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Remember this in November n Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday, college closed. n Nov. 18 Last day to withdraw from full term classes with a “W” appearing on fall transcript n Nov. 21 Begin priority registration for EOPS, DSPS, & qualified students. n Nov. 24/25 Thanksgiving holiday, college closed. n Nov. 26/27 College closed, no Saturday/Sunday classes. n Nov. 28 Registration for continuing students begins by appointment; check Web Advisor for your registration date.
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CA Dream Act set for 2013 Repeal effort under way By SAMUEL A. GONZALEZ Staff Writer
The California Dream Act, a law that allows undocumented resident students to apply for financial aid at California community colleges and universities, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct. 8 and is set to go into effect in 2013. First semester LMC students Ruby Garcia and Karen Juarez, both 18, would be covered by the California Dream Act if they were to apply for financial aid in 2013. Garcia and Juarez met this semester in
English 90, and discovered that they had similar backgrounds. Both were brought here by their parents when they were two years old, and both of their families have done lots of moving around. “Every two years we’d pack up and move homes,” said Garcia, who has lived in Idaho, Palo Alto, Fresno, San Jose and Los Banos, among other places, mostly in California. Juarez said that she probably won’t qualify for financial aid, but she is glad that the law passed. “It’s definitely a great start,” said Juarez. See DREAM, page 6
Graphic by Jesus Chico
Halloween performance was a thriller
UCLA transfer conference Students interested in transferring to UCLA have until Tueday, Nov. 8 to sign up for a transfer conference at the UCLA campus on Friday, Nov. 18. The cost is $45 which covers airfare, admission and ground transportation. Learn about majors, student services, and join in workshops and campus tours. For more information contact Honors Director Jennifer Saito at jsaito@losmedanos.edu or Mesa Director Carol Hernandez at cahernandez@ losmedanos.edu.
Talk to UC/CSU representative Representatives from fouryear colleges and universities visit the LMC Transfer Center often throughout the semester. To make appointments, call 439-2181 ext. 3124. CSU East Bay n Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. by appointment. Nov 17, Brentwood Center, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. by appointment. UC Davis n Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment. UC Merced n Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-noon, by appointment. UC application workshop. 1-2 p.m. by appointment. 2-4 p.m. by appointment Brandman University n Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. -1p.m. info table near cafeteria. St. Mary’s College n Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. by appointment. San Francisco Art Institute n Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. info table near cafeteria.
Dancers tribute to Jackson By ALEX ESCAJEDA Staff Writer
Photo by Lisa Cassidy
Dancers moved into the indoor quad for a second performance.
Los Medanos College received a nice “thrill” on Halloween at 4 p.m. in the outdoor quad. With music playing from a boom box in the background, a group of 12 students did Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” dance for an audience of a couple dozen people. Dancers met in the outdoor quad of the college complex, where they got into positions to begin their performance. There was a brief delay at first due to a few dancers who arrived late for the show, but the group quickly got back on track. Most of the dancers were dressed in black and some wore black and white face paint and eye makeup to acheive the corpse like, zombie look. The performance got the attention of several students walking through the quad. First year student Raymond Artega noticed the crowd and wanted to check it out. “No one can ever be Michael,” Arteaga said, “but they did pretty good for their age and skill levels of the group.”
Join program to ACE education By JARED THOMSON Staff Writer
No newspaper next week There will be no Experience newspaper published next week due to the college being closed for Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11. The Experience will return on Nov. 18.
Photo by Callib Carver
Neftali Jimenez dances the first “Thriller” set before a crowd gathered in the outdoor quad on Monday afternoon.
Transitioning into college can be a daunting experience. Students often feel overwhelmed and can lose the motivation they need to accomplish their goals. LMC’s Academy of College Excellence (ACE) is here to jump-start students into action and to help them pass their classes in an accelerated learning environment. “ACE is a one-semester program designed to ‘ignite your fire for learning. It focuses on academic success, personal growth and professional development,” said Tue Rust, ACE coordinator and math professor at LMC. Students enrolled in the ACE program often come out a new person, having learned a lot about themselves, the way they learn and how they can manage a full-time schedule without Photo by Irvin Trigueros getting stressed out. Math instructor and ACE Program Director Tue Rust leads an “I joined the ACE program last semester. I saw See ACE, page 6
information session about the ACE Program on Wednesday.
See DANCE page 6
Prepare for spring semester By CALLIB CARVER Staff Writer
There are only six weeks left in this fall semester, which means it’s time for students to begin preparing for Spring 2012. Priority registration for EOPS, DSPS and qualified veterans begins on November 21. “They are granted a weeks advance on their registration under Title 5, Section 56000, although it is not required,” said Lead Admissions and Records Assistant Stephanie Alves. Continuing students’ priority registration begins November 28. See ADD, page 6
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“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
— Mohandas Gandhi
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Perspective from a ‘go-to’ guy
Television losing its substance?
Robert Downey Junior once said, “it’s a blanket statement to say that guy’s really sharp and amicable and nice, because there’s a little bit of an a-hole in every nice guy, and there’s a little bit of genius in every moron.” So who is that ‘go-to guy’? Are we the nice guy, with a bit of an asshole somewhere deep inside of us? Or are we the moron, that won’t speak up to our heart’s true feelings, but somehow find the right thing to say? Speaking from the standpoint of being a go-to guy, every girl has one male friend that they can talk to and tell anything to. While not all, but in a lot of situations I feel I can say that the go-to guy has feelings greater than confessed, beyond the friend zone, if you will. Speaking from personal experience, I think Robert Downey Junior would classify me as some special bread of the two. I’m a moron for not being able to speak up and tell whatever girl I may be a go-to guy for, while also admittedly having just a bit of an asshole side. It’s weird to admit it, but I have had that moment that I was pushed to my limit and could no longer sit by idly and watch a girl be hurt. So as a friend, I told her what she needed to hear. I feel this may have been done in the wrong manner, but when you care for someone you tell them what they need to hear and shoot them straight. The point I’m getting at is that you don’t want to show you’re bad side, nor do you want to be the moron. You have to be able to say what you want in such a way that it will not scare her away or hurt her. Sadly, this isn’t the easiest thing to do. Brutal honesty or sugarcoating, which to pick? To be or not to be, that is in fact the question. Do you stand by idle, helping her through her days, her problems, and not speak your heart, your mind? Or do you take that step off the side of the proverbial cliff and hope that you don’t fall? If you do fall, simply pick yourself up, dust off, and keep on riding the emotional roller coaster that is love and life. No matter how hard it is, they say there is someone for everyone, if you believe that or not. Why do the go-to guys exist in the first place? Is it because we listen, we care and we are always there? I’m not sure myself, nor am I sure how we become that guy. Is there a way out of this box we’ve been placed in? Again, I don’t know. One thing that drives me crazy is when a girl claims that the go-to guy is everything she wants in a guy, but she would never date said guy. In my honest opinion, the go-to guy is a tortured soul like the bridesmaid, always doomed to be the second best, never the one standing in the winner’s circle. So don’t let the girl you care about slip away from you, stand up and confess your mind, your heart to her, and hope that you land feet first. If you land head first, then you will rise stronger, even if you don’t feel stronger. You will be a better person, and one step closer to landing. Of course, it is hard to simply get up and move on. It’s something that no one person does with any grace. So who would you rather be? The go-to guy, the girl with the problems, or the boy friend that creates the problems. Even at the risk of being the nice guy, I’d rather be the go-to guy, because at least then I have the knowledge of knowing I’m a better person, and that someone trust me enough to come to me, and talk. There really is no real person to blame, so don’t take this as in me blaming or trying to blame anyone. In no way shape or form should this be taken as a rant, or complaint. Simply a train of thought, spoken aloud. Of course, being the go to has it’s down sides.
This fall season, I find myself growing rather indifferent to watching any new TV shows. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Terra Nova, Secret Circle, Supernatural, Marvel Anime, Young Justice and the Thundercats reboot every week, many of which premiered this season. But the overall concept of what makes TV shows special seem to be waning for me. I may not be alone, it could be the same for others as well. My grip with television and its overall state starts at a very basic level with the two most seen types of shows appearing on the tube, being either crap VH1/MTV reality shows, going-no-where drama shows or a cop procedural like Law & Order. I’m constantly left scratching my head wondering why shows like these tend to be mass-produced at a constant rate. How can people love watching such “formulamatic” shows? Whatever happened to people watching and liking shows such as Buffy, Charmed and Angel? I can honestly say that if you take any reality TV star and place them in another reality show, most people won’t even know the difference. The same can be said for drama and cop procedural shows. I believe that what is missing from TV these days and studios are those ‘high-concept’ ideas that take familiar settings and characters and put them in extraordinary and rather unique settings and plots. This is why I will constantly praise shows such as Buffy, Smallville and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Star Trek: Voyager and Battle Star Galatica as series that do this well. Sadly, they are from a bygone era of television. These shows proved that you can take familiar concepts like the tale of a cheerleader who slays vampires, a kryptonian destined for saving the world and a future resistance leader and inject some modern ideas into a workable material instead of producing nonsense. This is why I prefer watching Terra Nova this season. It takes two ideas and mixes it into a high-concept show. With the first idea being time travel and the other being dinosaurs, this opens up a wormhole of ideas for future episodes alone. The show simply feels fresher and more real than anything you would find on a reality show. Even when there is a good show on the air, like Terra Nova, it’s doomed to grace the Friday night death slot. This death slot is notable to be the place where stations like FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS/CW place their shows on before they end up out right canceling it. Only a few shows like Fringe, Supernatural and Smallville seem to be immune to this ‘curse,’ going on to have more additional season pickups. Yet it continues to happen, a show like Terra Nova and even Once Upon A Time is destined to be regulated to that time slot eventually. FOX and ABC are the most notorious stations to do this. Luckily there may be hope in the form of BBC and Syfy who air shows with high-concepts and regularly never cancel a show unless the ratings for them drop very significantly. I don’t follow most of the shows on either of these channels mainly due to the sometimes erratic nature of the shows airing. Sadly, with the fact that most viewers only care about reality, drama and cop procedural shows, I fear we may be coming to an end of high-concept shows and even shows that can entertain both a young and older audience simultaneously. These types of shows can never make the young crowd bored to death, while yet also giving an engaging one-hour of television to adults. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel though, with spin-offs and reboots. However, time will tell if stations have faith in these high-concept shows and viewers can tune in to give them the ratings they deserve, so they don’t end up on those death slots.
Cartoon by Jesus Chico
Editorial
Equal education for everyone
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n Oct. 8 California Governor Jerr y Brown signed legislation known as the California Dream Act, which allows undocumented immigrants to receive private and public aid for higher education. Opponents of the California Dream Act would like to believe that illegal immigrants are all clueless foreigners who stand out like sore thumbs amongst citizens. Not true. Many of these “illegal aliens” are not aliens or immigrants at all. Many were brought here here when they were kids or babies. They are assimilated and have only memories of this country. They are our friends and our neighbors, and nobody ever treated them differently because of their immigration status — not until they tried to get a college education. Undocumented students should not be discriminated against or punished for things they have no control over. Opponents of the Dream Act see only labels and numbers but forget that people are not made of paperwork and documents alone. The California Dream Act brings some more equality to the lives of undocumented students, or more accurately, it brings equality to the lives of the undocumented citizens of the United States of America. What is so bad about educating these people? An estimated $13 million dollars plus in taxpayer money? There are plenty more horrible things that taxpayer money is used for. Opponents of the Dream Act should open their eyes and recognize true waste when they see it.
Letter to the Editor
Taking a stand for your college education Dear Editor: Los Medanos College is rapidly growing in number of students and dropping in number of teachers and class’ available. The classrooms seem to get fuller each semester. With 45 students and sometimes more with one instructor to tend to each individual student. “Sometimes I can’t even get my work done or concentrate because of the student overflow,” says Megan Fuller, an LMC sophomore. Although teachers have “office hours” outside of class, those sometimes are full as well. In some cases, classes disappear before they even begin with no knowledge to the students and in turn students are left to rummage through what classes are left in hopes to get an add code! Many students’ education is being affected by this expanding problem. I’ve been a student here at LMC for three semesters now. In the beginning of this fall 2011 semester, I was
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enrolled in a math class and then “BAM” it was gone, as if it never existed. When I approached admissions about this, they said “classes are canceled due to budget cuts.” We the students have no warning of classes being dropped. What we can collectively do as students is band together and take a stand for our education. Ask yourself this, will you stand by mute? What is it that you’re doing to ensure the quality and security of your education? — Kristina Allen
Reader Opinion Policy The Experience welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns. If you are interested bring submissions to Room CC3-601 and put them in the Perspectives Editor’s mailbox. Letters and columns must be typed, signed and include both a day and evening phone number for verification.
What can student government do to get you more involved?
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“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 ........... SAMUEL A. GONZALEZ Perspectives Editor ........... MARK MARTINEZ . Campus Editor ..................... NICK CAMPBELL and MARK FRANCIS
“They should send emails to our InSight accounts since I check that all the time.” — Jose Viveros
“They should put more posters up, let students know they actually exist.” — Maria Palma
Features Editor .......... ANGELICA GONZALEZ. and SKYE SALA
“I don’t know much about them, they should be more out.” — Favian Orozco
“Maybe teachers could influence/ talk about it to us. Since many aren’t into it or aware of student government.” — Rocio Rodezno
“Be more friendly and have involvement with the community and community leaders.” — Robert Brown
“Have more functions we can know about. Some people don’t know anything about them.” — Mercedes Cooper
Sports Editor .................... LAURA CRABTREE Photo Editor .............................. LISA CASSIDY Assistant Photo Editor.............. JESUS CHICO The LMC Experience is published Fridays by the journalism program. The newspaper serves as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.
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Campus Newswatch Give life by donating blood
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“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
— Malcolm Forbes
Path to leadership
Donating blood is a great way to help save another’s life. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. will need a blood transfusion every two seconds and more than 38,000 blood donations are needed per day to keep up. There is a high demand for blood donors because the shelf life of blood isn’t very long. Red blood cells can only be stored for about 42 days. Student Life and Blood Centers of the Pacific will hold a blood drive at LMC on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Library Community Room (L109). Be sure to eat a light meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. It is also important to declare any medications or conditions you may have before donating. You can schedule a donation appointment by contacting the Student Life Office at 925-439-2181 ext 3266 or online at http://www.bloodheroes.com. Click “Donate Blood” and enter sponsor code: losMC
Check out the inter-club council
Inter-Club Council meetings are held on Mondays from 3-4 p.m. in the Library, room L-106 (Conference room 2). Each club can be represented in the ICC, which promotes engagement in community college activities. If your club is a member of ICC, it is imperative that your ICC representative attends the meetings on a regular basis.
Senate is selling soup
Enjoy a bowl of your favorite chowder or won ton soup for a good cause. Join in on the fun with the Senate at this fundraiser on Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Quad. Bowls of soup will be on sale for $4 and soup shots are $1.
Come to heal and connect
The Healing Circle provides a unique opportunity for both students and staff to share their stories; helping others while they help themselves. Through information, discussion, and support, they provide a comfortable and safe place for sharing feelings related to the stress of balancing college and personal life. Tuesdays 11 a.m. to noon in Room 473 (upstairs from Admission). If you need more information, contact Phil Gottlieb at ext. 3382, or Francis Moy at ext. 3136.
Latino play brings tragedy
If you love theater, plan to enjoy a new performance from LMC’s Drama department — “Blood Wedding,” a romantic tragedy based in 1933 Madrid. Show times are Nov. 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21 at 8 p.m. Special matinée show on Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. for $5. Pricing for normal shows are $7 with student I.D. and $10 without. For further information, contact the Little Theater at CC3-322 or Nick Garcia at 439-2181 ext. 3792 or by email ngarcia@losmedanos.edu
Visit Cuba for New Year’s Eve
Celebrate a joyous New Year’s Eve in Cuba with the sizzling rhythms and passion of music and dance – the soul of the Cuban people. The trip will be led by Professor of Anthropology Lenore Gallin, who has directed five previous trips to Cuba. The trip will last from Dec. 27 to Jan. 11. For further information, contact Professor Gallin at 925685-1230, ext. 2772.
East Bay Career Advancement
Become qualified for employment as an assistant teacher in just one semester – with no cost to you! This program, presented to you by the East Bay Career Advancement Academy, fulfills the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Assistant Teacher Permit requirements.
Spring 2012 semester: n Jan. 23 – May 24. Monday – Thursday, 9:30-2:30 p.m. No cost to qualifying students for books and materials, student fees and parking. Early Childhood Education required courses: n Child Development 1- Introduction to early childhood studies - 3 units n Child Development 10- Child growth and development - 3 units n English 90- Integrated Reading/Writing/Critical Thinking - 5 units n Human Services 110- Academy for College Excellence (ACE) Foundation – 1.5 units n HMSRV-111-ACE Team Self Management - .5 unit There is a max of 30 students, so enroll early.
UMOJA accepting applications
Interested in achieving your academic dreams while being part of a supportive learning environment? Become an UMOJA Scholar. The scholars are currently accepting applications for their new spring cohort. UMOJA is a program that addresses student needs through academic support services and a curriculum that focuses on African-American literature and history. You must enroll in Math 12 and either English 70, 90, 100, or 221 in spring 2012. If you want more information or need to print out an application, visit UMOJA online at http://www.losmedanos.edu/ umoja/ or contact A’kilah Moore at (925) 439-2181 ext. 3243.
Apply for a scholarship for 2012
Vanguard Minority Scholarship Program gives out meritbased scholarships, up to $10,000, to students who are entering either their junior or senior year of college during the upcoming 2012 Fall and Spring semesters. For an application or more information, please visit the Vanguard website at www.vanguard.scholarshipamerica.org
LMC Alumni Raider ticket sale
The LMC Alumni association has teamed up with the Oakland Raiders once again this season to offer you tickets at a discount rate. When you purchase these specially priced tickets LMC receives $20 of each ticket sold, and proceeds go to support the LMC Bookstore’s textbook rental program. Contact Claudia Acevedo at 439-2181, ext. 3130, by email cacevedo@losmedanos.edu, or by fax at 432-3261 for more information. — Compiled from press releases and staff reports
Photo by Larena Hernandez
Heriberto Diaz talks about ways to advertise LMCAS with business cards at the student government meeting.
Heriberto Diaz shares his vast experiences with all LMC students By LARENA HERNANDEZ Staff Writer
What does it take to be student president of LMC? “The ability to represent student interests, set up meetings according to the Brown Act requirements, and must have communication skills,” says Student Life Adviser Demetria Lawrence. Student Senator Heriberto Diaz is up to the challenge, having won the 2011 election for LMCAS president. Diaz, 28, was born in Mexico City and moved to California with his family when he was in the sixth grade. He is no stranger to student government or to the students of LMC. He was the vicepresident and president of Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) for two consecutive semesters and the ICC officer for Honors. Throughout his experience, he has organized workshops and worked to spread awareness about clubs and helped expand them. Diaz comes from a mid-sized family with two brothers, in which he is the baby, a stepsister, and his mother and father. He came with his family to San Diego from Mexico when he was 11 years old and later moved to Pittsburg. “My family moved to Pittsburg because of church. My dad is a musician and as a family we played music for a church called Pentecostals of the Bay Area,” he said. Diaz plays the drums, piano, guitar and bass. Learning a new language in a new environment was challenging, yet he became fluent in English in just six months. He would spend all-day in school mimicking native English speaking students and watching movies, until he was comfortable to return to his regular sixth grade studies. In middle school and high school, Diaz would cross the border to get churros and Mexican candy and he would sell them at school for clothes money. He didn’t like asking his parents for anything. “If I can do better, I will,” he said. Throughout middle school, and the majority of high school, Diaz was very shy. “I thought the other kids would make fun of me, plus I was short,” he said. It wasn’t until his senior year that he broke out of his shell. At age 17, Diaz became independent and lived on his own. His father suffered from a heart attack, so he and his wife moved back to their hometown in Mexico. Diaz was working too hard to graduate and refused to follow, so he had to get a job to live on his own in order to finish high school. With a rent of $1,050, the struggling high school student split bills with a roommate he met from church. “During that time, I survived on tuna,” Diaz said. After graduating from Pittsburg High School, Diaz had a difficult time at LMC because of tuition at $11 per-unit. However,
Photo by Callib Carver
Diaz attends an Alpha Gamma Sigma club meeting. he was able to do it. After enrolling and paying the fees, he had forgotten about the cost of books. He tried to apply for financial aid but was reminded that he could not qualify with out his parents’ information. It was then that he realized that he had to put his dreams on hold. During the market crash, Diaz realized that he could not depend on contracting jobs forever, yet he feared the financial obligations. It was a client from Danville who motivated him to further his education. Diaz had been painting Ms. Shasheen’s home and she often asked why he was so young and painting. She requested to see his transcripts, which stated that his overall GPA was 3.8, and she wrote him a check for $1,000. She explained that the extra cash was for college, and Diaz returned to LMC in 2007. While majoring in Business Administration, Diaz has received his AA in accounting and he is close to completing an AA in small See DIAZ, page 6
It is never too late to learn
Adult students balance life and work on campus By BRANDON RIBERGAARD Staff Writer
Are you an older student coming back to school to work on your education while juggling life with kids and a full time job? Are you struggling to be the successful student you want to be or used to be when you were in high school? “My students have many different education levels. Younger students learn to respect the experience older students have and begin to emulate them,” said Sandra Pearson, a business management instructor. According to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, nearly one-third of college students are over forty years of age. That means that one third of students have experiences that the rest of us could take advantage of and learn from. Photo by Brandon Ribergaard One reason Pearson’s class is so popular is Pieter Vandenbrandhorninge talks with a fellow student while waiting for that it takes place at night starting at 7 p.m.
his buisness management class to begin on Tuesday night.
See ADULTS, page 6
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Campus 4 Haunted honor students “Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.”
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Evacuation during dance gets spooky By LAUREL HANSEN Staff Writer
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Honor student Tafy Diokno participates in the game “Limbo” during last week’s Halloween dance.
Not quite ready for retirement
Good food, good friends, and good music set the scene for the Honors Program Halloween party Friday, Oct 28. “It’s whack fun,” said Dion Roa, a former Honors student, who is now attending UC Berkeley, and decided to join his Honors friends for some Halloween fun. Everyone was wearing a costume and a smile. There were pirates, cowboys, ballerinas, video game character hybrids, retro aerobics instructors, and a myriad of other fanciful and creative costumes. “Activities like this are really important for students who have just been involved in some heavy midterms to let off some steam,” said Connie Tolleson, the administrative assistant of the Honors Program. The party began with food, which there was plenty of. Everyone ate delicately as they didn’t spill on their carefully constructed ensemble.Next, the music and fog machine were turned on and the festivities were in full swing. Planned activities included the human knot, Limbo,
and a costume contest. The fog machine setting off the fire alarm and the whole party having to evacuate, was not on the official agenda but inarguably the highlight of the night. “It’s not a party until 911 gets called!” said Aaron Teixeira, the Social Ambassador of the Honors Program. The custodial staff worked quickly to shut off the signal and the police officer on duty alerted the local fire department about the false alarm before they dispatched. Teixeira promised the fog machine would remain off for the rest of the night, and the party was allowed to continue. “We’re having this party to bring Honors students closer together, to bond so we can do our fundraising and community outreach better,” said Teixiera. The Honors Program holds a See’s Candy fundraiser every year. Proceeds help subsidize the annual trip to UCLA for students who may be interested in transferring there. “There is a reason they’re called “Starving Students.” A lot of these kids are the first in See SPOOK, page 6
LMC has a mad scientist By MARK FRANCIS Staff Writer
Mitch Schweickert is a science instructor who has been on this campus for 32 years. Normally you can find him in the science building where he teaches both physical science and chemistry. “I also taught some humanities as well,” said Schweickert. “But I think they changed the name to philosophy.” Schweickert is the son of a Livermore Lab scientist and is also a Livermore native. “I still have most of my father’s old chemistry ingredients in this office,” said Schweickert pointing to a wooden case hanging in the corner of the room. Schweickert’s father even had a laboratory in their home, so Schweickert was always surrounded by the tools of physical science and chemistry. “But these days you can’t have something like that in a home, since people
may end up thinking you’re making illegal drugs,” jokes Schweickert. Even a lot of Schweicker t’s friend’s parents worked at the lab, so he grew up around chemistr y from the early age of seven. An instructor, Schweickert has a lot of fun seeing students in his chemistr y and physical science classes getting excited and developing some curiosity in class. He hopes students try to take two things away from his classes, with the first to be “learn lots of chemistry,” said Schweickert, “I try to make my classes very similar to how it would be once the students transfer to one of the bigger schools like a UC.” Schewickert, mentions that about five to six former students tend to come back every semester to see him and the other instructors, to tell them about how the big universities are treating them.
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Science teacher Mitch Schewickert lectures to his chemistry students in board shorts. For Schewickert, his college path went from being and undergraduate of UC Santa Barbra, to a graduate at UC Davis to summer school work at UC Berkley. “I did Berkley, just so I can graduate a year earlier then normal,” said Schewickert. Now for his chemistry inspiration — other than his father — it would have to be “A lot of my greatest teachers that were back in high school.” It’s where Schewickert, received his
“greatest love of education.” Another one of Schewickert’s inspiring teachers was also at UC Davis in the form of Don Bergstrom, who was also his adviser. There at UC Davis, Schewickert and Bergstrom while also doing normal chemistr y studied drug research, such as the studying of anti-cancer fighting and parasitic drugs. Schewickert believes he incorporates some of Bergstrom’s teaching style into his
very own style here at LMC. While chemistry is a huge part of Schweickert’s life, there is also another side of him that is rarely seen by most students and that is his more outdoorsmen lifestyle. Schweickert loves to ski, mountain climb and also do a bit of hiking. “Basically anything that deals with the mountain, that’s what I like to do,” said Schweickert. See RETIRE, page 6
lifestyles
HELPING YOU thrive
Put Some Power on Your Plate
By William Lide, MD ot all foods are created equal. While some offer relatively little nutrition, others are packed with beneficial nutrients that research shows can help prevent disease and maintain health. And they taste great, too! Here are a few examples of “wonder foods” that deserve a place on your table:
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Avocados: Rich in fiber and oleic acid, which helps lower overall cholesterol levels while raising “good” HDL cholesterol. Quinoa: A deliciously nutty South American grain that delivers an abundance of complete protein, plus manganese, magnesium, and iron. Low-fat yogurt: A great source of muscle-building protein and bonebuilding calcium, plus beneficial bacteria that help boost the immune system. Onions: Full of quercetin, a powerful flavonoid that protects against cancer; research indicates eating onions may also reduce heart disease risk. Chili peppers: Their heating element, capsaisin, appears to inhibit inflammation, clear congestion, and reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots. Parsley: More than a garnish, packed with Vitamin C, heart-healthy betacarotene, and cancer-fighting folic acid. For more tips on eating well, check out Kaiser Permanente’s Web site at www.kp.org/nutrition. This article is proudly sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. William Lide, MD, is Physician Site Leader for the Pleasanton Medical Offices.
Photo by Lisa Cassidy
Book rentals are available in the LMC bookstore every semester.
Book rental saves money By ALEX ESCAJEDA Staff Writer
Renting books has an impact on both students and the college. Students save money by renting textbooks instead of buying them and Los Medanos College can avoid losing money if students bring the books back. Few students know about the textbook rental program available through the LMC bookstore. According to Bookstore Operations Assistant Josette Mata, these rental programs started last January and help out both the school and the students. The bookstore partners with companies from around the Bay Area, which supply books made available for students to rent. “Just remember to bring it back,” said Mata. Rental books cost less than half the original price of the book. All you need to do is provide a down payment. Students can rent them from the college bookstore and learn what’s available to rent by simply asking.
At the end of each semester, the college bookstore returns rented textbooks to the rental company and the school receives a check for the cost of the returned books. The college bookstore loses money on rental books that are not brought back. In turn, if a student does not return the book they will not get the down payment back. Renting books is beneficial for students because it allows them to save money and use the money saved toward other things such as school supplies. But there are cons as well. Students who enjoy writing and highlighting in the book will not be able to take notes in a rented book. Despite that, renting books is a better option rather than buying them for student Lissitte Esquival. She bought some books and rented a few and said she would rather rent all of them if they were available. See RENT, page 6
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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
All fired up for art
Throughout the school year, the LMC Music Department produces various student and faculty performances, along with guest artists. All LMC music events take place in the Recital Hall, Room CC3-720. A few upcoming events include: n Music Teachers’ Association of California, Nov. 6, 3 p.m., $20 family, $10 general and $5 students. n LMC Band Concert, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens. n LMC Band Concert, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens. n Music Teachers’ Association of California, Nov. 19, 3 p.m., free event. n Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., $10 general, $5 students and senior citizens. n LMC String Ensemble, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., free event. n LMC Gospel Concert, Dec. 3, 7 p.m., $17 at the door, $15 in advance. n Winter Choral Concert, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., $5 general, $4 students and senior citizens. n LMC Honors Recital, Dec. 8, 12:40 p.m., free event. n LMC Jazz Concert, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., $10 general, $5 for students and senior citizens. n LMC Piano Honors Recital, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., free event. n LMC Concert Band Concert, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens.
Photos by Sam Gonzalez
A student has his questions answered by sale assistant Mary Lamb about the ceramics available to buy.
Ceramics program sells baked goods By ALISSA GARCIA Staff Writer
Love and tragedy all in one “Blood Wedding” is a Latino play about forbidden love and mistakes. The play is based on a true story written in 1932 by Federico Garcia Lorca. “Blood Wedding” will be performed on Nov. 11, 12, 14, 18, 19 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 general public, $7 for students and $5 matinees. Students must bring their valid student ID card to the event. For more information call 439-2181 ext. 805.
At the indoor quad, during a ceramics and bake sale, nearly $400 was made for the ceramics program this past Halloween. The proceeds will be used to buy supplies for ceramics classes. These profits were mainly earned from the popular homemade baked goods for sale. Ceramics students and faculty created everything for sale. However, Mary Vargas and assistant three-dimensional art teacher, Lucy Snow, mostly made the sweets. According to Snow, Vargas led the sale and
made the baked goods. She chose a Harry Potter theme and brought decorations from home to decorate the sale. A stuffed animal of Hedwig the owl and the Sorting Hat toy were displayed as they matched her assortment of cupcakes, muffins and chocolates befitting the wizardry theme. From chocolate frogs, candy and golden snitch cupcakes; there was a variety to choose from on the table. The numerous shapes and sizes of ceramics were nicely glazed and put up for sale. Cups, kettles, bowls and a few masks, were all handmade in a variety of
colors and styles by the folks involved in the ceramics program. “I love the glaze on this,” said customer Martin Guzman, who is known to many in the ceramics program. An artist himself, as well as a helper for Snow, had a hard time resisting the urge to buy a darkly glazed mask. Snow said, “they are going to do another sale in December, just in time for the holidays.” All who missed out on this sale can definitely look forward to picking up gifts or a nice treat for themselves in December.
Students take a look at injustice By KRISTINA ALLEN Staff Writer
Last Justice film of the series The Student Life office is presenting “The Visitor” for their final movie in the Social Justice Film Series. “The Visitor” is a 2008 film about a college professor who travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment. The film will be shown Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library Community Room 109 with light refreshments.
A handful of students at LMC gathered in the library Oct. 26 to view a showing of the movie “The Color Purple” as part of the Social Justice Film Series put on by Student Life. “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1985, tells a story about a young African-American girl named Celie portraying the problems African-American women faced during the early 1900s. Celie grows and transforms into a strong woman throughout the movie after enduring hardships and facing fears. Before the movie began, there were light refreshments and some small talk among those who came to view the film. Student Amber Corey has faced social injustice herself. “I remember in middle school, because I was in special class, the other students acted like I had some disease,” she said. “In the
Photo from mnies.zap2it.com
Celie Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg) and Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) sit in the fields. cafeteria, I sat by myself and if I did sit at a different table, the kids would get up or obviously scoot way over.” As Corey shared her struggles with what she felt was unjust treatment from students, and sometimes teachers as well, student and friend Jaycee Dello chimed in adding that she, too, had encountered behavior at school that made her feel unwanted, unwelcome and uneasy. “I had a few friends, but for the same reasons as Amber, I was looked at different, when really we should all be treated the same,” Dello said. As the two-hour movie ended, everyone began to grab their
that students stayed to watch the film, but generally didn’t stay for the discussion,” explained Dave Belman, director of Student Life. “Therefore we decided to simply screen the films this fall and not host discussions after wards. However, we have been working to re-vamp the film series a little bit and are planning to bring back the discussions after the film beginning in the spring.” The Social Justice Film Series is put on each semester by Student Life, offering free films related to social justice issues. The next film in the series is “The Visitor.” Check it out in Library Community Room 109 on Nov. 16, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates 20 years
El Campanil Theatre presents The El Campanil Theatre is presenting the following shows, attractions and films:
By IRVIN TRIGUEROS Staff Writer
n The Legend of Pocahontas will be performed in a play, telling the legend of how Pocahontas and her village dealt with hunger, deaths and European settlers in Jamestown. There will be two shows, Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. Adults $12, seniors $10 and 17 and under $8. n Joni Morris presents her tribute to The Legendary Ladies in Country Music singing music from Patsy Cline to Connie Francis. Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. Adults $27, seniors $24 and 17 and under $15. All events are held at El Campanil Theatre located on 602 W. Second Street in downtown Antioch. For more information about upcoming events and tickets, call 757-9500 or email the theatre at elcampaniltheatre@comcast.net. Photo from www.wikia.nocookie.net
— Compiled by Angelica Gonzalez
bags and leave, no one stuck around to chat with each other or discuss what social justice really means to them. Student Life representatives also began to disburse quickly, seemingly with no intent to have a discussion or address questions about the movie or the topic of social justice. An unknown viewer who watched the film could be heard saying “that was a waste of my time,” while walking away, having hoped that a discussion of the movie and ideas for solutions to injustice would be available. “In previous years, we would host discussions following each film. However, last year, we found
Sonic the Hedgehog with Tails, his trusty sidekick.
For the past 20 years, “Sonic the Hedgehog” has been racing through our gaming hearts, collecting rings, power-ups, running through loops and spin-jumping on evil; becoming a world-wide pop-culture icon beyond the video game world. “Sonic The Hedgehog 1&2 Soundtrack” serves as a memorial to the original games’ chip tune music. Composed by bassist Masato Nakamura from the famous Japanese band, “Dreams Come True”, the same electronic soundtrack of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 you heard as a kid on the Sega Genesis in the 1990s, finally gets an official complete soundtrack release in Japan (with a US release announced, but date is TBD). Released as a three-disc CD set, the first disc includes the background music (BGM) for the very first two Sonic titles from 1991 and 1992 on the Sega Genesis game system. Each tune on this disc, as this is actual music from the game, brings back the upbeat sound of 16-bit gaming at its best. See GAME, page 6
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I saw that it’s an accelerated program to get you through your math and English. That was basically what I wanted to get through fastest,” said student Andre Cubit, Inter-Club Council representative for ACE. “In the course of being in the program, I learned some things about myself. It teaches you social justice issues and how to deal with them on a personal level.” Students that go through ACE tend to have a higher success rate in college after taking an intense semester-long course where they will learn study techniques and time management as well as dealing with personal life issues. “ACE helps you with social learning, which is something that a lot of people don’t know about; difficult topics that need to be dealt with on a daily basis, whether it’s in a college community or an outside community,” said Kishana Franklin, ACE club president. “I think it’s important for people to be able to understand each other, and you won’t be able to understand that until you first understand yourself.” ACE puts students in an environment where they learn with the same people and the same instructors, building close-knit family-like relationships tackling English and math together. “If you’re a person that really doesn’t trust people, in a way it teaches you how to trust people on a real small scale in a classroom setting,” said Cubit. “Our class, we became pretty close. There are things that were said in there that we know about each other that we won’t disclose with other people. It stays within the classroom.” It seems like a radically different setting from LMC’s other classes on campus, but it allows students to feel more comfortable with the long road ahead. ACE places students in a two week course where they discover themselves and their learning abilities and from there they continue the semester together facing English and math. “Most learning communities link classes together. The difference is it’s the same students taking all the classes. We’re learning about each other and ourselves. After the first two weeks, the students are hyper bonded. Then after that, they go into an accelerated semester where they’re taking a total of 15 and a half units when all is said and done,” said Rust. Students walk away not only feeling accomplished, but ACE is designed to prepare students to take on the rest of their time in college, not without challenge,
but with a strong head on their shoulders. “I learned a lot about my learning style, which was really good because then I know how to adjust myself in classrooms when it comes to the types of teachers I encounter. I can adapt to it, organize better… find good study time with all my classes,” said Franklin. “ACE provides a world of different avenues for people to be able to tap into careers and actually learn about them in detail.” Students will take English 90 and Math 27 through ACE. Math 27 is an accelerated math course taught by Rust that bypasses most of LMC’s mathematics courses preparing students for statistics, Math 34. “Students in ACE do not need to take the typical math sequence (Math 4, 12, 25, 30, then 34). They simply take Math 27 and then Math 34,” said Rust. ACE is available for new students at LMC, but it’s not only limited to them. This semester Rust is recruiting all continuing students, students that made it through English 70. Students must be eligible for English 90 and willing to take on a full-time schedule to enroll in the ACE program. “Believe me, ACE students, like most LMC students, have all had a challenging life. The difference with ACE is that we teach students how to use their unique gifts created by life’s challenges. ACE also supplies students with high-level personal skills: moving conversations toward authenticity, handling bio-reaction and focusing exercises,” said Rust. “ACE also has other perks. It costs less than $50 total; we have connections to EOP&S, the career center and the scholarship office; we have a very active ACE club; we serve free breakfast for Friday study groups.” Students interested in learning more about ACE can visit the math conference room (in the math building) Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. Additional information can be found online at http://www. losmedanos.edu/ace/. “Everyone learns differently. People learn visually, people learn with hands-on, some people you can say one word to them and they’ll remember that word the rest of their life. Everyone learns their learning capabilities and I learned mine,” said Cubit. “If you put your mind into it, you’ll get something out of it. I would recommend it, especially if you’re looking to get through your English and Math real fast. On a personal level, I recommend it to anybody. You’ll learn about yourself.”
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business operations. He is finishing up his general education and will transfer to UC Berkeley next year. Diaz is always striving for the best, whether it is with his schoolwork, business or personal goals. His goal is to receive his master’s degree and have his own business to provide employment for those who need it. “I like to dedicate my time,” he said. Three days a week, Diaz is on campus from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., he’s a full-time student and has a job, but doesn’t feel overwhelmed. “Some people just don’t want the responsibility or maybe they don’t have the time. Some people just don’t care and that’s a disadvantage,” he said about why so few students ran for student government elections this month. Diaz admits that he used to, “hate politicians,” because they were known to lie and cheat. When a friend gave him the book, “Robert’s Rules of Order”, he understood it in a whole other light. He realized that being involved meant that he had a voice.
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their family to even go to college, the money goes to help them,” said Tolleson. Community outreach programs include work for Habitat for Humanity, tutoring at Stoneman Elementary and volunteering to help kids carve pumpkins
Diaz plans on getting more students involved and spreading awareness of student government, he also wants to add organic food to our cafeteria menu. “Berkeley has it, why can’t we? If we eat healthier we will learn better and live better,” he said. Diaz and LMCAS are still working on speaking to Tri-Delta on that matter. On the other hand, LMC may not see free bus passes anytime soon. “We are working on trying to get a discount. It is not realistic to get the free bus passes back, but we are trying to work something out,” he said. With the scarce free time that Diaz has, he enjoys reading, movies, and extreme sports such as skydiving, water rafting, and water skiing. Friends would describe Diaz as crazy, determined, successful and unique. Despite the many obstacles Diaz has faced, his ambition to strive for the best has pulled him through each and every time. His success has even inspired both of his older brothers to go to college and follow their dreams. With the passion and drive that Diaz possesses, LMC is in good hands.
at the local pumpkin patch. Applications for the Honors Program have just opened up for the spring semester. Perks of joining the program include priority registration; dynamic classes only open to Honors students, access to the Honors research center, and special transfer opportunities.
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“If the states pass it, if most states do it, this is the first step to get the federal one passed. It a good first step.” The Federal Dream Act, which creates a path to legal residency for undocumented students, was first introduced in Congress in 2001 but it has not gained enough support to pass through both branches of Congress. The California Dream act does not allow undocumented students to gain legal residency, which means students like Garcia and Juarez still face the possibility of being deported. Garcia said that she has had to think twice about attending an upcoming transfer conference at UCLA, because she’s unsure about what might happen if she tries to board a plane without the proper documentation. Two days after the California Dream Act became law, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) filed papers with California Secretar y of State Debra Bowen to try and have it overturned using a ballot referendum. “This is just a disastrous idea,” said Donnelly last Wednesday about the California Dream Act. “We have 2.5 million people out of work, we have students who cant get classes because we cut $1.3 billion from their budget. Tuition has been raised 12 percent. We got UC sending recruiters out of state to enroll more out of state students who pay more for the same classes,” Donnelly said. “From so many different angles and aspects this doesn’t make any sense.” Donnelly said that 20,000 people have signed up to help gather signatures, and that paid signature gatherers have also offered to help for free. He believes the required number of signatures will be gathered before the deadline. “I have a dozen colleagues helping within the Senate and the Assembly with fundraising, and help working with grassroots volunteer networks,” said Donnelly. A referendum campaign has 90 days from the day the law is passed to collect 5 percent of the vote in the last California governors election. Donnelly’s team will have to collect 505,000 votes by Jan 6, 2012 to let voters decide next November if the California Dream Act should stay put. California’s Dream Act came in two parts. The first, which
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“All students who have not missed more than two semesters are considered continuing students,” said Alves. Priority registration dates do vary by student. The total number of units a student maintains assigns registration dates. When you check the Los Medanos website, the Priority Registration reads as “By Appointment”. This appointment is when webadvisor will unlock your registration option. Students that are close to graduating will receive their priority registration first. These are the students with 45 to 70.9 units. Students with 71 to 99.9 units will be the second group of students allowed to register for the spring semester.
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Read our latest issue online. Visit http:// www.losmedanos.edu/ journalism/
Abstract admirers was signed in June, allows undocumented college students to apply for privately funded scholarships. Claudia Acevedo, who heads the scholarship office at LMC, said there are many scholarships that have been awarded to undocumented students in the past. “I’ve always told students that as long as the application doesn’t state that you’ve got to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident than you should apply for it,” Acevedo said. The second part of the Dream Act makes financial aid available to undocumented students. Aid will be available to students who have spent at least three years in a California high school, and the must have graduated or got a GED. Students must also affirm that they are in the process of trying to legalize their immigration status, and they must show a need for financial aid and meet academic standards. The California Student Aid Commission, which gives Cal Grants, estimates that 5467 undocumented students will be eligible for state aid in the 2013-2014 school year at a cost of over $13 million. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the cost to taxpayers will be higher than $13 million because many undocumented students will also be eligible for fee waivers at community colleges and others will qualify for aid at UC’s and CSU’s. A Senate Commitee analysis has predicted an annual cost for the California Dream Act of $40 million. “Theres still some sadness when people are saying these kids don’t deser ve the help. Were being labeled as people who are taking money from people who need it, said Juarez. “You never grow up thinking your any different. “I had no say, I had no choice,” said Juarez about her arrival in the U.S. “I know I’m not a criminal yet I’m undocumented so there’s not much I can do.” It makes me sad to have your dreams just fall apart because of something you don’t understand. In 2001, California’s legislature passed AB540, which allows undocumented students to pay state resident tuition instead of out of state or international tuition, which is more expensive. Garcia and Juarez are both AB540 students. They said that the reality of being undocumented never had much impact on them until it was time to start thinking about college.
Students with zero to 44.9 unites are the third grouping of students allowed to register. This group also covers new students, and returning students. Finally, students who have 100 units or greater will be the last group registering. “They moved students with 100 units or more, to the bottom of the priority registration list, because they see it as they have already had their chance to complete their degrees,” said Alves. “Typically students with 100 units or more are presuming multiple degrees or are taking additional classes for personal interests,” Alves said. All students are advised to check their webadvisor, located under “Priority Registration Dates” so they know when they can begin registration for the Spring 2012 semester.
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Some thought the performance should have more publicity. Student Jesus Guzman was wondering why there weren’t many people out in the quad. “They put a lot of time and effort into their performance. It was good, they should have had more people watching,” Guzman said. “Why did they have it so late? If they would have done it in the middle of the day it would have been a bigger hit.” With big smiles, the members of the audience consisting of fellow students and faculty members enjoyed the performance. Many caught the show on their cameras and mobile phones, some could be seen laughing at some of the funny jokes incorporated into the routine. The dance lasted about five minutes and the group walked out when it was over.
Schweickert also participates in the Tough Mudder competition, which is based on how the British Special Forces train. It is a rugged and grueling competition where participants work in a team-like setting. They happen around the world, but Schweickert heads to the Squaw Valley version of the competition. There he found some obstacles to be so extreme, that even he had to sit out. “One of the courses had us run from the parking lot to the top of the resort,” said Schweickert. But he doesn’t hate the competition, he finds it to be exciting and perfect for him even after his first time participating. “It’s a blast, a lot of fun … and a few LMC students even go to this,” said Schweickert. “I’m sure a few teachers end up going as well to it.”
Photo by Irvin Trigueros
Chelsea Hamel, left, and Harmony Oiyemhonlan, right, admire painting #14 called Magnolia. Created by Jennie Braman, an 41” x 54” piece that consists of mixed media on paper. The art gallery is currently holding their Contemporary Abstraction: Feral Order exhibit which runs from now until Nov. 10. If you are interested in seeing all the abstract art on display you can stop by the Art Gallery Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 12:30 to 2:30 and 5:30 to 7:30. If you have any questions you can contact the gallery director Judy Pettite at 439-2181 ext. 3463.
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which makes it convenient for parents and people with full time gigs. Pearson has been par t of LMC’s faculty for 10 years. She says that twenty-five percent of her students already have degrees. They are people, who are in business management roles that are coming back to class to gain knowledge in their specific fields. Pieter Vandenbrandhorninge graduated college at San Jose State in 1986 and works at the Toys R Us’ distribution plant in Stockton. “You have to understand why you are at school. You have to set goals and you’re never too old to go to school,” said Vandenbrandhorninge. He is attending LMC to learn business management skills so that he can take what he’s learned and directly apply it at work with his employees. He is 48 years old and raising two kids with his wife. “I am improving my current skills and finding ways to encourage and support my employees at work,” said Vandenbrandhorninge. David Cullison is 40 years old and has been away from school for many years. He has been working on a political science major at LMC since the summer of last year and also raises his 12 year old son by himself. Cullison works hard so that he can be an example to his son about what education is and the importance of it.
“I have my 12 year old son who can’t really take care of himself,” said Cullison. “If he has homework, I am the only one that can help him.” Honors instructor Connie Tolleson thinks that too many older students underestimate themselves and think they will not be able to keep up with the younger students. Time management can be a struggle for any student. But it seems to be a problem with a lot of older students because of everything else they have to deal with outside of class. “The hardest parts for student coming back to school are confidence levels, study skills, and time management. I think they feel scattered,” said Pearson. Pearson does what she can to help students get everything they can out of their education and never really stop learning. “I think the community college is a great place for life long learning,” said Pearson. “We are never done. We are always working to hone our skills.” Cullison believes in what the Center for Academic Support offers to any student. The center, located on the second floor of the CORE building tutors students in any topic they may be stressed about. “If you are struggling in class, try to find out what resources are available to you. The CORE has tutors to help you,” says Cullison. Pearson remembered something Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It’s never too late to be what you could have been.”
RENT From page 4
Esquival heard about the option of renting books from her teacher and said students need to be more informed about the program. She uses the money she saves for other things like gas and extracurricular activities. First-year student Melissa Ballesteros prefers owning textbooks. She said that with rentals
GAME From page 5
One favorite is the Mystic Cave Zone theme with its spooky, but upbeat, melody that, when I sat down listening, I found myself dancing my feet along to the beat. Another is the more relaxing, breezy-cruising Star Light Zone theme. A tune you can ride around in a car or on a bike in the middle of a starry night. The icing on the cake are the original demo scratch tracks included on disc two. Before the music was programmed into the Genesis’s sound chip, Nakamura would compose the game music on a separate audiotape with slightly different instrumentations and tempo. He would then send the tapes to the game’ sound programmers for them to input the music into the games’ audio data. Granted these demo tracks, as they were composed electronically and thus sound very bland and basic, would not sound like the greatest music composed in the world to any mainstream music listener or audiophile. But they offer an interesting look, or rather listen, to the steps of pre-production material; from what they first sounded like in their original form to how they ended up as you hear them on
comes pressure to not mess up the books, and keeping textbooks in top condition is a tough task. Renting books will likely become more common, because every year the book prices go up. To find out more about the textbook rental program go to the college bookstore on Level 3 of the main college complex.
the Genesis. The final disc features four additional tracks, which include the pop tunes “Sweet Sweet Sweet” (essentially a Japanese vocal version of the ending theme for Sonic 2) from the band’s hit album Swinging Star and its English equivalent, “Sweet Dream.” For those who want a little more mainstream, there are the 2006 R&B remix versions of the aforementioned songs featuring the American Music Award-winning Akon. The CD booklet that’s part of the packaging also includes bilingual language interviews of the music composer and one of the game’s creators of the time. All these features add a tremendously greater value to what sums up to a complete, competent package. It’s not for everyone, but it is a must-have for any video game soundtrack enthusiast, Japanophile, or just those who want to get their Sonic tunes on. The soundtrack is very importfriendly, meaning no Japanese is required, or any language barriers to overcome for you to enjoy the CD contents. The soundtrack is currently available for import from PlayAsia and CD Japan at the price range of $40-$50.