Dec 15, 2006

El Vaquero Glendale College

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Photo by Jeryd Pojawa John Davitt, former Superintendent/President, ordered campus police to confiscate the June 9 issue of the El Vaquero. Story on page 3. www.elvaq.com

Volume 90 Number 7

FRIDAY DECEMBER 15, 2006

In This Issue

Staircase

Steve White

Dance

News...................2-5

Calendar.............10

Are the stairs leading up to the upper lot safe?

Vice President of Instructional Services is retiring after 23 years.

Dance faculty and students showcase an array of routines.

Vaquero Views...12

Page 4

Pages 6 - 7

Feature...............6-8 Sports.....................9

Photo by Graig Agop

Page 12

Photo by Ismael Reyes

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Friday, December 15, 2006

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NEWS

Preachers Cause Commotion in Plaza Vaquero, Students React

By Pauline Guiuan

EL VAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

“H

ypocrite Christians, liberals, Buddhists and homosexuals” were some of the people openly condemned by two men who called themselves “independent, Bible-believing Christians” in Plaza Vaquero on Tuesday.

Jeremy Sonnier and John Franklin, who identified themselves as preachers from a nondenominational Christian group called the “Open Air Proclaimers,” which sends its members to public places like malls and college campuses, came to GCC to share their beliefs. They attracted a crowd of more than 30 angry and offended students.

The preachers were carrying signs that read “Repent: hypocrite Christians, liberals, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, Roman Catholics...and all the false religions,” “Warning: Jesus mockers,

homos and lesbos, porno freaks, loudmouthed women, baby-killing women...God will judge you!” and “Don’t go to hell!”

Franklin and Sonnier’s basic teaching was that “Jesus Christ is the only way [to heaven]” and that the purpose of Christ’s life, death and resurrection was to save people from their sins. According to them, these sins included abortion and homosexuality.

“We’re here [to share our belief] because it’s true,” said Franklin.

“Most people reject us and mock us. Sometimes they get violent.”

Sonnier added that they wanted to “provoke conversations and questions, and to get people to read and study the Bible.”

“We want to warn people of impending judgment,” said Sonnier.

Many students engaged in lengthy arguments with the preachers. Some Christian students who were present said that they resented the way the teach-

El Vaquero Glendale Community College

editor in chief

Olga Ramaz staff members

Graig Agop Susan Aksu Kara Aranas Emmanuel Belviz Michael Coleman Alison Geller Pauline Guiuan Stephen Hotchkiss Vartanoosh Kiourktzian Lenin Lau Sumaya Mehai Rachel Mills Diana Petras Jane Pojawa Jennifer Tinoco faculty adviser

Liane Enkelis lenkelis@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext. 3185

advertising

Heather Glenn hglenn@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext. 5606

web master

Michael J. Arvizu design adviser

Charles Eastman El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at olga_ramaz@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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The “Open Air Proclaimers” preached their Christian beliefs to a crowd of students gathered in Plaza Vaquero on Tuesday afternoon. Among some of those condemned by the two individuals were Buddhists and homosexuals.

ings of Christianity were misrepresented.

“I’m a Christian and a follower of Jesus, but I think [they’re] doing it all wrong,” said student Eric Brown. “What he [Sonnier] is doing is pushing people away from Christianity.”

“His intentions are good and he’s preaching true things,” said political science major Robert

Karsian. “But his approach is not right. People [like Sonnier] don’t consider that Biblical teachings can be interpreted in different ways.”

Psychology and music major Gizelle James, a Roman Catholic, was offended when the preachers apparently called Catholics “idolaters.”

“He [Sonnier] is definitely not

Students Elect New ASGCC Officers for Spring Semester

By Pauline Guiuan

EL VAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

A

lmost a thousand students cast their votes for a new group of Associated Student (ASGCC) officers for the upcoming academic year.

Elections were held on Dec. 6 and 7 at Plaza Vaquero. Polling booths were set up alongside the administration building and were open from 8 a.m. through 9 p.m. on both days.

“It’s important for students to vote,” said senatorial candidate Araz Megerdichian. “With student officers, GCC could be more under control, more organized.” The candidate believes that students should exercise their right to vote so that they can be represented by the officers they elect.

The 24 candidates for election began campaigning on Nov. 27; colorful flyers, signs, posters and classroom visits

were all part of this year’s election publicity.

Of the 24 candidates, six were running for a vice presidential position and 18 ran for senator.

A few, such as Vice President of Campus Organizations Karla Mercado and Vice President of Administration Carolina Yernazian, ran for re-election for their second terms as officers.

“The candidates are really talented and involved in campus activities,” said Paul Schlossman, Dean of Student Affairs.

Schlossman was responsible for preparing and approving the ballots and voting materials, as mandated by the ASGCC Constitution.

Schlossman added that “there [were] lots of students voting.

There was a strong turnout. The number is comparable to that of previous years.”

A total of 933 votes were counted, 240 votes less than [See Elections, Page 8]

going about it the right way,” said James. “He’s offending other religions. I find it very, very offensive that he’s doing it today especially, because it’s the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe,” referring to a Catholic holiday celebrated in Mexico on Dec. 12.

Art major John Fox attracted his own crowd when he showed up with a sign that read, “I’m with stupid,” with arrows pointing sideways to the preachers and a cartoon that said, “Even Jesus hates you.”

GCC police officers monitored the scene to ensure that no physical conflict would occur.

“We want to make sure everybody stays calm and no one resorts to violence,” said campus police captain Nidal Kobaissi.

Despite causing angry reactions from students, police could not kick the preachers off campus because they were not disrupting regular campus activity such as classes, and were thus not violating the college’s free speech policy.

Kobaissi said that the preachers had gone to Paul Schlossman, Dean of Student Affairs, to get permission to speak on campus grounds.

The preachers eventually left campus after all their listeners had dispersed.

“They made us all feel ridiculed,” said engineering major Carlo Hemedes. “They talked like they were better than everyone else.”

Pauline Guiuan can be reached at Pauline_Guiuan@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

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NEWS

Davitt Asked Campus Police to ‘Hold’ Copies of El Vaquero

By Olga Ramaz

EL VAQUERO EDITOR IN CHIEF

F

ormer Superintendent/President John Davitt admitted to asking campus police to “hold” copies of the June 9 issue of El Vaquero during the final days of the spring semester when the newspaper staff found all copies of the newspaper missing from the newsstands.

Davitt’s justification for ordering the “holding” of the papers was that the publication contained an article and an accompanying cartoon that was “slanderous to [the] nursing department.”

The article, which was characterized by the former president as being “slanderous,’ was written

by El Vaquero news editor Pauline Guiuan and titled “Student Suicides Cause Concern.” It addressed the problem of depression and how the affliction can potentially lead to suicide.

According to Davitt, the naming of one of the two nursing students who had committed suicide over the last school year was offensive. He said that the article had triggered several phone calls, mainly from the nursing department, to his office.

Davitt stated that the article gave the impression that it was the “rigor of the [nursing] program [that] contributed to [the students’] suicide.”

Nidal Kobaissi, captain of the campus police department, recalled receiving a phone call from Davitt in which he (Davitt) asked Kobaissi to have campus police personnel remove the newspapers from the racks.

Davitt does not clearly remember when he placed the phone call, but he implied that it could have been made the week of June 12, prior to meeting with Michael Moreau, faculty adviser to the El Vaquero.

Davitt admitted to having called Kobaissi, but denied that

he asked him to “remove” the papers. Davitt insisted that he asked Kobaissi to “hold” the papers until Moreau returned Davitt’s phone calls to discuss the student suicide article.

Kobaissi admitted to a relayed chain of command in which officers and cadets participated in the “physical removal” of copies of the June 9 issue of El Vaquero.

He said, however, that initially he did not question Davitt’s orders to have the papers removed because Davitt told him that Moreau had agreed on having campus police “hold” the papers until he and Davitt had discussed the newspaper.

When asked if he had agreed to the “holding” of the papers, Moreau said that he “did not agree to have the papers removed from the racks” and that the statement made by Kobaissi was “false.”

According to Kobaissi, Davitt called campus police a second time and asked to have the papers “held” once again.

However, on Davitt’s second attempt to have the papers confiscated, Campus Police Chief Steve Wagg refused the request. Kobaissi said that once Wagg found out the “politics” behind the removal of the papers, he declined and said “we [campus police] don’t want to be a part of it.”

Davitt denied these accusations and said that the second time he called campus police headquarters was to put a halt to the “holding” of the newspapers.

Mike Allen, mathematics instructor and guild president, said that the alleged “mistake,” as referred to by Kobaissi and Davitt, was a “hot issue” between “everyone” [faculty, staff, et al.] at the time. Allen said he was not surprised that during a casual conversation, Kobaissi mentioned to

Correction The article “Student Perseveres Despite Uncertain Future” in the Dec. 1 issue of El Vaquero quoted the source “Carlos” as saying that employers pay $3,000 monthly to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The amount is actually a one-time fee that is mostly payable to a lawyer.

June 9 publication unfolded as follows: On June 15, former editor-inchief Jane Pojawa noticed that a large number of newspapers were missing from their racks.

One June 17, Moreau called Pojawa after noticing the sudden disappearance of the newspapers.

Moreau re-stocked the racks on June 19. The next day, the racks were emptied again. However, on the afternoon of June 19, Moreau was called into Davitt’s office and was confronted by Davitt and head of the nursing department Cynthia Dorroh regarding the article in question.

At the meeting, an agreement was reached by both Davitt and Moreau. Davitt agreed to leave the newspapers in the racks and Moreau agreed to pull the story off the paper’s Web site.

However, on June 20, the El Vaquero news racks were emptied again. Davitt denied any link to this particular incident.

When asked if he had any idea of who would have emptied out the racks, he reiterated his belief that it could have been GCC custodians. ­— Anonymous source Pojawa filed an incident report with campus police on the morning was very “hush-hush.”

The second source said that of June 20. In the report Pojawa “everyone [in campus police estimated a loss of $1,200 in adheadquarters] was very secretive vertising revenue due to lack of and trying really hard to make distribution.

As reported in the Glendale Colsure no one found out about the lege Police Detail Incident Report situation.”

In an article published on June 06-0304, Pojawa met with Ko21 in the Glendale News-Press, baissi, who informed her that an titled “Vanishing Newspapers Stir unidentified source had contacted Trouble on Campus,” Davitt im- campus police and tipped them plied that “it could have been cus- off regarding the whereabouts of todians who were cleaning up the the missing papers. Copies of El campus or angry faculty members Vaquero were found inside the dumpster behind Lot E. who removed the papers.”

Campus police said that the However, Facilities Manager Dan Padilla said that when it case regarding the thefts of El comes to El Vaquero’s seven news Vaquero is considered closed due racks, custodians and mainte- to lack of evidence. This incident, however, continues to gain covnance personnel “bypass them.”

“We don’t touch them [the news erage in the local and national racks],” said Padilla. “The only press because of its compromise thing we would touch is if they of El Vaquero’s First Amendment [newspapers] were put in a box or rights.

In their Nov. 23 edition, the a bag and left set out somewhere.

That kind of indicates that people Pasadena Weekly referred to GCC’s administration as a “Goldwant that disposed of.”

As reported in an editorial en Gobbler.” The article states, published in the Sept. 22 edition “with friends like former Glenof El Vaquero, “El Vaquero Sup- dale Community College Superports Students’ Rights for Truth,” intendent John Davitt, the First the series of events following the Amendment doesn’t need any him that Davitt had indeed called him to ask for the removal of the newspapers.

Two weeks into the fall semester, several sources came forward holding Davitt and campus police accountable for the removal of the papers.

A person familiar with campus police personnel, who requested anonymity for the purpose of this story, said that he recalled spotting several stacks of newspapers sitting in campus police headquarters.

“One day, when I walked in…I noticed all the newspapers,” he said. “I remember seeing them and thinking, ‘[they] never have newspapers in here. What’s the deal with that?’”

Both this source and another anonymous source said that the atmosphere in the police office

“Everyone [in campus police headquarters] was very secretive and trying really hard to make sure no one found out about the situation.”

more enemies...many suspect that Davitt ordered the papers pulled.”

In July, the journal Inside Higher Education quoted Mark Goodman, director of the Student Press Law Center, to have said, “This was a clear First Amendment infringement. How student newspapers cover suicide is sometimes contentious, but I haven’t seen the kind of actions that were taken in this case.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two pieces of legislation that will protect newspapers from theft and censorship.

The anti-theft measure, AB 2612, is designed to protect free publications by making it illegal to take more than 25 copies of a newspaper to recycle them.

The governor also signed AB 2581, an anti-censorship bill passed by the California Senate back in August, which prohibits colleges and universities from penalizing students who engage in press activities required to produce a newspaper.

Olga Ramaz can be reached at Olga_Ramaz @elvaq.com

Photo by Graig Agop

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NEWS

Temporary Stairs Raise Concern Among Students, Staff

By Diana Petras

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

P

erhaps all students and faculty members have not experienced the temporary flight of stairs that replaced the North Stairs, but some who have climbed them expressed concerns. The temporary set of steps has been up since the beginning of August due to the construction of the new tower parking structure.

“The stairs [were built] to allow the student to come down from the upper parking lot to the main campus [when] the original stairs [were] demolished,” said Director of Business Services William “Bill” Taylor, who is overseeing the construction. “We don’t want to limit the student access to the upper part of campus.”

For almost $27,000 the school hired a company named Waco Scaffolding to install the system.

“They engineered it and designed it,” said Taylor. “They stand behind their work.”

He also said that the school has not uncovered any problems in terms of stability and that the structure is safe enough to handle the pedestrian load.

“The staircase is temporary, not permanent,” said Taylor. “They do meet the code for stairs.”

Bob Harte, a Division State Architect, from O’Neil Construction inspects the construction

everyday. “[He] reviews all the construction going about the tower,” said Taylor.

However, this staircase has made some feel uneasy.

“I’ve gone up and down that staircase twice,” said English professor Alice Adams. “I was terrified!”

From an offical citizen standpoint, engineering Professor Tom Ferguson and instructor of architecture, Dave Martin, both have observed the stairs with much concern for students, faculty and staff.

“You can tell it is a makeshift staircase,” said Ferguson.

He said that Photo by Graig Agop even his students Many on campus find the temporary stairs disconcerning, but it is still the easiest way to and peers have get to the upper parking lot. mentioned that the staircase was wobbly. Ferguson when] I was coming down those on the constant rise of the stairs. also observed that there are possi- stairs by myself it felt a little out I know that the last step is resting ble trip hazards because of open of control,” said Martin. on the concrete but it still throws treads. To Ferguson, it does not“The thing that concerns me me off a little bit, so it’s a trip hazseem very safe for anyone who most is that the very last tread at ard.” has to use them. the bottom of the concrete. You Taylor explained that the rise “I weigh about 300 pounds [and would lose your footing based and run of the staircase is according to code.

“The stairs are at the maximum height, which is seven and a half inches,” said Taylor. “When you

have to measure from where we started to where we finish, it’s better than having a bunch of little steps.”

“So the engineering firm set it up at the maximum size in order to fit the elevation,” Taylor added.

However, both Ferguson and Martin worry over the construction and support of the actual staircase. “The staircase seems very rickety and unstable,” said Ferguson.

Some of the planks were loose, but Taylor has confirmed that they have been re-secured.

He also said that the scaffolding frame is aluminum steel. The stairs are wood and the entire structure is attached to the steel that is supported on the hillside.

With the rainy season coming, students and faculty have nothing to worry about Taylor explained.

That is because the school has taken precautions to prevent problems with the staircase.

“There’s some burlap to help stabilize the hillside and eliminate erosion,” said Taylor. “We’ve done that all along the backside of the AA building. There are also some sandbags up at the top.”

“It is safe,” said Taylor. “It may not be normal steps but they are within the code and it’s a convenience we provided by the district to allow students access to the upper parking lot.”

Diana Petras can be reached at Diana_Petras@elvaq.com

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NEWS

Undocumented Students Wait for System to Change Part III of a three-part series

By Pauline Guiuan

EL VAQUERO NEWS EDITOR

M

illions of people across the country marched in support of undocumented immigrants last May, causing heightened awareness of immigration issues throughout the nation. However, one group of immigrants still remains under recognized: those who were brought to the U.S. as young children who now struggle for access to education and the chance to gain legal status in this country.

At GCC alone, there are around 300 undocumented students struggling to pay for their education. They face an uncertain future in which access to a university or to decent jobs is difficult and in some cases, almost impossible.

“These students face a huge challenge,” said culinary arts instructor Andrew Feldman, who has worked closely with undocumented students in his classes.

“They’re unable to work [legally], and they’re confined to community colleges because they can’t afford or don’t get accepted to universities.”

These students are only admitted to community colleges through state-mandated AB 540, a law that allows undocumented students who have completed three years of high school or earned a high school diploma in the state to enroll and pay resident tuition fees at colleges.

The law is limited and does not give these students access to financial aid, tuition fee waivers and most scholarships.

However, unknown to many undocumented students, the stage is now set on both the state and federal levels for the passage of laws that could lighten their educational financial burden.

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) Counselor Greg Perkins said that the Senate and Congress have been discussing legislation that could help immigrant students. One of these was California Senator Gilbert Cedillo’s State Bill 160, also known as the Gil Cedillo Dream Act. “It’s a bill that allows AB 540 students to be eligible for Board of Governor’s fee waivers and California financial aid programs,”

Photo by Emmanuel Belviz

Illegal immigrants march in Los Angeles last spring for the right to public services such as education and the opportunity to gain a legal status.

Perkins said. This may increase work and travel visas valid for six state costs of student financial aid years. This would give AB 540 by millions of dollars every year. students the opportunity to work H o w e v e r, legally and Gov. Arnold find em“These students face to Schwarzenegployer sponger vetoed the sorship for a a huge challenge. bill in October green card.

They’re unable to work of this year.

Until these Perkins bills are [legally], and they’re signed into added that Schwarzenegconfined to community law, howevger’s predeer, undocucolleges because they mented stucessor Gray Davis had also dents have to can’t afford or don’t vetoed the bill make do with twice during the limited get accepted his term. resources and to universities.”

On the opportunities federal level, they have.

— Andrew Feldman senators John Los AnCulinary Arts Instructor McCain and geles-based Ted Kennedy immigration are also campaigning for illegal lawyer Shaun Setareh said that immigrants’ rights. the easiest and most common “They are advocating a bill that way for illegal immigrants to would allow students to get lim- gain legal status is by marrying ited financial assistance at college an American citizen. or university, or if they graduate “Technically, if you’re undocufrom the military,” Perkins said. mented, marrying [a citizen] is the The senators also included only way to go,” Setareh said. provisions in their immigration According to the lawyer, apbill allowing undocumented im- plying for a work visa is possible migrants who are in the United but risky, because it would entail States at the time the bill is signed exposing oneself as an illegal iminto law, to register for temporary migrant before an employer could

agree to file the petition. The immigrant would also be forced to compete with other potential employees who are either equally skilled or do not need a visa.

Total costs for filing and processing a work visa can be as high as $5,000 including lawyer’s fees, which usually range from $2,500 to $3,000, and filing fees from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

“Illegal immigrants face the risk of deportation,” Setareh said.

“If they get deported, they’re barred from entry from the United States for ten years. Even after ten years, re-entry would be difficult.”

Setareh added that those who get deported or those who choose to go home to their respective countries before being identified as illegal immigrants must then apply for temporary visas, such as investor visas or student visas, or be petitioned by family members who already have green cards, so that they can re-enter the United States.

The lawyer added that the federal government is currently considering an amnesty for illegal immigrants, which would give them legal status and permission to stay and work in the country.

“The amnesty would allow [illegal immigrants] who have been in the country for several years to get a green card if they’re working, or if they came here under the age of 21,” Setareh said.

This provides hope for undocumented students, many of whom came to the United States as young children. Some crossed the border from Mexico, while others came to the country on tourist or student visas that eventually expired and were denied visa renewal.

Lawyers charge around $2,000 for filing amnesty applications, Setareh said.

GCC student “Javier” hopes that the amnesty will be granted.

“Javier” crossed the border into America with his parents at the age of nine. He was smuggled into the country in the trunk of a car.

“I want to transfer to UC Berkeley,” he said. “After that, I want to graduate and get a good job and have a future and a family in this country, without having to worry about my status.”

Pauline Guiuan can be reached at Pauline_Guiuan@elvaq.com

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FEATURE

Steve White Leaves a Legacy

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— Story by Rachel Mills

B

ehind every good college president is a hardworking and dedicated vice president of instructional services. For the past six years at GCC, that man has been Steve White.

White hails from Chicago, Ill., and attended both the University of Illinois and the local community college. He also held down two part-time jobs, participated in sports and attended summer community college classes. White managed to balance his commitments and graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in chemistry.

After graduation, White held a string of jobs: truck driver, chef, steel worker, and high school chemistry teacher, to name a few. White said each job offered him new insight and experience.

In 1985, White became an economics professor at GCC. White’s new job came as a surprise to some because of his chemistry degree. But White explained that his interests in

economics had roots in his concerns and interests in social justice and his involvement in the social reform of the 1960s and ’70s.

“My interests in economics had to do with the inequalities in the system,” said White. “It was inevitable that the system created a small number of wealthy and a small middle class.”

Teaching at GCC quickly became a joyful and pleasant experience for White. He enjoyed watching students connect concepts and learn from the lessons.

His experiences with his students were something he took pride in.

White continued teaching economics for 18 years and eventually became the division chair of social sciences.

White recalled a funny incident when he brought his children to their school’s Institute Day, which is the day before the first day of classes when faculty and staff come together.

He had them approach John Davitt, who was president of the college at the time, onstage while giving a speech to the crowd. White’s children, Elena and Evan, who were both quite young, asked Davitt to give their father a raise. At

that time, the teachers and the college were in contract negotiations for raises; incidentally, the contract deals were set and approved by both sides soon afterwards.

White’s parental experiences have also helped him understand what the parents of GCC students want for their children’s education.

In 2001, Chris McCarthy, former Vice President of Instructional Services who had held the office for six years, resigned to become the president/superintendent of Napa Valley College. A temporary replacement for McCarthy was needed, and White was chosen to take the position for six months beginning December 2001. This was soon made a permanent position.

Both Davitt and White remember that “the transition was quite smooth.”

Carolyn Payne, secretary for both McCarthy and White, remembered that White’s transition to the office came naturally, and could not recall any major issues arising from the change.

When White took the office, issues involving declining enrollment, the parking situation and the

White spends time with his family. From left: wife Pam, son Evan, White and daughter Elena.

Courtesy of Steve White

instructional programs were some of the challenges that he faced.

White helped to improve the quality of the vocational programs on campus and create a larger variety of the instructional programs the college offered.

On the issue of parking, White and his colleagues discussed the idea of the new parking structure, which is currently being built.

“His [White’s] primary concern is the students,” Payne said. She remembered many times when students have needed financial help to succeed in school, and White put great effort into helping these students. Payne said that White once helped out a female student who needed financial assistance for an educational field trip to New York City.

A highlight for White was having the opportunity to participate in a new form of school government, which was democratic. GCC adopted the new system before the other California community colleges were required to adopt it.

White explained that he felt honored to have taken part in it.

Both White and Davitt were always concerned about fees and tuition costs. “White was instrumental in the process of passing of Bond G,” Davitt said, referring to a bond measure that provided funds for the college.

He also believed that White played a part in the lowering of fees and tuition.

White also worked to make a better connection with the campus demographic of Armenian students by going overseas and participating in a sister city program with an Armenian town, Gaplain.

White and other dignitaries from the Glendale community including former mayor Frank Quintero, President of the Glendale Board of Education Pam Ellis, and doctors from Glendale Adventist Hospital traveled to Armenia in hopes of gaining an understanding of the culture and history of the country.

As an economics professor, White was amazed to witness the process of an economy repairing itself after the rule of the Soviet Union. The experiences in Armenia also helped him to understand why so much of the Armenian

population migrated to Russia and America.

Davitt noticed a change in White’s attitudes towards and interaction with the Armenian students on campus after the trip.

“He became more sympathetic to the students after experiencing their culture and visiting their homeland,” Davitt said.

After a tremendous amount of hard work, White has finally decided to retire from the position and hand it off to Dawn Lindsay In front of his co-workers and friends, Steve White struggled to open the gift he had received from “Santa” at his retirement luncheon on Dec. 7 “If I didn’t have patience, I wouldn’t have my job,” White joked to the crowd.

At the retirement luncheon in White’s honor, Lindsay shortened her speech out of respect for White, saying that it was “White’s moment.”

After retirement, White hopes to pursue other activities such as traveling, working on remodeling his home, participating in charitable causes and building furniture.

White said that he decided to retire this year because he needed time to pursue these activities. While White could have retired when current president Audrey Levy came on board, he chose to stay an extra six months to help make the transition smoother after Davitt retired from presidency.

Many of White’s colleagues feel that White could never overstay his welcome. “I wish he would stay on,” Davitt said.

Suzanna Lelikyan, a former student worker for White’s office, feels that his knowledge and experience helped him do well in his job as Vice President of Instructional Services.

“He was approachable,” Lelikyan remembers from her two years of working for White.

“It’s been a wonderful ride,” Payne said with a bit of sadness and nostalgia in her voice as she remembered her time with White.

White looks forward to a retirement filled with more adventure and experiences after 23 years of working at GCC.

Photo by Graig Agop

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NEWS

Forensics Team Wins National, Campus Competitions

By Jennifer Tinoco

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

nside a classroom on the second floor of the Administration Building, a group of students are seated facing fellow student Robert Cannon. They all seem to be waiting for class to start, but in reality they are discussing their victorious semester.

The Speech and Debate club and team has been on a winning spree this fall semester, both on and off campus. The Speech and Debate team, which is also known as the Forensics team, the Speech and Debate club are like a group of crime scene investigators. They do a lot of research to back up their debates during competitions, just like crime forensics scientists do research to catch suspects.

Club President, Robert Cannon said, “We are having such a great semester, especially with a more expanded team this year.”

Compared to last year, the club has almost double their members, carrying about 25 club members today.

The Speech and Debate team recently became champions on campus during the ASGCC Academic Decathlon.

The decathlon was a competition to help clubs earn some cash by answering a variety of questions that ranged from common sense answers to very difficult ones. Sixteen clubs participated, but there was only one prize of

$1000. After leading in three difficult rounds, the Speech and Debate team received $500, which was deposited into their club account and the rest was distributed among the five participating team members.

“We are used to competing in tournaments all the time, which helped us be more competitive than other clubs here on campus,” said Cannon. “Our club really needs the money for future competitions in the spring semester.

It takes a lot of money to register our club members in tournaments and we also need to pay for a hotel, car pooling or plane tickets, and gas money.”

When we competed in the ASGCC [decathlon], we knew that the money would help our club’s expenses, since most of it comes from our pockets. This money will aid us for the national competitions next semester,” added Cannon.

In order to qualify for national competitions in the spring, the club needed to do well during the fall semester competitions. This past semester, they have competed in 15 debates.

Members who placed in any of the 15 tournaments had the chance to qualify for nationals, and some students on the Speech and Debate team have already met the qualifications.

Some of this semester’s winners were David Hale, who placed first in poetry interpretation, as well as

Cannon, who placed second in the same category. Tracy Reed and Cannon took first place in a duo competition, and Ryan Robbins won second place in dramatic interpretation.

“The two most prestigious national competitions are done by the end of April,” said Cannon.

“One taking place in Minnesota called the AFA, is one of the biggest ones yet,” Cannon adds.

During regular tournaments, the team competes with Southern and Northern California schools, including Cal States and UC’s, and some from Arizona.

During nationals, they still compete against four year schools, but as team member Hale said, “Nationals is a great way for our team here at GCC to be recognized by schools all over the country.”

The Speech and Debate club meets every Thursday in AD 205, where they train for big competitions.

Professors Ira Heffler and Jean Perry, Director of Forensics and chair of the Language Arts division, have helped shape the team to what it is today.

“I am the person who the coaches report to, I handle the club budget and I decide which competitions we should attend,” said Perry. “All students interested in joining the Speech and Debate club are welcomed,” she added.

“Transfer students who are a part of this team have a chance

Photo by Sumaya Mehai

Speech and Debate club memebers Eric Garcia and Lou de la Rosa practice during a collaborative workshop session.

to win scholarships and are able to enhance their critical thinking skills,” said Perry.

“We also have intramural tournaments, where our Speech 101 students may debate against our club members. It is a fun experience for all of our students to be apart of,” added Perry.

The team held a Speech and Debate Showcase on campus last week, which was comprised of poetry interpretation, prose interpretation, impromptu speaking and dramatic duo interpretation.

The performances were all given by the club members and the event was open to everyone.

“The Speech and Debate Showcase also helps us practice,” said Cannon. “Next semester we will be hosting a ‘Speak-A-Fest’ which also helps us prepare right before nationals begin,” added Cannon.

The “Speak-A-Fest” occurs every spring semester and is held in the Student Center. It takes place over a two day period with some of the best speeches being performed. Admission is free the event is and open to everyone.

“We want to be a regular [campus] fund-raising club, and I think that our team will do well with such a victorious fall semester, we hope we can achieve more goals next year,” said Cannon.

“We like to win in our competitions. But it is not always about winning, it is more valuable for our team to stick together as a family. Our squad truly has a big heart,” added Heffler.

Jennifer Tinoco can be reached at Jennifer_Tinoco@elvaq.com

Students Elect New ASCCC Officers for Upcoming Semester

Photo by Ismael Reyes

ASGCC President and Elections Commissioner, David Arakelyan, assists students voting for their candidates at the ASGCC elections on Dec. 8.

[Elections, from Page 3] last year’s 1,170-vote record.

The ballots were counted on

Friday morning; the counting and validation of the votes were done

by Schlossman, Police Capt. Nidal Kobaissi and Student Affairs

Administrative Assistant, Aida Avanousian.

Most of the candidates were present outside the ASGCC office when president David Arakelyan posted the results at noon. The results were greeted with exclamations of joy from the winning candidates.

Arieneh Tahmasian, who was elected Senator of Relations, said she was “really excited” about winning. “The experience is going to be great.”

“I’m happy to be starting my next term,” said re-elected Vice President of Activities Sevada Begijanyan. “I look forward to representing the students again.”

Pauline Guiuan can be reached at Pauline_Guiuan@elvaq.com

And the Winners Are...

Vice President of Administration Carolina Yernazian Vice President of Campus Activities Sevada Begijanyan Vice President of Campus Relations Tamara Baskin Vice President of Campus Organizations Karla Mercado Senators of Administration: Gayane Aghajanyan Christine Gharibian Ani Mehrabian Senators of Finance: Albert Bagdasarian Lia Thorosian

The third candidate for Senator of Finance was considered ineligible for the position. A special appointment will be made next semester for the third senator.

Senators of Campus Activities: Felipe Martinez John Melikyan Hrach Orujyan Senators of Campus Relations: Jennifer Ghezal Christopher Khriobian Arieneh Tahmasian Senators of Campus Organizations: Paolo Banaag Ani Keshishian Mitzi Mendoza

www.elvaq.com

Friday, December 15, 2006

9

FEATURE

Genocide Awaits Recognition, Community Speaks Up

By Vartanoosh Kiourktzian EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

N

ow that the Democrats will be the majority in the U.S. House and Senate, Armenians may be one step closer to having a resolution passed that gives official recognition to the genocide that killed more than a million of them in the early 20th century.

The genocide, which began in 1915 and ended after the Treaty of Lausanne in 1924, killed 1.5 million Armenians. Despite having Armenians, Western nations and an increasing number of Turkish scholars acknowledge the genocide to be an ethnic cleansing, the government of Turkey still denies it, with some officials even saying that the killing was part of World War I. Taner Akcam, a Turkish historian and author, was one of the first Turkish scholars to acknowledge the Armenian genocide. On April 7, 2005 he came to GCC

w w w . e l v a q . c o m Classified            

on the invitation of the Armenian Students Association and history professor Levon Marashlian. He spoke to approximately 200 students and faculty about Turkish Nationalism, the genocide, and obstacles to democratization in Turkey.

Glendale is home to one of the largest Armenian populations in the U.S. About 40 percent of the residents in Glendale are of Armenian descent. Three out of the four Glendale City Councilmen are of Armenian descent.

Congressman Adam Schiff, Democrat, who represents Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena, is a strong advocate of the genocide recognition and Armenian issues.

“So let us call genocide, genocide. Let us not minimize the deliberate murder of 1.5 million people,” Schiff told the press. “Let us have a moral victory that can shine as a light to all nations.”

Although getting resolutions passed on the genocide is a bipartisan issue, Democrats have generally been much more supportive. A resolution, which is the opinion of Congress carrying no legal weight, is an important statement.

“A Democratic Congress poses new opportunities,” said ANCAWR board member Zanku Armenian. “From a leadership standpoint, Nancy Pelosi is friendlier towards our issues.”

Pelosi, who will be the Speaker of the House for the 110th session of Congress, has recently pledged to congressional recognition of the genocide.

In a statement released to Harut Sassounian, Publisher of the California Courier, Congresswoman Pelosi stated, “I have supported legislation, including H.Res.316, that would properly acknowledge the Armenian genocide. It is imperative that the United States recognizes this atrocity and moves to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and wherever it exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House, and I will continue to support these efforts in the 110th Congress.”

In 2000, the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.596) earned enough votes to be brought to the floor, but Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Republican, pulled the resolution at the request of President Clinton, who cited that it would endanger the lives of Americans stationed in Turkey.

In a statement released on Oct.

Courtesy of Armenian Student Association

During an Armenian genocide remembrance event in Plaza Vaquero last spring, yellow ribbons were tied along a rope in solidarity for John Marshall Evans who was recalled for acknowledging the genocide.

19, 2000 Hastert said, “The Presi- the United States.”

“One name that has cropped up dent believes that passage of this resolution may adversely impact in wiretaps, which my informants the situation in the Middle East tell me Sibel Edmonds translated, and risk the lives of Americans. is that of the Speaker of the House, This is not an idle request. We Denny Hastert, as you say,” Rose added. all know that the The ANCA situation in the currently has Middle East is activists around unusually tense. the nation comThe cease-fire municating now in place bethe Armenian tween Israel and American comthe Palestinians munities’ prioriis fragile. The ties to the press, Congress, while monitoring loit has a right to cal and national express its opinmedia, and reions on critical sponding to issues of the coverage of Arday, also must be ­— Levon Marashlian menian issues. cognizant of the History Professor It is the most consequences of active group on those opinions.” the issue of the However, according to Sibel Edmonds, former genocide.

One issue the group is dealing FBI translator, and David Rose, investigative journalist, Hastert with is the nominee for ambaswas allegedly taking bribes from sadorship to Armenia, Richard E. Hoagland. Hoagland allegedly Turkish groups and individuals.

In an interview with Amy does not sympathize with the ArGoodman of Democracy Now menian cause.

“We feel he will be an ineffecRadio, Rose said, “I think there is now considerable evidence that tive ambassador,” said Armenian.

John Marshal Evans, Hoa…some Turkish groups, some of the officials of the government, gland’s predecessor, was recalled some private individuals, perhaps from his position in May after associated or allegedly associated speaking publicly about the Arwith organized crime, have been menian genocide. Senator Robert making efforts to corrupt elected Menendez, Democrat from New American officials and also ap- Jersey, put a “hold” on the nomipointed government officials in nee, which freezes the nomina-

“The Turkish government is nowhere near recognizing the Genocide, but they are feeling the heat.”

tion until the majority of the Senate overturns it.

“We’re working to force the White House to nominate a new ambassador and to get someone who is more sensitive to Armenian issues,” said Armenian.

Having the U.S. pass legislation on the genocide “would add additional pressure on Turkey to recognize the genocide. The genocide is part of American history and congress not passing legislation is as if denying a part of history,” said Marashlian.

Some countries which have officially recognized the genocide include France, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Russia, Italy, Canada, Lebanon, and Venezuela. France has taken recognition a step further by adopting a bill last October, which would make it a crime to deny that Armenians suffered genocide in 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks.

After this bill overwhelmingly passed in the French National Assembly, the Turkish government threatened to cancel contracts with France as it first did when France recognized the genocide in April of 2006.

“The Turkish government is nowhere near recognizing the genocide, but they are feeling the heat,” said Marashlian.

Vartanoosh Kiourktzian can be reached at Vartanoosh_Kiourktzian@elvaq.com

10

Friday, December 15, 2006

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaquero Sports Summaries

Vaqueros Beat Rio Hondo 87-75

Updates • Scores • Highlights

CROSS COUNTRY Women’s Head Coach Eddie Lopez was named the California Community College Cross Country & Track Coaches Association 2006 women’s cross country coach of the year. The Vaqueros won the Western State Conference title and the Southern California championship; they also finished second in the state championships.

Lopez has coached cross country and track at Glendale for 20 years and was previously honored as the men’s state cross country coach for the year in 1995, 1998 and 2005.

FOOTBALL Sophomore Mike Barrett was named an Academic All-American last week

by J.C. Grid wire; Matt Patterson and Alonzo Menifield were named to the Region III All-State team.

Barrett, a sophomore from Burroughs High School, has a 3.8 grade point average as a business major and was selected at the receiver position.

The selection of Patterson and Menifield was the latest award for the pair of defensive standouts who were also named J.C. Grid wire All-Americans. Patterson was also named the Western State Conference southern Division Defensive Player of the Year and Menifield was a first team All-WSC selection.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Glendale improved to 8-3 after winning the consolation title in the Cal-Nevada

Transportation Tournament at Rio Hondo College last weekend. The Vaqueros fell to Irvine Valley College 68-54, beat West Los Angeles 72-71 Friday and Rio Hondo 80-77 on Saturday. Sophomore forward Jamar Eubanks was named to the all-tournament team.

In the win over West L.A. on Friday, Eubanks led all scorers with 24 points and scored the winning basket with time running out.

Owen Duckworth added 23 points and Ralph Monday chipped in with 10 points. Eubanks also had seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

Glendale hosts the Vaquero Classic through Saturday in the Verdugo Gym. The Vaqs are ranked 15th in the JCScores.com Coaches poll.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Vaqueros fell to 8-5 after a pair of losses last week in the Rose City Classic at Pasadena City College. Glendale was edged

by Riverside 71-68 on Thursday, Dec. 7 and lost to Ventura 56-45 on Friday, Dec. 8. In the loss to Riverside, Paola Gupilan had 16 points and Helen Suarez had 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

Glendale takes on East L.A. College on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Verdugo Gym. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.

Alex Leon Sports Information Director can be reached at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5764 aleon@glendale.edu

Photo by Sumaya Mehai

Vaquero basketball players Jamar Eubanks, Anthony Phillips, Robert Cotton, Assistant Coach Conrad Amba and Head Coach Brian Beauchemin check out the competition at the Vaquero Classic held on campus.

T

he Vaqueros defeated Rio Hondo College in the opening round of the Vaquero Classic tournament, 87-75, to improve to the second round of the four-day tournament.

The Vaqs played well on both offense and defense. After a quick Rio Hondo score, the Va-

queros never trailed again and led by as many as 17 points. Leading the team were sophomores Owen Duckworth and Jamar Eubanks, who dominated in the paint. Antony Philips had a buzzer-beating 3-point shot at the half, giving Glendale a 50-38 lead at the break.

Defensively, they shut down the Rio Hondo offense allowing Rio Hondo to shoot only 33% from the field. The Vaqs will next play L.A. Pierce in the second round of the Vaquero Classic. ­— Compiled by Lenin Lau

www.elvaq.com

Friday, December 15, 2006

11

Calendar On Campus exhibition ‘Psychogeographies’ — An art exhibition featuring the works of six area artists continues through Jan. 20 at the Art Gallery. The show is curated by Alex Slade, adjunct professor of photography at Otis College of Art and Design. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext.

5663 or visit www.glendale.edu/ artgallery.

performance Dance Performance 2006 — A performance featuring dance faculty and alumni takes center stage tonight at 8 p.m. in Auditorium Mainstage. Under the direction of Lynn McMurrey, Dance Performance 2006 wil continue through Dec. 17.

There will be two performances on Dec. 16, the first at 2 p.m. on and the second at 8 p.m. On Dec. 17 there will only be a showing

at 2 p.m. Admission is free but guests must arrive early, as seating is limited and on a first come first served basis. Children under five will not be admitted.

sports Women’s Basketball — The Lady Vaqueros take on Hancock College on Tuesday Dec. 19. Tip off is at 5:30 p.m.

East L.A. College arrives at GCC on Wednesday Dec. 20 to take on the Vaqueros. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball — The Vaqueros take on East L.A. College on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.

finals schedule • Today: A final is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all classes that start between 1:15 to 1:45 daily, MTWTH, MWF and MW. From 1:30 to 4 p.m. a final will take place for all classes that start between 1:15 p.m. to

1:45 p.m. daily, MTWTH, MWF and MW. All classes that start between 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. have a final scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Classes starting at 5 p.m. or later that evening meet on Friday only, are scheduled to take their final from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Saturday Dec. 16: Students are to meet on scheduled class time.

• Monday Dec. 18: All classes that start between 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m daily, MTWTH, TWTHF, MWF, MW or Monday only, are scheduled to take their final from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All classes that start between 10:45 a.m. through 11:45 a.m. daily, MTWTH, MWTHF, MTWF, MWF are scheduled to take their final. Also scheduled for a final at this time are classes that meet MW or Monday only, between noon to 1 p.m. All classes that start between 2 p.m. through 3:30 p.m. daily, MTWTH, MWF or Monday only, are scheduled to take their final from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Classes that start be-

tween 4 p.m. through 5:30 p.m.

MTWTH, MW or Monday only, are scheduled for a final starting at 4:30 p.m. through 7 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m. through 10 p.m., all classes that start between 5:45 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. MW or Monday will take their final.

• Tuesday Dec. 19: From 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., a final is scheduled for classes that start between 8:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. TTH or any Tuesday only classes that meet between 6:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. Classes that start between noon through 1 p.m TTH, Tuesday only, or any morning conflicts, will meet to take their final, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., classes that start between 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on TTH on Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., are scheduled to take their final. All classes that start between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. are scheduled to meet for a final from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Classes that start between 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MW, or Monday only are scheduled for a final from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Wednesday Dec. 20: All classes that start between 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. daily, MTWTH, and MWF, are scheduled to take their final from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Classes that meet on MW and W only, between 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. will take this final as well.

From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., classes that start between noon to 1 p.m. daily, MTWTH, MWTHF, MWF, MW or Wednesday only classes starting from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., are scheduled to take their final. From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., classes that start between 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on MW or Wednesday only, are scheduled to take their final. All classes that start between 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday only or any afternoon conflicts, are scheduled to take their final from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A final is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for classes that start between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday only.

End of Fall Semester — Dec. 20.

Winter Vacation — Dec. 22 through Jan. 1.

mation call (323) 850-2000.

Tickets range from $27 and $79.

‘The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukah’ — Susan McKeown and Boo Reiners are special guests in “The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukah” which takes center stage on Thursday Dec. 21 at the Disney Concert Hall. One of Klezmer’s leading ensembles, The Klezmatics blend sounds from aching shtetl melodies to raucous Latin stomps, soulful boogie-woogie, and Yiddish labor songs. Tickets range from $27 and $79.

‘Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza’ — At the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, Brian Setzer will hold a Christmas show tonight at 8:15 p.m. Tickets for the “Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza” range from $37.50 and $70. Tickets are still available. The House of Blues on the Sunset Strip is located on 8430 Sunset Blvd., W. Hollywood. For more information call (323) 8485100.

Around Town exhibitions ‘Picasso’s Greatest Print’— The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents the exhibition “Picasso’s Greatest Print” which runs through Dec. 21. LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. For more information call (323) 857-6000.

‘The Collectible Moment: Photographs in the Norton Simon Museum’ — The Norton Simon Museum presents a survey of the museum’s photography collection titled “The Collectible Moment: Photographs in the Norton Simon Museum.” The exhibition runs through Feb. 26 and features approximately 160 works by 100 historical and modern photographers. These photos will be on view with special emphasis on the contemporary artists involved with the development of the museum’s photography program in the early 1970s. The instillation

includes portfolios and a selection of ephemera from the museum’s archives. Featured artists include Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Judy Dater, Leland Rice and Frederick Sommer, among others. For more information on this exhibit and others, visit www.nortonsimon. org.

at this special time of year. The play runs through Dec. 23, Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with selected Saturday matinees at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Select Sunday matinees will also be showing at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets range from $14.50 to $23. For more information call the ticket box office at (818) 244-8481.

theatre

music

‘A Christmas Carol’ — The Glendale Centre Theatre invites everyone to spend an uplifting evening with them this holiday season as they present their 43rd annual showing of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” All of Dickens’ timeless characters will fill the air with the spirit of giving as Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas from three ghostly visitors. This year’s production features new music, special effects and an infectious spirit of joy and love to lift the spirits

‘A Chanticleer Christmas’ — The Disney Concert Hall presents “A Chanticleer Christmas” on Tuesday Dec. 19. The concert showcases a twelve-member orchestra of voices that celebrate the true mystery and wonder of Christmas with an elegant and distinctive blend of traditional carols, Medieval and Renaissance sacred works and moving spirituals. Tickets run from $23 and $69. The Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Ave., L.A. For more infor-

‘The Escovedo Family Orchestra’s Latin Holiday Celebration’ — Featuring the legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. and Alejandro Escovedo. In this one-of-a-kind show, the Escovedo family gathers to collaborate for a very special holiday celebration at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. A signature blend of Latin jazz sounds, the show will also feature a variety of melodies and storytelling.

‘Bar That Sucks-Toy Drive’ — The Stitches, Motorcycle Boy, Prima Donna, Pat Todd with the Rank Outsiders and Three L.A. Gentlemen Callers play The Scene Bar tonight at 7 p.m. Entrance fee can be paid via a new toy worth no less than $5 or pay a $10 donation at the door. The Scene is located at 806 E. Colorado St., Glendale. For more information call (818) 241-7029.

El Vaquero, always ahead of what’s happening. www.elvaq.com

12

Friday, December 15, 2006

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Dance

Production 2006

G

CC’s Dance, Music and Theatre Arts Department is set to debut the “Dance Performance 2006” tonight at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage Auditorium.

The free-of-charge performance, directed

by Lynn McMurrey, features faculty members, alumni and current students as choreographers and dancers for a varied and unique program.

One of the night’s most vibrant moments is the piece, “Love to You,” which was choreographed by GCC alumnus, Liz Curtis and Ruth Allen.

This performance’s Hindu theme is artistically executed and well performed by the company. The movements of all featured deities are

fluid and convincing. Also, the clever choice of music – the Beatles– makes this one of the performance’s highlights.

The performance promises to be “interesting and diverse,” according to GCC alumni, Silva Tatiossian, who choreographed, “Love Lifts Us Up.” Performances are tonight at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 8 p.m. No children under 5 are admitted.

Photo by Ismael Reyes

Alexandre Valencia leads “The Company” into the introduction of “Love to You” by Liz Curtis & Ruth Ellen Billion.

- Story by Stephen Hotchkiss

Ryan Olaes and “The Company” performed to the Hindu “Love to You.”

Photo by Graig Agop

Photo by Graig Agop

Stephanie Carpenter and Alexandre Valencia perform to “Special Moments,” choreographed by Samuel Villarreal.

Photo by Graig Agop

The Pirate Themed “No Honor Amongst Thieves” performed by “The Company” provided amazing visuals.