LMC Experience Vol. 94 No. 1 - Spring 2021

Twins shine in front of camera

Art class in the digital age

LMC choir hosts virtual show

The Roemer sisters, who both attend LMC, have big dreams of working in the modeling industry — page 6

Despite barriers from COVID-19. art students and instructors are finding new ways to create — page 4

The 26th Annual Gospel Celebration Concert goes online for the first time — page 5

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Academic Senate adopts pledge

By WESTON HOPKINS

Posted online Feb. 6, 2021

The Los Medanos College, Diablo Valley College and Contra Costa College Academic Senates kicked off Black History Month by unanimously adopting an anti-racism pledge Feb.1 at a tri-senate meeting.

The pledge was drafted in and adopted by the ASCCC during the fall 2020 virtual plenary session, along with multiple other resolutions that strive to create an equitable institution for all.

A portion of the pledge reads, “Identify how racism, bias, stereotyping and discrimination have limited the roles and contributions of individuals and groups, and how these limitations challenged and continue to challenge our society.”

LMC Academic Senate President Dr. James Noel described how quick-

Screenshot compiled by Weston Hopkins• Experience

DVC, CCC and LMC Academic Senate Presidents Dr. James Noel, Dr. John Freytag and Katie Krolikowski at the tri-senate meeting. ly the joint senate came together to pass the pledge.

“I know teaching remotely can be quite quite difficult but it’s amazing how quickly we met late last week and we figured out a way to kind of get everyone together,” said Noel.

The initial wording of the ASCCC pledge was geared towards faculty,

but DVC Academic Senate President John Freytag said the senates want all members of the Contra Costa Community College District to consider taking the pledge.

“This can be a pledge somebody takes as an individual or with a coworker, or at the programmatic or department level,” said Freytag.

One concern was brought by senate member Janice Townsend, regarding a previous anti-racism resolution that was passed by the LMC senate back in October of 2020.

Townsend wanted to make sure that this new pledge and the actions that come from it will connect back to the previous resolution.

“When we take action as a senate I want us to always tie it back to that document, I would like that this ties to our very first organizational value,” said Townsend.

When the senates took a vote on the pledge, all 37 members present voted yes to adopt it district-wide.

See PLEDGE, page 7

District tackles drop in students Plans to form new strategies.

By SARINA GROSSI

Posted online June 3, 2021

The Swiss Cheese Model of Pandemic Defense was displayed in the May 4 zoom presentation on facilities readiness.

Facility preparedness to be evaluated Safety is the main goal.

By SARINA GROSSI

Posted online June 3, 2021

As the spring semester ends and more people are getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the Contra Costa Community College District is preparing for the return of in-person class sessions. To ensure the campuses are safe for students to attend, the district is taking steps to see that facilities are up to date

Vaccine goal is proposed

completed the assessment of all buildings and will share assessment results with 4CD personnel,” said and functioning properly.

District Chancellor Bryan Reece.

In partnership with Taylor En- “The assessment will tell us the gineering and TRC, the district is condition of each building and will assessing the heating, ventilation provide a discussion around planned and air conditioning (HVAC) sys- improvements.” tems at all campuses, including Los TRC will start with the field asMedanos, and discussing possible sessments, working with six sites, upgrades to the buildings to address 129 buildings, 440 building systems public health concerns surrounding and 1.7 million square feet of space.

COVID-19.

A team of eight engineers will “In mid to late June, we will have collaborate with the Maintenance

See FACILITY, page 7

See DISTRICT, page 7

Colleges issued warning

Commission is worried about district.

By WESTON HOPKINS

“It was obvious that you pulled together and just made it happen so In an effort to hold the Contra students continued to be served,”she Costa Community Colleges District said. “That’s to your credit how you Governing Board accountable, all always focused and continue to focus district colleges — including Los on students.”

Medanos — have been The five areas of concern issued a warning by the the review team cited all accrediting agency that point toward the district and reviewed them for quality the governing board, not the last fall. colleges. LMC Accreditation The Accrediting CommisLiaison Of ficer, Chialin sion for Community and JuHsieh, explained why the nior Colleges virtually visited warning was given to the LMC and the other colleges colleges in the first place.

President in the district — Contra “Districts are not acKratochvil Costa and Diablo Valley — to credited and colleges are. confirm their self-study reports on Therefore, all three colleges (LMC, the regular six-year review cycle. DVC, and CCC) received a warning The warning requires follow-up because the Commission cited that reports due next fall though the district areas of improvements may colleges remain accredited during affect the colleges,” she wrote. the period of extra review.

There was controversy surroundThose who attended the exit report ing the governing board during the at the end of October 2020 visit may accreditation team’s visit, particularly be confused about the warning, as around former board members, Greg Peer Review Team Chair Debra Enholm and Vicki Gordon. Both Daniel had nothing but praise for former members had anonymous the college See COLLEGE, page 7 Posted online Feb. 23, 2021

By KATHERINE DAY

Posted online May 29, 2021

There have been over 591,000 deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States and 3.49 million worldwide since the outbreak began in 2019.

However, more and more Americans are becoming eligible to get one of the three available COVID-19 vaccinations: Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.

President Joe Biden has set the goal to get at least 70% of the U.S population vaccinated with one dose by the Fourth of July to drastically improve immunity levels as quickly as possible.

While more than a month away, making this deadline will be challenging, said Mar yanne Hicks, LMC nursing department co-chair, explaining they will need “workforce

and Operations staff on campus to examine the current state of the systems and needed modifications.

Colman Snaith, the assessment lead and the director of engineering for TRC, explained that the team specializes in building operations and how to make buildings more energy efficient. These qualifications make them more equipped to assess the buildings’ needs. After the assessments are complete, Taylor Engineering will offer recommen-

Over the past year, there has been a decline in student enrollment within the Contra Costa Community College District. To combat this issue and create more engagement, the school district is partnering with a marketing firm and creating a new enrollment plan for the future.

The drop in enrollment began during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the turbulent economy impacted jobs and income, a virus attacked public health and general isolation damaged thousands of individual’s mental wellChancellor being.

This decrease has Reece brought about concerns regarding both the district’s budget and the students who did not enroll.

“Working students have lost hours, have lost their jobs, have had to care for their family, had to care for children at home, so it’s no

Weston Hopkins• Experience

President Joe Biden’s goal for 70% of the population vaccinated aims to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases. to manage distribution, nurses who will do the vaccinations, coordinators for scheduling, etc.”

However, even with these challenges, many think the goal is reachable.

“Even though some states are not ordering the recommended vaccine doses, the majority of the U.S. population resides in a handful

of coastal and urban settings,” said LMC student Connor Achziger.

“These regions seem to be very actively supporting the vaccination effort at the state and local levels.”

While certain states not ordering the needed vaccines is a cause for concern, there are ways that this See VACCINE, page 7

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“Over every mountain there is a path, altough it may not be seen from the valley.”

— Theodore Roethke

Project aims to clarify the path

Focus is student success

By SARINA GROSSI

Posted online March 10, 2021

At community colleges like Los Medanos, time and energy is spent to ensure students succeed and reach their academic goals. However, it’s difficult to help students if no personal connection is built between them and their school, leaving individuals feeling isolated and lost. To combat this problem, the arts, humanities and music depar tments are teaming up to form the Pilot Pathway Project.

The project, which focuses on those pursuing degrees or looking to transfer, is meant to test the waters and form new strategies to help LMC students within participating departments.

Pathway is a key word in the name, as this project is

heavily inspired by the Guided Pathways program used by the California Community College Association. However, this project strives to improve one area of the pathway’s four pillars: clarify the path, enter the path, stay on the path and ensure learning.

“For this Pilot Project, we are focused on this: stay on the path,” said Chialin Hsieh, Senior Dean of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at LMC. “Make sure students not only stay on the path but that they stay in the course and that they stay successful in the course and can persist from one course to the next.”

The group working on the project consists of department chairs, counseling services, student ser vices such as tutoring, financial aid and data coaches. The group is

currently meeting every Monday with department chairs and with student ser vices on Tuesday to assess their progress, discussing how the project can improve and the new goals for the upcoming week.

Aaron Nakaji, the Laborator y Coordinator for the Music Department, explained that “Being connected to the other ser vice areas of the college and having the tools to share” important academic information about students “will make the support I can provide more effective.”

Hsieh reached out to depar tments after students were struggling to sign up for courses, had dropped courses, or were generally having trouble meeting their academic goals. In addition, COVID-19 and classes and

Graphic by Sarina Grossi with elements provided by Chialin Hsieh• Experience

services made it difficult to build personal connections between staff and students, and created challenges in motivating students academically.

“There’s action from students, but from the department, how can we reach out to them, encourage them and

then build the relationship?” said Hsieh, “That was something that was lacking and was not necessarily happening systematically. So we tried to build this process in this pilot.”

To help students stay on their academic path, faculty hope to build connections with

students by giving personalized help. The faculty looks at current strategy models and student data to find the best ways to support students right now. And with access to student’s major requirements and ed-plans, teachers are See PATH, page 9

What Honors can do for you

Offers bonds and benefits

By DYLAN DAVIDSON

Posted online March 23, 2021

Graphic from LMC Marketing

LMC celebrates Black History Month

A variety of events will be hosted virtually for students

By FAITH LLOYD

Posted online Feb. 2, 2021

For Black History Month this year, Los Medanos College planned a variety of events for students to reflect, learn, inspire and connect with each other through celebrating African American history and culture.

“This is a campus-wide collaboration,” said Sabrina Kwist, dean of Equity & Inclusion at LMC. She added that UMOJA, MESA, the Office of Student Life, EOPS, LMCAS, the English department, the Library, Transfer & Career Ser vices and the Marketing department all came together to create a rich set of cultural experiences for students.

The first event “Courageous Conversations,”

takes place Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. During the event, LMC’s Associated Students will be sharing their newly adopted anti-racism resolution, created by former LMCAS President Thyra Cobbs.

“LMCAS will be sharing the adopted Resolution in support of African American students at LMC,” said Teresea Archaga, LMC’s Director of Student Life. After sharing the resolution, LMCAS will facilitate a dialogue, and solicit questions and comments from attending students.

“This event is important for dissemination of information but also for direct feedback for LMCAS,” said LMCAS President Nicholas Sessions. “I hope that attendees will learn that their student government cares deeply for them and will always advocate on behalf of them.”

In addition, Sessions hopes that attendees, “learn why we wrote this resolution and take a stance alongside us against racism in our community.”

Any LMC student who is interested is encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation and all other events happening this month. Events can be accessed online.

Other events include an open mic night with Museum of the African Diaspora, Mindful Mondays and Writing Your Own Liberation.

All the events are being held remotely due to the college’s lockdown. Additional event information, Zoom links, and an African American Studies Research Guide can be found on the Los Medanos College website.

Fair will provide many career opportunities

Find the job of your dreams

By SARINA GROSSI

districtwide Opportunity Fair. The Contra Costa Community College If you’re struggling to figure out District hopes this merger will what career to purcombine the strengths sue, you’re not alone. of each school to make The decision can be oppor tunities more a stressful one. Foraccessible than ever tunately, this week’s before.

Opportunity Fair will “The Opportunity provide you the chance Fair connects students to learn about new cato exploration and exreers, internships and periential employment volunteer options, and or work-based learning begin networking with while studying at our possible employers. colleges,” said Rachel The yearly event, “We want our Anicetti, the director usually hosted in perof Transfer and Career son, will be held virtu- students to Services at LMC. ally Wednesday, April 7 get jobs, we This year the fair will from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. highlight career and inon Zoom to maintain want them to ternship organizations a safe environment get employed, such as Americorp during the pandemic.

Services, Cal we want them National The fair is open to State East Bay Career students from Los to get paid.”

Center, Advancing Medanos College, as — Edward Beanes Black Pathways, Cal well as those from DiaInterns, the City of blo Valley and Contra Costa colleges, Pittsburg and Career Launch. marking this year as the first-ever Each group will provide 30-minute Posted online April 6, 2021

Graphic courtesy of LMC Transfer and Career Services

workshops and panels that will give students insights into attaining internships in remote settings, said Anicetti. The fair will give them a chance to get out into the world and take charge of their future.

“The emphasis is to really participate, but also to get involved and be really active in your career work when it comes to your opportunities,” said Edward Beanes, the career exploration coordinator at LMC, who added that 50% of students who enter an internship find full-time work after they graduate.

With that in mind, Beanes said students who interact with possible employers should “treat this as you would treat an interview.”

To prepare for the event, Beanes

said students should take some time to think about their future: “What is it that you’re going to do after you graduate with that piece of paper, where are you going to work, and what kind of work is it going to be?”

To attend the Opportunity Fair, fill out the required registration here. If you are interested in learning more about the event, visit the Opportunity Fair webpage.

“We want our students to get jobs, we want them to get employed, we want them to get paid, but we also always want you to know where you are going with your investment when it comes to education,” said Beanes.

— Devyn Douglas, Alfred Ngunge and Jamie Samson contributed to this report.

Many students desire to get ahead in college. Whether it be transferring with a higher acceptance rate, taking advanced courses or participating in numerous club activities, the Los Medanos Honors Transfer Program helps make that goal a reality.

Transferring from a community college to a university can be strenuous and difficult. The process of picking a school can be a headache itself. The honors program seeks to alleviate this issue, having different partnerships with a variety of universities.

Jennifer Saito, director of the Honors Transfer Program, provided an example of this benefit.

“If you are a general transfer student applying to UCLA, last fall you would have a 22% chance of admission. The honors admission rate was 78%,” said Saito.

The honors program of fers courses, which are more advanced than their counterparts. Honors students are required to take at least two of the courses per school year.

The honors courses help give students a competitive edge when it comes to transferring to a university.

Despite the program’s many academic benefits, the Honors Club plays a big role in creating a community, with events spanning from game nights, trivia nights, and a book club.

Kathr yn Patterson, an honors student, originally wasn’t sure about joining the program.

“I wasn’t very familiar with the honors program and didn’t really pay much mind to it, other than thinking that it’d look good on my transfer applications. But after joining, taking the classes and participating in the events, it’s honestly been my favorite part of my college experience thus far.”

Patterson is the founder of the Honors Book Club, where students get together after a long week and discuss a book chosen by one of the members, discussions that usually include a deep read on the subject matter of the book, and also hilarious side-notes and observations.

“This isn’t an English class, no one’s expecting a complete analysis of the literature we’re reading,” said Patterson. “We’re just a group of friends who like to chill out with a good book and good discussion, with plenty of hilarity, at the end of a long week.”

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“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”

— Dr. Seuss

Local reaction to Chauvin verdict Individuals share their thoughts.

By SARINA GROSSI, JAMIE SAMSON, JACQUELINE HERNANDEZ and DEVYN DOUGLAS Posted online May 25, 2021

331 days – that was the length of time between George Floyd’s death and Derek Chauvin’s trial verdict.

For many, Chauvin being charged on three accounts of murder on April 20 marks a pivotal moment in social justice and police reform.

The event that took place a year ago largely influenced the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Video footage taken by 17-year-old Darnella Frazier of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes became international news, sparking conversation everywhere.

The words “I can’t breathe” uttered

by Floyd became a haunting cry in the face of police brutality.

For Jamila Stewart, the UMOJA Scholars coordinator and Black Stu-

Firsthand cases

dent Union adviser, the verdict didn’t make her “happy or celebratory, just a little less tense for the day.”

“This was a big case, but it isn’t justice and it doesn’t change the systemic issues,” she said. “Some people are saying that this is an exercise in accountability. Perhaps it is, but we need change on the front end, not on the back end.”

The trial began on March 20 and lasted a total of three weeks with a wide array of testimony from medical experts to law enforcement personnel. After two days of deliberation, the jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaugter and third-degree murder. With these convictions, Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison.

Since the events leading up to the trial affected so many across the nation, Contra Costa Community

Zoom Screenshot by Weston Hopkins • Experience

Chancellor Eloy Oakley at student media teleconference discussing Chauvin verdict.

College District Chancellor Bryan Reece stressed the impor tance of offering support to peers and community members.

“This is an emotional time for all of us, as we remember and relive the horror of George Floyd’s murder.

As we grieve for the Floyd family and communities affected by this trauma, we must extend care to one

another and to our students,” said Reece in a district-wide statement following the verdict.

LMC students and staff acknowledged the impact of the trial and the issues around social justice it has highlighted.

“I’m happy that the verdict came out how it did. It’s long overdue someone actually got punished for

one of these murders,” said LMC sophomore Julian Fleming, who added that too many victims of police brutality have been overlooked in the past decade. While he is relieved to see justice for Floyd, he said he is skeptical the verdict will lead to reform in the police system.

“I don’t think this will have much of an impact at all, seeing as hundreds have met their ends at the hands of police, and yet only this one has been actually held accountable for his actions,” he said.

Fleming explained his own personal fears about being around police officers and said he wishes they would not go out of their way to target young people of color.

“We can’t even go on walks or just park cars somewhere to hang out without getting passed by a few police cars or them stopping us,” he said.

LMC student Jordan Misquez said that although he believes “it was a pretty clear and easy decision made by the jury,” he is relieved by the verdict.

See CHAUVIN, page 7

The impact of COVID-19

By SARINA GROSSI

Posted online March 22, 2021

The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported Jan. 20, 2020 and little information was known about the virus or it’s severity. There was no way to predict its devastating impact, no way to guess there would be over 29.2 million cases and 500,000 deaths in the country.

Although doctors and scientists are still uncovering information about how COVID-19 attacks the body, three members of the local community share what it was like to contract the virus and cope with the illness.

Abby Muse, a Heritage High School alumni and Boise State University freshman, contracted the virus last Oct. after moving onto campus for the first time.

“My symptoms weren’t ver y serious at all,” said Muse, “I just had, you know, a headache, some

Photos provided by the people profiled• Experience

Abby Muse, Ryan Hiscocks and Brianna McCarthy all detail their experience with COVID-19. stomach issues, but again, nothing serious. I was very lucky.”

As a college freshman, Muse was in a new environment, states away from her family. She was initially afraid when she contracted the virus, especially since she was quarantined alone in an unfamiliar dorm, but this fear was quickly alleviated with the support of her school and peers.

“My coaches were very supportive.

They checked in on me all the time, they brought me food. The nurses on campus at the isolation dorms were great, they checked in on me

everyday,” she said, “I felt super supported, and although I was by myself, I didn’t feel alone.”

Muse experiences no lingering symptoms from COVID-19, but as a forward on Boise State’s women’s basketball team, getting back into shape proved to be a challenge.

But with monthly heart checks and regular exercise, she is able to continue playing with no issues, unlike some of her peers who also contracted the virus.

“Some of my teammates need an inhaler because it gets hard for

them to breathe sometimes when they are playing,” she said, “But I’m very fortunate and that doesn’t seem to be the case for me.”

LMC political science professor Ryan Hiscocks discovered he had the virus while preparing to go on a backpacking trip to the Sierras last August.

His wife took a COVID-19 test out of precaution and tested positive for the virus. About five days later, Hiscocks began to experience symptoms.

“I’ve had the flu before… like a

normal person I’ve had a variety of sicknesses over my lifetime… so it was weird because I had never been sick like this,” said Hiscocks, “It was definitely a different thing than I’ve ever experienced.”

He described his symptoms as “textbook,” having a fever, dr y cough, loss of sense of smell, taste, chest pains and fatigue. The virus was inconsistent, with his symptoms alternating every few days.

“It was kind of like this escalating rollercoaster where I felt symptoms

By SARINA GROSSI

a great process, they understand our mission and our focus on student needs,” said Carlos Montoya, the LMC Vice President of Business Services. “So our planning discussions around not interrupting our student activities like technology distribution or our food pantry were completely understood and supported.”

The school district initially decided to contact CCHS and the Department of Health to host a testing site when COVID-19 cases began to rise in late November. Though there have been some challenges along the way, the testing site has been successful in providing testing to the community and has been a positive experience for the district.

“As a community college, LMC and the district believes that our facilities should be used for the public good in times of crisis or emergency,” said LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “We were pleased to be able to work with the county on making the campus available in

Testing site relocates after placement at LMC Posted online Feb. 16, 2021

Photos provided by the people profiled • Experience

Cameron Kirk and Carlos Mendez are two LMC students who have succeeded during the pandemic.

Students persevere through virus

By JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online May 19, 2021

With the spring semester winding down, many students are now departing from the Los Medanos College community. Students planning to transfer are receiving acceptance letters while graduates who plan on entering the workforce are finding their own path.

Acceptance letters can feel like Christmas morning. Although the traditional physical letter is rarely received these days, acceptance emails suf ficiently recreate the magical moment.

Hopeful transfer students spend the entire span of the spring semester frantically opening their emails or student portals. It turns into a habit until one day, a message appears. Many emails begin with “We are sorr y to inform you...”, but students are always hoping for “Congratulations, we are pleased to inform you...” to appear in their

inbox. When that happens, feelings of pride emerge as each student realizes all their hard work has led up to that moment.

Cameron Kirk has spent two academic school years at LMC and is now transferring as a Mathematics and Economics major.

“I was accepted to UCLA but I’m still waiting to hear from UC San Diego,” Kirk said, “It’s hectic.

There’s so many things I’m gonna need to do once I decide.”

Other students such as Rafael Quintero have already committed to their schools.

“I’ve been looking to transfer to somewhere out of state,” Quintero said, “I decided on the University of Central Florida. It’s a nice location and I’m really excited to be chasing a career in graphic design.”

Quintero graduated from Freedom High School just last spring but managed to get his general education done in a single year.

Numerous LMC students will be joining the CSU system, including Jalene Harris.

“CSUs are a really good option — in my opinion the best,” said Harris, “I’ll be at San Diego State paying less money in tuition than most other people at UCs. I think we are all lucky to have made it through academics during the Pandemic too.

It wasn’t easy with COVID.” Some students use LMC as a means to a direct line of work rather than transfer. LMC offers Career Technical Education programs in automotive technology, welding technology, travel marketing and fire technology among many others.

These programs are designed to get students directly into the selected career path.

Carlos Mendez, an Automotive Technology major explained how frustrating that experience was during the pandemic.

See STUDENT, page 7

See CASES, page 7

As the United States reaches the one-year-mark of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to provide for struggling communities grows stronger and stronger over time.

The Contra Costa Community College District has especially felt compelled to provide for students and staff during these uncertain times, even hosting the Los Medanos College campus as a COVID-19 testing site for a brief time.

The testing site began operation on Jan. 7, providing tests by appointment in the north parking lot of the LMC campus. To reduce traffic and other possible issues, LMC Police Services assisted the testing site, resulting in little disruption to other activities.

The procedure was run by Contra Costa Health Services, along with mobile testing services, and was open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“Working with the county has been

See TESTING, page 7

Graphic by Weston Hopkins • Experience

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“If you believe in journalism, you don’t insult good journalists.”

— Sydney Schanberg

Art program adapts

Top 5 Spotify comedy podcasts you should check out

By JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online May 19, 2021

Whether someone is in the need of a laugh after finals or an enjoyable commute to work, comedy podcasts are a reliable source of entertainment. Stand-up comedy has been put on hold during the pandemic, so many comics and fans have turned to podcasting as a medium for the art. n Joe Rogan Experience, Spotify “The Joe Rogan Experience’’ has gained popularity in recent years. It features stand-up comedian and MMA commentator Joe Rogan as its host. This podcast has a wide range of guests from Elon Musk to Kanye West.

The episodes featuring comedians are ludicrous. For example, Joey Diaz is one of Rogan’s closest friends and tells absurd stories about his upbringing in New Jersey and run-ins with the law. “The Joe Rogan Experience” is now only available on Spotify with both audio and visual aspects. n Monday Morning Podcast, Spotify / YouTube Bill Burr, an elite comedian, hosts the “Monday Morning

See SPOTIFY, page 8

Photo Courtesy of Eric Sanchez

Eric Sanchez shows a new way to teach during the COVID pandemic by using a phone to instruct his class.

Teachers tackle new tactics

By FAITH LLOYD

Posted online March 10, 2021

Experience Graphic by Weston Hopkins

Best burrito spots to please your palette

By JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online April 21, 2021

The burrito is the perfect lunch for someone on the go. Although it is native to Mexico, it gained fame in California among fieldworkers because of the simple and compact form.

Throughout the last decade of my life, I have worked in my family’s Mexican restaurant making and selling food. In my free time, I developed a passion for food, in particular, burritos.

I have gone on culinary adventures in the state as well as south of the border looking for new experiences. There are a variety of Mexican food options here at home, and while a few have proven unsavory, there are some restaurants that deserve recognition.

Here are my top five burritos around the LMC community. For the list I have excluded any restaurants I may have a personal tie with. n Carnitas Tijuana, 2193 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg Carnitas Tijuana is misleading as their carnitas are inspired by the Mexican state of Michoacán. For

Has COVID-19 attacked creativity? Art professors and students alike continue to encounter barriers that prevent them from properly practicing their craft, but somehow, they are finding new ways to break them.

LMC ceramics professor Lucy Snow said that when she found out that classes would be going online as a result of the pandemic last spring, she felt challenged and confused, “wondering how to use Zoom, and worried about how we were going to be able to help students continue with their studies.”

But she is facing these issues head on, as Snow described how she approaches teaching from behind a screen.“Accounting for the many possibilities ahead of time is hard,” she said, “As an art teacher I have tried to keep assignments very open so that students can interpret them creatively.”

She added that online teaching requires “a lot of clarification” so students are able to understand what their assignments are and how to work on them.

Art professor Eric Sanchez spoke about having to adjust the way he assigns

projects to his students.

“Social distancing has really changed the way that we teach,” he said. “It does allow me to think about my instructions and how I might approach designing an assignment in a different way.”

Sanchez emphasized there is a difference between teaching in person and teaching over Zoom.

“It doesn’t make sense to do the same assignments,” he said. “Because there’s a missing part of the dialogue that happens in a classroom that you may not necessarily communicate through an online course.”

Sierra Heuer, a second-year LMC student in Snow’s Honors Art 35 class, explained how the class worked for her last fall. Even though the classes are being taught over Zoom, Heuer said the class had “Weekly opportunities to go on campus and drop off our works in progress or talk to our professor.”

Despite the challenges, she said the class went smoothly and was enjoyable.

“One of the biggest things is not having access to a pottery wheel at school.” said Heuer. “Making ceramics at home is do-able, but it’s more difficult to make

things more symmetrical or clean-looking without a surface to spin the clay on.”

Both Snow and Sanchez have bee able to fall into a rhythm in their new distanced teaching styles since the beginning of the semester, but indicated they have felt some disconnection from their students.

Snow, who has her classroom open for firing ceramic projects, has “gotten to have brief conversations,” with her the students in person, “which has been pretty fun.”

She added that most of them have been good about showing up by emailing or using Zoom to stay connected.

But, Sanchez still feels as though students are missing the very important social aspect of class and haven’t been able to depend on each other the same way they would in person.

“Building that community is still a bit of a struggle with the differing timelines,” he said. “There’s only so much interaction you can do through written, audio, or video feedback.”

Despite these new challenges, professors and students alike have learned and continue to learn how to create their art while staying safe and COVID free.

See FOOD, page 8

This screen capture of the online gallery shows a variety of artistics works created by LMC students.

IMDb

Photos compiled from IMDb by Weston Hopkins

Interesting Netflix shows to give a try By: JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online March 2, 2021

As alternative streaming services grow in popularity, the once dominant Netflix has been losing its position as the trendiest source of entertainment. Other streaming services such as Disney Plus, Amazon Prime and HBO Max have taken many people’s attention away from the previous forerunner. Not to mention Netflix also recently lost the rights to “The Office,” one of the most popular shows among viewers.

As a result, many Netflix subscribers may be wondering what is left to watch. I assure you there are still plenty of shows to enjoy on our beloved entertainment provider. Here are my Top 5 TV picks on Netflix. n Ozark (2011-) Starring Jason Bateman, “Ozark” tells the story of an accountant who gets involved in a life of crime after laundering money for a Mexican cartel. He is forced to do what he can to ensure the survival of his family, See FLIX, page 8

Student creativity goes virtual

By DYLAN DAVIDSON

Posted online Feb. 25, 2021

Galleries have long been considered an imperative place of gathering for art-lovers. For artists, their hard work and creative messages are displayed to a large audience of people who can view and appraise assorted works to their heart’s content. The atmosphere of an art gallery is peaceful and serene, which may lead some to believe that replicating one online is impossible.

LMC Gallery Director Carol Ladewig disproves this with the recent opening of the Los Medanos College 2021 Student Art Exhibition.

The Student Art Exhibition is a fully online experience.

Visitors can walk around the

gallery using arrow keys on their computers, and drag their mouse to view the student art placed neatly onto the virtual walls.

The virtual gallery includes couches, coffee tables, and even windows. This was done intentionally, said Ladewig, to enhance visitors’ feelings of immersion.

“One of the things it does is give you a sense of scale,” she explained, “you can’t tell how big or small something is, and this one does a really good job of showing the appropriate scale.”

Art galleries are often a window into the mind of the artists, becoming a form of self expression that is publicized for all to see. Douglas Barron, an LMC art student, comments on what it means for students

to be able to display their work virtually.

I think it’s crucial, with less distraction, you become more introspective, you start to go in and think about things,” said Barron. “All of that kinda just bled into the work, all of the work. It provides a platform to creatively release, and deal with stuff.”

For Melissa Gee, a former LMC student who recently transferred to UC Santa Cruz, this will be her first submission to a gallery of any sort, and she urges others to experience it for themselves.

“It’s a really amazing experience to get to see other people’s work, different skill sets and different art styles,” said Gee, “It’s not better or worse than

in-person, but it’s definitely a different experience.”

Whether or not virtual art galleries will become more prevalent as the threat of COVID-19 continues remains unknown.

But until the doors of in-person art galleries open again, there are resources such as the Kunstmatrix platform, currently hosting the LMC art show, and unyielding perseverance, to help art students continue to share their passion with others.

An online reception for the LMC 2021 Student Art Exhibition will be held Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., featuring an award presentation from the Art Guild of the Delta and the LMC juror Jan Wurm. The exhibition will remain on display in the virtual gallery through April 20.

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“I think journalism is a great way to do public service, to have an impact on your community.”

— Bob Schieffer

Choir is ‘Honoring our Legacy’

Gospel group will go virtual

By SARINA GROSSI

Posted online April 30,2021

When it comes to the performing arts, honoring one’s legacy is vital to creating an inclusive and accepting environment. The LMC Division of Vocal and Choral Activities plans on exploring the concept of “Honoring our Legacy” in the upcoming 26th Annual Gospel Celebration Concert on Saturday May 1st for the first time virtually.

“The concer t is a long standing tradition at LMC that works to bring community members together and celebrate the performers and legacy of the annual event,” said Professor Silvester Carl Henderson, the director of the concert.

“The goal of this event is to use African American Gospel Music as a creative construct to support the work of equity, diversity and inclusion while supporting a nation of unity, collaboration and coming together,” said Henderson.

The event will be hosting a wide array of performers including the LMC Gospel Caravans, the UC Berkeley’s Young Inspiration Gospel Choir, the LMC Chamber Chorale, Casey and Erica Pringle and an LMC Selected Local Celebrity Soloist. Along with

Lilly Montero • Experience archive

LMC’s Gospel Choir during a special performance for its 25th Anniversay Gospel Celebration concert in 2019. these performers, the concert will host special guest Kyla Jade, a former contestant on “The Voice”, and guest speaker Jeffrey O.G. Ogbar, from the University of Connecticut.

A choir concert is typically a physical performance, with the group of singers standing close together to produce the

2021 Teacher of the Year

best atmosphere and sound.

However, it’s difficult to recreate this exact dynamic when social distancing is involved, so the LMC Gospel Choir moved to an online format.

“As a Professor of Choral and Vocal Music, the COVID environment forced me to expand and re-envision my

instructional delivery,” said Henderson. “I now remain grateful for all of the knowledge that I have gained via the online platform.” Along with instructors, students adapted smoothly into the new environment.

“In preparing for the concert it really involved a lot of

listening to the selections and rehearsing the parts,” said Jeffrey Scott, a student vocalist for the LMC Gospel Choir. “I was able to set certain times of the day when I could have practice as though I were in the classroom only concentrating on the selections without interruptions.”

Focus is on students

By FAITH LLOYD

Posted online April 15,2021

There’s nothing better than a good teacher. Sometimes having a teacher who simply understands students and the struggles they face can inspire them and provide a new sense of academic confidence.

Professor and head of the Drama Department, Nick Garcia, who has been teaching at LMC for 12 years, was recently nominated by the school for a Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award for doing just that.

“If it’s in theater or film, then I probably teach it,” said Garcia, referring to the courses he’s taught at LMC. The award is given to a faculty member in the California community college system that has gone above and beyond to help their students overcome challenges and meet their personal and

academic goals.

“I wasn’t sure of what the award was,” Garcia said about his nomination. “I was just lucky enough to have a college nominate me.”

Garcia says he’s won awards before, but never like this.

“The awards that I’ve won have been centered around teaching and student success, and usually all of my awards have come from the hard work of my students,” he said, crediting his students.

“They really put their all into the stuff that we create.”

Garcia cares about his students and always pushes them to be successful. Throughout this pandemic, Garcia has been putting his time and effort into finding ways that he can make his students’ visions come to life, from helping them write their own short films to teaching them

Cathie Lawrence • Experience archive

Drama professor Nick Garcia is named Teacher of the Year to create them on their own.

“Their final project through the department is all of us write one cohesive show together…” he said about his students final project from last year, thinking that the class would perform their creation on a stage before the pandemic changed their plans.

“Let’s make a movie then,” he said after having to postpone their play twice but still

wanting to bring his students’ creation to life.

Garcia focuses on students’ strengths in the class,“like, if you’re really good at costumes, I’ll go ‘show me what you’ve got,’ and you become our costume designer on the next show,” he said.

Garcia continues instruction despite difficulties in scheduling and distant learning. He tries to convey his lessons

in a way that all his students would understand.

“I had to star t making YouTube videos the best that I could,” he said, stating his class content is like “trying to mirror Master Class, and also Blue’s Clues.”

With all he’s done to keep his students learning and succeeding, it’s no wonder he was nominated for such a prestigious award.

Daft Punk bids farewell to their fans

New ‘Super Jerks’ film to be released

By JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online Feb.16,2021

By DYLAN DAVIDSON

Posted online March 4,2021

After 28 years of a successful music partnership, French-Electronica-duo Daft Punk has broken up.

The duo released a video Monday making it clear the band was done. In their mysterious style they left no explanation for the breakup.

The video, which announces the artists break, begins ominously with simply just the date, making it clear to the audience something dramatic is about to take place.

Based on an excerpt from Daft Punk’s 2006 film “Electroma,” the video announcement has both artists in a desert, where both artists, dressed in their iconic, robot helmets and matching black jackets are walking together.

Thomas Bangalter takes off

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A screenshot from Daft Punk’s video: “Epilogue” his jacket with the name of the band stitched on the back. He throws it on the ground before band member Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo pushes a button on Bangalter’s back.

Bangalter walks off before exploding into shards of black scrap. The song “Touch,” begins to play shortly after.

Finally, the years 1993-2021 are displayed proudly on screen and the film ends with a sunrise, signifying not the end of something great, but a new beginning.

Daft Punk was created in 1993 by the two French artists in Paris, France. Four years after their debut they became famous for songs like “Da Funk,” “Around the World” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” which shared a new electronic style and helped pave the way for their future careers.

“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” won a Grammy the year of its release. In 2007 Rapper Kanye West sampled See PUNK, page 8

Redemption is a fickle thing and can be a hard concept to grasp for many people, let alone superheroes. The Los Medanos College drama department displays this idea in their upcoming film “Super Jerks,” which is set to release in the near future.

The film revolves around a group of ex-superheroes banding together after one of them is brainwashed into destroying half of a city, forcing the remaining heroes into hiding. The victims of the catastrophe turn against the superheroes, causing the government to impose sanctions and laws that limit superheroes’ abilities.

The film’s main character was responsible for ending the catastrophe and killed her brainwashed father to save the

city. A year after this event, the protagonist discovers that her superhuman friends are slowly disappearing, and after further investigation, a devious plot is uncovered that could put the city in jeopardy once again.

“Super Jerks is a movie about redemption. A lot of characters going through a lot of stuff, but as you see this film you notice that these characters are getting back See JERKS, page 8

With the new setting and practicing methods there have been a few obstacles for the students to overcome.

“It was different of course not being together, but it was non-difficult. My experience has been awesome,” said student vocalist Beverly Dargan.

See CHOIR, page 8

Club stages online show

‘Shenanigans’ airs Feb. 5 BY: SARINA GROSSI

Posted online Feb.3,2021

“Shenanigans” is a student lead production consisting of 15 short sketches akin to “Saturday Night Live” and other variety shows.

Theater is typically performed in front of a live audience, but in the face of a global pandemic this is not currently feasible. Undeterred, artists have been getting creative to keep the art form alive, including the Los Medanos College drama club who joined the effort and will soon present its new sketch comedy show “Shenanigans,” to an online audience.

It will be released Feb. 5 on ShowTix4U, a video-on-demand service, and all proceeds from ticket sales will fund future program productions.

When the pandemic forced a campus closure last spring, the LMC drama department had to ask the question many other theater programs were also asking: How are we going to perform shows in the era of COVID-19? That answer came in the form of a simple idea.

“When we were first getting locked down, one of our students in our classes said ‘Hey, can we do something like SNL did when they did their quarantine edition?’”

Said Nick Garcia, Chair of the drama department. “Then I went, ‘We could totally do this.

Yeah, let’s do this.’”

From there, the team got to work on the writing process.

After studying sketch comedy, See DRAMA, page 8

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“Today is your opportunity to build the tommorow you want.”

— Ken Poroit

Motivation beyond measure

Cobbs’ leadership inspiring to others

By ANGELICA JOHNSON

Posted online Feb. 17, 2021

When thinking of a highly accomplished and committed college student, Thyra Cobbs may be the first person that pops into mind. Cobbs is a powerhouse name known throughout the Los Medanos College community and her legacy is one of leadership and success.

From the many academic and organizational titles and accomplishments listed on her public LinkedIn profile to her dedicated work ethic, Cobbs is turning out to be a heavily decorated LMC alum.

Her story is a portrayal of hard work and dedication with

LMC twins shine bright

motivation of being a true leader that inspires all students of LMC. She was born and raised around the Bay Area in Hayward, Fremont and Union City, but later moved to Brentwood after her freshman year, ultimately graduating from Heritage High School. She is a Bay Area city girl through and through, from her outgoing personality to her individual and fierce fashion sense that defines the Generation Z fashion term “boujee-streetwear.” It is no wonder she looks visually appealing in the many photos posted to advertise LMC on its website as well as its 2019 student handbook cover.

Anyone engaged in conversa-

tion with Cobbs can conclude she is an educated and determined woman who knows her goals in life and exactly how she wants to achieve them. Much of her determination and self-expectations are rooted in the fact that she is a first-generation college student and is eager to break the cycle by accomplishing as much as she can.

“My family always expresses their excitement for me and what I have accomplished. Currently, I have the most educational achievements in the family and I am still in disbelief. I would have never imagined myself accomplishing everything that I have. I feel very strong and empowered,” said Cobbs.

Cobbs is the embodiment of interpreting wealth through education as demonstrated by the diverse and sizable collection of literar y works showcased

on her desk and bookshelves.

Many are written by authors and novelists within the Black community, a telling fact that besides advocating for the benefits and opportunities that education can give, Cobbs also advocates for closing the educational gap that many African-American students face.

“I think there is a lot of inactivity around supporting and uplifting the black student population,” she said.

Representation and advocacy are two values Cobbs holds dear, especially considering these were two of the main reasons she decided to run for LMC Associated Students president back in 2018-2019. Having had no student political experience before her campaign, Cobbs was in a constant state of anxiety leading up to the election

See COBBS, page 9

Photograph courtesy of Thyra Cobbs• Experience

Thyra Cobbs at the Pittsburgh LMC Campus

Remote education adds to the stuggle

By JACQUELINE HERNANDEZ Posted online May 21, 2021

By JAMIE SAMSON

Posted online May 29, 2021

Ashley and Amber Roemer are sisters who have quite literally been together since the beginning. The twin sisters, who now attend Los Medanos College, are finishing up their sophomore year and preparing to transfer. They have big dreams of becoming professional models.

The two girls may be shy, but they truly shine in front of the camera. It all started in 2019, where the Roemer sisters became interested in taking their own self-portraits to post on their personal Instagram accounts.

“We used Pinterest for inspiration, and planned outfits and poses that we saw and liked,” Amber recalls.

As their social media accounts gained traction, they realized local photographers were often looking for models to work with. From there they started working with photographers, and their passion for modeling skyrocketed.

“It felt good to be in front of the camera,” said Ashley.

They began to build a portfolio to show interested photographers their capabilities.

A model to a photographer, See TWINS, page 9

Photograph courtesy of Ashely and Amber Roemer• Experience

The Roemer twins pose together during a photo shoot. They began modeling in 2019

Cano lives his sports dream

By LUIS ANGEL FUENTES PEREZ Posted online Feb. 18, 2021

Photograph courtesy of Casey Manuel• Experience

Jesus Cano pictured at Pitssburgh High

Jesus “Juice” Cano, a journalist for the Collegiate at Fresno State University, has found success in his pursuit of a sports journalism career. However, the former Los Medanos College Experience editor did not have an easy path towards his goals.

Cano came to the United States as a toddler. He was born in Pachuca, Mexico, but has lived in Pittsburg, California for as long as he could remember.

“I’ve lived in Pittsburg for 19 years,” said Cano.

Since he enjoyed playing sports, especially soccer, Cano found an interest in sports journalism at Pittsburg High School.

“I always loved sports and I always knew I wanted to get a job involving sports. Being able to talk and write about sports is a dream I wanted to live,” he said, adding his dream

led him to seek an opportunity to cover high school sports at the age of 15.

Cano got his first chance to cover athletics with Delta Sports thanks to former LMC Experience Sports Editor Luke Johnson, who mentored him and helped him connect with the organization Johnson covered high school sports at the time and this encouraged Cano to reach out for an opportunity to become a sports journalist.

“He taught me a lot about writing structure,” he said. “He helped mentor me and build my skills as a journalist.”

Cano gained valuable experience as a high school student, and has continued writing about sports through college at LMC and now at Fresno State.

“I covered high school sports and started with Pittsburg High School. I was doing softball, soccer, football, tennis, and just about See DREAM, page 9

Friends trudge through the thick and thin

By FAITH LLOYD

Posted online Feb. 11, 2020

Muhammad Ali once said, “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school.

But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”

The true meaning of friendship is a difficult thing to learn. Sadly, not every friendship lasts forever.

If it does though, you’re one of the lucky ones.

Two LMC students in particular can consider themselves the lucky ones. Jasmine Combs and Sierra Heuer met and became friends in third grade, but have

First-gen copes with new normal

been best friends since seventh grade, and it’s safe to say there’s no end in sight.

But the longevity of their friendship, as impressive as it is, is only a part of their story.

Combs, a former LMC student who is now majoring in music production at The Academy of Arts in San Francisco, suffers from juvenile psoriatic arthritis.

Heuer, a current LMC student majoring in psychology, suffers from epilepsy.

“I found out I had epilepsy after I’d randomly had a seizure two separate times and was diagnosed by a neurologist when I was a sophomore in high school,” said

Heuer.

Combs, on the other hand, was diagnosed with arthritis as a four-year-old, though she “started showing symptoms when I was three.”

But they haven’t let these conditions stop them, both have big dreams. Combs wants to go into music production and Heuer dreams of becoming a college professor.

“The biggest obstacle is knowing my limits and being able to communicate them with people,” said Combs. “There are some days I can do ever ything like a ‘normal’ person, some days I can work from home, and some

days I can’t do anything at all but stay in bed. I just have to listen to my body.”

Heuer explained that her recent epilepsy diagnosis has changed her life in a variety of “very small, very specific ways.” There are things she can’t do at all, like skydiving or snowboarding, “anything really adrenaline-heavy or risky.”

And then there are the dayto-day changes she must make.

“The more prominent things I can’t do include drinking alcohol at any point in my life, staying up later than normal, swimming in pools without constant supervision, or taking See FRIENDS, page 9

Like most first-generation college students, Sol Murgia did not expect her first year of college to take place inside of her childhood bedroom.

At the beginning of her virtual learning experience, Murgia completed her assignments on top of a stack of old chest drawers. When that became too uncomfortable and made it hard to focus on school work, she saved up enough money from a part-time job to invest in a desk for her bedroom.

The first-born child of immigrant parents, Murgia was a happy kid with a charismatic laugh and full-tooth smile. Expectations were set high for her and she often experienced pressure to make her parents’ sacrifices well worth their struggles.

“I always felt like since I was little, I had to be more mature or that I had to turn off some childlike qualities of mine to fit into their standards of maturity, especially when my brother was born,” said Murgia.

She recognizes this as something many daughters of immigrants go through and said she has also seen it happen to her cousins. Breaking this cycle of what is known as “machismo” is difficult, but Murgia is set on educating her family to see women as equal to the men Photo courtesy of Sol Murgia — especially her brothers.

Sol Murgia works on a From a young homework assignment age, education from the desk in her was instilled into room Murgia and her siblings. Both her mother and father graduated high school, but were forced to enter the workforce almost immediately. Work for them was seen as a necessity to help their families, so there was no time to waste with college.

“My parents emphasized going to college so that I would not end up working hard labor jobs like them, or not being able to get a job because I did not go to college even though I could do it,” she said.

Taking advantage of the educational opportunities in the United States was important for her since her parents did not get that chance themselves. By pursuing a college degree, she hopes to break her family’s generational struggle of living paycheck to paycheck.

But maneuvering through college has See FIRST, page 9

Photograph courtesy of Lyle Mata• Experience

Sara Heur and Jasmine Combs posing

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Students and re-opening schools safely

By SARINA GROSSI for the Editorial Board Posted online April 20, 2021

With the increase in vaccinations administered, the world is beginning to look like it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. But as restaurants and businesses open up to the public, schools are still stuck in a state of limbo. Discussion surrounding reopening schools however, appears to be shallow and has ignored concerns of both parents and students.

The Oakley Union Elementar y School District Board was preparing for a Zoom meeting on Feb. 17 when, unbeknownst to them, they were already live to the public.

Without realizing they had an audience, board members began to make comments about parents and reopening schools.

“They want to pick on us because they want their babysitters back,” said Board President Lisa Brizendine.

After board members realized the call was

live, they quickly ended it, but it did not save them from criticism. According to NBC News, the entire board resigned after a petition calling for their removal gained traction.

Though the conversation was meant to be private and the participants apologized, their words reflect the lack of consideration and general sympathy for families by members of some school boards.

Yes, some parents might need the “daycare” schools provide, but to assume that is the only reason they might push to reopen schools is ignorant. The fact is, students rely on school for a variety of reasons, and online education hasn’t necessarily met their needs.

Education at all levels is vital to students’ futures, especially those who plan on attending or transferring to a university. According to the Brookings Institution, online learning over the past year has had a negative impact on academic performance, with students last fall scoring significantly lower in math

CASES

CHAUVIN From page 3

“My reaction was basically a sigh of relief for two reasons,” he said. “One because justice was reached for George Floyd, which was a step in the right direction for not only the U.S., but the entire world.

And second because if the verdict was different with no charges, then I think it’s safe to say the world wouldn’t have accepted that and there would have been another uproar of chaos in violence all in search for justice.”

LMC Political Science professor Milton Clarke sees the verdict as a small step toward justice.

“Although I am personally satisfied that justice has prevailed, it is difficult for me to be particularly happy or celebrator y,” he said.

‘Chauvin’s conviction is not going to bring George Floyd’s life back and that conviction is an avid reminder of the senselessness and utterly avoidable circumstances of the case beginning with Floyd’s initial confrontation with the Minneapolis police officers.”

Clarke added that it has been rewarding to witness activism from a multiethnic younger generation and said he hopes that energy will continue to be redirected to the broader systemic issues within society and the justice system.

With regard to policing, Clarke said he sees a positive future as many police departments are led by intelligent, open minded individuals who seek progress.

He does, however, point out, “We know that many of the ‘insurrectionists’ that stormed the capital were current or former police officers and generally members of law enforcement tend to take the conservative view, which on its merits is not necessarily a bad thing, except that this political view tends to support the status quo of police policy rather than advocate for reform.”

But LMC Police Lt. Ryan Huddleston said he hopes that the trial verdict will help community members trust

COLLEGE From page 1

complaints filed against them in 2019, which were later investigated by the district, and both voted not to renew the contracts of three administrators, which upset many within the district.

Local 1 Classified Union President Neal Skapura was one those that were frustrated by the board’s decisions, and who began campaigning with others from the district for challengers Dr. Judy Walters and Fernando Sandoval unseat incumbents Enholm and Gordon in the November election.

Ultimately Sandoval and Walters both won their races and were sworn in last December, and Skapura is hopeful that a change in the district for the better is on the way.

“Given the accreditation findings and the challenges and opportunities that we face, I hope that we have come to our end with that story. We have a lot of opportunities with our newly-formed governing board and they can certainly help guide us through this upcoming year,” he wrote.

compared to students from the previous year.

In addition, students have made few learning gains in English. For those who need in-person environments and encouragement, their academic future is suffering from online school.

Remote learning also disproportionately affects lower income families. Students from families that cannot afford the necessary technology for online instruction fall behind and lose out on valuable learning time. For families impacted by the pandemic economically, vital school programs that provided food, shelter and health services became difficult to access, causing them to struggle even more.

Students have also been struggling with mental health issues in the face of distance learning. The American Psychological Association pinpointed that “the ongoing loss of access” to regular school activities and relationships correlated to a lack of motivation. For many students who deal

FACILITY TESTING

From page 3 that people like Chauvin will be held accountable and face charges in the eyes of the justice system.

“We hope the communities and law enforcement agencies can continue to work together,” said Huddleston, “We rely on our community.”

Since the death of George Floyd, LMC and other California community colleges have been engaging their communities in social justice dialogues and working to create safe anti-racist spaces for students.

At a recent teleconference with student media, California Community College State Chancellor Eloy Oakley said that each college is taking steps to make all students feel welcome.

“Over the past year, our system has made extraordinary strides to advance anti-racist practices and promote equity for students of color. This work requires the authentic partnership and support of state and federal leaders, administrators, students, faculty and staff, and it will be guided by justice, peace and respect,” he said.

Oakley encourages staff and students to welcome continuing conversations around tough topics, such as police brutality, to help give them the moral clarity they deserve.

He noted there is more to be done, and the sentencing of Chauvin is only the beginning of the conversation around police reform.

“Our work is not finished,” he said. “History will be our judge.”

And though the verdict may reflect a step forward in the justice system, the impact of the trial on future proceedings regarding police brutality remains unknown.

“It’s not enough to have representation or empty per formative gestures of solidarity and justice,” said Stewart, “Right now people are talking, but time will tell if this is the start of something transformational, or if it›s just a moment in time.”

Though the college was issued the warning, LMC President Bob Kratochvil is confident that the board’s and the district’s highest priority is to quickly address the issues cited by the commission.

Kratochvil addressed the warning in an email to the LMC community, “These actions by the Commission are neither what we had hoped for, nor what was expected. But, please know that this is NOT a reflection of the exceptional work each and every one of you do on a daily basis … I remain incredibly proud of LMC and deeply grateful for all of you, your outstanding work, and your tireless focus on students – and I hope that you are equally proud of your critical role in the success of our students and college,” he wrote.

For more information on the governing board, please visit the Contra Costa Community College District’s website, and for updates on LMC’s accreditation, visit the LMC website for more information.

and then I’d be fatigued, then the fatigue would go away, then I’d feel semi-normal… but then those symptoms would hit again, and they would hit harder,” he said.

Despite these symptoms, Hiscocks never needed to go to the hospital. But while quarantining at home with his family, he was afraid of passing the virus to his two young children.

“You’re also, on a personal note, worried to death that your kids don’t develop this thing and it’s worse for them than it is for you,” he said, “And that’s really kind of where my fear was.”

His children never contracted the virus and he recovered after two weeks. Although his wife has yet to regain her sense of smell and taste, he experiences no lingering symptoms.

LMC Biology Professor Briana McCarthy contracted the virus last Sept. despite the fact that she had been following safety precautions.

With her partner working in the medical field, COVID-19 was difficult to avoid. Her partner spread the virus to their newborn daughter and she gave it to McCarthy.

“What was weird was that it hit us all really differently.

Like my partner, he was hardly sick at all,” said McCarthy, “And then [the baby] got it, and it was really different in her… and then me, I feel like I had every single symptom.”

As a new parent, McCarthy was already tired, but when her baby got sick, exhaustion reached a new level.

For two weeks, she was simultaneously trying to take care of her daughter while experiencing new symptoms

DISTRICT From page 1

surprise that there’s been enrollment decline,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley.

“But it is concerning and we want to do ever ything we can to re-engage with those students and get them back enrolled so they can get to their educational goals as soon as possible.”

According to District Chancellor Bryan Reece, the drop in enrollment directly impacts the district’s funding. The state has adopted a new funding model, and the temporar y “hold harmless” provision that creates a fixed school budget and allows the colleges funding without liabilities will disappear by the 2024-2025 school year.

If the current enrollment number of 52,000 students does not increase by 15,000 by then, the district could lose up to $25 million every year afterward.

The district has been at work to prevent the possible budget loss by building a general marketing plan, or a “three-year Enrollment Recovery Campaign” as Reece calls it, focusing on outreach, engagement and retention with students who had to drop out of college or did not enter college due to the pandemic.

“We have to look at how many people are within our county that are the typical community college students that tend to enroll at higher percentages,” said Carlos

with mental health issues, school counseling and psychologists might be their only outlet to deal with their problems. And academic troubles, the ongoing pandemic and stress at home can negatively impact students who can’t reach out for help in-person.

But not all students are the same and there is a likely chance that students have thrived in the online environment academically, socially and emotionally. In addition, we are living in an unprecedented time, with most schools adapting to an unfamiliar situation that could possibly put students and staff at risk. It is not expected that schools have the answers to all the problems COVID-19 has caused.

We at the Experience are not telling school boards they should or should not reopen – that is their decision. What we do believe, however, is that before school boards make their final decisions, they must consider all possibilities and take into account the concerns of the students they are meant to serve.

daily. Even small attempts at everyday activities became difficult.

“I sat down on our stationary bike,” she said, “And I had, like a, I don’t know, like a breathing attack. I couldn’t catch my breath after cycling for like a minute.”

Since she had given birth earlier in the year, McCarthy had used her sick leave from the college as maternity leave and was left with little available time when she contracted the virus. In an act of kindness, the dean of Math and Sciences Ryan Pederson put together a “leave pool” where LMC staff donated additional hours to McCarthy so she could get proper rest.

“I had just enough leave to get me through the end of fall and didn’t use any of the donated leave, but it was like the gesture of everybody donating that… that made me feel very supported and lucky to be part of the community,” she said.

McCarthy has recovered, but occasionally experiences shortness of breath and struggles with migraines. She now exercises weekly to build the strength she lost.

While these accounts each reveal aspects of the virus those who contract it and recover from it, more than half a million were less fortunate. With the roll out of the vaccines there is hope that COVID-19 cases will decrease within the next year.

In the meantime, health experts caution that continuing pandemic protocol – wearing masks, social distancing, staying home and washing hands –is vital to ensuring individuals avoid COVID-19 and the harm it can cause.

Montoya, LMC’s vice president of Business and Administrative Ser vices, “so that’s where that enrollment recover y campaign really kind of comes into play, trying to identify those students, communicate with those potential students and then help convert those students into actual students.”

To help create the enrollment marketing campaign, the district formed a search committee, reaching out to over 200 firms to find a business partner.

Out of the firms that applied, the committee narrowed the group down to nine, and the district plans to concentrate the selection pool and conduct interviews with two or three firms to find their potential marketing partner.

Once the partner has been selected, the district hopes to enact the enrollment campaign star ting in the 2021-2022 school year.

“The reason we’re moving fast is because that ’24-’25 budget,” said Reece, “that budget year will be based on three years of enrollment, the average of three years of enrollment, so we need to affect the enrollment numbers next year.”

As enrollment is opening up for the summer and fall semesters, and the district hopes to encourage students to continue taking courses to further their college education.

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dations based on the collected data and help the district create implementation plans.

“What goes into [the recommendation] is actually a tremendous amount of information that we’re gathering from drawings, from past reports, other surveys that the district has compiled and then our field assessments,” said Hwakong Cheng, the project lead for Taylor Engineering.

In this process, both firms are using what they call the “Swiss Cheese Model” to combat the transmission of COVID-19. Although singular methods to combat the virus have holes that are not foolproof, like swiss cheese, using multiple layers of protection will efficiently limit transmission. A vital layer of these protections is ventilation and air filtration, which proper HVAC systems can secure.

Steve Taylor, the founder of Taylor Engineering, said the combination of ventilation, filtration and masks indoors can help mitigate the spread of the virus when attending in-person classes.

“Ventilation and filtration basically act the same way.

They both reduce the concentration of particles in the air, and that reduces the risk of transmission,” said Taylor.

Once both the assessments are completed and recommendations are issued, the district hopes to build on completed work while meeting the CDC guidelines. They also hope to keep a strong and active communication system throughout the entire process. When the needed measures are taken, college campuses will be ready for the next academic school year.

this critical time.”

As of Feb. 4, the mobile testing site has closed its operations at LMC and moved to the Antioch Community Center. Due to the rising cases in Contra Costa County, the state required a larger testing facility for the number of patients requesting tests.

Despite this move, the CCCCD still plans to help the community during the pandemic. This includes hosting vaccination sites and assisting first responders.

“The county continues to have a dialog with us about the potential use of our Pittsburg campus as a vaccination delivery site. We had initial conversations about doing so at the Brentwood Center, but the County decided on another site in the Brentwood area,” said Kratochvil. “However, the County Fire Department is beginning plans to use the Brentwood Center parking lot as an inoculation site for first-responders.”

As the Contra Costa Community College District works to provide help and service to those in need during the pandemic, students are still urged to connect and provide support to one another despite the impending boundaries. “Building community in an online environment is something that is a little bit harder to do but is so much more important,” said District Chancellor Bryan Reece, “The thing that other students can do is to help other students feel a sense of community in this environment somehow.”

You can visit the CCHS website about getting tested or you can find more information about LMC’s COVID-19 resources through its website.

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“It was hella hard doing online classes during COVID,” Mendez said, “You got to be able to use your hands and some people who wanted to major in something like this just gave up.”

Mendez added that sticking with it has paid off. He is now working as an automotive technician in Concord and excited for the online graduation on May 22.

For so many students, the end of the spring semester is a time to feel honored by their accomplishments. The past year has not been easy for those who have been limited to mostly virtual learning. But those who were able to adapt to the online environment and overcome the obstacles before them are now finding academic and career success.

Noel said after the vote that he will make time in future senate meetings to discuss the next steps in making sure they follow through with the pledge. Noel will also be co-hosting the upcoming LMC Town Hall Feb. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. via Zoom.

“Intended to support and strengthen our ongoing efforts — as individuals, and as a college community —to fight racism, anti-Blackness and inequality,” wrote LMC President Bob Kratochvil.

If you would like to attend the next LMC academic senate meeting or view the agenda of the meetings, you can find that information on the senate website.

The Zoom link to attend the LMC Town Hall can be found here.

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VACCINE From page 1

issue can be resolved. With proper measures taken to study vaccine accessibility, it can be ensured that enough people are getting vaccinated.

“For other states not ordering the allotted vaccines, the reasons behind this should be appropriately investigated, reviewed and analyzed for proper measures to help resolve the issue,” said Hicks.

Businesses are encouraging an increase in vaccinations is by having special promotions

for vaccinated people. With these special deals, people are rewarded for getting the vaccine.

While the pandemic has lingered for over a year, a return to normal is in sight, as long as people take the precautions necessary and get the vaccine. Education about the vaccine, an increase in available doses and support from individual people and companies may help the United States get there.

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Create an environment for growth Experience LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

By JESSE MENDOZA

Posted online April 21, 2021

Over the past year, schools all over the world went virtual because of the COVID-19 virus.

During the first two weeks of the pandemic last March, I was excited for an “extended spring break.” After a month, I was anxious.

After a year, I am desperate for my college experience.

Although both students and teachers have been working to make virtual learning more efficient, there isn’t the same sense of community that pre-pandemic classes offered. Some students prefer to have their cameras off and extracurricular activities have become scarce. College has become a chore instead of a transformative experience.

Students have been struggling with ever ything from poor internet connections to mental health issues. The challenges of the shift were evident with technologically illiterate professors who couldn’t figure out how to turn on their microphone.

But I am fortunate to be enrolled this se-

OPINION

mester in a partially in-person course within the district at Diablo Valley College. We hold lectures via Zoom and have labs on campus.

Arboriculture, the study of trees, is an ideal in-person class due to the outdoor nature of the field.

On the first day, I showed up to the DVC greenhouse in the Horticulture area. There were chairs staggered around to allow social distance and the professor was seated, waiting for the class to start. We made introductions and engaged in the awkward icebreakers I had been missing.

From the start, my classmates followed an unspoken, courteous pandemic protocol.

Students wore their masks properly, kept their distance and even brought in hand sanitizer for others.

It feels good to be in an environment where you can have a direct line of communication with each other. As a result, we were more likely to ask questions and build connections.

We also get to take walks on campus to look at trees and plant life. It allows us to better understand the lectures through firsthand

experience. In an online format, we would only be able to see pictures and then must memorize the information instead of interacting with nature in a guided tour.

In this on-site lab class there are no breakout rooms, no poor connection and no pajamas.

Students and professors share a commonality. When they are excited about a subject, they are more likely to take pride in their work, creating a quality learning environment.

With the number of vaccinations on the rise, I hope we will be able to safely hold more classes either partially in-person or fully in-person by the fall. According to recent federal and state reports, more than 25 million people have been vaccinated so far in California, meaning that in-person fall classes are a possibility.

Although things may not be completely normal, we are seeing a reopening of schools now that more vaccines are becoming available. And more in-person education means students should once again be able to get the resources they need and develop the skills to succeed in college and in the workforce.

L M C E X P E R I E N C E . C O M

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

S PRI NG 2 0 2 1 Editor-in-Chief ........................ .WESTON HOPKINS Perspectives Editor.....................SARINA GROSSI Features Editor.........................DYLAN DAVIDSON Arts Editor.......................................BAILEE LEWIS The LMC Experience is published Fridays by students in the Journalism Program. The newspaper serves both as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

CHOIR

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the Byrds. The phenomenal acting and writing of “Ozark” is what makes it one of the most notable series on Netflix. There is not one character in the series who feels inauthentic and the show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. “Ozark” is due for a fourth and final season this year. n Black Mirror (2017-) This series was inspired by fictional anthology series such as “The Twilight Zone.”

It dissects the future of our society and how technology can have unintended consequences. The dystopian themes explore alternate realities and evaluate philosophical concepts such as mortality, privacy, political allegiances and simulations. There are currently five seasons available on the platform. n Schulz Saves America (2020-) Andrew Schulz is a well-known stand-up comedian who gained popularity on YouTube about two years ago where he began his career by posting short clips, then later entered the podcast industry. “Schulz Saves America” is a series in which he picks apart 2020 and the chaotic world we live in. Schulz gives a voice to both sides of our nation’s political spectrum and manages to make fun of everyone equally.

The comedy is quick and beautifully written through his monologues. Episodes include “Coronavirus,” “Conspiracy Theories,” “BLM” and “A Nation Divided.” n Chef ’s Table (2015-): Creator David Gelb does a fantastic job in this series showing the artistry and trade required to be a great chef. Right away from the dramatic introduction, viewers become engaged and it evolves into a heartfelt adventure. The directors do an excellent job of creating stories about chefs and how they found their art form and style. The show goes to various countries around the world and gives multicultural perspectives on food and life. A warning to the audience: Do not view this show on an empty stomach or the mouthwatering meals will be unbearable to watch. n Cobra Kai (2018-) Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence are back in this series that tells the story of current lives. Though their rivalry is still strong, they are both doing what is right and help those from a younger generation find their path. The show brings a nostalgic feeling of Netflix the original “Karate Kid” and does the film justice. It currently has three seasons out Fionn Whitehead stars as Stefan Butler, a young video game programmer, in “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.” and has become a huge hit.

FOOD those who have never had the privilege of experiencing real carnitas, this would be a suitable place to start.

At its essence, carnitas is seasoned pork fried within its own fat. Most burritos with carnitas can get too greasy, but at Carnitas Tijuana, the cooks add pico de gallo, which evens the pork with a necessar y fresh feeling to fully indulge. The sacred combination of beans and cheese also elevates how delicious the burrito tastes.

It’s the perfect combination of taste and texture that is required for pork meat. n Tortas Ahogadas,El Tio3400 Main St., Oakley The bland building sits on Main St., overshadowed

by La Costa a block away. In pre-COVID times the small shack could only sit two tables.

This restaurant’s specialty, as made obvious by the title, is the tortas ahogadas. What is not made so obvious is just how good their burritos are.

To call this place a restaurant at all might seem as an exaggeration as it resembles more of a shack.

When I picked it up, I checked the bag to see if they gave me the right order. It was too heavy to be a single burrito, I thought. After my first bite I understood just how densely packed it was.

At $7, it was a deal. n Taqueria Salsa,3612 Delta Blvd., Antioch This taqueria is great for a quick bite on a time constraint as the food is usually ready within five minutes after placing an order. Their mission-style burrito really stands out and it makes me feel like I am walking through San Francisco’s Mission District. Their side salsas are the highlight to the burrito as it adds to the combination of flavors.

The Mission style burrito was made famous in San Francisco, but Taqueria Salsa does it justice. A proper Mission style burrito has grilled carne asada, tomato, onion, cilantro and whole beans — and it should be juicy not greasy.

Taqueria Salsa presented a perfect Mission style with the smoky taste of the grill still resonating on the meat.

— Thomas Jefferson

FA L L 2 0 2 1 Editor-in-Chief ............................ SARINA GROSSI Feaures Editor...........................DYLAN DAVIDSON Arts Editor..........................STEPHANIE ARREOLA

FLIX

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“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

n Las Panchitas,1270 E Leland Road, Pittsburg When I walked into Las Panchitas it had a large menu and it was decorated with traditional ceramics. A stacked pyramid of burritos displayed all kinds of sizes. For the quick snack, and for those without an appetite, it starts with the regular. The mini is a bit larger, and the super burrito is what I would define as standard.

What comes next amazed me. First was the burritozilla, and with the new Godzilla film, what better way to watch it than with a burrito worthy of the titan’s name. Finally, Las Panchitas ser ves the anaconda. It wraps around the table and could feed a family of five.

Las Panchitas is situated within close proximity to the LMC Pittsburg campus. Most of the burritos are subpar, but their chorizo and egg burrito stands apart and above the rest. Chorizo is Mexican sausage but with more spice it is that much better than what we consider sausage. It makes for a great breakfast on an early morning before class.

It would be exceptional alone but the other ingredients such as the rice and beans can fill a student for an entire day on campus. n Taqueria El Tarasco, 41 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood Any students who have been to the old Brentwood campus have most likely seen Taqueria El Tarasco.

It used to be occupied by a Vietnamese Pho eatery and now hosts some of the best Mexican food in Brentwood.

They always have the freshest ingredients and the pico de gallo mixed with guacamole leaves you with a satisfied feeling instead of the discomfort that often comes with feeling exceedingly full. The burrito was not as packed as some of the others, but every ingredient was high quality.

The cilantro, tomato, onion and avocado were all fresh.

Many restaurants prepare their ingredients either in the morning or up to a few days before but by the sounds of knives hitting the cutting board I sensed the meat and vegetables are regularly cut up.

JERKS

SPOTIFY

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Podcast” from his home in Los Angeles.Burr possesses the Bostonian style of comedy that includes rants and roasts of his daily life. He transforms a trip to the grocer y store into a self-reflective, comedic adventure. His takes on life are not unique but his ability to communicate his short-tempered mentality makes it worth the listen. This podcast has no guests with the exception of occasional commentary from Nia Renee Hill, his wife. The hour-and-a-half long podcasts are also limited to audio as Burr refuses to be on camera. n This Past Weekend, Spotify / YouTube Theo Von hosts “This Past Weekend” in both his Nashville and Los Angeles studios.

His guests are completely random, which is in line with his personality. He recently had a mortician and a female truck driver on, but usually schedules lesser-known comedians. Von faced a struggle with addiction like many other comedians but overcame it and uses his podcast as a platform to help others who are in a comparable situation.

Although he may seem dimwitted, it is entirely his sense of humor and is a genius when it comes to storytelling and conversing. n Tiger Belly, Spotify / YouTube “Tiger Belly” is hosted by actor and comic Bobby

DRAMA

Lee alongside his girlfriend Khalyla Kuhn. While on stage Lee can be seen stripping to his birthday suit for laughs, he is completely garbed for the extent of the podcast. His wild obnoxious comedy is as funny as it is uncomfortable, but Kuhn is the opposite — this makes the pair work well together. They have different segments such as “Unhelpful Advice,” in which they tr y to help viewers who send in letters asking for advice.

Originally, they had a new studio to host the podcast, but more recently they have been hosting from their pandemic-style garage studio. n Your Mom’s House, Spotify / YouTube “Your Mom’s House” is a podcast featuring comedians Christina Pazsitzky and Tom Segura. The duo is married with children, but their conversations do not consist of typical parental topics. Segura has a grotesque sense of humor and, instead of countering it, Pazsitzky fuels his fire. They comment on viral videos, talk about their relationship and any absurd topic that comes out of their minds. “Your Mom’s House” studios has many different podcasts with different hosts for a variety of audiences. Viewers can watch on their own website, or on YouTube or Spotify, or through their own website at ymhstudios.com/.

into their groove, and understanding that they are one, and when their backs are against the wall they will make sure they win. That film is full of passion, and all heart,” said lead actor Taylor Chestra Filming the production was challenging, and that’s not even including the challenges created by the pandemic.

“It was extremely difficult, but we made it work,” said Karen Hernandez, an actor in the film, “The most difficult part was definitely having to wear N95 masks under our other masks when the weather was so incredibly hot.”

Having to film in sweltering heat while following COVID-19 regulations is no easy task, but LMC drama department head Nick Garcia sees it differently.

“In art, nothing ever goes the way you want it to, or the way you think it’s going to,” said Garcia. “What’s funny is if you make a plan, and everybody is united in the same goal, and we have the same destination, everybody works together to solve the problem and not blame each other, and you’re able to overcome obstacles, and your final product is better than you thought.”

With there being no confirmed release date for the production, keep your eye out for news and updates about the film as post-production continues.

an obstacle. However, students were able to shoot scenes at home with family or outside with a couple of friends while following pandemic protocols.

“You’re either at home, or you’re [filming] safely; social distancing, six feet apar t, masks, and everything.” said Taylor Chestra, an LMC drama student who worked on the project. “Now, it’s ‘OK, what can I do to make this skit good and what can I do to help out anyone that’s in need?’”

After shooting the scenes, the team went through an editing process to form the first full episode of “Shenanigans”. For many involved,

the challenges of COVID-19 helped them fuel their creative outlets and learn new skills like filming and editing.

“With any project, there are always limitations, but the creativity is within the limitations,” said Garcia. “The obstacles aren’t a bad thing.

They are a gift if you look at it the right way.”

If you would like to support “Shenanigans” and the hard work of the drama club, make sure to purchase your ticket on Feb. 5 through ShowTix4U. The pandemic may have temporarily stopped live performances, but it has yet to stop the performing arts itself.

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each student found inspiration anywhere and everywhere.

Clarissa Grubbs, an LMC graduate and contributor to the project, wrote the three sketches “Wishlist,” “Hell Please” and “Scoby.”

“I hadn’t anticipated writing skits,” said Grubbs. “But I had an idea for one.”

And when Garcia asked on a call if anyone had any ideas, she shared hers and ended up writing for the show.

After writing and workshopping the sketches, the students began filming. The pandemic prevented large groups from gathering on campus and initially, this was

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“We were together on Zoom although not together.”

For Brittany Chellsen, a first-semester choir student at LMC, online instruction has been a blessing in disguise.

“It definitely has been interesting and hads its challenges, yet it has provided a way for me to be a part of something I wouldn’t have been able to as easily be a part of had we not been in this pandemic and not had the option to be online,” said Chellsen.

Though many changes were involved when putting together this year’s Gospel Celebration Concer t, the choir promises that no quality was compromised with these changes. Many involved are anticipating the event, excited to finally perform after a long year without singing to an audience.

“My favorite aspect of being in the choir is the final presentation, the concert. That allows us to see all of the hard work that was put in as we prepared be experienced by those that are hearing us. It lets us know that all that was done was worth it,” said Scott.

Within the choir, Chellsen says she has broadened her “horizons” musically and has led her to meet new music-loving friends and colleagues. She stresses that the performing arts is vital today.

“It brings society joy and reminds us to slow down and enjoy the beauty of life,” she said.

The concert will open at 6:15 p.m. with free admission and begin performances at 7 p.m..

PUNK From page 5

the song for his own “Stronger” from his third album “Graduation.”

A younger generation could recognize them from Disney’s “Tron: Legacy.” This was the band’s only soundtrack for a film, and it complements the neon, utopic theme. The duo was able to make a cameo and can be seen as DJs in one of the fight scenes.

In 2013 the band released “Random Access Memories.”

This album featured several artists such as Giorgio Moroder, Julian Casablancas, Todd Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Paul Williams and Pharrell Williams. “Get Lucky,” sung

by Pharrell Williams, became a global sensation that year and reached Billboard’s top record.

The album was much more than the band’s fun dance beats; it was a true work of art.

In 2014 Daft Punk achieved four Grammy wins including album of the year and record of the year.

The end of Daft Punk does not signify the end of Homem-Christo and Bangalter’s careers. It gives fans hope of new projects from the now independent musicians and an appreciation for the art they have already created.

Editor’s Note

This digital print edition of the Los Medanos College student newspaper is a compilation of stories posted to the online news site lmcexperience.com during the spring 2021 semester.

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FRIENDS From page 6

baths without leaving the door unlocked and letting someone know nearby. The biggest one is that I’m unable to drive,” said Heuer. “Unfortunately for my seven-year-old career decisions, I won’t be able to be a mermaid performer.”

The most inspiring thing about their friendship is how far they’ve come through their disabilities together.

“We’ve been there for each other through thick and thin,” said Combs. “For the past eight years, we’ve seen each other through it all and grown so much together.”

Combs explained how she’s been able to help Heuer deal with her epilepsy diagnosis.

“The best thing I can really do is be there for her when she needs moral support or needs to talk and make sure she feels validated,” said Combs. “A condition like hers is a huge mental burden that she has, thankfully, come to terms with.”

Combs has done a lot of

FIRST From page 6

research on epilepsy to be helpful to her friend: Learning how to help when she is having a seizure to just knowing what Heuer needs after having one. Whenever they get together, Combs reminds her of the time so she doesn’t accidentally miss her daily seizure medications.

This isn’t a one-sided effort, however. Heuer also puts time into helping Combs with her arthritis.

“I mostly just try to support her emotionally and listen to what she says she needs,” said Heuer. “If she needs to sit 8-year-old Sierra Heuer (middle) and Jasmine Combs hanging out with Hunter Heuer at the Brentwood farmers market. down and use three ice packs for her joints I’m going to try and grab as much ice as possible so she can use it.”

They acknowledge how much they have impacted each other’s lives with meaningful looks.

“Oh god,” said Heuer.

“I don’t know where I’d be without Jasmine. She’s really helped me build confidence as a person and helped me learn about my own self worth, even helped me become less of a fashion disaster.”

And Combs feels the same way about Heuer: “She has made up so much of my growth as a person.”

The young women have helped each other in so many ways and credit a little piece of themselves to the other.

“Describing our friendship is challenging, but I’d say empathetic, we both understand how it feels to be students going through something and we tr y to look on the bright side or poke fun at our situations,” said Heuer.

A true friendship is something some people try to find for their entire lives, but Combs and Heuer are lucky enough to have found their special friendship in third grade.

COBBS From page 6

Photo courtesy of Sara Heuer• Experience

8-year-old Sierra Heuer (middle) and Jasmine Combs relaxing with Hunter

said she expects to have at she said. guessing every question along all the different types of people She emphasized that her least one associate’s degree the way and wondering if she you can run into.” biggest takeaway from her ex- from each of them. answered it correctly or not.

It has been difficult balanc- perience serving as president Her work ethic is a tesAttending community col- ing a mountain of assignments taught her not to doubt herself. tament to her strength and lege was not her first choice. with a 24-hour-a-week work She said she didn’t realize then dedication, and involves sacShe had planned on going schedule, but Murgia said she what she brought to the table rifice some college students straight to a four-year univer- has come up with a system to and why she got elected, but aren’t willing to make. sity, but due to unforeseen help her stay on track. lists gaining confidence and “I also have to be willing to circumstances, she found Inside of a red notebook, professional skills as being sacrifice my social life in order herself at Los Medanos Col- she jots down a to-do list and two of her most important to succeed in my academics. lege after she graduated from gets them done by order of areas of growth.

With COVID-19, it isn’t as high school. importance. She also emphaWhile many who hold stu- bad since we can’t go outside “I was sad because I really sized that it is important to do dent government positions anyways,” she said, shrugging wanted to leave but I think it some self care every night. try not to add anything more through the Zoom screen. ended up working out for the Murgia finds that the most to their plate during and after Cobbs knows the benefits best,” she said. “I feel like I difficult aspect of transition- their term limits, Cobbs has and opportunities achievable did get more experience and ing from in-person to online been doing the exact oppo- by prioritizing education. Take also I know how to be a leader college is the isolation. She site. While she was LMCAS a look at her LinkedIn profile in my house. I am now able also said discussion boards president she was also holding page and you will notice the to apply my home situation just do not compare to in-class down top leader positions in “Honors Research Scholar” to my outside life.” discussion.

Umoja, Honors and EOPS, listed under the “Honors & When she started at LMC, She added that it feels as programs that she is still part Awards” section — an honMurgia adif students of today. orar y title given to few by mitted she these days But what is even more University.

“You cannot live a r e o n l y impressive is that Cobbs had Stanford was winging “I worked with a Stanford it with little life in your own typing for a the chance to transfer a while Sociologist on a research to no guidgrade — do- ago, but instead of following project centered around bubble.” ance. Then — Sol Murgia ing assign- the generic route many UC- victims of sexual assault. I she signed ments out of CSU transfer hopefuls take, had to schedule interviews, up for a sociology class and necessity rather than actually she decided to further her learn interviewing protocol, met Professor Marco Go- learning and retaining the community college education. transcribe interviews,” she dinez, who was also a fellow information.

Currently, Cobbs is enrolled said with a bit of pride in her first-generation student. He It’s more about discipline in classes across LMC, DVC, voice. offered a helping hand to all in completing assignments on Foothill College and De Anza Her time interning at one his students and was able to time and logging into weekly College and by June 2021 she of the top-ranked private help guide Murgia on her Zoom sessions. Yet, she sees journey. this pandemic merely as a With a clearer vision of bump in the road, nothing what she wanted to get out that will stop her on her path From page 6 of college, Murgia declared to that college degree. as a sociology major. She M u r g i a w a n t s o t h e r at I covered the Bay Valley of Community Colleges. He passionately explained that first-generation students to Athletic League and all sports finally reached his life-long she wants to work in the field know they are not alone on boys and girls. I’ve been doing goal of attending Fresno State when he transferred there as of Neurodiversity after having their higher education jour- this for 6 years,” he said.

During Cano’s senior year a junior this past fall. encounters with some people ney. Life often happens when As an undocumented stuwhose brains work different- you are making plans, she of high school, he applied to ly than what is considered explained — and that’s OK. a couple of four-year colleges dent, Cano has been provided typical.

“You might want to plan out including his first choice, opportunities under the De“I want to learn about dif- your whole life right now but I Fresno State. But things didn’t ferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, that have ferent types of people. I know definitely think it’s important workout as planned.

“I got denied by San Jose allowed him to pursue his that I am a first-generation to listen to your gut and take student and am the center things slow,” she said.“There and Fresno State. I really dreams — he was able to of my own universe,” she is a first time for everything wanted to attend Fresno State, acquire a driver’s license, said. “But, the universe is and you definitely deserve to however I think I wouldn’t apply for a job and receive aid huge and there are so many enjoy everything you have have been able to attend to cover school costs.

“If I was undocumented I different people around us. been working for. Don’t forget because of finances. That’s You cannot live life in your to enjoy experiences now rath- why I am thankful for the wouldn’t be able to get a job. own bubble, you have to go er than constantly worrying community college route,” I have been fortunate to be he said. protected and not be deportout there and just experience about the future.”

He majored in Journalism ed,” he said. “I am able to pay at LMC, becoming spor ts in-state fees and not worry editor, and was honored with about paying international sports writing awards from fees which is huge for me. I From page 2 the Journalism Association hope I can get my green card able to figure out exactly reaching out to students what students need, whether through email. Upon sending that be counseling, help with out their messages, the staff a commercial shoot for a financial aid or resources for realized that it was necessary perfume company. transferring. to form a schedule of commu- From page 6 Modeling is also a way for is like a canvas to an artist, “We’re developing a system nication in order to truly build and it takes skill to adapt to the sisters to connect with of case management tools those vital connections. and action steps to engage, “Once you realize… that a photographer’s vision. The others — especially in an age inform, and connect students we learn from each other women said they feel encour- where school and other social to their areas of need during and support each other, that’s aged when photographers events have moved online.

“We grew up in Antioch, we each phase of the students’ the area that can have a lot of coach them and illustrate academic journey,” said Nakaji, impact in the success of this the vision they are trying to never left,” said Ashley.

Modeling gives them oppor“staff such as myself will be program,” said art professor achieve.

Sometimes shoots include tunities to meet others they connected to more students Eric Sanchez. with better information to This project is not meant makeup artists and other types may have other wise never help them, and with a com- to last. But the goal is that of assistants who work with encountered. They have previprehensive system in place useful practices and positive the models and photographer. ously been to meet-up shoots for our referrals. We’ll be strategies exercised in the Both women agreed their where groups of models and equipped to communicate project will be scaled up to favorite shoots are those in photographers gather together with students and support other departments outside of which wardrobe and makeup to work.

“Everyone is super friendly, them more effectively.” the arts, humanities and music are provided.

“Studio shoots are our favor- we all comment on each othThe initial action taken by programs. In addition, there project faculty was directly are hopes to spread these ites, they feel so professional,” er’s posts and be supportive,” Amber explained. practices to incoming students said both sisters.

They hope to increase the For both, modeling is the beyond those who plan to number of studio shoots they way they express themselves transfer or earn degrees.

Future plans include official do as time goes on. Each sis- without using words. They welcome letters to students ter has a dream shoot if the said they fear public speaking within the main departments opportunity ever comes up. but enjoy being observers in “I’d love to do something conversations. and begin assigning students “Being in front of a camera success coaches to refer them fairy tale or cottage themed,” to resources necessary to their said Amber, while Ashley or on stage is easier for us than added she would love to do talking,” Amber said, adding academic career.

universities in the country, reinforced what she already knew about Stanford and made it her first choice for transfer. Few LMC students apply there due to its daunting admission process, but Cobbs is undeterred.

“It will be difficult to get in, but I am willing to take the chance,” she said confidently.

Cobbs is also considering other schools such as UC Berkeley, LA, Riverside, and Davis, as well as some of the CSUs. Cobbs wants to stick to her Califor nia roots and plans to transfer in Fall 2021, majoring in psychology and African-American studies.

As for whether or not another student election is in her future at other institutions, Cobbs let the question float in the air for only a second.

“Yes, I would definitely serve as president of student government at the four-year university. I know that it will be a lot more challenging because there will be more students to outreach to and advocate for, but I always love to challenge myself. Even if I do not win, I will still serve in

the student senate, ” she said.

While many of her achievements are a result of hard work, Cobbs also credits the faculty and staff at LMC for her successful journey.

“I have had so much help at LMC that I can’t count the people using my hands,” she said.

And although she has been inspired by the support of so many, she also serves as a role model to others.

“I’m really proud of how far she’s come since high school” said LMC student Maracelle Nasrat who went to high school with Cobbs.

“She inspires me to achieve more than just my goals, she motivates me to hold myself to no limits.”

No limits is what Cobbs is all about, and her advice to students on the fence about venturing as deeply into the academic world as she has, comes from what she has learned along the way “Never doubt yourself and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do,” Cobbs said, “Your life is what you make of it, so choose your path wisely.”

in the future.”

Despite the odds, Cano has been able to live out his dream to attend Fresno State and cover collegiate sports.

He moved to Fresno during the pandemic and is a double major in journalism and public relations.

“I feel happy being able to cover Fresno State sports and I feel blessed to be here. It took a lot of work and there were a lot of things that came into play to get here,” said Cano. “It is surreal being able to attend Fresno State. Being able to drive past Bulldog Stadium and remember Derek Carr and Devante Adams’ highlights when they attended college.”

Cano has been able to gain some notable experiences in the field of journalism

throughout his journey. He covered state championships in California, the San Jose Ear thquakes and Fresno State vs. UNLV at Allegiant Stadium.

“Getting to live my dreams in journalism is huge for me but getting to interact with players, coaches, and fans — I’ve never been to Las Vegas before so it was a new experience for me,” he said.

Cano acknowledges there are challenges in the field of journalism, but remains optimistic.

“Not everyone has or will make millions or have a lot of money in play. I may not be able to buy a lambo or a house on the waterfront, but I will always be happy being able to do something I love.”

that they both enjoy the confidence modeling brings them and love to share their photos on their Instagram accounts.

It often takes photographers a week or more after a shoot to send over the final images, but sometimes, they never receive images from the shoot back.

This is, however, a risk they said they are willing to take when booking shoots.

Thankfully, the sisters have never had a negative encounter at a shoot, only a few instances of missing images and unprofessional photographers, so for the most part modeling has always been a positive experience for the Roemer sisters.

“We love getting our final images back,” Ashley said.

“We want to not only look good in them, but also feel good about them.”

They share their photos on their separate Instagram accounts, which have a combined total of almost 3,500 followers.

The women have big dreams of signing with a modeling agency in the future, but know how difficult the modeling world is to break into.

Standing only 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-3, the Roemer sisters feel that runway modeling is most likely not in their future. For now, they are looking to try their hand at catalog modeling where height restrictions are not a big factor.

While modeling may be their dream, the Roemer sisters have started to focus on picking a major and considering what else they might do in the future. Amber is looking for “any job where I can help animals,” which has led her to start looking toward a degree in marine biology, and Ashley has taken an interest in film and television.

As for their future in modeling?

“It will always be a hobby,” said Ashley. “Hopefully we can move forward with it.”

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