Vol. 91 No. 5 - Oct. 11, 2019

Free speech expressed

‘Hype Man’ plays at LMC

Mustangs win 10-0, 5-0

Terrance Henry Walker sparks thoughtful debates with his signs about religion — page 3

A new musical called “Hype Man” comes to Los Medanos College — page 4

Two away soccer games were won against Contra Costa College and College of Marin — page 6

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F.Y.I. Important Dates October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Oct. 15

Last day to apply for fall 2019 graduation

Oct. 31

Wear your costume to school on Thursday for Halloween

LMCAS meeting Los Medanos College Associated Students is holding a meeting Oct. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room CC1-114. If you have concerns, or are looking to hear what your student government is planning for the upcoming semester, then attend this meeting.

Expo for job seekers Pittsburg Adult Education Center is holding their Ninth Annual Career Expo Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1001 Stoneman Ave. in the Youth Development Center. If you’re looking for a job start here. If you’re an employer seeking employees or have any questions contact Nick Morgan at nmorgan@cccoe.k12.ca.us.

LatinX Indigenous LatinX Leadership team is organizing Indigenous Day Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Indoor Quad. Learn and explore contributions of the Hispanic and LatinX Americans added to the United States. There will be music, dance and food. For more information contact studentlife@ losmedanos.edu or call

Haunted campus A Halloween fundraising haunted house, 6 Days After, is happening on campus Oct. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be located in Parking lot C. The fee for the haunted house is $5. For more information contact Student Life by email at studentlife@

Hyphae Club recruiting Los Medanos College nature club is seeking members if you are looking to learn more about gardening, state native plants and animals, as well as take part in nature hikes and other trips, then Hyphae Club is perfect for you. For more information, email the club at thehyphaeclublmc@ gmail.com.

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Campus on lockdown Shooter threat issued

By JORDYN TOSCANO, KRYS SHAHIN and SPENCER BATUTE Staff Writers

The Los Medanos College Pittsburg campus went on lockdown at approximately 9:43 p.m. Oct. 9 under suspicion of an active shooter on campus. The Los Medanos College Emergency Aler t System sent out a message stating that “there was a report of an armed individual on campus. Police checking the area of the music building.

No indication of shots fired.

Remain in place until released by police.”

Individuals in the Little Theater were tipped off by campus security that there might have been a possible shooter on campus. Right after the tip, theater students Kayla Martinez and William Thompson went to the Jazz classroom to alert the Jazz class about the potential shooter.

Spencer Batute • Experience

See LOCK, page 5 Pittsburg Police Officers work with Los Medanos College Police Officers to clear the College Complex.

DeSaulnier visits LMC

PG&E cuts power

Students share views

By SPENCER BATUTE @BatuteSpencer

Strategy to reduce fire

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier visited Los Medanos College for a town hall event Oct. 8. The event ran from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.

Event turnout exceeded expectations at roughly 150 attendees, most of them LMC students.

Congressman DeSaulnier spoke on various topics relevant to LMC students, including student debt, housing costs, future jobs and climate change.

DeSaulnier also shed some light on the current impeachment inquiry process regarding President Trump by detailing the history and basics of the impeachment process, as well as his own opinion that Trump is encouraging foreign involvement on behalf of his election.

After 40 minutes of speaking with a slide-show presentation, DeSaulnier opened up the room for questions from students. Some submitted their questions via paper, and some chose to speak their question directly to the congressman.

Questions covered impeachment, Chinese ethical standards, Bay Area housing costs, political asylum, automation, student debt, health care, education and

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

Spencer Batute • Experience

See SPEAK, page 5 Mark DeSaulnier speaks to students to hear their concerns.

College preparing for accreditation

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

The accreditation process is one that encourages institutions to improve academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and ultimately, student success.

Classified Senate met with Associated Students of Los Medanos College Monday, Oct. 7 to talk about the accreditation that LMC is going through, in order to get student opinion on the requirements and whether or not the school met them this year.

“Our accreditation website team was impressed and pleased with how our students were so knowledgeable and how hands on they were with the process. They’re really invested in it,” said Senator of Classified Senate, Bethann Stone.

According to the Oxford dictionary, accreditation means, “the action or process of officially recognizing someone as having a particular status or being qualified to perform a particular activity.”

Not only does the accreditation affect students and the financial aid services available to them, it concerns the overall quality of the LMC governing board and campus as well.

“More importantly, it allows a self review of how we’re doing according — Bob Kratochvil to the accreditation standards, which have very specific thresholds,” said LMC president Bob Kratochvil.

Students have been encouraged What this means for Los Medanos to participate and help throughout the College, is if and when the college is accreditation process, which has many accredited it receives federal funding, it different levels to it. The process is going is eligible for students to have financial through multiple subsections in each aid, makes certificates and degrees to be section, then to district for review and transferable to other schools and allows finally to peer review next year, to then students to be professionally licensed be re-edited until the final draft is ready. in their field.

“I would say that student involvement “If we don’t get accredited, then all in accreditation is not just important, financial aid and federal funding will be but necessary. The college is ultimately cut. That, and certificates, transfer status made for the students,” said Senator of and degrees would be worth nothing. It’s LMCAS, Nicholas Sessions. “As a student, a really big deal,” said Chialin Hsieh from there are issues that are impossible to Planning & Institutional Effectiveness.

See FUND, page 5

“It allows a self review of how we’re doing according to the standards.”

Pacific Gas & Electric Company, PG&E, an nounced Oct. 6 that they were aware of high winds and dry conditions being forecast for the coming week and issued warnings for potential power outages in areas of California to prevent wildfires. That warning became a notice Oct. 8 at 1:33 p.m. through a Twitter post on the company’s official account.

The outage was declared to start Wednesday, Oct. 9 at midnight and last until at least Thursday at 5 p.m., with the potential to last five or more days, depending on the location.

“Overall, based on the latest weather forecasts and models, PG&E anticipates that this weather event will last through midday Thursday,” said the company in an official comment on the situation.

35 counties in California are expected to be affected by this power outage.

PG&E estimate more than 800,000 customers will be affected, but other sources are reporting that number will be much higher.

At 2:36 p.m. Oct. 8, an alert was sent to students and staf f in the district through EMERAler t, a way to notify everyone of emergencies affecting the school or communities.

The aler t read, “PG&E has notified Contra Costa County (County) for a See OFF, page 5

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Perspectives

FRIDAY,

OCT.

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“Sometimes we have to go deep inside ourselves to solve our problems.”

— Patrick Star

Adriana Ivanoff

Jordyn Toscano

VOICING THE VOICLESS

SEEKING DISCOMFORT

Hope can heal, thought can kill

7 seconds of insane courage

Humanity, is that scary and inexplicable moment when you look into another’s eyes and understand that they have seen their fair share of wars and carry the aftermath in scars. Our eyes carry the marks of our souls, although society trains us to ignore the outlasting details that paint the world.

It’s in this moment that you recognize that others have the same eyes as your own and maybe even the same fate, in which you cannot save them from. That those people have carried the world on their backs within their memories, as modern day Titan’s, as Atlas.

If the weight of the world becomes too much, it will crush them entirely.

Our greatest war is waged inside ourselves, fought without metal, fought without bullets; we are battered by all of our years of experience, praying for hope without words.

Hope is what knocks on your door the minute before you lose ever ything you ever believed in. It comes without a sound in the middle of the night, leaving a mark in its presence that triumphs even the ground below you. When it comes, however small the message or however quiet the sound, it becomes your saving grace and relief will swallow the remains of your heart.

If you are holding onto your last glimpse of hope, I promise you that if you open your eyes long enough to see yourself inside another’s you will be okay. Even though you‘ll never see that person’s darkest moments; in which they have cried the same tears and fallen to their knees holding on to scattered dreams, you’ll understand that the world cries before you and feels your pain.You will never be alone.

Let me ask you this: could you imagine what a little hope could have done to save someone else? Can you imagine a 10 year old child, who has not even begun to live or understand the vast complexity of human emotions, ever wanting to end their own life?

Sadly, statistics listed in the CDC article, “Suicide Rates Rising across the U.S.,” report that 10 year olds are the youngest age someone starts to try and take their own life.

“In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide.” They listed the causes as, “Relationship problems or loss, substance misuse; physical health problems; and job, money, legal or housing stress often contributed to risk for suicide.”

If you think that stress and thoughts don’t kill, take a look at the collected data from the CDC: “Twenty-five states had suicide rate increases of more than 30 percent.”

In reading this report, I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how many of those numbers must have been children. I couldn’t imagine how it felt to the tear stained faces of their parents as they outlive their children.

Finding hope in thoughts is everything.

If you lose belief, you will lose your capacity to dream even in the smallest acts, such as crafting and holding onto a dream when 11:11 pm hits the world. It may seem childish to dream upon things or believe in magic, yet we teach these things to children because it’s those little moments that teach them everything the need to survive- to keep them dreaming no matter the state of the world. Saying I wish, without saying maybe, one day leads to the build up within your heart that you have to realese through action.

Your thoughts have more power than you might think. Your thoughts can kill you, that’s what suicide is. It’s the inability to find hope or break the harmful repetitive thoughts that consume or control you.

In you, I see a friend, no matter your age or where you come from and I hope that in the moment you need someone the most that you will see the same. For now, I’ll just tell you to follow your heart, because it will lead you to what will save you- hope and one day your dreams.

Once upon a time, I wrote about a version of myself that once was in the past. I used to be extremely shy. I used to hide behind a facade, denying the hurt and frustration inside. I used to be scared of love and hate and the unpredictable future. I used to be this, and think that.

Until recently, I believed what I had written about my past self was true. Yet, I’ve come to the conclusion that I was wrong, my entire article a faux.

Not long ago, I had an epiphany determining the fact that I still am that shy, introverted person I thought I left behind in the ninth grade. I haven’t become someone new, I’ve just improved upon the person I used to be.

I still have moments of paralyzing fear, where I become too afraid to speak to anyone that I don’t know. There are still some things that I refuse to tell anyone, that not a soul has ever heard or ever will hear. I’m certainly the most indecisive person you will ever meet, for fear that I might choose the wrong option in a situation. Yet, despite all of this, I still push myself harder every day to become the best version of myself.

I believe that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if you have just seven seconds of insane courage. And in contrast, allow yourself five seconds of fear to get comfortable with that emotion.

And if you’re frozen, too scared to move or fight for what you believe in, don’t worry. Fear is a huge factor that holds us all back in our daily lives. Fear is an unpleasant emotion that none of us enjoy experiencing. Yet, everything you will ever want in life is on the other side of fear, so why not embrace it and fight for what you desire?

Nerves, anxiety and excitement are all arousal emotions. When you’re experiencing any of those three emotions, your heart beats faster and your body prepares for action. So why can’t we take our nerves and turn them into excitement?

The next time you’re afraid to do something, ask yourself two things – Will you regret not doing this later? What’s holding you back?

Answer those two questions, then decide if you’re going to take your nervous energy, turn it into excitement and do that thing.

It’s called anxiety reappraisal – when you look at something so terrifying, straight in the face and say, “Hell yeah. I’m excited, let’s do this.” Tell yourself that you’re excited when you feel nervous; it works almost every time.

According to the The Atlantic article, ‘Turning Anxiety Into Success,’ “Anxiety and excitement are both aroused emotions. In both, the heart beats faster, cortisol surges, and the body prepares for action. In other words, they’re arousal congruent. The only difference is that excitement is a positive emotion, focused on all the ways something could go well.”

Reframing anxiety as excitement can drastically improve an individual’s outlook. If you maintain an opportunity mindset and focus on the positive rather than the negative, you improve your chances of succsess.

Whether it be speaking in front of a crowd or jumping from an airplane, don’t dwell on poor performance. Stay optimistic and you’ll be okay.

If you don’t believe anything that I’ve said above, if you’re still hesitant to speak in front of that crowd or say hello to the new person in class, do it afraid. Be afraid.

Confront your fears head on. If you don’t, what good do your fears do for you, other than hold you back?

Think about it this way – the time will pass anyways, you’re still going to live to the next day and go about your daily life as normal. So instead of wasting time contemplating the pros and cons of applying for a new job or learning how to play guitar, just go for it. Use fear as your motivator. Don’t let it be your downfall.

I believe in you. But more importantly, do you believe in yourself?

Damon Amerine• Experience

Editorial

Let’s keep things secular

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very person has a right to secular government just as much as they have the right to a Democratic government. It is in fact mandated under the First Amendment of the United States that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

Under the current Administration, government officials have shown an increasingly dangerous amount of disregard to the law, as they’ve been slightly favoring Christianity.

The law is merely to insure that our government is serving all its’ people equally, rather than choosing to uplift some individuals because they happen to share some of the same religious ideas of those in power. An Atheist, Muslim, or Pagan should have the same privelages that Christians are allowed.

The Golden rule is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”All that is being asked is that those in positions of governmental power ensure the government treat people of other faiths and ideologies equally.

The only way to truly insure that everyone is treated fairly in terms of religion is to have a hardline secular government.

For example, look at the Supreme Court case regarding Domineque Ray. Ray, a Muslim, was convicted of raping and murdering a 15 year old girl. Ray was denied a spiritual adviser in prison, as he waited too long to request one according to the prison officials. The prison stated that it would be too inconvenient for them to provide Ray with one as well. The Supreme court ignored the evidence contradicting the prison officials claim that this was done purely out of expediency rather than religious bigotry, including earlier attempts to deny Ray a Quran. The Supreme Court permitted Ray’s execution.

Another example of the government disregard towards the importance of secularism is shown in the Pennsylvania Federal Appeals Court. The court has ruled that Atheists can be barred from giving invocation at the Pennsylvania state house. To be clear, attacking Christianity is not the goal in maintaining a secular government nor is it the main motivation for those who advocate for it. Nor is the goal to show favor to another religion.

It’s okay not to know life’s ‘plan’ I graduated from high school as your typical It is usually around this time in reading type-A student: a 4.0+ GPA, a résumé with many others’ sucess stories that I become detached AP classes, and a class rank just shy of top ten. from their journey. The natural reaction is to Shortly after moving away to college, I en- be inspired from such a tale, but I often find countered one of my first serious bouts with myself moreintimidated than anything.

That’s where the success gets lost in translamajor depression and anxiety. My pre-existing performance anxiety in school and general so- tion. While I can’t speak for others, often times, there isn’t much at all cial anxiety set the stage that keeps me pushing. for a turbulent transiIf you were to somehow tion. Despite giving my quantify my academic classes and my new life motivation and put it on my best efforts, I’d hit a graph, it would look a wall, and wasn’t able like a sine wave had a to keep up. I was soon temper tantrum and diagnosed with major GRAY AREA then entered a jump depressive disorder and rope contest. Nothing generalized anxiety disorder and subsequently started antidepressant pretty. At few points, if any, in my journey since treatment. I withdrew from college in October 2017 have I felt motivated or known explicitly where I was going. And if you’re anything like 2017, shortly after starting college.

Upon returning home, I recognized that I me — a type-A perfectionist— you might know had a lot of understanding to do. Many ques- how mortifying that can be. But I’ve tried my tions arose in my search of why I had hit such best to accept that and keep on pushing, and a steadfast wall. Did I not try hard enough? it’s worked thus far.

You don’t have to know many light years in Should I have taken a gap year? Was I at the advance what route you’re taking, nor do you wrong college? Is college even for me?

Over the past two years, though, I have have to feel driven by some holy fervor toward regained much of what I felt was lost while your goal. The path to success can take on away. I am currently back at school juggling many forms, and it rarely plays out how you a full class load and a part-time job. Though envision it. It’s an intensely subjective concept I’ve had doubts, I stuck with school and am and can change shape many times over, and that’s okay. doing well in classes again.

The best advice I can give is that there is I’ve weaned myself off antidepressants and picked up some game-changing practices none — there is an infinite number of ways any like consistent meditation and exercise, and one thing can play out. Things tend to come my confidence in myself and in my future to you when you surrender to them, and life has surged to a point higher than it has been is more meaningful that way. You’ll get there, even if you don’t know where there is. since high school.

Spencer Batute

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Should President Trump be impeached?

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Experience L M C e x p e r i e n c e . c o m

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Yeah, I feel he worries about the economy too much.”

— Kyle Wilson

“I don’t, like, really have an opinion.

— Maverick Riddle

“Yes, I don’t feel anything good has come out of his presidency.”

“Yes, because of the disrespect he’s giving to our nation.”

— Jenifer Herandez

— Noel Rios

“No, because it would cause more division in the political parties.”

— Victor Sladge

“Definitely, too many passes.”

— Pablo Mack

“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 Impact Conference, gain skills

FRIDAY,

OCT.

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2019

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“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”

— Stanley Horowitz

Provoking thought

Los Medanos College will host the Impact Conference Friday, Oct 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. an event for students to gain experiences and strengthen your skills for the world outside of college. It will be held in the library community room L-109 on the conference will feature a variety of related topics, including gaining leadership skills, to be an effective activist, and finding a way to give back to your community. Complimentary lunch and T-shirts will be offered. For more information contact by email at studentlife@losmedanos.edu or call (925)473-7554.

Whoop, whoop bring the ‘Hype’

The Drama Club is putting on a play covering race, friendship, and the power of music titled “Hype Man”

by Idris Goodwin and directed by Terrence Ivory. Performances are scheduled Oct. 12, 14, 17, 18, 19 and 21 starting at 7 p.m. and a matinee Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. To puchase tickets go to www.losmedanos.edu/drama/ productions.aspx. Prices are as follows: ■ $10 with high school or middle school ID. ■ $12 with school ID ■ $15 for general admission.

DSPS to hold workshop

Workshop opportunities available for DSP’S students on test taking and study strategies. Held on Wednesday Oct 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. in CC2-214. Next workshop coming are Advocacy & Disability Awareness on Wednesday Nov 20 at 2 p.m. in room CC2-214. Need more info contact (925) 473-7471 email hlindgren@losmedanos.edu or stop by the office at the Student Services Center level 3 room SS3-321.

Submit transfer apps, get help

Applications for transfer are now accepted. If you need help with college essays, applications, or anything transfer-related, come to the Transfer and Career Center, located on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center.

For more information go to www.losmedanos.edu/transfer or call (925) 473-7444.

Scholarships are available

Information gathering opportunity for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship (JKCF). Happening Wednesday, Oct 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the College Complex C-236. Guest speakers by previous JKCF recipients, will be offering information and Q&A opportunities. For more information on the foundation visit https://www.losmedanos.edu/scholarships/workshops

Volunteers are needed

Los Medanos College Transfer and Career Services needs volunteers. Monday and Tuesday Oct 21 and 22.

Come join and help the transfer center events and get a great networking opportunity to 55+ schools. To register go to losmedanos.edu/transferday/ or stop by the desk on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center or call (925) 473-7444.

Transfer day to provide info

Los Medanos College Transfer and Career Center is offering this year’s transfer day event. Tuesday Oct 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the indoor quad. A selection of colleges will set up tables to introduce some of their offered courses and other information about their schools. For more information go to losmedanos.edu/transferday/ or stop by the desk on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center or call (925) 473-7444.

For undocumented students

There will be workshops held by Financial Aid and Student Life starting next week for Undcumented Students. For more information call (925) 473-7554 or email studentlife@losmedanos.edu ■ Monday Oct 14 Paying for College: Webinar and Financial Aid Lab from 2p.m. to 5 p.m. in L-214 ■ Tuesday, Oct 15 Indigenous peoples’ day Events and Resources Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indoor Quad ■ Wednesday, Oct 16 La Doble Conquista Book Talk from noon to 1 p.m.

Library L-109 Expression through Art from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in n Student Life ■ Thursday, Oct 18 Impact Conference Library L-109 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Choral Adventure concert soon

Upcoming fall concert coming this month. Tues, Oct 29 in the LMC Recital Hall 720. Conducted Professor Silvester Carl Henderson bringing “The ‘Hegelian’ of Urban Performing arts and Higher Education: The Worldwide Benefit.

Featuring the LMC Chamber Chorale and Gospel Choirs with special guest performance by Dr. Phillip Harris and special guest speaker David Chong. Tickets are five dollars except children under four free. Questions or information call (925) 473-7805 or (925) 565-6107 or email at shenderson@losmedanos.edu.

Free ASL tutoring at CORE

American Sign Language is becoming more important for those that have trouble communicating. Learning any language is hard and this one is not any different. However, there is help available offered for ASL 1,2, and 3. The tutor is available Monday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday noon to 3 p.m., and Wednesday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. By appointment only please come into the Center for Academic Support in the College Complex Level 3 room CO-303 or call in at (925) 473-7590.

What’s lost may be found

Los Medanos College’s lost and found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located on Level One. Inquiries must be made in person.

— Compiled by Charles Reed

Karie Loughran • Experience

Terrance Henry Walker, a man dressed in a leopard-print poncho, speaks to Staff Sergeant Troy Larkins Wednesday, Oct. 9. The sign, ‘Red Pill or Blue Pill,’ references “The Matrix,” asking students what to choose.

Walker engages religious debate

By ADRIANA IVANOFF Staff Writer

As crowds of students rush past through parking lots and on sidewalks, a single hand-painted sign with bright red letters reads, “If Jesus was here would you recognize him?”

A relatively simple question seemed to carry more weight than some students realized in the first few weeks of the fall semester. Confusion came from trying to interpret the sign’s meaning. Some wondered if the significance of the sign had to do with questioning the current era in faith and not actuality the physical appearance of Jesus himself.

Most of those who interacted with the sign missed the point of his attempts and felt

uncomfortable with the nature of the question being asked, which is a valid response to faith for some.

Terrance Henr y Walker, the man behind the sign, is asking questions and diving into scripture to make others think deeper about faith.

Walker had no qualms when it came to talking about scripture, which most people tend to shy away from in general, as faith can make people afraid or feel like they must absorb the same teachings when they don’t always know the answers.

Walker had his friends, Wesley Johnson and Nikhil Raverio, alongside him. There were also a series of other signs that prompted similar questions around campus.

Emotions that surrounded

Katie Loughran • Experience

Terrance Henry Walker holds one of his signs. the students who interacted or passed by him were mixed, ranging from annoyance to admirability. During this phase of trying to stipulate change, reactions will always be varied.

Walker has a distinct objective and tries to do so in the most respectful manner without providing insult to others. “My goal is to provoke thought and See SIGNS, page 5

Women encouraged to ‘energize destiny’

By CHARLES REED Staff Writer

The Energize Your Destiny event was a quality learning experience. The event this week was on Wednesday, Oct 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Recital Hall in MU-720. Although it was not as packed as previous years, it was successful.

Program Coordinator for Workforce and Economic DevelKrys Shahin • Experience opment Department said, “Everything was amazing, I can’t Speakers at the Energize Your Destiny event that say it enough we would rather have quality over quantity.” was held Wednesday, Oct. 9. From left to right; Kristin This event has ran successfully for three years due to the Marczalt, Ann Vorderbrueggen, Barbara Schubert, partnership between Shell and LMC.

Nicole Pitts and Heather Slinde.

See SHELL, page 5

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“Acceptance is not passivity. It is a courageous step in the process of transformation.”

— Jack Kornfield

Anthony Martinez • Experience

Student actor William Thompson “hypes the crowd” as he performs a rap song as character Verb during a dress rehearsal of ‘Hype Man’ Oct. 8 in the Little Theatre.

Play breaks the beat down ‘Hype Man’ launches

By SPENCER BATUTE @batutie_

Student-produced play “Hype Man” is hitting LMC theaters Thursday, Oct. 10.

The play was originally written by American playwright Idris Goodwin, and is directed by Terrance Ivory.

The play features only three characters: Pinnacle (Jason Wolcott), Verb (William Thompson) and Peep (Kayla Martinez). The story tackles contemporary issues like gun violence and race through the lens of music.

From the playbill, “Frontman Pinnacle and his hype man Verb have been making HipHop together since they were kids. Now that they’ve got top-notch beatmaker Peep One in the mix, the group is finally on the verge of making it big—until the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager shakes the trio to its core, and forces them to navigate issues of friendship, race, and privilege. The latest from break beat poet and playwright Idris Goodwin (HOW WE GOT ON), HYPE MAN asks us: who has the responsibility to speak up in the face of social injustice?”

Performances will be held at the LMC Little Theatre Oct. 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $10 with high school or middle Anthony Martinez • Experience school ID, $12 with LMC student ID and $15 for general admission.

Student actor William Thompson speaks with his back to student actor Jason Wolcott, who plays as character Pinnacle.

Mario drives fans crazy Mario Kart released as mobile app

By JORDYN TOSCANO @jordyn.toscano

Jordyn Toscano • Experience

Gamer plays Mario Kart Tour on iPhone, tilting phone and using fingers to control the racing avatar with precision.

The new mobile Mario Kart game, Mario Kart Tour, was recently released on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and has since become number one in racing, and in the Apple App Store.

The app already has more than 677 thousand reviews in the Apple App Store, with an overall rating of 4.8.

Yet there are a few glitches and smaller issues in the app, such as the daily coin limit and slight glitches during gameplay.

“The game isn’t very efficient, as you need to play many hours a week in order to collect enough coins to make them useful for anything. For example, you only collect on average about 15 coins per race, but everything in the shop costs anywhere from 200 to 8,000 coins,” said student Hailey Pecknold.

“Plus, the game puts a limit on how many coins you can collect in a day.”

When Mario Kart Wii was released in April of 2008, the outstanding reviews

started pouring in almost immediately.

This title left a huge impact on electronics consumers throughout the nation, and was quickly made available on the DS(I), Switch, PC computers and more.

“Who hasn’t played Mario Kart when they were little?” said Jade Daily, a student at LMC. Albeit, the most recent Mario Kart app developed by Nintendo has created waves of elation and gratitude throughout the nation, even bigger than before.

“New data from app analytics firm Sensor Tower, cited by VentureBeat, indicates that Mario Kart Tour reached the number one spot on the free App Store charts in 58 markets today. That includes both the United States and Japan,” according to 9to5 MAC, a news site that announces and reviews the newest electronic devices and apps in the market on a daily basis.

Mario Kart Tour is available on both iPhones and Androids, and is free of charge to users who just want generic gameplay options.

There are other payment options as well, such as the $4.99 per month membership that unlocks badges from Gold challenges and Gold Gifts for tour races, though these are not required to play the game.

In the most recent update, Nintendo added a multiplayer option to the game in which users can add their friends who have registered Nintendo accounts through username and play against them.

Before this multiplayer option was added, the app creators developed a plethora of computer-generated players to race against users. If you have not played multiplayer with people you know are real, you are racing against fake users tailored to seem as real as possible.

“They [the faux racers] have names like FOURARROW, kieronsc, chorns, metnka119, and usually, you’ll see at least one player in a race in Japanese script. The point here is clear: these are supposed to look like real players rather than the simple Nintendo characters that fill out a normal Mario Kart race. Don’t be fooled: they’re not,” said David Thier, Forbes Senior Contributor.

Regardless of whether or not the players are real, users around the world have found enjoyment in the newest Mario Kart title.

Mario Kart Touris perhaps Nintendo’s biggest mobile success yet, with over 90 million users in the first week of its release, trailing only slightly behind Pokemon Go. The app is only expected to improve and grow from here.

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

From page 3

SHELL OFF

not force or impose my beliefs onto others but instead allow them to question their own reality by posing questions based on their beliefs. I also stay quiet until I’m spoken to or someone approaches me,” said Walker.

One response was from student Ashley Dickson, who wished others would follow the same pursuit in being brave enough in being more vocal.

She respected the way he took a stand asking questions that were important to him.

Another student Jayden Turner thought that Walker was attempting to stir up controversy through this. “[It] seemed like he was tr ying to spark a religious debate,” said Turner.

The reason why some students may have interpreted his words as provocative is because they were inspired by one point in time when he was Christian, asking the questions he had once wondered and wanted to provide answers that he himself had discovered.

Walker was originally a Christian but converted to the Muslim faith, allowing him to go on a spirtual and personal journey unique to him. When describing his incredibly powerful journey, he said, “God chose me to be a Muslim when I was in my car one day listening to testimonies of heaven and hell on YouTube.

Although it was late in the day, I heard the church bell of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Antioch and felt compelled to take the short but steep drive up to its doors.

Upon arriving I was stopped in my tracks. The locked doors of the church prevented me from entering. I gave up on my curious search for something deeper and started walking back to my car. But suddenly, I froze and realized that I had driven up there for a reason. I turned around and walked back to the doors and got on my knees and remembered how Jesus in the Bible prayed to God. I threw my face to the floor and began giving

Nicola Mcher safety manager at the Martinez Shell Refinery said, “talking about women in our industry past, present and future,” Mcher added her thoughts about the importance of this event saying, “it’s a great event to encourage women to be in our industry.”

Los Medanos College President Bob Kratochvil said, “Great opportunity putting a spotlight on our partnership with Shell and all our industry partners and also highlighting our Ptech program.”

This event was meant to connect career and education, describing the two-year degree STEM path and encouraging students, emphasizing the female population, that jobs in this career are no longer a man’s world or boys-only club.

One of the presenters referred to a quote from former president Barack Obama saying, “change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time.”

For Workforce Development Advisor David Esquibel, this has been his third consecutive event. He commented on the turn out saying, “We don’t see a lot of females coming in to these two-year non-traditional career paths, so we’re just encouraging females to look at this as a viable educational career path.”

One of the panelists, Nicole Pitts, said this about her career at Shell, “[It’s] rewarding, as well as the compensation… and a great career to challenge you mentally to be on top of new technologies and know great opportunities and the teamwork there is just phenomenal.”

The student feedback was inspirational for future events as one LMC student Esabella Llamas said, “It was inspiring, and full of ideas and a lot of information,” Llamas added, “I wasn’t expecting to walk away with and would recommend future events.”

From page 3

Katie Loughran • Experience

Terrance Henry Walker with one of his many signs that sparks debate with students at Los Medanos College. my will to Him. Mind you, I had no idea what a Muslim even was but after pouring my heart out to God I felt a long and insatiable urge to continue my search and my life began to change.

However, I wanted this change to be real and didn’t want to come closer to God only for the way it made me feel, I wanted to find him for real. I wanted to discover God in the most tangibly spiritual way. So, almost two and a half years after continuous research, I found out a way and, in doing so and the only way in which one can do so I became Muslim in the summer of July 2017.”

It was the freedom of prayer and the everlasting search for God that brought him towards his faith.

The man behind the sign, or poncho Jesus as he was called due to wearing a poncho, went from being in the Navy, to being homeless and, finally being an advocate of faith. He grew up in Fremont, California after being adopted when he was young and recently got a job.

He spoke about how he wanted people to look at the depth of life, to see that a single tree became the cause of wars because trees created paper, and from paper,

money. He talked about the corruption of monetary values instilled on others and an inability to see the bigger picture by missing the smallest of details.

It was the tone of his voice that seemed to say that beyond the face of your religion and the words that keep you safe in the darkest of nights, there will always be a darkness looming over everyone that never seems to be seen yet is always lived in.

His God was his only light and he devotedly wanted to try and save people’s souls.

The topic of religion is nothing new to Los Medanos College with Christian Bibles being passed out on campus as well as Jehovah’s Witnesses visiting the campus from time to time.

What’s new is the eye catching displays of his signs which Walker refers to as an “in your face approach without being in your face.”

Once someone approaches him he has a willingness to go in depth about personal religious beliefs even though they may get uncomfortable. He does not engage unless engaged with, allowing people to form their own thoughts before their conversation starts.

“Spread that message to the people. Jesus is a Muslim. He is melanated. Most of the prophets were.”

Although it may sound like he’s attempting to convert people, he actually has a much bigger goal in mind.

“My mission also extends beyond religion and I hope to show people Satan’s grip on this third dimensional reality.”

It was clear that being heard and having his message spread meant more to him than he could begin to express.

“After a year and a half of trying to wake people up, people are starting to catch on, people are starting to listen,” said Walker. “This is an issue of salvation. People’s lives are at stake and the people on the top of the totem pole are lying to us about every aspect of life.

This is Satan’s world down to the atom. If you don’t become aware of this as soon as possible you will be led astray.”

It was that pure wish that spoke in an echoing silence that seperated one man from an entire noise driven crowd bustling by.

The loudest things in life are spoken in a layer of silence in which the weight of worlds is felt.

FUND

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perceive unless you are a student.”

A handful of students who are not in LMCAS attended the conjoined meeting and had words to say, but the turnout was lower than some would have hoped.

“Since we are at a community college, I feel that it is generally harder to get students more engaged and involved, but I do wish more students were aware of these things,” said LMCAS president Thyra Cobbs.

Professors encourage students to be a part of the process so that they can understand the way the school works from a student perspective.

“They are always encouraging us to be a part of various committees which is where a lot of the decisions and planning occur in addition to having voting rights in those committees,” said Shagoofa Khan.

Classified Senate interacted with students, who were a part of student government, working on looking over draft pieces of the accreditation report.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to be involved in the accreditation process, because I see myself as a necessity in the process,” said Sessions. “I think that most staff can understand my opinions and more often than not, I feel properly represented.”

Evidence that will support that LMC has been meeting the requirements over the past six years will be collected through the month of November.

43rd minute with an assist from Mariah Minhares.

The offense definitely slowed down in the second half, only scoring three goals.

In the Giovanetti would add a goal to her two assists increasing their lead to 8-0, assisted

by Alondra Huerta.

Huerta would score the ninth goal of the game in the sixty-sixth minute. Ramirez scored a brace, making the score 10-0 in the 83rd minute via a Minhares assist.

The Mustangs visited College of Marin, Tuesday, Oct. 8 winning 5-0.

Again, the offense showed up in the first half, Anissa Gomez scored the first goal in the first minute of the game through an assist from Alicia Cardenas.

Only two minutes later, Marianna Giovannetti would score an unassisted goal, resulting in a 2-0 lead.

Early scoring must be a Mustang trademark because in the sixth minute, LMC was up 3-0 after Nayeli Carbajal found her first goal through an Isabel Dumapit assist.

The final goal of the game was scored in the twenty-ninth minute by Litxy Ramirez, assisted by Jazmin Alanis.

The Mustangs continue conference play Friday Oct 11, against Merritt College at home, with kickoff scheduled at 4 p.m.

For more information on the team, visit https://www.losmedanos.edu/soccer

traf fic. DeSaulnier spent around 50 minutes answering these questions, making the total time spent on them longer than the time spent on his slide show.

One student in attendance, Alyssa Isabela Flores, reflected that despite the fact that most students in attendance only went because they were incentivized as part of a class, she noticed her peers tuning into what the Congressman had to say. “As I was looking around, I saw a lot of students becoming more engaged.”

Flores, who attended the event primarily because her class required her to, said she took it as a “real learning opportunity.”

The reception to DeSaulnier’s points was primarily positive; no attendees voiced complaints or conflicting opinions to the Congressman’s political agenda.

DeSaulnier personally expressed a positive reaction to the student turnout, stating he was encouraged by the thoughtful questions asked.

From page 6

From page 1

From page 1

The event was planned by histor y professors Reggie Lemay and Courtney Goen.

The two professors have worked together for a number of semesters now in trying to expand student awareness of their communities and build public history and civic engagement into their curricula.

“We want to encourage students to understand that learning doesn’t just happen inside four walls on campus,” said Goen. “I hope that students understand that government isn’t out of reach.”

Reflecting on the town hall, Goen said, “Most of my students expressed interest, engagement and pleasantly surprised how interesting it was,” he continued. “I was delighted to see so many of my students ask questions and get involved.”

Lemay was also pleased with student turnout and engagement, saying it went “better than what we envisioned.”

DeSaulnier generally holds at least two town hall meetings every month, and tries to hit as many community colleges as he can in an effort to reach younger audiences.

From page 1

possible power shutoff event due to gusty winds and dry conditions that will af fect parts of the County. Current projections indicate none of our District locations will be affected. All locations are open and classes are in session.”

“Before restoring power, PG&E must inspect its equipment for damage and make any necessary repairs. That process cannot begin until the severe weather event has subsided,” said PG&E. “Given the prolonged period during which the wind event will unfold, and the large number of power line miles that will need to be inspected before restoration, customers are being asked to prepare for an extended outage.”

Larger cities in the Bay Area like San Jose, Oakland, Fremont, Santa Rosa, Hayward, Berkeley, Fairfield, Richmond, San Mateo and San Leandro are included in this zone. Even parts of Antioch, Pittsburg and Half Moon Bay are said to be affected.

This outage is in response to high winds, forecast to be at 45 miles per hour on average with 60 to 70 mph gusts, which can potentially help start and escalate fires during dry and hot days.

To company is practicing caution as to prevent a repeat of what happened in 2017, where it was found that PG&E power lines were the cause of massive wildfires through California and resulted in the loss of 46 lives.

The fires lead to thousands of lawsuits against the company, forcing them into bankruptcy.

From the official PG&E Twitter, @PGE4ME, “To reduce wildfire risk during the forecasted severe wind event, PG&E will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (#PSPS) in parts of northern, central and coastal counties. PG&E expects to begin turning off power later tonight, just after midnight.”

The company said different communities will lose power at different times “depending on local timing of the severe wind conditions,” beginning up north.

Though there may not be high temperatures in your area, PG&E may still cut power to your city due to the connections of power lines and grids.

“Customers notified of a #PSPS may be affected by a power shutoff even though they are not experiencing extreme weather conditions in their location.

The electric system relies on power lines working together across cities, counties and regions,” said PGE4ME. On the company’s social media, they’ve provided links and reminders on how to prepare or make sure you are prepared for an event like this. There are also links to “PG&E Community Resource Centers” starting Oct. 9, in each af fected county that will be open during the day for 100 people with water, bathrooms, A/C and ways to charge electronic devices.

A small fire was started and put out, only burning 300 acres of land with no injuries reported Oct.10.

LOCK From page 1

“They just said they were told it could be on campus and we should travel in groups.

We finished getting dressed and left behind the theater department right away and came here [to the jazz room],” said Martinez.

Drama professor Nick Garcia was among the first to hear about the potential shooter from his students. He was directing play rehearsals at the time, when his students received texts about a possible shooter.

He warned others of the rumor shortly after 9 p.m., including the Journalism and Art classes, and then evacuated his students and left campus.

Art professor Eric Sanchez and journalism professor Cindy McGrath called Police Services to ask about the po-

tential threat. Campus police had, at that time, not heard about the reports.

About 40 minutes later, the Emergency Alert system sent out district wide texts and emails alerting those still on campus to be under lock down.

“I was in astronomy class.

A girl said some guy told her coming from the bathroom that there was shooter on campus and we locked the doors,” said student Aliyah Garner, as she walked back to her car after the alert.

More than six Pittsburg Police Department vehicles were parked on campus as the armed officers went to each floor, securing the locations.

“We were rehearsing in the middle of a tune. Those two drama people came in, William and Kayla. William was on text with the police and said we want a police escort out

Jordyn Toscano • Experience

Police vehicle converged on campus to respond to a report of a possible gunman. of here,” said jazz professor Steve Ernest.

Ernest shut rehearsal down and locked all the doors and said to his class, “Let’s pack it up and play it safe.”

Shortly after the original aler t was sent out, Police

Ser vices began escor ting students back to their cars, and into classrooms for lockdown.

Students walking around the halls were told to clear the scene and go into classrooms for lockdown.

The lockdown was lifted at

10:06 p.m., after the Pittsburg Police Force in compliance with LMC Campus Police finished securing the area.

The Contra Costa Community College District Emergency Alert system sent out a text and email stating that,

“the shelter in place at Los Medanos College has been lifted. There is no threat or indications of an armed person or shooting on campus.

Multiple police agencies are on location to insure your safe departure.”

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Stangs soar over Eagles

6

“Success is not an accident, success is actually a choice. ”

— Stephen Curry

Krys Shahin K BUT NOT KARDASHIAN

Leagues silence players

Erick Amaya • Experience

Amaya Mixon, No. 11, jumps above the net to block the ball from going over the net against a Mendocino College player.

LMC wins 3-1over Mendocino

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

The Los Medanos College women’s volleyball team beat Mendocino College in a 3-1 win Friday, Oct. 4. The Mustangs led 2-0 before faltering in the third set and finishing with a win in the fourth set.

The first set went to the Mustangs with a score of 25-19. The Mendocino College Eagles began the set, yet they gave up the first point of the match to Mustangs No. 15, Kristina Salazar. The set continued and both teams traded on and off for the lead. During the middle of the set, the Mustangs were trailing 12-14, but were able to come back and lead for the rest of the set. LMC controlled the rest of the set, conceding only five points and scoring 13 after their comeback.

The second set went to the Mustangs with a 2-0 lead, and a score of 25-17. Set two began

when Salazar took the first serve for the Mustangs. The points were shared among both teams, and the Mustangs took control of the set early on. LMC triumphed over the Eagles for the entire set – they did not give the Eagles a chance to “fly” over them to even the score.

The Mustangs looked to win against Mendocino College in straight sets, but the Eagles rallied to win set three by a small margin of 21-25. From the beginning, the Mustangs were not able to control the set, trailing for the majority of it.

“I think we were a little bit too confident. We went into it thinking that we could relax, but definitely wasn’t the case,” said Salazar.

In the middle of the set, LMC attempted to make a comeback while trailing 10-14, scoring three and conceding two bringing the score to 13-16.

The Eagles were able to regain control of the set, and brought the score to 14-20. The Mustangs were

Mustang women shut out two opponents

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

The Los Medanos College Women’s Soccer Team won both of their recent away matches. On Friday Oct. 4, the Mustangs faced Contra Costa College and succeeded with a final score of 0-10. On Tuesday Oct. 8, they visited College of Marin and left with a 5-0 win.

The Mustangs lead Bay Valley Conference (BVC) atop the standings after a perfect 4-0-0 start to conference play. They have a goal differential of +20, outscoring opponents 21-1.

Against CCC, the girl’s soccer team scored 10 goals and conceded zero. In the first half, LMC scored seven goals in a span of 40 minutes.

The first goal was scored in the third minute by Alicia Cardenas, with an assist from forward Sarah Figueroa.

able to even the score 20-20 with Emily Sobolik and Amaya Mixon each scoring two points of the six.

The comeback came up short, as the Eagles were able to score four straight points, which helped them to finish 21-25. “We beat ourselves,” said Coach Lou Panzella.

Set four was the final set of the match, giving the Mustangs the win.

The set was won by the Mustangs 25-16. The Eagles were eager to tie the match 2-2. The Eagles and Mustangs began the set alternating leads. However, LMC took control mid-set. Salazar was responsible for most of the Mustangs’ points, scoring many from a direct serve.

“We wanted to go in there, and just shut it down and win,” said Salazar.

The Volleyball team returns home on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. against Solano College. For more information of the team, visit Erick Amaya • Experience https://www.losmedanos.edu/ volleyball/.

Joslin Sadler, libero, serves the ball.

Mariah Minhares would double their lead in the seventh minute, Figueroa getting her second assist of the game.

In the twelfth minute, Figueroa would find the back of the net through an Anissa Gomez assist. Fifteen minutes later, in the twenty-seventh minute, a Marianna Giovanetti setup would find Nayeli Carbajal for the fourth tally. In the thirty-third minute, Giovanetti would nod her second assist with a goal from Litzy Ramirez for 5-0.

Four minutes later, Jazmin Alanis would get her name on the score sheet for 6-0, this goal had a double assist; Holly Gallagher and Figueroa would team up to set up Alanis this would be Figueroa’s third and final assist. The final goal of the first half was scored by Anissa Gomez in the See WINS, page 5

With current reports on protests happening in Hong Kong and China ramping up, NBA and other sports players have been advised to stay out of it and remain indifferent on the issue.

In April of this year, an extradition bill was introduced in Hong Kong that would allow government to extradite specific criminals to mainland China rather than holding them in their own prisons.

Hong Kong citizens reacted to the extradition bill negatively, and there have been protests against the bill for months. Protesters and opposers say that this bill is going to endanger Hong Kongers, exposing them to unlawful treatment and unfair trials.

This bill also targets journalists and activists in the country.

Thousands of protestors filled the streets, businesses closed and the government was forced to respond after the bill was passed. Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, responded to the protests and explained that the bill would be suspended indefinitely.

Although the bill was suspended, many individuals in Hong Kong are still protesting the fact that the bill was ever put into effect. Not only has this bill affected criminals in Hong Kong, but common people such as gamers and sports players as well.

Recently, Blizzard, a popular video game company, banned a professional Hong Kong gamer and streamer from competing and associating with the video game due to his celebration being a cry of “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age!” Oct. 8 in a live stream.

This is important because now NBA teams and agents are following in suit with this anti-first amendment mindset. Agents strongly suggest that all players stay away from the topic of China, even though the country just cut ties with the league.

This reaction is coming in response to Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey who tweeted, “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong,” which has now been deleted.

This attention has aroused some negativity in some fans and they have shared them with sports players and coaches.

Many think that celebrities, or those who are famous, should have no opinion on politics whatsoever, so seeing sports coaches have open and public opinions about another country’s government can attract “bad press” to the sports team.

Celebrities like Steph Curry, who promote certain brands like Under Armour in China, refuse to comment. I would say this is to ensure the security of his reputation as an “unproblematic” man who cares about his community.

I personally think that it is too soon to have much of an opinion on what is happening to enforce “cancel culture” on celebrities with opinions on a complex topic that does not directly involve the United States.

All I know is that Hong Kong citizens want to be able to express their thoughts freely, and American’s should be the last to suppress that speech, regardless of the outcome.

Erick Amaya • Experience

Head coach Zach Sullivan gathers the team after a 1-0 win against Bakersfiled College.