Oct. 17, 2012

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Volume 100, Number 3

Rare Stormy Day Fails to Deter Rally

L E N D A L ECC O M M U N I T YCCOLLEGE OLLEGE GGLENDALE OMMUNITY

By Chantal Bevard

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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he brewing thunderclouds didn’t deter students from crowding Plaza Vaquero on Thursday to devour all that speakers had to say about the importance of voting, particularly for Proposition 30.

The Associated Students of Glendale Community College formed a rally with several speakers championing the importance of voting.

On hand were: Armine Hacopian, board of trustees president; Jim Riggs, interim president/superintendent; Gordon Alexandre, a history professor; Michael Dulay, a psychology professor and chair of the social science division; and Caroline Aghajanian, a member of ASGCC. Hacopian spoke first and set the tone for the rest of the rally. “Your voice is your vote,” she told students.

“Sorry about the bad news, but you have the opportunity to change it,” said Riggs after informing students about the possible budget cuts if Proposition 30 fails.

The speakers urged students to vote for Proposition 30 because it would help fund community colleges, as well as K-12 schools and public services. The funding would come from a temporary quarter-cent sales tax increase and a temporary income tax increase for those who make more than $250,000 per year.

“Tell your friends, parents and neighbors not to believe the lies that the No on Prop.

30 group is putting out there,” Alexandre said. “They just don’t like that Prop. 30 is doing well in the polls.”

According the latest poll conducted by Pepperdine University and the California [See Rally, page 2]

IN THIS ISSUE News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Features.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Faculty Pages.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Entertainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

October 17, 2012

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Photo by Chantal Bevard

YES ON 30: Rallys and public forums about Proposition 30. and funding community colleges are gathering steam in the ramp up to the Nov. 6 elections. See related stories on pages 1, 2 and 3 and online at www.elvaq.com.

Keoshian’s Football Career Resurrected at GCC

By John Ferrara

EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

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wo years ago Collin Keoshian had a full ride at Brigham Young University, but he gave it up for what he loves most, his family and running the football.

He is 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 240 pounds, and has arms like legs. Keoshian, 21, is a punishing power back with the ability to drag four men to the first down or gracefully leap over an unsuspecting defender.

“He’s as big as a bull and runs like a gazelle,” said assistant coach Alex Rome.

The only player from an eight-man high school football team to ever receive a full scholarship to BYU, Keoshian was a trailblazer for overlooked players at smaller schools.

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

DOMINATING: Running back Collin Keoshian demonstrates what overlooked players from smaller schools can accomplish.

“Eight-man-football has a stereotype that it’s not as good

as 11-man and I had to overcome that, all four years I had people

telling me ‘You’re not going to D1’ and it was tough,” said Keoshian. “I couldn’t be great.

I had to be unbelievable.”

Top-scouted high schools showed interest in him but his family decided that staying at Santa Clarita Christian School and receiving a Christian education was more important than football.

“If you’re good enough they’ll find you,” Craig Keoshian told his son.

Despite crushing all of his school’s rushing records, winning two championships and dominating on both sides of the ball, Keoshian remained unnoticed. Until a YouTube video of him hurtling over would-be tacklers made its way [See Keoshian, page 18]

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NEWS

El Vaquero EDITOR IN CHIEF Eric Bourse MANAGING EDITOR Angel Silva SPORTS EDITOR John Ferrara STAFF WRITERS Chantal Bevard Jonathan Caballeros Rebecca Krueger Sal Polcino Ksenia Rabinovich Chris Rodd Tex Wells

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Allan Beglarian

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jane Pojawa

NEWSROOM MANAGER

Richard Kontas

DESIGN ADVISER

Charles Eastman

FACULTY ADVISER

Michael Moreau

mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214 ADVERTISING Jeff Smith jsmith@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext.5493

Professor Explains Prop. 30 Issues

By Andra Verstraete

Director, Governmental/External Relations

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n my role as both the Director of Governmental/External Relations for Glendale College and as an adjunct faculty member in the Political Science Department (teaching California State and Local Government and Politics), I’ve been getting lots of questions about Proposition 30. Friends, family members, students, colleagues and neighbors want to know how much will this measure cost them, how much money will it raise and most importantly: where is all the money going?

Proposition 30 has the official title: Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act. Proposition 30 would raise the personal income taxes on high income earners, individuals making more than $250,000 (or couples making $500,000 per year) for the next seven years . Although most of my friends and family won’t be subjected to the additional income tax, Proposition 30 would also raise the state sales tax by a quarter cent. Both tax increases are temporary, with the sales tax lasting four years and the income tax lasting seven years.

How much money will these taxes raise? It is projected that the additional tax revenue will

generate about $6 billion for education. The state budget has a built-in minimum guarantee for education funding called Proposition 98. Because the guarantee is tied to the state’s general fund, an increase in revenues automatically results in more education funding.

That money is mandated to be shared, with 89 percent going to K-12 schools and 11 percent to community colleges.

Here’s what voters need to know. The budget approved by the state legislature is tied directly to the “fate” of Proposition 30.

If Proposition 30 fails, a series of spending reductions known as “trigger cuts” would go into effect. Schools and community colleges would lose nearly $5.4 billion. Glendale Community College would be facing a $4.6 million budget gap. This would mean a further reduction in course sections (I’ve heard anywhere from 250 to 500 classes), laying off staff and adjunct faculty, and additional salary reductions for all employees. This scenario is not unique to Glendale College.

All sectors of public education, including K-12 would see drastic reductions in their budgets and would be forced to make tough decisions.

If all that isn’t confusing enough, there is another tax initiative on the ballot,

Proposition 38.

Although Proposition 38 promises to raise $10 billion for Pre-K-12 education, it does not provide any funding for community colleges.

Proposition 38 allocates nothing to any other sector of education, public safety or social services, whereas Proposition 30 targets K-12 education, community colleges, the Cal State University and University of California systems as well as public safety and other vital programs.

Now remember the Proposition 98 guarantee. The problem is that the state could not “count” the revenue that K-12 districts receive through Proposition 38 toward the Proposition 98 minimum funding guarantee; consequently, community colleges would not be able to receive the usual 11 percent share because the Proposition 38 K-12 funds are technically not Proposition 98 funds. If voters were to approve Proposition 38, then taxes would increase on the lowest income earners. This means that people earning as little as $7,000 per year would see an increase in their personal income taxes. The taxes are temporary and last 12 years.

An important point to consider on election day is how the two November tax measures (30 and 38) would affect each other should both pass. In order for a

proposition to pass, it needs to receive a simple majority of the votes (50 percent plus 1). When two measures conflict, the one with the most votes prevails.

In addition, sections in each proposition explicitly bar the other from taking effect. Even if you vote for both, only one can win. And, of course, if Propostion 38 gets more votes, that would mean Proposition 30 would lose, even if got more than 50 percent of total votes. Then, the “trigger cuts” that I mentioned earlier would go into effect.

There are 11 propositions on the November ballot. Maybe you are going to the polls for the first time. Voters, especially in California, tend to be confused by competing and conflicting initiatives.

Please educate yourselves.

Find out more information and know the issues before you vote!

A good source for nonpartisan information is the easy voter guide put out by the League of Women Voters. http://www. easyvoterguide.org/ You can also now register to vote online. The deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 6 election is Monday. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ elections_vr.htm

Andra Verstraete is the campus’ Director of Governmental/External Relations and and adjunct political science professor.

Send Letters to the Editor 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 elvaquero.editor@gmail.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

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Students, Faculty Support Prop. 30 [Rally from page 1] Business Roundtable on Thursday, 49.5 percent of voters support Proposition 30, while 41.7 percent oppose the measure.

“If it [Proposition 30] doesn’t pass, it’s going to be a real disaster around here,” said Alexandre.

Proposition 30 has to compete with Proposition 38 in the election. If both measures pass, the measure with the most votes in favor of the proposition will go into effect.

Proposition 38 is a measure that would increase the income tax for those who make more than $7,316 per year. The money raised from this tax increase will help fund only K-12 schools.

As a former student, Dulay wanted to relate to current

students and created a rap about learning from the past, the importance of voting and Proposition 30.

Dulay captivated students and led them in a chant, “When I say Prop, you say 30!” Some students showed their excitement for Dulay’s rap and started break dancing in the middle of the crowd.

The Associated Students and clubs, such as the Gay Straight Alliance, helped register students to vote during the rally.

In light of the new online registration system implemented

by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen on Sept.19, the ASGCC brought laptops so that they could help register students [See Rally, page 3]

Photo by Chantal Bevard

REGISTER TO VOTE: Student organizations are mobilizing voter regis-

tration over Proposition 30 and the associated educational cuts. The last day to register to vote in California is Monday.

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NEWS

Activist Jono Schaffer Leads Prop 30 Forum

By Chris Rodd

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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abor and education activist Jono Schaffer forcefully advocated for California’s public education system in front of 200 students who gathered in the GCC auditorium Oct. 4 for a forum on Proposition 30.

Proposition 30 is Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax increase that would raise income taxes on high-income earners and the sales tax by a fourth of a percent.

The forum is the first in a series of events to educate the student body on the benefits of Proposition 30, which could bring $4.5 million to GCC and could prevent 400 to 500 classes from being cut spring semester if passed.

Schaffer spent most of his speech explaining what he calls a chronic and systematic disinvestment from public education in the past decade.

According to the California Budget Project, $20 billion has been cut from education in the last three years. Public college and university costs have increased 80 percent in the past four years, and more than 20,000 courses have been cut since fall 2008.

“You can lose weight, you can

get liposuction, but future cuts would represent amputation of significant parts of the body of our public services,” said Schaffer.

Proposition 30 consists of two tax increases: a sales tax increase of a quarter of a percent for five years, and a seven-year income tax increase on those who make more than $250,000 per year.

The non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office estimates $6.8 billion dollars in revenue to the state, if passed. The revenue will be used for K-12 schools and the public college and university system, as well as firefighters and police.

According to Schaffer, 90 percent of the revenue from Proposition 30 would come from the top one percent of income earners. Schaffer argued that the reason for this is due to the enormous increase in wealth of this income bracket. The top 1 percent of income earners has 49 percent of the wealth, and a number of major corporations and banks, including ExxonMobil, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo didn’t pay taxes last year.

While speaking before a packed audience, it was clear that most students were there for reasons other than civic participation.

Prop. 30 Rally Unites Campus Community [Rally, from page 2] online to vote. The Associated Students also had paper registration forms available so that students had the two options.

Associated Student President Arman Marukyan, who has a picture from the first day he voted, said, “I was surprised to find out that people don’t know what they’re voting for.”

The students who attended the rally seemed to all share the thought that it is important to know what is on the ballot.

“The worst thing to do is to be an uninformed voter,” said Daniela Contreras, 20, a communications major.

That is why the Yes on 30, No on 32 committee is working with

the ASGCC to put together events to help educate students on issues that will appear on November’s ballot.

The next event, on Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium, is aimed to educate students on Proposition 32.

Proposition 32 would ban corporations and unions from contributing to state and local candidates and would ban automatic paycheck deductions to be used for political contributions.

Aghajanian left her peers at the rally with this message, “It’s up to you to save next semester.”

Chantal Bevard can be reached at chantal.sophia.bevard@gmail.com

“I’m here for the extra credit,” said Jesse Morales, a firstsemester GCC student echoing a number of students receiving extra credit from their professors for attending the forum. “It’s pretty much the only reason I’m here.”

Parts of the speech exposed students to a sobering reality: students would not see lower costs for college for some time.

The proposition is designed to fill a pre-existing hole in the education budget, which if allowed to continue would see whole programs and even entire campuses close. However, Schaffer urged students to think pragmatically about their choices this election season.

“Think about your own selfinterest,” said Schaffer. “It’s about whether or not you want less classes and higher costs. If you want that, sit [this election] out.”

The speech seemed to win over a number of audience members.

Twenty students gave their contact information to the campaign, and a number committed to spreading information on Proposition 30 through their online social networks.

Asked after the speech if the forum changed his mind on the proposal, Morales said it “didn’t

change it, but it enhanced it. I’ll be voting for [Proposition 30] this year.”

As part of the series of events on the election, ASGCC had a Proposition 30 rally Thursday at Plaza Vaquero. Following weeks will see forums on Proposition

32, which would ban union and corporate contributions to state and local campaigns, and “Beyond Prop 30,” a discussion on education policy after the Nov. 6 election.

Chris Rodd can be reached at drodd857@student.glendale.edu

Graphic by John Ferrara and Angel Silva

TWEET THIS: Students and teachers have plenty to say about Prop 30.

Message from Governor Brown: As a college student you can help decide the future of California by voting on Nov. 6.

But the first step is to register as a California voter before the deadline on Monday. Registering to vote has never been easier. For the first time, Californians can register to vote online.

Critical choices will be made at this election. California voters will decide issues affecting education funding

and college tuition, the state budget process, punishment for crimes, and food labeling rules.

And the candidates chosen will shape the policies of our state for years to come.

You are eligible to vote in California if you are: A United States citizen, a resident of California, 18 years of age or older on Election Day, not currently serving any part of a felony sentence (see the Secretary of State’s website for more

information), not found by a court to be mentally incompetent. If you have moved from your previous address, or changed your name, you should register again.

The power is in your hands—don’t miss the opportunity to make your voice heard.

Register before the deadline, Monday. Then vote on Nov. 6.

With respect, Governor Jerry Brown

Corrections: • In the Oct. 3 issue, photo credit for “Hayden Smith Mixes Comedy, Poetry” on page 8 should have been given to Amanda Laskin.

•In the article on Sen. Carol Liu, D-Glendale, Liu’s name was misspelled twice; once in the headline and again in the second paragraph.

Register to vote before Oct. 22 deadline at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

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OPINION

Obama Fares Poorly in First Debate

By Anthony “Sal” Polcino EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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n the first of three scheduled presidential debates, critics and analysts from both major political parties chalked one up in the win column for Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Romney and President Barack Obama met Oct. 3 in Denver for the nationally televised face-off, which was not exactly the “Clash of the Titans.”

The presidential debates are a forum where the candidates present their plans and ideas to the widest possible audience.

Here they have the greatest opportunity to speak to the American voters en masse and sway undecided voters before the November election. Where the candidates stand on major issues should be the mitigating factor but to many Americans, image and perception have become more important than plans and results.

Obama, usually an upbeat and eloquent speaker, turned in a lackluster performance causing unrest among his supporters and much of the Democratic Party.

The president seemed tired and withdrawn, as if he wanted to be anywhere but on that stage.

Romney strutted and preened, spouting rhetoric that flipflopped on much of the platform he has built his campaign upon.

However, what the experts based their opinions on was not what Romney said but how he looked saying it: confident and

exuberant.

At times while Romney was speaking Obama looked down at the podium as if he wanted to say something but held his tongue.

It is possible that Obama’s advisers’ strategy was to allow Romney to speak without rebuttal, essentially giving him enough rope to hang himself.

After all, that is what he had been doing in recent months with incredible statements such as the infamous “47 percent” speech, in which he accused almost half of American voters of being nontaxpaying leeches. If that was the plan, it backfired horribly.

Surprisingly, Obama did little to defend his record against Romney’s accusations, even when they were deliberate untruths, such as Romney’s statement that the national debt had doubled during the Obama administration.

Obama failed to rebut.

To make matters worse, PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer, who acted as moderator for the debate, was asleep at the switch. Lehrer allowed the candidates to stray off-point and to interrupt him as well as each other.

Many of Lehrer’s questions began with, “Is there a fundamental difference between you on…” This was a dangerous line of questioning which easily led to attacking opponents instead of a truthful answer.

Unfortunately since the first televised debate in 1960, when Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy faced Republican opponent Richard M. Nixon, the

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES: Most political commentators agree that Gov. Mitt Romney, left, won the first presidential debate over President Barack Obama, right.

debates have become more of a contest of image then a discussion based on issues. In that debate, even if Nixon had been the better man for the job, Kennedy would have won. Nixon, an unattractive man in a rumpled, ill-fitting suit and sporting a dark five-o’clock shadow, had no chance against the young, handsome and wellgroomed Kennedy.

The situation has only gotten worse over the years. With so much access to digital and social media along with television news and the traditional daily paper, we are deluged with information containing partisan views of events. The prevailing media pundits put their own spin on what is said or done, twisting facts and reality for their agenda. Some of what is reported is completely untrue.

In past debates, excluding Kennedy/Nixon, the polls have

only shown marginal change, maybe a percentage point or two, but in this debate, Romney, who was trailing in previous polls, took a leap ahead, tipping the scales in his favor.

CNN’s Poll of Polls, which factors in all major national polls, indicated Romney at 48 percent of likely voters and Obama at 47 percent adding a new dynamic to this race.

Image-makers are paid millions to analyze and groom the candidates for public appearances. Candidates are coached on presentation, posture and voice inflection. They are dressed, coifed, doused with make-up and thrown in front of bright lights and TV cameras from around the nation and the world.

There are so many important issues facing Americans in

this election: unemployment, healthcare, under-funded educational systems, debt, foreclosures, wars on foreign soil and much more. This is not a time for rhetoric and lies.

We need a definitive course of action. Maybe more time should be spent on preparing answers than putting on game faces. The only solution is for the voters to take matters into their own hands by educating themselves on the issues they care about.

Americans must gather and disseminate information from multiple sources, fact-check and make their decisions based on what they learn.

See elvaq.com for an analysis of the vice presidential and the second presidential debates.

Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino can be reached at apolcin587@student.glendale.edu

Campus Comments What did you think about the first presidential debate held on Oct. 3 between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney?

Inderjit Singh, 34

Devon Bonner, 19

Lilian Kalamkerian, 17

Kevin Dimatulac, 21

Biology

Business Major

Accounting

Sociology

“I thought both weren’t telling the truth. They didn’t speak about their specific policies. It didn’t seem like they had sound policy plans. I don’t think that either won the debate and their plans both sounded similar.”

“I felt that Mitt Romney won the debate, but he wasn’t clear with his ideas about what he wants to do while he is in office. I felt like Obama was clearer with what he wants to do during his second term.”

“Both had good points during the debate.

There was this big point in the debate when Romney accidently said ‘poor people’ instead of lower income people. I cracked up at that point. Romney did great until that point.”

“Romney did a great job because he appealed to people’s emotions... It’s easy to win when you appeal to people’s emotions when they don’t know what his implantations will be. Emotion plays a big factor when you don’t know what’s going on.” ­­—Compiled by Chantal Bevard and Rebecca Krueger

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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OPINION

Biden Comes Out Ahead in VP Debates

By Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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eading into a four-game series down 0 – 1, Vice President Joe Biden needed to score big to bring the Democrats back into the race. He did just that, dominating the debate against Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Unlike Jim Lehrer in the first presidential debate, moderator Martha Raddatz, senior foreign affairs correspondent for ABC since 2008, took control from the beginning, never allowing the candidates to go off topic or beyond their allotted two minutes. Raddatz chastised both speakers on more than one occasion for interrupting and

smoothly changed directions when she felt things getting out of hand. Her questions were timely and succinct.

President Barack Obama’s coaches might have told him to wait for the right pitch in the first debate but Biden’s guys told him to swing away. Biden was aggressive from the start, shaking his head, grinning or laughing while Ryan spoke, showing disdain and incredulousness at the Republican’s answers. Biden’s attitude is the only point critics are harping on in the aftermath.

Ryan comported himself well but many of his replies were vague. When asked why Romney has a wait-and-see policy regarding withdrawal

NEWS

Kiwanis Duck Splash Raises Funds for Kids

By Chantal Bevard

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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housands of rubber ducks crowded Verdugo Park on Saturday as the Kiwanis Club of Glendale hosted its eighth annual Incredible Duck Splash to raise money for local community projects.

The Kiwanis club helps raise money for community youth programs. The Glendale chapter was founded in 1922 and now has more than 200 members. The club meets every Friday at noon at the Glendale Elks Lodge.

“It’s important to support our community and to make good friends,” said Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash Coordinator Vincent Espinoza.

In addition to sponsors, rubber ducks were adopted for $5 and then raced in Lake Glendale, a man-made raceway that consists of two lakes, an upper and a lower, along with a stream that connects them. Lake Glendale is made from tarps and barriers and is filled by the Glendale Fire Department.

The Kiwanis Club received donations from sponsors such as Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the

City of Glendale.

The rubber ducks raced in a series of four heats and then a final race to determine the winners.

Jose Sierra was the Quack Pack winner and won an iPad3.

Tom Beck and Kathlyn Nishi took fourth and fifth place and won $500 each. Molly Hersch and John Pusa took second and third place and won $1,000 each.

The first place winner was Matt Walton, who won $10,000.

Local families and groups adopted most of the ducks, but the first place winner was from Westport Connecticut and heard his name announced as the winner over the phone.

“It’s important to have these kinds of events because it brings the community out,” said Katie Valdes, a dietitian and mother of three boys.

Hundreds of people came to the park to show their support for the Kiwanis club as well as the other clubs present. A total of 17,000 rubber ducks traveled down Lake Glendale.

Local Kiwanis offshoots such as elementary school clubs, middle school clubs, high school key clubs and GCC’s Circle K International club, hosted carnival [See Ducks, page 6]

from Afghanistan Ryan had no clear reply. Biden said the current administration insists our troops will be pulled out in 2014, no exceptions.

More than once Biden reminded viewers of Romney’s gaff with his now-famous “47 percent” remark. Ryan countered with an insult to Biden’s mistakes in the past, the only cureveball Ryan threw all night. Biden, unfazed, hit that one right back by saying he always means what he says.

When asked about the situation in Syria, Ryan accused the White House of not providing enough security. Biden denied there had been requests for more security before the shooting in Benghazi.

Fact checkers found this to be untrue When Ryan called Syria “Iran’s biggest ally,” Raddatz quickly changed the subject to Iran.

Biden said sanctions on Iran are the toughest ever imposed and that Iran is far from building nuclear weapons. Biden added that the Ayatollahs see that most of the world is against them.

Ryan’s take on Iran was much more militaristic, saying that although war is the last

resort, Romney’s administration would do anything to protect the American people, even if it means sending troops into a situation that would disrupt the Middle East for generations to come.

On domestic matters such as taxes, the candidates reiterated their respective party’s platforms.

Republicans cut taxes on the rich, according to Biden. Democrats tax everyone, according to Ryan.

Ryan also criticized Obama’s stimulus plan for green energy stating that $90 billion went to “Green pork,” not taking into account the thousands of homes that were converted to more efficient energy.

Ryan said the Romney White House would cut taxes across the board by 20 percent. There is still no viable plan to do so and Biden was quick to criticize.

On Medicare and Social Security issues, Ryan said that “Obamacare” stole billions from Medicare. Biden said the opposite. The Republican plan to reinvent Medicare with a voucher system for the next generation was vague.

When Raddatz broached the question of abortion, both Ryan and Biden’s Catholic faith came into the forefront. Ryan, always

a pro-life advocate, softened his stance to follow the Romney camp’s take on allowing abortion in cases of rape, incest or risk to the mother. In the past, Ryan’s record has a no tolerence stance on abortion in any instance.

Biden, while professing his strong faith and belief in the sanctity of life, said that he doesn’t have the right to impose his faith on others and would never tell a woman what to do with her own body.

In the final statements Biden’s message was “a fair shake for everyone,” referring to aiding the poor and the middle class. Ryan’s final statement was an attack on the current administration, asking voters if they are better off than they were four years ago.

Perhaps what this debate will be remembered for will be Ryan’s anecdotes of personal stories designed to make him appear a regular guy, not the lifelong politician he is, and Biden’s sarcastic laughing while Ryan was speaking.

Experts have said Biden won this match. but the polls will show if voters agree.

Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino can be reached at apolcin587@student.glendale.edu

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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FEATURES

Journalism Program Receives 33 Awards

By Chantal Bevard

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

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CC’s newspaper, El Vaquero, and magazine, The Insider, won 34 awards at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ Southern California conference at California State University, Fullerton on Oct. 5 and 6. This is the most awards that the Glendale staff has ever brought home.

Community colleges across Southern California compete annually at the conference by submitting works from the previous year, as well as on-thespot competitions.

“My favorite part about the conference was seeing the reactions from the staff when they won their awards,” said Eric Bourse, editor-in-chief of El Vaquero. “Almost everyone took something home this time around.”

For El Vaquero’s mail-in awards, Richard Kontas took first for best online photo essay, Jessica Bourse took second for best editorial writing, Angel Silva took second for best news story and John Ferrara took fourth for best news feature, just to name a few.

El Vaquero also took third place for best front page layout.

“I’m very proud of the staff for their hard work,” said Jane Pojawa, editor of The Insider.

“We had an exceptionally eclectic mix of content in this issue and I was so pleased to see it come together.”

For The Insider’s mail-in awards, the big winner was

Marlon Miranda, who placed in five competitions. Miranda took first place for best online photo, second place for best magazine cover, second place for best magazine photo, fourth for best online photo essay and honorable mention for best magazine feature, non-profile.

The Insider also took honorable mention for best magazine design/layout.

Throughout the conference, members of El Vaquero participated in various workshops and competitions to enhance their journalism skills.

“The workshop by Luis Sinco, photojournalist for the LA Times, was incredible,” said Bourse.

“The pictures he showed that he has taken over his career were the best photos I’ve seen from all the JACC workshops I’ve been to.”

The on-the-spot competitions included: feature writing and photo, copy-editing, sports writing and photography, critical review, news and photo writing, broadcast writing, editorial cartoon and editorial writing.

Each competition subject was a secret to writers and photographers before the competition, so that JACC could keep the competition as fair as possible.

On the first day of competition, Knott’s Berry Farm zombies invaded a press conference of feature writers and photographers.

After the invasion, writers had an hour to write and proofread before judging, while photographers had to submit their photos with full captions.

Also on the first day of

Photo by Ksenia Rabinovich

GCC DOMINATES JACC: El Vaquero and the Insider scored a record number of wins at a regional journalism conference. Staff members Chantal Bevard, left, Eric Bourse, Chris Rodd, Angel Silva, Rebecca Krueger, Jonathan Caballeros, John Ferrara, Sal Polcino, and faculty adviser Michael Moreau with some of the awards.

competition, critical review writers saw singer/guitarist Kyle Tuttle perform original songs as well as covers of Wilco and Damien Rice. The writers then had an hour to write and polish their stories before judging.

At the end of the first day of competition, sport writers and photographers were taken to a stadium to cover a high school football game between Troy and La Habra. After returning to Cal State Fullerton, writers had an hour to write their stories, while photographers had to submit their photos with captions.

To start the second day of competition, news writers, photographers, editorial cartoonists and opinion writers attended a keynote address that was the subject of their competitions.

The keynote speaker was

Corey Johnson, an investigative reporter and 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Johnson explained to students the importance of investigative journalism and gave tips on how to be a successful journalist.

Johnson also emphasized the importance of verifying information for a story.

“The most awful feeling you can have is to not have reported the truth because you didn’t verify the information given to you,” said Johnson.

After Johnson’s keynote speech, news and opinion writers had an hour to write their pieces.

The photographers had to submit their photos and captions, while the editorial cartoonists had some time to think of a cartoon and then had an hour to draw.

The final competition that a member of the El Vaquero staff

middle school clubs, high school key clubs and GCC’s Circle K International club, hosted carnival booths to help raise money for their clubs and the Kiwanis club.

“I feel it’s necessary to give back to the community,” said Movses Ter-Oganesyan, an English major and member of the GCC Circle K International Club.

The Circle K International Club hosted a bottle toss booth to help raise money.

“Priority one is the children,” said Glendale Kiwanis President

Elect Mercy Velazquez. “We want to help and empower them.”

Many of the carnival booths at the Kiwanis event were aimed to entertain children of all ages.

“It’s very important to have events and programs like this so that our local community programs can be supported,” said Daniel Ruiz, a father of two.

“In this economic state we need our community programs to be funded somehow.”

The rubber ducks were not the only animals present at the Verdugo Park on Saturday as the Glendale K-9 unit hosted their

annual K-9s in the Park event as well.

The K-9s in the Park event included a pet adoption fair, animal races and a low-cost pet vaccination clinic.

For more information on the event, go to http:// www.ducks4kids.org.

More information on the Kiwanis Club of Glendale can be found at http:// www.glendalekiwanis.info.

Chantal Bevard can be reached at chantal.sophia.bevard@gmail.com

Classified Advertising

Annual Kiwanis Charity Event [Ducks, from page 5]

participated in was broadcast writing. Staff writer Chris Rodd took an honorable mention.

The second day ended with the award ceremony where El Vaquero and The Insider took home numerous awards.

“I’m very proud of the staff, particularly the new members,” said Angel Silva, El Vaquero managing editor.

“It’s always good to see new members win awards for their works work, because that encourages them to stay in journalism and develop their skills.”

Visit the El Vaquero website at www.elvaq.com or The Insider at www.glendalecollegeinsider.com for more information.

ATTENTION IMMIGRANTS! DO YOU NEED REPRESENTATION REGARDING

• DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS

• EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

• OR OTHER IMMIGRATION MATTERS? Contact: MR. BRADEN CANCILLA, ATTORNEY Law Offices of Braden M. Cancilla 1564 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 626.765.6888 / BradenCancilla@aol.com www.CancillaImmigrationLawUSA.com Active member or the State Bar Licensed to Practice Law in California PROUDLY REPRESENTING IMMIGRANTS SINCE 1989

Chantal Bevard can be reached at chantal.sophia.bevard@gmail.com

To place an ad in the El Vaquero, contact Jeff Smith at jsmith@glendale.edu or (818) 240-1000, ext. 5493

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

FACULTY

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

www.elvaq.com

FACULTY

STUDENT SERVICES

Jeanette Stirdivant Division Chair

Rosette Aghekian EOPS

Jonn Aque Academic Counseling

Shelley Aronoff Library

Ramona Barrio-Sotillo EOPS

Kathryn Camp CSD

James Castel De Oro EOPS

Elodia Collins Garfield Campus

Richard Cortes Academic Counseling

Teresa Davis Academic Counseling

Troy Davis Academic Counseling

Polet Der Hovanessian EOPS

Roxanne Dominguez Admissions

Nancy Getty Library

Sarkis Ghazarian Academic Counseling

Susan Hoehn CSD

Brenda Jones Library

Zohara Kaye Library

Denise Leong Academic Counseling/ Career Center

Margaret Mansour Garfield Campus

Laura Matsumoto CSD

Kevin Meza Transfer Center

Osheen Keshishian EOPS

Sandy Lee Academic Counseling/ Career Center

Paris Noori Academic Counseling

Ellen Oppenberg CSD

Crescent Orpelli Health Center

Lee Miller Parks CSD

Gregory Perkins EOPS

Joe Puglia Academic Counseling

Valerie Rhaney CSD

Mariah Ribeiro Int’l Student Center

Murray Stach Int’l Student Center

Mohammad Taghdis Garfield Campus

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

FACULTY

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

www.elvaq.com

FACULTY

NON CREDIT ESL

Alice Mecom Division Chair

Barbara Assadi

Megan Ernst

Paul Mayer

Debbie Robiglio

CREDIT ESL

Kathleen Flynn Division Chair

Cheryl AndersenO’Colmain

Kay Baldwin

Forrest Fordyce

Glenn Gardner

Young Gee

Lin Griffith

Patricia Hironymous

Janet Langon

Elis Lee

Brian McDonald

Sandra Navarro

Richard Seltzer

Kirk Vaughn

Paul Vera

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Jon Gold Division Chair

Joe Agoston

Bob Donaghy

Barb Erfurt

Eddie Lopez

Yvette Ybarra

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

FACULTY

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

Peter Green Division Chair

David Attyah

Annabelle Aylmer

Jayne Campbell

Richard Coleman

Byron Delto

Roger Dickes

Jeanette Farr

Dora Krannig

Mike Petros

Mark Poore

David Yamamoto

Caryl St. Ama

Beth Pflueger

ENGLISH

Monette Tiernan Division Chair

Alice Adams

Dennis Doyle

Bart Edelman

Denise Ezell

Michael Harnett

Susan Henry

Chris Juzwiak

Lara Kartalian

Rosemary Kwa

Dana Marterella

Sarah McLemore

Angela Morales

Michael Moreau

Francien Rohrbacher

Piper Rooney

Alexa Schumacher

Shant Shahoian

Steve Taylor

Philip Vallicella

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www.elvaq.com

FACULTY

MATHEMATICS

Ashot Djrbashian

Mike Allen

Kathy Holmes Division Chair

Kim Foong Chong

Yvette Hassakoursian

David Hassett

David Jones

Steve Marsden

Gary Massion

Narineh Frankian

Larry Newberry

Carol Paxton

Liz Russell

Isabelle Saber

Bill Shamhart

Charlotte Schulten

Peter Stathis

Jeremy Talaoc

Thomas Voden

Andrew Young

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Richard Guglielmino Division Chair

Jennifer Krestow

Dan Edgar

Sevada Chamras

John Leland

Stuart Nowinski

Robert Gellert

Asmik Oganesyan

Poorna Pal

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

FACULTY

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Michael Dulay Division Chair

Gordon Alexandre

Steven Bie

Roger Bowerman Staff Development

Victoria Buresch

Daphne Dionisio

Wendy Fonarow

Jessica Gillooly

Lina Gupta

Cameron Hastings

Caroline Kaba

Eric Johnston

Richard Kamei

Darren Leaver Study Abroad

Mark Maier

Levon Marashlian

Jiwon Moore

Deborah Owens

Randal Parker

John Queen

Hazel Ramos

Mike Reed

Peggy Renner

Inger Thompson

Fabiola Torres

LANGUAGE ARTS

Lourdes Girardi Division Chair

Ted Levatter

Teresa Cortey

Arevik Mikaelian

Michael Eberts

Michael Moreau

Flavio Frontini

Jean Perry

Allyn Glanzer

Nick Sahakyan

Ira Heffler

Celia Simon-Ross

Stacy Jazan

Shihoko Tatsugawa

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FACULTY

EMERITUS

Trudi Abram

Melita Baumann

Brian Beauchemin

Larry Byrd

Donna Capka

Terry Coblentz

John Cicuto

Dave Davenport

Leonard DeGrassi

Ray Glienna

Dave Hurst

Rob Kibler

Jean Lecuyer

Lynn McMurrey

José Mercade

Lynn Pomeroy

Danny Ranchez

CONTINUING EDUCATION, BUSINESS

AND

Chris Rodemich

Ted Stern

LIFE SKILLS

John Kray

Jan Young Division Chair

Barbara Flynn

Elizabeth Fremgen

Nino Battaglia

Pat Zayas

Rosemarie Shamieh

TECHNOLOGY & AVIATION

Scott Rubke Division Chair

Pete Witt

Andrew Feldman

BAJA FIELD STUDIES

Aram Ohanis

Javier Gago Co-Director

Maria Kretzmann Co-Director

NOT PICTURED SONALI PERERA — BUSINESS TRACEY ZIEGLER — STUDENT SERVICES / CSD ROXANNE RAFII — STUDENT SERVICES / EOPS RUSS NORMAN — BUSINESS / EMERITUS BETH KRONBECK — SOCIAL SCIENCES LINDA MANZANO-LARSEN — SOCIAL SCIENCES, EMERITUS JEFF SMITH — LANGUAGE ARTS KIM HOLLAND — PROGRAM DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

DAVID MARTIN — TECHNOLOGY AND AVIATION CURT POTTER — TECHNOLOGY AND AVIATION REBECCA HILLQUIST — VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS MELISSA RANDEL — VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS JESSICA GROPER — ENGLISH DES KILKEARY — ENGLISH, EMERITUS CHRIS CICUTO — HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION JOHN ROME — HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION SUSIE CHIN — LIBRARY

TIFFANY PERRY — PHYSICAL SCIENCE KARLA COTI — PHYSICAL SCIENCE MARCUS AFSHAR — PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Photography by Ann Simon Project supervision by Kindra Girard Composition by Casey Leslie

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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ARTS AND ENTERTANMENT

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Film

reviews

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‘Argo’ Is Argo-ably Best Film of Year

By Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

A

rgo is a spy-thriller that combines elements of drama, intrigue and comedy.

Ben Affleck’s third outing as a director may be his best yet.

Affleck, director of critically acclaimed films such as “Gone Baby Gone” (2007), and “The Town” (2010), has taken a declassified file from the CIA and turned the real-life story into a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat film.

The film opens with a short history of events leading to the revolution in Iran using real documentary films juxtaposed with graphic novel style art — poignant and timely considering the situation in Iran today, where tensions and anti-American sentiment are mounting.

The era and the atmosphere are recreated accurately, the sets, wardrobe and even the haircuts.

Much of the realism is provided by the cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto, “Babel” (2006).

Prieto creates a dark atmosphere when the storyline takes them to Iran, colorful and fun when in Hollywood, and chaotic when in Washington at CIA headquarters.

In the first scene, viewers sense the tension and emotion as revolutionaries take to the streets of Tehran and storm the embassy.

Affleck alternates documentarystyle filming with state-of-the-art camera work: sometimes right inside the mob, other times aerial shots from a helicopter, giving the viewer the sense of actually being there as well as the overall immenseness of the swarming crowd.

All great movies start with a great script and this one has just that. The screenplay, written

by Chris Terrio, has everything movie-goers could want in a film. The dialogue is crisp and believable, especially when delivered by the award-winning ensemble cast. The plot builds to a seat-gripping suspenseful ending.

Who would think that the CIA’s daring rescue in 1979 of six people who escaped from the American Embassy in Iran during the hostile takeover by revolutionaries supporting the

Ayatollah could be funny, but CIA special exfiltration operative Tony Mendez (played by Affleck) and his incredible plan prove otherwise.

The CIA puts together a wild scheme to get the six embassy staff members out of Iran, along with help from the Canadian embassy. The plan is to enter Iran under the guise of a film crew making a science fiction movie and leave with the escapees in tow. Even in revolution-torn Iran, everyone loves Hollywood.

The fun starts when the CIA enlists film makeup artist John Chambers, played by Golden Globe award winner John Goodman, to put a fake film crew together. Fun fact: CIA operative Chambers actually was a Hollywood makeup artist who won an Oscar for his work on the original “Planet of the Apes.” Go figure.

Chambers takes Mendez to Hollywood and introduces him to B-movie director Lester Siegel, played by Oscar winner Alan Arkin “Little Miss Sunshine,” (2006). Arkin’s character has some of the funniest lines in the movie including, “If I’m doing a fake movie, it’s gonna be a fake hit.” Affleck provides the perfect straight- man to two of the best comic actors in the industry.

Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) puts in a dramatic performance as Jack O’Donnell, Mendez’ supervisor and friend at the CIA and veteran actor Victor Garber plays the Canadian ambassador, Ken Taylor. Taylor may be the biggest hero of this story since he risked the lives of himself and his family to shelter the six escaped Americans in his home.

“Argo” will be one to watch at Oscar time this year for screenplay, cinematography, directing, best supporting actor for Goodman or Arkin and possibly best picture.

Run time: 120 minutes Five Stars

 Anthony ‘Sal’ Polcino can be reached at apolcin587@student.glendale.edu

PARTY IN THE CIA: Bryan Cranston and Ben Affleck star in “Argo,” about two CIA agents who create the “best bad idea” to rescue six hostages in Iran.

SPORTS

Whitneigh Braxton Is Soccer’s New Star

By Rebecca Krueger EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

porting hot pink manicured nails, diamond studded earrings with silver sequined sandals to match, no one would know that Whitneigh Braxton, 21, was an aggressive goalscoring machine for the Vaqueros women’s soccer team.

Since she was little, Braxton has been an athlete. She danced tap, hip-hop and ballet, but she always found her way to openfield competitive sports.

“I remember my mom was in the kitchen one day and asked, ‘Do you want to play soccer?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, okay! What is soccer?’” said Braxton.

Her parents didn’t know too much about the sport when 7 year-old Braxton started playing, except that it was on a field, and

it was better than her playing football with her younger brother.

The Ice-Breakers was Braxton’s first team in AYSO. She scored a goal in her first game.

“I caught on right away,” said Braxton.

She started playing on two to three teams at a time a few years later.

“I would leave one game and go straight to another,” said Braxton, “and slowly but surely I started loving it. I was too young to really understand what love was, but I knew that whatever I was doing I wanted to keep doing it.”

Braxton started playing on the club team Barcelona and faced her first challenges as an athlete when she was 10 years-old.

Braxton found that there were other girls on her team that were better than her, so she started to

take the sport seriously.

“I would go out in my backyard and practice by myself, to make my kick stronger,” said Braxton.

Braxton joined different club teams she excelled in the competitive environment, and she was doing well until she hit a mental roadblock when she was nearly 14 years old.

“One season, I just felt like I was so off,” said Braxton. “It was just breaking my heart game after game. I was good enough to start but I wasn’t playing at my best.

I didn’t know what was going on with me and I didn’t know how to fix it. So, it kind of made me lose that love [for soccer].”

Braxton felt as if she was at a dead end. She kept pushing herself to play faster and more [See Braxton, page 16]

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Women’s Golf Holds Onto First Place

By Chantal Bevard

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

A

voiding trees, bunkers and even squirrels, the Lady Vaqueros secured their number one spot in the league by winning their home conference match at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena on Monday.

The Vaqueros are currently number one their league with a 5-1 record.

This is the first time since Head Coach Greg Osbourne, a GCC alumni, took over the program five years ago that the women’s team has won its home event.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” said Osbourne. “Although our scores should have been better.

What matters is that we stay ahead of our competition.”

The team collectively said that it is aiming to win the state championship this year since last year it came in second to Palomar College by only one stroke.

While Glendale took first with a score of 326, College of the Canyons took second with

a score of 333, Santa Barbara City College (333), Bakersfield College (374) and Citrus College (422).

The top performer for Glendale was Pattraporn Silawanna, a sophomore who scored a 78.

Glendale kept its scores low with a final overall total of 326.

Silawanna shot a 78, Vicanda Ma (81), Thanawan Sriratchaya (82), Jasmine Daniel (85), Fanny Ostlund (86) and Chardae Hudson (95).

While the women had low scores, Sriratchaya said she performed “all right.”

“I only regret four holes this time instead of nine like last time,” she added.

Although golf is largely an individual sport, the team is close and they said that their cohesiveness helps them overall.

“We don’t separate ourselves,” said Sriratchaya. “We want to help each other.”

Before every match the women chant “dong chana” which, according to the team, is Thai for “we have to win.”

Photo by Chantal Bevard

ABOVE PAR: Lady Vaquero sophomore Pattraporn Silawanna is the golf team’s top performer; shown here at Monday’s match at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.

Even though it was a home event, Brookside is not the

Vaquero Bends It Like Braxton [Braxton, from page 15] aggressively but didn’t see any personal progress.

Around the same time her mental block with soccer began Braxton’s relationship with her father was getting rockier.

Torrie, Braxton’s best friend since she was three, remembers Braxton’s father as being very strict.

“She felt sensitive to it (her father’s attitude) because he was harder on her than most parents should be. Even though he thought it was for her own good,” confessed Torrie, “ she had to do what he wanted to her to do. He meant for her to do well but he was hard on her.”

“I wasn’t allowed to do certain things that other girls my age were allowed to do, like spending the night at a friend’s house when I was 13 years old,” said Braxton.

“I’m his only daughter and first child. I understand that he just wanted to protect me and shelter me,” said Braxton. “But he had to let me grow up and make my own mistakes.”

Braxton admits that her father did help her keep her mind in the “right place.”

“He’s a great father, don’t get me wrong, it’s just one of those things where we just did not get along,” said Braxton. “We both loved each other so much, it’s just I am a very outspoken person, and so is he so we would clash.”

Braxton moved out of her parents’ house in Altadena to her grandparents’ house in Pasadena when she was. After she moved her relationship with her father healed, and today they have a better understanding of one another.

Meanwhile, Braxton’s mental soccer block hadn’t gone away.

She stopped playing after high school.

“I got tired of it. Soccer was just something that I grew to love at such a young age, and I played it my whole life,” said Braxton. “I was still not as good as I wanted to be, and I wondered, ‘where did all these years go?’ It made me frustrated. I found myself giving up then.”

She realized how much she

missed one of her first loves when she was watching a soccer game on TV with her grandmother over a year and a half ago.

‘I don’t know why you gave that up. You had so much talent, you could’ve gone somewhere with that,’ Braxton’s grandmother told her. It was then that Braxton decided to come back and play for GCC. Braxton tried to play last year but had to wait due to tendonitis in her left foot. She returned to the field this year to discover that she still had talent.

Unfortunately Braxton has had to put playing soccer on hold again because of a dislocated shoulder during a game against Valley College. Braxton is currently waiting to see if she will need surgery or not. She is praying for a speedy recovery so she can return to the field.

“I always tell my parents if I were to catch amnesia, the one thing my body would remember is soccer,” said Braxton.

Rebecca Krueger can be reached at rkruege490@student.glendale.edu

team’s usual golf course. This made their win exceptionally satisfying. Osbourne described the Brookside Golf Course as a “tough course.”

The team normally practices at Oakmont Golf Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, since the women are all enrolled in several classes, it is difficult to practice often. “School comes first,” said Osbourne. “For them to do that [the practice schedule], while keeping up their academics is great.”

In addition to the Tuesday and Thursday practices at Oakmont, the team practices every Wednesday at the upcoming match site.

Even though the women had seen the course before, most of the team agreed with Daniel when she said that the toughest hole on the course was “the number two hole, because it was very long.”

Sriratchaya said that the team “takes each course one step at a time.”

“The girls have proved that they have developed a winning tradition,” said Osbourne. “They take pride in representing the school.”

While the women represent the school, they also represent a large area since Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Valley College don’t have golf programs.

“We like that we can represent a large amount of people well with a small number of players,” said Osbourne.

The women’s team is made up of players from all over. Daniel is a graduate of John Burroughs High School, Ostlund is from Sweden and Sriratchaya graduated from Watkhemapirataram School in Thailand.

Osbourne said he was proud of all of his players. “Jasmine was even on par on the backside and kept it together,” said Osbourne.

“That shows a lot.”

Sriratchaya said that the team is going to prepare for the upcoming match by going to the driving range as much as possible.

The Lady Vaqueros will defend their number one position in the league at their next match on Monday at the Tierra Rojada Golf Course in Moorpark at 10 a.m.

Chantal Bevard can be reached at chantal.sophia.bevard@gmail.com

elvaq.com

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

17

SPORTS

Lutz Continues His Upward Climb

By Chantal Bevard

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

F

or one cross country athlete with a quirky sense of humor, running is almost as essential to life as breathing.

“It has always been part of me; if I stop running I get depressed and my sleeping schedule gets out of balance,” said Kurt Lutz, an environmental science major.

“I mean it’s a lot of stuff that goes wrong when I stop running.

I started running before I could even remember. It’s always been a part of me, as much as breathing.”

The 19-year-old started running competitively in 2001, trained himself to be healthier, overcome academic challenges and dealt with a tough relationship with his father.

Lutz was named Western State Conference male athlete of the week for the week of Sept. 10.

He has continued to excel this season and took third on Oct. 5, helping his team take first at the WSC Preview Meet at Santa Monica College. Lutz took ninth on Friday, helping his team take third at the Santa Barbara Invitational.

“I actually wasn’t expecting it [winning athlete of the week].

I didn’t know that I was at this level already,” Lutz said. “I knew I was going to improve a lot, but I didn’t know that I was going to improve this much.”

As a sophomore runner, Lutz has improved greatly over the last year. His coach, Kathryn Nelson, and his captain, Isaac Diosdado, all agree that this improvement has been because of his dedication to staying healthy.

“Kurt has improved considerably over the last year.

This improvement is from his consistency with the team and the program by staying healthy.” said Nelson.

The 6-foot-2 inch athlete has stayed healthy by not overworking himself and developing stress fractures. By staying healthy over the past year, he had time over the summer to properly train for the cross country season.

“I hope that running continues to go well for Kurt because he’s happy,” said Debbie Lutz, Lutz’s mother and part-time preschool teacher, “It’s all tied together; school goes well for him if running is going well and also the other way around.”

Lutz is a full-time student at GCC and is also a part-time student at College of the Canyons.

He has to take additional classes due to his rough freshman academic year.

“I didn’t do well because I didn’t prepare myself last year,” said Lutz. “I thought, ‘Oh I’m going to a junior college, it’s just going to be like high school, part two.’ But it really wasn’t, it was much harder than I thought.”

This year Lutz is focusing more on school so that he can transfer next fall.

Lutz is like many teenage boys in that when he has some free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing video games and piano.

However, unlike many teenagers, he doesn’t have an interest in having a girlfriend.

He says that he “has always been awkward and doesn’t have time for girls right now.”

Debbie also said that Lutz isn’t focused on girls. She said, “he has put girls on the back burner, for now.”

In addition to being a great runner, Lutz is also a self-taught piano player. He said, “I have been able to listen to something and play it on the piano. My mom says it was just something I was born with.”

Lutz said that he doesn’t really care what people think of him.

Debbie said that her son thinks this way because, “He is confident with himself. He knows who he is and knows what his values are, he is very down to earth.”

Most people who know Lutz seem to share their opinions about him. Alec, Lutz’s mother and sister, Amanda Lutz, all said that Lutz is who he is because of his quirky and strange sense of humor.

Amanda said that she and Lutz share this sense of humor because “it is a Lutz family trait.”

Like his sense of humor, Lutz, Alec, Debbie and Amanda also shared the idea that Lutz has a poor relationship with his father.

“One day he just decided he didn’t really like the way I did things. One day he told me that I’m not going to be successful,” said Lutz. “I’ve asked him if he thought I was a bad son and he said, ‘You don’t want to know my opinion of you.’”

Lutz said that he used to have a better relationship with his father, but they started having a

bad relationship when he started high school.

Although Lutz said that his relationship problems with his father don’t bother him, Amanda said, “I think their relationship does bother him [Lutz] deep down, but he only shows his anger on the outside. I think it’s hard for him to talk about.”

“I think a lot of the problem is that they’re more alike than they realize. They butt heads often,” Debbie said. “They both are covering up hurt feelings and they have a problem communicating.”

She also added, “I know my husband loves and supports Kurt, but it’s hard for him to show it because they’re both so stubborn.”

Alec shared that Lutz has had a difficult time with his running and school careers because of his poor relationship with his father. “He’s thought about quitting school and running because it’s difficult to go out and run and do stuff when you have to come home to a crappy home situation.”

Alec said that he overcomes it by “staying focused on his morals and what’s important.”

“He is the straightest guy I know. He doesn’t participate in anything bad like drinking and partying,” Alec added.

“He is strong and has Photo by Chantal Bevard taught me a lot about AHEAD OF THE PACK: Kurt Lutz, 524, takes the lead as the Vaqueros Cross sticking to your morals.”

Couintry Team competes at the Orange Coast Classic in Costa Mesa on Sept. 15.

Lutz said that he doesn’t see kids or marriage for interested in recycling, “When with his father, Lutz has had to him in the future, but he does see I was really little I cried about overcome obstacles over the a job in environmental science. having to throw stuff away. I last year that have made him the “I want to work on resource knew it [the trash] was going to a runner and the person that he is management and try to make today. landfill and I felt bad for it.” what we do more sustainable.

In the future, Lutz doesn’t see “I just genuinely care about I think that we’re basically running playing as big of a role our environment and our planet. depleting our resources, and we in his life as it does now. He said are going to run out someday. We I just want to put my career into that he’ll still run, but will have to need to find different ways to use that,” said Lutz. Laughing, he make time for it. what we have on the earth right added, I’m not a tree hugger, well For now, running still remains maybe I am. I pat them on the now.” the biggest part of his life. Lutz Debbie said that Lutz has back.” will compete again at the WSC Diosdado said, “He’s really a Finals on Tuesday at Ledbetter always been interested in environmental science, “Since guy to look up to. I’m proud of Park in Santa Barbara at 3 p.m. he was a little kid he has always Kurt and the improvements he’s been interested in recycling. He made over the past season.”

Whether it’s getting better was always the one to make us separate our trash for recycling.” grades, getting healthier or Chantal Bevard can be reached at Lutz also remembers being working on his relationship chantal.sophia.bevard@gmail.com

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Local Football Legend Keeps on Running [Football, from page 1] around the college recruitment circuit, and landed him a Division I scholarship.

Recruited as a middle linebacker, he redshirted his first year in hopes of earning a job at half back. However he became disinterested when he could only get reps at fullback.

Although he never played a single snap at BYU his family drove to all six of his home games, from Santa Clarita to Provo, Utah.

In total, they traveled more than 7,750 miles and 170 restless hours in an era where people can video-chat across the world for free without putting on pants.

“We missed him … it was an opportunity to spend time

with Collin, and even though he wasn’t playing, we were there for him,” said Craig Keoshian.

Now Keoshian is back at home with his best friends, Mom and Dad. His family life seems to define him. He often starts sentences with “me and my dad think,” and his mother and three sisters come up frequently in conversation.

Keoshian also had an older brother Eric, who passed away during infancy from a heart defect.

“I never met him but he’s always close to my heart.

Whenever I accomplish something I think ‘I bet this would make Eric proud.’”

Although Keoshian adores his sisters, he finds it hard knowing

that he should have an older brother to look up to.

“I would see my friends with their older brothers and how much fun they have … I think it would have been awesome to have an older brother like me,” said Keoshian.

Now at GCC, he continues to make his family proud.

Keoshian’s finally found a school where he can run the football and he’s taking advantage of the opportunity.

On Sept. 15, Keoshian ran the ball for a school record 326 yards in a single game against San Diego Mesa College.

Alex Rome still recalls the moment he realized Keoshian was something special.

Rome had heard rumors

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Oct. 5 — WSC Preview women — finished first men — finished first Oct. 12 — Santa Barbara Invitational

women — finished second

men — fnished third Women’s Golf: Oct. 8 — placed first at Canyons WSC Monday — placed first Football: Saturday — lost to West L.A. 41-6

Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 3 — lost to Santa Monica 3-1 Oct. 5 — beat West L.A. 3-1 Oct. 10 — lost to L.A. Pierce 3-0 Friday — lost to Citrus 3-0

around the locker room that Keoshian could leap on top of a bungalow with a single bound, but dismissed it as hot air.

“I heard it from the grape vine, and I didn’t believe it,” said Rome. “They had just finished squat lifts and I said ‘I don’t think you can do it, I don’t want you to even try, you’re going to hurt yourself.’”

Before Rome had time to react, Keoshian bolted for the number two Verdugo Gym Trailer.

“He ran to the bungalow, planted one foot on the side, jumped up, grabbed the top and pulled himself up in one fluid motion,” said Rome. “It was incredible.”

Despite his newfound local fame and folklore, he has remained humble.

Head coach John Rome describes him as “first class.”

“He’s turned out to be a tremendous football player, but most importantly, he has tremendous character.”

Keoshian is a devout Christian who follows the bible, goes to church every Sunday and refrains from drugs and alcohol.

“I want to be an example,”

he said as he quoted the bible, “Don’t let your brother stumble.”

“I don’t want my sisters or anyone else who looks up, to me to see me drinking and think ‘I want to drink too’ and let them stumble … I’d rather have a Gatorade.”

Even his church wine is substituted with what he calls “Amazing Welch’s grape juice.”

While at Glendale College, Keoshian has also maintained a 4.0 grade point average which he credits to a strict regiment of attending school, studying, and going to bed early.

He appears to be the perfect all-American role model.

Keoshian’s fashions himself after Tim Tebow, and his dream is to one day play in the NFL. He will transfer next season, and although he’s keeping his options open, he would prefer a local Division I university.

His family’s social life depends on it.

John Ferrara can be reached at jferrar977@student.glendale.edu

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 5 — lost to Canyon 2-0 Oct. 9 — lost to L.A. Valley 4-0 Friday — lost to Santa Monica 1-0 Men’s Soccer: Oct. 9 — lost to Citrus 4-2 Friday — beat Canyon 2-1

Upcoming Events Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Tuesday — WSC Finals at Ledbetter Park Santa Barbara 3 p.m.

Nov. 3 — So Cal. Championships at Fairview Park Costa Mesa

10 a.m.

Women’s Volleyball: Today — at Bakersfield 7 p.m.

Friday — at Mission 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 — at Canyon 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 — at Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer: Friday — at Pierce vs. L.A. Mission 3 p.m.

Tuesday — vs. Santa Barbara 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 — vs. Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 — at Moorpark College 4 p.m.

Women’s Golf: Monday — WSC at San Luis Ray GC

10 a.m.

Oct. 28 — WSC Finals at Sundale CC

10 a.m.

Football: Friday at L.A. Southwest 6 p.m.

Oct. 27 — at L.A. Valley 6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Friday — vs. Citrus 5 p.m.

Tuesday — at West L.A. 2 p.m.

Oct. 26 — at Pierce 4 p.m.

Oct. 30 — vs. Canyon 7 p.m.

For more information see: http://www.glendale.edu/athletics/

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

WALK THE LINE: Lady Vaquero Ashley Acevedo takes the ball down the sideline during Friday night’s loss to Santa Monica 1-0.

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, October17, 2012

19

Calendar On Campus VOTER INFO Prop. 32 Debate — Featuring GCC History Professors Peggy Renner and Roger Bowerman.

Sponsored by ASGCC, CSEA and the Guild. Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Panel Discussion on Prop. 30 — Featuring professors Richard Kamei (sociology) and Lisa Lubow (history). Sponsored by ASGCC, CSEA and the Guild. Oct. 24 at 12:30 p.m. in Kreider Hall.

Voter Registration — The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election is Monday at midnight.

Online registration is available at http://www.sos.ca.gov.

EVENTS Persian Food Fair — The Persian Student Association is sponsoring its annual event featuring food, music, booths and more.

Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

“The Stars Among Us” — GCC’s 85th anniversary celebration featuring dinner, a silent auction, awards and entertainment.

Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in San Gabriel Plaza. For tickets or for information call (818) 551-5199.

Swap Meet — Upper campus parking lot. Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5805.

Halloween Event — Celebrate the holiday with music, fun, food and more TBA. Sponsored by ASGCC-Campus Activities. Oct. 30 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

FUNDRAISERS Tamale Sale — The Alcohol and Drug Studies Club hosts a $1.50 tamale fundraiser. Today in Plaza Vaquero from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Car Wash — The AGS Honors Society is holding a fundraising car wash. Sunday in Plaza Vaquero from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Magazine Sale — The International Student Association will be offering Yervan magazine and 50 percent of the proceeds go to benefit the ISA program. Tuesday, Oct. 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plaza Vaquero.

FINANCIAL Food for Thought — Applications for nutritional gift cards for low income students are available

and are being accepted through Oct. 26 at noon. For more information call: (818) 240-1000, ext.

5905 or visit the Center for Students with Disabilities, second floor in the San Rafael Building.

WORKSHOPS UC Personal Statement Workshop — Learn how to write a personal statement for admission and scholarships. Free. Today from 12:20 to 1:20 p.m. and Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. in SF 107.

CSU Application Workshop — Tips and information on completing the applications. Free. Today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in SF 107.

For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5442.

“Becoming Scholars” — An application workshop covering prerequisites, how to apply, benefits and responsibilities. Your earliest transfer date should be Fall 2014.

Free. Oct. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in SC 212.

LECTURES Science Lecture Series — “Tracking Changes in the Amazon River by Studies in the Adjacent Ocean.” Speaker is Will Berelson, department of Earth

Sciences, USC. Oct. 25 in CS 177 from 12:20 to 1:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Writers Reading Series — Speaker is David L. Ulin, reading from his book “The Lost Art of Reading.” Ulin is an award-winning journalist/editor and the book critic for the Los Angeles Times. A question and answer session will follow. Free.

Oct. 30 in SC 212 at 12:20 p.m.

ORIENTATION Power Academy Orientation — Learn more about GCC’s Verdugo Power Academy Spring 2013 program during these orientations. Tuesday and Oct. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. in SF 104. For more information visit www.glendale. edu/power or call (818) 2401000, ext. 5906.

MOVIES Friday Flix — A screening of the classic film “The Night of the Hunter” (1955). Directed by Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum. Then on Oct. 26 a screening of the 1948 film “Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstien” also starring Bela Lugosi. Mike Petros will facilitate a discussion after the film. Free to all. SG 334. Fridays at 12:30 p.m.

PLANETARIUM “Afternoon with the Stars: 837 Exoplanets and Counting” — A lunchtime program highlighting the planetarium’s features. Thursday and Oct. 25 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in CS 257. Free. For more information, visit www.glendale. edu/planetarium.

HEALTH Mental Health Counseling — Available to all students. For information or to schedule a free appointment visit the Health Center in the San Rafael Building.

Flu Shots — Are available while supplies last in the Health Center.

Cost is $15 for students, $20 for employees. Cash only. Walk ins welcome, no appointment needed. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

ART GALLERY “Organic/Synthetic” — Art Gallery. An exhibit featuring the work of Erik Bluhm, Katy Crowe, Channing Hanson, Janet Jenkins, Julia Paul and Marie Thibeault.

The show runs through Nov. 10. Free. Open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.

Around Town HALLOWEEN “Old Town Haunt” — Union Savings Bank Building. The latest take of this annual event featuring a childrens matinee on Oct. 27-28 from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets start at $15 general admission. Days and hours vary. 20 N. Raymond Ave. (at Colorado), Pasadena. For information visit www.oldtownhaunt.com or call (626) 248-7652.

“Halloween Night Dance Show Concert” — Alex Theatre. This event offers singing, dancing and more all with a Halloween style, from the Barekamutiun International Dance Studio. The concert

is in Armenian. No filming or recording allowed. 216 N. Brand Blvd. Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For more information visit www.alextheatre.org or call (818) 243-2539.

“L.A. Haunted Hayride” — Griffith Park. Featuring the InBetween (Maze) and the Purgatory Side Show area. Sponsored by the L.A. Parks Foundation. Ticket prices, days and hours vary. Old Zoo, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles. For information and tickets visit www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com.

“Halloween Horror Nights” — Universal Studios Holly-

wood. Featuring all new scare zones and mazes, including “Alice Cooper’s: Welcome to My Nightmare.” Prices and hours vary. Runs through Oct. 31. 100 Universal City Plaza, Hollywood.

For information visit: www.halloweenhorrornights.com or call (800) UNIVERSAL. “Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman” — Alex Theatre. Alex Film Society presents this 1943 classic starring Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. Oct. 27 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets $13.50. Discounts for students and seniors with ID. 216 N. Brand Blvd. For more information visit www.alextheatre. org or call (818) 243-2539.

COMEDY “Seven Comics for $7” — Ice House Comedy Club. Featuring seven stand up headliners in the Main Room. Tickets are $7 for the 8 p.m. show only. Two drink minimum per person. 54 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. For more information, visit www. icehousecomedy.com or call (626) 577-1894.

EVENTS Harvest Festival — Descanso Gardens. This event features assorted activities including a costume parade, seasonal crafts and

Tim Griffin in concert and two shows at the Tableau Theater.

Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students. Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, visit www. descansogardens.org or call (818) 949-4200.

WELLNESS Free Health Clinic — Tuesdays 5 to 8 p.m. by appointment and for limited walk-ins as space allows. 134 N. Kenwood St., third floor, Room 330. For information visit www.glendaleclinic.org or call (818) 245-8109.

Compiled by Richard Kontas

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Vaqueros Lose Game in Broad Daylight

Photo by Seneyda Rodriguez

IT TAKES THREE: Vaquero running back Collin Keoshian fights off multiple West L.A. defenders during a 41-6 loss Saturday at Sartoris Field.

By John Ferrara

EL VAQUERO SPORTS EDITOR

G

lendale played its first day game in Sartoris field’s history, but after a 41-6 beating on Saturday the Vaqs needed a dark place to hide their heads.

“We didn’t function throwing the football,” coach John Rome said.

Quarterback Nick Blackmon continued his streak of subpar performances by only completing 11 passes for 88 yards and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a 96-yard touchdown.

When he wasn’t missing his wide open targets, he tossed dump passes to his star running back Collin Keoshian, who did his best to turn broken plays into positive yards but the heavy load wore him down by halftime.

Blackmon has thrown seven interceptions this season and only five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, opposing quarterback Dallas Lopez had a field day. He passed for 228 yards with one touchdown in the air and one on the ground.

However, both starting Glendale corners were out with injuries but should be healthy for their next game.

Kicker Helio Guerra continues to struggle, which forces the team to go for

unnecessary fourth down conversions.

Glendale was one for four on fourth downs and attempted no field goals.

Guerra missed his only extra point attempt and his leg is so unreliable, kickoff duties are handled by Keoshian.

In the fourth quarter, the score was so lopsided that backup quarterback Ki Bae was given a few snaps. He went 3-6 with 24 yards and a touchdown on a 16-yard rush. He scored Glendale’s only points and might have earned himself a start in the near future.

“I wanted to make a statement,” said Bae. Rome liked what he saw out from the backup, and it was a refreshing change of pace for the offense.

“I saw a faster rate of play,” said Rome.

The Vaqueros next game is at L.A. Southwest College on Saturday.

Glendale is on a three game slide and will have to turn their play around immediately if they want to have a winning record, but coach Rome is staying positive.

“I guarantee we’ll come back stronger. Our strategy is to not play like this again.”

John Ferrara can be reached at jferrar977@student.glendale.edu