Vol. 90 No. 9 - April 26, 2019

LMC celebrates Earth

API brings a big crowd

Mustangs win first title

Conservationists, vendors and students gathered for the annual Earth Day celebration — page 3

The Asian Pacific Islander event drew a large crowd with traditional foods and performances — page 4

The Stangs won their first Bay Valley Conference title in program history — page 6

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F.Y.I. Important Dates April is Autism Awareness Month May 5

Cinco de Mayo lands on a Sunday.

May 13

Students can pick up cap and gown, as well as tassels in the student store.

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Study shows district impact CCCD gives back regionally

By A.R. BROOM

@AlexanderRBroom

The great value of community colleges has been further confirmed after the Contra Costa Community College District recently released findings from a study related to the district’s economic impact to the surrounding areas.

The study was farmed out by the district to Economic Modeling Specialists International, a self proclaimed “leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data to educational institutions, workforce

planners and regional developers in the U.S. and internationally,” that found, among other things, about 2.3 percent of the county’s estimated $78 billion gross regional product is contributed by the district’s efforts.

While a higher gross regional product can be considered a good sign of a healthy local economy, it should please all based on the return of investment EMSI claims the district brings to the county’s taxpayers. That number is claimed to be a return of 3.2-1 — $3.20 for

CCCC DISTRICT IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

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$1.8B $3.20

Jobs in the county are supported by the district Is contributed to the county’s gross regional product Is returned for every tax dollar invested into the district

See MONEY, page 5

Experience • Lilly Montero

Class goes back in time

Plan your future courses Both the summer and fall schedule are available online for students to flip through. With priority registration opening up within the next few weeks and the semester coming to an end, returning students should be sure to go online or speak to a counselor to plan their future courses. The schedules include degree specific information, as well as information for general education courses. For more info go to https://www.losmedanos. edu/schedule/.

By ALEX CAMILLI @_Carnation

Support foster students The BRAVO Scholars Program, also known as LMC Foster Youth, is asking the campus community to support and raise awareness about foster youth by wearing light blue May 3. May is National Foster Youth Month. By wearing blue participants will be to raising visibility and interest in the foster care system

Experience • Hazel Recinos

The Pittsburg High School Hall of Fame displays newspaper cuttings of sports games covered by local newspapers during the 1940s.

The Pittsburg Historical Museum was full of students interacting with historic documents for a “Night at the Museum” event held April 22, 2019 hosted by Professors Courtney Goen and Reggie Lemay. The event featured an in-depth analysis on the migration patterns of minorities within the community.

LMC alumni and current students volunteered to act as docents guiding students through the facility. A large portion of students were those of Los Medanos College’s California History course taught

by Professor Goen.

Historic events covered included the Port Chicago munitions explosion, racism towards Italian Americans and Japanese Americans during World War II and the Industrialization Era. LMC student, Heamasi Latu, explained the migration of African Americans from the South to the Bay Area.

“The conditions in industrial See TIME, page 5

Former employee is remembered with helping to implement the Classified Senate during At Los Medanos Col- his term. His long tenure lege, the instructors and and accomplished career professors are but one part was noted by current Local of the equation in which 1 President Winston Ingram, this well-oiled machine of who, via the Union website a college operates. Behind states: the scenes are countless and “He was an extremely dedicated LMC employees hard worker who touched known as classified so many lives here professionals. They at Local 1. He will be are the colleagues missed by all.” of your faculty and West’s reputation professors who help for his dedication the college function. precedes him and These professionit’s evident by the imals belong to the pression he left on his Public Employees former colleagues. In Union, Local 1. Mike Mike West an email to college West, the former President employees, LMC President of that union and LMC clas- Bob Kratochvil recalls, “Mike sified aluni, died recently. was dedicated to his work West was a fierce advocate and passionate about advoand warrior for his team of cating for and supporting classified employees and the classified professionals retired from the Contra Costa he represented.”

Community College District Locally, those who knew about two years ago.

West and worked with him He was employed with fondly recall his pursuits and the district for more than 28 advocacy. Sandra Mills, with years. West was a CCCCD CORE, specifically recalls his Unit President for 10 years serious work ethic and high and the Local 1 President for energy. “Sometimes he’d See WEST, page 5 two years. West is credited

By NICK CAMPBELL @TheNCExperience

STEM to host symposium Students and alumni will have the opportunity to present their research in LMCs 5th annual STEM Research Symposium Friday, May 3 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. There will also be a panel of professionals from diverse fields in STEM. Students can go to https://sites. google.com/site/lmcstemsymposium2019/ Symposium-Registration to register to attend. The deadline to register is Friday, April 26 at midnight.

Follow us on: @lmc_experience @lmc_experience @lmc_experience

Experience • Krys Shahin

Courtesy of Sierra Abel

Experience • Krys Shahin

Photo left: James Lee (left) and Earl Alamazan at the Sexual Assault Awareness booth during Chalk Talk. Photos right: Student messages for survivors.

Chalk Talk leaves a message

By KRYS SHAHIN Staff Writer

The second annual Chalk Talk was held April 22 in the outdoor quad as a part of Sexual Violence Awareness Week sponsored by LMCAS. The event consisted of five LMCAS students, led by Commissioner of Campus Events Sierra Abel, distributing chalk and free food to any students

or employees who passed by and wished to participate.

“We’re asking people to write a message of support on the sidewalk for the chalk talk,” said Christian Ortiz, a student senator who was helping with the event.

There are a multitude of reasons LMCAS students felt as though this event was worthy of being an annual one,

one main reason being the importance of communication and dialogue.

“It’s really good to start these conversations and dialogue, or to just show support on campus because this really happens,” said Abel.

Within the first 30 minutes, the space in front of their booth, was beginning to fill up See CHALK, page 5

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“So if we lie to the government, it’s a felony. But if they lie to us, it’s politics.”

— Bill Murray

Zulema Victoria

James Ortiz

GUEST COLUMNIST

GUEST COLUMNIST

Keep calm and stay balanced

E-Cigs under the microscope

A balance between school, loved ones, work, and health. Too much to handle? It seems so to the hundreds of thousands of college students facing this challenge around the world. Determined to do the best in classes and succeed weighs heavy on the well-being of a student that spends hours on end learning, reviewing, and studying.

With college putting pressure and an emotional strain on students when there are deadline dates, tests, and more, during the time they attempt to handle it on their own, the outcome is not always a comforting reality.

For this reason, not only should students, but the people connected to them become aware of the impact this can have on their mental health if not handled with care.

Poor mental health can cause sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorders.

Having an unhealthy mind not only is affected by, but affects academic performance, according to Henriques, he states, “In 2004 the Mental Health Task Force on Graduate Student Mental Health at the University of California Berkeley surveyed its graduate students and revealed 45% had experienced an emotional or stress-related problem in the last 12 months that significantly affected their well-being and/or academic performance.”

Anxiety and stress can also sprout from that fear in which how complete and on time their own work will be. With all of these influences on a student’s mental health, it is hard not to consider attempting to take one’s own life.

Referring back to Henriques the author expresses, According to the American College Health Association (ACHA) the suicide rate among young adults, ages 15-24, has tripled since the 1950s and suicide is currently the second most common cause of death among college students.”

Even if a student is not considering that specific end result, the behaviors they are carrying with them should be given attention for a healthier outcome.

There are multiple ways for students to keep track of their mental health and one of them is specifically offered at LMC through the Student Wellness Program (SWP.) The program, which begins the first week of October, runs throughout the academic year, twice a week at the Pittsburg campus and once at the Brentwood Center.

This program is designed to provide students with services when they feel they are at risk to themselves and need a welcoming environment to share their thoughts. As long as the LMC student is enrolled in a minimum of 6 units, they are qualified to be given 7 free sessions to speak to a therapist to be able to get the help they need.

While those sessions are in progress, a student can strengthen their mental health by building a support system at home, monitoring their symptoms, maintaining healthy habits, and reducing their academic stress.

Getting support from others and communicating provides stability and safety in the lives of those struggling to balance and protect their mind.

Maintaining healthy habits, according to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) are referred to as, “Exercising, eating a balanced diet and getting between 7-9 hours of sleep will give you more energy, help you focus better, and keep you emotionally resilient.”

Good physical health compliments mental health in which a student can feel content both in a salutary and mindful way.

So college students, be aware and take care of yourselves because being concerned in the beginning can gradually relieve the discomfort with ease, as your mental health is a priority.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are being marketed as the safe new alternative to conventional cigarettes. They now come in a variety of forms and include vape pods, Juuls, and vape pens.

Although they were patented in the 1960s, electronic cigarettes were not widely known until recent years, appearing first in 2004 around China and spreading to other areas including Europe and the United States in 2006.

These electronic cigarettes usually consist of a cartridge, a battery, and an LED light.

When turned on, the e-cigarette heats up the liquid that is contained in the cartridge.

This then produces a mist or vapor, which the smoker inhales/vapes.

The ingredients of the liquid vary, but typically include nicotine, and chemicals to vaporize the nicotine like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

Since some e-cigarettes are tobacco-free, they are currently unregulated in the United States, but that may change.

Already, major such as Boston, Chicago, New York, and most recently Los Angeles have restricted their use.

Utah, New Jersey, and North Dakota have also banned their use wherever smoking is prohibited.

Other states, like Minnesota and Oregon, are considering restrictions as well.

There’s some confusion in how e-cigs are being marketed. In some cases, they are being marketed as a nicotine replacement product that smokers can use to eventually quit smoking altogether.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that e-cigs are without risks, or that you should now be able to vape without any serious consequences, or that they’re healthy.

We must remember that nicotine is a powerfully addictive chemical.

FDA studies show that e-cigarettes contain some of the same toxic chemicals as regular cigarettes even though they don’t have tobacco.

There is evidence that some of these toxic chemicals can cause DNA damage that can cause cancer.

A 2013 study suggests that even inhaling the drug via either conventional cigarettes or e-cigs may contribute to heart disease.

There is evidence that e-cigarettes deliver toxic chemicals of their own such as formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), nitrosamines (linked to cancer) and lead (a neurotoxin).

Though the toxicity levels of e-cigs may be lower than cigarettes, levels of formaldehyde and metals have been found to be at the same or even higher than traditional cigarettes.

Because they are smokeless, many people incorrectly assume that e-cigarettes are safer for non-smokers and the environment than traditional cigarettes.

However, a study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health found that the use of e-cigarettes results in increased concentrations of “volatile organic compounds” and airborne particles, both of which are harmful when inhaled.

There are no long-term studies to back up claims that the vapor from e-cigarettes is less harmful than conventional smoke.

Despite positive reviews from e-cigarette users who enjoy being able to smoke them where regular cigarettes are prohibited.

Little is known about their safety and long-term health effects.

Overall, e-cigarettes, juuls, etc. have not been around long enough to determine the extent of potential harm to its users.

Unfortunately, many people including teenagers believe that e-cigarettes are safe or that they are effective in helping people quit smoking regular cigarettes. This is far from accurate.

Experience • Isabelle Ortiz

Editorial

Tragedy brings on PC war

T

he fire that engulfed the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris captivated the world. The famed cathedral is home to religious artifacts like the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.

It is also home to other famous relics like the tunic of Saint Louis and much more. France has rallied to raise money for the repairs. Not long before this fire, historical churches in Louisiana were burned down as a result of domestic terrorism.

This was largely ignored in the media and on social media.

Then, on Easter sunday, Sri Lanka was hit with terrorist attacks killing more than 350 people and injuring more than 500.

In America, a firestorm ensued over the term “Easter Worshippers” as in people attending Easter worship. Condolences came in from dignitaries around the country, including Former U.S. President, Barack Obama and Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

In the body of their tweets, they used the term “Easter Worshippers” and many political pundits became outraged.

Sri Lanka, with a Christian population of seven percent, suffered coordinated attacks on just churches, but also local businesses like hotels.

But unlike their American counterparts, they kept their focus on the attack, it’s victims, and bringing the terrorists to justice. Not once did the description of their victims faith come into question.

Even the Notre Dame cathedral stirred some outrage over massive funding from billionaires to rebuild it.

Many on social media argued that the money should be used on the poor and to close the wealth inequality in Paris.

This became the focal point on the same political correctness and identity politics that many on the right usually bemoans. No sympathy for the victims, just rage over a phrase which was technically correct.

The attack happened during Easter worship, so although Obama correctly described the victims, the opportunity for faux outrage proved to be too tempting for social media. The omission of the word “Christians” didn’t lessen the impact of the terror attack on its victims.

Suddenly, the right has become “PC” and into identity politics. It’s truly a disturbing display of our countries explosive political environment.

lEttEr to thE Editor

Make the library more accessible DEAR EDITOR: The LMC library is a place I’m sure all of us have been at least once if not many times.

It’s a great resource to use if you forget to print something at home.

Or if you have extra time between classes and need a quick and quiet study session.

All of this sounds great until you’re coming from parking lot B and have to walk a mile just to get inside.

I propose that the school add a door to the south side of the library that is accessible to all students and faculty.

I am aware that there is already a door on this side but it is only to be used for emergency

situations. I think that is completely unfair.

I’m sure many students would find it much easier to just use this exit especially because it leads right to the steps of the student services building where a lot of our classes are.

Keeping the emergency exit that is already there and adding an extra door would also increase everyone’s safety.

If there was ever a fire there would be plenty of ways to get out.

This would really benefit everyone because it would save people the extra time it takes to walk all the way around.

This will also make the building a lot safer.

— Sierra Smith

rEadEr opinion policy 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, bring your submissions to room CC3-301 and put them in the Perspectives Editor’s mailbox or mail them to Experience c/o Los Medanos College, 2700 E Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. You may also send them electronically through the Experience online newsite lmcexperience.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.

Voices

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Experience

How do you relax on campus?

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

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“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

Editors-in-Chief .................... LILLY MONTERO & MARC LOPEZ Copy Chief ................................... A.R. BROOM

“I read lots of anime manga, wear lots of warm and comfortable clothes.”

— Alexis Rivera

“I go the Honors Center because it has a couch and I just sit there.”

— Casey Manuel

Perspectives Editor............. NICK CAMPBELL

“I relax in the Honors Center or sometimes at the library so I can do my homework in peace.”

— Dyana Ner

“As long as I have music I’m pretty relaxed. I know it sounds bad, but if I can tune people out, I’m good.”

— Karena Melton

“I really just get in and get out. I allow myself to be in the moment, I’m not on my phone, I’m just here to learn.”

— Karleen Griffin

“I just go to the Student Life Office to chill and do some homework. It helps because I work there too.”

— Odochi Nwokochah

Campus Editor............BREANNA CRAWFORD Features Editor.......................... MARC LOPEZ Sports Editors ....................HUGO CALDERON & JESUS CANO Social Media Editor ................... JESUS CANO Photo Editor.................. ANTHONY MARTINEZ Multimedia Editor................. KELLY WILLIAMS 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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“Love who you want to love. Life is short.

Nobody’s going to hate you for it.”

— Shane Dawson

Earth gets celebrated

Join the LMC history department for the the rescheduled event, You Can’t Write Women Out Of History, celebrating Women’s History Month and the continued advocacy of Dolores Huerta.

The event will take place on May 2, 10-11 a.m. in Room L-109. The event will feature an abridged showing of the film Dolores,” group discussion, and brainstorm of the continued advocacy.

Free clinic for the uninsured John Muir Health Family Medicine residency program offers free community medical services for uninsured individuals and families every other Wednesday 9 a.m. to noon.

The mobile clinic is located at St. Vincent De Paul, 2210 Gladstone, Pittsburg CA. They offer primary care, non-emergency care, blood test and many more. For more information, please call (925) 941-7940.

AST program classes open

Would you like to train for a career as an appliance service technician in one year or less? The Appliance Service Technology program at LMC uses lecture and hands on lab to teach students how to dignosis and repair household appliances.

You could learn how to operate, test, dissasemble, repair and reassemble many different brands of both gas and electric appliances.

Summer classes start June 3, Fall classes start Aug. 26, and Spring 2020 classes start Jan. 24. For more information on these classes please visit www.losmedanos. edu/appliance.

Club for LMC ‘Lake Lovers’

If you love LMC’s lake and its natural inhabitants and are interested in making the LMC lake path a safer and cleaner place, or if you just want to learn more about out the campus, then you should join the LMC Lake Appreciation Club.

The club is open to students, all employees, and community members. For more information please contact Catt Woods at cwood@losmedanos.edu or call (925) 473-7569.

Positions open at EBMUD

The East Bay Municipal Utility District is looking for motivated students who are willing to learn and grow within the water industry.

No experience is necessary because new staff will be trained on how to read and calibrate water meters at homes, troubleshoot problems, and repair broken meters, as well as other related tasks.

There is opportunity for increased pay up to $73,000 per year over three years. For more information contact Cynthia Perez-Nicholas at cperez@losmedanos.edu.

Experience • Marc Lopez

Beekeeper Ed Sparacino of the Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association talks about his beehive.

Event brings together conservationists

By LILLY MONTERO @Lilly_Montero3

Though Ear th Day was Monday, staff and students celebrated the Earth amongst various conservationist groups, vendors and student clubs in the outdoor quad this Wednesday. Organized by LMCAS, the event included groups like the Mount Diablo Resource Recovery, Fresh Approach, the Sierra Club and many others.

A popular booth was that of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanic and Native Americans in Science, which allowed students to paint terra cotta planters, buy succulents and hold a gopher snake named Tyler.

The snake and plants were all provided by their former president Ricardo Black who works at Black Diamond Mines, a local park in the East Bay Regional Parks District. All of the proceeds from their booth are going to fund their next trip to the National Diversity Conference in

October, an important event for the club. “[SACNAS is] a STEM club that works towards diversifying the STEM fields,” said SACNAS member Vanessa Viveros.

Another LMC club, Women in STEM took the opportunity to fundraise for club activities.

The club advocates for women, minorities and others to enter the STEM field.

They’ve also been focused on outreach at local high schools.

The booth included “DIY” terrariums with succulents that students could purchase and make on the spot. Some of the proceeds are going toward a future scholarship for high school students entering college.

“We have this scholarship in progress,” said club member Angel Meza. “We we really want it to be a thing for high school Experience • Janaequa Ojed-Hutton students that are coming into college into SACNAS member Mary Abusafieh a STEM field.” presents Tyler the gopher snake Meza also hoped that by celebrating

The LMC Gospel Reunion Choir will be hosting their 25 annual Gospel Reunion concert May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall Room 720.

Special guest Kyla Jade from NBC’s The Voice, motivational speaker Dr. Kirk Anthoney James, and many others will be attending and performing.

Tickets will go for $25 bought in advanced, $27 at the door, and free for children four and under. For more informtaion please contact Shenderson@losmedanos. edu or call (925) 565-6107.

By HILLARY HETRICK @hillarymhetrick

Ambassadors are needed

Manufacturing interns wanted

The California Community Colleges advanced manufacturing team is working to connect students with internships for up to 150 hours.

Pay would be $15/hour. Students will work 15-20 hours per week around your school schedule. Applications are now open. For questions contact Mark Martin at markmatin@peralta.edu or call (650) 284-7728.

Child care opportunities

Child Care Careers (CCC) are looking for students and staff who want the opportunity to become preschool and afterschool teachers.

CCC is dedicated to giving the experience and personal growth LMC members are seeking in the early childhood education field.

They are offering competitive pay and tuition reimbursement. For more information visit www.childcarecareers. net or call (510) 888-9666.

What’s lost can be found

LMC Lost and Found has numerous items found on campus. If you have lost an item, check with Police Services, which is located in the Campus Safety Building at the front of the LMC campus.

How to report news

If you have a news tip for a story, or a short item you would like considered 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 Lilly Montero at lilly.montero3@gmail.com News Briefs: If you are involved in an event that you would like publicized or have a short announcement for the newswatch column, go to the Journalism Lab and fill out a news form. Publication can never be guaranteed.

— compiled from press releases and staff reports

at the club’s booth.

Office of Equity gains new member

Annual LMC gospel concert

The Transfer and Career services are looking for students who would like to join their staff and become a student ambassador.

You can develop networking abilities and learn practical skills that will elevate your sucess throughout and beyond college, while making money only a few steps away from your classroom.

The application deadline is May 5. You can apply online at www.collegecentral.com/losmedanos/

See EARTH, page 5

Experience • Anthony Martinez

Dean of Equity Sabrina Kwist and Program Coordinator Sara Larkin work to better LMC.

In the spring of 2016 Los Medanos College initiated the Office of Equity and Inclusion in an effort to make the campus more equitable to students, staff and faculty. Its founding member was Interim Dean Ruth Goodin, who has since retired, but the office remains strong with Dean of Equity and Inclusion Sabrina Kwist, Office Assistant Hannah Tatmon, Student Ambassadors Caitlyn Lee and T’keyah Taylor and their newest member Program Coordinator Sara Larkin.

Larkin is currently filling a position that was previously vacant. Hopefully, with time the office hopes, other positions will be filled as well. For now, the position is a good fit for Larkin.

“The Equity office values are in alignment with my own personal and professional values,” said Larkin. Larkin spoke about her personal experiences as a student, which ultimately led to her joining the Equity office.

“Many years ago, I started at Diablo Valley College as a single parent, low income, first generation student who returned to See EQUITY, page 5

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Features

“Whatever it takes.”

— The Avengers

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4 Best selling rapper

‘Supermarket’ new venture for Bobby Hall

By MARC LOPEZ @KaptainMarc

Bobby Hall, better known as Logic, has begun his creative expansion from music with the release of his debut novel “Supermarket.” The Maryland rapper turned New York Times Best Selling author made history becoming the first rapper to ever earn the coveted title. ‘Supermarket’ tells the tale of young, depressed and recently dumped writer Flynn who finds himself working a summer job at his town’s local supermarket. The book dives into the psychological, creative mind of Flynn and the reader gets to witness his world collapse right before his eyes.

The dialogue is very expressive in the sense of chemistry between characters. Flynn is first introduced to the character known as Frank at the beginning of the book however it’s slightly indirect. After Flynn is hired at the supermarket, the proper introduction between the two is done and after one meeting together, Flynn has developed an obsessive friendship with Frank. The reasoning behind the obsession becomes clear once Flynn’s true intentions are brought to life by chapter 3.

Flynn also meets the book’s love interest Mia and these two are without a doubt in love. Readers can sense the chemistry between the two with moments such as Flynn being awkward around her and when Flynn believe’s Mia is serious, but is actually messing with him.

One notewor thy detail is that Flynn’s character closely resembles Hall’s own personality. This is very prominent throughout the book especially in chapter 6 “Panic,” when Flynn suffers a crippling anxiety attack.

In the acknowledgements section of the book, Hall tells the readers that he wrote the first part of the book during his “darkest times.”

“Part One of this manuscript was written in my darkest times, filled and riddled with anxiety and depression,” said Hall. “This book is a work of fiction but the undertow is based utterly and completely from my life, both mentally and emotionally.”

It was nice to see some of Hall’s own characteristics in Flynn’s. There are definitely moments of dialogue from Flynn that makes readers think “that sounds like something Logic

REVIEW

Experience • Janaequa Ojeda-Hutton

Chunni Leung of Financial Aid explains the abacus to Program Coordinator Sarah Larkin of the Office of Equity.

API heritage celebrated Community enjoys food, culture and performances

By CYNTHIA VASQUEZ Staff writer

Members of the Asian Pacific Islander Club were proud to welcome the students and staff at Los Medanos College to a celebration of Asian culture at their second annual Heritage Day event.

“We’re just a community here to serve each other.” said API president Sierra Abel on welcoming new people to the club with the event. The president wanted the rest of the campus to know that everyone is welcome to join the Asian Pacific Islander club, regardless of their race.

Keynote speaker Andy Li — Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board member — shared a personal anecdote of his recent experience with racism when a woman assumed he didn’t speak any English just by a single look at him. Li stressed the importance of Asian representation, especially in politics and positions of leadership like his own where he’s the only Asian person on the governing board.

“We need to work with all other groups of people, we alone cannot fight it,” said Li when speaking about the discrimination that Asians currently face. The speaker went on to say that the majority of people do not realize that even today, Asians

are still facing prejudice that often goes by unnoticed.

Performances by staff members Dave Vigo and Carminda Guitierez sang and played the ukulele, entertaining the crowd while they were fed traditional food from various Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, the Philippines and more.

The tables filling the room presented other aspects of Asian culture like the historical impact of Asians entering the country through the transcontinental railroad, an origami art table and a table with a game of chinese chess.

The event’s coordinator Beverly Bui explained that the goal of the event was to spread awareness and teach everyone something new about the Asian culture we have at LMC. “As long as there’s something that they took away from the event we feel that it was successful, just for people to gain an understanding of the cultures that are out there.” said Bui, as she started taking down the various Asian inspired decorations across the walls in the conference room.

The annual event was hosted right before Asian heritage month begins in May, when students are set to start finals. Honoring culture and heritage in See API, page 5

Experience • Janaequa Ojeda-Hutton

Mirror sculpture of young boy on display at the event.

Annual gospel concert returns

By DANTE HARROLD Staff writer

Music that inspires and words that motivate will highlight the 25th “Silver Anniversary” Gospel Celebration Reunion Concer t Saturday, May 4.

Over the years, the annual celebration entertained and inspired more than 2,300 audience members and has become one of the largest multicultural events in “The LMC Gospel Choir Contra Costa County.

The focus of this year’s event is is committed on how to make a more socially to promoting just society. In the vein of this focus, Choir Director and Musical equality.”

Professor Silvester Henderson — Silvester Henderson said the theme of the event is

Marquee

El Campanil Theatre

“faith, Inspiration, and Resilience: A Pathway to Higher Education.”

Henderson, who organized the celebration 25 years ago, spoke of the event as a community unifier.

“The LMC Gospel Choir is committed to promoting equality, equity and inclusion by using gospel music as an artistic academic and community unifier, to discuss issues regarding lack of the faculty diversity, inmate education, foster youth, and poor academic access for black and brown students within higher Education,” said Henderson sharing his goals for the event.

The celebration’s purpose is to inform the general community in See CHOIR, page 5

$30 Seniors: $25 At door: $25 n Friday, May 3 — “Spotlight on Comedy: First Fridays” presented by Anointed Media & Soulbeat.TV. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$18

Here are upcoming plays and events at the El Campanil Theatre. . n Saturday, May 4 — Mau Loa Ohana n “El Chicano”— In theaters May 3, presents “Hula Away the Cancer at 7 p.m.

Admission $18 directed by Ben Hernandez Bray. n Saturday, May 19 — “On Broadway.” n “Long Shot” — In theaters May 3 , A Broadway-themed musical celebration, directed by Jonathan Levine. highlighting shows and songs from beloved n “The Hustle” — In theaters May 10, Broadway classics. Show starts at 3 p.m. directed by Chris Addison.

Adults: $29 Seniors: $27 Youth: $15 n “Pokemon Detective Pikachu” — In theaters May 10, directed by Rob Letterman. n “John Wick: Chapter 3” — In theaters May 17, directed by Chad Stahelski.

Here are upcoming plays and events at n “A Dog’s Journey” — In theaters May the Pittsburg California Theater. n Saturday, April 27 — Chaka Khan & 17, directed by Gail Mancuso. n “Aladdin” — In theaters May 24, Barry White Tribute with Niecy LivingSingle & Greg Ballad. Show starts at 8 p.m. Adults: directed by Guy Ritchie.

Coming soon to Cinemas

Pittsburg California Theater

See SUPER, page 5

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EQUITY TIME From page 3

school over a decade after high school,” Larkin said.

She explained her struggle with math and how her instructors helped her learn strategies that directly related to her own experience, making it easier to learn. “[It helped,] personalizing it and making it less intimidating and achievable for me,” said Larkin. “It was a mind shift from the traditional education I was used [to].”

Now, Larkin works to make education accessible from her position in the Equity.

In addition to the Office of Equity providing an equitable environment and helping to establish equity throughout campus, there is a Student Equity Plan. This plan, according to Kwist, focuses in on “equity-minded practices,” ensuring that “leadership [is] embedded in campus initiatives and practices.” Currently, the equity plan is in the process of being renewed to better suit the campus for the following two years.

A key part of their efforts to make the campus a more welcoming is what they call the Equity Speaker Series.

The series focuses on developing equity-minded learning, promoting cultural events and supporting efforts across the campus. This spring Equity hosted events centered around communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

The Office of Equity is also involved in the Institutional Development for Equity and Access committee (IDEA) which, like office, focuses on actionable efforts to make the campus more inclusive. For example, the committee has been working on providing feminine hygiene products on campus, something that has been taken up by Buildings and Grounds earlier in the semester.

Students who want to work alongside the office can look to the Office of Student Life.

“All of our committees have student spots, so if a student wants to participate in shared governance, often times those members are on your student government, but we as an office are always open to additional student participation,” said Kwist.

SUPER From page 4

would say.”

The writing style of the book is something I personally enjoy out of books. “Supermarket” is written as a standard fictional novel however Hall constantly breaks the fourth wall. Hall inserts himself in moments where it is needed and honestly Hall’s banter is rather funny a majority of the time.

The book’s writing style also mimics one of Hall’s favorite authors Ernest Cline. Cline is best known for his New York Times best-selling book “Ready Player One” The downsides of “Supermarket” have to be the confusing start to part two and the need for more detail in certain chapters.

Part two follows up the revelation at the end of part one. A new setting is introduced however it doesn’t seem clear that we are in a new setting. Hall flips between the new setting and back to the supermarket and then back to the new setting. Alongside this readers have to adapt to a new dynamic for the character Frank that also confuses readers.

Hall easily uses his interjections to get out from writing in-depth about certain parts the story. There are moments where he does it but in those certain moments, it felt like it could’ve used more detail.

“Supermarket” is a great novel to begin Hall’s venture away from spitting bars or spreading peace, love and positivity. Although there are parts of the novel that shows Hall’s inexperience being an author, “Supermarket” as a whole is a darky but entertaining venture into the world of a troubled artist.

“Supermarket” is available in retail stores nationwide and also on amazon at https:// www.amazon.com/Supermarket-Bobby-Hall/dp/1982127139

Follow the LMC Experience online at lmcexperience.com

NBA

From page 1

From page 6

jobs were harsh but not as harsh as the southern states,” said Latu. “They were still not being treated as equal to the white man.”

WWII caused the U.S. government to treat certain ethnic groups hostilely. Italians in America became classified as “enemy aliens” and were forced to endure mistreatment during the war. After the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese were subject to the Executive Order 9066, which authorized the government to place them in camps.

In a room labeled the “Military Room,” students were able to see printed documents that mentioned Italians in America being detained or stripped of property. Even though Italians appeared to be Caucasian the FBI sought even the slightest ethnic difference. Goen went into detail about the interconnection of ethnicity and the social construct of race.

“I think even at the time, Italians would have still been considered Caucasian, but they were still seen as ethnically different or potentially dangerous and that’s why they had to be registered and watched by the local governments,” said Goen.

President Trump has threatened to use the sanctuar y cities of Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco to house detained undocumented immigrants. The economy could drastically be affected.

After the discussion, student Tasha Hazelwood provided a response when asked if Pittsburg would be a suitable Courtesy of Emsi sanctuary city.

Graphic pulled from the report about Contra Costa Community College District’s “I would love to see the economic impact on the county. This details LMC’s specific impact. immigrant community intertwine, because we are moving forward and becoming very innovative,” said Hazelwood. From page 1 more than 1,300 jobs in oper- reliant on social services and “They could bring something ations alone, but the impact civically engaged. positive to the community and every $1 spent — with respect of the increased earnings of Chancellor Fred Wood, give us different backgrounds to tax revenue and public LMC’s alumni and the busi- spoke of the relation of these sector savings. to focus on.” nesses they work for amounts statistics to quality of life Mayor Sean Wright of to nearly 3,000 jobs.

The learning opportunity throughout the county. is still available during the Antioch, a former student in That is great news to LMC “It takes an entire commumuseum’s regular hours on the college district and local President Bob Kratochvil. nity to create the quality of life Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. business owner, did not seem “[The report] quantifies the that we enjoy here in Contra and Saturdays from 11 a.m. taken aback by those numbers. important work we do for our Costa County,” said Wood.

“This report just confirms community in financial terms, to 3 p.m. what we all know, that our and reinforces the role of the “As a district, with colleges in community colleges are college as a regional economic every corner of the county, tremendous assets for our driver,” said Kratochvil. “LMC we are proud to be a key ecocommunity,” said Wright. serves as an extremely valu- nomic engine and workforce From page 3 “These homes of education able asset focused on industry development partner so our Earth Day, people will think provide transfer opportunities needs, graduating qualified local businesses can thrive in more about the space they at reduced costs to students, students into the workforce, the global economy.” live in. certificate programs that lead and providing quality educaChancellor Wood added in “Having a day where it’s to higher incomes, enjoyable tion that ultimately advances similar fashion as others that “this study once again shows focused on [the earth] could learning to improve our qual- our local economy.” really change some people’s ity of life and local jobs that EMSI repor ted that the that a community college edminds,” said Meza. “Hopefully contribute to the economy.” district benefits society by ucation is a great investment According to the report educating students who are for our students, their families in the future they do more for LMC specifically generated more likely to be healthy, less and our taxpayers.” the earth.”

Other booths included organizations from around the Bay Area and beyond. One such booth was the Mount Diablo From page 1 Beekeepers Association. it started. These types of de- color and words of support “Bees are really a popular vices are often used to scare for anyone who may have with colorful chalk messages subject at this point in time off potential threats without needed it. due to colony collapse disor- that said things like; “Stay getting violent.

“I wanted to encourage strong,” “#MeToo,” “You’re der disrupting the pollination “Since pepper spray is others, to let them know that not alone,” and many more. supply,” said beekeeper Ed “I wrote something because dangerous, I have 100 free there’s support out there for Sparacino.

I think it’s the little things e-alarms because I wanted to the people who need it,” said Sparacino pointed out that in life that impact us the give them something to use a bystander who wished to bees are an essential par t remain anonymous. most. When people have bad for safety,” said Abel. of multiple industries. The Turn out seemed to be Others found the experience days, it’s typically the little almond industr y alone is things that help the most,” mostly women, as men seemed of drawing with chalk helpful wor th billions due to the said student Kelsi Holt, who uncomfortable with the topic for themselves rather than just pollination that bees provide. participated by writing “Keep of conversation and interactive helping others in supportive However, that doesn’t always nature of the event. messages. your head up, babe.” mean that the beekeepers are “People are uncomfortable “I’m a survivor and I chose Along with the free food, compensated fairly. there were water bottles, about the topic, that’s why it’s to stand. I want to support “Beekeepers make on the e-alarms, buttons and pam- so important,” said Abel.” I others because I didn’t have order of like $200 a hive for phlets that anyone was allowed wanted to start a conversa- that in my time of need,” said three week’s work,” said to grab from the booth. tion, to create a community La Tausha Wade. “People don’t Sparacino.

E-alarms are devices that and allyship between faculty come forward because they Sparacino, on the other hang on a keychain and and students and to promote don’t feel they’ll be believed. hand, just uses his hive for when a pin is pulled, a loud things like our help centers.” ‘We believe you,’ that’s a love honey.

Participants filled the side- note. That’s a powerful way alarm sounds until the user “It’s a hobby,” said the replaces the pin back where walk in the outdoor quad with to love.” beekeeper.

The Sierra Club’s booth focused in on climate change and making changes for the shape and probably starting good friends over the years. better. Propped up on the Mills recalls being at LMC a Union,” said Mills. booth was a whiteboard where From page 1 West’s dedication to his for most of her adult life, by people could pledge to make remind me of a Tasmanian one change to decrease their Devil running around here, work has been the consistent her estimation 19-20 years. carbon footprint to help lessen he had so much energy,” theme surrounding his tenure During her tenure, West had with the college and district an enduring presence. By all CO2 emissions. said Mills. accounts, his friendship will Despite retiring to Reno, respectively.

“It takes everybody. It takes But he was not just a col- be missed just as much as his a lot of steps and some big Nevada in 2017 and enjoying steps,” said Sierra Club’s Jo- his favorite pastimes of bingo league to Mills, they became leadership. anne Drabek about the board. or cards, his presence is still “It’s [the youth’s] future — I’m felt. People who emulate his 70 you know? In 20 years I may work and even continue to not be here when the biggest work for causes he fought From page 6 for miss him. According to impacts hit.”

For game one of the double his peers, West was often Though a few days late, tough season citing the re- header, LMC trailed 2-0 until LMC’s Earth Day celebration the person people will be scheduling issues following the bottom of the 7th inning was active, informational and compared to in the future. the lost however he let his where an attempted comeback “Wherever Mike is right players know that he was fell short. The final score from started conversations about how to be better stewards to now, I can imagine he’s “proud of them” and knew that game one was Mendocino whipping management into they “played their hardest.” coming out victors 2-1. our planet.

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man” himself, Shaquille O’Neal, for being so dominant and unstoppable. This is a pretty big deal, especially since it came from the From a lanky and scrawny 6’9” 196 pound rookie to a 6’11” 242 pound unstoppable beast all the way from Athens, Greece Giannis lives up to the name “The Greek Freak” and has proved he is worthy of being MVP this year.

On the other side of the MVP race there is the bearded man, James Harden. Did he travel or not? Who cares he just hit 4 step back three’s in a row and all in your grill. Arguably one of the best isolation player to ever to step on the court who solely will be the entire offense for the team and win.

The real reason why James Harden is not first in the KIA race to the MVP ladder is because he has led the Houston Rockets to only 4th place in the Western Conference and the 6th best record in the NBA compared to Giannis’ leading his Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the league.

The Rockets faced injury this year including their co-star Chris Paul who missed 24 regular season games, however, Harden led the team to 4th in the Western Conference by putting up 36.1ppg 6.6rpg and 7.5apg on 44.2 percent shooting. 36.1ppg is the highest scoring average since Kobe Bryant in 2005 who averaged 35.4ppg.

His monumental accomplishments doesn’t stop there.

Harden scored more than 50 points 9 times this year and it is the most since Kobe Bryant’s ‘06 season where he had 10 games where he scored 50 or more. Harden also had a 32 game streak of scoring more than 30 points per game that hasn’t been done since Wilt Chamberlain in ‘61 who had a streak of 65 games.

To top one of the greatest scoring seasons by and NBA player, Harden was the first player in league histor y to score at least 30 points against every team in a single season.

Despite all of Harden’s never before seen accomplishments he still finished 2nd on the KIA race to the MVP ladder, but it was definitely more than enough for him to be named this year’s potential MVP for his second consecutive year.

CHOIR From page 4

the San Francisco Bay area of the excellence of LMC’s department of music, to support the arts and bring the community together. It will feature individuals to talk about important topics, specifically with regards to inequality and give students the chance to meet world famous artists.

This year the Vocal Artist, Kyla Jade from the TV Show “The Voice,” will be featured as special musical guest speaker.

Dr. Kirk Anthony Jame of New York University will come as Motivational guest speaker.

Local guests include LMC Chamber Chorale Casey, Erica Pringle, Palma Ceia, Baptist Church Reunion Mass Choir, Faith Chorale, Angelo Luster and Ric Alexander Women of color will also be given awards for their contributions. The Celebration of Women’s Diversity Award Recipients are Guided Pathways Regional Coordinator Chelsea Esquibias, Vice President of the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges Pamela Haynes, Vice Provost of Diversity and Engagement Office of the President of UC Berkeley, Dr. Yvette Gullatt.

The event will be on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in LMC’s Recital Hall. Pre-ordered tickets cost $25 while tickets bought at the entrance will cost $27.

For more information, call (925) 565-6107.

API

From page 4 spite of the tremendous amount of stress the campus is under seemed to be a desperately needed breath of fresh air.

Fur ther information on future Asian Pacific Islander events can be found through the directory of student life clubs on the LMC home page.

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“So many people doubted me. They motivated me every single day, to be who I am.”

— Kevin Durant

High hopes, tough loss

Left: Mary Borlongan attempts to beat out the throw to first base.

Below: Pitcher Mary Borlongan fields a ball but is unsuccesful in recording the out.

Experience • A.R. Broom

Experience • Marc Lopez

Softball fails to walk-off in the seventh

By MARC LOPEZ @KaptainMarc

A nail biting ending had the Mustangs full of hope from walking away with a victory in their final softball game of the season.

Wednesday afternoon, the Los Medanos College softball team played its final games in the 2019 Bay Valley Conference in a double-header against Mendocino College.

Coming into the game, LMC had a record of 5-5 in the BVC which placed them third in the standings trailing behind Mendocino college (9-5 record) and Solano College (14-0 record) respectively.

Game two, in comparison to game one, was a game to watch with back and forth scoring from both LMC and Mendocino. Morgan Billeci took to the mound as the starting pitcher and in the first inning Billeci allowed a deep double from Mendocino to put them ahead 1-0.

The Mustangs would not answer back to Mendocino’s offense until the third inning. But by the time Mustangs had gotten on the board,

Mendocino had extended their lead to 3-0. Those first runs began with a single up the middle from Shay Sinno, followed with a pop up single to left field, allowed the Mustangs to tie the game up 3-3.

After a quick top of the fourth inning from Billeci, the Mustangs offense exploded in run support for the starting pitcher scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Three out of the five runs came off the bat of one Hailey Vollbrecht who cleared the bases with a double.

“It felt pretty good to help out my team and get us ahead on the scoreboard,” said Vollbrecht. “I didn’t notice that I [scored that many runs] until I reached out the dugout.”

The next inning, a few timely hits and errors on LMC’s side allowed Mendocino to tie the game up once again. Billeci was subbed out during this inning and in came Shay Siino to get the Mustangs out of the sticky.

Siino did get the job done, but the game tying runs cross the plate were during her time on the mound.

The errors continued to follow

the Mustangs as Mendocino gained a strong lead 12-8 in the 6th inning.

The Mustangs tried to no avail to shorten that lead in the 6th.

By the top of the 7th, Mendocino threatened to put up more runs, but an incredible double play from Billeci in center field saved the day. A sliding effort to record the first out led to a runner tagging up from third base then Billeci gunned out the runner at home to end the top of the 7th.

The high stakes of softball began to show with a last minute comeback from the Mustangs after Mendocino began to walk runners in the bottom of the 7th. Vollbrecht, who earlier cleared the bases with a double, had the chance to do it all over again with the bases loaded on two outs.

She sadly was not be able to advance any runners with a pop out behind third base.

The Mustangs comeback falls short with the final score being 1210. Tatmon believes the team played great and tried their hardest today.

Head coach Tim Rognlien recalls the See SBALL, page 5

Experience • A.R. Broom

Katelyn Borger throws to attempt to record an out.

Raazhel Watkins ISO ZEL

Breaking down NBA MVP race Photo courtesty of LMC baseball

The Los Medanos College baseball team clinched its first Bay Valley Conference title April 18 against Yuba College.

Mustangs win first-ever title

By HUGO CALDERON @Hugothegreat09

The Los Medanos College baseball team won its first Bay Valley Conference title in the program’s 32-year history.

One of the largest obstacles the team had to hurdle this season involved building successful season with a freshmen-heavy team.

Only seven of the 38 players on the roster are sophomores.

The team was aware of how green most of its members are, but used that to its advantage, instead of letting it negatively affect them according to head coach Anthony D’Albora.

“That’s the key. They were willing to learn,” said D’Albora about how he managed to lead the young team.

“I knew that this team had potential and I knew that if we all came together and we just focused on executing our 11 second chances

within the game we would have a chance to compete for a conference title,” said first basemen Vince Lontz. “Yesterday was a crazy one [winning the BVC] We were all excited. It was something that was never done in school history.”

Milan Mijovic lead the team in RBIs with 28 all season and held a .329 batting average.

He also leads the team in OBP holding a .434 and scoring 23 runs.

Lontz has also contributed with quality at bats with 20 RBIs, the third most in the team, with a .311 batting average.

Dominic Arias added that although the team was young, the talent that the team had was enough to fill in the gaps left by former players and while it didn’t click immediately, the strong connection was made in the end.

Arias struck out 55 batters in the 63 innings of work he’s put in.

In relief, Scott Meylan has struck out 76 batters and only allowed 36 hits in the 56 innings that he has pitched so far this season.

In the final 15 games of the season, Los Medanos only lost two games. This strong run followed two losses to Contra Costa College, lighting a spark in the team according to Arias, who has put in 63.2 innings of work this season.

“We realized it wouldn’t come easy if we wanted to win conference so we started playing our kind of baseball and never looked back, we caught fire and just ran with it,” said Arias.

Last season, LMC came close to accomplishing this feat but lost the final two games of the season to College of Marin. The Mustangs finished 15-5 this season, with Marin finishing in second .The Mustangs will host a playoff game scheduled to take place on May 3 at 2:30. As of the publication of this article, the opponent has not yet been determined.

The NBA MVP race this year is so close that there is not yet a clear winner.

Earlier this year the race did include Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors, however, despite their wonderful seasons so far the race is clearly between James Harden from the Houston Rockets and Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Currently Giannis is at the number one spot on the KIA MVP ladder and James Harden is close behind him in second. There are some reasons for why both of these candidates are in the spot they are in right now and the others below them do not matter.

He can take two steps from the half court line and be at the basket, he will dunk on your favorite player, sag off of him all you want, you can’t stop him from getting to the bucket. The Greek Freak is unstoppable! Giannis has led the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA of 60-22, tying the third best record in Bucks history. After having a 44-38 record last year, Giannis led the Bucks to a stellar year averaging 27.7ppg 12.5rpg 5.9asp on an incredible 57.8 field goal percentage. He was the league’s leading scorer for points in the paint on the season and his 2 point field goal percentage was an outstanding 76.1 percent Giannis Antetokounmpo has had a monster season and has now been honored with the nickname as the new “Superman” by the original See NBA, page 5