Spring Torch 2011 by Jay Seidel

Spring 2010

TORCH FC

Jumping Into Technology

Embracing the new gadgets inside and out of the classroom

Teacher Smackdown!

Not your typical student-teacher relationship

All Over Your Body

Depiction of “modern art” and the way it is perceived

Obsession

Inside the world of a sex addict... Could you be one?

Spring Twenty Ten

In This Issue

On The Cover Fctorch.net Addicted to SEX

Effected Lives Drug Crazed

Teacher Smack Down

Paint on the Walls

New Ways to Learn

By Kaeli Filpi.......................40

Giving Back

By Desi Sedeno..................31

Post Trauma

By Zhana Matkovic...............13

Cover Photo By: Alex Avina Models: Mike Wade & Alex Ascencio

DEPARTMENTS Finacial Summer-to-dos

By Erendira Espinoza-Taboda.........05

Books

Education On SALE By Alejandra Orozco..................37

Earth

By Torian Pizzola.....................48

Make an Impact

By Desi Sedeno................06

Us United

By Ja’Mean Beckum.............35

Fashion Statment

Like a Boy

By Nathaniel Santos................41

Movies Avartar

v.s. Titanic

By Erendira Espinoza-Taboada.......09

Drinking Cheap

Scene Electronic

Music

By Jessica Cruz.............45

Career Surf

Board Shaping

By David Birosak.............17

By Melissa White

All Over Your Body

By Elysia McMahan.............23

Torch Staff Editor-in-Chief Art Director Adviser

Britney Q. Bailey Drue H. Lee Jay D. Seidel

What you NEED to read

Personal Interest Hip Hop’s Story

By Lauren Harrity

Writers Yesenia Abundis Ja’Mean Beckum David Birosak Katelyn Chavez Laurien Clark Jessica Cruz Lizz Duenweg Erendira Espinoza-Taboada Kaeli Filpi Lauren Harrity Zhana Matkovic

Contributors Photographers

Danielle McDonnell Elysia McMahan Denishia Mcormack Alejandra Orozco Torian Pizzola Zachary Romo Nathaniel Santos Desi Sedeno Robert Sugden Melissa White Valeri Velsaquez

Alex Avina Zhana Matkovic Elysia McMahan Kaeli Filpi Ashlee Fernandez Kristen Graza Illustration-Austin Brown

Models

Are You My Mother?

Elimination of Routes

By Zachary Romo.................33

By Yesenia Abindis.............45

By Lizz Duenweg................51

By Valeri Velsaquez

By Torian Pizzola...................19

By Robert Sugden..............07

My Bucket List

Season Must Haves

By Larien Clark......................25

Starvronia Matkovic Simeon Matkovic Jessica Parker Joshua Livingston Matt Kaiser Nathan Seldvige

Marisa Sedeno Zachary Romo Mike Wade Garret Eichmann Kirsti Olson Alex Ascencio

Fullerton College 321 E. Chapman Ave. Fullerton, Ca 92832 (714) 992-7134

The FC Torch is produced every semester by Magazine Production, Journalism 135, at Fullerton College under the guidence of student editors and the advisement of Jay Seidel. Editorial and advertising content herein, including any opinions expressed, are the sole responsibility of the students in the production class. Information published herein, does not represent the position of the North Orange County Community College District, Fullerton College or any other officer or employee within.

From The

Editor

Editor in Chief Britney Bailey

JOUR 210 MULTIMEDIA REPORTING MW 12-1:20 * ROOM 2001 LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO SHARE NEWS IN TODAY’S MULTIMEDIA WORLD YOU’LL GAIN EXPERIENCE BY: • WRITING STORIES ONLINE • CAPTURING & EDITING VIDEO • CREATING SLIDESHOWS • EDITING AUDIO • BLOGGING • PUBLISHING ONLINE

YOU’LL GAIN EXPERIENCE, BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIOS AND HAVE FUN DOING IT. FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT: JAY SEIDEL - JSEIDEL@FULLCOLL.EDU

s this semester comes to an end, I want to take a minute to reflect back on these last 5 months. From the moment I took the Editor in Chief position my anxiety set in. I realized, that not only was creating a magazine a daunting task on its own but following in the footsteps of previous editors, I knew that I had to create something that was great. Something that was worthy of being called the Torch. Lets just say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After the initial brainstorming sessions, I felt a lot better about my role as Editor in Chief. I wasn’t just creating this magazine on my own; I had my writers and art director to help me along the way. This collaboration of many minds created what I think is a great magazine. I was impressed with the eagerness and diversity of the writers this semester; I knew that they had trusted me with their words. Trusted Drue and I to give them layouts they could be proud of, layouts that bought life their photos and stories. Not only did we focus our efforts on the print publication but we also spent time working on the online edition. As multimedia becomes more incorporated in our lifestyles we wanted to create a more interactive way to read our magazine. Now not only can you read a digital version of the Torch, you can also see features as well as streaming video. I’d like to take a minute and thank each and everyone who had a hand in creating this magazine. Without the help of my staff of writers, our awesome photographers and all the models that took time out of their day to give us images that enhance our words none of this would have been possible. I would also like to give a special thanks to Drue H. Lee, our art director, without her expertise this magazine wouldn’t be what it is today. We worked many late nights together, mostly laughing sometimes arguing all while trying new ideas to make the Spring 2010 issue a great issue.

6 Things to do during summer For Under $10 By Erendira Espinoza-Taboada

Worried you’ll be sitting at home this summer with nothing to do? Low funds and the sinking economy got you down? Well don’t fret! You don’t have to spend a fortune to go out and have a good time this summer! There are plenty of things to do both locally and within the Los Angeles county area that are fun, exciting, fresh, and best of all: easy on your wallet! Follow this fun guide to an active summer for $10 or less!

#1 Gelato #2 Arboretum #3 Caves

This summer you’ll probably be looking for a way to beat the heat. Look no further than Frati Gelato Café located in the heart of downtown Fullerton on Commonwealth Ave. With the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet, you can’t help but indulge in the delicious, creamy gelato made fresh everyday. A large cup or waffle cone is less than $5 and a small is just $3.25. Visit www.fratigelatocafe.com for more information and a full list of menu items and prices.

Enjoy the idyllic gardens of The Arboretum in Arcadia. Outside food is welcomed so make a picnic out of it or bring your walking shoes to squeeze in your daily cardio. Parking is free and all-day admission is only $8 for adults or $6 for students with a valid id. Come to The Arboretum on the third Tuesday of the month and receive FREE admission. Visit www.arboretum.org for more information.

#4 Beach #5 Baseball

Life’s a beach, so don’t let this summer pass you by without visiting one of Southern California’s best assets. Huntington Beach boasts one of the most widely visited spots in Southern California. Unless you’re planning to stay more than 10 hours, don’t pay for the all-day parking pass. Get there a little earlier and park in the street at the meters. Don’t forget your quarters though! It’s just $1 per hour to park.

Be a part of America’s favorite pastime: Baseball. Whether you’re a Dodgers or Angels fan, Stub Hub has the right ticket for you! Tickets start as low as $1 at www.stubhub.com. If you like parking at the stadium, bring some friends to cut the costs; or go-green with public transportation. Visit www.octa.net to plan your trip to Angel Stadium. If you prefer to sport Dodger blue, take advantage of the orange express buses that take you directly to Dodger stadium for free from Union Station in Los Angeles. Plan your trip at www.metrolinktrains.com.

Get outdoors this summer! Visit the famous Bronson Caves in Hollywood where many horror and science fiction films of the 1950s and 1960s were filmed. The Bronson Caves provide beautiful as well as challenging hiking trails. Admission and parking are both free, but be sure to head home before it gets dark because you never know if there are monsters lurking about.

#6 zoo

Monkey around at the local Santa Ana Zoo. Support wild life while roaming the Amazon’s Edge exhibit or Monkey Row. Admission is just $8 or slash the price in half to just $4 if you visit after 2:00pm Monday-Friday. You can also participate in the new Sunset at the Zoo Concert Series for just $10. Visit www.santaanazoo.org for additional information on upcoming events and specials.

r u o Y e Reduc t n i r p t o o F n o Carb By Desi Sedeno

In the United States, on average, one person's carbon footprint is 20.40 metric tons which is about 18 times higher than where our worldwide target should be. This problem isn't going to be reduced on it's own, so here are a few ways you can reduce your own carbon footprint.

Buy local and organic food.

If your produce and other goods are transported less this means less fuel is burned and emitted into the ozone. Food that is grown organic is grown without any type of pesticides or harmful chemicals which is not only good for the environment but good for you as well.

Use reusable grocery bags

It takes approximately 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose in a landfill. Americans use well over 380 billion plastic bags a year and only 1% of those bags are actually recycled. Switching to a reusable bag can reduce manufacturing and some grocery stores even give you money back for bringing in your reusable bags.

Use aluminum water bottles

In order to produce one plastic water bottle, it takes 3 times the amount of water to make than it does to actually fill it. Only 1 in 5 plastic water bottles get recycled and the rest add to the 3 billion pods of waste that water bottles create annually.

Use CFL light bulbs

CFL bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. You use less energy and your bulbs will last longer.

Ride your bike or walk

Cars release too much carbon dioxide into their air everyday. You'd help reduce air pollution and better the quality of the air you breath.

Photos By Zhana Matkovic

Plagued W

With

hen people think of an alcoholic or addict, what do they think? Does your mind go to the homeless man reeking of alcohol with dirty clothes and hands clutching onto a brown bag with mysterious bottle inside or the disgust of the hooker, homeless man and crack head? This is an ideal image of an addict or alcoholic right? Most people often don’t think of the soccer mom getting up every morning to feed her children only to then send them off to school so she can drink her pain away, nor do they think of the business man that runs a company from the ground up to only go home every night and drown his sorrows with poison. We never expect mothers to drink and become raged with addiction. Consider the case of Diane Schuler a mother who drove her mini van head on into another vehicle, killing herself, her 2-year-old daughter, her three nieces and the three men in the other vehicle. Test results showed her blood alcohol level was 0.19, more than double the legal limit. The autopsy’s toxicology report also discovered that she had been under the influence of marijuana. Tara Espinoza secretary of Woodglen Recovery Junction puts it this way, driving under the influence puts everyone’s life around you

TORCH

Addiction

“Addiction is so powerful within some people, that it can be stronger than a mothers love for her child.”

at risk. About three out of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some time in their lives, according to MADD.com. It’s never okay to risk the lives of people around you. Color, gender or culture does not determine who can become addicted. The evil lurking in addiction can falsely portray something beautiful, something that can appeal to everyone. DUI’s among men and women are rising in the United States. Alcoholism is becoming a contagious plague that can inflict anyone. “On average a drunk driver kills someone every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes, a decline of 9.8 percent from the 13,041 drunk driving related fatalities of 2007,” according to MADD.com. This disease not only hurts the addict’s life but it can also hurt families and friends around them.

By Robert Sugden

A problem with alcoholism is that it not only affects the addict. This is a disease that also affects families and friends. “Over 14 million Americans struggle from drug, and alcohol abuse; each year, about 100,000 adults will die from their addiction,” according to naadac.org. “This is a hopeless and helpless disease,” said Deanna Sanchez administrator of Woodglen Recovery Junction in Fullerton California. When asked if her addiction has helped her have compassion with others, she said “Yes, coming to terms with my own addiction, I started opening my eyes to the pain of others around me.” Advertising promotes addiction in the most ludicrous manner, appealing to our youth through the glamorization of excessive drinking and drug use. It becomes contagious. In the media, young people see gorgeous girls in skimpy outfits devouring drugs so lavishly. Thus implying that this way of life is not only accepted but it is encouraged. When asked if she thinks her addiction was part of the medias prestige look on substance abuse, Erica Sanchez says “Yes, promoting lures the eyes to temptation, I feel in love with the visions that were in front of me.” The things we see

on TV and in magazines appeal to us; promotion leads to persuasion, this persuasion leads to action and this action can lead to devastation. Promoting these substances in our cities is causing the minds of our young people to become polluted, they’re persuaded to take action and buy the products being advertised. Often times we don’t find out about these addictions until it’s too late. Then we hear devastating and horrific stories of teenagers being raped while under the influence or fatal accidents or overdoses that could have been prevented. Thankfully there are programs that are available to the public and are often times free. Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as A.A. offers daily and weekly group meetings to help addicts continue sobriety while discussing addiction stories. These groups offer a family like setting where addicts can speak freely without judgment. Mothers against drunk driving also known as MADD is another well established organization that has a great program that brings awareness to the public about the affects and consequences of drunk driving.

TORCH

BATTLE AT THE

Box Office By Erindira Espinoza-Taboada Illustration By Austin Brown

n 1997 gas cost an average of $1.22 a gallon, icon Princess Diana tragically and unexpectedly died, Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters, and James Cameron was king of the world. Flash forward 12 years, it’s 2009, gas costs an average of $3 a gallon, pop icon Michael Jackson suddenly and unexpectedly dies, Tiger Woods retires from golf due to a sex scandal and James Cameron is still king of the world. “Every time I make a movie, everybody says it’s the most expensive film in the film industry,” says writer-director Cameron, a Fullerton College alum, in a 1997 Premiere article entitled “Magnificent Obsession.” Producer Jon Landau comments that “Jim walks around with a bulls-eye.” In 1997 a $200 million budget was unheard of, but with backing from 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and a sacrifice of director fee Cameron managed to build an entire working studio in Rosarito, Mexico and delivered the biggest blockbuster of all time: Titanic. It was a project of, literally titanic proportions involving multiple million dollar dives to the bottom of the Atlantic, a slew of visual wizardry combined with an obsessive compulsive attention to detail in replicating the minutest details of the illfated ship and a director who would settle for nothing but perfection even demanding doctor’s notes for any cast that tried to “call in sick” on him. Originally slated for a July 4 summer opening, like most blockbusters, Cameron’s opus was not ready and instead graced audiences on December 19, 1997. With an epic running time of over three hours, Titanic, debuted at #1 and catapulted itself into the Oscar race as the heavy fan and critic favorite. Titanic would spend an unprecedented 15 consecutive weeks at number one in the box office, an amazing 19 consecutive weeks in the top

5, a staggering 26 consecutive weeks in the top 10 and an astonishing 41 weeks in theaters becoming the only movie in history to remain in theaters once released on video. Kelly Nelson-Wright, a sociology professor at Fullerton College for ten years states, “The social atmosphere in 1997 in the U.S. was ripe for a blockbuster film of this type. Americans had very little collective social conscious… [and] were much more interested in the drama of the love story between Rose and Jack.” Titanic went on to be nominated for 14 Academy Awards and garnered 11, the most in history. James Cameron’s $1.8 billion-dollar baby made him the king of the world and a master director. For the next 12 years super heroes, pirates, kings, vampires and a wizard named Harry would try to dethrone Titanic as the highest grossing film of all time, all without success. No, it wasn’t until the king of the world himself reemerged that Titanic was in any danger of being sunk. Armed with motion-capture technology, a lot of green screen, and the lure of a 3-D presentation requiring only a fraction of an amusement park entrance fee, Cameron’s environmental science-fiction, action adventure Avatar hit the big screen on December 18, 2009. With a budget estimated at over $500 million according to MSNBC, Cameron maintains his reputation at pushing the budget envelope but on the flip side he also maintains his reputation of delivering astounding box office numbers and Avatar’s financial success has not failed to impress. Though only spending seven short weeks at number one, Avatar has managed to become the highest grossing film of all time with a staggering $2.5 billion return, and counting. Still, before we start doing an Avatar victory lap, let’s take a few things into consideration. TORCH

First of all, compared to the budget costs,

Titanic still gives a better return. However, producer for both Titanic and Avatar Jon Landau says “Creating in post-production is more cost effective, but when we’re making movies we don’t think about budget…today we would have built much less of the ship in Titanic because one epic scene in Avatar cost less than one shooting day on Titanic.” Back in 1997 a ticket to the movies cost less than $5 on average, where now you can only be a student on certain days, the matinee price averages $8 and an evening show will cost you $10 plus. Now add in an addition $3-4 for 3-D glasses and tack on another couple bucks to watch it in IMAX and moviegoers are paying around $15 to see Avatar. With ticket prices averaging two to three times what they were in 1997 it’s no wonder Cameron’s latest epic, forgive the pun, terminated Titanic’s seemingly unsinkable place at number one. However in a world of increas-

` ing awareness about the human effect on the planet and a recognition of the militarism of the powerful to displace those who inconveniently hamper them, audiences are connecting with the world of Avatar. Joel Black, a PhD Comparative literature professor at the University of Georgia, who has written extensively on film studies states, “A growing number of science-fiction and action-adventure films…don’t just use special effects; they are special effects.” With Avatar it appears that Cameron has traded in his visual effects eye for creating and manipulating real sets accented with computer technology to fill in the blanks and instead has opted for a main entrée of digital computer generated images with only a light garnish of story and barely a sprinkling of acting and performance. Avatar’s producer Jon Landau insists, “It’s about movies…you make movies for audiences.” However, in a film age dominated by CGI and audiences craving for a

computer game aesthetic, they need look no further than Avatar; in fact they haven’t looked any further. Where the story is deficient, the visual effects take over as the smoke and mirrors that distracts the audience from an underdeveloped script and lack luster acting, such is the case in Avatar. However, with little competition from floundering films like Sherlock Holmes, which was set to be the big Christmas Day answer to Avatar and movies of merit getting nowhere near the 3,000 plus theater distribution of Avatar, it becomes easy to break records and maintain the role as top predator of the box office. According to producer Jon Landau, there are plans to re-release Titanic in a 3-D format. When asked if he thought a re-release would enable the film to reclaim its title at #1 he says “No, it doesn’t have a chance of surpassing Avatar; but it you’d asked me 6 months ago if Avatar would surpass Titanic, I would have said no.”

When you think of James Cameron you think of state of the art technology, you think of corny dialogue “Hasta la vista, baby,” and you think blockbuster. Cameron knows how to bring home the bacon; he knows how to bring home the high-tech awards; and with Titanic he figured out that releasing a mega-blockbuster in the same time frame as most Oscar contenders can catapult you to the win the big guns like best motion picture and best director. Cameron is a trend setter. Titanic took us back to 1912 with flare and detail inspiring other period films to follow in it’s footsteps of using special effects to bring back lost worlds and times. Avatar shoots us into the future where movies look more like computer games that unfold out of our control and without our participation or influence. Is this the future of the blockbuster? Do we want this to be the future of the blockbuster? Time and audiences will tell.

Living with

a SECRET D

imitri Arvanitis is an average student who attends Fullerton College (His name has been changed for his privacy). He gets up every morning and deals with today. Dmitri has a personal secret, he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one has been exposed to a terrifying event or an ordeal where one has been in physical harm. Most common PTSD victims can be people who have been assaulted, been victims of an accident, human or natural disasters or experienced military combat. PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. One doesn’t have to receive physical pain to have it. PTSD can occur if someone has witnessed a friend, family member, or even a stranger who has received physical pain. “Living through or seeing something that’s upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include being a victim of or seeing violence, the death or serious illness of a loved one, war or combat, car accidents, plane crashes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and violent crimes” according to the National Institute of Health. It is vital for people to understand the importance and seriousness of this disorder.

TORCH

Photos & Story By Zhana Matkovic

Dimitri served in the Marine Corps from 20052009. He hated school more than anything and was getting into trouble so he wanted to do something different. He then decided to join the infantry division of the military, these are the men who serve on the front lines and are usually the first ones to go into battle. “Boots on the Deck,” Dimitri described. He then explains his decision to join the military “I went into [infantry] not informed well. [I] completely didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I kind of saw it as I would get to shoot guns and blow [stuff] up. And it turned out to be so much different than that.” Dimitri believes that anyone who joins the military in the beginning has some form of PTSD from the experience. He feels that he has minor PTSD and admits that he suffers from anxiety, minor anger issues and has nightmares; but he feels like he can control it. “Some of the symptoms of PTSD can include: flashbacks, bad dreams, feeling numb, feeling guilt, having trouble remembering, being easily startled, feeling tense, anxiety and having difficulty sleeping,” reported by the National Institute of Health.

Dimitri served in Iraq twice and was injured while he was there. He was hit by a roadside bomb and received the Purple Heart for being injured while serving in the military. He feels that he has PTSD because of the things he has seen and experienced. He explained that it is difficult to see friends disappear and it starts to play mind tricks on one. Dimitri came back to school because of the GI bill. This bill helps veterans pay for tuition and living expenses if they become full time students. Veterans can also receive medical and psychiatric help if needed. There are also people available to help students who are veterans with PTSD at Fullerton College. Ray Bustos, who is a veteran himself, is the veteran advisor. He can help give vital information for those who have PTSD and would rather seek help outside of school. Ray acknowledges that veterans like to keep their problems to themselves and try not to show weakness. He can give suggestions on where a veteran can go to receive help with mental health related issues. He is also very proud to say that Fullerton College is in the top 15% across the United States that offers help for veterans. He is hoping that he can get the staff more involved with veterans with PTSD. Thank goodness for people like Ray, a man who is willing to take the time to help veterans or victims of PTSD and to listen to their stories. However, Veterans are not the only people with this disorder.

hristina Wright, a Fullerton College student has experienced her own form of PTSD. On the outside Christina is a beautiful strong woman who holds her head up high; she doesn’t seem like someone who has PTSD. Just by looking at her one wouldn’t be able to figure out that she holds a secret; Christina was raped when she was 15. At the time of her rape she was living in San Francisco. She attended a high school party, and like most high school students she became intoxicated. “I was so drunk that I passed out,” Christina says. This is where Nick, her boyfriend’s best friend raped her. He wasn’t intoxicated and had full recognition of what he was doing to Christina. She didn’t realize she was raped until a few days later when Nick told her “My bad, but it was good.” That was then Christina realized that she was a rape victim.

For the first year Christina was silent and didn’t want to talk about the incident. Unfortunately, she never reported her rape and only told her friend at the time. She also suffered from anxiety attacks and nightmares of Nick. She once had a dream that her boyfriend left her in a room and when he left the door knob fell off, then she saw Nick in the corner of the room. She woke up screaming and crying. Two years after her rape, her friend sent Christina a text saying that she saw Nick at the mall. She felt anxious and started to have nightmares again. After the incident Christina felt like she couldn’t relax. She felt like she couldn’t give her best friend, who was a male, a hug because she felt uncomfortable. Christina eventually received counseling. “It was nice to hear from the counselor that I wasn’t overacting”, says Christina when she was being comforted by her counselor. She says the main reason why she never told anyone was because she didn’t want to be blamed. She felt that by exploiting what Nick had done to her that it would put her in a position where people thought it was her fault. This year, Christina finally told her father. “It was so hard for my father to hear what had happened to me,” she admits.

She says that she gets nothing but love and support from her family and friends. Christina says that she doesn’t get drunk unless someone she trusts is watching her. She also admits that she doesn’t like to be snapped at by people and she doesn’t like when she feels pressured because it makes her think of what happened to her. Christina has learned to not let this define her and she doesn’t let the past hurt her future. She acknowledges that she isn’t the only rape victim in America, and this mantra helps her get on with her life. “I learn to live with it,” Christina says. She knows that she can’t let this unfortunate incident take over her life. She lives life one day at a time. r. Tica Lopez is one of the many licensed physiologist at Fullerton College who helps students with emotional and physiological difficulties. The Health Office provides students with six free counseling appointments. If these students would like more time with a councilor Dr. Lopez and the other psychologists will provide referrals for students that can be “places in the community that might me sliding scale or low cost,” explains Dr. Lopez. She acknowledges that some students aren’t sure if they have PTSD and where

they should go. “I think the best information is to go to the DSM, which is the Diagnostic Statistical Manual,” says Dr. Lopez. She hasn’t seen too many PTSD clients, but she believes that they are out there, and they might not want to get help because they are afraid to show weakness or admit that they have a problem.“When people feel a lot of emotion, they’re uncomfortable with it. They don’t necessarily want to go talk to someone they don’t know. And sometimes there is some shame involved and they don’t know what to expect from counseling,” says Dr. Lopez. She believes that this service is very important and she believes that there is comfort to the victim after seeing a psychologist. It is significant for students to seek out help and there isn’t a better place than Fullerton College. The Health Office and other support services on campus can provide comfort for those who have PTSD. PTSD is something that can ruin someone’s life and it is important for him or her to receive the help they need. People with PTSD can’t forget what they have witnessed; it is better for them to receive help so they can try to move forward with their lives without this disorder holding them back.

“It was nice to hear ...that I wasn’t over reacting” Trapped. Controlled. Alone. Also known as meth addiction. Those who use it can lose everything. Think twice. methresources.gov

The Salty Shaper By David Birosak Photos By Zhana Matkovic

With plenty of surf on tap in Southern California there’s a huge demand for surfboards. Surfing has risen over the past decade and has developed taking surfers to places most never imagine going to. Long time surfer Bob Kizanis known to many as RGK, knows just what it takes to be a great shaper especially for surfers wanting the new innovative surfboards of today. Kizanis shapes for

local surf shop owner Rick Fignetti, of Rockin Fig. Rockin Fig is the saltiest surf shop around according to Kizanis. Rockin Fig surf shop located on Main in Huntington Beach Calif. is owned and operated by Rick Fignetti himself. Fignetti does the surf report every morning for KROQ-FM. Fignetti said that he enjoys working with Kizanis because he is a salty surfer and is always trying to come up with new ideas to make a better surfboard. That’s what Fignetti likes, new innovation for his surf shop. Kizanis’ shaping career started in 1966. When Kizanis was in high school he decided to skip school one day to go surf a spot in Palos Verdes. When he was out in the surf he started talking to a local guy and after a few minutes of talking and surfing he was shocked to find out who this guy was, it was Greg Noll. Kizanis was astonished that he was surfing at the same spot as this surf legend. Noll asked where Kizanis worked, he told Noll that he works at a donut shop.

Impressed by this young kids knowledge about surfing Noll asked Bob if he would want to work with him at his shop. Without hesitation, he said yes. This was the beginning of his shaping career. Kizanis has worked with Endless Summers Robert August, surfer shaper Dewey Weber and many more surf phenomenon’s. Kizanis’ has been very fortunate to work with some of the greatest surf legends of all time. He says he is very blessed to have met all these important icons of surfing. Kizanis calls his surfboard shaping a sculpture project; he tries to make sure the surfboard project is A B C D all ready to go when finished. Kizanis strives to make perfect shapes with his boards by making sure all the rails are clean when done and wants to provide a “positive outlook” on his surfboards he shapes. He wants to keep his customers in a cowabunga mood when they are surfing a board shaped by Kizanis. Kizanis still surfs all the time and is very proud to say he surfs a 6’8 board. At his age, he says

he is thankful to still be able to surf such a long board. Kizanis said that his trip up to Oregon was the greatest surf sessions he has ever paddled out in. The sets were amazing 20 to 30 waves per set. He added that the scenery was amazing up there he couldn’t believe he had gotten the chance to surf there. Rather then seeing the local dolphins in Southern California, he saw a deer on the beach which is very unusual for a surfer to see. He recommends that surfers take a trip up there just for the experience and change of scenery. Kizanis also added that some of his favorite places to surf are Trestles, Newport and Salt Creek. When all said and done Kizanis wishes he would have focused more on his surfing career, but he enjoys what he does today. Many young surfers and shapers only wish they could have a career like Bob Kizanis (RGK) the salty shaper.

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ave you ever wanted to punch your teacher square in the face? The ability to take out all the anger and frustration schooling has attributed to your life and take it out on a symbol of the system, the instructor. Imagine the opportunity to be no holds bars with an educator, an ambassador for those teachers who belittled you as a child and certainly hold the sole responsibility for why you ended up at a community college. Teachers, have you ever wanted to knee a student right in the sternum? You know the ones, those disrespectful little punks that show no regard or respect for the effort and dedication you have put into the lecture. The class clowns who attempt to turn education into a joke, mocking your very profession. Okay maybe this is a little dramatic, but for Victor Pham, who teaches screen writing at Fullerton College, the relationship he holds with students goes far beyond the chalk board. Victor has been training in the realm of mixed martial arts, for a little over seven years. It was when one of Victor’s students noticed his cauliflower ear that he found the opportunity to build a deeper connection through teaching and fighting. Always having an interest in combat sport, Victor was experienced in the art of Muay Thai since his youth. It wasn’t until after he saw a fight between BJ Penn and Jens Pulzer that he knew MMA was for him. “At first I just thought what everyone else thought about the sport, two meat heads in a cage hitting each other like a human cock fight. But after I saw the BJ Penn and Jens Pulzer fight I knew it was much more than that. It’s about technique and strategy… After I saw that fight I said I’ll try that out. I’ve been training every

single day for seven years since.” At just seven percent body fat, a successful screen writer, collegiate professor and semi pro fighter, it is easy to see why Victor is erupting with confidence. However he claims that confidence wasn’t always present. “MMA helped me build my confidence…it made me disciplined,” he explains. The discipline MMA has given me has made me successful.” In fact, Victor wishes all of his students participated in MMA. He claims that the training, dieting, and will power it takes to compete in mixed martial arts builds discipline and confidence. Victor states that students wouldn’t lack confidence; they would develop a better sense of character and never resort to excuses. A student of Victor’s had similar feelings in regard to the sport. Justin Lee was always the short kid in school. People used to claim he looked three years younger than his actual age because of his height. Because of this, Justin always felt he had to prove himself. “I wanted to show everyone I was good enough to play with the bigger kids.” Justin admits his insecurity about his height got a little out of control. “I had Napoleon Syndrome. Whenever a person hassled me I immediately resorted to fighting just to prove myself. I was a bad kid. I started a lot of fist fights.” It wasn’t until after Justin saw MMA videos on the internet did he know how to channel that aggression. Justin began training at LA Boxing. He also started wrestling during his senior year in high school solely to improve his grappling skills for MMA. After training for awhile, Justin noticed a huge difference in his attitude. “MMA has chilled me out. I have more discipline…I didn’t have to prove myself because of my discipline and maybe because I got a little taller,” Justin articulates with a chuckle.

“I saw his cauliflower ear... I knew he trained...”

Screen

Writer,Super Fighter By Torian Pizzola

Photos By Zhana Matkovic

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ng out a h o t d e t I wan y h w r e d ll him n a o c w n o e t v e d o e eird t end us i w r t i f l d r n i i g f I y “M now iend.” t r u f b y , r m e m h i c h a t call s u j with my te I . r o s my profes

Victor’s and Justin’s relationship is truly remarkable. They broke the statuesque many feel constitutes a student teacher relationship and built a real friendship through commonality. However, this is not the only way Victor has reached out to help connect with students. He also provides opportunities for them to work on set with him during productions to gain vital experience in the cut throat industry of show business. Teachers that yearn to see students succeed in all aspects of their live, be it mixed martial arts or film writing, make real role models and provide lessons that go far beyond the course requirements to their students. Many might initially feel fighting with your instructor, or punching your student may be awkward however this is not the case. Justin explains that he and Victor hit it off from the start because they have so much in common. They both appreciate film studies and both understand the sport of mixed martial arts. Justin also claims the fact that he and his teacher are so close in age makes their friendship easier. “People thought it was weird. My girlfriend used to wonder why I wanted to hang out with my teacher,

but now I find it weird to even call him my professor. I just call him my friend,” Justin explains. Victor also agrees, commenting on the awkwardness many might expect from their relationship. “It was never awkward; we are both balls-to-the-walls kind of people…Us training together made for a better relationship,” Victor says. “We’re like brothers, like blood brothers, we sweat together and bleed together and I know he’s got my back, just like I’ve got his.” Victor’s and Justin’s relationship is truly remarkable. They broke the statuesque many feel constitutes a student teacher relationship and built a real friendship through commonality. However, this is not the only way Victor has reached out to help connect with students. He also provides opportunities for them to work on set with him during productions to gain vital experience in the cut throat industry of show business. Teachers that yearn to see students succeed in all aspects of their live, be it mixed martial arts or film writing, make real role models and provide lessons that go far beyond the course requirements to their students.

Justin doesn’t hold back even when sparing with his instructor.

After graduating high school Justin attended Fullerton College. It was when Victor met Justin Lee that a genuine relationship blossomed beyond teacher and student. Justin was enrolled in Victor’s screen writing class when he noticed his professor had cauliflower ear. Immediately Justin knew his teacher trained. “I saw his cauliflower ear and knew he trained. I was so stoked!” Justin says. Justin informed his instructor he was training in MMA at LA Boxing club. Victor invited his pupil to come to a Saturday open mat at CSW, the gym where Victor trains. Justin was thrilled. “I thought it would be a really good way to bond with a professor.” They started out grappling, every Saturday. Eventually Justin decided to switch gyms and train solely at CSW. From then on the teacher student relationship turned into a real friendship. “He helped me train for my fights. We would go on five mile runs, which sucked, but he always pushed me to get better,” adds Justin.

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Many might initially feel fighting with your instructor, or punching your student may be awkward however this is not the case. Justin explains that he and Victor hit it off from the start because they have so much in common. They both appreciate film studies and both understand the sport of mixed martial arts. Justin also claims the fact that he and his teacher are so close in age makes their friendship easier. “People thought it was weird. My girlfriend used to wonder why I wanted to hang out with my teacher, but now I find it weird to even call him my professor. I just call him my friend,” Justin explains. Victor also agrees, commenting on the awkwardness many might expect from their relationship. “It was never awkward; we are both ballsto-the-walls kind of people… Us training together made for a better relationship,” Victor says. “We’re like brothers, like blood brothers, we sweat together and bleed together and I know he’s got my back, just like I’ve got his.”

Victor shows Justin that he has no chance on his turf.

A ModernAmulet Photos & Story By Elysia McMahan

verything that was once considered “forbidden” has now made its way into our daily lives. For thousands of years people have marked their bodies with tattoos. The symbolism behind such markings have both shocked us and linked us to the past, as well as with ancient civilizations. You probably would not be able to walk across campus without seeing at least one person with a tattoo, and there are still more people who probably have tattoos that are not visible. It has always been a form of self-expression or part of a culture and has become increasingly more and more popular to get inked simply as a fashion statement. Some tattoo artists are very critical about the tattoo’s placement in today’s mainstream culture. As one local artist in Fullerton, California (who would rather remain anonymous) puts it, “I believe too little thought is being put into the designs. The body continues to be sacred despite

people’s choices about how they choose to uphold their image. With that being said, it seems those ridiculous tribal armbands, koi fish and Chinese characters are no new phenomenon.” The progression of the industry has allowed for this modern amulet to make its way into the spotlight. It’s no longer just the domain of sailors, bikers or inmates. And although people will continue making their assumptions about the social implications of such permanent decisions, the taboo has been lifted and a recent study in an online survey found that fine art has now found its way under the skin of at least 40% of our population. In a society where everything, especially trends, seems to be dictated by celebrities and reality television, the mark of the disaffected has even reached the conservative level. Of course, there will always be people (those religious and otherwise) who view tattoos as a desecration of the human body because of their permanence,

“The thing about my tattoos is that I don’t really care if other people like them or not. I got them for me, not anyone else.”

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but temporary tattoos that simply wash off will never give you the opportunity to have regrets and where’s the fun in that? Actually, you cannot be afraid of regrets, tattoos should be embraced. With technology becoming more advanced, tattoo removal seems to be encouraging people to get more tattoos. For many, tattoos are a way to show people who they are without having to say much or anything at all for that matter. The rapid evolution of the living canvas has continued to say something unique with one’s body. Often, the purpose behind the decadence is concealed and on other occasions, such as with the typical “tramp stamp,” there is no need for further discussion. However, there happens to still be an issue with some tattoos or parts of the body being tattooed that are not accepted by society. Anytime someone gets a piece of work done it definitely has an effect on them, but that doesn’t mean it has to change the person. If anything, obtaining a tattoo helps a person define themselves more appropriately. “The

thing about my tattoos is that I don’t really care if other people like them or not. I got them for me, not anyone else.” So what makes a good tattoo? Jackie Osuna believes that it’s, “A message that is expressed completely.” In the past, women who got tattoos once meant they were defying social convention. Today, it appears that one of the oldest forms of art are allowing women, as Brea Kokoski states, “To remember strength and to forget pain.” Certain television programs such as Miami Ink have paved the way for women, as well as men, to feel confident enough to embed ink into their skin. Tattoos that have been obtained in the past have come to stand as reminders for the future. The lines and color contrasts bursting in between the graphics on the skin create a vision of vastness that will never fade (unless you got yourself a cheap tattoo). After all, nothing is truly permanent, but don’t go getting your relationship immortalized on your bicep just because free expression now has a way of being erased.

SEX Obsessed With

By Laurien Clark Photos By Alex Avina

hat if your world was consumed by your sexual urges and desires, sex was a tantalizing, captivation that undeniably led you down a pat of shame, unworthiness and even self-destruction. You lived your life with only your explicit thoughts and tendencies in mind. Your yearning for sex was no longer, a life essential; it became your necessity for life. Like an alcoholic’s inability to stop drinking, sexual addicts are unable to stop their reckless self –mutilating sexual activities. Families breakup, financial disaster occurs, job loss, and risk of contracting deadly crippling diseases is the painful prognosis of many addicts. But to know a sex addict is to understand a sex addict; sexual addiction effects over 10 percent of the world’s population, it’s a phenomenon which individuals report being unable to manage their sexual behavior. With celebrities such as Eric Bennett (Halle Berry’s ex husband, who cried sexual addiction in 2003 after numerous accounts of infidelity), Daniel Baldwin, and of course the infamous Tiger Woods; their using sexual addiction as an excuse or self- justification for their numerous romantic encounters, leaves many to wonder “ is there really such a thing as sexual addiction?” Although its not recognized under the “American Psychiatric Association,” it is recognized in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of Mental Disorder, the manual includes all currently recognized mental illnesses: not as a sexual addiction but as hyper sexuality, which is the elevated desire to engage in human sexual behavior at a level high enough to be considered problematic and clinically significant. So what sets a hyper sexual behavior apart from philanderers? According to Dr. Patrick J. Carnes addiction suffers are repeatedly and compulsively, attempting to escape emotional or physical discomfort by ritualized, sexualized behavior such as masturbation, pornography including obsessive thoughts. While others try to connect with others through impersonal, intimate behaviors, empty affairs, frequent visits to prostitutes, voyeurism (watching someone engage in sex), exhibitionism (flashing), frotterism

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(rubbing your erect pelvis on an unknowing person for sexual pleasure), and zoophile (engaging in sexual acts with animals). Within sexual addiction an altered norm exists. Sex is to a sex addict as food and, or controlled substances are to other addicts. Sex provides and indescribable “high” and eventually they become reliant on this sexual high to feel normal, and functional. Sex addicts are not just psychotic, perverted neighbor Norman Bates from around the corner; they come from all walks of life. They’re ministers, physicians, therapist, dentist, politicians, and executives. Some were abused as children, be it sexually, emotionally, or physically, and for others they grew up in normal structured loving households. According to Dr. Michael Herkov, in his article Understanding more about Sexual Addiction: Herkov wrote “There is a growing body of evidence that early child abuse especially sexual, becomes a primary factor in the onset of sex addiction, it appears that a biological shift occurs in the brain, which heightens the brains arousal mechanism, as well as limiting the ability to inhibit.” As the addict matures into an adult, they begin to swap out the deeper intimate qualities of a “normal” relationship for less adequate temporary moments of ecstasy. They then begin prioritizing their sexual desires, allowing it to become the dominant principle in their life. In today’s society sex is openly accepted and expressed; but how does one cure someone of something that is uploaded in to our genetic being. Sex is considered under Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs; to be one of the base requirements for someone to complete their path of Love and Belonging sandwiched right between family and friendship. However its when too many of your friendships end in intimacy, thus destroying your family, that a professional is then called to order. Professionals such as Korina Joachim from SRI Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles California has spent eight years nurturing, understanding and rebooting those who suffer from a form of sexual addiction and their families. She explains that most addicts that enter treatment facilities, whether it be Pine Grove in Mississippi, where Tiger Woods was treated, or the Sexual TORCH

Recovery Institute, where the patient is treated at the hands of Dr. Drew Pensky, not because they want to, but because of treatment motivators. The three treatment motivators include: Consequences in there personal life, loss of a marriage and children or pending loss of a marriage and children or the fact that they’ve been arrested or are currently facing legal consequences. Seldom do addicts check themselves into a facility, because they have a problem, because what’s the first step on the path of acceptance of any problem….denial. When addicts first enter a facility, treatment specialist access the addicts psychosocial history, this includes whether or not they have suffered any trauma in their childhood. Often times some sort of trauma has been found in most female addicts, their male counterparts tend to suffer more emotional deprivation related

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issues. They look at the patient’s current situation and if they have any history of substance abuse. At times a troubled pass isn’t the underlying reason for the addict’s behavior, but stems from mental disorders such as being bipolar. Those with this illness are more often to display tremendous swings in sex drive; depending on their current mood, and those that suffer from this are more than often prescribed medication. At times medication may be prescribed without a mental illness but to loweryour libido (sex drive) in hopes to control your sexual compulsions. For others, addiction group therapy is very consoling, it aids in the journey of the addicts healing process. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) holds sessions all over the world; you start with “Hi, my name is BLANK” and follow the 12-step path of sexual enlightenment.

These groups allow people to feel like they’re not the odd man out in a world full of normal and abnormal technicalities. “Sexual Addiction follows the same progressive nature of other addictions, they struggle to control their behavior and experience, despair over their constant failure to do so” says Patrick J. Carnes nationally recognized Pine Grove treatment specialist. And although this addiction can’t be defined as any one behavior, sexual addiction is a force to be reckoned with. It plummets relationships, destroys families, severs trust and leaves not just the addicts hurt and confused, but those that love them are left bewildered and impaired as they deal with the death of the person they thought they knew, and enter a twilight of the addicts second life. Sexual addiction, hyper sexuality, compul-

sivity, is not a sadistic by-product of today’s media, but a medical vexation refusing to be understood by society. So next time you decide to add one more notch to your belt, or take one more glance at that Playboy magazine, stop to ask yourself one question...

Are you a

sex addict?

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A MAKE A DIFFERENCE One Purchase at a time Photos & Story By Desi Sedeno

verage American's have food on their table, clothes on their back, shoes on their feet, a roof over their head and many different types of gadgets at their disposal. Most of us could not go a day without any of these and often take our possessions, as well as our good health, for granted. One of the fastest growing trends today in pop culture is the concept of social responsibility. More and more companies are being started by young entrepreneurs who are looking to make some difference in the world. By making and selling popular products, that in return also do some good for the world and makes the consumer feel good about the purchase. These social entrepreneurs are not only changing the way business is done but also changing the world one purchase at a time. This is where Social Entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie comes in. Mycoskie took a large social problem that needed to be solved and focused the soul purpose of his business to not make a profit but to rather help bring that issue it to an end, as well as raise global awareness. Podoconiosis is a form of elephantiasis that is most common in Africa, Central and South America and Indonesia. The disease is caused by walking barefoot on the fertile volcanic soil that agitates the skin and leads to painful lymph-node swelling of the feet and legs. Often people who suffer from podoconiosis are in so much pain and left disfigured that they themselves cannot walk. The good news is that this is one-hundred percent preventable by a simple pair of shoes. With this in mind, Mycoskie decided in 2006 to start up TOMS Shoes, which stands for shoes for tomorrow. His marketing strategy was simple: "One for One." With every pair that is purchase, TOMS promises to donate a pair of shoes to children around the world, including the United States. There are employee's of TOMS and volunteers who go around the world on "Shoe Drops" and physically put the shoes on the children's feet. Today Mycoskie is the Chief Shoe Giver and TOMS has been able to give out over 400,000 pairs of shoes to children. Another huge global problem is hunger. There are 400 million hungry children in the world, 15 million of which will die of starvation this year alone. After being inspired to help educate and feed the world's hungry children, model and activist Lauren Bush founded

FEED Projects back in 2006. Bush got inspiration after designing a bag to help the United Nations World Food Program's School Feeding Operations. She then came up with the concept of the FEED 1 bag. With the purchase of this organic burlap bag, one starving child in school would be feed for an entire year. There are now a variety of different bags you can purchase (two that will specifically feed Kenya and most recently victims of Haiti) and bracelets as well. A total of 526, 899 bags have been sold since then and 53, 227, 401 meals have been provided. Today there are 1.2 billion people in the world living in poverty. Mycoskie said this to CBS while they followed him on a shoe drop in Ethiopia: "Wearing TOMS is very much a fashion statement, it's just making a statement about maybe your inside and not your outside."

Anyone can make a difference and raise awareness, whether you are a social entrepreneur or just another average citizen with the strive to make the world a better place.

Welcome to Classroom 2.0

By Zachary Romo Photos By Zhana Matkovic

eet “Generation Y,” a group whose perception on their surroundings is based on instant gratification. With an endless supply of knowledge and entertainment at their fingertips, “Y’s” live a life in which there is never a dull moment to possess. Since we live in a society full of flashy advertisements, T.V. shows, video games and cell phones, it’s no surprise that the modern classroom has to acclimate itself to keep up with the ever shortening attention span students now face. One of the most significant attention capturing upgrades to the classroom is the digital projector. This technology revolutionized the way in-

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formation is gathered and shared. With the help of a computer, teachers and students can now present dynamic presentations and broadcast the Internet. With all the necessary resources to generate content being presented in one package; the modern student’s methodology towards learning has evolved. To not mention cell phones would be ignoring the elephant in the classroom. As the millennium rolled in, so did the Nokia 9210 Communicator. This device served as a user-friendly smart phone with capabilities such as text messaging, a simple web browser, and a whopping 16 megabytes of memory.

Today, we have the iPhone, an advanced touch screen smart phone armed with a video camera, multimedia player, a sophisticated web browser and up to 32 gigabytes of memory. This miniature computer showcases the power of modern handheld technology. As teachers push students to communicate online, more students are taking advantage of the ever-evolving online classroom. Until recently, classrooms were used by teachers as the primary means of gathering students for a lecture. Each day, students would sit in class to jot down notes from the chalkboard while trying to keep enough focus on the subject without escaping into a world in their head. Today’s students have the ability to wake up, flip open their laptop and log-in to a virtual classroom. Instead of having a textbook, they have Google, and instead of having classmates, they have a network of like-minded people connected through message boards and web cams. One example of globalizing the exchange of knowledge is presented through what the Massachusetts Institute of Technology calls OpenCourseWare. Officially launched in October 2003, the concept behind this web-based program is to publish nearly all MIT course content to the world. Lecture notes, exams and videos are available free of charge to anyone, anywhere. By 2005, this notion caught on and led to the development of the OpenCourseWare Consortium, which is a “Collaboration of more than 200 higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world creating a broad and deep body of open educational content using a shared model.” These advancements have created a new way

of interacting with our classroom environment. Connecting to other minds by blogging, text messaging, using social-networking sites and logging into virtual classrooms are now common practices. Technology is here to stay. In a way, it’s taking over. To not utilize these new advancements would be cheating students out of their education. With the growing popularity of online courses, social networking sites and the fast paced lifestyle we’re now living, the future of education will keep evolving to suit the needs of society, and it’s this evolution that will ultimately lead to uniting the world into one giant interconnected knowledge bank.

Jay-Z preforming at Madison Square Garden

United by Music By Ja’Mean Beckum

Hip Hop has been labeled many things by many people. Some critics of the music genre have said that its misogynistic lyrics degrade women, promote violence, and even gone as far as saying that’s its breaking down the very fabric of our society with the message that it puts out, but not everyone has such a negative opinion of the music. For some it’s an art, a place to find release through expression, or simply putting on a set of headphones and letting the music take you out of your element. A lot can be said about Hip Hop music, some good, some bad, but one thing is for sure, Hip Hop has affected our society profoundly. One of Hip Hop’s most notable artist, Jay-Z was recently quoted in a television interview with Oprah Winfrey as saying “Hip Hop has helped racism in our society”, a strong statement, especially coming from someone who is known for being very particular with his words. He went on to explain “racism is taught in the home, but how can you tell your son or daughter that they’re better then someone that they look up to, like a Kanye West, or Jay-Z. These are people that they idolize and want to be like.” “Hip Hop brings different races of people together,”said Kimberly a 32-year old Caucasian

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woman from Zeeland, Michigan. “The music is what we all have in common, people getting together to have a good time.” “Hip-Hop taught me a lot about the black culture,” Chris a 25-year-old Chaffey College student. “All I listen to is hip hop; it got me through many hard times. 2-pac was ahead of his time in so many ways, his music touched people of all races” He talks about things in his music that are going on today. He’s been dead for over 10 years and his music is the standard that a lot of artist compares themselves to. 2-Pac was loved because he opened his heart to the world when he rhymed, and that’s why people listened. “When you drive through the suburbs and stop at a light and here D.J. Quik or Snoop Doggy Dogg blasting out of a car it’s not uncommon to see a Hispanic male in the driver seat, or a white kid with spiky hair and baggy clothes” said a 28-year-old Fullerton College student. “It ain’t just in the inner city that you see this, I hang out with white people who listen to nothing but Hip Hop, and hang out with nothing but black people. It would be really hard to tell them that there better then everybody they kick it with.”

“The music is what we all have in common...” Hip Hop has had a big influence in the Asian community as well. The younger generations pack clubs every night of the week. “My friends love hip hop music, I like the beats and the way they make you want to dance all night” said Cherry a 25-year-old woman from Los Angeles. Many people I spoke to seemed to have the same opinion as Jay-Z. Could it be that mainstream media picked up on this trend a while ago and decided to capitalize on it by commercializing it more? That’s what most people seem to think. You see the music used in commercials to promote the NBA, beer commercials, and even car commercials. It’s no longer confined to the previous label that it once was. So why is hip hop music now accepted more and criticized less? It could be that companies believe “if you can’t beat them, join them.” However it shouldn’t be said that Hip Hop doesn’t

still get criticized by certain sections of society, but it’s a far cry from the days of reverends and activist burning Snoop Dogg and Bone Thug cds in the street because of the lyrics and saying the music is corrupting the youth. Truth be told, it seems that it’s having a more positive affect on the community then ever imagined. Rappers like Eminem, and Paul Wall made white kids feel like they were empowered. They felt like if those two could be accepted by the masses then maybe they could as well. They broke that alienation and stigma that hip hop was strictly a “black thing”. Daddy Yankee and Pit Bull made it cool among the Spanish culture, further diversifying the influence of Hip Hop music. Hip Hop has affected cultures and generations, and everyone has something to say about the music, but one thing is for sure, Hip Hop speaks for itself more then anyone can.

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COMMUNITY College: What That says about

YOU!

Nothing bad can be said about someone who seeks a better opportunity through education. After high school, many are granted the opportunity to attend the college of their choice. But what about those who can’t? Some make the best of their situation and opt for community college instead. Trying to enhance one’s knowledge through community college does not make anyone inferior to those enrolled in four-year schools. Community colleges are looked down upon by society for unrealistic reasons. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, community college students constitute 44 percent of all U.S. undergraduates. That’s 11.7 million students. There is nothing unrealistic about that. Community colleges are a beneficial asset to this country, yet they are seen poorly and having a negative stigma attached does not help either. So why does a negative stigma exist? With community college, many perceive the education as not being up to par with the education offered by the universities. It is just not good enough, but not good enough by whose standards? Although the education costs less, it does not mean it is cheap. Professors teaching at community colleges also

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By Alejandra Orozco Photos By Alex Avina

tend to work for the local university, which shows that the material taught here is just as qualitative as it is there. Some see community college as a school for underachievers; filled with people who had no interest in their education beforehand. It can be perceived as undesirable and an insufficient way of obtaining a college education. Perhaps one of the reasons why a negative stigma exists within community college is because many do not understand them. Those who think so crudely of community college are the ones that are viewing them from the outside, without ever putting themselves inside the situation. Some of those people may include four-year university graduates, who think extremely low of the education provided by community college. People need to be much more open-minded about the potential community colleges bring to this country. The negative stigma applied to community college as an institution is evident, but it can also apply to the individual. When looking for a job, it can get a bit challenging. Some employers may see a community college graduate not as qualified as a graduate from a four-year school. They may think that those who obtained a community

college education are not smart enough or hardworking. It is hard to project the benefits of community colleges when they can easily be immersed in a negative light. It does not prove impossible, for there are many advantages that need to be considered. According to the AACC “tuition and fees at public community colleges average less than half of those at public four year colleges and about one tenth of those at private four year colleges.” Not having to deal with the high cost of tuition, this is the perfect opportunity to complete general education requirements and to declare a major if one has not done so already. Not having the grades in high school to attend a four-year school, community college can allow one with the time to boost their GPA; which can increase their chances of getting accepted into the school of their choice. For those wanting to learn a trade, two-year institutions offer facilities that are of great importance to its students. It highly focuses on programs such as cosmetology, auto shop, wielding, construction, and a variety of others. It is a convenient way of learning an area of interest to ones particular needs. Community college can also prepare students to transfer by providing a smoother transition to four-year universities than high school will. It helps students test the waters by having a clear focus on what is to be expected. With the student-to-teacher ratio high in universities, community colleges allow more of an opportunity for professors to connect with students on a more personal level. In recent years, it has become much more acceptable to enroll in a community college, even gaining support from the president. In his State of the Union Address in January, President Barack Obama urged the Senate to pass a bill that “will [help] revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.” Having this kind of national attention proves to others the benefits community colleges provide for this country. According to Rand California, Fullerton College enrolled 18,054 students in 1995. In 2008 Fullerton College had enrolled 22,013 students. One of the reasons why there has been an increase in enrollment not only at Fullerton College, but other

community colleges around the state, has to do with students ignoring the “thirteenth grade” stigma. For many years, community colleges have been neglected by some in our society, but recent times have proved otherwise. It has become much more accepting to obtain a college education from two-year institutions than ever before. Even an increase in enrollment has made some question the potential benefits community colleges offer. Time magazine writer Laura Fitzpatrick has reported that community colleges are “one of the best tools the U.S. has to dig itself out of [this] current economic hole.” Current U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan has stated that community colleges “will play a big role in getting America back on its feet again.” Community colleges have demonstrated that more good than harm can arise from obtaining a college education through their institutions. Yet, you cannot force someone to change their opinions of community college, but you can definitely educate them into seeing the advantages they offer and to dismiss that negative stigma that has done it no justice.

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Planned Parenthood

Orange and San Bernardino Counties

Not Your Mother’s Eggs

One

Appointment Year of Birth Control*

* Some restrictions apply. Call for more information

Hour

Photo & Story By Kaeli Filpi

Make The Connection

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Have you ever wondered what your child will be like? What they will look like? Will they have your smile or your sense of humor? Will they have the same eyes? Possess the same mannerisms? What if you were never able to know these things? These are the type of questions that come along side of egg donation. But here’s another question would these worries and concerns be erased if thousands of dollars was on the line? Egg donation by dictionary definition is “the process by which a woman provides one or several eggs for purposes of assisted reproduction or biomedical research,” and it is becoming more and more popular in women between the ages of 19-26. In fact egg banks tend to target younger women because they are in a sense “more fertile.” “When I walked into the clinic to inquire about egg donation the first thing they asked me was my age, after I told them I was only 22 they seemed much more intrigued and interested,” says Natasha Gilberson a current student at Cal State Fullerton. “I walked into it knowing nothing about it, the only thing I had heard was that it was an easy way to make up to $10,000 and being a broke college student I was up to trying anything,” Natasha says in between random spurts of laughter. But is $10,000 worth selling something that will inevitably become a human life? Does egg donation draw a new line of inhumanity? Not according to Dr. William Hummel who in a recent attempt to pull in egg donors stated, “In being an egg donor

you are contributing to science and are changing the lives of women who are incapable of creating children themselves.” But with morality of the situation aside, the surgery and medical issues itself brings on many other concerns. “I mean they wanted baby pictures, urine samples left and right, they wanted my whole history, which I guess is good but I’m like can’t you just take my eggs and be done with it?” Natasha says in a light happy go lucky tone. Along with intensive medical background and hormone injections an egg donor must also undergo surgery. “The surgery is not a long process and I was told that it was pretty easy, so I’m kind of worried but I’m just looking at the finish line,” states Natasha. With any surgery, egg donation is not risk free. It lowers the chance of becoming pregnant and also puts the mother at higher risk of miscarriages. Fortunately there have never been any fatalities in the egg donating process. “I don’t really think of it as being my child, my eggs are mixed in with the fathers sperm in a petri dish then that is injected into the mother, so technically she’s doing all the “harvesting” I’m just providing her with the tools that she didn’t possess.” Which is an easy way to look at it, but if you were to be going to your favorite coffee shop years later and happen to sit next to someone who looks, sounds and acts just like you would you stop and wonder or just keep on with your everyday life? Then would it seem so easy?

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LIKE A BOY

A. Boyfriend Blazer Steal your dad’s blazer and play with proportion by pairing it with a maxi dress. Try a maxi dress with a print, one of spring’s hottest trends.

B. Grandfather Sweat-

Your grandfather’s sweater never looked so good! When worn with leggings and a studded belt, the staple goes from cozy to chic.

C. Army Parka

Turn the men’s must-have for winter into your latest fashion statement. Add a feminine, lacy dress and a bag with a long chain strap for a kick of personal style.

D. Boy Shorts Don’t be afraid to play up the masculinity of the shorts with a slouchy breton striped shirt. John Lennon glasses optional.

E. Oxford Shirt Take the ultimate menswear piece and pair it with a fluttery, pale colored skirt. Channel your inner Tinkerbell with an androgynous edge.

By Nathaniel Santos

Photos By Kristen Graza

F. Boyfriend Jeans A pair of men’s jeans never looked so goodon you. Wear with a structured, futuristic vest for a high fashion sporty look.

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t r a t e e r t S By Yesenia Abundis

At some point in their lives-probably close to puberty-human beings all develop personal tastes and preferences. This makes it true that beauty in art is subjective to its recipients. Unfortunately in some cases, that beauty in art goes entirely unacknowledged. It is usually ignorance that impairs the vision of those incapable to see the subtle artfulness in everything that artists produce. One art form that has only moved forward with its difficulty to appeal to mainstream art audiences since the decades since its birth is Street Art (most commonly referred to as graffiti). The list of adjectives used by Modern Day Americans to describe Street Art is vast; offensive is one of the most common, followed by urban. But it is the one adjective that truly captures the appeal and special qualities of street art that is the least correlated with that art form: selfless. Unfortunately, for the majority of the public, graffiti is recognized as anything except for “selfless.” To an elderly neighborhood in Fullerton, it is received as defacement of public property. Upon questioning a few of the elders in this local community about street art, Lupe Perez states “It ain’t art [sic.]. It increases my rent and everyone’s taxes and brings cops around here too often.

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Graffiti is destruction of property and I’m glad that officials have been cracking down on these vandals.” What Lupe states about her rent increase existing only as a direct result to street art is true. In her neighborhood, according to property manager Ruthi Munoz, “In order to conceal the vandalism that my community faces on a daily basis, funds are necessary to obtain the supplies needed for erasing [the said vandalism]. My community is considered private property, and thus gains no support from the city for this funding. For this reason alone, residents (including myself) have their rent increased for the month.” However, what is considered vandalism and destruction of property to the formerly questioned ladies, is free publicity, to UHM, a local Fullerton graffer and an FJC student who would like to remain anonymous. “That’s what makes it so different from gallery art.” But unfortunately for UHM and for any other Graffiti Artist, the free publicity that he mentions is not exactly legal. When broken down, street art is the act of painting on public property without the permission from city, county, state or national officials which essentially makes street art vandalism and a crime. In November 2009, internet famed graf-

fer, Revok1 of L.A’s M.S.K., went on a “Vandal Vacation” (as referred to by Swaggernews.com). Revok’s destination: Melbourne, Australia. As any graffer would, Revok got to painting Melbourne’s streets almost immediately upon landing in town. Once he was satisfied with his work, Revok headed for the airport with home on his mind and paint on his hands. Before leaving for home, though, Revok “tweeted” to his “followers” from his mobile phone about his whereabouts. Unfortunately for Revok, Melbourne’s finest subscribed to his feed and he was welcomed warmly by Australian officials upon arriving at the airport. For boasting about his artwork, Revok was caught and fined heavily. For decades graffers have been signing their murals and the lavish works of art that they produce for the enjoyment of their community with aliases. For their attempts to beautify communities that would otherwise be considered eyesores to neighboring communities, graffers are accused of (According to California Penal Code 594) “maliciously damaging or destroying property that is not his or hers.” In fear of facing the minimum penalty of paying a $400 fine, graffers in California (and in all other parts of the world) remain anonymous. Because of its criminal association, graffiti is commonly misconceived as a violent movement. However, graffers argue that elitism, one of the major instigators of violence is not existent in street art. “In every one of my pieces,” UHM says, “I write ‘No Beef, Just Graff.’ And every time I meet new graffers, I shake their hands and tell them to Stay Up.” It seems that graffers have little except for respect and affirmation to offer one another. They are the silent pioneers of an art movement that will truck on until every one of its anonymous representatives runs out of aliases for his or herself. Street Artists are the true martyrs and monks of the 21st century art world. They surrender their voices, names and faces for the sake of their genuine artistic freedom.

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Electronic Music Scene Photos & Story By Jessica Cruz

In the Scene

Like so many other DJ’s, Producers and Singers, LANGDON, Scott Campos and Elleah started out in the scene attending raves, loved it so much that they decided to get into it professionally. “I’ve always been a musician and being a raver kid, I grew to appreciate the music. I thought, I can do both, be a musician and enjoy EDM, so why not be a musician in the EDM scene,” Elleah. For some, it’s a dream come true to be

a DJ, Producer or Singer for EDM and for those people it’s all about patience according to DJ and Producer, Ei8ht. You don’t become known overnight, it takes time to get your feel down, it’s what people associate with you when hearing your music. Another aspect of this scene that some people overlook is the professional dancing, those girls standing on platforms, getting everyone excited to dance. “Go-go’s are great! They are the center of the party,” says DJ Scott Staley.

Following the Scene

It’s a feeling of bliss walking into a club that’s playing electronic dance music. The Go-Go dancers are lit up and elevated for the crowd to gape at, their bodies moving to the resonance of the music. On stage, the DJ connects with hundreds of eyes watching and waiting for his signal of feeling for the bass to drop. People around are smiling and untroubled, dancing to the touch of the music. The experience of these pulsating vibes are like no other.

From Detroit

Contrary to popular belief, EDM originated in Detroit, Michigan in the 1980’s. For some reason or another, many followers put confidence in the idea that EDM was conceived in Europe, probably owing to the fact that most of the leading names in the scene are European. Although with Top Dutch DJ/Producer’s Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto, Europe looks to be at the top of the EDM scene, they are not in the vanguard of this music scene. Detroit in the 80’s was also when and where raves (underground parties) emerged. Earlier in the scene these underground parties were known formally as raves, were described to have rave music or fast-paced dance music. The wild party attendees were known to use club

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drugs known as MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines, which led to it’s anomalousness. Since then, the scene has evolved and grown throughout the world. “Attempts have been made to shake the stigma by changing the name of the events from ‘raves’ to ‘festivals,’ but the stigma still remains,” Hans Thurau, founder of Clubdistrict.com explains. Today, EDM is more accepted and mainstream. In Orange County, the scene isn’t huge, but along with the vivacious EDM followers, local DJ’s like LANGDON, Andy D’Arrigo, DJ Deone, Scott Staley and Ei8ht are hoping it’ll consistently be on the up rise. Luckily, Los Angeles, the leading city in Southern California for EDM is less than an hour away.

Not knowing the right people one would discover the difficulty in successfully finding the EDM hot spots in Orange County and LA. Websites like ClubDistrict.com, make it possible for promoters to post events so that all partygoers looking to follow the EDM scene can easily plan out their weekend. The big festivals or raves are also listed on a new popular website, “ClubDistrict.com is facilitating the introduction of both well

known and unknown EDM artists to our network of visitors in a new multimedia format. Our direct connection with the major EDM labels and public relation firms give us unprecedented access to these artists, industry news and early music releases. ClubDistrict’s support of EDM is helping this global music format penetrate deeper into the U.S. club scene,” Hans says proudly about his online creation.

The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles blasting the music compilations of DJ Tiesto

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Be a Part of a New Online Publication Want to utilize your Spanish language ability and be a part s something new? Enroll in JOUR 196 and be a part of Fullerton College’s Spanish Language online publication - La Antorcha. There are no prerequisites and you don’t have to be a journalism major. You just have to be interested in exploring the Spanish speaking community. You will learn the basic skills to write, edit, photograph and stream video for an online publication. You can cover: news, sports, entertainment, politics, fashion, culture, technology, or anything else. A whole new world is waiting for you. Enroll today!

Sea parte de una nueva publicación en línea ¿Quiera utilizar su capacidad de español y ser una parte s algo nuevo? Aliste en JOUR 196 y sea una parte de la publicación en línea de la español de la universidad de Fullerton - La Antorcha. No hay requisitos previos y usted no tiene que ser un comandante del periodismo. Usted solo tiene que estar interesado en la exploración de la comunidad de habla hispana. Usted aprenderá las destrezas básicas para escribir, para corregir, para fotograﬁar y para ﬂuir el vídeo para una publicación en línea. Usted puede cubrir: noticias, deportes, hospitalidad, política, manera, cultura, tecnología, o todo lo demás. Un nuevo mundo entero le está esperando. ¡inscribese hoy!

JOUR 274

Mondays, Wednesdays at 2 - 3:50 p.m. Room: 722A

Spanish-Language Media

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell By Tucker Max

Be a part of Fullerton College’s new

This is quickly becoming a comedy cult favorite. Tucker Max, a recreational alcoholic takes his audience through many anecdotes that are sure to raise laughs and controversy.

La Antorcha Siddhartha By Hermann Hesse Siddhartha depicts the Journey of a Brahmin’s son who quests for enlightenment and meaning. The protagonist goes through various social classes and realizations as he attempts to reach his goal of attaining nirvana. Great for anyone who feels they are searching for themselves.

-When to read: Under a bodhi tree, sitting Indian style.

-When to Read: Before going out on Saturday night or on a trip to Vegas.

MUST READS

A Confederacy of Dunces By John Kennedy Toole

The author killed himself before he ever saw the book published, which is reason enough to be curious. This character driven story follows Ignatius J. Reilly, a 30 year old man living with his mother in New Orleans. This very witty and humorous, novel is perfect for the summer.

–When to read- On the greyhound bus.

By Torian Pizzola

A Clockwork Orange By Anthony Burgess

If you really enjoy thought provoking material this novel has a buffet for your mind. It demands consideration of human nature, the importance of choice, and ethics. The protagonist Alex is a young man in love with ultra violence and an appreciation for classical music.

–When to read: Strapped to chair, unable to blink.

The Elements of Style By William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White

Your teachers will sing praises if the knowledge in this book is applied to writing assignments. A writing handbook, this could be considered the Bible for writers. William Strunk’s rules are precise and to the point. A must have for any English majors, and college students in general.

-When to Read: Before taking English 100

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IF you only had one day to live...

What’s Next

For You?

By Lizz Duenweg

With endless possibilities for response what better way then to let Fullerton College students input what they believe to be a worthwhile experience of a lifetime. What’s one of the most important things to do before you die and why?

“I would like to travel to Japan” says Cheyenne Jones, a freshman at FC “I really like the culture there.” “I would like to get my American citizenship because I would feel more apart of the country I live in.”

“I plan on go“I want to go to ing to Japan for the Ireland” Leslie Chrisstudy abroad program tian says smiling “I through Fullerton want to know where College,” Cheyenne I get my curly hair describes from!” While these endeavors seem easily attainable, we’ve all heard of the saying some things are easier said then done. So what will pressure you to

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t’s a life altering question that many hesitate to answer let alone think of or ask ourselves. The reality is that we are too caught up in our day-to-day lives: going to work, school, seeing and spending time with friends and family to where we have forgotten what makes life worth living for in the first place. And there are some of us who have already started putting together what most like to call a “bucket list”. It’s a list of activities, goals, and dreams that someone wants to achieve or accomplish before they “kick the bucket”. While it may seem like an overwhelming and unnerving experience to achieve then you have no idea what you’re missing out on until you’ve finally done something that’s worth living for.

complete these goals? Most people go their whole life without accomplishing anything that they wanted to do or see. And then sometimes our worst enemy is ourselves and we can get caught up in the chaos of the 21st century.

“I’m not sure” Josh Soto admits thinking of the question. “Getting married and having kids that’s important to me. I’m already engaged” he describes.

At National University,

>> Guaranteed admission

>> No enrollment fee

worked to get this far, and we

>> Flexible scheduling

And some of us may already have plans for the future. We may have already decided to accomplish some our biggest dreams and goals after we finish college, but have we ever asked ourselves, what happens after we complete it? Do are lives have more meaning? Does it make our life more complete and fulfilled? What do we have to live for after we complete it?

want to help you get even

>> Unique one-course-per-month format

further. As a community

>> Scholarship programs

know

how

hard

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college transfer student you’ll be able to take advantage of these great benefits. . .

“I think a little bit,” Cheyenne hesitating answers, “it wouldn’t complete my life like other things would.”

The University of Values 1 . 8 0 0 . N AT. U N I V

getinfo. nu .edu/transfer