NO DREAM TOO BIG: FORMER DACA STUDENT NOW RHC TRUSTEE VP, OSCAR VALLADARES, ELECTED TO A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE
By: Omar Lopez Editor in chief
Oscar Valladares, Trustee Vice-President, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) during the organization’s 2024 Leadership Congress, held October 24-25 in Seattle, Washington.
Valladares was chosen by the ACCT Board of Directors consisting of a 25-member body of trustees from community colleges nationwide. He will serve for one year in this new role. In his new role, Valladares will oversee the organization’s finances and play an active part in advocating for community colleges.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my lived experience as a Dreamer during my community college and higher education journey,” Valladares said.
Valladares, who has a personal connection to the challenges faced by immigrant
students, because he is a former DACA recipient, who has worked tirelessly to break down barriers that many students like him encounter in the educational system. “I am a firm believer that it’s crucial for our community to see themselves in people who have overcome
with the support of teachers, counselors, and others, today I find myself in a leadership role for a national organization that advocates for all students.”
He added that his story is not just about him but about all the immigrant students who are working hard to create a better future. “My story shows how education can change lives and how it has had a huge impact on my family and community,” he said. Valladares is excited to use his new position to help
similar obstacles and stories,” Valladares reflected. “I have faced many challenges, but
community colleges continue to serve all students, no matter where they come from.
THE RACE IS OVER! DONALD TRUMP TAKES THE VICTORY OVER KAMALA HARRIS IN THIS YEARS 2024 ELECTION
By: Justin Chu Reporter
With the 2024 Presidential Election finally over, America has a new Commander in Chief. This year’s race was between the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, and the Democratic nominee, current Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump was seeking re-election after losing the 2020 Presidential Race to Joe Biden. Harris was a latecomer, replacing Biden after the first presidential debate back in June.
As votes rolled in throughout the night, Trump won the swing states of: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, which means he outperformed his last two presidential runs. Going into Wednesday, Trump had passed the electoral college votes threshold of 270, making the former president, the president elect. Harris got 226 for her electoral college votes.
When it comes to the popular vote, Trump also saw major success, winning 73,347, 504
votes to Harris’ 69,019,771 votes. He gained supporters among men and women as well as Hispanic and African American voters. He also maintained his voting block with older white men while Harris struggled to gain supporters outside her established group even with the help of major players within the Republican party such as Liz Cheney.
A major demographic that helped Trump with young African American men, a key democratic voting group. Roughly 30% of African American men under the age of 45 years old sided with Trump this election. This is a massive increase from previous years. This, along with small increases among traditionally democratic voters translated to the electoral college.
Another major factor in this election was voter turnout and compared to 2020, there was a major drop in voter participation. Voter Bekah Hudson who said she emphasized the importance of voting, citing issues like women's and LGBTQ+ rights, women's health, affordable housing, education, and voting rights themselves as her top concerns.
SAY HELLO TO THE WINNING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
By: Omar Lopez Editor in chief
“I feel blessed and honored to be given the opportunity to continue serving my community and our WUHSD familia as Trustee for Area 3. Serving our scholars and their families is a privilege that I do with corazón and cariño—and a role that I don’t take for granted. I’m humbled that the voters have put their trust in me to move forward efforts that will create educational opportunities and leadership growth for all our students.”
- Josefina Canchola
"I am excited to continue working with our staff and families to prioritize the children of this district. "
- Caro Jauregui
EAST WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TRUSTEE AREA 2
Carlos Aparicio - Winner
“I feel truly blessed to have served the EWCSD community the last 17 years and feel honored to continue serving them these next 4 years. I am very grateful and thankful for the support the community has given me throughout my time as a board member.”
- Carlos Aparicio
Jaime Lopez- Winner
“Dear Voters and Community, Thank you for your trust and support in re-electing me for another four years. I am prouf of what we have accomplished together and excited about the
direction Whittier Union High School District is heading. Your commitment and engagement are vital to our shared success. together, we are building a strong foundation for a stronger future.”
- Jaime Lopez
“It’s humbling and energizing to be entrusted with serving my community. It’s also a great opportunity to think about unfinished priorities, things that could be adjusted, and new initiatives to bring forward. “
- Krystal Orozco
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL 2ND DISTRICT
Michelle Valequez BeanWinner
“I am deeply grateful to La Mirada District 2 residents for their trust and support. It is an honor, and I am excited for the opportunity to serve and work together to keep La Mirada a thriving and fiscally sound city. I am committed to ensuring that
everyone has what they need to live well and prosper in our beautiful community.”
- Michelle Bean
Photos
Krystal Orozco - Winner
Josefina Canchola - Winner
Caro Jauregui - Winner
Copyright 2024, Keith Weller for the Association of Community College Trustees. Two Rio Hondo College representatives won big at the ACCT Conference. Current Trustee Vice President, Oscar Valladares Honoring Executive Secretary, Renee Gallegos after receiving the Pacific Region Professional Board Staff Member Award. Valladares was elected to serve as Treasurer/Secretary.
Photo courtesy by Vicky Santana
Photo courtesy by Vicky Santana
Photo courtesy by Vicky Santana
Photo courtesy of Vicky Santana
Photo courtesy of Vicky Santana
Photo courtesy of Vicky Santana
THE NEW AND IMPROVED REVITALIZED L BUILDING
A MODERN HUB AT RIO HONDO COLLEGE FOR ALL STUDENTS
By: Mtthew Garcia Reporter
The recently transformed L Building at Rio Hondo College’s upper quad is more than just a modernized facility. It’s a state-of-the-art center for safety, administrative efficiency, and community engagement, now standing as a significant symbol of progress on campus. Througha series of interviews, it’s clear that this building isn’t just visually striking but also deeply practical and purposefully designed.
The L Building’s journey to modernization began with a critical seismic retrofit, as Dr. Stephen Kibui, a college representative, explained. "The building was originally constructed in the 1960s, and being top-heavy with its concrete design, it posed potential risks during earthquakes," he said. To counter this, architects replaced
concrete walls with glass, shifting the weight distribution to make the structure more stable. The seismic upgrades ensure the building meets current safety standards, offering peace of mind to those who frequent the space. The glass isn’t just about safety; it also enhances morale. “Instead of seeing just walls, you get a view of nature. You can feel the sunshine, and it creates a more open atmosphere,” Dr. Kibui noted, emphasizing how the transparent design uplifts the mood and productivity of both students and staff.
Beyond its safety features, the L Building now functions as a vibrant community space. Though primarily an administrative building, it offers areas where the music and arts departments can host performances, and the fifth floor includes an open space accessible to students and the community for various activities and events. “While no major events have been held yet, this area is open for student activities, and we’re excited to see it come to life,” Kibui added.
Don Miller, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, highlighted the building’s high-tech facilities, particularly the boardroom on the fifth floor, which includes an advanced sound system and expansive views. “You can schedule meetings here through facilities, and it’s equipped
for various events, including board meetings,” Miller shared, pointing out the functionality this space offers for college operations and gatherings.
Rachel Garcia, another staff member, shared insights on the building’s evolution. "We first focused on making the building stable, which involved digging deep into the foundation for support beams," she said.
“After that, we modernized the interior, choosing finishes and furnishings to create a fresh, inviting look.” The glass-enclosed stairwells and increased naturallight not only enhance the building’s aesthetic but also create a better work environment for employees. The project was funded by a partnership between the state and the college, with each covering half the cost. Despite challenges posed by rising post-COVID costs, the college saw the project through, establishing the L Building as a vital asset for the campus.
Dr. Kibui explained that the
By: Omar Lopez Editor in chief
Rio hondo colleges 4th annual continuing education art show was a beautiful and rather enjoyful event.
The main purpose of this event is to show case the amazing work done by the artist of the community. Not only can you look at the art and appreciate the time and effort put into these wonderful creations but all pieces would be available for purchase.
This show was one with remarkable talent and an
state required strict approvals, from seismic compliance to fire safety, ensuring the building met all standards for safety and usability. At night, the glass facade becomes a beacon, visible from as far as Azusa and acting as a marketing tool for the college.
This striking exterior represents Rio Hondo’s commitment to progress and community engagement, inviting both admiration and curiosity from those who see it. With its robust structure, modern aesthetics, and versatile functionality, the new L Building stands as a beacon of Rio Hondo College’s dedication to safety, innovation, and community. Whether students are attending events on the rooftop or staff are conducting high-level meetings in the boardroom, this building represents a shared space for all—one that merges history with forward-thinking design.
overwhelming amount of friendship and kindness. There are artist who have been doing this for many years and some only for a couple of months. Even so at the end of the day all pieces are one to take in.
“I enjoy making art because it keeps me relaxed and it provides comfort. Its a way to express yourself and to show your true emotions,” Peter Wang, artist, said.
Art should be something that should be appreciated and admired. Especially within a loving and supportive community.
Photo by Matthew Garcia
Photo by Matthew Garcia
Photo by Omar Lopez
Photo by Omar Lopez
Photo by Omar Lopez
NEW ALBUM DROP! CHROMAKOPIA
By: Esmeralda Rodarte Reporter
Chromakopia, Tyler’s new album that has been released this past Monday on October 28th and has been taken on the rise since Monday finding new Peaks, new Inspirations all around the world, and has even released tickets for his own world tour that is going to be starting in early February of next year. in attending his album release party myself has got to hurt the album one day early and even taking our first listen I didn’t
Photo by Esmeralda Rodarte
even know what the album really meant at that first listen. I definitely heard some songs that were really captivating when being at the listening party and trying to get the meaning of every song in one take but also just trying to see and enjoy the album on its first take.
I got to her track back to back and even listen on how Tyler’s life and how himself has said that going through these changes as a 30 year old man has really impacted him and a really impacted his life. he mentioned that the listening party that this album was more dedicated to his mom but also him seeing that going through a change going through life going through anything that he’s gone through he has yet to see himself in those changes but yet he introduced a lot of these songs to be captivating to be vulnerable and to have those moments that are within the album those are what take the biggest Pride into what he had first album.
He also mentioned that he saw himself grow in a certain
way but yet he felt like he was always out of pocket because he saw himself and his other friends not really be on the same level. He still had all his Fame and his richness and yet his friends had families and babies and he felt like he was out of pocket in that he felt like he needed to be vulnerable during his album, which represents the mask.
Which is shown in the picture he even felt like even talking about these things he had to wear a mask he had to put on this mask to even talk about the things that he went through and that’s how he really got to continue and make this album of his own. if you really dig deep and really compare from his last album “Call me if you get lost” between that album he talked about how traveling would make him happy, How his Fame has taken over the world and how he’s gone through personal success and a lot of the time just Fame coming to him personally we’re in this album he talked about his family more so his
mom how he’s gone through some real heavy stuff within his personal life and how he needs to express himself and knowing that he is enduring to express himself that’s what of this core of this album represents. My personal top three off this album even after
giving it as many listings as I can would have to be like him, Rah tah tah and judge judy. I think those top three songs give a representation of how you can come from really slow synths to hardcore rap beats.
Photo by Esmeralda Rodarte
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR ROADRUNNERS
By: Matthew Garcia Reporter
In a world where conversations around mental health and trauma are gradually becoming more open, Rio Hondo College is playing a crucial role by providing a safe space for students who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The “Strength in Numbers” support group, a collaborative effort between Rio Hondo and the East Los Angeles Women’s Center (ELAWC), offers students a place for healing, community, and empowerment. Led by ELAWC Therapist Madeline Melara, MSW, the group meets on Tuesdays at Rio Hondo, offering sessions focused on self-care, mindfulness, and positive coping mechanisms.
Madeline, who has been with the program for two years, helps students process their experiences in a way that acknowledges the complexities of trauma and the realities of student life. “For college students, finding time to prioritize mental health can be difficult,” she shared. “They’re juggling so many responsibilities—academics, work, family—so taking time forthemselves is a challenge, but a necessary one.” The support group provides an inclusive and confidential environment where students are encouraged to explore their emotions and experiences.
Madeline emphasized that one of the group’s primary goals is to
foster a community where survivors feel validated and empowered.
Through activities centered on gratitude, mindfulness, and affirmations, students gain tools to manage lingering emotions like anger and bitterness, which can often accompany traumatic experiences. “Trauma is still there regardless of how long it’s been. No therapist can say ‘just forget because those emotions stay with us,” she explained. “The goal is to learn how to manage them in a healthy way.”
One of the group members, Melissa Corkern, shared her journey and what brought her to “Strength in Numbers.” “Last year, I went through a really difficult time. I’ve experienced domestic violence, and then I found out that the person who hurt me had passed away,”
Melissa shared. “It was a lot to process, and I realized I needed support.”
Being part of the group has provided Melissa with a safe space to talk about her situation and receive reassurance in a compassionate environment. Her advice to anyone considering joining?
“Just go for it. Even if you don’t participate, even if you don’t say anything, just go. It can help you come out of your shell and find support in different ways.”
The impact of the “Strength in Numbers” support group extends beyond the confines of the college campus. Madeline recounted a recent encounter with a former client—a Rio Hondo student she had counseled remotely during the pandemic.
Now thriving in the nursing program, the student reconnected with Madeline at a recent campus resource fair, expressing gratitude for the support she received during a challenging period. “Seeing her doing well was a powerful reminder of the difference this program can make, even if I don’t always see the long-term outcomes,” Madeline reflected.
For survivors, seeking support can often be one of the hardest steps. Many students hesitate to attend the group sessions
due to the emotional weight of revisiting their trauma or simply because they are uncertain if they are ready to open up.
“Talking about trauma for the first time is overwhelming, especially with everything else students have on their plate,” Madeline acknowledged. However, she reassures students that healing is a journey, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. “Sometimes they come in feeling like they’ve been suppressing so much, but in reality, they’ve been managing a lot on their own.”
The “Strength in Numbers” group meets from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in SS 207 on select Tuesdays throughout the semester, and it continues to be a critical resource for Rio Hondo students seeking guidance, solidarity, and strength on their healing journey. For students like Melissa and countless others, the group is more than just a support session—it’s a lifeline and a testament to the power of community in the healing process.
Photo by Esmeralda Rodarte
Therapist Madelin Melara provides a safe space for students at Rio Hondo College, offering support and guidance through the Strength in Numbers program.
