Vol. 91 No. 3 - Sept. 20, 2019

Honors Program retreat

Mustangs beat Colts 2-1

LatinX club holds event

Honors Program students and professors went on a retreat in Yosemite Sept. 13-15 — page 3

The Los Medanos College Women’s Soccer team won against Cañada College Friday, Sept. 13 — page 6

LatinX and other clubs held an event to raise money and awareness for Hispanic Heritage Month — page 4

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 26

Last day to request pass/no-pass for student choice courses

Sept. 27

College closed in observance of Native American Day

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Plan puts students first Enrollment initiative in the works

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

Los Medanos College staff have been working hard to make a new system on campus that allows professors to focus on putting the students and their experience first while on campus.

This plan is called Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) and it focuses on three base pillars: student experience, institutional organization and fiscal responsibility.

SEM is now a committee-like group of staff defining what LMC has called “guided pathways.” Staff are

Krys Shahin • Experience

Letta Greene and Jill Bouchard place dots on a board Sept. 16. strongly encouraged to go to these weekly meetings by the president, vice president and other committee heads.

“We have to pause on what we’re doing to reflect on the student experience,” said Vice President Sally Montemayor Lenz.

At first, guided pathways and SEM were seemingly separate but during the first college assembly of the academic year, Monday Sept.

16, Academic Senate president Josh Bearden announced that they are one in the same.

“SEM is how guided pathways is institutionalized for the future,” said Bearden.

There was once a committee that mandated topics of this nature, but the last time they met was said to be in 2012.

The largest target this group seems to want to hit is that they want to ensure their policies and practices do not deter students from attending LMC. “I have confidence in the people running it to build something that will help students,” said philosophy professor Edward Haven.

The biggest hurdles and questions that the staff at LMC have been dealing with are about overview. The concerns are mostly with student experience, but also people asking questions about both what the campus’ environmental and technological needs are.

“It’s evolving as it goes,” said Bearden.

There is an obvious difference in

Fighter pilot speaks

College players may be paid

Guest speaker for Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Advocate and America’s first Latina Fighter Pilot, Olga Custodio is set to speak Sept. 24 at Los Medanos College. The event will be held in the Science Building in Room SC-136 from 4 to 5 p.m. with a reception to follow until 6 p.m. There will be a 15-minute Q&A period after her speech. Please RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/lmcsep24.

By JESUS CANO @Juice_Cano

Donate to the Food Pantry The Los Medanos College Food Pantry is a great place to give back to the community. The Pantry is accepting non perishable food to the donation bins out-front of the office. You can also donate by coming in and visiting their friendly staff.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at SS3-817 (by the Cafeteria and Veterans Center.) For more information about events and items you are looking for, visit the website at studentlife@losmedanos. edu or losmedanos.edu/ foodpantry or call at (925) 473-7758.

Despite your type, donate No matter A, B or O, your blood is needed to save a life. This month you have a chance to give back and help your community at the Los Medanos College Blood Drive. It will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24 in the Library Room L-109 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you plan to donate, call the Office of Student Life sometime before the event at (925) 473-7553.

See PLAN, page 5

Jordyn Toscano • Experience

Adrian Montemayor poses over his booth, advocating for students to know about the Constitution.

Become aware of your rights

By JORDYN TOSCANO @jordyn.toscano

Every year for the past nine years, Los Medanos College has commemorated the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17. This year, there were multiple booths set up in front of the cafeteria to educate students about their rights as a United States citizen.

“Constitution Day is a federal holiday where we pass out information about the Constitution to students so they know about it,” said Financial Office Administrator, Eva Monteverde.

In an effort to spread the word about Constitution Day, Student Life Associate

Adrian Montemayor set up a booth featuring fun games and a plethora of information to educate students about their rights. Challenging students to answer questions about what rights they’re already aware of, Montemayor set up a quiz wheel at his table.

“They [students] can spin the quiz wheel for prizes based on what they already know about their rights,” said Montemayor.

According to a survey released by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation on Oct. 3, 2018, only 36% of American citizens were able to pass the US citizenship test. Although

Constitutional rights are taught to every student in public high school, very few remember enough to pass the same test that naturalized citizens go through on a daily basis.

“I think it’s important that students know their rights with ever ything going on right now. I believe that the Constitution should be taught every once in a while in class for review as well,” said student Victor Delgadillo.

The Constitution Day celebration at LMC also featured a financial aid booth to help further students knowledge about the financial aid options available

See RIGHT, page 5

For years, former and current college level student athletes have advocated and fought to get paid for playing spor ts in their respective leagues and on their school’s team. That may come to an end in 2023 in the state of California — if Governor Newsom signed the bill.

The California State Assembly voted 73-0 in favor of Senate Bill 206, which is being referred to as the Fair Pay to Play Act. If the bill is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, players will be entitled to monetary compensation on endorsement deals.

While big name athletes like Antioch High School alumnus and current Alabama running back Najee Harris and former Duke star Zion Williamson — 2019 NBA No. 1 draft pick received a full ride scholarship, they are not able to make any income during the season, even if they are putting butts in seats.

“The 231 NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] Division 1 schools with data available generated a See BILL, page 5

Area 51 bracing for storm People are still trying to ‘see them aliens’ confirmed use is as a flight testing facility.”

Facebook user and community college student With the proposed raid on Area 51 approaching Matty Roberts posted the event titled “Storm at lightspeed, the controversy and commotion Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us,” on June 26 surrounding the event seemingly plateaued as a joke, according to his interview with the when it was supposedly canceled. That was until Los Angeles Times. The event description read, two YouTubers from the “We will all meet up at the Netherlands were arrestArea 51 alien center tourist ed, while trying to get an “If anyone thinks that attraction and coordinate early preview of craziness they will be able to our entr y. If we Naruto to come. The event is still we can move faster enter that area without run, currently scheduled for than their bullets. Let’s see government approval, them aliens.”

Sept. 20-22.

Area 51, according to the [they will be] sadly The joke of that post Encyclopedia Britannica, quickly took on a life of its is a “Secret U.S. Air Force mistaken.” own, as millions of Facebook military installation located — Milton Clarke users marked that they at Groom Lake in southern would be attending, while Nevada. It is administered by Edwards Air Force another million users marked that they were Base in southern California. The installation interested in going. The post earned “meme has been the focus of numerous conspiracies [internet jokes] status,” as it made its way across involving extraterrestrial life, though it’s only See ALIEN, page 5

By KATIE LOUGHRAN @Katie__Loughran

Illustration by Marisa BeBeau

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Perspectives

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“Fear dosn’t shut you, down it wakes you up.”

— Veronica Roth

Adriana Ivanoff

Abigail McAuley

VOICE FOR VOICLESS

GUEST COLUMN

Perfection is always fleeting

Ebooks taking all our ‘dough’

When I hear the word perfection, I only feel fear for my mistakes knowing that scientists and others would say I was born as one. I know that I’m something more but some people never tend to see it. I’ve never seen the perfect achievable grace that everyone wants. I only see the great divide that suffocates the difference inside.

We live in a society that wants us to breathe without air, to be human yet never take a wrong step. It’s an insanity that people follow blindly, accepting it, when in reality it is a death sentence for the mind of an entire generation, numbing the voice of the world.

How sad is it that we have billions of people in the world yet personalities are stereotyped and labeled down to under 10.

I’ve learned the various degrees of hate from being autistic, to terrify me from ever making a mistake. Each person with a disability has experienced an act of cruelty beyond the comprehension of those who have everything they often live without.

Sometimes the worst cruelty is in the act of our own fate.

There are no words that they can say when someone who cannot walk has someone else run around them. When they spend their lives dreaming of being able to take a few steps. You could never know the ache within the blind person’s heart when the hear someone off in the distance say “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”That unparalleled agony fails to translate into words as there are none that can reach deep enough.

You can’t imagine what it’s like for someone to discover their life will be shortened by decades and have to discard their dreams of being able to grow old, of imagining that they are that 80 year old couple who still dance together.

The autistic spectrum has another fate which most cannot comprehend, imagine loving so deeply that you feel life for the first time, the chaotic and equally harmonic thrall that makes you breathe as if you never had before, and yet by mistake push them away with a single word and never knowing why.

I hide that label because I know when people hear it they change.

Their stance becomes awkward and their eyes harden, becoming more distant as they try to figure out how to treat you. Their words sound as if speaking to a toddler slower and more concise in the simplest of terms. The smiles you see become a plaster of the true mold-fake, crumbling until they fall off.

There is a false kindness that penetrates all things in a sense that can always be detected and hurts to be around from the lack of sincerity. The last and most unforgettable thing is the laughter, as you are called dumb behind your back, as others mock you within ear shot and don’t know how to respond other than ignore them.

The first lesson in being dis-abled is being taught that you are half of whatever they are.

We look into another’s eyes searching for the depths of their souls so that we may know them before any words. We are already searching for who they are in the first few moments.

We study people from the distance, watching how the react to things, because we know better than to judge on appearance or first impressions.

We are afraid of being treated different but are always aware of the 50/50 chance of being hurt, so we develop our opinions and perceptions of people over a long period of time. The people in our lives are in every detail of our world as we know that there are those who have the power to completely destroy us or save us from the crushing weight of loneliness of having every word fail, of our bodies that fail our hearts, and minds that fail the spirit of our souls.

Tired of textbooks that cost more than your tuition? The recent trend of high price driven access codes is detrimental to the cost of attending college, and even to the educational experience itself for students of Los Medanos College.

There are a lot of things to love about LMC, but one repeated theme I’ve seen in the qualities that draw students here is that it is much more affordable than other four-year colleges. However, the way access codes are used, they often require students to buy a new textbook (buying used or renting) that’s not bundled with the access code.

Not only do these students have an added cost of the codes averaging $100 each, but they also may be forced to spend more on the textbooks themselves. If you’re lucky, the textbook and the access code can be sold separately, but even then, there’s no chance of reselling the access code at the end of the semester or sharing with someone else in the class. Students end up paying more than they bargained for when they enrolled.

One of the most alarming aspects of the access code industry is that students are now paying for things that used to be included in the cost of tuition. Now instead of paying for tuition, books, and classroom supplies, students are expected to pay to do homework and take quizzes.

Somehow, forcing students to pay for essential functions of the classroom has become the new norm.

If a student is not able to get an access code for a class that requires one, they will not pass. This creates an enormous barrier to student success at an institution that is branded by affordability. Access codes create another obstacle in the form of technology.

It is bold of professors to assume that every student has access to a computer to use for homework each night, and most access code systems are not accessible by phone.

It is easy to see why a professor might favor access codes over assigning homework and quizzes; these online systems provide a bulk of the curriculum and grade their work instantly.

This can have an adverse effect, as access codes use multiple-choice questions that are automatically graded, which don’t allow professors to see what mistakes are being made or who is falling behind. It is also much easier for students to cheat on online homework and quizzes. A student may have no problem copy and pasting every question into Google, even if their work is timed. Many access code systems give a set number of attempts for each problem, so guessing becomes a more viable option while still getting full points. Either way, the online experience proves to be less enriching.

Professors might think that they are providing their students with even more learning opportunities via digital tools, but in reality, they are assigning generic busywork that may not be suited to the topics that students learn in class.

One LMC student (who wished to remain anonymous) pointed out that, “my professor doesn’t even know what questions are on our online homework assignments, and they never match her in-class quizzes.”

The access code format, in fact, decreases professor involvement in student coursework because with the click of a button they can assign work from a third-party site and not give their curriculum a second thought.

Professors should know the cost of their required materials, weigh the option of whether to require access codes, and be flexible for students who may not be able to spend the extra money for basic coursework.

What might seem like an advancement in technology might just be something that sets the whole class back financially and lower the quality of their education.

Katie Loughran • Experience

Editorial

Tax and regulate vaping

T

he vaping epidemic that’s taken over the world today needs drastic action to end it.

The irony about vaping is that it was originally intended to stop people from smoking in general, and yet it’s actually getting younger people addicted and killing those who vape at a quicker pace than those who smoke cigarettes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food Drug Administration and other clinics, vaping has caused seven deaths to date and more than 350 hospitalizations.

The Trump administration and the state of New York, have moved forward in banning flavored vaping products completely, however that is not enough change to resolve this issue.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has allotted $20 million to run anti-vaping advertisements in the hope of stopping the epidemic.

According to the CDC, “e-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol to the user by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver marijuana or other substances.”

The CDC has now found that in 2019, 27.5 percent of high schoolers used an e-cigarette within the previous month, compared with 20.8 percent in 2018. This increasing trend must be stopped. E-cigarettes and vaping pens should not be banned but rather taxed heavily and regulated with a lowered nicotine content.

A lowered nicotine content would also decrease health issues with smokers and vapers, because it “can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing of the arteries (vessels that carry blood). Nicotine may also contribute to the hardening of the arterial walls, which in turn, may lead to a heart attack,” according to The American Heart Association.

Taxing and regulation will not only help ween people off of cigarettes if they use vaping for the intended reason, but will also prevent new youths from getting get addicted to nicotine, which is the opposite reaction of what we want to happen — having more smokers.

The Keto diet has repercussions According to Lisa Cimperman R.D.N, in the The keto diet has been marketed as a quick and easy way to lose weight and get healthier. article, “The Keto Diet is Gaining Popularity, but What many people do not know is that our Is It Safe?” on healthline.com, “Once your body bodies need carbs for energy we need to enters ketosis, you also begin to lose muscle, survive. You can get energy from plants, fats become extremely fatigued, and eventually and proteins, but carbs are our bodies’ main enter starvation mode. Then it actually becomes even harder to lose weight” and, according to energy source.

According to Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt in the Francine Blinten R.D. in the same article, “It article “A Ketogenic Diet for Beginners” on can do more harm than good. It can damage dietdoctor.com, “A keto or ketogenic diet is a the heart, which is also a muscle.”

Feeding your muscles is more important low-carb, high-fat diet that can help you burn than losing fat quickly. fat more effectively...

If you’re over weight The ‘keto’ in a ketogenic and want to lose fat diet comes from the while still maintaining fact that it allows the healthy organs, it’s betbody to produce small fuel molecules called ter to cut your carbs to ‘ketones’. This is an a sustainable level that alternative fuel source is balanced with fats.

GUEST COLUMN for the body, used when While on a keto diet, blood sugar (glucose) is many replace sugar in short supply.” with heavy cream, and Eenfeldt said because your body is not getting bread with bacon. Heavy cream and bacon can enough carbs to use as energy, it begins to damage your arteries because of cholesterol. use fat instead, since that is what you will be Clogged arteries combined with the muscular eating most. He claims the body will begin to deterioration of your heart may lead to heart burn off fat storage more easily, because it is failure. You are likely experience something already getting its energy from the excess fat called the “keto flu” if you try this diet. The you’re eating, a process known as “ketosis.” “keto flu” causes symptoms such as vomiting, This is unhealthy for the body, because constipation, diarrhea, body aches and more. it is meant to use carbs for energy. Fruits, Unfortunately the keto diet is getting even including bananas, have high amounts of carbs more popular. Some after having the Keto flu and consumption of them is limited or cut out even claim it was just the body cleansing itself. completely on a keto diet, leading to an unbal- If you want to lose weight and keep your organs anced and therefore unhealthy diet. We learn intact, try eating Fresh fruits and vegetables as children what a healthy and balanced diet paired with the amount of fats and carbs suited consists of, and the overall theme is basically toward your lifestyle and how active you are the goldilocks principle. Not too much, not is a great way to do it. Your body will thank you if you try a healthy and sustainable diet. too little, and the keto diet disregards this.

Julia Steele

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

How do you feel about Trump’s Tweets?

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“I don’t have a problem with it.”

— Alejandro Medina

“It shouldn’t be happening, especially from him.”

— Rick Lebran

“I think it’s immature and inappropriate.”

— Monica Fernandez

“He’s so immature and it’s inappropiate coming from a president.”

— Ariana Hildreth

“The nature of his tweets are inappropiate towards marginalized population.”

— Victoria Alexzander

“It’s odd for a president to be tweeting.”

— Alex Chavez

“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.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor-in-Chief .......................... KRYS SHAHIN Perspectives Editors........ ADRIANA IVANOFF and DANTE HARROLD Campus Editors ................ HILLARY HETRICK . and CHARLES REED Features Editors.................KATIE LOUGHRAN and SPENCER BATUTE Sports Editors ...........................ERICK AMAYA and JOSEPH JOHNSON News Editor .............................. KRYS SHAHIN Photo Editor ......................... HAZEL RECINOS Video Editor ...................... KELLY WILLLIAMS 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.

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Campus Newswatch Jobs for students

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“A mentor enables a person to achieve.

A hero shows what achievement looks like.”

— John C. Mather

Walk with Honors

Text books, Tuition costs and entertainment budgets all have one thing in common – you need money. Contact workforstudentsnow.com for more information on job offers that they have for students. They offer the following services: n Schedule flexibility n Customer Sales/Service n $22 Base- APPT n Fun Environment n All ages 17+ n Some conditions may apply.

Transfer Workshops soon

Are you applying to CSU or UC and need help with your applications? There are upcoming workshops to help. You can sign up for workshops at the Transfer and Career Services desk, located on the fourth floor of Student Services. You can also sign up by visiting losmedanos. edu/transfer or by calling (925) 473-7444. The upcoming workshops are: n Oct. 1 CSU Application Workshop SS3-314 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 9 UC Application Workshop SS3-314 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Oct. 10 Application Help SS4 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. n Oct. 14 CSU Application Workshop SS-314 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. n Oct. 16 Application Help SS4 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 24 Application Help SS4 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 28 Application Help SS4 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming Transfer tours

Coming this Fri Oct 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. is a tour to CSU East Bay and the Ellie Mae Technology Company.

To sign up, click the registration link for the university you would like to visit. The link will be live a month before each tour. You must complete the entire online form to register for the event. To do this go to www.losmedanos.edu/transfer/ campustours.aspx. For more information contact the Transfer and Career Services Center by walking in to the office on the upper level of the Student Services Center (level 4) or call (925) 473-7444.

Food Pantry to give demo

The Food Pantry will hold a cooking demonstration using items that they have in stock on Sept. 25. The demonstration will take place in the indoor quad from 12 p.m. to 1:30p.m.

For more information, email the Office of Student Life at studentlife@losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7758.

Shenanigans wants members

The theater club is seeking new members. Shenanigans the Theater Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the green room (Little Theatre).

For more information contact the group at shenanigans. lmc.club@gmail.com

LatinX presents

LatinX Leadership team is organizing Indigenous Day. Oct 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Indoor Quad. Come learn and explore some contributions of the Hispanic and LatinX Americans added to the United States.

Offering Music, Dance, and Food. For more information or looking for more events contact studentlife@ losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7554.

Saint Mary’s tour sign ups

Students interested in transferring or just curious to explore Saint Mary’s College of California Sign-ups for a tour to Saint Mary’s College on Monday Sept 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In order to sign up please come up to the fourth floor of the Student Services Center SS4-436. Interested in other tours or events contact the Transfer and Career Center in person by walking in to the office on the upper level of the Student Services Center (level 4) or call (925) 473-7444.

— Compiled by Charles Reed

Photo courtesy of Emilio Gomez• Experience

From closest to farthest, Annalica Gutierez, Thyra Cobbs, Alex Sterling, Matt Carson and Bianca Arechiga.

They are on a hike in Yosemite on the Honors Retreat during the weekend of Sept. 13-15.

Program an asset in, out of class

By SPENCER BATUTE @BatuteSpencer

Have you ever wanted a program that offers cool classes, academic opportunities, fun trips and a sense of community, all in one? Look no further than Los Medanos College’s Honors Program.

The Honors Program, now entering its 21st year at LMC, offers students a wide variety of benefits including partnerships with top universities, uniquely designed and engaging classes, personal transfer guidance and social opportunities for students.

One of the program’s most well-known

draws is its partnership with high-profile four-year universities.

These partnerships offer guaranteed, or priority admissions and scholarships to top-name colleges. For example, through the Honors Program, LMC is the only East Bay college to participate in the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program, a program that can almost triple odds of admission to UCLA’s College of Letters and Science.

The Honors Program also offers customized courses with smaller class sizes and more intimate student-professor relations. Courses range from Honors

versions of GE classes to specifically designed interdisciplinary courses in which students learn about real-world issues and ethical dilemmas.

“It’s like a college AP class,” said Honors Director Jennifer Saito on the rigor of Honors courses.

Ryan Hiscocks, an Honors professor, said, “Students [in Honors courses] are generally more engaged, and did more work and with a higher quality.”

Professor Scott Cabral added, “In my Honors astronomy classes, I cover a number of interesting topics that I do

MESA celebrates 10th anniversary

By DANTE HARROLD @HeraldDante

Los Medanos College’s Math Engineering Science Achievement program, also known as MESA, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday, Sept. 13. The event took place in room Ll-09 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Dedicated to providing academic support to students, MESA is one of the most successful Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs in California and is the model for programs in more than a dozen states.

The program has been deemed among the top five most innovative public programs in the nation by Innovations in American Government, an initiative of the Ford Foundation, the Kennedy School of Government at Har vard University, and the Council for Excellence in Government.

MESA has received praise

for working with underprivileged minority youths. For instance MESA served as a model for Hewlett-Packard for its Diversity in Engineering Program, a national grant initiative to academically prepare more underrepresented minority students at community colleges, so they can successfully transfer to four-year institutions as engineering and computer science majors.

“The program started off small with some donor money, now it has grown to 500 plus students and have institutionalized positions and an endowed grant from the Community College Chancellor’s office,” said MESA Director Nicole Trager, explaining how the program began on campus and the success it has had during the past 10 years.

The event featured an award ceremony for both the founders and Alumni, of the MESA pro-

See HONOR, page 5

Dante Harrold • Experience

Student Abiel Alesana surveys the MESA event that took place Friday, Sept. 13 in L-109. gram. The reward recipients showed appreciation for the opportunity to be involved with the program.

“I think it’s a highlight of

my career to work for a program like this,” said Marie Cartwright, one of the award recipients.

See MESA, page 5

Puentistas speak on their better futures

By HILLARY HETRICK @hillarymhetrick

Los Medanos College’s Puente hosted the 4th Annual LMC Faculty and Staff meeting for the First-Generation Student panel on Tuesday, Sept. 17th in the Library, in L-105. The event began at 11 a.m.

Puente is a national program that has won awards and improved the success rate of thousands of California’s underrepresented students.

Their goal is to increase the number of educational disadvantaged students who enroll in community colleges and universities. Its ultimate goal is to allow these students to return to the community as leaders and mentors. The program provides writing, mentoring components and counseling.

Puente Co-Coordinator and English Instr uctor Stacey Miller led the event, along with 7 Faculty and Staff panelists.

Puente members and one of Miller’s classes were present for the event. Miller’s students had to write an essay about it as their upcoming assignment.

Miller began with a brief introduction and continuously

explained how the panel will rotate and how some faculty will have to dismiss themselves after their presentation and return to class.

The panelists had compelling stories.

“This is so beautiful...I’m just beaming because I waited a very long time to see Puente twice as big,” said Liz Costanza, who was a big part of puente.

“After High School, [after] moving so much, I wanted to be on my own. I came to Los Medanos when I was 18.”

Costanza explained that going to college was the best thing that happened to her. She thought she was just going to get a certificate, but she utilized the student services such as EOPS and Financial Aid. “I had an amazing relationship with my EOPS counselor, who said to me, ‘No, you’re going to get more than just a certificate-- you’re going to be an educated young lady,’ said Costanza. “The club that you all have, I started that club.

I’m the founding mother of the Puente Club.”

Costanza got her first job at Los Medanos College in See PANEL, page 5

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“The future does not fit in the containers of the past.”

— Rishad Tobaccowala

LMC celebrates LatinX culture Funds raised with food and fun

By CHARLES REED Staff Writer

As a part of Latin Heritage Month, the LMC Latin clubs held a joint fundraising event with representatives from Puente, La Raza, LatinX Leadership, United by Dreams, and SACNAS. This event was held on Monday Sept. 16th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The celebration had a positive impact on the Latin community.

“There are a variety of clubs hosting this event. This is something we do throughout the year—today is the kickoff Club Fundraising event, and they use these funds to sponsor events, scholarships, and other activities,” said Director of Student Life and Director of Inter national Students Program, Teresea Archaga.

“I hope this event introduces people to all Latino culture,” said the head coordinator for the fundraiser, Salary Carrasco.

Tables were decorated with colorful clothes and displays from Peru and Mexico, featuring some handmade items meant to demonstrate the artistic, traditional music, celebration attire, and handdrawn art.

The artist Nayelí Ramirez-Perez spoke about what inspired her hand-drawn art.

“I was inspired by Latina women,” said Ramirez-Perez.

She also spoke about some of her ar t inspired by the

Krys Shahin • Experience

Belem Naranjo (left) and Julia Aranda wrap and plate Brazilian and Peruvian foods to raise money for their LatinX Club.

Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead.” Other inspirations she had for her work include cacti and piñas.

The event held booths offering dishes from Peru and Brazil. Papas a la huancaína (Peruvian potato dish) and pão

de queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bun) were a few of the foods featured. Co-Presidents Richard Preza and Erick Amaya, from the Group United by Dreams Club, had a booth where they served hot dogs and spread awareness about

their group.

Preza explained that they were at the event raising money “for future events to raise funds towards scholarships.”

Preza also wishes to let the students of LMC know that the group is a safe place for any

students who wish to learn more about the Latin culture.

La Raza President, Aderiana Campos, commented about her goals for her booth when she said she was “looking for awareness for the club, for the support of Latin-American

Staff shows colors to community

Marquee

At El Campanil

Here are upcoming events at the El Campanil Theatre n Saturday, Sept. 21 — Balloon (Germany) International Film Showcase.

Opens at 2 p.m. Adults: $9, Seniors: $8, Students: $8. n Saturday, Sept. 28 — Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra: Poems, Folk Tales, and Legends. Show starts at 2 p.m. Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students: $7.

By ADRIANA IVANOFF Staff Writer

The staff art exhibit was opened to the public Sept. 12 and was put together by Los Medanos College art director, and fellow featured artist, Carol Ladewig.

The art show thrived on interpretation from the viewer and people sharing various ideas to mold themes from the art to enjoy it.

For Ladewig, her canvases featured solid color, hues, thicker and thinner textures to interpret her mood or perception of that day’s importance. Ladewig felt that the colors captured the essence and flow of time as how time was captured before the digital age with sundials, sunrises and sunsets.

Ladewig referred to the process of incorporating the flow of all art work together by mentioning how [you]: “First get all the work in and then decide what sits next to each other. It’s continuing the story, you don’t want them to fight with each other,” said Ladewig.

Students had different interpretations about the art which got them to open up to the process of engaging with the artists works.

“I have to make an observation of my own cause like some of these is one color on the

Dreamers.” Campos also mentioned that her club is actively involved in volunteer work in the local community.

EMT student Joannie Suitos said that she “came to experience the culture and try some food” at the LatinX Event.

At California Theatre

Adriana Ivanoff • Experience

Art students visit the gallery during its opening reception Thursday, Sept. 12. walls, so I have to make my own thing about it,” said Quentin Williams who had his first time ever being in an art gallery at this event, explaining his confusion on some art pieces.

Williams compared a 3D sculpture of a giant hand with a series of boxes overlapping one another, jutting out of the hand referring to the movie “Coraline.”

“It’s about this woman thats trying to keep Coraline in her world. I see this claw hand and... Coraline’s like trapped inside this world and... she had to escape but she can’t. This

REVIEW CREW

Krys Shahin • Experience

‘Mehran Restaurant’ Restaurant Description: Located on 3841 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg, Mehran Restaurant serves a variety of Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Mehran features mix of authentic foods such as tikka masala, naan bread, lamb vindaloo, and more.

Along with their meat options, Mehran serves vegetarian options in their buffet, from mutter paneer to aloo palak.

seems like a cage and it [the hand] is holding the cage,” said Williams.

Student Haley Hastings, another fan of digital art, hoping to one day be an animator, was brought to the art gallery from her color theory class and talked about the ideas that swarmed her brain after looking at her favorite art piece.

“The detail is like insane.The detail of the water and the tree’s up top. Like I could never, but it’s beautiful,” said Hastings.

Bay Point Community All-N-One Inc.’s 2019 fundraiser concert will cover music from motown legends. The show, titled Legends of Motown Old School Tribute, opens Sunday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. Tickets: $37-$47.

Coming to cinema n “Downton Abbey” — In theaters Sept.

20, directed by Michael Engler. n “Ad Astra” — In theaters Sept. 20, directed by James Gray. n “Judy” — In theaters Sept. 27, directed

by Rupert Gold.

See ART, page 6

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

HH

H

HHH

Adriana says: More like MEHran

Jordyn says: Not my bowl of curry

Krys says: Not a bad bite for your buck

The restaurant was nearly empty as we entered.

The decor gave the place more culture, but the blue light overhead broke the overall atmosphere.

The food felt pretty outrageously-priced for its taste.

We’d originally intended on ordering from the menu for the cheaper priced items, but the waiter avoided us until we settled for eating at the buffet.

The dishes themselves were unappetizing to look at. I remember opening up the dish and staring at a smeared tar-looking goo. I’m sure it would have tasted better than it looked, but the way it was presented made me afraid to try it.

The good news is there were more vegetarian options than I’m typically used to seeing. The spices were great in these dishes. The best tasting dish was the naan.

From the outside, Mehran looks like an adorable Pakistani/Indian restaurant, but it was not as “adorable” as I thought when I went inside. The food itself was adequate, but looked displeasing upon presentation.

When I sat down and tried to order off the menu, the ser ver seemed very off-put by my request and insisted on the buffet option.

Eventually, I decided to serve myself at the buffet.

The food itself was ser ved in aluminum cloches, and the way it was presented felt somewhat unsanitar y. While the naan was delicious, it was the only part of the experience I enjoyed.

While the art displayed on the walls may have helped develop the culture of the restaurant, the design and cleanliness throughout the rest of the restaurant were sub-par.

The menu was extensive in cultured food but I was surprised to find they only had a lunch buffet, rather than cooking food from the kitchen.

The buffet consisted of food for meat-eaters, with fish, goat and chicken as the options. The other half was for vegetarians, consisting of veggies cooked in curries and sauces.

I enjoyed the chicken tikka masala. Though the chicken was dry, that was expected for a buffet. I also had the daal makhni, an assortment of lentils cooked in herbs and spices.

It reminded me of food my family cooks at home, so I enjoyed it.

The spice and flavor were there, along with decent customer service, but the ambiance and awkward use of cloches and large spoons was a little unnerving. For $12, it wasn’t bad and I would go again.

— Adriana Ivanoff

— Jordyn Toscano

— Krys Shanin

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

BILL

MESA

total of $9.15 billion in revenue during the 2015 fiscal year,” according to data collected from the U.S. Department of Education.

These players do not receive a check from the school or any major television network for the views they get. Companies like Adidas or Nike do not contact players with any form of payment for selling jerseys with their names on them.

“It will definitely impact what college players attend as they will go where they can get marketed best and they can sell their name the best,” said LMC soccer head coach Zach Sullivan. “I think it’s fair though as there’s so many great college players who either never really pan out in the pros or have injuries that impact their future.”

In a 2015 interview, then Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman went deep into what student athletes do for a school and how much of a toll it took on their wallets.

“Usually my (bank) account was more in the negatives than the positives,” Sherman said in a press conference.

“You gotta make decision on whether you get gas for your car or your meal for the day.”

Of course, the news of the bill does not come with out controversy and does not sit well with the NCAA. President of the NCAA Mark Emmert sent a letter to two California committees about the bill, expressing that if the state were to sign the bill, it could lead to California schools being prevented from participating in NCAA playoffs.

Some people feel like it takes away what college sports is about, representing your school.

“I know college football players deserve more but it will take away the point of them working and playing to make it to the NFL. It will take the motivation away and authenticity of college football away,” said LMC linebacker Hemasi Latu.

While this doesn’t effect Los Medanos College athletes at the moment, many students here may try to be in leagues associated with the NCAA. Newsom has until Oct. 13 to respond to the bill before it passes through into law without his signature.

“Being here fills my heart so much,” said award recipient Carol Hernandez. ‘’Programs like this are why I got into education.”

Many of the award-recipients shared anecdotes concerning their experience with MESA and how the program has improved the lives of them or the students they know.

The event featured special guests and speakers, including the President of LMC, Bob Kratochvil, and the Mayor of Pittsburg, Juan Antonio Banales.

“I definitely appreciate programs like MESA,” said Mayor Banales, explaining his thoughts about the program and the celebration. ‘’It’s an incredible milestone to achieve ten years.”

Many of the attendees expressed appreciation for the program, as well as satisfaction with the event.

“It pushed me to new heights,” said Zachary Low, an Alumni of MESA. ‘’I would definitely be back for the fifteenth [anniversary].”

This program helps students discover their passion in STEMbased majors and is creating a family within the program.

“I was impressed with the success stories,” said OC Hayes, explaining that, although he’s not a member, he is considering joining the program.

From page 1

ALIEN From page 1

various social media platforms such as Twitter, Youtube, Tik Tok and more.

As the event grew in popularity, so did the outrageous claims about how people planned to enter the facility and what they would do once inside. These claims finally caught the attention of the U.S. Air Force, who issued a response on the matter. “[Area 51] is an open training range for the U.S. Air Force, and we would discourage anyone from trying to come into the area where we train American armed forces… The U.S. Air Force always stands ready to protect America and its assets,” said U.S. Air Force spokesperson Laura McAndrews to The Washington Post.

Facebook took down the original post, citing a violation of community standards as the reason for its removal. Even with the original post being removed, many other posts have sprung up and received just as much attention with over three million people expressing an interest in the event. The original creator of the post, Roberts, decided to distance himself from the event as well.

Despite its immense popularity online, LMC department chair for the social science department, Milton Clarke, hasn’t stayed up to date with the various alien antics.

“I have not spent a lot of time following the mysteries of “Area 51” largely because there has been so much misinformation on this subject,” said Clarke, “I Ido know that it definitely is a secret government site and if anyone thinks that they are going to enter that area without government approval [they will be] sadly mistaken.”

From page 3

Photo courtesy of Emilio Gomez

Honors students and faculty participate in an icebreaker activity at the start of the annual Honors Retreat.

HONOR From page 3

not cover in the non-Honors classes. For example, the Honors students learn about the five eras of the universe, which we do not have time to cover in a standard class.”

Emilio Gomez, an Honors student, commented on the benefit of Honors courses, “Rather than taking normal classes, you learn to take certain concepts and apply them to your life.”

That said, the Program offers students more than just honors and—it offers a community.

All Honors Program mem-

bers are automatically members of the Honors Club, “an extra-curricular student organization which adds a social and leadership dimension to the Honors Program,” according to the Honors Student Handbook.

The Club puts on events like pizza parties, volunteering at community events, and trips to college campuses and beyond.

The most recent Club event was the annual fall Yosemite retreat. This year’s retreat, which took place Sept. 13 to 15, was attended by 26 students and seven faculty members.

Activities included star-view-

PANEL LEAVE From page 3

From page 6

Admissions and Records as a Student Worker. Costanza graduated with three degrees and transferred to St. Mary’s College. She had an ambition to be a counselor just like the EOPS counselor who helped her at Los Medanos College.

She enrolled at San Francisco State, graduated and interned at Merritt College.

She returned to Los Medanos College as an EOPS Intern and worked at other colleges as well. She became Puente Counselor first before stepping out to start a family.

When she returned, she took on several jobs, finally settling as an EOPS counselor.

Anthony Scoggins told his story, “I’m a second generation Mexican-American. I grew up in south Sacramento.” Scoggins attended San Francisco State and got his degree in Comparative Literature. “I studied a lot of languages — Spanish, English, French.”

The program and group created a family for students who participate and qualify for it.

“I just didn’t realize how big this group is. I’m proud to be here [and] glad to meet you guys,” said Scoggins.

It also caused inspiration to those in the group who saw role models in people mandating and leading the events and group.

“I would never see a lot of women of color in higher positions, so I didn’t understand that Latina women can be intelligent,” said Elizabeth Ramirez.

She went to college and joined Puente, even after all the hardships she had ever faced.

“I’m a Puentista, always be a Puentista,” said Ramirez.

At one of the campuses she attended, she created the Puente club and became president of Puente.

She was then a student ambassador and transferred to UC Davis as a Sociology major with an emphasis in Social Services. She got her Master’s degree at San Jose State in School Counseling, all because of Puente.

“No matter what your background is, or your history, it does not define who you’re going to be in the future,” said Ramirez.

Puente is the oldest learning community at Los Medanos College. The Puente staf f attend training each year to provide a program instruction, mentoring and academic counseling. Puente is open each year to anyone who is interested.

During this time tickets were cheaper, violence throughout the city was at an all time high, and the environment and communities were very damaged, but they still came out and supported their hometown team and Oakland was starting to be known for their electrifying crowds no matter if they were losing they still supported these teams through it all.

Oakland teams were starting to change for the better in 2015.

The teams started winning, which brought a lot of media attention to the area and on the players. The sports business is known to generate a lot of money and with the teams winning in the city.

From 2015 to 2018 the Golden State Warriors were champions of the world, after all the years of losing, the fans were finally getting what they deserved.

ing, hiking in Yosemite, and presentations by various faculty members.

“It was a great experience, and there were a lot of new people,” said Lopez.

A cornerstone of the Honors Club is the Honors Center, a social space where Honors members are free to hang out and collaborate with one another. The Center offers members resources like computer access, free printing, tables, couches and other general office supplies.

“It’s sort of a way to turn Los Medanos into your home,”

Now, the Warriors are telling their fanbase that they have built a new, billion dollar home in San Francisco and are leaving at the end of the 2018-2019 season, leaving youth feeling emotionally devastated and fans feeling disappointed after their loyal support, even during the rough seasons. The fans in Oakland feel as if the support and dedication they’ve put into their sports teams is a waste, and also heartbreaking. There are people that are die-hard fans, people that volunteer to do community projects that help with the local spor ts teams to keep the youth on track in school and in life.

With both teams leaving the city, the youth will be impacted the most because they will be left without the teams they admired.

The adults in the city see it to be an insult to the teams’ fans.

During their difficult seasons, the teams had no choice, but

said Saito, commenting on the Honors Club. “We are a community on campus. A place where you belong.”

While applications for membership in the fall semester are no longer open, applications for spring 2020 will be opening soon.

For more information on the Honors Program, visit the Honors Center located in the portable outside of the College Complex or the Honors website at losmedanos.edu/honors/, or contact Honors Director Jennifer Saito at jsaito@los- From page 1 to them. Financial Aid Office medanos.edu.

Administrator, Faidra Lopez, explained that many students submit their FAFSA, or request to stay in Oakland, but since for student funding, too late.

“I suggest that students their resurrection, they feel get their FAFSA done early. they have outgrown the city For 2021, FAFSA opens on of Oakland.

Oakland citizens question Oct. 1. If you turn it in early, whether or not they wanted we can process you early so to form part of the Oakland you can get all of your books community or was it just part and materials the first week of the plan to move to different of school,” said Lopez.

Not only did the event feacities.

The Oakland Raiders and ture financial aid and student the Golden State Warriors life booths, but it offered stuare leaving Oakland, but dents the opportunity to learn they’re leaving the city with more about the military as well. good memories. Such as the Army recruiter and Sergeant, charities they’ve been a part Arthur Burnett, distributed of, and getting involved with information to help students keeping the youth focused considering joining the Army.

“Our goal is to show young on the environment making Oakland a better place to grow men and women the benefits up for the next generation to of military service. Students come. Most of the loyal sports should know that joining the fans also feel as if it was bad army is not always full time. timing for them to leave the There are part time jobs in city, especially after the teams the army reserves, and you are being considered the best can get student loan payments teams in the world, and having through enlisting as well,” said strong chances to win cham- Sergeant Burnett. pionships every year.

RIGHT

Beliefs spark loud debate

Hazel Recinos • Experience

Student Arron Homes argues with a man in a “Jesus can set you free” T-shirt who walked onto campus Thursday to proselytize. Many other students also gathered around in the outdoor quad to challenge his religious perspectives.

BALL

PLAN

From page 6

The softball class is set to start Oct. 21.

Women are free to sign up for the softball conditioning class “Knica-006-8004” which, according to its course description, is “designed to introduce the athlete to the elements, understanding and knowledge of athletic physical training for competition. Course activities will include endurance running, interval sprinting, weight training and plyometric training to improve one’s level of fitness for the upcoming athletic season.”

Rognlien is looking forward to the upcoming tryouts and

From page 1 hopes this will bring a change when it comes to women’s recognition in sports, “Female sports, throughout the world, are not getting the recognition it needs and it’s making it hard to recruit players, especially at a community college. I’ll never turn a player down or away from trying out so if interested come try out,” said Rognlien.

For more information about the LMC Softball team, visit www.losmedanos.edu/softball and or contact Coach Rognlien at (925) 473-7609 or trognlien@ losmedanos.edu

size between students and the classes offered at LMC, not all classes will have the same amount of enrollments.

“Do not sacrifice reputation for quantity,” said Dr. Craig Justice, the advisor to LMC on their journey to adopting guided pathways into their near future.

With these changes looking to take place in the future, LMC is planning to also deal with a potential $11.5 million budget cut due to a lower number of Full Time Equivalent Students, which is simply one student per every 12 units.

BEAT From page 6

the 80th minute, giving LMC a 2-0 lead. Jocelyn Guitierrez played the ball through to Sarah Figueroa in the defensive half of the field. Figueroa then dribbled upfield with the ball and passed to Nayeli Carbajal.

Carbajal connected the pass back to Figueroa, who was able to slot the ball passed the lower right side goalkeeper.

“It was nice to get a cushion [lead],” said Figueroa.

The Colts scored in the 85th minute after the Mustangs gave up a free kick. The goal was scored from 25 yards out of Caburnay’s goal directly from where the free kick was called.

The Mustangs held onto the 2-1 lead during the final minutes of the match.

“They did well. I think it was good for us because it teaches you that you have to finish a game [strong] because no lead is safe,” said head coach Zach Sullivan.

ART From page 4

Her favorite piece was an oil on canvas depiction of a waterfall. The waterfall Canvas reminded her of the movie “Tangled.”

“I don’t know why but like the scene where she [Rapunzel] finally escapes her tower and she is just like glancing at the beautiful Earth,” said Hastings “It just reminds me of that. Even though it’s really realistic and not a cartoon.”

The ar t show will r un through Oct. 10.

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“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. ”

— Babe Ruth

Joseph Johnson SPORTY BOY

Sports leave town

Anthony Martinez • Experience

Linebacker Heamasi Latu atempts to make a defensive play during a football game against San Jose City College Jaguars.

LMC defeats San Jose

By HUGO CALDERON @Hugothegreat09

Despite the fact that San Jose City College had three interceptions and 14 penalties, which amounted to a loss of 129 yards, the Los Medanos College Football team managed to come out on top with a 13-7 victory against the Jaguars.

LMC’s (1-1) first drive of the season on home soil resulted in a touchdown, courtesy of Jaiden Woodson’s 84 yard rush, averaging 7.5 yards per carry throughout the game.

Quarterback Nikita Jegers threw three interceptions and 75 yards during the game, but wishes to improve in future games.

“It’s difficult [to maintain focus], you throw an interception and you start to think ‘man this isn’t working, gotta change the game plan…’ but no, you have to stick to the game plan,” said Jegers.

“We had a lot of penalties but we’ll come back next week.”

Out of the three picks, San Jose only managed run 26 yards combined. Myles Walker rushed 38 yards and Tre’Vante Daniels rushed for 14 yards on their respective interceptions.

Javier Hernendez went two for three in the game, with his final two field goals resulting in the win.

“Javier does a great job for us. He’s there on a day to day basis working,” said head coach Chris Shipe.

San Jose found themselves first and goal on two occasions, but could not find the endzone on either, with LMC’s defense holding out against the Jaguars offence.

The Mustangs limited San Jose to one touchdown the whole game, despite their 173 yard advance and 125 yard rush.

“This entire week we focused on winning the penalty game and at first we came out strong, but when the second hit, we started to get sloppy.

This made it harder for us to seal the game,” said

Linebacker Masi Laitu. “We improved dramatically within this past week and we all are playing with trust and no fear. We all did our assignments and played together and that goal line stop proved how strong we are. It’s what we do.”

San Jose’s sole touchdown came in the fourth quarter with only thirty seconds on the clock.

Ladale Combs’ one yard rush found him in the endzone to put his team on the board, but it had come too late in the game.

“Offensively, we just weren’t moving the ball, we were making too many mistakes. We kept giving them opportunity after opportunity to score. It should not have been that close but our defence played well. They carried us this game for sure,” said Coach Shipe. “I think we ran the ball well.

Our receivers made a couple of big catches that they needed to.”

LMC travels to Cabrillo College for its non conference game on Sept. 21.

There has been a spotlight on sports in the Bay Area for the past 6 to 7 years. A local baseball team, The Oakland As, have been a staple in Oakland California since 1968. The Golden State Warriors, a Bay Area basketball team, have been in Oakland since the 1970s, and the Oakland Raiders, a Bay Area football team, have been in Oakland since 1995.

Recently, news broke out that Raiders are going to be leaving Oakland in 2020 while the Golden State Warriors will have a new arena ahead of the 2019 season.

The sports community has changed the culture and the environment in Oakland dramatically. The youth are no longer looking to TV stars for role models, instead they are looking up to local athletes in their community who are doing something positive.

Players such as Derrick Carr of the Oakland Raiders, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors are good examples of those role models that Bay Area kids are looking up to.

Oakland is known for taking pride in their sports teams, especially the Raiders. On home game days, families and friends get together and support their home team. Soon, this sports tradition that developed over the years in Oakland will come to an end, which doesn’t sit well with the fans.

The Golden State Warriors are going to relocate to San Francisco and the Oakland Raiders are moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fans feel as if it wasn’t fair for them to leave town because for years, the sports teams in Oakland were the laughing stock of everything. There were seasons in which Oakland professional sports team would underperform their opponents throughout the entire season.

See LEAVE, page 5

Soccer wins again Mustangs beat Cañada 2-1

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

The Los Medanos College Women’s Soccer Team returned to action against Cañada College with a 2-1 win on Friday, Sept. 13. The Mustangs returned to their winning ways after a late 2-1 loss to Las Positas College on Wednesday night.

The action began in the 13th minute when Eryn Wheatley took a corner kick for the Mustangs. The corner kick led to a scramble in the 18-yard box which deflected the ball to Mariah Minhares.

Minhares shot the ball into the top of the goal, giving the Mustangs the lead.

“It gives me more motivation for the next game, and it feels good because it’s my first goal [of the season],” said Minhares.

The Mustangs applied a lot of offensive pressure to the Colts with a series of chances in the minutes following the goal. In the 18th minute, Minhares played a ball down the middle of the field through the Colts’ defense to Marianna Giovanetti, but Giovanetti’s effort was denied by the Colts.

Erick Amaya • Experience

Isabel Dumapit, No. 9, attempts to control the direction of the ball in midair.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the match was during a water break in the first half of the match when the opposition’s coach expressed herself in frustration. “I don’t care if you’re tired, if you’re hot, if you’re hurt, turn it up right now,” she said to her team who was trailing the Mustangs while playing in 91 degree weather.

In the 39th minute, goalkeeper Alissa Caburnay was forced to make a save after a Cañada College freekick.

The Mustangs attempted a counter-attack after Caburnay’s save. The counter-attack led to a Mustang corner kick, but Anissa Gomez’s header was stopped by the Colts’ goalkeeper. In the final minute of the first half, Caburnay ran out of her box to clear the ball away from a rushing Colts player after the ball slipped through the LMC defense.

In the 54th minute, Caburnay gave up a penalty kick after committing a foul inside the penalty area. The penalty attempt was kicked out of bounds, but Cabrunay dove to the correct side in which the ball was kicked, “I [was] a bit nervous, but I use my adrenaline to dive,” she said.

In the 76th minute, Gomez had the opportunity to extend LMC’s lead by two after a solo run down the left side of the field, but the opportunity was denied by the Colts.

Sarah Figueroa scored her second goal of the season in

Stangs invite players to workouts

By JOESEPH JOHNSON @PicassoJoe

Krys Shahin • Experience

Tumariana Hill works on her swing.

Erick Amaya • Experience

See BEAT, page 5 Litzy Rodriguez, No. 10, battles against a Cañada College defender for the ball.

The Los Medanos College women’s softball season is quickly approaching and the coaches are advertising the upcoming tryout sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.

In the 2018 season, the Mustangs finished second in the Bay Valley Conference and 5 players received BVC honors. In the hopes of recruiting more players for the

team as well as a class they have planned, posters advertising the tryouts have been strung around campus.

Head Coach Tim Rognlien and Assistant Coach John Gamblin are more than happy to work around students’ school schedules with these tryouts.

“School come first, softball second,” said Rognlien.

Rognlien and Gamblin have been friends for decades, and ever y

season they have had together at LMC, they’ve always finished in the top 3 of the Bay Valley Conference (BVC).

These tryouts are actually being held as a way to increase recruitment for a class set to be created and started October 21.“[These are] tryouts more or less yes. It’s supposed to be a class but its not a class yet,” said Gamblin.Not enough women tried out for the team or signed up for the class during the

beginning of the semester, so to compensate, the coaches have opened up the field for anyone who wishes to participate.

“We’re trying to get people to come out… So, we are keeping it going so that girls can still come out,” said Gamblin.

The women’s softball program welcomes all players interested in being apart of this upcoming season to come out and practice.

See BALL, page 5