28, 2013
Photo by Rachel Oatridge/Union A bicycle rack outside the Humanities Building which is completely filled due to the large amount of students who rely on bikes as their only means of trasportation.
Karen Garcia
Online Associate Editor
Officers of the EC Police Department issued warnings to the bicycle community the first week of March, stating
that bikes would be towed if it was locked in an area other than a bike rack. Chief of Police Mike Trevis explains the concern that many students have when bicycles are not locked in the designated bike
racks. “For some students it is a challenge to walk into certain buildings because bikes are being locked onto the rails,” Trevis said. “This causes a lot of difficulty for students that need to hold onto the rails, for whatever reason.” Trevis added, the rails of buildings aren’t the only spots where bikes should not be placed; they are being locked and left in different areas on the campus. Students are locking their bikes on the lamp poles on campus or even on tree trunks without thinking of the consequences of what could happen to their property, or whether their bike is disturbing facility workers. “What if the pole needs a bulb replaced? The bike could potentially be in the way of this replacement process,” Trevis said. Bikes that are left on tree trunks are at risk of being damaged if the tree is being trimmed, Trevis said.
Dane Irvine, 26, business major was unaware of the new policy being enforced on the bicycle community. He was not on campus the week that the warnings were issued, his bike being his only form of transportation, he felt that there should be more awareness of the rule so that students won’t go to their bikes only to find them gone. “There should be signs notifying us that we can’t put our bikes in any other spot other than a bike rack,” Irvine said. “I’d be pissed if I came back to find my bike gone because it was towed.” Other students such as Isaiah Nunez, 18, interactive arts major understand the concerns that many have if bikes are in the way but feels there should be more bike racks on campus. “It can be that the bicycles are a hassle for students that are disabled. But many lock their bikes in other areas because it’s easier if you’re late to class,” Nunez
said. “There should be more racks on campus then for better accessibility.” Trevis said, he understands that many students lock their bikes in spots that are most convenient to them regarding distance or safety of their property. There is a way that the EC Police Department helps students who own bicycles register their property in case the bike is stolen, according to the EC Police department website. “We have an engraving tool in the department that the students can utilize to put a special mark anywhere on their so it can later be identified if it is missing,” Trevis said. Travis added that there are also plans in the works of getting more bike racks on campus. “I am pleased to say that we have had 99.5 percent compliance with the bicycle community because they do understand,” Trevis said.
New fuels bring new issues
Union nationally recognized
Johnysha Vercher
Karen Garcia
Staff Writer
Cruising down the freeway in a flux fuel car, Heather Parnock’s lights begin flashing for unknown reasons; she springs into action utilizing her new knowledge from the Alternative Fuel Training Program. Parnock drives a GMC Sierra, a flux fuel vehicle, that can run on unleaded gasoline or ethanol which is alternative fuel. Alternative fuel vehicles are cars that run on ethanol, natural gas or other gaseous fuels. “I had an emergency with my vehicle and everything on the dashboard lit up, I had to pull over in the emergency lane,” Parnock, public relations supervisor, said. “I didnt know if there was a fire or what was going on.” After attending the new First Responder Training Program, Parnock learned that ethanol has invisible flames. “I got out the vehicle and I was walking around with my hands outstretched, trying to see if there was any heat or flames coming from underneath the hood,” Parnock said. With the knowledge Parnock gained from the program she was able to utilize skills that she otherwise wouldn’t have known. The Alternative Fuel Training Program is designed to inform first responders such as police officers and fire fighters on what to do when faced with alternative
fuel emergencies. It will be held on Friday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Technical Arts Building; currently the program is open to faculty, autobody, automotive, staff and will be instructed by members of the fire academy. “It is a safety course to know about these vehicles and what to do in case there is an emergency,” Eldon Davidson, director of contract and community education, said. Even though the only difference between an alternative fuel vehicle and a regular vehicle is the actual fuel being used, there are still dangers involved when it comes to simply having no knowledge of certain protocols. “It’s not just the electronics, its the airbags too. If you don’t know what you’re doing, with this course you will know what to do to save your life,” Davidson said. Even students have an interest in learning about alternative fuels and have had experiences with electric cars that make them appreciate people being informed. “I think the whole idea about using different fuel is not just good for the environment but in the long run works out for everyone,” Ivan Mendez, 21, philosophy major, said. Knowledge about alternative fuel vehicles can and will save lives in the future for new and old drivers alike. “It’s not something the salesman tells you when you’re driving the vehicle off the lot,” Parnock said.
Success stems from the mind Steven Tran Staff Writer
Tucked into a tiny corner next to the pool you can find the EC Student Health Center, which has an abundance of resources ready to help the physical and mental issues that trouble students. The health center will provide informational workshops concerning campuswide issues that affect student performance throughout the spring semester. “Your physical and mental self must be taken care of,” Debbie Conover, student health services coordinator, said. “You can do all of that in the health center.” Ruth Taylor, clinical psychologist, said that students can attend a workshop by signing up 15 minutes before it begins; but, once a workshop has begun, students will be denied. Led by a clinical psychologist, the workshops are not “group therapy,” but are intended to inform students, Conover said. There will be workshops on managing anger on April 25 and May 24; also, on May 6, 9, and 20, there will be workshops on managing anxiety. “The administration provides these kind of services because they want students to be successful in school,” Taylor said. “They know that psychological or emotional problems can get in the way of a very capable student.” In addition to the workshops on the management of anger and anxiety, there will be a workshop on April 30 about understanding depression, according to the student health services newsletter. “We have a lot of prejudices about psychological help; if people have a physical problem then it is very visible and you can treat it,” Taylor said. “When you have ongoing distress which interferes with
life, the tendency is to ‘buckle up and it will go away.” However, because students are entitled to six free sessions of psychological counseling, the tendency to suppress distress can be avoided, Taylor added. “It really is a brave thing to do,” Taylor said. “For every student that comes in asking for help, there is probably 15 to 20 students who could probably use some help but don’t know how to ask for it.” Any information discussed during individual counseling is confidential, Taylor added. “Most people have trouble admitting that they have a psychological problem or that they are unhappy,” Taylor said. “They work hard to make due with whatever they are feeling.” In contrast to the depressing topics, Taylor said there has been emerging research on positive psychology which emphasizes the characteristics of happier people. “It turns out everybody wants to be happier,” Taylor said. “Lots of people have ideas about what to do to be happier, but we offer exercises, suggestions, and research.” The positive psychology workshop will take place on April 24 and May 14, according to the student health services newsletter. “These topics seem to endure,” Taylor said. “It involves people coming in, sitting in a room, listening to some information, sometimes doing exercises and we usually have written material that they can take home.” In addition the workshops offered, the student health center offers many other services which are either free, or provided at a low cost, Conover said. “There’s no harm in it and it’s certainly worth coming by,” Taylor said.
Online Associate Editor
The Union newspaper and Warrior Life magazine were nationally recognized by the College Media Association, winning first place for best newspaper in a two-year school. Warrior Life won third place in the category of best magazine cover in a two-year school as well as first place for best magazine spread in a twoyear school. The editor-in-chief for the Union was Viridiana Vaca-Rios and Ashley Curtin was the EIC for Warrior Life. Vaca-Rios, who is now the Union Online and Warrior Life magazine EIC,
said it is nice to be recognized for the work she and her team produced. “It has to do with having supportive advisers, keeping focus on the big picture, the big goal and working to achieve it,” Vaca-Rios said. “Each of us have our own title but that doesn’t stop us from helping out one another.” Adviser and journalism professor Lori Medigovich said that she knows the reason for her students’ success. “These students work really hard and put a lot of time and effort into their work,” Medigovich said. “It shows in the fact that they’ve won these awards.” Kate McLaughlin, advis-
er and journalism instructor, dissects the importance of the Union to the EC community, students and staff. “No one else covers EC like the Union does. It provides information for the EC community and ultimately creates a public record that goes back to 1946,” McLaughlin said. McLaughlin added that these students are pushed to their limits to excel in and ultimately gain growth, along with a vast amount of learning experiences. “Winning these awards puts a little wind in the sail of the students to continue to work hard and achieve this type of credibility and recognition,” McLaughlin said.
features
March 28, 2013
El Camino College Union 3
Paula Geerligs/ Union
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Cats Contribute to Community Kyle Mounce
Multimedia Editor
They’re furry, friendly, and they even have their own Facebook page; whether you are with them or against them, the cats at EC are a well recognized part of campus. There is estimated to be more than 100 feral cats on the EC campus, and there has been a population of cats here longer than anyone can remember, Debbie Turano, EC Senior Clerical Assistant, said. Little Orange, Don Cornelius, Whitney, and Smokey are just a few of the many cats on campus that have been named, with many more that are considered wild. “We are a community college, and I see those cats as part of our community,” Elise Geraghty, Associate Dean of Humanities, said. “I see them as a gift.” Many of the cats on campus are well fed and cared for by students and staff. While there are cats that are actually born on campus, there are also many that are simply dropped off here, Turano said. Turano added that they try to help find homes for many of the kittens born on campus, as well as the cats that are more friendly. So far all of the kittens have been successfully adopted. Turano and her husband Carl also organize a trap neuter release program, which is where they trap as many cats as they can and take them to a clinic to get fixed. Fix Nation, an organization that offers free and low cost spaying and neutering, is responsible for fixing a majority of the captured cats and accepts tax-deductable donations that benefit the cats here on
Lorentious Berry/ Union
campus. The clinic also gives the cats all of their necessary shots and a flea treatment and marks the cats that have been treated so they are not treated again. The money for these procedures as well as food and any medical care that the cats may need comes from donations made to the Turanos, and the college even has a moderate yearly sum of $600 from their pest control budget that is used to help pay for fixing
the cats, Turano said. “I don’t really consider myself a cat person but the cats here are so friendly, it’s hard not to like them, “ Garret Moir, 20, administration of justice major, sid. While many people on campus are very attached to the cats some see them as an issue that needs to be dealt with. “Feline disease spreads fast and we don’t know if any of the cats have any,” Kristen Spendlove, 26, child education major, said. The administration has a problem with cat droppings, as well as other animal droppings, in the new sports complex and there are people who think that the feeding areas are too exposed, Turano said. The members of staff were told last Thursday that they are no longer allowed to feed the cats on campus, and it is something that they are not happy about, Turano said. Turano added that besides companionship, the cats serve another purpose on campus. “The cats are a good form of rodent control and because we have them we don’t have a problem with rodents,” Turano said. There are many students and staff that have formed bonds with these cats and they add a lot to our campus’ personality, Geraghty said. “No matter how stressful my day,” Geraghty said, “the day always ends well when I go down and play with the little cats.”
Paula Geerligs/ Union
Paula Geerligs/ Union
EDITORIAL
4 El Camino College Union
March 28, 2013
Bike riders rack up tickets not parking spaces
Illustration by Eugene Chang
It happens to everyone. Your car breaks down, and you need to find an alternate way to get to school. While some people would say, “I’m not going to go to class,” others may see this as a great opportunity to bike to school and get some exercise along the way. As evidenced by the full bike racks almost every day except Friday, many people around campus ride their bikes to school as their main mode of transportation. Recently, many bikers who have locked their bikes to structures other than the designated racks have had slips stapled to their bikes stating that locking bikes to “ramps and walkways or handrails” is prohibited because this creates a hazard and impediment for the disabled members of our campus community. The problem is, most bikers are not trying to be inconsiderate; there simply are not enough racks for all the bikes on campus. Addiionally, the racks only offer enough space to lock the front tire of the bike to the rack. Many bikers dislike this because a bike locked only with the front tire will not be totally se-
cure. Most bikers prefer to chain the frame of the bike to the rack, but because of overcrowding at the bike racks, this becomes an impossibility, and results in people wanting to park their bike inside the campus. Bikers want to be close to their bikes as much as possible.
The Issue • Bikes parked “illegally” on campus are being ticketed.
Our Stand • EC should provide more bike racks. There are currently a total of seventeen bike rack locations on campus. If you walk by any one of them, there is usually an overcrowding of bikes. While EC has recently added another rack between the Administration and new MBA buildings, more are needed. The EC Police Department wishes for everyone to lock their
bikes in the proper locations. Part of the reason they are doing this is because they want bikes to stay on the perimeter of the campus and not on poles or railings inside the campus. ECPD should be doing more to encourage commuters to use bikes. Unlike a car, bikes are economical, don’t require insurance or gas, can go for years without being tuned, and are an enviromentally friendly mode of transportation. If ECPD is going to continue to enforce these rules, then they need to provide more spaces for commuters to properly lock up their bikes. It is important we let the administration know that we need more bike racks around campus. March 20 marked the beginning of spring, and as the weather improves, bikes on campus will increase. Failing to provide proper facilities for bikes on campus while simultaneously ticketing riders for so-called “illegal parking” is sending the wrong message to eco-friendly commuters. See related article Page 2
The student health center is not your high school nurse’s office For $19 per semester, students can receive many of the same services they would in a primary care office and more. Each semester, with the exception of summer, students pay a $19 student health fee along with the other fees and tuition they pay to attend EC. Some can be heard grumbling, “But I have my own health insurance. Why do I need to pay this fee?” The EC student health center is funded solely by the student health services fee that is charged each semester. There is no outside funding, and they get no money from the state to stay open. The $19 per semester that students pay goes a long way to ensure that students are able to get treatment for a number of maladies and receive numerous other
services while on campus. Not surprisingly, a number of students don’t even know where the student health center is, much less the services that it provides, but they should. The student health center is located next to the swimming pool in a building that looks deceivingly small. Inside, a full service health clinic provides many services at a cost lower than what the average co-payment is to see your primary care physician, and there is the added benefit of not needing an appointment to be seen. The student health center is staffed by licensed registered nurses. With the exception of the co-
ordinator, Debbie Conover (who herself has a masters degree in nursing), all the nurses on staff are nurse practitioners. This means they have gone through specialized advanced training that allows them to see patients, diagnose ailments and write prescriptions. The health center has walk-in hours on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Students can go to the walk-in clinic for anything from a simple headache to a papercut and everything in between. If a student’s ailment is beyond
the scope of what the health center can treat, a referral to a local healthcare provider will be made. The next time you have a headache, skip the expensive two-tablet packets at Cafe Camino and walk over to the health center; they will give you Advil or Tylenol over the counter for free. There is a physician available to students by appointment. To make an appointment, students can walk into the health center during walk-in hours and talk to the wonderful ladies at the front desk. If your back is giving you problems, there is also a chiropractor on staff who sees students by appointment only on Thursdays. If stress, anxiety or any other
mental issue is the concern, pyschological counseling, workshops and group sessions are also available for free. Low-cost pap smears, pregnancy tests, blood tests, immunizations and STD testing are available as well. In fact, each Tuesday from 1-4 p.m., the health center has an STD clinic where students can also be tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV and syphillis. The health center is currently offering the HPV vaccine, Gardisil, at no cost to students who do not currently have their own private health insurance plan. With all the services the health center has to offer, why aren’t students taking advantage of it and
using it more? Is it simply a case of being unaware? $19 per semester is a drop in the bucket compared to what some pay for private health insurance. Students with or without insurance should be taking advantage of the services offered. Additionally, students should be lobbying for the health center to be open during summer session as well. Our health doesn’t take a break during the summer, and neither should our health center. You pay the $19 per semester to keep it open; you should be using the health center.
Submit to Myriad and let your creativity shine Confession is good for the soul and a few laughs campus insight Have you ever wanted to have your writing published? What about your artwork? Since 1962, EC has published its very own creative arts Corrine Kosidiak 18, English journal, Myriad. It is full of artwork, stories, and poetry created by students. It displays a great deal of talent from our own community, and EC students have a chance to be a part of it! Last year Myriad received nearly 150 submissions, and this year the editors hope that even more student work will be submitted. Why should you submit work? For one thing, getting published looks great on college transfer applications, especially if you are pursuing an English degree. In these days of impacted programs, this little edge can make the difference toward getting into the school of your dreams. It can also help future writers climb the publishing ladder. Starting on a secular level in a newspaper or magazine can eventually lead to reaching the pinnacle of publishing - a book contract. Besides the academic reasons, getting printed is quite a confidence boost; it’s exciting.
U N NIO EL CAMINO COLLEGE
Vol. 66, No. 13 March 28, 2013
E -mail: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329
Just think; you could be published, and students, faculty, and family can see your name in print. All submissions are reviewed by the editors and selections are made based on style, content and other factors. Eventually, 50 works are accepted and published in the final product. Submitting takes little time; as all submissions can be sent to the Myriad via email at the.myriad@ gmail.com. The submission deadline is Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Maybe you have poetry that you write in your spare time. Maybe you took a creative writing class. Maybe art is your go to when you want to relax. Submit it all! You just might get noticed. The views expressed in Campus Insight are those of the authors. They do not represent the views or opinions of the Union, its staff, editorial board or advisers. This column is available to students and faculty. All articles may be submitted to eccunion@gmail.com. Please note that articles may be edited for content and length
Editor-in-Chief ����������������������������������������������������������������������� Thomas Schmit Co-News Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Thomas Schmit Co-News Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Brian Camacho Co-Opinion Editor �������������������������������������������������������������������Monique Judge Co-Opinion Editor �����������������������������������������������������������������������Rigo Bonilla Features Editor ����������������������������������������������������������������������� Thomas Schmit Arts Editor �����������������������������������������������������������������������������Jessica Martinez Co-Sports Editor �������������������������������������������������������������������Emerson Keenan Co-Sports Editor ��������������������������������������������������������������������Jessica Martinez Photo Editor ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Kyle Borden Advertising Manager ����������������������������������������������������������������JJ Maldonaldo Adviser ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Lori Medigovich Adviser ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kate McLaughlin Technical Support ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� Don Treat
Commentary Blood rushes, adrenaline pumps, and his clicker finger twitches as doubt flashes, but he’s come too far; the secrets from the depths of his soul will Rigo Bonilla Co-Opinion Editor be published for his college peers to see on Facebook. Facebook.com/ElCaminoCollegeConfessions is a page set up specifically for the EC student community to be able to anonymously get things off their chest. The anonymity factor gives students the courage to utter secrets they may not have told anyone else in the world. “I lock all the stalls in the bathroom so that those who need to really to use them will suffer,” an unattributed student said on the page last week. Any halfway decent relationship has at least one inside joke; the confessions page is providing students with a forum to be able to get some snickers and chuckles from insignificant events that would otherwise go forgotten. “This kid in my chemistry class starts singing ‘Super Bass’ every time the professor mentions a super base in a reaction,” a perturbed chemistry student said. They didn’t find the play on words particularly amusing. Although many submissions contain language not
The Union is published Thursdays by Journalism 11 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113. Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process. Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.
suitable for print, most of them have a light-hearted spirit that aims to play down the seriousness of getting an education in today’s America. The confessions page makes the huge campus seem a little bit smaller; students realize that someone else notices the same thing they’ve noticed, or that someone else has the same complaint as them. While the comments can be informative, funny and zany, the unabridged opinion of an anonymous young adult will undoubtedly be harsh from time to time. This is a concern, because it only takes one person to ruin a party. It would be a tragedy if authorities were to push for the removal of the page because one student decided to lay down a heavy-handed jab at someone else. There haven’t been any known complaints to date, but in this new world of cyber bullying, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. And where would the students go to complain about the closure of the page? Students should continue to use the confessions page to form a tight-knit community. As young people and leaders of the cyber age, we need to start developing a sense of lines not to cross, so that good things like this don’t get taken away. Because when emotions manifest and the love birds get to chirping, not everyone can be trusted with information like, “I want to tell you how I feel, but I can’t get over the fact that you might be friendzoning me.”
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Opinion
March 28, 2012
El Camino College Union 5
UP FOR DEBATE
Should the EC community support the cat population? It smells a bit like feline spirit
Eric Hseih Staff writer
It’s the intangibles that make a college experience. It’s the feeling of being a part of something with peers. The cats are a part of us because we are EC, and this is the home they’ve chosen. Sometimes a good thing just falls in your lap and and wants to cuddle.
You’ve been suckered by a massive conspiracy. A deception laid by the founders of the Internet. The lie? That cats are cute. OK, maybe they’re kind of cute. Through the magic of the Internet, tech-savy animal lovers make it their business to show you exactly how cute, but the real world is a
Illustration by Eugene Chang
distance away from the frizzy, 6-month-old kitten making eyes at you through Instagram. On their website, the Humane Society features a 16-minute video about the “Feral Cat Crisis.” In it, they warn that population estimates for feral cats in the U.S. run well into the tens of millions. Our crime has been to encourage these cat colonies to grow and spread. Leaving food and shelter out for feral cats can feel like we’re helping. It has the heady aroma of kindness and charity. The inconvenient truth is that doing so simply makes us accomplice, voluntary or not, to the growing number of wild cats rounded up at shelters. The second ugly truth is that your batty, cat-obsessed neighbor can only rescue a tiny fraction of them every week before the shelter has to make space. Animal experts suggest bringing these feral cats in to be spayed and neutered, but this raises a battery of concerns. The most important one being: who is responsible for this? The answer cannot seriously be EC. Where would we draw the line? Will paying for the cocktail of rabies and viral inoculations be enough? How about flea treatments so that students aren’t itching in their seats eight months down the line? Surely we wouldn’t pay for these services just to abandon our feline friends when they develop glaucoma, arthritis, or hookworms. The critical difference between caring for a cat at home and trying to support a feral cat colony isn’t just a matter of population. If we decide to care for a cat community, it means the ones we know and love, but also the transients that drift in, the sicknesses they bring, and a commitment that lasts long after they grow to depend on us instead of themselves. There’s a reason any national park will warn its visitors not to feed the wildlife. It’s tough love, but in this case, it’s the best love we can offer.
Standing up to a rape culture that thrusts blame on women, not men Column
Monique Judge Co-opinion editor
“The Kissing Sailor” is one of the most iconic photographs in American history. We’ve all seen it at least once in our lives. Taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt on Victory over Japan Day in Times Square, New York City on August 14, 1945, the picture depicts a sailor grabbing a woman, and planting a big kiss directly on her mouth. Last year, Greta Zimmer Friedman was identified as the woman in the picture. Each time she was interviewed,
she indicated that she did not know the man who grabbed her and kissed her. She has also said that she was not a willing participant in the kiss. None of the articles that include interviews of Eisenstaedt address the issue that she brought up. Instead, they continue to romanticize both the picture and the kiss. “He was celebrating the victory of World War II,” many have said as a way of excusing his behavior. Friedman, for all intents and purposes, was assaulted on the streets of New York. It was captured on film, and no one cares. In Steubenville, Ohio, a 16-year-old girl got drunk at a party and passed out. She was subsequently raped and urinated on by multiple high school athletes who then proceeded to make videos of themselves carrying her around and bragging about what they had done. They saw nothing wrong with a drunk girl being made a
By Karen Garcia
Cat disease and infestation isn’t cute
Rigo Bonilla Co-Opinion editor
Students come and go, so do their trends. With student bodies being in an infinite state of transition, universities need a constant to help form an identity and culture throughout generations. Some colleges have traditions dating back decades. Others have adopted symbols that the student community rallies around, like Auburn University’s famous oak tree, or Georgetown’s pet bulldog. EC seems to lack old time traditions that tie current students to those of the past, but one thing that almost all students are aware of are the cats on campus. The cats have become characters to some, with names like Don Cornelius or Little Orange. The cats have been here longer than any traditional transfer student, and will continue to be here because this is their home. There has been word that staff is no longer allowed to feed the cats, but this could turn out to be a disaster. Instead of having a friendly group of cats that are familiar with people and well fed, EC could have sickly looking cats lurking around in the shadows trying to sneak scraps from the trash. Not only should EC continue to make the cats a part of the community, but maybe it’s time to take it a step further. Perhaps EC could pick one of the cats and make it the official cat of the college like Georgetown’s bulldog, Jack. The cat could be a symbol of the Warrior spirit of survival and triumph. A cat that went from a lonely life on the streets to being the pride of thousands of students: “The War Cat.” It seems crazy, but today’s EC students really do need some good old-fashioned school spirit, and these cats seem to be a visible thread connecting them all. Trying to exterminate the cats from the campus would be another step toward being just a nameless rest stop on the road to “real college.”
campus corner
sexual prop, and if the firestorm that brewed afterward is any indication, neither do their supporters. Never mind that the girl was drunk, passed out and unable to defend herself. She got what she deserved. She asked for it. Last week, Adria Richards was fired from her job after she publicly called out men who were making inappropriate sexual jokes at a tech conference she was attending. When one of the men she accused was fired from his job for inappropriate behavior, Richards was made the target of Internet attacks and threats, including being threatened with rape and murder. The overwhelming attitude in this case is that Richards should not have publicly spoken up about the bad behavior, but rather dealt with the men in private. Never mind that she was attending a tech conference that was predominantly male in attendance. Never mind that she is a black woman who works in a
predominantly white male field. Never mind that the conference organizers spoke with the men in question and subsequently asked them to leave. She should have kept her mouth closed. We live in a society with a pervasive rape culture. Victim blaming and shaming are the norm. Men are excused for their behavior because the woman did something wrong. She shouldn’t have been there. She shouldn’t have worn that. She shouldn’t have been drunk. These types of statements have been made in hundreds of rape cases over the years. God forbid your attacker be someone from a famous family (William Kennedy Smith comes to mind), you will be shamed into silence and your attacker acquitted of all charges. Women are expected to silently bear the weight of a society that devalues their bodies and their personhood. They are made re-
sponsible for the actions of men who “just couldn’t control themselves” in the face of the temptress in front of them. We teach women things that they should do to prevent rape, but do we teach our men not to rape? It’s easier to blame women than it is to address the problem of rape culture that exists in our society. Women, the victims, are the problem, not their aggressors. Happy Women’s History Month.
Cody Spence President of Astronomy Club
Spence, 21, physics major, created Astronomy Club April, 2012. This is his third semester as president. He hopes to follow the mission statement of making the universe more accessible to EC. Astronomy Club meets every Thursday in the Planetarium from 1-2 p.m.
Has there ever been an astronomy club prior to this one? I was told by the club’s advisor Perry Hacking, astronomy professor, that there was an astronomy club years before but it just consisted of a few close friends, and when they transferred, the club died out. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen when I transfer. We gained 150 new members this semester and 200 last semester.
What makes the Astronomy Club unique from the other clubs on campus? Astronomy is a niched topic to some, but it’s a beautiful thing when students see galaxies or planets for the first time. Many students don’t have a lot of experience with the universe because it’s hard to see it, especially here in L.A. where there are so many lights.
Has the Astronomy Club ever had any events in the past?
Last semester, before Thanksgiving, the club went on a trip to Red Rock Canyon to observe the planets and stars through our telescopes. It’s the closest dark spot in California. Being able to see certain planets is just phenomenal.
Are there any events coming up this semester for the club? We’re planning a trip this semester to Death Valley for a week, probably during the spring break. This is the darkest spot in California. It will make it a little bit easier to see galaxies such as the andromita galaxy, or Jupiter, which are club favorites. So, we’ll do some sight seeing and then gaze at the sky at night. Its going to be amazing because we’re going to use a special handmade telescope, which is better than any telescope that you can buy at the store.
How does the club manage to afford these trips?
Please connect with me by email at eccunionmonique@gmail.com
We do a lot of fundraising, for instance, we’ve been selling Krispy Kreme and coffee on campus. We do this in the hopes of having one big trip for the whole club each semester.
Follow me on Twitter @eccunionmonique
Do you have a message for future club members?
Join the conversation online at www.eccunion.com
You can spend your whole life not really knowing much about the universe. Studying astronomy really puts things, such as size, into perspective, and I believe that keeps a person humble.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not represent the views or opinions of the Union, its staff, editorial board or advisers.
Campus viewpoints
Should the EC community support the cat popluation? By Rigo Bonilla
Janette Altamoreno, 19, Nursing
Michael Farias, 19, Law enforcement
Devin Rochelle, 19, Music
Ronneisha Wilson, , Sociology
Gerardo Herrera, 20, General studies
Breale Brown, 20, Psychology
“I like cats. They’re cute. They don’t really bug or harm anybody, so I don’t think it’s bad.”
“Sooner or later there’s going to be cats and feces all over. People eat out here. I think it’s a bad idea.”
“I think it’s cool. Cats need to eat like we do. They need to be nurtured. At least somebody cares.”
“It’s bad enough we have squirrels. Think about how many diseases a cat can have. Cat overpopulation isn’t good.”
“They’re not going to just get up and leave, so we might as well make them a part of the campus.”
“What if they start having babies? School isn’t a place for pets, it’s a place for education. We should call animal control.”
6 El Camino College Union
On the scene By Kayla Maaytah
arts
March 28, 2013
Grease slides into Campus Theatre Jessica Martinez Arts Editor
Performance Torrance Theater show The Torrance Theater Company presents a performance of “12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose today and tomorrow in Downtown Torrance at 1316 Cabrillo Ave. from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is $25. For more information call 424-243-6882.
Music USC trio performance The Saguaro Piano Trio of the Thornton School of Music at USC will be performing in the Marsee Auditorium Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22. For more information call the box office at 310329-5345 or 1-800-832-ARTS.
Event Torrance Antique Street Faire This Sunday is the Torrance Antique Street Faire, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1317 Sartori Ave. in Downtown Torrance. Come see more than 200 collectors, sellers and artists display and sell their pieces for all prices. Admission is free and open to the public.
Arts Exhibit in Art Gallery EC’s latest exhibit “An Anatomical Poem: From cellular to visceral” is now on display in the Art Gallery and open to all students. The gallery is open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m.
Tracy Kumono/ Union Students Abby Bolin and Derek Rubiano perform “You’re the One that I Want” from the hit Grease.
Grease is the word. At least it is at EC’s Campus Theatre as the American favorite runs through March 30. The play is directed by Valerie Rachelle and she said there were slight differences between the play and the film. “The movie is a little different from the play,” Rachelle said. “The play was written first in the 1960s. The movie folks rewrote it to become the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John version.” Ron Scarlata, artistic director, said one difference was that because the movie was made after the play and had to be edited for length, a number of songs were cut. “There are certain songs people love so we brought them back,” Scarlata said. “I think people who come see the play are happy to hear their favorite songs.” Scarlata said this was only the second time the school has done Grease. The first was in Marsee Auditorium years ago and he wanted to see what it would be like with a smaller audience. “It’s a show that audiences really love. It’s a youthful piece,” Scarlata said. “It seemed like a good fit with the audience and the space we had.” Derek Rubiano, theater major, plays Danny Zuko, the lead greaser. Rubiano’s charac-
ter tries to charm Sandy Dubrowski, played by Abby Bolin, theater major. Although it is Rachelle’s first time directing at EC, she is not unfamiliar with the play. “I directed the show before, so I know it really well,” Rachelle said. “We used the costumes from the last time we did the show, too.” Rachelle said the play is fun and is for entertainment’s sake. “It was written to satire a period in America,” she said. “It was kind of written as a parody. It’s fun, upbeat, and silly.” Zachary Schell, technical theater major, is part of the ensemble of the play and said he really likes the fun part of the production. “It’s a really fun musical. It’s really light,” Schell said. “It’s not sad like Les Miserables.” Rachelle said the message of the play is that love can conquer all even when you’re a teenager. The cast and crew members have put in long hours for two months in preparation for the three-weekend show. “We started rehearsals Jan. 28 and we rehearse five days a week. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. There are a lot of rehearsals,” Rachelle said. There’s still time to catch Grease. The last performances will be tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the El Camino Ticket Office.
The 20/20 Experience: Timberlake’s musical mind Joh’nysha Vercher Staff Writer
Mature melodic rhythms smoothly come from the soulful sound of Justin Timberlake in his “The 20/20 Experience” album, giving insight into his musical space and time mind-frame. After a six-year musical hiatus, Timberlake delivers a classic display of what returning to the musical world should entail. Refined reinvention with a mix of his original style seal the deal for this highly anticipated album released
March 19. While technically Timberlake is labeled as a pop artist, “The 20/20 Experience” touches on multiple genres including R&B, soul, Latin, jazz and pop. Not only is there a variety in genres, but in musical decades as well. It’s almost as if Timberlake’s “Spaceship Coupe” was manifested for the audience to take a musical ride and this album provides a smooth journey. Listeners will feel as if they are in a multi-musical time warp as Timberlake sends them to the
future and then back to the past. Musical eras of the 60’s through the 90’s are cleverly crafted to coincide with the present and future musical era. Though the album is only 10 tracks long, each song leaves you ready for the next. Every song with the exception of “That Girl,” “Tunnel Vision,” and “Suit and Tie” are all longer than seven minutes. The longevity of these songs gives a deeper insight and allows the listener to savor every second. Most of the songs on the album
don’t just end. They transition effortlessly into introducing the very next song. These segue transitions come in the form of a classic Timberlake pop-esque vocal. A perfect example of this transition is the first song on the album, “Pusher Love Girl” which sets up the next song “Suit and Tie,” the first single from this album, perfectly. Along with the music, the lyrics are very cohesive to each song which makes for easy listening. The lyrics along with the music make it easy to choose a song for
any particular mood. For a relaxed feel, songs like “Pusher Love Girl,” “Spaceship Coupe,” “That Girl,” “Mirror,” and “Blue Ocean Floor” will coincide with smooth, relaxed listening. For more upbeat or dance tunes, songs like “Suit and Tie,” “Don’t Hold the Wall,” “Tunnel Vision,” and “Let the Groove Get In” are go to songs. In the words of Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie,” he definitely “showed us a few things” in terms of masterfully crafting a multidimensional music masterpiece.
Photographer recaptures award
B. Rene Norman/ Union Robert Long, 29. photography major, with his camera and Photography Forum’s Best of College and High School Photography.
Jessica Martinez Arts Editor
With work featured in Photography Forum’s Best of College and High School Photography two years in a row, Robert Long, 29, photography major, is well on his way to becoming a successful photographer. “Robert is an extremely hardworking and talented photographer,” Darilyn Rowan, photography professor, said. “This is his second time earning a finalist award. He has worked hard and diligently for this achievement.” Long currently photographs celebrities and events at Spike’s Sports Bar and Grill in Bellflower one night a week. But he doesn’t only capture pictures of people; Long also spends his time taking photos of the environment. “I do a lot of nature photography and I specialize in events, portraits, and candids,” Long said. Long had an exhibit full of photographs of flowers in Schauerman Library. They were “beautiful, lush, and exquisite” close-up shots of roses, Rowan said. He also has a job at Lifetouch and is busy with a series called Creative Candids. Despite all of the work he does, Long still devotes time to helping out people less fortunate than him.
“I’m doing services in my community with food banks,” Long said. “I’m volunteering my services doing community work and working with the pastor at Greater Mount Sinai Church.” Rowan said she admires Long’s work ethic, dedication, and willingness to persevere as he develops his skills as a photographer. “The next thing I’m planning to do is branch out with my business, RL Photography,” Long said. Long shows no plans of slowing down as he’s planning to build on his skills. “I look forward to following Robert’s career as a photographer and believe he will use his photographic skills to build a successful business,” Long said. “I know that’s what he wants to do and he’ll do it.” Susan Ste. Marie, photography professor, said Long is constantly working and has made great achievements. “He’s really grown monumentally,” Ste. Marie said. “He keeps the professional standards as high as possible. I’m very proud of him.” EC’s theme this year for the art show is “Earth, Air, Water, and Fire,” which focuses on protecting the environment while taking beautiful photographs of it and Long is spending his time getting prepared for the event. “When you’re passionate about what you love to do, you’re always going to be successful no matter what and you can’t let anyone stop your momentum once it gets going,” Long said.
March 28, 2013
On deck By Jessica Martinez
BADMINTON Tomorrow at 2 p.m. at East Los Angeles College
BASEBALL Today at 2 p.m. vs. Irvine Valley College Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Compton College
GOLF Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Desert Island Country Club
MEN’S TENNIS Today at 2 p.m. at Cerritos College
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Santa Monica College Wednesday at 6 p.m. vs. Moorpark College
SOFTBALL Today at 3 p.m. vs. Cerritos College Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Long Beach City College
SWIMMING AND DIVING Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. vs. Cerritos College and Rio Hondo College
WOMEN’S TENNIS Today at 2 p.m. vs. Cerritos College Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Santa Monica College
sports
El Camino College Union 7
Women’s tennis team triumphs Steven Tran Staff Writer
A cool breeze swept across the EC tennis courts as the Warriors dominated 8-1 against Long Beach City College on March 21 to remain undefeated. “It was pretty routine today,” Ashley Guerrero, 26, economics major, said. “Just another day at the office.” Rain caused a game on March 7 against Mt. San Antonio College to be canceled and Guerrero said the Warriors completed their two remaining doubles matches to conclude 5-4 on March 19. The Warriors must complete an additional doubles match that may affect their opportunity at securing a conference title; the match will take place on March 26 at Mt. SAC. Because Long Beach forfeited four matches, the Warriors claimed victory even before they began their doubles matches. EC won 5-1 in singles, 8-2 in one doubles match, and LBCC forfeited the remaining matches. Chung Young Shin, 26, film major and No. 1 for singles, was relaxed and won both sets 6-0. However, Shin stressed the problems of being too relaxed. “I made many mistakes today, but she [her opponent] made more,” Shin said. “You don’t know who is going to win, so you can’t be relaxed.” Because Kia Choi, 20, astrophysics major and No. 2 for singles, was not competing, Guer-
rero was bumped to the No. 2 spot for singles and she won both sets 6-2. “Playing No. 2 is pretty hard,” Guerrero said. “I don’t know how Kia does it. She’s pretty good at it and she doesn’t stress.” Similiarly, Karin Endo, 21, business major and No. 3 for singles, was not competing, so Shenae Shampine, 21, psychology major, was given her first opportunity to compete at No. 3. She won both sets 6-0. “Every single match is an opportunity to work on your game.” Shampine said. “I have what it takes to go all the way if I practice more.” Jessica Castile, 20, business administration major, won both sets 6-3 for singles and won 8-2 in doubles with Shampine as her partner. “I was consistent in singles and we dominated in doubles,” Castile said. Kelly Ng, 19, business administration major, won her singles match by default, but did not perform well in a practice match against a “powerful and fast opponent.” “I learned that I have to be ready for the next shot,” Ng said. “The return is very critical.” Ng added she played for EC tennis last year and notices differences in this year’s team. “This team is awesome. We hang out, celebrate birthdays, and even have plans for spring break,” Ng said. “I enjoy the time I spend with my teammates.” Today at 2 p.m., the Warriors play against Cerritos College at the EC tennis courts.
Cary Majano/ Union Jessica Castile, business administration major, receives a serve from a Long Beach player on March 21.
Swim team beats L.A. Trade Tech but can’t get past Mt. SAC Brian Camacho
Co-Opinion Editor
In a close meet on Friday, the men’s swim team won decisively over L.A. Trade Tech College and gave Mt. SAC just about all it could handle but ultimately fell short 14 points over one of their biggest rivals. Jonathan Diaz started off the final relay and built a quick lead, followed by Hogan Inscore and Mario Espinosa, but the final swimmer, Patrick Fink, found
himself holding off a furious comeback from Mt. SAC’s best swimmer. “The last guy for Mt. SAC was closing in really fast and Patrick held him off in the end,” Diaz said. “Everyone was cheering and going crazy.” The race came down to the wire as the Warriors won by a tenth of a second. EC was missing two swimmers, Matthew Fink and Dennis Kalthoff, due to illness but both are expected back for the next
meet. “They’re critical people,” coach Corey Stanbury said. “Missing two of your guys that provide some serious firepower might have made the difference but there is nothing you can do about it.” Diaz had a good showing Friday, placing first in the 200 meter breaststroke and backstroke, as well as the 500 and 1,000 meter freestyles. “We had a lot of good swims,” Diaz said. “We put up a good meet against Mt. SAC, who is one of
our biggest rivals, and we dominated L.A. Trade Tech.” The most heated race came last in the final relay. EC started their best swimmers while Mt. SAC decided to save their best swimmer for the end. The Warriors’ plan was to build a sizable lead and they succeeded. “It was so close I had to look at the scoreboard to see who won,” Stanbury said. “I couldn’t tell by watching the touch.” The women’s team was able to defeat L.A. Trade Tech but lost
handedly to Mt. SAC, who has some of the best women swimmers in the conference. “We did fairly well and we got some of our best times,” Carlie Olney said. The men’s team is now second place in the conference behind Mt. SAC. “We’re going to have a very good chance at the conference championships,” Stanbury said. “Our goal is to win the title and send as many people as possible to state.”
sports
8 El Camino College Union
March 28, 2013
Warriors rivalry heats up with Mt. SAC Brian Camacho
Co-News Editor
Tensions were high as EC trailed 4-2 in the top of the ninth as Mt. San Antonio College Mountie home run hitter, Adrian Franco, outfielder, stepped up to the plate. Franco put an end to any notion of a comeback as he hit a towering double to left center field to give Mt. SAC a deciding 7-2 lead. This would be the final score as Mt. SAC beat EC Saturday, in a heartbreaker that came down to the last inning but ultimately got away from them. “Baseball. That’s what we play. sometimes those things go your way, and sometimes they don’t,” coach Nate Fernley said. “When you have a really good pitcher on the mound like they did, and you make mistakes like that, it’s going to be tough to beat them.” The Warriors kept it close throughout the game. Only allowing two runs in the top of the third. That was before starting freshman, pitcher Alex Navarrete, loaded up the bases allowing Mt. SAC to score on a walk and a fielder’s choice. “I walked too many people and it came back to haunt me,” Navarrete said. Mt. SAC added to their lead in the top of seventh with a double to left field which gave them a 3-0 advantage, but EC would answer back quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sean Isaac, sophomore, first baseman, started off the rally with a double down the right field line; after a walk and a fielder’s choice the Warriors had men on first and third which then brought Tony Poncia, freshman, shortstop, to the plate and doubled into left field and cut Mt. SAC’s lead to one. “We did a really good job of executing and throwing strikes when we needed to,” Fernley said. The Warriors headed into the top of the ninth inning trailing 3-2, and needing a defensive stop in order to have a chance to win. The inning did not start off well for EC after Mt. SAC scored again on a wild pitch. This was followed with a walk and two singles, and the Mounties had the bases loaded with Franco coming up to the plate. Franco would double to left center and effectively put away the game with a 7-2 lead.
“We had a couple chances there to get outs that we just weren’t able to do. Those kinds of things happen in baseball,” catcher, sophomore, Justin McCullough, said. “Those things can’t happen if you want to win close ball games. We have to be able to get those outs when we need them.” The Warrior’s had a three game win streak coming into this series after having swept Pasadena City College the week before. The first game of this series had Dalton Erb, freshman, pitcher, throw a superb seven innings before the bullpen gave up the lead and cost them the game; EC would bounce right back and win the next game at Mt. San Antonio with a 10-4 victory.
“We had a couple chances there to get outs that we just weren’t able to do. Those kinds of things happen in baseball. Those things can’t happen if you want to win close ball games. ”
—Justin McCullough sophomore, catcher
This set the stage for a deciding game three at El Camino, but the Warriors were just not able to put the Mounties away. “We fought hard to the end. We’re a no-give-in kind of team. The score doesn’t indicate how close the game really was,” McCullough said. The Warriors began a two game series with Irvine City College on Tuesday and won 12-4. Poncia and freshman, Dylan Hatch, utility player both went 3 for 5. The Warriors put up 5 runs in both the 7th and 8th innings. They have another game today at 2 p.m.; they resume conference play with EC Compton April 9. “We’re still in first place, and we control our own destiny. We need to get back to work and get ready for the next game,” Fernley said.
Amira Petrus/ Union Alex Navarrete, pitcher, freshman throws back to back strike outs. The Warriors went on to lose the game 7-2. In the series the Warriors lost 2-1 but look to rebound against Irvine City College.
Men’s Volleyball wins 3-2, Semo and Pimblett exceptional Jessica Martinez
Co-Sports Editor
Despite beating Santa Barbara City College in four sets earlier this month, the Warriors rallied in a nail-biting match Friday that proved to be successful for EC as they came out ahead of the Vaqueros 3-2. “The second round [of playing Santa Barbara] was more intense,” coach Dick Blount said. “Everyone knows more about your team and they play harder.” Ryan Olson, sophomore, outside hitter, and Daniel Welch, sophomore, middle blocker, provided several quick hits and blocks in the first set. Matthew Pimblett, sophomore, outside hitter, provided a spike that upped EC’s score to 7-5. After a rally between nearly everyone on the floor, the visiting Vaqueros were able to rally back as the score became 15-17. Santa Barbara went on to win the first set, 22-25. The Warriors woke up and got their head in the
game as they came back much stronger in the second set. A vicious hit that went out by a Santa Barbara player gave EC the edge they needed to win the second set 25-15. “The better team will win as long as the better team has the ball in play,” Pimblett said. “And tonight, we were the better team.” Errol Basconcillo, freshman, libero, consistently dove after nearly every ball that came his way throughout the entire match and Semo Samusu, freshman, outside hitter, provided block after block. The crowd became lively and energetic as the Warriors began racking up points quickly in the third set. The third set was a close one for both teams as they stayed neck and neck throughout. Neither team was backing down as their scores were tied many times. The Warriors were ahead and the score was 24-23
as the crowd made big noise for the team to come out victorious. They earned the point they needed as the crowd whistled and jumped out of their seats out of excitement.
“This was a good rebound from our Long Beach game and I thought Matt Pimblett was unbelievable tonight”
—Frank Flanagan sophomore, setter
“This was a good rebound from our Long Beach game,” Frank Flanagan, sophomore, setter, said. “I thought Matt Pimblett was unbelievable tonight.” In the fourth set, EC appeared to have lost their
momentum as Santa Barbara’s score was doubled that of the Warriors’ a number of times. The Warriors worked hard to close the gap, but it wasn’t enough as Santa Barbara won the set 20-25. In the fifth set, EC managed to stay ahead with their score eventually reaching 9-4 as the crowd stomped their feet and cheered loudly. Basconcillo said he was proud of his team tonight and was glad they just kept pushing. As the score became 14-5, everyone in the stands stood up and cheered for the Warriors. A Santa Barbara player couldn’t make a pass over the net and gave up a point for the Warriors to be victorious in the last set at 15-5. “I tip my hat to Sam [Samusu] tonight. He got some meaningful minutes and he delivered,” Blount said. “I’m very proud of him. And I have 15 guys just as good.” The Warriors continue play with a game tomorrow at Santa Monica College at 6 p.m.
Golf captain strives to be leader for team Steven Tran Staff Writer
The summer of 2009 marked many first experiences for James Harper: his first state-level golf tournament, his first opportunity to represent California in a national tournament, and, above all, his first sudden-death playoff. It’s his opponent’s home course. Harper must sink a twenty-five-foot putt for birdie. if he makes the shot, then he would automatically win. With wind blowing left and right in a tight fairway with out-of-bounds on the left and a golf-sized “canyon” on the right, the pressure is on. This shot demands precision. Harper spots a right slope in the surface and putts. The ball breaks left, and then right, but it strays six feet away from the hole: “Terrible putt, It’s all over,” he thinks. He is shaking: six-foot putt for a spot in Nationals. His opponent misses; He makes his shot. The tournament official
approaches and says, “Congratulations, let’s go back and talk about your flights” to then 17-year old James Harper.
“Being a captain is a responsibility; you’ve got to earn trust, set an example, and live up to it everyday.”
—James Harper sophomore, buisness administration major
Harper, 20, a returning sophomore and captain for the Men’s Golf team has been leading the team with a 77.3 average score. “Being a captain is a responsibility; you’ve got to earn trust, set an example, and live up to it everyday. I try and do that,” Harper said. Erwyn Lam, 24, sophomore, said that
Harper has great leadership qualities: he is encouraging, challenges his teammates, and leads by example. “He is the only one to make it to nationals, but he is very humble when it comes to his star power,” Lam said. “He doesn’t boast that he is the best player. He is not so much an individual player as much as golf is an individual sport. He values team dynamics a lot.” Riley Evans, freshman, said Harper organizes practices, ensures the team is focused throughout practice, and encourages the team to constantly improve. The golf team’s next match is Monday at Desert Island CC. f Evans said the team is optimistic about the season but, once Harper leaves, it will be difficult to “fill in his shoes.” “He has been a good pillar as a friend. For me, as an international student, it took me awhile to get used to life around here.” Lam said. “He helped me with fitting in, and showing me around; he is a very good team captain and a great friend.”
Badminton team loses, Belandres is undefeated Lorenzo Guttierrez Staff Writer
Cary Majano/ Union James Harper, 20, business administration major, is practicing his golf game at the Alondra Golf Course.
A small crowd sat paralyzed in the South gym, watching Corinne Belandres, 20, nursing major, smack strong hits on the birdie with her racket to get a match point, win her singles match and give the team two valuable points. Unfortunately it was not enough, as the women’s badminton team lost 17-4 against East Los Angeles College on March 20. The game was played at #C in the North Gym of campus. “I think this is really a mental game. Once you get past the mental part of this game, everything is easy,” Eblandres said. Belandres had a successful game as she gave the Warriors most of the points they earned playing in the doubles and singles games. East LA College dominated the Warriors; their experience showing as they won almost all the singles and doubles games. “They are good; they are prepared, and I guess that is what you have to do in this game,” Natalie Medina, 20, kinesiology major, said. “I did horrible; I felt like my mind wasn’t into the game.” Most of the girls had a bad performance during their singles games, but they felt very comfortable in their doubles games. Belandres was the bright spot throughout the matches.
“Honestly, I played better in the doubles because my partner is excellent, so together we make an amazing team,” Breanna O’Dell, 19, undecided, said.
“I think with any of these girls, confidence is the key and I always told myself its all mental.”
—Corinne Belandres 20, nursing major
Benny Cedano, equipment attendant, was happy with the results. Cedano usually attends the women’s badminton team matches, and said that the girls are improving a lot in their third game. The women’s badminton team needs to be confident and keep working hard to improve their scores in the next games against Pasadena City College and EC Compton. For Belandres, confidence is the key. “It’s all mental,” Belandres said.