GWCTWS issue3 fall 2016

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Western Sun Volume 51, Number 3 n Nov. 21-Dec. 4, 2016

History in front of your eyes

MADISON HOPKINS | Western Sun

With more than one million people passing through Golden West College since opening in 1966, the campus holds much in the way of history and artifacts. To commemorate its anniversary, the GWC Art Gallery has been hosting the “GWC: The First 50 Years� historic retrospect during the month of November. People can walk through five decades of memorabilia, photographs and art installations including the above Rustler band jacket. Leading this twoyear project is retired charter faculty member John Wordes and current college historian. The exhibit ends on Wednesday. Gallery hours on Tuesday and Wednesday are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (714) 895-8316 or go to gwcartgallery@gwc.cccd.edu. The Gallery is located in Fine Arts building room 29. Story and more photos, Page 2.

The newspaper of Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California

n www.westernsun.us

2 NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016 | THE WESTERN SUN

NEWS

Plot twist : Donald trumps Hillary

By Casey N. Wilson Editor-in-chief

After an election that has felt longer than most presidential terms, we finally have our results. In a surprising triumph, Donald Trump will become the 45th president.

Many of us are probably wondering – how the heck did this happen? Polls taken before ballots were cast had Clinton in the lead by 70 percent. Yet by the end of the day, Trump was our new president-elect.

The dollar plummeted the day after the election, as economists had warned would happen if Trump won

the presidency. While things calmed down on the economy front, the top Google searches were for information on moving to Canada. The Canadian immigration website crashed on Tuesday due to Americans searching for homes and new jobs up north.

The internet has erupted. Twitter users are campaigning for Michelle Obama to run for president in 2020 and people are using social media to comfort one another about Clinton’s defeat. Trump fans aren’t hiding their feelings either although they are in much better spirits.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called this “the most incredible politi-

cal feat I have seen in my lifetime.”

Electing Trump wasn’t the only history-making news from Nov. 9.

California legalized marijuana, will be taking care of school facilities, encourage a multilingual and English education, among other of the many measures that were in the ballot.

More women are taking positions in politics this election. When Catherine Cortez Masto was elected for Nevada’s senate, she became the first Latina senator. Kamala Harris, California’s new senator, is the first elected Indian American. Florida elected Stephanie Murphy, a VietnameseAmerican woman, to Congress. Or-

egon’s Kate Brown is the first LGBT governor and a female legislator is Somali-American muslim and former refugee Elham Omar. The state of Washington elected an Indian-American into the House of Representatives, Pramila Jayapal.

This election has brought about a debate about the electoral college and also has sparked the topic of third party votes. Harambe received 15,000 votes; votes that could have changed the outcome of the election.

While the country is currently divided, Clinton said it best when she said, “We must accept this result and then look to the future.”

GWC honors past with historical retrospective

T

Golden West College has won more athletic championships (above) than any community college in the state. The 25th anniversary quilt top left) and the 50th anniversary quilts have been popular attraction at the exhibit. The Apollo 16 space capsule (below, left) was displayed on campus. Students got a chance to look, but not touch, a moon rock.

o commemorate the 50th anniversary of Golden West College, the art gallery is hosting “GWC: The First 50 Years” throughout the month of November.

As you walk through the exhibit you truly feel the Rustler Pride as you gaze at five decades of pictures and memorabilia. There are displays of Awards of Excellence that departments of the school has received.

Trophies and Golden West artefacts decorate every inch of the exhibit. A must see are the quilts from the 25th and 40th anniversary hung on the walls.

The gallery will also features a glimpse into future of Golden West with artist renderings of the STEM center, Criminal Justice and Student One-Stop Center.

There is so much more to the place that we go to to further our education and broaden our horizons. The museum shows that Golden West has never failed to provide “Oceans of opportunity” in all of its 50 years.

–Photos and text by MADISON HOPKINS

NEWS

NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016 | THE WESTERN SUN 3

Around the globe without leaving campus GWC echoed with the sound of drums and resonating voices on Nov. 16 as performers passionately displayed a Haka as the school celebrated the International Festival.

Flags from numerous nations flew high above the outdoor quad near the Student Center. Students waited to check in to the event and pick up a paper passport to fill with stickers from different booths.

Polynesian performers took the stage and everyone was in awe of their talent. At one point, each dancer invited an audience member on stage to learn how to shake it like they do in the islands.

Throughout the day, other cultural performances took place that enveloped everyone into the cultural celebration.

–MADISON HOPKINS

MADISON HOPKINS | Western Sun

Polynesian dancers invited people onto the stage to learn how to do various island dances during last week’s International Festival..

GWC student shines as Miss Huntington Beach

By Casey N. Wilson Editor-in-chief

Golden West student Jena Jean Farris has organzied two Huntington Beach relay for life events and has raised more than $4,000 for cancer research.

On Oct. 15, Golden West’s own Jena Jean Farris became Miss Huntington Beach. Faris, born in Fountain Valley, is a sociology major.

Faris is an office manager at a local business where she also designs jewelry. She volunteers at the Assistance League of Huntington Beach. During her free time, she spends time with her family, watching baseball and spending time at the beach.

“I hope to be a role model to young women and be a positive force in the community,” Farris said. “As Miss Huntington Beach, my main goal is to

share my platform the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I’ve been involved with this organization for many years. Everyone knows someone who’s life has been affected by cancer and I hope that in my lifetime we discover a cure and eradicate this disease.”

Faris has competed in the pageant four times, first when she was 17 years old and a senior at Marina High School. Her math teacher, Jill Hardy is the mayor of Huntington Beach and the one that brought the pageant to Faris’ attention.

“Jill and I had gotten to know each other well while I was her student and as she knew that I was community

service oriented, she came to me and told me about the pageant and the scholarship and community service opportunities that came with it and that I should consider being a contestant,” Farris said.

Farris has organized two Huntington Beach relay for life events and raised more than $4,000 for cancer research.

The Miss Huntington Beach contest began in 1910 and provides a $3,000 scholarship to the winner and $1,500 each to both of the runners-up. They represent the city throughout the year at various events.

More information about the Miss Huntington Beach pageant can be found at www.misshb.org

4 NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016 | THE WESTERN SUN

ENTERTAINMENT

GWC’s newest play is a brilliant ‘Piece’ to witness

By Thom DeMartino Staff Writer It’s said it was the war that caused the country to lose its collective mind: where the American Dream was put to the test, and found painfully lacking. Soldiers went into battle thinking it was for freedom and a righteous cause, that their nation would be there for them when they rotated back to “the world:” instead, they returned home disillusioned, betrayed — strangers in their own country.

No one could comprehend the horrors they’d seen without having been there.

“A Piece of My Heart,” directed

by Martie Ramm and now playing at Golden West College’s Mainstage Theater, takes an unflinching and powerful look at the tragedies of Vietnam War through the eyes of six women who were stationed there, in different capacities: three enlisted nurses, one Red Cross nurse, a military intelligence officer, and the lead singer of a band touring the bases and entertaining the boys “in country.”

Each woman has her own set of challenges and strengths: vocalist Maryjo (Nicole Kelder) wants to make a name for herself and her band, never suspecting what the experience will truly cost her; Whitney (Renee Curtis) comes from a wealthy background but chooses to serve in the Red Cross, not realizing the rigorous standards they impose just to protect their image; Steele (Lydia McDonald) serves as a military intelligence analyst — but, being both an African-American and a woman, is frequently dismissed and ignored, despite her skills.

Meanwhile, Martha (Katherine Heflin,) is an Army brat following in her family’s tradition, serving as a nurse alongside Sissy (Catherine Yount), a sheltered Pennsylvania girl and Leeann (Zia Wynn) who, being of Italian/Chinese descent, has the special challenge of contending with bias against her by her own countrymen in the Asian-populated country.

But the tragedies and tribulations the women endure are not limited to foreign climes: returning to the States,

Photo courtesy Golden West theater department

‘A Piece Of My Heart’ takes an unflinching look at the tragedies of the Vietnam. they contend with undiagnosed and unidentified illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a nation that professes its appreciation for their service — yet ignores or resents them, even mires them in red tape. Each one must find her own path, her own way to come to terms with what she has witnessed or done, her own way to make peace with the past.

The nearly two-hour show flies by, as the narration and rapid-fire dialogue of the various characters weave seamlessly into that of the others, never missing a beat — the audience doesn’t even have a moment to get bored, as each piece of experience from each individual adds to the complete picture: a fuller, unadulterated perception of a conflict that most people stateside could never conceive of. And where normally one or two performances could be singled out in

a review, in this case it is impossible: every actor is remarkable in their portrayals, creating well-rounded and sympathetic characters whom the audience can’t help but empathize with, and feel that they truly come to know and understand.

Of special recognition should be Matthew Cobb, playing every single male in the production, with great variation, humor and pathos, accordingly — not a small feat.

Kudos must also be given to Tim Mueller’s set design, a multimedia tapestry of backdrop, lighting and projection: take note of the American flag background as it dissolves heavenward, a beautiful and subtle statement on the theme of the play.

“Unlike all the cast and crew members in this play, I was actually alive during America’s involvement in Vietnam,” explains director Ramm in the

show’s program. “I remember seeing it played out live on the nightly news. I remember the sorrow and angst in the streets and the heated confusion that surrounded every political, social and psychological aspect of it.

“I had wanted to direct this play for many years . . . I am invigorated by the opportunity to explore how these characters felt as their distinctive paths brought them all to service in Vietnam, and how that path marked them for the rest of their lives.”

A remarkable performance that embeds the audience side by side with those who’ve seen too much in one of America’s most controversial and bloody conflicts, “A Piece of My Heart” is a powerful must-see in an already impressive theater season from Golden West College.

NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016 | THE WESTERN SUN 5

ENTERTAINMENT

Disney’s ‘Queen of Katwe’ earns its crown

By Serena O’Sullivan Entertainment Editor In chess, the small one can become the big one. To Phiona Mutessi, a young Ugandan girl who has grown up in abject poverty, these words reflect her own desires to rise from a poor and powerless girl to a woman with the power to carve her own destiny. Chess allows her to achieve her dreams, and Disney’s newest film allows audiences to join her on her inspiring yet extremely difficult journey.

Based on a true story, “The Queen of Katwe” takes place in an extremely poor city in Uganda, where rich and poor are painted in stark contrast.

There are the privileged, white-collar children who play chess and go to fancy school, and then there’s Phionna (Madina Nalwanga) and her family: poor, hungry, and hardworking maize sellers. It’s only when Phionna runs into the big-hearted and brilliant Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) that she is able to rise from her position in the world and find success.

Although the “Queen of Katwe” focuses on the titular chess genius, the film also delves deeply into the lives of chess teacher Robert and Phionna’s mother Nakku Harriet,, played by Lupita Nyong’o.

In a less sophisticated director’s hands, Nakku could have easily been

Walt Disney Pictures

With help from teacher Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), Phionna (Madina Nalwanga) finds empowerment through chess. a stereotypical nagging mother: she spends much of her time hounding Phionna and questioning her dreams of becoming a chess champion, filling Phionna’s head with doubt and fear.

But Lupita Nyong’o’s superb acting allows her character’s motherly love to come through, and audiences understand that her reservations come only from a harsh, unforgiving life that can only be improved upon at the end.

Even though it’s a Disney movie,

“Queen of Katwe” doesn’t shy from showing poverty in full, excruciating detail. Director Mira Nair honestly depicts the grittiness, struggles and despair those in poverty struggle through, yet she also shows the joy and wonder of a loving and supportive community. “Queen of Katwe” isn’t just the story of Phionna’s rise to stardom: the whole community all of Katwe shares her success, from her fellow chess students to the working

man who always asks how her day is doing.

Although its long run time can wear on viewers that aren’t fascinated by chess, the passionate performances and eye-opening look into the life of a Ugandan girl prove this movie to be life-changing in the best of ways.

More stories like this need to be told: hopefully the “Queen of Katwe” is the first of many.

Four out of four stars.

‘Moonlight’ sheds light on marginalized lives

By Spencer Otte Staff writer Occasionally, a film will come out that in addition to being excellent in visuals and execution, also gives the unique opportunity to open new perspectives to the viewer. Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight is one of those films.

The film, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s autobiographical stage play, In Moonlight, Black Boys Look Blue follows Chiron, a young, impoverished, gay, black man living in the projects of Miami, as he grows from childhood to adulthood. It is told in three acts, beginning with Chiron

(Alex Hibbert) as a shy elementary school student, followed by Chiron in high school (this time played by Ashton Sanders) tormented by bullies for his sexuality, and finally, Chiron as a man (Trevante Rhodes), making his living as a semi-successful drug dealer in Atlanta. The three actors show a clear and natural evolution of the character, from a 9 year old beginning to realize his sexuality, to a quiet and thoughtful, yet authoritative and stern ex-con. This is shown especially when the adult Chiron’s tough exterior break down and his demeanor reverts to that which he had in high school

– nervous, stuttering, and clearly uncomfortable in his own skin, after receiving a phone call from a figure of his past.

Nearly all the characters show depth and complexity. In addition the performances, especially those of all the actors playing the two main characters, Chiron and his love interest, Kevin (Jaden Piner, Jharrell Jerome, and Andre Holland), and Juan (Mahershala Ali), the local drug dealer who acts as a father figure to Chiron, and raises the boy when his drug addled mother (Naomi Harris).

In this current national climate,

racial tension runs high. Films like these can open eyes and hearts to the experiences and perspectives that would otherwise be closed to the viewer. This film maturely and sympathetically portrays serious issues like the black identity, the cycle of violence and crime that poverty creates, the struggles and prejudices faced by gay teens, and mass, often unjust, incarceration of the African American community.

It’s melancholy and quiet thoughtfulness is sure to stick with anyone who sees it and inspire thinking.

6 THE WESTERN SUN | NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016

OPINION

Is Trump’s victory REALLY that bad?

By Serena O’Sullivan Entertainment Editor

W

Illustration by SERENA O’SULLIVAN

Exploitation TV won the election

By Thom DeMartino Staff writer

I

f you have an uncontrollable urge to alternate between laughing hysterically or weeping with abandon since the 2016 presidential election, you’re not alone. All you have to do is switch on your TV or mobile device to witness people both grieving and rioting because of the results, while others are jubilant and celebratory, thrilled at the end of politics as usual.

But are we really all so sure about that?

Full disclosure: this journalist voted for Bernie Sanders in the primary — therefore, comprehended the urge of so many voters to roll the dice and chance the unknown: something, ANYTHING had to be better than the malfeasance, corruption and gamesmanship we’ve seen repeatedly for so many years in Washington, under both parties leadership — right?

Perhaps Trump’s ultra-conservative vitriol during the campaign was just bluster, just more outrageous statements by a consummate showman?

Then we saw his list of just some of his potential nominees for governmental positions — that reads like a rogue’s gallery of the intolerant and biased.

Nevermind VP-elect Mike Pence, with his documented history of suppressing LGBTQ and women’s rights as governor of Indiana — there’s possible Supreme Court candidate Judge William H. Pryor Jr. who has stated sex between consenting homosexual

adults “has historically been recognized as a wrong.

It is not a fundamental right.” He’s also compared it to “polygamy, incest, pedophilia, prostitution and adultery.”

Then we have Attorney General nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions, whose track record is checkered with enmity toward civil rights and questionable statements about those who support them (witnesses have testified that he once called a white civil rights attorney a “disgrace to his race” and referred to the NAACP as “un-American”). There’s Steve Bannon, executive chairman of the “alt-right” (ultra-conservative) Breitbart News, tapped by Trump to be his chief strategist in the White House, despite evidence of holding views bordering on white nationalist and anti-Semitic and retired Gen. Michael Flynn, his pick for national security adviser, who has referred to Islam as “a cancer.”

So much for “healing the wounds” of a country.

So, what was the lesson of this election? Showmanship, not substance, wins the day in America.

The more outrageous, garish and grandiose the politician, the more they’ll be rewarded with free publicity from the networks and media: because it’s not about news, it’s about ratings and market share.

The president-elect has clearly stated how he intends to sue journalists that are critical or “unfair” to him, and has even threatened to imprison his opponents — so I suppose this time next year, I’ll be seeing you in the gulag, comrade.

ith the 2016 election come and gone, people have been crawling out of the woodwork to fill their social media pages with despair and drama. Celebrities tweet out overemotional phrases like, “The world is a darker place than the day before,” or “This is a call to arms,” and a top trending post on tumblr bemoans that “This election result means that hatred and sexism won.”

No. This election means that people are sick of established politicians and wanted to take a chance on a new devil rather than the one they’re familiar with. Gender and bigotry’s got nothing to do with it: Clinton meant 4 more years of Obama, and hundreds of thousands of Americans couldn’t stomach more lies and incompetence, so they took a chance on a wild card--or should I say Trump card?

I’ve watched both sides during this election, and they’re all guilty of sensationalization and dirty fighting, only the same people who hatefully mocked all Trump supporters now insist on acting like angelic victims. Now you’ve got hashtags like #hesnotmypresident, #stillwithher, and, my personal favorite, #Calexit.

Trump’s victory does not mean that kids have been shown that bullies win. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are bullies: Donald’s just more upfront about it. Hillary is like the suave, sneaky class president whose power ensures she can bend people to her whims, whereas Trump is like a loud and vulgar football team captain. What we needed was the stirring and passionate Bernie Sanders, but whoops, the DNC decided he had to go, and now we’re stuck with Trump.

No president brings all of his promises to life. Obama sure didn’t. I don’t believe for one second that Donald Trump is going to build a wall, and he’s certainly not going to deport the United States Department of Homeland Security’s estimated 11.4 million unauthorized immigrants; he’s only going after criminals, not the millions of hardworking people that help bolster our economy.

Both Obama and Trump have emphasized the importance of working together moving forward, yet people are shutting down streets in protest. Republicans lived with eight years of Obama; Democrats can at least live with four years of Trump. Give him a chance before blasting him out of the water.

NOV. 21-DEC. 4, 2016 THE WESTERN SUN 7

SPORTS

Undefeated, men’s soccer wins OEC title

By Austin Swartz Staff writer

AUSTIN SWARTZ | Westerm Sim

Erick Gomez (8) eludes the Orange Coast College double team in a match played Nov. 10 at Golden West.

The Rustlers defeated OCC, 2-1.

The Rustlers men’s soccer team continued their history-making undefeated season by defeating Cerritos College, 2-1, in the first round of the Southern California Regional playoffs Saturday at Golden West. The team, seeded No. 2 in the playoffs, (14-07) scored a goal in each half and will now face Pasadena City College at home on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

“This is the first time that I know that a GW team has gone undefeated this far,” said assistant coach Heath Oberle.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of luck to be undefeated this far in the season,” Oberle said, “We hope we can keep it going until December.”

Golden West closed out the Orange Empire Conference season on Nov. 10 with a 2-1 win over rival OCC, capping off an OEC championship season with a record of nine wins and five draws. The team has scored 40 goals this season.

Winning has become somewhat of a habit under head coach Alex Gimenez who in his tenure has secured the Rustlers’ third conference title in the past five years.

The backbone of this team stems from its dominant defense which allowed the fewest goals of any team this season, conceding only 12 conference goals in 14 games while allowing only 19 overall including three in the last six matches.

Football season ends after loss to Fullerton

By Austin Swartz Staff writer Golden West ended its season on Nov. 12 with a 59-27 loss to Fullerton, the No. 1-ranked team in California. It was a hard fought game that saw Golden West (4-6 overall, 3-2 in conference) take an early 6-0 lead, but couldn’t hold up as the Hornets would

put up 45 unanswered points in the span of three quarters. Thus ending any chance of a bowl game coming to Golden West.

Pushing the offense upfield was no easy task but freshman Darren Sandoval was able to march for 97 yards against a team that only averages 88 yards per game, as well as making a big cut for a 69 yard long run ending

in a touchdown.

Zimari Manning also caught the ball 8 times for 78 yards and a TD which puts him in second on the list in touchdowns (10) in conference for a wide reciever this season. Quinn McElfresh also made himself heard by nabbing 7 passes of his own and a TD coming from the hands of quarterback Adam Vance.

Coming up big on the defense, Hunter Margain took the quarterback down for two sacks, leading the team with a tally of 6 tackles on the night. Mathew Posey also helped by intercepting the ball for the third time this season and making a quick 20 yard return before being taken down.

Rimareyae Harvey and Kory Garcia were also both able to force a fumble.

8 NOV. 21 -DEC 4, 2016 | THE WESTERN SUN

SPORTS

Photo from CCCAA-TV

The Rustlers men’s water polo team celebrate in the pool Saturday after winning another state championship, this time over Long Beach, 15-8.

Champions in Speedos Golden West’s men’s water polo team captures its 24th CCCAA championship by defeating Long Beach City, 15-8.

By Madison Hopkins Staff writer The Golden West College (31-0) men’s water polo team claimed the program’s 24th California Community College Athletic Association state championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Rustlers did so in emphatic fashion with a 15-8 victory over Long Beach City College (22-7) in a match played at Los Positas College.

Golden West defeated San Joaquin Delta 15-8 in the state semifinals.

The Rustlers set the tone with their defense early on, keeping Long Beach off the scoreboard until the 2:24 mark of the second quarter. By that time, Golden West had worked up a 9-0 lead over the Vikings, thanks to three goals by Peter Lovas, two more from Alex Nathan, and another pair from Lachlan Trabinger.

Long Beach’s first strike would come deep into the second quarter when Miles Martinez helped convert

GWC athletics

MVP Peter Lovas scored a game-high five goals against Long Beach City College in the championship game. a 6-on-5 opportunity for the Vikings.

Golden West would go on to match the Long Beach effort when Rowan Farrell scored on a power play to make it 10-1. The Vikings would try to make a late run in the third quarter, using a 3-1 spurt to cut their deficit to seven after a goal by Gavin Kunkle.

The Rustlers would score the next two and put the game away to secure the state championship victory.

In the victory, tournament MVP Lovas scored a game high five goals

for Golden West. Nathan would add three, Tom McJannett would help draw a team high three exclusions, while goalie Sid Dymond put on a show in the cage with 17 saves and a pair of steals. For Long Beach, Kunkle scored three times and draw a game high five exclusions, while Teo Dadic added three more to go with a game high four steals.

To no one’s surprise, the men’s team clinched the Southern California Regional championship against

Long Beach, 16-5, on Nov. 12.

“Our team has worked very hard since August 15, the team has made a lot of progress in all areas: defensively, tactically, and fundamentally,” said Scott Taylor, men’s water polo coach.

“We are proud of the history of the program and of the school.”

The team gained some redemption against Long Beach City College after a devistating loss to LBCC in last year’s state championship final.