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G L E N D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R Wednesday, May 16, 2018
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Volume 111 | Issue 5
Fighting Cancer, One Mile at a Time GCC’s Victor Leyva demonstrates wealth of compassion and tenacity
By Marian Sahakyan Managing Editor You often see him in the hallways of Glendale College or driving his golf cart around campus, giving out smiles and kindness everywhere he goes. Many don’t know his name or title, but remember him by his positive attitude and willingness to give back. Victor Leyva, the head of Facilities at GCC doesn’t only spread positivity at work, which he describes as his second home, but also tries to make an impact on little lives in the United States, Canada and Australia. Two years ago, he partnered up with Great Cycle Challenge USA, in hopes to help raise money for kids who suffer from cancer and other diseases. Great Cycle Challenge USA is an interesting platform, where fitness meets fundraising. Upon registering with the nonprofit organization, participants are to set a personal mile goal and dollar amount to be completed in a time period of a month. The participant can ride as much or as little a day, but must log their miles to be added up at the end of the month. Leyva’s goal for this year’s campaign is 800 miles and $1,000. As he bikes through the streets, parks and along the Los Angeles River, Leyva’s colleagues, friends, family and strangers are able to donate to his cause. Since the organization runs in three countries, each one is assigned a specific month to fundraise for. This June will be the US and all the proceeds of the fundraising will be sent to cancer kids here in the States. Canada will follow in July, as cyclers fundraise for Canadian kids. During an interview, Leyva specifically highlighted the importance of being physically fit and ready for such a challenge. Almost every morning, he wakes up super early to make it to training, where he will spend the next two hours riding his bike. He often takes a 10 minute break during those two hours, but says that a break is not too important as the end goal is greater than any kind of tiredness he will feel.
Victor Leyva / Courtesy Photo
CYCLING FOR CHANGE: Victor Leyva poses before going on a morning bike ride to train for a marathon.
He even made jokes about the fact that after the month of practicing and another month of cycling, the cycler sheds many pounds and becomes very fit. Joining such an organization was not a hard decision for him, as he had personal reasons to fight for childhood diseases. When Sharon, his then 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s disease, Victor’s world came crashing down. He recalls the sense of despair that took over him and his wife, after which an urge to make a difference came about. It wasn’t only his daughter that contributed to his decision to join the campaign, as he remembered about his sister, who had fought a long battle against breast cancer. “She was very close to die, she got aggressive cancer and she is an inspiration
for me as well,” Leyva said. “I have two people in my family and want to do something for these ladies.” During the eight years of treatment for crohn’s disease and a few surgeries performed on his daughter, Victor remembered the feeling he got when he would walk in through the doors of the local Kaiser. “I went with her [Sharon] to many chemotherapy sessions and I saw many kids there,’’ he said. “I said I want to do something for these guys.” And so he did. In the past two years, he has worked alongside with teams, raising more than $2,000 himself alone, for cancer kids across the nation. Last year, he cycled 700 miles of his 500 mile goal. As a reward, pictures of top cyclers were projected on big screens in
Brooklyn for the public to see and admire. Having gone through the pain of a loved one being sick has motivated Victor to never give up. He even remembers that his daughter almost spent her quinceañera in the hospital. Fortunately, she was able to leave and spend the day like she was supposed to, surrounded with her loved ones, feeling like a princess. Leyva does not plan on giving up on the cause anytime soon. As he prepares for the big month of June, he encourages everyone to contribute to his cause in any amount possible. Go to http://bit.ly/HelpVictorGCC to help Leyva’s cause. Marian Sahakyan can be reached at manehsahakyan@gmail.com.
Stepping Up to Fight Homelessness in L.A. County
Newspaper staff seeks to make a difference to combat major local issue
By El Vaquero Staff
El Vaquero / Courtesy Photo
TEAM EL VAQUERO: El Vaquero staff pose for a photo with the paper’s adviser (bottom center) at the Society of Professional Journalists event in Universal City, April 28.
Close to 60,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles County, a jump of 11,000 in just about a year-long period, according to official records. “It’s easy to absolve ourselves of responsibility after voters passed Measure H to help the homeless,” said Rory Cohen, GCC’s journalism instructor. “However, Measure H has collected funding that has not yet been properly dispersed. People living on the streets can’t wait. Sometimes, government isn’t the answer or is only part of the solution. We really need to do better as a society.” There is no denying that homelessness is an emergency-like dilemma for state and local government, and yet, despite taxing the public, there are no signs that the county is appropriately tackling the issue.
Union Rescue Mission, which is one of the largest privately funded homeless shelters in the U.S., is organizing a walk on June 2 and a fundraiser. El Vaquero students decided that they will participate in the walk and fundraiser to make a difference. As of May 15, El Vaquero, led by journalism adviser Rory Cohen, has raised $1,297. Together, the group hopes to raise a total of $1,500 and join volunteering efforts. Union Rescue Mission is currently working to build a third facility for women and children in South L.A. “I have taught students at GCC who have suffered from homelessness,” said Cohen. “Not every homeless person is mentally ill. Those that are need help and rehabilitation.” Go to http://bit.ly/HelpElVaq to help students with El Vaquero reach their goal.
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So What’s Cinco de Mayo About, Anyway? GCC celebration sets record straight
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Allard MANAGING EDITOR Marian Sahakyan PRODUCTION EDITORS Belinda Oldrati Hayk Rostomyan WEB EDITOR Carolina Diaz ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Adriana Garcia STAFF WRITERS Jasmine Amabile Allison Ayala Katrina Bulay Rudy Guijarro Catalina Juarez Kevin Perez James Ojano-Simonsson PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Christopher Daniels Carmen Fernandez Elena Jacobson Chieko Kubo Vendela Lindblom Alexander Sampson FACULTY ADVISER Rory Cohen rcohen@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000 ext. 5214
Letters to the Editor El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. Send an idea or article to the editor at elvaquero@glendale.edu or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 3211. Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges
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PRIDE: Cinco de Mayo parade in Dallas, Texas.
By Carolina Diaz Web Editor Cinco de Mayo, which literally is May 5, may be a popular holiday in the United States, but what most people get confused with this holiday is that it is not Mexico’s Independence Day. In reality, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday recognized by Mexico. A short-lived victory that happened in May 5, 1862 known as the The Battle of Puebla. Puebla is located in east-central Mexico, and it is the only state in Mexico that does a big celebration for Cinco de Mayo. So, what actually happened that day? Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, the poorly equipped Mexican army made a stand against French forces near the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Despite being outnumbered by the French, who had about 8,000 men to the Mexicans’ 4,000, the Mexican army destroyed a French army who, at that time, was considered the best in the world and had not been defeated in nearly 50 years. Since then, the citizens of Puebla celebrate to remember the victory. Their traditional foods, battle recreations, and colorful parades take over the state of Puebla. For the rest of Mexico, it is just a normal day. However, in the United States, it became a big celebration showing Mexican culture and heritage. Cinco de Mayo was celebrated two days early, May 3, at the Plaza Vaquero. Organizers included
the Spanish Club, Spanish Department, Culinary Arts and the Dance Division. The Spanish Club was giving free nachos with carne asada. Andrew Feldman of Culinary Arts cooked the meat, let the club borrow the nacho cheese heater, and cut the onions and cilantro. The club also handed out aguas frescas (lemonade) while, at the same time, educating the students, staff and faculty on the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo. Before the Spanish Club handed out the nachos, two members of the dance department, Vladimir Petrosyan and Jose Vergara, gave students free Salsa lessons. “We think it just became a day to drink for Americans, mainly in the Los Angeles area,” said Melissa Hernandez, vice president of the Spanish Club. “Anything becomes popular if you put a discount on drinks and food at bars for a holiday that someone has,” said Hernandez. The event was very successful with everything gone in the timespan they had. “We want students to know what Cinco de Mayo really is about for Mexicans. We want to enrich our fellow students on the actual meaning and some different culture while we’re at it,” said Hernandez. “We also want students to know that not all Hispanics are Mexican and that we don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo at all.” Carolina Diaz can be reached at itscarodiaz@gmail.com.
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Above Politics, Story of a ReLOVEution How one person changed the attitude of an entire nation from ‘victims’ to ‘winners’ By Marian Sahakyan Managing Editor On March 31, he gathered his thoughts, his soon-to-be revolutionary comrades, and embarked on a journey that many believed would fail. For the next 14 days, the group would walk some 124 miles, covering villages and towns stretching between Gyumri and Yerevan, the two largest Armenian cities. Nikol Pashinyan, 42, believed that people reserved the right to elect their own officials and leaders, and for the past 20 years of his career as an investigative journalist and politician, he spoke up against the corrupt, authoritarian leading regime of Armenia. The fact that Pashinyan was an oppositioner became clear at a very young age. His kindergarten teacher described him as an outspoken young man, who often turned other students against supervisors. As his father, Vova Pashinyan contested, teenager Nikol organized anti-Soviet rallies in their small hometown of Ijevan, talking about his hopes of one day bringing Armenia to its own free state. As a journalism student at Yerevan State University, then 20-year-old Pashinyan compiled screeds exploiting the corruption that rich politicians and businessmen often engaged in. As a result, he got kicked out of university in 1995, failing to receive his red diploma. This did not stop the man’s agenda, as he was setting himself up to change everything. At War with Fraud Pashinyan’s battle with the Republican Party of Armenia started many years ago, though took its highest peak in 2008, when Serzh Sargsyan ironically earned the people’s vote in a fraudulent election, taking the title of president. The future was not looking too bright for the country, to say the least. Pashinyan got involved with
Kamischka / Courtesy Photo
UNITED: The revolution became known as one of the happiest of its time,as Armenians chanted, danced and partied their way into a corruption-free country.
other opposition leaders and started to organize peaceful rallies against the newly elected president. All of this went downhill on March 1, 2008. The date became a dark day of history in the exSoviet country, as 10 people died in clashes between police forces and supporters of the defeated candidate. Pashinyan’s name became closely related to the tragic events of that day as authorities accused him of seeking to seize power, by the provocation of mass violence. Of course, these were accusations that were not true. After hiding for months, the activist turned himself in, creating one of the most controversial cases of political imprisonment. From 2009-2011, he spent time in jail, next to criminals and killers, but was let out under a prisoner amnesty scheme. He was elected into parliament the next year in 2012, and has
been fighting against corruption since. Transparency As previous administrations spent country money on fancy vacations cars and homes, making it none of the people’s business about where this money came from. Pashinyan came in and took this by storm and proved that people do have the right to know it all. During the recent movement, which he called a ‘Velvet Revolution’ people donated money to be used for the moment. What Pashinyan was out to do next, left the people nothing short of shocked and surprised. Pashinyan and his team put a list together of all the donated money and where it was spent. They later published these on Facebook and other media outlets. When he was announced prime minister of Armenia, after
Tert.am / Courtesy Photo
INSPIRED: The message on Pashinyan’s cap became a favorite among protesters, encouraging them to act with ‘spirit.’
the month-long successful peaceful protest movement, Pashinyan got to work. He went live on Facebook and showed the people everything that his new office featured. This had become a tradition since the early revolutionary days, or rather an expectation that the prime minister would go live on Facebook to talk, announce his plans, tell success stories and catch up with the people. The People’s Man Walking so many kilometers under the sun, he had shed his beer belly quite a bit, gotten a nice tan and a beard. The 42-year-old now rocks a new salt-and-pepper beard, which surprisingly made him more approachable. People even launched a campaign to encourage him to keep the beard, which he did during the past week of his time in office. His signature camouflage tshirt, baseball cap and rucksack became a symbol of revolution. His incredible sense of humor allowed for media to take a tour of his backpack. As he described, it had everything he would need. Things like medicine, his laptop and a powerbank phone charger, so he wouldn’t miss a Facebook live with his people. He walked alongside with the people and didn’t put himself before anyone. Even as a prime minister, he often walks around the city, to make sure he has direct contact with the Armenian citizens. He used social media to promote the movement and his plans to the younger generations. He told the people when he made a mistake, along with his ups and all the downs. Pashinyan became the people’s prime minister far before
he could get the official title. His charismatic, funny and very simple character, shaped the new Armenian soul, an identity. That of a winner. The Future As previous administrations came and went, leaving a large negative impact on the people of the country and its economy, Pashinyan is slowly restoring what was lost. Inviting Daron Acemoglu, a world-renowned economist, to come up with strategies to not only save but to grow the economy. On multiple occasions, he has addressed the Diasporans, encouraging them to start investing money in the country. He also promised that these people, who were forcibly pushed out of their country, due to economic, political and household instability, will come back home, to a new Armenia. “I am serving the Republic of Armenia, and the people of Armenia,” he said during his first speech as newly elected prime minister. “Your victory is not that I became prime minister, but the fact that you chose who did.” All eyes in the world are on Pashinyan, as he makes important changes to the far-too-corrupt system that he was handed. In the past week, he has gotten rid of old ministers and assigned young, innovative and smart individuals to these posts. As we all sit in our homes and watch what goes on, we must realize that this is just the beginning of the big Armenian revolution and hope for the best for where it is headed. Marian Sahakyan can be reached at manehsahakyan@gmail.com.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2018
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Thoughts of GCC’s International Students Feature by James Ojano-Simonsson Design by Belinda Oldrati
Glendale Community College emphasizes a “strong tradition and commitment to educating students from other countries.” The website adds that “during a typical Academic Year, the College will enroll approximately 550 to 600 International F-1 visa students (each Semester) representing over 50 nationalities.” The International Student Office on the third floor of the Sierra Vista Building is where staff and academic counselors provide help and guidance to current and future GCC international students with class registration, immigration issues, health insurance, off-campus housing and homestay, and workshops. For more information, visit www.glendale.edu/apply/international-students. Computer science major and international student Louis Daza, 20, from Manila, the Philippines is almost ready for an OPT (Optional Practical Training for F-1 students), a special internship program. Daza started his educational journey at GCC in the fall of 2016. Being an international student has been great, Daza said. “There are definitely a lot of opportunities to develop myself holistically.” The people in GCC have been really friendly and approachable, Daza explained. In the future, Daza wants to work as a software engineer. Daza’s tip to other international students is to “take advantage of every opportunity they can, they are paying a lot for tuition fees after all.”
Jessica Coompson, 23, is from Banjul, Gambia, which is in West Africa. Coompson is a business administration major. During her two years at GCC, she has accomplished a lot, personally and academically. As an international student it was difficult for Coompson at first to adapt to the different culture, she explained. “I was a loner and didn’t really have any friends, which really made my experience horrible in my first semester.” But, after getting involved with a few clubs on campus, Coompson began to open up, and really found her voice. Coompson was president, vice president, and treasurer of the Black Student Union/ Black Scholars. In addition, Coompson was also treasurer of the International Students Association and a Shadow Day Mentor, which is when high school students come on campus and get mentored by students of the college. She was also a senator of activities in the student government for two semesters, and
a vice president of activities in the student government for one semester. “I am the first female African student to hold an executive position in the student government, and the first ever in GCC’s history to put on 19 successful events in one semester,” Coompson proudly said. Thanks to this experience, Coompson has become a strong, independent young woman because she had the guts to put herself out there, and she is forever grateful for that experience, Coompson remarked. For many international students, they know Coompson as one of the student workers up at the International Student Office. Coompson’s advice for future international students is not to be shy, and put themselves out there, because being shy will only damper their success in this country. “Never be afraid to speak up,” she said. Coompson will be doing a lot of speaking and defending in the future, because she wants to become a lawyer.
What is an “F-1 student?” “An F-1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a U.S. college or university.” https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration/f1-student-visa/
Julia Maia Silveira De Castro, 20, comes from Goiânia, Brazil and has aspirations as a filmmaker. She started at GCC in the fall of 2016. “Being an international student is amazing,” she said. “It is the perfect opportunity to learn more about another language and culture.” Maia mentioned how she feels very grateful for being given this opportunity. Her plan is to transfer to a university for another two years and pursue her dream of working in the film industry and being constantly in touch with the creative part of her brain. “I guess what I would say to the new international students in GCC is to try to embrace this new culture and appreciate every moment,” she said. Japanese native from Aichi and international student Moe Maki, 20, is a clinical psychology major. She began studying at GCC in the fall of 2016. “It has been so much fun and it has enriched my life, because of the diversity of people, and the easy access to every field of science,” Maki said. She has met a lot of new friends, whose perspective and backgrounds are very different from hers. The way of getting educated is different from her home country, she explained. For instance, the general education requirements such as speech, English, and history has played a significant role in Maki’s life in the United States, because she has cultivated the skills of critical thinking and other elements of human thought. This solid knowledge in multiple fields would not only broaden her horizon in general, but would also help her to become an ideal person, woman, and parent in her future life, Maki enthused. “Embracing and enjoying new found
friends will keep you open-minded,” she said with a smile. Maki’s career goals are to become a psychotherapist and help her local community. “You don’t have to win other [over] but yourself. Only hardship and failure will truly teach you how to become more independent, adaptable and skilled. And those victories will be your strength in all the aspects of your life.”
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Twenty-year-old Max Kwong, is a theatre arts major, but will change to film production after he transfer to a university. Originally from Hong Kong, Kwong’s career goals are to make it in the film, music, and fashion industry. He started his education at GCC in the spring of 2017. One thing that is challenging for an international student is when communicating with native English speakers, because they speak so fast, Kwong mused. He does not feel confident enough with his English, but continuing to work through it. “I had really low self-esteem my first year at GCC,” he confessed. Kwong mentioned something that other international students might have in common: that it takes longer to study and to understand a textbook, an article, or an assignment in English. But hard work pays off. Kwong feels more comfortable, and said it is easier to respond when talking with other students. “Don’t be afraid to speak, because people are helpful and understanding here,” he said.
Ly Lee, 25, from Värnamo, Sweden is a business administration management major, and has almost completed two semesters at GCC. Being a student in the U.S. has been a lot tougher than she thought it would be, Lee said. “Moving to a different country is already overwhelming, and on top of that you have to think about doing well in school, keeping your budget limitations, since we’re not allowed to work as F-1 visa holders,
plus trying to have a life outside of school,” she said. Lee knows she wants to get a degree, but right now she does not know in what that may be and is exploring her options. One thing Lee feels is important is to “hang in there,” and to be social and make friends. “Those are the ones keeping you steady whenever you move to another country. Also, give it time,” she suggested. “It might even take two years until you get the hang of it, so, don’t lose patience.”
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JungWoo Rim is an international student from Seoul, South Korea. He has almost been here for two years. Rim said he values and enjoys his time at GCC. During his first semester here, Rim became good friends with other international students in his ESLclass. They spend time together as often as they can. As a tradition, they meet up every end of the semester for dinner and to catch up. “They’re my international family,” Rim said with a smile, noting that the group is incredibly diverse. Life here is good, you get to meet a lot of new people, and many of them become friends, Rim continued. “My only tip would be to make friends.”
James Ojano-Simonsson can be reached at james_centauri@hotmail.com.
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SPORTS
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
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‘Don’t Ever Count Us Out’
Get to know about some of GCC’s baseball players’ lives, careers and aspirations
Jake Selco, 19, from West Hills, Calif., USA, started playing baseball when he was five years old. Seven years later, he got to play in the PONY World Series as a 12-year-old, something that still qualifies as his favorite baseball memory so far. His passion and love for the sport makes him want to pursue a baseball career for as long as possible, to then become a physical therapist. As for now, Selco is part of
the GCC baseball team, a team where both players and coaches are really close. “Everyone cares about each other and is rooting for each other,” said Selco. “The coaching staff cares for us immensely and I think those two parts have a lot to do with the success we are having.” After 14 years of baseball, he’s not anywhere near quitting the game, and continues to live by his motto, “If you’re not eating, you’re on the menu.”
Mitchell Rathbun, 20, Las Vegas, Nev., USA, grew up with friends in his elementary school that all played baseball. That is what got him into the sport as a 10-year-old, and today, 10 years later, Rathbun still gives his all and plays every game like it’s his last. Something he will never forget is when he played during club ball as a 12-year-old for his all-time favorite coach, Harold Eckert. “I hit a double off the green monster at Big League Dreams,” said Rathbun. “It really impressed him which made me happy because I looked up to him.” Although Eckert is among his favorite coaches, Rathbun thinks the best thing about playing baseball at GCC is the coaches, explaining how they truly care about the players. “They are extremely approachable and tell you how it is,” he said. “They help everyone in any way they can.” Aside from baseball that’s been a big part of his life so far, he also dreams of becoming a petroleum engineer.
Story, Photography and Design by Belinda Oldrati, Production Editor Konner Piotto, 20, from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, has played baseball ever since his dad first introduced him to the sport 11 years ago. Although he has been playing for so long, he still loves showing up every day to play next to his team players on the field. “The program is special, and this team in particular is special,” Piotto said. “The coaches put a lot of time and
Troy Viola, 19, from Bend, Ore., USA, loved to throw and hit wiffle balls in his backyard as a kid. He then moved on from that small plastic ball when his parents signed him up for tee-ball, a team sport based on baseball intended to work as an introduction to the sport for children. Viola grew up idolizing Derek Jeter, the former New York Yankees shortstop and surefire future MLB Hall of Fame inductee. To wear the pinstriped uniform is something Viola has always wanted, and his goal for a future baseball career is to be a shortstop for the New York Yankees, just
like Jeter. “I won’t let anything stop me from getting there,” he said. He continues to talk about how it would be an honor to play for any major league team, but the New York Yankees would be “a dream come true,” and the fact that they have such a storied history of winning makes it even more palatable. Viola tries to live by a quote by Jeter himself. “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do,” which is something Viola use both on and off the field. “Jeter is my idol, role model and someone I try to craft my
game after,” said Viola. In high school, Viola was part of Summit High School’s first ever state championship in baseball where they came out on top and won the whole championship, something he recalls as one of his favorite memories so far. Today, he’s been playing baseball for 15 years, and being part of the GCC baseball team is something he enjoys. He also loves the fact that the team has players who want to win at all costs. “We have grit, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, you can bet we will do anything in our power to come out on top.”
effort to make sure we have success every day.” The coaches of the GCC baseball team is indeed known for the hard work to ensure that students get what they need to succeed, and the success keeps coming. For Piotto, winning the 2018 WSC East conference, as well as the 2018 SoCal Regional with the Vaqs are his favorite moments of his baseball career so far.
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Chris Davidson, 21, from Pasadena, Calif., USA, got into baseball because of his father 15 years ago. He has kept playing ever since, and has no plan to stop any time soon. Davidson wants to keep playing for as long as he can, to then turn around and give back to the game by coaching, umpiring, and coordinating leagues. As long as it’s related to baseball, that’s what he wants to do. Team chemistry is what Davidson finds amazing about the GCC baseball team, and the best experience with the team was winning conference play just a few weeks ago. The team has worked really hard, and Davidson has the perfect sports motto to match it. “Don’t ever cut corners, whine or complain, make excuses, act selfishly, divide the team, embarrass the jersey, or give up.” Grant Mona, 20, from Sunland, Calif., USA, has played baseball for 15 years. As a 5-year-old kid, he was introduced to the sport by his father who taught him everything. Besides always wanting to provide happiness and the best life possible for his family, his ultimate goal is to get as far as he can in his
baseball career and to become a professional. As “a third year guy” at GCC, Mona enjoys the time with the baseball team. “The best thing about our team is the heart,” and the “don’t ever quit mentality,” he said. During the second-to-last game in conference play, Citrus College started acting as if the win were in their hands. Many
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Tom Tabak, 19, from Calabasas, Calif., USA, has been playing baseball since the age of six. One day, he told his parents he wanted to play, and the rest is history. Tabak talks about his favorite memory in senior year of high school, when he robbed a home run flipping over the fence. A career goal for Tabak is
to get drafted, but as for now, he enjoys playing with the GCC baseball team, where it’s important for him to follow the motto, “Don’t ever be too comfortable, play the game humble.” As for the GCC team, Tabak thinks that the heart of each individual player and coach is what makes them special.
Jason Whaley, 20, from Burbank, Calif., USA, got into baseball because of his friend John Murphy, who made him join Little League Baseball as an 11-year-old after a year of playing flag football. It seemed like a good idea to Whaley, since baseball season was next to come. Today, nine years later, Whaley plays with the GCC baseball team and finds that the best thing about the team is the heart, and the fact
that they’re a family. Although he enjoys being part of the GCC team, his most memorable moment in baseball so far was while attending John Burroughs High School, hitting the walk-off to win the Easton tournament in 2016 against Harvard-Westlake Upper School. Whaley lives by the Nike quote, “Just do it,” and in the future, he wants to open up a business depending on “what’s hot in the moment,” he said.
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of the GCC players stood up and yelled, “Not done!” This fits right in with the team’s motto, “Don’t ever count us out.” So what happened at the final game of conference on April 27? GCC Vaqueros won their sixth Western State Championship since 2011. This was a first time experience for Mona, which was very special to him.
Belinda Oldrati can be reached at belinda.oldrati@hotmail.com.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT
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Theron Shines in Tully
Director Jason Reitman’s new film demonstrates the challenges mothers face post-childbirth By Adriana Garcia Entertainment Editor Director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody’s “Tully” is a brutal and heartfelt portrayal of motherhood not often seen on the silver screen. The duo’s third collaborative work highlights the trials of maintaining a running household with multiple children, and though its ending seems just a bit incredible, the rest of the film does not. Academy Award winner Charlize Theron’s unmatched skill, combined with Reitman’s and Cody’s filmmaking sensibilities, propel the mostly genuine script into undoubted reality. Theron gained 50 pounds for the leading role of Marlo, and Reitman used rougher than usual camera work to emphasize authenticity in a cluttered home setting. Cody’s disarming and thoughtful dialogue laid the groundwork for the film’s effectiveness. “Tully” presents the tired and untended Marlo on the precipice of having her third child and subsequent physical and emotional breakdown. Kind but clueless husband Drew (Ron Livingston) helps with what he can, but remains unaware of his wife’s daily workload, which includes dealing with their “quirky” son
Jonah. Though “quirky” gets tossed around condescendingly and to Marlo’s exceptional annoyance, evidence provided suggests her son could be autistic. Issues at Jonah’s school, chores and dinner exhaust the waddling Marlo, and her newborn’s arrival only intensifies her stress. Acknowledging her past struggles with postpartum depression, wealthier brother Craig (Mark Duplass) offers to pay for a night nanny – someone to watch the baby overnight so parents can sleep. Though reluctant at first, Marlo warms to the idea once she meets the inexhaustibly chipper and sensitive Tully, played engrossingly by the exceedingly intuitive Mackenzie Davis, seen most recently in “Blade Runner 2049” before this project. The two women’s growing relationship best exemplifies Cody’s ability to encapsulate palpable emotion in just a few lines of banter. Their conversations range from reality television to philosophical matters, and they’re performed and captured in a rough and natural way that makes the viewer feel almost intrusive. The actresses’ capacity to seem so at ease on screen can be attributed to Theron’s past work with both Reitman and Cody. All
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TULLY: Charlie Theron provides her award winning talents to portray the struggle.
three worked together to make the 2011 scathing comedic drama “Young Adult.” Though Mackenzie was a newcomer to the team, Reitman always imagined her for the part. “When I saw her, putting her and Charlize together in a room immediately seemed like a great idea,” said the director in a promotional interview. “It proved to be right. Their chemistry was electric.” The film’s darker scenes displaying Marlo’s pitfalls are also powerful, perhaps
because they stem from actual experience. Cody had just given birth to her third child while writing “Tully.” “I don’t think I’d ever written anything in that super vulnerable, postpartum state before,” said the often divisive writer. “I’m glad I did because I think something interesting came out of it. I was able to put those raw feelings of fear and exhaustion into the script.” Cody’s most successful projects materialize when she writes what she knows best –
offbeat, imperfect women at pivotal moments in their lives. There’s a fluidity between “Juno,” “Young Adult” and “Tully” that captures the difficulties of womanhood and motherhood, or lack of, at various life stages. Although some parts of the script, and especially one big one, seem out of place, “Tully” is effective in raising consciousness of the endless labor most women experience after childbirth. Adriana Garcia can be reached at agarcia5422@student.glendale.edu.
Disgraced Former Leader Subject of New Documentary
Netflix’s “The Rachel Divide” provides discussion on the former NAACP chapter president who falsely presented herself as black
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RACE DEBATE: Rachel Dolezal says she has always seen herself as black.
By Rudy Guijarro Staff Writer Netflix’s “The Rachel Divide’” takes on the controversial debate of Rachel Dolezal’s racial identity, but the documentary only proves there is no dispute of her race, but in
her ego. In 2015, Dolezal was approached by KXLY-TV reporter Jeff Humphrey. Humphrey held up a photo of Albert Wilkerson, a black man Dolezal claimed was her father on a Facebook post shared on the Spokane National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) page. Humphrey asked if the man in the photo was her father, “Yeah, thats dad,” she answered on the KXLY-TV interview. But when asked if she was African American she replied “I don’t understand the question.” She evacuated the interview immediately. Dolezal was outed by her biological parents Larry and Ruthanne Dolezal. That same year, Dolezal was denounced president of the NAACP. Her position as chair of Spokane’s police ombudsman commission was revoked, and she was also dismissed as an instructor in Africana studies at Eastern Washington University. Two years later, Dolezal finally admitted to being born biologically white on “The Real,” while promoting her autobiography “In Full Color,” but specified, “I don’t identify as African-American, I identify as black.’’ In an interview with The Guardian in 2017, she said, “I don’t think you can do something wrong with your identity if you’re living in your authenticity.” Dolezal continued,
“I’m not going to stop and apologize and grovel and feel bad about it.” The documentary follows a pregnant Rachel Dolezal in her now-enclosed life, living in her modest Spokane home with her adopted son Izaiah, 21, and biological son Franklin, 13. The film exposes Dolezal being harassed daily and photographed by civilians and media outlets anytime she’s in the public eye. But it’s her teenage son Franklin that seems to be the real victim in the documentary. His refusal to be seen with his mother is heartbreaking, but understanding to the viewer. Franklin is aware of his mother’s devotion to her self-proclaimed blackness. Throughout the film, you can see his suffering and aggravation with the situation. “I have to admit, I’m running out of patience for this, the one thing that will make everyone happy is if she [his mom] said ‘Hey, I’m white,’ but you can’t tell my mom what to say.” said Franklin. The film highlights her close relationship with her kids and devotion to African-American
fashion and art. She wears her hair in elaborate dreadlocks most of the time during the film and sometimes sports a curly wig. Her hairdos are so over-the-top that they look like they were meant to attract attention. Dolezal comes off egotistical and sociopathic. She refuses to admit she lied or misled people to believe she was African American and uses her current situation as a tool to identify even more with the black community, claiming she is being “oppressed.” “I just want to be free,” Dolezal says throughout the film. In her book, she compares her childhood struggles, such as growing up with strict Christian fundamentalist parents to slavery. It seems Dolezal hasn’t realized what the public’s issues are with her racial choice, and the problem is that race is not a choice. “I usually picked a brown crayon rather than a peach one. Peach simply didn’t resonate with me,” Dolezal claims in her book. “I felt black and saw myself as black.” Rudy Guijarro can be reached at rudyguijarro11@gmail.com.