LMC Experience Vol. 98 No. 7 - April 14, 2023

Registration for classes in fall 2023 begins with group 1

Participants given a platform

Thoughts shared to improve campus

By: ALIYAH RAMIREZ Staff Writer

Focused on creating a safe space for students and staff to share their thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics, Courageous Conversations was brought back to campus for the first time since the pandemic.

Put together by Student Life, Equity & Inclusion and Ethnic Studies, participants met on the second floor of the Student Union April 6, from 12-1:15 p.m. to connect with others and honest conversation.

Director of Student Life

Cesar Chavez awards celebration

An awards celebration honoring the legacy of Cesar Chavez will be held on Friday, April 21 from 6 p.m until 9 p.m. at the Student Union Conference Center.

High school kids perform at LMC

Jazz bands from Liberty, Freedom and Heritage High Schools will perform at the Los Medanos Recital Hall Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

LGBTQ+ workshop at Los Medanos

Workshops to uplift the LGBTQ+ community will be on the second floor of the Student Union Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Teresea Archaga began the discussion by thanking everyone who attended and followed a brief introduction around the circle of participants.

Afterward, the given agreements were addressed by Archaga to reinforce “what is shared in the space, stays in the space,” as the experiences and emotions of participants remain confidential.

“These spaces are important for all in order to have a safe and supportive space for participants to process emotions and in some cases help in creating solutions to improve well-being, support one another, and move towards understanding you are not

UC Davis rep visits Student Union

UC Davis representative

Kimberly Serrano will visit the Los Medanos College Student Union on Tuesday April 18. She will be available from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. to answer questions students may have about transferring to UC Davis.

alone,” said Archaga.

Courageous Conversations initially began as a place for participants to process tragedy as Archaga addressed past topics surrounding the Pulse shooting in Florida, the Black Lives Matter Movement and hate crimes against Asian communities.

As LMC continued its transition from the pandemic, the

topics collected by students and employees included anti-racism, social media and loss on campus.

However, the discussion held this past Thursday primarily centered around rebuilding a supportive campus space with positive and negative shared experiences.

“We want to continue to engage in the community

building for our students so that they feel comfortable and safe,” said Dr. Tanisha Mj Maxwell, vice president of Student Services, toward raising opinions around, “things that are going well, things where we might be providing gaps in services and welcome their innovative ideas.”

Students collaborated with staff on ways to improve re-

sources and communication, while ensuring they have access to spaces to seek support for students both on and off campus.

LMCAS President Jeffery Bui conveyed ideas for rebuilding life on campus with “more clubs, more communities, making sure we have peers who are knowledgeable that

See VOICE, page 3

Introducing brand-new podcast: ‘Exposition’

By MOHAMMAD NAJIMI Staff Writer

Students in search of jobs visit the various booths at the industrial technology job fair

Students engineer their future

By MOHAMMAD NAJIMI Staff Writer

The Industrial Technologies department — comprising of five sections: Process Technology, Electrical Technology, Instrumentation Technology, Automotive Technology and Welding — hosted an in-person job fair by the Workforce and Economic Development program on April 6.

It brought together 17 companies with 40 representatives

to offer information about them and explain why their company is the best option for the outgoing LMC students.

Coordinator Melina Rodriguez said she was “very happy” with how the job fair turned out and proud to provide these opportunities for students.

“We don’t usually have over 101 students turn out to this event and when seeing that 141 students arrived, that made me jump with joy,” said Rodriguez

ending it with, “When I see a full room, I see opportunity. Opportunity for students to get those connections in life and succeed.”

The program coordinator was not the only person to enjoy their experience as the employers who attended also had a great time talking to students. Barbara McBride, the director of strategic origination and development at

The Los Medanos College Experience’s new podcast “Exposition” was created by two journalism students, Micah Simms and Tatihn Mellieon, with three episodes published since its debut April 6. The podcast was created to allow faculty and students to voice their opinions on topics that are relevant to their position or profession.

“The Exposition podcast is an interview-based series where we talk to a variety of faculty and students on campus at LMC, obviously, about a variety of topics,” said Mellieon. “We want to talk about anything and everything.”

Before the podcast became a reality, the two creators initially saw the project as a “complete joke,” according to Mellieon. In the beginning, they would make each other laugh about

it because “we both knew we wouldn’t be able to start a podcast so we would make a joke about it whenever we could,” said Mellieon.

However, Mellieon and Simms attended a journalism convention hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press March 9-11 in San Francisco, and a workshop there about podcasts inspired them to give it a try.

“I’d say at least 10 percent of the reason I even went to

Mohammad Najimi • Experience

Alexis Ramirez Experience

Perspectives 2

Tatihn Mellieon

T’S CORNER

Trans people are not the problem

The latest “culture war” the GOP has begun to wage is one surrounding the transgender community. As a non-binary person, this affects my existence and I’m sure there’s at least one person in your life, whether you know it or not, who will be affected by the 400-plus bills currently being workshopped or implemented in various states.

But hold on; why does the GOP care, and what exactly would all of these bills do?

Many conservatives say their concern is not in the existence of transgender and gender nonconforming people, but rather in the safety and potential hazard of children being exposed to such identities and perspectives. While this reasoning sounds charitable on the surface to the uninformed, there’s no evidence to prove that trans people adversely affect children any more than cisgender people.

Actually, quite the opposite is true.

According to the Anti-Violence Project, transgender individuals are four times as likely to be victims of a hate crime in comparison to cisgender people, and according to the Office for Victims of Crime, one in two have been sexually assaulted. So, trans people are far more susceptible to violence than most, and yet republicans nationwide are busy crying over “transgenderism” to even bother with facts.

While this goes on, the very legislation the GOP passes continues to restrict the rights and existence of transgender people, such as outlawing gender affirming medical procedures, banning teaching of transgender people in school and making gender affirming ID’s impossible to get.

“There’s gotta be a reason, right?” You ask yourself, and don’t worry, I have the grim answer. During the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC for short, Daily Wire host Michael Knowles said that “For the good of society… transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely.”

And there you go, a face of a mainstream conservative publication just said it in the middle of one of the GOP’s biggest events, something Trump himself attended. They want trans people eradicated from public life, the mere idea of them existing to no longer exist.

As a non-binary person, a group typically referred to in the same if not identical way, there’s a pretty obvious reason why this blatant hatred takes place; and no, it’s not the “grooming” or “indoctrination” the right loves to talk about.

It’s about change, and the fear it brings. The whole point of the Conservative Party is to be conservative, and as such the ideology applies not just to the economy and states’ rights, but also social norms: what is and isn’t acceptable.

By and large, having a group entirely dedicated to the world not changing is the same one that will react violently to change, hence many of the Trump favoring being labeled reactionary.

This isn’t a new understanding of how things work, in fact this is exactly what led to the AIDS epidemic ravaging the gay community in the 80s. If you don’t believe me, just look up who was president at the time, how long it took him to even mention AIDS and how he’s revered by the GOP today.

We, and by we, I mean the LGBTQIA+ community, have always had to play the game of society with one hand behind our back.

The structure of which has always existed with the pretense that anything other than heterosexuality was deviant and illegitimate and therefore should be persecuted. Even in today’s “progressive” society, we’re merely less criminalized than we were before and even that’s changing for the worse.

Perhaps we, as a species, should re-evaluate the society we allow to exist and the limits it can breach before we worry about what people prefer to be called.

EditOrial

AI diminshes integrity in education

With recent advances in technology, a new problem is beginning to arise in the classroom. ChatGPT is an AI software that allows users to insert a prompt they would like the AI to complete within seconds. ChatGPT was initially intended to be a tool to answer questions or assist users when writing prompts.

Students are now using the program to cheat on homework assignments as well as tests. There is currently no guaranteed way for teachers to distinguish the difference between student and AI generated work, which has left teachers scrambling to find a solution to stop their students from cheating.

It is already estimated that at least half of all college students in the United States are using ChatGPT to cheat on assignments. This leaves us to ask the question: what can be done to combat students using ChatGPT to cheat?

One solution that can prevent students from using ChatGPT to cheat is to assign writing prompts that are not fact based. Instead, dependent on individualistic topics about one’s life experiences and biggest fears. By making the students write about something that is personal to them, it is something difficult for the AI to write with the same level of emotion a real person would write with.

Doing this can also get the students more involved in their writing, making it possible that students will be more inclined to do an assignment if it’s about something they have personally experienced. If students are writing about a topic they enjoy, they will put greater effort toward the assignment to make their best work.

A final solution is for teachers to no longer assign written assignments as homework and instead make them in-class assignments. Forcing the assignment to be done in class allows the teacher to watch over their students much easier than if it was assigned to be done at home. This even gives the teachers the opportunity to force students to submit writing assignments using pen and paper, completely removing the technology element and possibility of using AI to cheat.

However, when used correctly, AI can be a very useful tool for both students and teachers. ChatGPT has been used to help students gather information for assignments as well as teachers with lesson planning. It all depends on how the tool is used both inside and outside the classroom.

ExpEriEncE Staff rEadEr OpiniOn pOlicy

Editor-in-Chief ................... JUAN CEBREIROS

Managing Editor ........... MOHAMMAD NAJIMi

Perspectives Editor ........... ALIYAH RAMIREZ

Features Editor ..................... JADEN FORTIER

Sports Editor ................ MOHAMMAD NAJIMI

Photo Editor ................. KATHERINE MUSTAR

Voices

“I want to be a cat. They get to sleep all day and they are beautiful.”

— Adriana Chavez

The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. All members of the Los Medanos College community — students, faculty and staff — are encouraged to write.

If you are interested in expressing your opinions on campus, national or world issues, drop them off in Room CC3-301 or email them to LosMedanos.Experience@gmail.com. Letters and columns must be typed, signed and include a phone number for verification. They may be edited for clarity, content taste and length at the editor’s discretion.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

Mass shootings seem to never end

It feels like every time I log onto social media or turn on the news, I see a report about yet another mass shooting happening in the United States. According to the gun violence archive website, which classifies mass shootings where people were killed or injured by a gun, there have been 146 mass shootings in America all year. But we’re only in April, around this time last year, 131 mass shootings have already occurred.

As bad as it might sound, I can’t bring myself to care about them as much as I once used to. Mass shootings have been happening my entire life and yet, nothing has really ever been changed to combat them. When you see shootings after shootings occur and nothing is done to stop them, it’s very easy to get desensitized.

Every time I see a report or news about a mass shooting, I always think “damn, that’s sad, I hope the families of the victims are doing alright,” before I continue scrolling and go about my day. I used to get worked up about seeing these incidents because they are sad situations that no one wants to see.

Over time, mass shootings no longer affected me and I had become numb to them. I knew that nothing was going to change, so I figured there was no reason for me to let these things impact me anymore.

I grew tired of seeing the phrase “thoughts and prayers” repeated over and over again because all we can ever offer is that. Call me pessimistic, negative, whatever, but deep down, anyone with eyes can see that mass shootings have been going on for years, and no major change has happened.

If the people in charge of fixing these problems are more focused on trying to only do things that fit their political agenda instead of what’s right, there’s really no point in feeling shocked.

Political agendas being the basis for politicians is a problem that extends far past mass shootings, instead, it’s just one of the biggest consequences that come from it. It never really feels like politicians do things for the good of the people, but rather petty stuff they do to spite the party they’re against.

There is only so much a regular civilian like me can do to make a change when the ones who hold real power are busy attacking each other instead of focusing on the issues at hand.

The optimism that I once had is now long gone, and it sucks. I would love for something to happen regarding mass shootings, but it’s rather unrealistic at this stage. I can’t be disappointed by something not happening if I don’t allow myself to get my hopes up in the first place.

If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

“I would like to be an eagle because I can fly anywhere.”

Garret Hallstrom

—

“I would like to be an orangutan because they may seem lazy but they are smart and strong animals.”

— Andrew Murphy

“I want to be a parrot because they talk and you can train them to do good things.”

— Michelle Ogwu

“I would like to be a panda because they don’t have problems with others and get to do what they want.”

— Alejandro Nunez

“I would love to be a mourning dove because they are gorgeous and you can find them in odd places.”

— Chimera Mohammadi

— Robin Williams

Features

Tour gives students insight on HBCUs College trip returns

after COVID-19 hiatus

By JEROME HILL Staff Writer

“After touring Delaware State, I knew I should not settle for what felt safe. Delaware State provided me with the motivation I needed to continue my education in a new environment,” said LMC psychologist major Kiara McCullum.

McCullum is one of eight LMCstudents who attended the tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities during spring break. The group of 50 included students from DVC and CCC, in addition to Skyline College in San Bruno and Cerritos College in Norwalk.

Five HBCUs were on the itinerary including Morgan State and Bowie State universities, which are in Baltimore, Maryland, Delaware State University in Dover, Lincoln University in Philadelphia and Howard University in Washington D.C.

“LMC has been offering a tour of HBCUs since 2015 to support students in exploring and transferring to Historically Black Colleges for about eight years,” explained Rachel Anicetti, Director of Transfer and Career Services.

“We strive to give this opportunity annually. Unfortunately, we had to pause this tour in 2020 - 2022 due to COVID-related travel restrictions. We are so excited to return to this annual activity,” said Anicetti.

“Los Medanos College is a champion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and is so proud of our students who transfer to HBCUs annually,” Anicetti said.

She added that there are 39 HBCUs and usually five to 20 students transfer to an HBCU annually from LMC.

Morgan State was first on the itinerary. Students got a chance to meet “The MSU Poets” at a book drive that spread positive energy around campus. Before leaving for the next stop, students got a taste of campus food at the dining hall.

At Bowie, tour guides K and MC, both showed a lot of school spirit. The group saw the campus and took a trip to the Bowie radio station, BSU-TV and WBSU, where they learned about the mass communications program. The Department of Communications at Bowie has four concentrations: broadcast journalism, emerging media, print journalism and strategic public relations.

They then moved onto Delaware State University. DSU has a few majors unique to the HBCU. You can earn a B.A. in Media Convergence Journalism, in Humanities. Agriculture offers 10 degrees including a B.A. in Equine Business Management, and a master’s in Animal Science.

Delaware also has an eight-week summer session where freshman and transfer students can get oriented with the school for college credit.

McCullum recognized the gems Delaware State has to offer.

“Before attending the HBCU tour, I did not believe I could attend an HBCU. I was going to settle for a local college,” she said, adding that Delaware is now her top choice.

When they arrived at Lincoln the group visited “The Langston Hughes Library” for a presentation and Q & A.

Lincoln graduating senior Kayla Jackson had empowering words for anyone attending school, but mainly spoke to the females.

REVIEW CREW

Students walk in front of the Earl S. Richardson Library during their tour at Morgan State University.

“My four-year journey has been a rollercoaster, but one that I will forever cherish. From being the captain of the cheerleading team, to studying abroad in the Dominican Republic for three months, the lessons I have learned have not only prepared me for my upcoming professional career, but also for life as a young, black woman living in America,” said Jackson.

“As I continue to shape my future,... I realize that a lot of stuff is trial and error, you live, and you learn.”

For many students, going to college and transferring to a four-year school could be intimidating, but Jackson, who is also a first-generation student, had some advice to give to those who will deal with those hurdles.

“As a first-generation student, I sometimes didn’t have the proper direction or resources that others may have, but I then realized that

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

I am creating a pathway for others like me to learn from my life lessons, improve and succeed,” she said. “Always remember to think things through and persevere through all your obstacles. Stay focused.”

The last stop was Howard with its history of great men who walked the grounds. Students got to see the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts memorial for Benjamin Banneker, who finished the job of designing Washington D.C. The tour ended with a stop at radio station WHUT, Howard University Television.

History, fine arts and mass communications are some of the strengths of Howard, but they have strong psychology and computer science programs as well.

LMC Computer Science major John Gutierrez particularly liked Howard for its connections with Google,

Mohammad says: Enjoyable, yet lacks pacing

A new animated movie was released to theaters titled “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” that brought the characters within the Mario universe to life. It was a great movie with incredible production and animation design for the characters.

The movie was intended for an entire family to enjoy, reflected by the number of comedic scene it had. However, the pace of the film was too fast to understand what was going on. For an hourand-a-half movie, there are still some confusing scenes, especially at the end.

The film had a great cast to make the movie more well-known. It featured Chris Pratt as Mario, Keegan Michael-Key as Toad, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach and Jack Black as Bowser. It was a star-studded cast that fit with the massive attraction Mario and Luigi are.

It’s a fun, lovable and entertaining film that leaves audiences with a smile. It’s rated PG or parental guidance, but it should be rated E for everyone since there’s nothing that would anger parents. If the movie was 30 minutes longer with better explanations it’d get a better grade, but poor pacing brings it to a four out of five-star review.

which brings students “hands-on experience.”

“I genuinely think more trips like this will help build more bonds, stronger student networks and the ability to explore more options of where you want to travel when you decide to go to college,” Gutierrez said.

For Aisjah Forte, a psychology major who attends Contra Costa College, “it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” that also brought culture shock.

“During most of my schooling, I was usually the only black student in my class, so it was exhilarating and refreshing to see so many black students focused on gaining higher education. To go to colleges and universities and see individuals that not only looked like me but shared the same interest in higher education” was eye-opening, Forte said.

Noah says: Stunning production, average story

I wanted this film to be good, knock me out and give it a thumbs up. Instead, I’m back to being critical. The film isn’t bad, just misdirected. The animation is gorgeous and I love the way the camera swoops through the kaleidoscopic world like a hungry bird preying on beautiful production design. The score is brilliant, and made iconic themes from the video games into something nostalgic and heroic. Peach was super cool, fun and voiced perfectly by Anya Taylor-Joy. However, the story is average and paced terribly. The biggest drawback was not having Luigi alongside Mario the whole film. It should’ve focused on them and how they overcome their insecurities to become great heroes. Bowser, while super funny, is a complete joke, lacks any kind of depth and isn’t shown as a real threat. Lastly, the majority of the voice cast is distracting and felt casted only because of their fame. Casting lesser known actors or ones who actually sound scary, threatening or Italian would’ve helped. Flaws and all the film is fun, but people should wait until it’s free online instead of spending their hard earned money to see in theaters.

Movie Summary: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Keegan Michael-Key and Jack Black was released April 5. Mario (Chris) travels through the Mushroom Kingdom with a princess named Peach (Anya) and a mushroom named Toad (Keegan) to find his brother Luigi (Charlie) and save the world from a fire-breathing Koopa, Bowser (Jack). The movie runs for one hour and 32 minutes and is rated PG. —

VOICE

From page 1

can help students around, have people engage students to come to events and provide a nice space for students to come and connect.”

Questions were also asked on what makes students come back to class, what their experience is like and how to create effective processes without

losing human connections on campus. LMC student Chiamaka Oha described the event as an “opportunity to voice their opinions and have a bigger voice.”

Courageous Conversations provided a space for participants to be seen and heard.

Interim Dean for Equity and Inclusion, Rosa Armendariz,

described the collaboration between students and administration as necessary to “create things together.”

Courageous Conversations will host another event with staff and students April 27, from 12-1 p.m. on the second floor of the student union, a follow-up to the LGBTQ+ Summit held on April 19-20.

From page 1

the convention was because I saw that they had a podcast workshop and we both went,” said Mellieon, with Simms exclaiming at the end, “we should start a podcast!”

The “Exposition” podcast is available on YouTube and the LMC Experience website, targeting listeners who are open

to learning about new topics they might find interesting.

The first three episodes feature conversations with Pride Alliance President Chimera Mohammadi, astronomy professor Scott Cabral and music professor Luis Zuniga. Upcoming are conversations with political science professor Ryan Hiscocks and English

professor L.D. Green. They also plan to invite the director of “Sharknado”, LMC alum Anthony Ferrante, onto their podcast. Staff and students who are interested in appearing on the podcast can contact Tatihn Mellieon at tatmellieon@ gmail.com or Micah Simms at micahsimms462@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela

Jerome Hill • Experience

Noah Cannon

— Mohammad Najimi

Photo Courtesy of IMDB

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

“I treat every day like it’s my last day with a basketball.”

— LeBron James

Softball failed comeback

By JUAN CEBREIROS Staff Writer

The Los Medanos College

Mustangs Softball team fell to the Solano College Falcons 7-5 on April 7 at the home field of the Mustangs. Across the final three innings, the Mustangs combined to record just two

Ayiloge motivated on the court

By JADEN FORTIER

Staff Writer

Since watching the NBA at a young age, Busola Ayiloge has been infatuated with the game of basketball.

She was introduced to the sport when she watched the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2010 NBA Finals with her family. When she saw LeBron James play in his first year with the Miami Heat, she was hooked.

“I thought he was just so cool and I looked up to him and how dominant he was,” said Ayiloge. “He was the embodiment of greatness to me.”

Ayiloge loved James ever since then, and was fascinated by him and other NBA players as she wanted “to be able to do what they did.”

With a growing love of basketball, at nine-years-old, Ayiloge’s parents put her in the Catholic Youth Organization or CYO, known for its youth sports programs.

Ayiloge has been a member of the Los Medanos College women’s basketball team since she enrolled as a freshman.

During her two years, she averaged the most points and rebounds for the team, and saw increases in every statistical category which she attributed “experience and consistency” toward her improvement.

“When you do something over and over again it becomes easier, so in my case the more and more I played,

FAIR

From page 1

Calpine Corporation, was a representative at the event and was content with how busy their table was.

“It’s been great! It went much better than last time due to COVID-19,” said McBride, also stating that Calpine has “a lot of opportunities for students.”

Another employer had an interesting time at the event as they strive for students to become members of their company, as opposed to employees hired because they want to have a better relationship with their members.

“We need committed members to attend our five-year no-cost program. The minimum requirement is a C

the better I became,” said Ayiloge, adding that the constant hours she spent working on her game and being on the team for a year helped her “understand the game better.”

Ayiloge prides herself in her abilities to stay hard-working and committed, as it separates her from others.

“I think I am very headstrong, I know what I want and I will go after it,” said Ayiloge. “With that comes being very self aware, and knowing myself well enough to put myself in a position to succeed. I understand my weaknesses and try to work on them.”

This aids Ayiloge on the basketball court, as it helps her never feel stagnant with her play and keeps her motivated to always improve. Ayiloge uses that motivation to develop into a well-rounded player performing at a high level on the court.

Determined to do whatever it takes for her team to succeed, Ayiloge describes her role on the court, as her “job is to score, but I know that I need to bring more to the table than just that for us to win.”

She compares her game to James, as he is known as one of the most well-rounded basketball players, and correlates her athleticism and ability to drive to the basket to him as well.

While Ayiloge’s progression as a player has mostly had its ups,

grade or better in two semesters of algebra,” said Rachel Shoemake, assistant business manager at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers L.U. 302.

Even though some employers weren’t looking for immediate candidates, another employer seemed to have a few candidates who would be great for the position they are offering.

Eco-Services, an energy company that has catered southern California for over 15 years, enjoyed the personalities of the students they spoke to and also shared many of their own values to make it known for the students’ benefit.

she has gone through challenges of overcoming self-doubt. During stretches of the season when she wasn’t playing up to par, it affected her “love for the game.”

“I think I put a lot of pressure on myself and wanted us to win so badly, so sometimes when we didn’t I would put a lot of blame on myself,” said Ayiloge.

However, playing for the LMC women’s basketball team allowed her to play basketball for fun and not feel as much pressure.

“My favorite part of being on this team is being able to play the game that I love,” Ayiloge said. “Basketball gives me such a rush and it’s an escape from any problems I’m facing in my life.”

Even though the team had its ups and downs this past season, Ayiloge was happy to see how resilient the entire team was and loved how she was able to grow not just as a person, but as a player.

“I have such a great relationship with all of my teammates and I think having such a close knit group helped us a lot this season when it came to chemistry,” Ayiloge said, adding that her teammates are some of the best people she’s met at LMC and her favorite people she’s played with.

Ayiloge is also grateful for the time playing under women’s basketball coach Richard Villegas.

“We are more of a smaller company, so we have more of a family environment within ourselves. Our top three values that we strive for are safety, family environment and integrity more than anything,” said Neil Baranik, controls and reliability engineer for Eco-Services.

The event was not just enjoyable to the employers, the LMC students who attended the event had great things to say about the job fair. Third-year student Raven Figeuroa, ETEC/ ITEC major, said he enjoyed his time speaking to different employers at the event.

“It was nice and refreshing learning about the different opportunities

hits while the Falcons took the lead and never relinquished it.

In the top of the first inning, Naiya Watts singled home a run to give Solano an early 1-0 lead. However, their lead would not last long as Tamia Roberts led off for the Mustangs with a single and managed to advance to second following a throwing error by the Falcons. After stealing third, Roberts would come around to score on a wild pitch to tie the game at one.

In the second inning, Mustangs pitcher Charlize Howay struck out the side and swung the momentum back in favor of the Mustangs. In the bottom half of the inning, the Mustangs took a three run lead after run scoring singles from Natalia Sanchez and Melissa Becerra gave the Mustangs a 4-1 lead. However, the lead did not last long as the Falcons answered back with a three run rally of their own when Watts singled home two more runs and then later in the inning scored on a throwing error by Mustangs infielder Natalia Sanchez that tied the game at three.

In the top of the fourth inning, Howay had a runner

on second with two outs and looked to keep the game tied at four. Bianca Belo-Diaz singled to left and the runner from second looked to score. Mustangs left fielder Isabella Gonzalez fielded the ball and threw the runner out at home plate. However, the runner was ruled safe and the run scored as the home plate umpire ruled Sanchez was in the way of the runner and obstruction was called, giving the Falcons a 5-4 lead.

The Mustangs immediately tied the game back up when Roberts scored on a single to left by Howay. However, this is all the Mustangs would score this inning. Priscilla Self singled to right and Howay tried to score, but was thrown out at home plate keeping the game tied at five. Solano retook the lead when Watts scored on a wild pitch that put the Falcons up 6-5.

The Mustangs bats went quiet as they recorded just two hits over the next three innings while Solano added another run in the seventh inning to secure a 7-5 victory over the Mustangs.

“Coach Villegas especially always showed up prepared and ready to give his all to the team whenever he was around us,” said Ayiloge, she added that he was very kind, and cared for everyone on the team as “people first, not players.”

Looking ahead, Ayiloge wants to be a nurse and hopes to transfer to nursing school within the next year. As of now, Ayiloge continues to train

ahead of me,” said Figeuroa, also stating that his top three employers he spoke to were “Air Liquide, K2 Pure and UA Local 343.”

Another student also expressed his contentment with his experience at the job fair. David Diaz, an ETEC major, had a great time talking to employers looking for ETEC majors.

He wants to get a head-start on getting connections for his future after LMC and the job fair was just the opportunity to do that.

“I’m not applying to universities after LMC, I’m going to apply for jobs and get a fast start to know the different companies that I could potentially work for,” said Diaz, also

and get better to make the team at whichever university she decides to attend.

“I do want to keep playing basketball and I hope that when I transfer to a university I can walk on onto the basketball team there,” said Ayiloge.

As she continues to grow and develop as a player, Ayiloge has no plans on ending her playing career there.

adding, “My favorite table at the fair was PBF Energy because the equipment that they work with is something that I know a lot about. My knowledge surrounding that equipment would help greatly.”

LMC job fairs have been back in-person for the past three years after meeting virtually due to the pandemic.

Rodriguez mentioned another job fair will happen around May 4, focused on Nursing and Fire Department opportunities.

Similar to the Industrial Technology job fair but with different companies at each table, Rodriguez hopes for a similar turnout.

Juan Cebreiros • Experience

Busola Ayiloge drives to the basket scoring a layup on Napa defenders.

Katherine Mustar • Experience

Above: Priscilla Self catches a swing and a miss.

Left: Tomia Roberts catches a blooper in right field.