Vol. 91 No. 2 - Sept. 13, 2019

‘Sister Act’ opens

Mustangs lose 2-1

Active Shooter week

Musical brings full house to heaven opening night Sept.

7 at the California Theatre — page 4

The Los Medanos College Mustangs lost Wednesday Sept. 11, against Los Positas College Hawks — page 6

Pizza with a Cop and Active Shooter week took place Sept. 11 to inform students about safety — page 3

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F.Y.I. Important Dates September is Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15

Last day to submit early graduation application

Sept. 27

College closed in observance of Native American Day

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

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

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Surprise cut to lab hours Students, faculty impacted

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

Students and staff are confused about why the Computer Lab hours in CO-200 were cut by seven hours a day with little to no warning or consultation. The lab was open 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday from last spring and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer, but now is only open until 3 p.m. This excludes all night classes from using the lab as well as students with late afternoon or evening availability from using the resources the lab has to offer.

Many faculty found out about it for the first time when librarian Roseann Erwin made an announcement during the Academic Senate meeting Monday Sept. 9 which prompted questions from the members.

Students needing to use the lab after 3 p.m. have been directed to the Library, Center for

Academic Support and even the Math Lab to use the computers that they would have had access to in the lab.

The problem with this is that those computers do not currently have the software applications that students need for their specific classes.

“They should take all the images and put them on all of the computers on campus,” said Computer Science Professor Louie Giambattista.

Among those classes impacted is business, which has copies of their textbook on the computers and in the lab.

“I found out because one of my students happened to work at the lab and told me it closed at 3 now,” said business instructor Theodora Adkins.

“I had already told my students from the previous class that the lab was open just to be told it wasn’t the very next day.”

The staff who have their offices adjacent to the

LatinX club open mic day LatinX Club will be holding an open-mic event on Monday, Sept. 16 to kick of Hispanic Heritage Month. There will be live music and food for sale.

The event will take place in the outdoor quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Study abroad in Florance The Northern California Study Abroad Consortium will soon open applications to study abroad in Florence, Italy for the Spring 2020 semester.

Priority deadline is Friday, Sept. 27 and the deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 25. For more information contact the Study Abroad Office at www.dvc.edu/ studyabroad or call (925) 969-2507.

“I found out because one of my students happened to work at the lab and told me it closed at 3.”

— Theodora Adkins

Computer Lab said they were warned about the change prior to the confusion it has caused on campus, but others were not.

“There was a decision made to close the lab at 3 o’clock without notification,” said Adkins. “I’ve been a little confused and really baffled by it, even the ladies in the library were stunned.”

See HOURS, page 5

New WiFi is on way Changes to add security

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

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

If you plan to donate, set up an appointment by calling the Office of Student Life at (925) 4737553.

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

Hazel Recinos • Experience

Hailey Finucane and Justin Ramey vape outside in parking Lot C at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

CDC warns against vaping

By KRYS SHAHIN @Krysshah

The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with other clinical and public health partners are investigating a statewide outbreak of pulmonary (relating to the lungs) diseases associated with e-cigarette products such as: devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges use.

Due to the increase in known hospitalizations and even up to six deaths, as of Thursday Sept. 11, the CDC and FDA have recently been looking further into

what may have been caused by vaping products and recommend that people stop using these products immediately.

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

The CDC has now found that in 2019, 27.5% of high schoolers used an e-cigarette within the previous month, compared to 20.8% in 2018.

Whether it be through vaping tobacco or marijuana products, people are fall-

Christian group hands out Bibles

By JORDYN TOSCANO Staff Writer

The First Amendment of the United States allows citizens the ability to explore any religious or non-religious beliefs they may have. Taking the First Amendment as an opportunity to spread awareness of their beliefs, Gideons International Bible Association has distributed Bibles specific to the Christian faith throughout middle schools, high schools and colleges in the Bay Area for more than 50 years.

Continuing this tradition,

Gideon’s representatives distributed their Bibles on campus at Los Medanos throughout the first week of the new semester.

“I’ve been at LMC for 32 years now. The men [from Gideons] have been here for as long as I can remember, always during the first week of school,” said Office of Instruction Supervisor Eileen Valenzuela.

Despite their constant presence at LMC for the past three decades, some students still find it unnerving that an outside organization

See BIBLE, page 5

ing ill to these bad habits at a steadily increasing rate.

“As of September 6, 2019, over 450 possible cases of lung illness associated with the use of e-cigarette products have been reported to CDC from 33 states and 1 U.S. territory,” according to the CDC. Professors at Los Medanos College are learning of this epidemic and using their resources to teach it to their students.

“I will absolutely pass studies forward and announce the dangers of vaping to my students,” said Veronica Turrigiano, See VAPE, page 5

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) sent out an email Sept. 4 notifying staff that the wifi on campus will be changing star ting Sept. 16 and progressing to its final stage Jan. 1, 2020. These plans started early spring 2019 and are now being implemented to each campus.

Starting Sept. 16 for College Guests, there will be a creation of a guest id/password for the “College-Guest” network that will be simplified using a new software product. The new software will auto-generate both a User ID and Passcode, which will be valid for up to 7 days.

Starting Sept 16 for Employees and Students. The Wi-Fi network will start to broadcast “College-Owned”, “College-Personal”, and “College-Onboard” which will replace the current wifi networks labelled as “College-employee”, “College-Wifi-Reg” and “College-Student.”

What this means is simply that students use will now be named “College-personal” for See WIFI, page 5

Building the future

Krys Shahin • Experience

This aerial photo shows ongoing construction to create the new Student Union and athletic buildings adjacent to the Math building in front of Lot B. The projected time for the completion of these projects is set for 2020, along with the new satellite campus in Brentwood.

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Perspectives

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“The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will’.”

— Charles Dickens

Amanda Blakeman

Katie Loughran

GUEST COLUMNIST

KATIE’S CATCH

Title X is an attack on us

It goes without saying that our generation is witnessing a battle for civil rights unlike any our country has ever had before.It’s more important than ever we scrutinize all laws and their aspects of reformation proposed by current administration to ensure that we are not regressing in terms of civil rights.

The proposed Title X “gag rule” appears to be a matter for debate between anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights advocates.This ban affects the underinsured, minorities, youth, the poor, the LGBTQ community and immigrants while still offering access to services for wealthy, entitled citizens.

Title X is a federal program that funds clinics such as Planned Parenthood in order to provide sexual and reproductive health services to women and men.There is a law prohibiting any Title X funding to be used to directly pay for abortions so no taxpayer money is paying for these services.

Instead this program offers over 4 million people each year in the U.S. access to doctors and services such as birth control, women’s health, education, and prevention and treatment of STIs. Of those 4 million people, 67% live below the poverty level.

33% identify as Hispanic, 21% as Black and African American 31% as non-white, and 14% speak limited English.

This ban states that in order for clinics to continue receiving Title X funding they are not only prohibited from performing abortions, but also from referring patients to clinics that can provide an abortion or even discussing abortion as an option.

This means that health care providers and clinics currently funded by Title X have to choose between censoring their patient interactions thus providing incomplete care or stop working.

Planned Parenthood announced in August that they refuse to be forced into unethical practices by the Trump-Pence administration and therefore have withdrawn from the Title X program. There are multiple lawsuits pending, and they have filed for an injunction to reverse the law pending their appeal, however at the moment the outcome looks grim for these vital programs.

This “gag rule” is not making abortions illegal. It is attacking the underprivileged members of our society. A rich woman can still go to her private physician and terminate a pregnancy,however an uninsured woman, a woman struggling with addiction, a homeless woman, the teen rape victim, and the undocumented woman are unable to be provided with the same option. Their doctors will not only be prohibited from performing an abortion, but from even mentioning or educating these women about the option.

Before Roe V Wade 200 women died annualy attempting abortions. If we take access away from our most vulnerable women we will see an increase in self-induced abortions and ingesting poison, or turning to black market options.

We will see more drug addicted infants, babies left in dumpsters, and children born into unsafe environments to continue the cycle of victimization.

We know this because it will not be healthy,insured women with good support systems that will be without the option to terminate, it will be women who are unable to have and care for a healthy baby that will be turned away.

With many clinics refusing to compromise their patients care and at risk of closing their doors, we will see more unwanted pregnancies due to a lack of access to sexual education, birth control, pregnancy tests.

This “gag rule” isnt’ about being against or for abortion. It’s about whether we accept limiting access to poor women but not rich women, For more information on this issue,visit https://www.istandwithpp. org/take-action

Feeling hunted and haunted

Editorial

Experience • Katie Loughran

Look again, (Im)possible

T

he word Impossible is a trick of the eyes and the sound within your heart as you tell yourself you can’t. The limits of society are the limits we tend to have ingrained within ourselves in the process of indoctrination. We’ve been taught to believe that higher education can change centuries of predetermined idealisms of the possible and somehow change our world, however a famous quote by Albert Einstein speaks more truth. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results every time.” We should stop repeating history by forging our own path.

As the unwritten social laws govern the order of our world, they also rule you, making you by effect disregard all the hopes you carry that bury themselves inside as your dreams. We label possibilities as achievable or not and yet, the impossible actually spells I’m possible.

We grow up hearing talk of a mystical and far off future forever out of hand and idealistically perfect. Movies and books are centered around the unknown, always claiming that the date is tomorrow. Despite what “Back to the future” or what the “Matrix” show you, the future is today.

We already are living in the future that everyone in the past dreamed their future would be. The question is: are we wasting it? What have we done to change this world? Had we given up because we say everything has been discovered everything has been done? This world even our lives have been limited with the ideology that this age has already reached its peak, that we can do nothing more than sit back and watch the world fall or rise on its own.

We see something different on our campus. We see the word possible in the impossible.

We are the youth with so much brilliance in thoughts that in action could rewrite history.

We see the youth that are ready to defy social norms and expectations in order to create difference by saying enough is enough.

For every face in the crowd, we see the future doctor who could cure cancer, we see the future scientists who will find a way to replicate water or eliminate global warming, we see the political minds that will save every voice in the creation of our democracy so that they are heard, we see the rare dreamers chasing life beyond the walls of society, struggling to exist and who will one day change everything if they only believed in themselves.You’re worth more than you can know as we are the future and the spark of change this world has waited for.

Love yourself by helping yourself Self-love is never been taught in school and has its simple acts, such as throwing on a face is apparently a self-learned accomplishment, and/or hair mask after a long day of spewing but it’s easier said than done, right? Whether out your energy to others. Another way is you just graduated high school or you’re in through listining to music.

Talking to yourself is healthy and ver y your 20’s, there comes a time in life where you feel you’ve been left out in the chaos needed so that you learn to practice what you preach and get to to figure out the adult know your voice. Treat world. We’re learning yourself to a productive new things costantly day by taking yourself about ourselves, not to to breakfast. If money mention about being an is tight, being outdoors adult. It can easily be and surrounding yourlonely and feel as if you self in nature can help are behind everyone else PICTURE PERFECT you forget about the that you grew up with. stress that comes from You are not alone. The the real world. Shut out transition into an adult is stressful, confusing, and scary. In order to the social media that surrounds us so you can learn how to deal with such a big transition,we realize that the people who are idolized are must learn that in this process we forget to not as perfect as they pretend.

Life has a lot to offer for us and we have to check in with ourselves which is dangerous for our mental health. It’s okay to dedicate your absorb its informaton to soak it in and turn whole time to school and work, but remember it into something positive for ourselves to be take a minute to breathe thank yourself before able to pass on self-love to others. My last you stretch yourself to thin. You still have to advice to self-love 101 is to accept yourself make the effort to get yourself in a place thats for who you are as a whole. Loving yourself is a journey that most people don’t have the ready to be able to learn.

You are your own best friend and you should strength to walk. Take thoose little steps to treat yourself when you can because it’s im- get there,over time it’ll come naturally.

I haven’t completely reached the highest portant that we get to know ourselves better.

“Self-love is the unapologetic act of accepting level of self-love but I don’t think there’s a oneself, putting yourself first, and being proud ceiling limit. The hate you throw to yourself and confident in your achievements. This is a is taught from other people’s opinions and healthy mentality, unlike narcissism,” said Jenn it’s important to change that veiw. The only opinion that matters about you are the positive Beach who is a writer for LifeHack.

Loving yourself takes practice, but it also ones you hold of yourself.

Hazel Recinos

Voices

Do you think it’s a good idea to extend bar hours to 3 a.m.?

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Imagine you’ve just gotten done with your final class after an endless day of lectures.

You check your phone to see it’s almost 10 p.m. your car is the last one left in the parking lot.

You take a deep breath as you step out of the safety of your college campus and onto the concrete that separates you from your ticket home.

You pull out your keys and put them between your knuckles like claws, praying that you’ll never be close enough to use them. You increase your sense of awareness as it alerts you to your worst fear: there are footsteps coming from behind you.

Your mind flashes back to disturbing images of that guy who’d seemed to live in your peripheral vision the entire day.

You find yourself wishing you’d asked a security guard to walk you to your car, yet, you hadn’t recalled even seeing one. You’ve started jogging, preparing yourself for the possible sprint you may have to break into.

The footsteps behind you are louder.

You can’t bring yourself to turn around so you pretend to take a phone call and loudly announce that you plan to be home soon.

While balancing your phone between your cheek and shoulder, you ready your keys in shaking hands. Once you’ve finally reached it, you throw the door open only to slam it shut and lock it once you’re inside.

You look in your rearview mirror to see the person who’d made you feel hunted is standing alone where your car had once been. Hot tears begin to stream down your face as you feel yourself overcome with relief and yet still racked with fear.

Now imagine that wasn’t some made-up scenario but instead, your reality. This was mine last week.

Unfortunately, this is not a one-off incident, but rather a recurring nightmare that I and many others live out every single day.

According to a recent survey from Stop Street Harassment, “a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting and ending gender-based street harassment worldwide,” observed that “81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.”

More specifically, a Farah and Farah sur vey reported that when it comes to walking alone to your car at night in parking lots, a staggering 63.6 percent of women felt unsafe. In comparison, only 24.2 percent of men reported feeling unsafe in the same situation.

Our general feelings of paranoia and uncer tainty when it comes to walking alone at night intensify with each report of assault. A particular report from KPIX 5, CBS SF Bay Area, included some incredibly chilling details, “The victim told deputies a man approached her while she was walking and asked her for assistance. She said as they neared the parking garage, the man grabbed her and began choking her until she was unconscious, according to sheriff’s officials.”

This incident, that took place on October 28, 2011, is one of many that occur all too frequently.

One of the worst parts of this issue is the knowledge that no matter how well you prepare, no matter how much pepper spray you carry on your person, no matter the number of keys you grip between each of your fingers, you’ll continue to be at risk of encountering the truly evil parts of the horrifying world.

This fact will remain irrefutable until we’re able to provide better and more comprehensive safety precautions and preventive measures for those of us who endure these risks on a daily basis.

Until then, I and many others will know no peace when it comes to walking alone at night. We will only know fear.

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience P

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

Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“I don’t think it’s a good idea because it could lead to an increase of deaths and accidents, especially since it’s late at night.”

— Alissa Caburnay

“I think it’s a good idea.

Extending the hours will give people more time to sober up before they leave the bar and drive.”

— Cassandra Gallegos

““I think it’s a bad idea. It could cause more DUI’s, accidents and deaths.”

— Gerardo Rodriguez

“I think it’s a good idea. If they close at 3 a.m., they could get more clientele. Plus, it gives people more time to sober up.”

— James Biles

“I think it’s a good idea because some people get off work late and want to go out and drink.”

— Katelyn Jones

“I do not think that bar hours should be extended.

Extended drinking hours will contribute to more drunk driving.”

— Nicole Hunnicutt

“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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“Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational, but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?”

— Judith Viorst

Newswatch Skateboarder avoids mishap Jobs for students

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

Scholarships available

Free Money! There are Scholarship opportunities to those who meet the requirements. The period of time to apply is from Nov. through Feb. so get your applications in soon. The office is located in The Financial Aid Office of the Student Services Center in room 309. Office hours are Sept 9 through Dec 19. Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With separate drop in hours here at the Pittsburg Campus on Wed. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (no drop in hours Sept 13) In the Brentwood campus Tues.

8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Or you can contact Financial Aid Scholarship Program Specialist Tammy Oranje at (925) 473-7518.

News briefs needed for print

If you have a news story, tip or college news related idea for consideration for publication, here’s what to do. Stop by the Journalism Lab (Room CC3-301) on the main level or email the Editor-in-Chief Krys Shahin at krysshahin@gmail.com.

If you are involved in an event that you would like publicized in a news brief or have a short announcement for the newswatch column, stop by the journalism lab and fill out a news form.

Transfer Workshops soon

Are you applying to CSU or UC and need help with your applications? There are upcoming workshops to help. You can sign up for workshops at the Transfer and Career Services desk, located on the fourth floor of Student Services. You can also sign up by visiting losmedanos. edu/transfer or by calling (925) 473-7444. The upcoming workshops are: n Oct. 1 CSU Application Workshop SS3-314 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 9 UC Application Workshop SS3-314 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Oct. 10 Application Help SS4 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. n Oct. 14 CSU Application Workshop SS-314 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. n Oct. 16 Application Help SS4 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 24 Application Help SS4 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Oct. 28 Application Help SS4 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. n Oct. 30 Application Help SS4 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Oct. 31 UC Application Workshop SS3-314 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hazel Recinos • Experience

Los Medanos College student Robbie Panga, a skateboarder, starts his fall semester with a great fall and a smile. Panga was rushing to class Monday, Sept. 9 when he took an unexpected spill in parking Lot B. He was spooked when he saw a car coming toward him.

Cops advocate awareness

By KRYS SHAHIN @krysshah

Active Shooter Awareness Week has returned this semester with a larger turnout than its predecessor.

A memorial was held Tuesday, Sept. 10 along with a presentation by Contra Costa County Community College District and the Los Medanos College Campus Police about what to do when in those highstress situations.

The event happened on Wed., Sept. 11 in the outdoor quad to pair up with Police Pizza with a Cop that occasionally happens on campus.

During the event, the campus officers served free pizza to students while giving tips on how to remain safe on and off campus and how police campus security is a resource to them.

“During the first couple of weeks, people get lost and we

Krys Shahin • Experience

Officer Barbosa showing support alongside Esparanza Rojas for Active Shooter Awareness Week Sept. 11 at Los Medanos College. want to make sure students know we’re here to help them,” said Police Of ficer Paul Barbosa.

The police officers around suppor ted the event and attended in full force.

“This (Active Shooter Awareness week) is great to come

Now hiring 2019 Tutors/Mentors. The following departments are looking to hire: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Botany/Gardening. Availability after 2:30 p.m. preferred and they are offering $12.50 an hour. For more information visit losmedanos.edu/stem or email aduldulao@losmedanos.edu.

By CHARLES REED Staff Writer

LMCAS to hold meeting Los Medanos College Associated Students (LMCAS) will hold a meeting Monday, Sept. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in CC1-114. If you’ve got issues you’d like to be addressed or looking to hear what the student government is planning, this meeting is a good resource.

Fighter pilot to speak for STEM

ICC to offer club advice Inter-Club Council (ICC) meetings are held every Monday in room CC2-225 between 3:30-4:30 p.m. ICC helps you get involved with LMC clubs on campus. They also help you plan recreation and entertainment events not only on campus but in the community, as well as with other students. For more information, contact ICC Advisor: Teresea Archaga at the Student Life Center or call at (925) 473-7554.

Food Pantry to give demo The Food Pantry will hold a cooking demonstration using items that they have in stock on Sept. 25. The demonstration will take place in the indoor quad from 12 p.m. to 1:30p.m. For more information, email the Office of Student Life at studentlife@losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7758.

LMCAS meeting for planning

Los Medanos College Associated Students (LMCAS) will hold a meeting Monday, Sept. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in CC1-114. If you have issues you’d like to have addressed or looking to hear what the student government is planning, this meeting is a good resource.

How to report news

If you have a news tip for a story you think should be covered, stop by the Journalism Lab (Room CC3-301) on the main level of the College Complex, or contact editor-in-chief Krys Shahin at krysshahin@gmail.com.

If you are involved in an event that you would like publicized or have a short announcement for the Newswatch column, drop the information off in the Journalism Lab or email Shahin or Newswatch Editor Charles Reed, — Compiled by Charles Reed

See SHOOT, page 5

Instructor shows strong work ethic

Tutors and mentors wanted

Guest Speaker for STEM Advocate and America’s First Latina Fighter Pilot Olga Custodio to speak at LMC. On Sept 24 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the LMC Science Building SC-136 with a reception to follow. Please RSVP at https:// tinyurl.com/lmcsep24.

together as a group. The more participation the more benefits for them (students),” said Corporal David Oleski.

Along with the demonstration and pizza being handed out by police officers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and the Veterans club were

out supporting the 18th anniversary of 9/11 alongside the event held for Active Shooter Awareness week.

“We are teaching raw simulating high stress environments, teaching hands-only CPR and ... doing something is better than doing nothing,” said paramedic Erica Everett, who attened the event.

There was a booth that supplied free waters, snacks, bracelets, and buttons with flyers that taught more about the event and advocating the “run, hide, fight” mentality, in the case of being confronted by a shooter.

There was even a raffle for emergency first aid kits that were given to those who gave their name and number.

“I feel like there’s more of a connection, they’re [the school] more present about this issue

Photo courtesy of Joan Germany-Williams

ASL instructor Joan Germany-Williams with her cat.

Learning any other language is a lot of work but it takes a good teacher to make it fun and interesting. In American Sign Language, Professor Joan Germany-Williams is among the best.

The start of her interest in teaching began in middle school at M.H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf in West Trenton, New Jersey. She had learned ASL at an early age and was occasionally asked to teach her geography and history classes. She was also approached by the mother of

a fellow student who asked if she would teach her son ASL. Later in high school she was given the ability to teach typing to students one on one.

All these experiences, and the words of incentive of her grandfather “Deaf hearing doesn’t matter. No excuse work hard” — gave her the motivation to shoot for her dream of becoming a college professor in Anthropology or Archaeology.

Williams explained through sign language what sparked her interest in anthropology and archaeology.

See ASL page 5

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“Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

— William Shakespeare

Feere puts on a new mask

Student now teacher

By KRYS SHAHIN Staff Writer

Traveling to more than 25 different countries, earning three master’s degrees and amassing a growing authentic African art collection at home are only part of the interesting tapestry of Zack Feere’s life.

After a long day of teaching speech classes, Feere unwinds with a regular routine: a relaxing afternoon sipping coffee and grading papers at a local Panera before heading to the gym and finally home to Feere.

Born in Walnut Creek but raised in Antioch, just like his mother, Feere spent his childhood as a local until he hit the college level and decided to continue his education in Sonoma. Feere attended LMC just like most of the students reading this, but it was a much smaller school then.

“I went to school here so it’s my school. It was just a big cement building when I was here and it’s been wonderful to see it change and progress,” said Feere, explaining that the library, math and science buildings had not yet been built.

Even today, Feere finds any way he can to appreciate

how much the campus has changed. Whenever he receives an email about campus events or activities, job openings or scholarship programs, he shares them with his students and encourages them to take advantage of the opportunities that LMC offers today.

“I was one of the two first-ever honors transfer scholars from LMC. I did well in high school but had no intellectual confidence,” he said, adding that, “when the opportunity to join the Honors Program arose, I took it as a no brainer.

I really wanted to challenge myself and take it seriously.

I really just want students to take their academics more seriously.”

Even as a good student and overall well-rounded person, Feere, like many students, faced his own struggles when trying to figure out what he was going to do with his future.

“I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I went to Sonoma State and majored in English because I was always able to write well and I had to major in something in order to transfer,” said Feere. “I had the initial idea of working in

Photo courtesy of Damaris Morales Cortes

Zack Feere at his home in Antioch, sitting on his couch in front of his African art collection. advertising and PR. I enjoyed the studies but I interned and worked at a few advertising agencies and I didn’t like either one. I was at a crossroads.”

He had recently earned a master’s degree from San Diego State University, ended a long-term relationship and moved back with his parents at 24.

“That’s when I decided

to contact an old teacher of mine, Cindy [McGrath] just for information about teaching at the community college level, since it was something I was considering,” he said. “She offered to team teach with me and it was amazing. Right after that, I instantly knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. It was the career path for me.”

Given this man has three master’s degrees from three different colleges — one in mass communication and media studies, another in communication studies and, arguably, the oddball of the mix, Middle Eastern studies — it is easy to see how knowledgeable he is simply by the way he speaks as well as his varied interests.

“I wanted to study middle

Marquee Here are upcoming events at the El Campanil Theatre n Saturday, Sept. 14 — Hotel California: A Salute To The Eagles. Show starts at 8 p.m. Adults: $29, Seniors: $27, Youth: $15. n Saturday, Sept. 21 — Balloon (Germany) International Film Showcase.

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

LMC art show

Coming to cinema n “The Goldfinch” — In theaters Sept.

13, directed by John Crowley. n “Downton Abbey” — In theaters Sept.

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

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

See FEERE, page 5

The cast of “Sister Act” rocks the pews and shares the love during their opening weekend, closing out their Sunday, Sept. 8 performance at the Pittsburg Community Theatre.

At the El Campanil

The first art exhibit of the fall semester opened today with a reception and comprises contributions by faculty and staff members. The exhibit runs through Friday, Oct. 10. The gallery is located in the Library building with metered parking in Lot A. The public is welcome and the event is free. The gallery is wheelchair accessible.

eastern history so why wouldn’t I do that in the Middle East?

So, I studied in Israel for a year and that’s when I travelled to Egypt by driving through the desert. I’ve been to Columbia, Panama, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, all over the United States, Canada, Germany, Russia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Nor way,

Erick Amaya • Experience

Musical sends audience to heaven

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

Pittsburg Community Theatre’s [PCT] opening night of “Sister Act” was welcomed with a sold-out theater. After much anticipation, the curtains for the performance finally opened Sept. 8, shortly after 8 p.m. in Downtown Pittsburg to an excited and eager audience.

The play’s director, Dianna Schepers, was very pleased with the crowd’s turnout, “This is the largest opening night crowd we’ve had, and the energy in the room was there from the get-go.”

The performance was led by Tanika Shevaun Baptiste, taking on the role of Deloris

REVIEW CREW

‘IT Chapter Two’ Movie Summary: “IT Chapter Two,” sequel to 2017’s horror hit “It,” was released in theaters Sept. 6. Set 27 years after the supposed defeat of Pennywise, the precursor’s main villain, the original gang finds themselves aged and back in their hometown for one last battle with the evil clown. The movie runs for two hours and 50 minutes and is rated R.

Van Cartier. Making her PCT debut, the San Diego native has officially added “Sister Act” to her acting resume.

“We were at a point, as a cast, where we were just ready for the audience. So, for the show to be sold out, and just have the energy from everyone that was here, it was so exciting,” said Baptiste.

The crowd was lively throughout the entire performance. Lots of laughing, singing, and clapping along from the audience showed Baptiste and the rest of the cast just how much they were enjoying it, “I no longer was stressed out about every note or every line, I just wanted to have fun,”

H Krys says: IT sucked Overall, I didn’t enjoy “It Chapter Two”. The movie was rated R for no other reason than because characters dropped F bombs every 20 seconds.

I have never heard so many people laughing in a horror movie before.

It was almost more like a comedy, thinking back, I think that’s how I will remember it.

The gore was gross, not in the good bone chilling way, but rather in the way that just made you feel nasty or made it look extremely fake.

The plot was slow moving and didn’t pay off in the end which made the final act beyond anticlimactic.

It even made you regret the $12 you spent tickets and the nearly 3 hours of your life you just wasted even more.

The only “horror” aspects of the film were found in it’s truly horrible effects, terrible film score and obnoxiously loud jump scares that you could anticipate coming from miles away. All in all, IT sucked.

— Krys Shahin

said Baptiste, “The audience wanted to have fun, so they just helped us ease into it and just enjoy the show.”

The entire play was incredibly cohesive because of each actor’s individual performances.

There were no clear instances of forgotten lines, and if there were, the actors ability to quickly improvise left the audience unaware of any potential mistake.

Audience member Denisen Hartlove had nothing but great things to say about the play, “It was very professional and beautifully done. It raised the bar; the cast was wonderful, voices were spectacular, choreography was at a See SISTER, page 5

HH

HHHH

Spencer says: IT’s a circus act

Katie says: IT was great!

“IT Chapter Two” is one of the most exhausting haunted house crawls I’ve ever been on.

One of the only redeeming qualities of “IT Chapter Two” is its comedic writing. But more often than not, my laughter wasn’t caused by witty punchlines, but from the absurdly abrupt shifts in tone from such wittiness to genuinely grim material. When bits of humor were implemented so haphazardly to serious topics like homophobia and the murder of children, I couldn’t help but feel confused and detached.

Sadly, this flip-flop formula lasts for nearly three hours. By the start of the final act, I was exhausted.

The characters appear 27 years older than they did in the 2017 precursor, but instead of aging in a way that adds a dynamic of maturity to the story, they function as the same children, only with adult bodies. I was mildly entertained.

— Spencer Batute

“IT Chapter Two” was everything that I’d hoped it would be.

Having read the book, seen the original movie and it’s 2017 remake, this film checked off all my boxes and answered all of my previously unanswered questions about the series.

I still found myself watching the screen through my fingers despite already knowing what was going to happen next.

The way this movie is able to build up suspense could leave even the biggest Steven King fans on the edge of their seats.

I’m reluctant to give it 5 out of 5 stars because I think that anyone who trys to go into the movie completely blind and or without any prior knowledge of the previous It installments may not enjoy the movie as much.

I thought that this movie wrapped up the final chapter of the It saga quite nicely.

— Katie Loughran

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Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

FEERE From page 4

Hazel Recinos • Experience

Hailey Finucane smokes from her vape pen in parking Lot C on Tuesday, Sept.

10 at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg Ca.

VAPE From page 1

nursing instructor. “It’s [vaping and smoking] a now problem. We need to make sure we don’t get them [youth] started on this. It’s the take care of me now so you don’t have to take care of me later thinking.”

While the investigation on e-cigarette and vaping products is not complete, evidence suggests that they are the main issue and common factor between each case.

Those affected are reporting similar symptoms to one another along with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products.

“Based on reports from several states, patients have experienced respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of

ASL From page 3

“I grew up with the antiques and lived in an old farmhouse, which was built around 1770s, in a historical town four generations in the house in Bergen County, New Jersey” she said.

“That maybe influenced my interest in anthropology/ archeology, and how people/ cultures were and are.”

After graduating from a high school for the deaf she went mainstream and attended Trenton State College and then transferred to California State University, Hayward (now East Bay) where she completed her

breath, or chest pain), and some have also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) or non-specific symptoms (fatigue, fever, or weight loss),” according to the official CDC statement on e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Those who have died are said to be middle-aged with other health problems, but the doctors helping with these findings will not stop until they get to the bottom of the issue.

“We are committed to finding out what is making people sick,” said Robert R. Redfield, MD, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “All available information is being carefully analyzed, and these initial findings are

helping us narrow the focus of our investigation and get us closer to the answers needed to save lives.”

At time of publishing, the CDC has not made a definite conclusion to which chemicals are causing this reaction since patients across the nation are smoking different products ranging from nicotine and tobacco to marijuana.

This issue has been noticed by the President of the United States, which led him to talk about banning flavored vaping products from the market.

“It’s very dangerous. Children have died. People have died,” President Trump said, promising that he would enact “strong rules and regulations.”

As of print, the new law is being debated about.

bachelor’s degree in anthropology. After that she enrolled at JFK University and earned a master’s, in art.

But despite her background in anthropology and art, Williams started teaching ASL after being recommended to two institutions looking for sign language instructors: Patten University in Oakland C.A and Drew Preparation School in San Francisco. That was nearly 30 years ago when she was a teacher’s aid in Oakland. She eventually wound up teaching in the Contra Costa Community College District at Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges.

Her LMC students give Williams high praise for her ability both to connect with them and control a classroom.

“Of all the professors I have had in college Joan Williams, is knowledgeable, considerate, fair and honest,” said student Barbara Brooks, “yet possesses the ability to be stern and demand respect from her students, with just a look.”

All teachers experience challenges and Williams admitted hers involved the hearing students talking in class.

“Most of the time trying to tell the students stop talking in class that was the number

Portugal, Turkey, Greece and certain topics better. a few I’m sure I’m forgetting.”

“Zack’s travels absolutely He enjoys ordinary hobbies impact his teaching style and like basketball and reading personality. As cliché as it but his most interesting is sounds, he is truly a wealth the passion for collecting and of knowledge to his students, studying authentic African art. and his extensive travels allow him to teach difficult “It started when I found a subjects with great nuance mask at an antique flea-market and depth,” said Star Steers, and from there I started to go to a speech professor who also museums and read more about helps coach the debate team. the art and educate myself on “He has actually come to speak it,” he said, adding that he has to the debate class about his a “library of African art books.” collection and about the ethics “It’s even something I’ve been of returning artworks to their thinking about incorporating places of origin.” into my classes if I can. I really Instructors and fellow colike the form and function of it, the variety of shapes and workers are not the only ones pieces or the way that African who think Feere’s experiences artists can say so much using hold up in his teaching. different mediums.”

Students learn right off the bat that he collects art and Although he lives on the modest budget of a teacher, travels when he introduces Feere explained how he has himself to the class in the amassed his intellectual art beginning of the semester. It’s like an ice breaker, he allows collection. students to know about his “Through hard work, dis- past to develop a trusting and cipline, and dedication for professional relationship with tuning my eye to see what them as the course goes on. is real versus fake. It’s more “Professor Feere is pleasant, available perhaps than other forms of art but it’s still hard passionate, professional, very informative and knowledgeto find,” he said. able. He truly cares about the He has picked up some subjects he teaches and wants pieces on his travels and said to see his students succeed,” that the hunt and the find is said student Karleen Griffin empowering. who took two of Feere’s classes “I always feel a sense of last semester, spring 2019. “He progress,” he said, “Every time has a great sense of humor I spot an authentic piece, it’s that warrants a chuckle here like intellectual gym training and there and he navigates his class very well.” to develop my eye.”

One of Feere’s main goals As it stands, Feere talks as a teacher is to be effective. about his art and shows some of it off in class and often uses it as “I want to help students a real-life example for debates succeed in my course, to to allow students to understand develop a relationship with

one problem,” she said adding, “that was an issue in the past when we instituted the use of earplugs in class.”

Her idea improved things, and the no-talking rule is still being followed.

One of Williams’ greatest gifts is the ability to empathize with those who struggle, and her students appreciate that about her.

“She is a very good teacher,” said Yahaira Paz. “She will help you if you are struggling to understand. Like in every class, you have to put in the work to learn the language.”

Her experience teaching

have helped her to want to mentor others, which she does today as part of the Faculty Advising and Mentoring Program sponsored through LMC. She has mentored many students over the years and looks for ward to choosing others for whom she sees potential. From earning these accomplishments and the many students she’s mentored she wishes to pass on inspiring ideals such which are, “you can do it, and set goals for yourself.” She adds saying, “that if you set goals for yourself and organize them into a list, mark them off at completion.

HOURS LOSS From page 1

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SISTER BIBLE From page 4

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Speculation has been going around campus among faculty because there has been no official announcement.

“They probably saw this as an opportunity to save money.

The deans probably walked by and didn’t see that many people in here,” said Giambattista. “I was told about it.”

Though many students have now been told to go to the Math Lab, it was commonly thought that specific space was meant only for students enrolled in math classes, but the policy has been changed.

“The math lab is open to all students,” said Enrique Rivera, a math tutor for the lab.

Although the decision to reduce the Computer Lab hours was made over summer, sources interviewed for this stor y declined to say who was involved in making the decision.

“It [the closing of the lab] happened over a sequence of things with a group of people, so it’s hard to say that someone gave the final say when that’s not what happened,” said Ryan Pedersen, dean of Math and Sciences.

“I had nothing to do with the decision,” said Nikki Moultrie, dean of Career Technical Education and Social Sciences.

Communities are being disrupted by this change that came out of nowhere.

“We’re all here to ser ve all students and one thing the business lab did was included everyone… We are a community college here to serve the community,” said Adkins. “Hopefully we will see a change.”

According to Pedersen, a meeting is being scheduled with key stakeholders.

one-on-one play with the goalkeeper.

Alissa Caburnay made a huge save in the 84th minute to keep the score 1-0 after the Hawks had a breakaway with a chance to extend their lead.

With three minutes left on the clock, the Mustangs were awarded a penalty kick after a foul by the Hawks in their 18-yard box. Sarah Figueroa conver ted from the spot, shooting it past the goalkeepers right side.

Late into stoppage time, the Mustangs conceded a goal to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. The goal would ultimately be the last play of the game, which would not give the Mustangs the opportunity to find the back of the net for the second time.

Coach Sullivan said about the loss, “It’s about managing games and knowing that there’s a minute left, so you have to play a little different, everyone has to defend. We got a little careless, we were still excited about the goal and tying it up that we forgot to finish off the game.”

The Mustangs return to action at home against Canada College Friday, Sept. 13 with 2 p.m. kickoff.

level you in at Broadway in New York. It really wants to make you come back, said Hartlove.

“This is definitely a must-see, and it’s nice to see that they can bring professional-level theatre to Contra Costa County.”

Schepers is definitely responsible for the show’s early-on success. The director began working with the cast in late June, preparing for opening night in September.

Schepers said of the cast, “They got along so well and brought their heart and soul to it, and it showed on stage. It was just the biggest pleasure I’ve ever had to direct a cast and the whole crew. It was the best [cast] ever.”

“Sister Act” will be running at the Pittsburg Community Theatre now through Sept.

22. Ticket prices will range from $22 for students to $28 for adults.

Director Dianna Schepers recommends getting your tickets now, “Word is going to spread and you’ll want to get your tickets in advance,” mentioned Schepers. The show is one you shouldn’t miss!

For more information call (925) 427-1611 or visit pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org

Gideons are a men’s orgais allowed to distribute their own materials on campus— nization that works to share especially religious organi- the “hope of gospel” interzations. nationally by participating “Personally, I don’t think in business ventures, disit’s okay to pass the bibles out tributing materials at schools because there are different and prisons, and gathering types of people and different personal testimonies.

SHOOT From page 3

now,” said Esparanza Rojas, who organized the event.

It has been in the works for more than three months and is intended to show students what faculty are taught to do in a dangerous situation.

“I think this refreshens this kind of thinking for students.

Everyone should be aware of

that,” said Barbosa.

Overall, everyone seemed appreciative of the event, especially that it took place on Sept. 11, adding to the overall sense of community at LMC. “This event is a positive thing, it’s close to home with what happened in Gilroy, you never know. It’s good to be prepared,” said Everett.

religions here,” said student A man working with the Griselda Magallenes.

Gideons, who requested to Contrary to popular belief, remain anonymous, explained it is easy to obtain permission that he has been handing from the Student Activities out Bibles for 10 years and Center to distribute or table relies completely on himself to raise the funds necessary items on campus. to distribute them.

While Gideons are a Chris“We are all self-sufficient tian Association, other religions have the opportunity individuals – we use our own to allocate their resources on money to hand out Bibles for campus if they apply through free. Some people that walk the Student Activities Center by us are ver y inquisitive and fill out the necessar y and ask questions, and want to learn. Others are not as forms. interested and that’s okay “If there’s another religion too,” said another Gideon out there that wants to be associate. represented here, I would Despite the differing opinsay go for it. It’s totally okay with me, I mean Jehovah’s ions regarding the place of witness is here almost every religion on campus, student week too,” said student Justin Ryan Brown said that the distribution of religious Rocha. materials on campus is okay.

“The distribution of Chris“It’s not hurting anyone. If tian texts on campus does not only affect students and anything, it’s just benefiting their individual religious them [Gideons]. It’s not beliefs, but their education as contradicting other religions well.” Student Alyssa Sanchez either, they just offer you a continued, “While the men book and you can take it or passing out the Bibles were not. I think it’s okay,” said nice, they interfered with her Brown. focus on education at LMC.” While the Gideons Bible “Many students get caught Association continues to offer up thinking that they have their Bibles to members of the to take the Bible and they college community during the have to read it. I think that beginning of each school year, students should be able to go other religious groups also to school and learn, not walk table on campus regularly, on campus and be handed a including Jehovah’s Witness Bible … especially if that’s not representatives. Each group the religion you’re practicing,” promotes their own religious ideologies. said Sanchez.

students and let them know that we’ll make it to the finish line together,” he said.

Feere uses common teaching techniques but with his own twist. He tries not to lecture his students to sleep and constantly checks in with the class by asking “are you with me?” to ensure he is getting active engagement.

“It’s always an honor and privilege to be in his class as I know he will challenge me to do my best, allowing me to evolve and have fun at the same time. He is a fair teacher and treats students with respect,” said Griffin.

And whether he knows it or not, he teaches more than just to those who signed up for his classes.

“Zack is a really interesting human who teaches me something new almost every time I talk to him,” said Steers.

“He seems to be endlessly curious, and I admire how quickly he analyzes a situation.

It is wonderful to watch him interact with students, gently challenging them to examine their assumptions. He is a great role model to students.”

Feere has lots of mentors ranging from a professor, he is in contact with who teaches him about his African art to the late Nipsey Hussle whose ideals he lives by.

“The whole notion of ‘your goal being a marathon, not a sprint,’ is inspiring to me.

Eventually you’ll get there, but there’s no reason to rush through it. I am lucky and very fortunate to be where I am right now,” said Feere.

WIFI From page 1

for “connecting your personal devices to the wireless network,” according to the official statement given by Satish Warrier CCCCD Director of Information Technology.

These changes will mostly be seen in the background or structure of the coding more so than to the person using the wifi. However, everyone on campus, including guests who occasionally come by will have to deal with the change.

“This change will affect everyone (staff, students and faculty), it will be noticeable in that we will have a new way for connecting your device to the network,” said Warrier.

The Information Technology (IT) department at Los Medanos College is aware of the issues students have faced with the wifi kicking them off.

“There’s been issues with people getting in to the system so that will be changing,” said Carl Chiu, LMC IT manager.

Currently, with how the system is set up, the wifi can or occasionally will kick whoever is on the network off and force them to sign up again after a period of inactivity.

“One noticeable change students will quickly see is that you only login one time during setup then you won’t have to login for another year.

Currently you have to login over and over again sometimes multiple times during the day and this will be corrected with this upgrade,” said Warrier.

Other students mention how the wifi cuts out when they are in the lower levels of the core or in the furthest rooms in the Science Building.

Members of the IT department have already thought this through and have a plan to combat these “dead-zones.”

“We are also beginning the work to expand the Wi-Fi network so more area of the college has better coverage and we needed to make it more user friendly and reliable before we expanded. We will now encrypt and segregate all Wi-Fi traffic to make college network much more secure,” said Warrier.

To put this technical talk simply, this is a good change and we should not fear it.

“This upgrade will allow you to connect your device to Wi-Fi much easier and you connect you will no longer have to keep login to Wi-Fi,” said Warrier.

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“Cry in the beginning, so you can smile in the end.”

— Marta Vieira da Silva

Erick Amaya ERICK’S EYE

Reasons to expand athletics

Erick Amaya • Experience

Jocelyn Guitierrez, No. 22, battles for the ball against Alexis Xaysana, No. 4, during the first half of the match.

Stangs lose to Las-Po Soccer game ends 2-1

By ERICK AMAYA Staff Writer

The Los Medanos College Mustangs Women’s Soccer Team played hosts to Las Positas College Hawks in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday Sept. 11. After a strong start to the season, the loss ended a two home-match winning streak.

The Mustangs began with a slow start as the visiting team had much of the possession and showed strong offensive play. Mustang goalkeeper, Alissa Caburnay, was called into action very early into the match and was forced to make many saves in the opening minutes of the match while the Hawks had the momentum in their favor and were outshooting the Mustangs.

The Mustangs conceded the first goal of the match in the 22nd minute of the match.

After a defensive error, Carburnay was left in a one-on-one situation and the opposition was able to find the back of the net.

“They were shifting way to the side instead of actually marking their players, and they were [caught] ball watching.” said Caburnay.

Head coach Zach Sullivan expressed that he was proud of the way in which his team performed, because Las Positas College was ranked higher than the Los Medanos College

by the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).

“I thought the girl’s intensity picked up a little bit, and started to play a little better as the game went on,” said Sullivan, who was referring to the team’s reaction after going down 1-0.

It didn’t take long after conceding the goal for the Mustangs to create goal-scoring opportunities. In the 24th minute, the Mustangs were called offside in their attempt to find an immediate equalizer. It wasn’t until the 33rd minute when LMC got another chance on goal the Mustangs received a free kick in the offensive half which was redirected to Jocelyn Guitierrez. Guitierrez’s redirection made its way over the Hawks goalkeeper, but was cleared away by nearby Hawks defenders.

For the remainder of the first half, LMC created many equalizing opportunities, but the opposing goalkeeper was able to keep the ball out of the net.

Straight into the second half, the Hawks were denied a 2-0 lead thanks to the crossbar and a save from Caburnay. Los Medanos would continue creating goal-scoring opportunities and throughout the second half, the Mustangs were eager to score. In the 60th minute of

Erick Amaya • Experience

Marianna Giovanetti dribbles the ball. the game, several Mustang players missed the opportunity to score while the ball was in the 18-yard box.

Late into the second half, Los Medanos was still trailing 1-0. In the 82nd minute, Sarah Figueroa had the opportunity to tie to game with a pass by Marianna Giovanetti after a See LOSS, page 5

Los Medanos College offers a broad variety of sports for both men and women. It is time for the Los Medanos College athletics program to expand and offer more sports variety for students.

The athletic department currently offers four women’s sports soccer, volleyball, basketball, and softball. The program offers only three men’s sports football, basketball, and baseball.

Los Medanos College athletics competes in the Bay Valley Conference (BVC) in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). As an association, the CCCAA offers 12 different sports for each gender.

On the men’s side, the association offers the following sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swim and dive, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

For the women’s side, the CCCAA offers the following sports: badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swim and dive, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. The only sports that differ are football and wrestling for the men, as well as badminton and beach volleyball for the women.

As someone who enjoys sports and is an aspiring sports journalist, looking at the catalog of sports in the CCCAA, creates the question “Why aren’t the same sports offered here?” The list looks quite appealing and I’d personally love to cover some of the sports that aren’t currently offered at LMC. There are many talented athletes in local high schools who play in the Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) and the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL). The local high school conferences are very competitive and student athletes would most likely adapt to community college-level athletics without much difficulty.

Recruiting from the local high school wouldn’t be too difficult since Los Medanos College athletics is a proven title-winning program.

Most recently, women’s soccer, volleyball, and baseball all won BVC conference titles.

The winning mentality comes from these programs. It wouldn’t take much for the new programs to maintain that same mentality with the guidance of Athletic Director, Richard Villegas, who also serves as head coach of the women’s basketball team.

With awards and recognitions increasing every season, the recruiting pool of athletes will acknowledge the success of LMC athletics and be drawn into the programs that are offered by the college.

The Los Medanos College Athletics program was recently awarded the inaugural BVC Commissioner’s Cup, an award given to the athletic program with the highest overall GPA and positioning in the conference standings at the end of the season. Los Medanos College athletics had a combined GPA of 3.1.

Should the athletic program be expanded to offer more sports, those same programs would benefit when it comes to recruiting new student athletes. Knowing that the athletics department supports student athletes outside of sports would make possible recruits acknowledge that their education matters, even while practicing the sports they love.

Los Medanos College should expand its athletics department solely due to the fact that the current athletic programs have been doing very well under the lead of Athletic Director Richard Villegas. It comes to a point where you can only prove so much with what you’ve got, that you have to look for new ways to impress the public audience. This is the case for the LMC Athletics they have to introduce more sports to continue proving that they are among the top athletic programs in the BVC.

Mustangs host preseason game

By JOSEPH JOHNSON @PicassoJoe

Joseph Johnson • Experience

LMC women’s volleyball hosts a scrimmage against San Mateo College on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Los Medanos College Women’s Volleyball team hosted a scrimmage against San Mateo Community College on Sept. 4th.

The team’s coach, Lou Panzella, explained that the team was going to be trying something new this year when it came to preseason play. “This year we are taking a different approach with playing tough teams in preseason to get us ready for the actual season, it builds confidence for the athletes” said Coach Panzella.

Coach Panzella is all about moving forward and preparing for the future, “Last season was last season,” said CoachPanzella, “I’m more focused

on the present, which is now.”

The team’s chemistry was clear to see through their overall ability to play cohesively with one another. If this is any indicator of what the rest of the season will look like, the team will not have any problems working together as a unit.

The Mustangs lost their scrimmage against San Mateo, scoring 2-5 . The Mustangs also played Consumer River College, winning 3 sets out of the 5 against them.

The entire match was intense with LMC playing Sept. 11th against the West Hills Coalinga and Ohlone College. For more information on the Los Medanos College volleyball team https://www.losmedanos.edu/ volleyball/news.aspx.