PCC Courier 12/05/2013

COURIER VOLUME 108 ISSUE 14

The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena since 1915

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PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

WINTER EDITORIAL INSIDE PAGE 4>>

December 5, 2013

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WINTER IS COMING

Emily Chang-Chien Staff Writer

The California Public Employment Relations Board decided late last month that the District violated the law by unilaterally implementing a trimester calendar and ordered the administration to reinstate winter and post public notices identifying the error.

According to the PERB ruling, the District violated the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA) by forcing a calendar without winter, known as a trimester calendar, before completing the impasse with faculty.

Additionally, the document states that these actions have led to a contractual breach which amount to a policy change that affects the PCC Faculty Association’s (FA) scope of representation.

The District has also been ordered by PERB to “rescind the implementation of a trimester calendar at the end of [the 2014 – 15 school year] and restore a semester calendar no later than two weeks after the end of that trimester.”

Early in the semester, the Faculty Association filed a grievance with PERB accusing the District of enforcing an unfair labor practice. The FA characterized the ruling as a total victory for the faculty

and students.

“We were deemed correct, we have prevailed,” FA president Roger Marheine said during the Dec. 2 Academic Senate Meeting.

Upon reviewing PERB’s proposed

decisions, the District was quick to refute the verdict through a Dec. 3 statement.

“The PACCD expresses its strong disagreement with the proposed decision as wrongly decided and insupportable,” the statement read. “The District

Photo illustration by Antonio Gandara

believes the proposed decision ignores well-established legal precedent and misconstrues the facts of the case.”

WINTER page 3

Journalism adviser reinstated Instructor found innocent after investigation after admission of misdeed Christine Michaels Editor-in-Chief

Former Courier adviser Warren Swil will be reinstated as an instructor next spring after admitting to showing nude pictures of himself to a student in an incident that led to a months-long sexual harassment investigation, sources confirmed.

Swil, 61, put on paid administrative leave in March for complaints regarding sexual harassment and grade retaliation by Courier staff member Raymond Bernal, who alleged Swil showed him nude photographs and lowered his grades on assignments after the incident.

The school immediately launched an investigation that finally culminated in a letter notifying Swil of his reinstatement

in late November.

Several sources close to the investigation confirmed to the Courier that Swil admitted to showing Bernal the nude photographs. But the full results of the investigation are being withheld to protect Swil, according to General Counsel Gail Cooper.

“It is important to remember that no matter how much interest there may be, Mr. Swil has a right of privacy in his personnel information that the District must protect,” Cooper said via email.

Swil received a letter from the college explaining his reinstatement and the terms of the investigation on Friday, and he described the experience as “surreal,” but he declined to address the allegations specifically.

Earlier this week, he explained

SPEAK OUT! Do you think winter should be reinstated?

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WHAT’S INSIDE:

in an email that his experience on administrative leave was “unimaginably traumatic and was totally unnecessary.”

SWIL page 3

Matthew Chan/Courier Journalism instructor Warren Swil retrieving his belongings from the Courier in April.

To infinity and beyond: Meet the student making a stellar NASA impact.

Page 9>>

Philip McCormick Managing Editor

English instructor Mark McQueen received a letter from the college stating that he has been found innocent of all accusations that he attacked a student, according to a union official.

However, how his reinstatement will be handled is still unclear.

“Thank you all for supporting [McQueen] with both the letter from English faculty and the FA sponsored petition,” Faculty Association President Roger Marheine said in an email Wednesday morning. “The online petition as you may know, went viral as there are over 1,650 signatures of support for Mark… I have no details to share, especially regarding his return to teaching.”

American Idol turned role model: Hear the story of Jordyn Kane and her singing aspirations

Page 8>>

McQueen was placed on administrative leave so that the college could investigate the allegations that he attacked and punched a student on Halloween, after the incident occurred.

McQueen, who has a number of health issues, was allegedly in the hospital after the event because of stress related illness, according to Marheine.

General Counsel Gail Cooper said that McQueen had been put on paid administrative leave to protect the integrity of the investigation and the student complainant and witnesses.

A petition was created and presented at the Nov. 14 Faculty Association meeting demanding McQueen’s reinstatement. The petition stated that a student physically confronted McQueen MCQUEEN page 3

NEWS

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December 5, 2013

Senate opposes task team proposal Madison Miranda Online Editor

The Academic Senate voted down the recommendations developed by a campus task force that outlined suggested faculty roles and duties at its last meeting of the fall semester on Dec. 2.

Task Team 3, a group of senate members, students, and faculty members, formed approximately three years ago and was charged with drafting a document that would define the recommendations to be approved by the Senate.

Team chair and academic senator Valerie Foster assured the Senate that “the document was created through a legitimate shared government process” and that it had a “significant student voice.”

Foster had brought the draft of the document to the Senate meeting on Nov. 18 and had asked that the Senators bring back specific changes they would like to make.

Instead, the senators only expressed “nonspecific concerns,” according to Foster.

One of the main problems the senators had with the draft was that it stated that faculty would be required to advise students. Many of the senators felt that this was equivalent to asking faculty to take on the role of counselors.

“This is an administrative way of getting around hiring a lot more counselors,” said senator Yolanda McKay. “We are not servicing the students by not having enough counselors.”

Foster explained that faculty is not allowed to counsel students and said they would only be

Campus split on new retirement plan Philip McCormick Managing Editor

Concepcion Gonzalez/Courier Valerie Foster presents the editted draft of the Faculty Organizational Structure Proposal at the Academic Senate meeting on Monday.

expected to take on an advisory role. “[Faculty would] advise on discipline specific information,” she said. “Students should benefit from this mentorship.”

A few senators agreed that having this in the document was a good thing.

“Our department is in great support of the advisory part,” said senator Stephanie Fleming, a speech instructor.

Senator A.C. Panella agreed, saying the opportunity for faculty to advise students is advantageous all around.

“This would be a benefit to your program and students,” Panella said. “It allows access and gives students a chance to talk to someone who can give [their] expertise.”

Foster was surprised that

student advising was the main issue the senators had with the document. “[Advising] was asked for by students…,” she said. “In my opinion, that was the best part of the document.

The counseling department worked hard to help devise the advisory part so as to keep it from turning into a “turf war,” according to Foster.

Senator Matthew Henes was leery of voting on the draft since he felt the document was incomplete.

“I would like a complete document, since I’m supposed to be representing my division, to take back to my division and get their input before I would vote on it,” he said.

Foster warned against not approving the document.

“Deans will be forced to design a process independent of our input,” she said.

“Not forwarding any recommendations will result in confusion and lead to anger and frustration,” she added.

According to Foster, the same people were making the same general comments without specific suggestions.

“People are throwing away pieces because of peripheral issues,” she said.

Next semester is the soonest Team 3 could have another draft ready for approval, but Foster has to first go back and discuss with the Team what they want to do now.

“We don’t want to be pushed, but time is of the essence,” she said.

Trustee re-elected to Board of Governors for second term Justin Clay Asst. News Editor

Outgoing trustee Geoffrey Baum has been re-elected as Vice President of the California Community College Board of Governors, a position he’s held since 2012.

“I was glad and honored by this vote of confidence from my fellow members on the Board of Governors,” said Baum.

Baum has been on the governing board of the Pasadena Area Community College District since 2001, representing Area 1. He declined to pursue reelection and will finish her term in 2013 The Board of Governors of the CCC, is the governing body that sets policies for all 72 districts of the California Community college system.

Baum feels that his experiences on the PCC board will help him as he continues to help govern community college affairs in the state.

“When dealing with issues like the crisis at City College of San Francisco, it is critical for the Board of Governors to have members who understand the complex challenges facing local districts and how statewide policies are implemented at the local level,” he wrote in an email.

PCC President Mark Rocha praised Baum on his service as a PCC trustee.

“Trustee Baum has provided a great

Anthony Reyes/Courier Geoffrey Baum congratulates Ross Selvidge on succeeding him as Board Trustee in the Circadian conference room. Nov 6.

service to the Pasadena City College school district,” Rocha wrote in a prepared statement. “Trustee Baum’s care for our students was evident in the decisions he made as a trustee. We truly appreciate his dedication and commitment and wish him well as he continues his work in higher education as vice president of the Board of Governors.”

Baum understands that there is a tough road ahead in order to achieve student success.

“We must continue to be focused on student success and the recommendations passed by the Student Success Task Force,” he wrote. “We need to make more classes available for more students across the state.

And we need make sure students have access to the classes they need to earn a degree, transfer to a 4-year college or university, or earn a certificate to qualify for a good job.”

Many of the PCC community that have worked with Baum, have nothing but praise for the outgoing trustee.

Fellow trustee John Martin lauded Baum’s policy skills.

“He has been an amazing representative for community colleges and specifically PCC. He knows how to connect policy to the reality of what is really happening on local campuses,” said Martin.

Bill Thomson, another PCC trustee, believes that Baum will continue to be a great asset to the state.

“It will be good for Geoffrey,” Thomson said. “But also good for PCC because he won’t forget about us down here while also tending to the needs of community colleges throughout the state.”

The faculty union opposes an early retirement plan being offered by the district and insists that the plan is a “negotiations ploy” designed to get faculty back to the bargaining table, a union official said.

The Board of Trustees adopted the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) at its Nov. 20 meeting. The SERP is a retirement incentive that gives the employee an extra 75% of his or her base salary as retirement income in addition to the retirement income he or she will receive from STRS or PERS or social security, according to general counsel Gail Cooper.

“The incentive is paid out as an annuity typically over five years,” Cooper said. “But there are other payout options available.”

Faculty Association President Roger Marheine said that he and other faculty felt that Superintendent Mark Rocha and the district were attempting to divide the faculty by offering the SERP to eligible college staff and not members of the FA. “The current offer of a SERP to all staff, excluding faculty, is a negotiations ploy on the District’s part,” Marheine said.

“Aside from wreaking havoc with students’ schedules, clerical staff, and deans, the gross injustice of president Rocha’s dismissal of faculty, undermined any future SERP offer. It is sad that gross mismanagement once again undermined our efforts in the FA to assist with district fiscal responsibility.”

According to Cooper, the faculty would be eligible for the SERP if the District and PCC Faculty Association have a contract in place by the election date of January 13, 2014, or a negotiated extension of that date.

Student Trustee Simon Fraser said that he thought that anything that could get the FA and district talking in good faith would be a good thing.

Marheine said that he wrote the original SERP proposal three years ago and still wholeheartedly supported it. SERP helps the college save money, thus fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility.

He said that SERP was a “win-win,” as senior faculty who had made significant contributions to the college could be recognized for their productive careers.

In an email sent out to eligible employees, Human Resources Director Terri Hampton stated that workshops would be offered to those who were interested in the retirement plan. The first workshop will be on Tuesday, Jan. 7 from 9 am to 1 pm.

NEWS

December 5, 2013

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Through recently released data, the District stated that student persistence and completion has showed marked improvement through the three-term calendar.

They also indicated that the previous calendar reduced the spring semester from 17 to 16 weeks of instruction, while also shortening the number of seattime hours from 54 to 48.

“This created a logjam of overlapping course start times that still makes it very difficult for students to obtain a full and convenient course schedule,” the statement read.

“The facts are that during the ten years of the winter intersession, the state Chancellor’s Scorecard showed that most PCC student success outcomes declined, especially for historically underrepresented students.”

STAY U

Continued from page 1

File photo of Mark McQueen

school employees for any losses However, the FA has maintained that the winter session is suffered as a result of the calendar change. a necessity for students.

Marheine suggested that “Winter session … has been the ruling will mark a “turning completely endorsed through point” in the union’s ongoing the deliberations of Shared battle with the administration.

Governance,” Marheine said via “The ruling presents us with email. a tremendous opportunity as “The FA stands behind all faculty, staff, and students to Shared Governance decisions unite and take back our camand we are committed to pursue pus,” Marheine said. what is in the best interests of “We have all suffered far too education, the students, and the long from a toxic work envicollege.” ronment and gross mismanageu The District intends to file an r co c TO DATE ment. The PERB ruling signals P appeal with PERB. the turning point we have all In the meantime, notices will be placed around campus for at been waiting for.” least 30 consecutive workdays that state that the District will cease and desist from unilaterally changing the school calendar STAY U from semesters to trimesters without notice, denying the PCCFA the ability to represent union employees in negotiating contractual terms, and interfering with inter-union dialogue.

Additionally, the District will have to compensate affected

w. pc

WINTER

Continued from page 1

m ww o WITH YOUR

in his English 1B class during a discussion. “A student stood up with fists clenched and approached McQueen stating ‘you are a motherf***er’ and ‘I can kick your ass,” the petition said.

“McQueen raised his hand and placed it on the student’s shoulder in a defensive manner. This action in and of itself diffused

SWIL

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Continued from page 1

the situation.”

Marheine wrote an email to Senior Vice President Robert Bell asking that the college let McQueen continue teaching right away.

“The Faculty Association is advising Professor Mark McQueen that he may return to campus immediately to attend to campus duties and responsibilities,” Marheine said. “The FA anticipates no opposition from the college.”

m ww

MCQUEEN

COURIER

Bernal referred the Courier to his lawyer, who declined to comment on Wednesday. Swil’s attorney, Michael Anderson, did not return phone and email messages requesting comment on this story.

Faculty Association President Roger Marheine would not comment on the findings of the investigation but described Swil’s reinstatement as a victory for faculty members on campus. “[The administration] overreacted to what would normally be considered a minor discussion,” Marheine said.

Bernal filed a claim for $100,000 with the college on May 22. The claim, which was rejected by the board of trustees on June 5, listed the accusations of sexual harassment and grade retaliation.

With the claim rejected by the board, Bernal is able to file a lawsuit. Bernal would not comment on whether or not he would follow through with legal actions.

In the complaint, Bernal asserts that in early January following winter break, Swil called him into his office, closed the door, and revealed nude pictures of himself taken on a boating trip. Bernal said that when Mr. Swil pointed to the naked picture, smiled and asked him what he thought about the picture, he tried to change the subject to other pictures depicting sexually benign subject matters.

The complaint also states that “Undeterred, Mr. Swil grabbed the second group of pictures, again pointed to a picture of himself naked, smiled and asked Mr. Bernal what he thought about that pictured. When Mr. Bernal changed the subject a second

3

time, Mr. Swil was visibly disappointed and acted as if he had not received the desired response to his provocative pictures. As Mr. Bernal left, Mr. Swil said, “Let’s keep this between you and me.”

Bernal alleged that Swil gave him low grades on assignments after the incident.

From the outset of the investigation, Marheine asserted that Swil’s placement on administrative leave was a tactic from the administration to stop the Courier from harshly reporting major news on campus, such as the calendar change.

“It’s absolutely an attempt to stifle dissent. To stop not just student journalists but also faculty members from speaking out,” Marheine said.

Joseph Futtner, dean of the Visual Arts and Media Studies division, reported Bernal’s complaint regarding Swil’s alleged acts of sexual harassment and grade retaliation to administration officials back in March, but did not comment on his reinstatement.

Swil will be reinstated starting Jan. 13 next year. However, it is unclear what his assignment will be as an instructor, or if he can come to the campus at all before then, according to Marheine, who had demanded that Swil be immediately allowed back on campus.

“The Faculty Association (FA) is advising Professor Warren Swil that he may return to campus immediately to attend to campus duties and responsibilities. The FA anticipates no opposition from the college,” Marheine said in an email to the administration on Wednesday.

For now, interim Courier adviser Nathan McIntire is contracted to continue his term until the end of Spring 2014.

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COURIER

Courier 2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner

OPINION

Canceling winter was illegal

“Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the entire record in this case, it is found that the PasaEditor-in-Chief Christine Michaels dena Area Community College District violated the Education Managing Editor Employment Relations Act… Philip McCormick by unilaterally implementing a trimester calendar.”

Online Editor This was the finding last week Madison Miranda by administrative law judge Opinion Editor Alicia Clement from the State of Raymond Bernal California’s Public Employment Relations Board.

Asst. Opinion Editor In other words the judge Aubrey Quezada found that cancelling winter Arts & Entertainment Editor intersession was illegal.

Paul Ochoa Almost everyone on campus warned the administration and Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor the District not to cancel winter Samantha Molina intersession. But all reasonable Features Editor Emily Chang-Chien Lifestyle Editor Luis Rodriguez Sports Editor Daron Grandberry Photo Editor Antonio Gandara Asst. Photo Editor Anthony Reyes Online Photo Editor John Novak

December 5, 2013

voices were ignored.

The Academic Senate, Associated Students, Calendar Committee, Faculty Association and countless students and faculty were among the voices in Board meeting after Board meeting throughout the year asking to keep winter intersession.

In Sept. 2012, Faculty Association representative Julie Kiotas talked with the Courier about the Board’s decision to cancel winter intersession and said that the administration was doing an end-run around the legally binding employment contract.

“It is a violation of shared governance, it is an unfair labor practice, and it is a significant loss of institutional credibility,”

Kiotas said.

Like all other reasonable voices, Kiotas’ voice was also ignored. The same voices expressed their concerns with the infamous Extended Spring fiasco, but to no avail.

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office at the time had to force the administration to stop with the Extended Spring nonsense and made them change Extended Spring to Summer One, affecting hundreds of students and their transfers to other colleges and universities.

It’s sad that this comedy of errors at this campus continues with no end in sight.

PERB also orders the District

to cease and desist from unilaterally changing the school calendar from semesters to trimesters without notice and an opportunity to collectively bargain.

The District said in a statement released Dec. 3 that they are planning to appeal the judge’s decision.

We ask the District to do the right thing for once and to do what is in the best interest of the students, faculty and staff. We ask the district to cease and desist from the appeal, admit they were wrong, accept the PERB decision and move on for the betterment of the college.

Enough is enough and let’s get back to the most important issue at hand: educating students.

State gives students an early Christmas present, winter may be coming back!

Cartoon by Aimee Scholz

Scene Editor Matthew Chan Chief Photographer Benjamin Simpson Social Media Editor Concepcion Gonzalez

Transgender individuals Knockout game is not a deserve full healthcare widespread trend According the National Christine Michaels

Staff Writers: Editor-in-Chief Bryan Acosta, Tiffany Roesler, Tiffany Herrera, Benjamin Simpson, Robert Many are in desperate Tovar

need of a very effective health procedure, Staff Photographers: which would not only better Teresa Mendoza, Mary Nurrenbern, their health, but also their overall Anthony Reyes, Rene Henriquez, wellbeing. Now consider this: Meg Symanow, many health insurers claim that Caitlin KellyThompson, Daniel Valencia because they don’t deem the issue in need of medical attention, Faculty Adviser it would not be covered.

Nathan McIntire This is the case for thousands of transgendered U.S. citizens Advertising Coordinator today whose treatments (both Daniel Nerio general and transgender-related) The Courier is published weekare not covered by all health inly by the Pasadena City College surance agencies. Not only is this Journalism Department and is a wrong, it is in absolute violation free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors of America’s newly implemented universal healthcare law, the and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and Affordable Care Act. its administration, student governTransgender is defined as ment or that of the Pasadena Area an individual’s own association Community College District. with a gender role not connectThe Courier is written and produced ed to their genetic sex at birth. as a learning experience for student Some transgender people are writers, photographers and editors professionally recommended for in the Journalism Department. gender reassignment, something considered a medical necessity.

Phone: (626) 585-7130 Fax: (626) 585-7971 Advertising (626) 585-7979 Office: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., CC-208 Pasadena, CA 91106-3215 © Copyright 2013 Courier.

All rights Reserved.

Transgender Discrimination Survey conducted in 2011, 41 percent of its 6,500 transgender participants reported attempting suicide. Only 1.5 percent of the general U.S. population has reported attempting suicide.

Transgender individuals are four times more likely to have an income below $10,000 per year.

This means that it is very likely that many transgender people are using Medicaid or Obamacare for health insurance.

In President Barack Obama’s new Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, it is now illegal to discriminate and deny medical care to transgender individuals.

A study reported that 19 percent of transgender people said they were denied health care and were discriminated against in the medical office for treatments such as physical exams or x-rays.

It is a basic human right as a citizen of the United States to get proper health care with the new Obamacare plan.

Note to Readers Letters to the Editor The Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about 300 words and may be edited by Courier staff. All letters must contain your full name and a correct daytime phone number. Letters can be delivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by email to raymondjbernal@gmail.com Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its reporting. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585-7130 or via email to michaels.courier@gmail.com

Tiffany Roesler Staff Writer

Knockout: a game where you punch someone random as hard as you can with the intention of knocking that person out cold with just one hit. This so-called game has been the center of attention in media outlets across the country recently.

The game became viral after a few YouTube videos were posted where young assaulters were filmed attacking random targets.

Soon after these videos, more incidents of “knockout” had been reported in the Northeast.

Moreover, these reports have erroneously portrayed black youths of attacking innocent people just for fun. But to claim that “Knockout” is trending all over or to strictly affiliate it with acts of hate crimes is careless reporting. Slate Magazine pinned it perfectly.

“Here’s the fascinating thing about this ‘spreading’ trend: no-

body seems to have any evidence that it’s spreading, or that it’s new, or that it’s racially motivated, or that black youths are the ones typically responsible, or that whites are typically targeted,” the magazine reports.

According to ABC News, the game has been linked to assault reports in at least six states, and three people have been killed in suspected knockout attacks.

But that’s really all the proof there is. Out of thousands of instances, a tiny fraction is allegedly related to this “epidemic.” Crime happens every day, and while the game does exist, it is not prevalent to the extent that parents should be keeping their kids home from school.

This game is just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings because we live in a world where people of all sorts hit people just for fun.

ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked:

Should instructor Mark McQueen be reinstated?

Results as of 5 p.m. Wednesday:

Yes: 72% No: 0% I don’t care, I’m not taking his classes: 27%

Vote at PccCourier.com

OPINION

December 5, 2013

VOICES:

COURIER 5

College President responds to your questions

Ask President Rocha

Daniel Wire, kinesiology

Michelle Gamba, communications

“Athletes in the First Year Experience Pathway program do get registration priority. We are working on extending this to all athletes. All athletes should go to the Athletics Zone counselor in the gym to make sure they get the classes they need. http://www.pasadena.edu/athletics/zone/”

“I was a trumpet player, my dad was a professional trumpet player, so I love the great horn players: Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Hirt and today, Wynton Marsalis.”

Jordyn Daniel Orozco, Associated Students President

Dominique Calderon, administration of justice

Dr. Robert Bell, Senior VP and Asst.

Superintendent Academic and Student Affairs “Mmmm, again. Your challenge is fair enough. But you haven’t said what I’ve missed. I know we were doing what the students asked when we opposed two-tier tuition, when we expanded UJIMA, Puente and Pathways, when we scheduled more classes this year than at any time in PCC’s history, when we supported UWB’s drive for a Dream Center, when we fully funded the Safe Zone coalition and when we greatly expanded funding for veterans. But I can always do better so come see me and let me know what I’ve missed. Thanks!”

“Well, one thing I’ll be doing is counting my blessings for great colleagues like you, Dr. Bell! I’ll be taking a few days off with my family and then I’ll be marching with our band in their new uniforms in the Tournament of Roses Parade. My best wishes for happy holidays to all!”

Jeremy Mortley, public policy

Marcus G. Wilder, business “I started out as a 7th grade English teacher and I still teach. As a teacher and a writer my philosophy has always been that every student has a unique voice and education is about developing and finding one’s voice. Both of my parents had to drop out of high school, so for me as an administrator student success is about graduating.

And thank you, Jordan, for your leadership!”

Calvin Chacon, cinematography

“Free tutoring is currently available on campus in the Learning Assistance Center and in 15 individual labs on campus as well as free online tutoring offered after hours. Thousands of students are assisted by tutors in these labs and online. This is the second year we have implemented the free online tutoring which was very popular last year in the late night/early morning hours after midnight! For more information please visit this link: http://www. pasadena.edu/studentservices/tutoring/”

“Mmmm. I’m on the Board of the USC Rossier School of Education. Since 2000, PCC has transferred over 1,000 students to USC, more than any other community college. On November 9, a USC rep visited PCC. On Nov 22, the PCC Transfer Center hosted a USC Campus Tour. If you missed one of these, just visit the Transfer Center and they will connect you to the Trojan Family. If you need a letter of recommendation, come see me. Fight On!”

Kyle Parker, music

August Licano, arts and music

“Calvin, I wasn’t president when those bars and liquor stores went in. I don’t oppose 7-Eleven but I do oppose expanding liquor sales near campus. So do most of our residential neighbors and the Pasadena Police Department and the PCC Police Department. This would add to PCC’s safety and security costs. But I understand it’s a moot point since the 7-Eleven will not apply for a liquor license.”

“I was born in the Bronx, New York, so my absolute favorite is Nick’s in New York. I usually just get a plain cheese. One of the best in Pasadena is Bella’s on Fair Oaks in Old Town.”

“Great question! With 28,000 students and 8,000 new applicants every semester, phone appointments are a daunting logistical challenge. We know how inconvenient it can be to have to come in to Counseling. We hope the college’s new computer system will soon enable automated phone service. In the meantime, we have implemented Express Counseling and an online counselor is available at. Check it out: http://www.pasadena. edu/studentservices/counseling/online.cfm”

SCENE

6 COURIER

Teresa Mendoza/Courier PCC orchestra ensemble performs “Battle of the Heroes” the score to “Star Wars Episode:III Revenge of the Sith” during the Phantoms and Firebirds concerto in the Sexson Auditorium, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013.

Courier/Benjamin Simpson Jazmine Hernandez resting during the break between third and fourth quarters at a double header at home in the Aquatics Center against East Los Angeles College on Sept. 18, 2013.

December 5, 2013 COURIER

Mary Nurrenbern/Courier Francesco Canas, music (left), on violin, Bryan Dedlow, music, on guitar and Alex Heflin, music, on mandolin, of the group Strings Attached play gypsy jazz in the quad at PCC on Oct. 17.

PCC Fall 2013

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Matthew Chan/Courier The newly completed entrance on the east side of the Center for the Arts building, Nov. 5, 2013.

images to remember

Courier/Benjamin Simpson “Column Figure” Stephen Balkenhol located in front of the Library.

Matthew Chan/Courier PCC women’s soccer player Amanda Papac takes a shot at the goal against ECC Compton at Robinson Stadium in the last game of the season, Nov. 15, 2013.

Benjamin Simpson/Courier United Without Boundries, a PCC club that focuses on providing resources for undocumented students put on the Monster Bash in the Creveling Lounge on Friday Oct. 25, 2013.

Matthew Chan/Courier Dressed in drag attire, Charles “Sister Dominia” Chavez assists with Drag Queen Bingo at the SGV Pride event in Old Pasadena, Sept.

28,.2013.

Matthew Chan/Courier PCC football star linebacker Dalyou Pierson at team practice inside Robinson Stadium on Tuesday. Pierson closed in on the Lancers’ singe-season sack record.

Teresa Mendoza/Courier Patrons at the Pasadena Museum of California Art during Artnight on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013.

Justin Clay/Courier Creative Director John Murdy next to a ghoulish prop from “Insidious 2” on Friday Sept. 13, 2013 in Universal City. Murdy and his staff built the maze for Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights celebration to include scenes from both films.

John Novak/Courier PCC student Denise Gonzalez looks at the reflection of a model of Los Angeles in the 40s at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County during a field trip with her Biology 14 class on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.

Matthew Chan/Courier A bust of Ron “Sticks” Ballatore, swimming coach, is one of many sculpures of past PCC athletes next to the Hutto Patterson gym at the Court of Champions, Oct. 28, 2013.

John Novak/Courier The women’s upstairs bathroom of the CC Building is left a mess. The floor is littered with toilet seat covers and toilet paper.

Benjamin Simpson/Courier Sunset captured from the Robinson Stadium during a PCC women’s soccer game, 4:41PM Nov. 15, 2013.

Matthew Chan/Courier One of the many frightening characters in full zombie make-up from Haunted Hollywood Sports in Bellflower, Sept. 27, 2013.

Matthew Chan/ Courier Biology club vice president Wendy Gip and Amanda Lopez inside the Club Week tent recruit new members into their club, Tuesday Sept. 3, 2013.

Justin Clay/Courier Student veteran Dexton Kotora, forced to live in his car while awaiting Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, at PCC’s Parking Lot No. 4.

Caitlin KellyThompson/Courier The George and Ruri Sugimoto Family Metals/Jewelry Studio located on the 1st floor inside the new building.

Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Cast for the “Great Gatsby” in rehearal at the Sexon auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013.

8

A&E

COURIER

December 5, 2013

Showcasing passion in dance Modern dancer performance captures emotion from audience and participants

Russian culture comes to campus with love Raymond Bernal Staff Writer

Students sure knew a fine way to play a Steinway at the inauguration of the first piano recital in the new Robert and Adrienne Westerbeck Recital Hall on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Performers young and younger from PCC’s piano ensemble and piano accompanying classes treated the audience to an evening of music celebrating Russian culture.

Organizers hoping James Bond wouldn’t mind titled the evening “From Russia With Love” and featured works from Russia’s most renowned composers like Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninoff and others.

Of all the world composers, Russian composers were chosen for this recital for a reason.

“There’s a certain expressiveness that Russian composers brought to the table that I don’t think anyone else did, especially during the romantic era,” saaid audience member Christian Pieratt, music.

The room was silent but, a soothing musical suspension came over the room when Tchaikovsky’s “June Barcarolle” from The Seasons was performed by Greg Von Notias, viola and Mei Cheng, piano.

It was evident that with their music, Von Notias and Cheng were transporting the audience somewhere and the audience obediently followed.

“I wanted the audience to yearn, feel, want and have a spring moment in the midst of a gloomy winter and hopefully they did,” Von Notias said.

It was an evening full of many great powerful performances like when Bortkiewicz’s Russian Melodies and Dances were performed by Tiffany Yang, Nora de la Torre, Kevin Chan, Xinyi Wang and others on two new $27,000 Steinway pianos.

Arguably one of the show-stoppers came near the end of the sold-out concert.

Erika Salas, violin, and Sally Emilia, piano, seemed to be having a musical conversation with each other, without words and with the audience being allowed to eavesdrop.

“We were just playing our hearts out. In our music we are different characters and we are in a way having a musical wordless conversation with eachother,” Salas said.

“It was an honor to play here at Westerbeck Recital Hall with its wonderful acoustics where the performer can truly be free to express themselves here through their music.”

Review

Teresa Mendoza/Courier Left, PCC Dance Company performs “Applause,” choreographed by Justin Luna at the Sexson Auditorium on Nov. 23. Right, Dancer Imani Simon performs her own choreography “I Miss You.”

Singer aspires to become role model Paul Ochoa Arts & Entertainment Editor

In Hollywood, auditioning for American Idol, Jordyn Kane had to postpone her audition after getting sick. Adding insult to injury, the cameras captured and broadcast her in her moment of illness.

“I started throwing up, I thought it was food poisoning. The camera crew followed me into the bathroom and filmed me throwing up,” she said.

When Kane finally got to audition for the celebrity judges she was in no condition to sing and ended up getting cut. But despite not advancing in the competition, she was relieved to finally be able to go home.

“I hadn’t practiced so I sounded terrible.

I knew I was going to get cut [but when I did] I got this sense of relief. I wanted to go home and throw up in my own toilet,” said Kane.

Before she turned 18, PCC student Jordyn Kane auditioned for American Idol, had one of her songs featured on an ABC Family television show and issued an EP on iTunes.

Despite these accomplishments, don’t expect to catch her bragging about it to her classmates.

“I think being humble is important, I hate those stars that are cocky and arrogant,” said Kane.

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Kane had known the Los Angeles area well, having come here since the age of 12 for movie auditions. It was because of American Idol though that she discovered PCC. “When I tried out for American Idol in 2011 we filmed it here in Pasadena and that’s how I found PCC,” said Kane.

Even though she started performing professionally when she was 12, it was at the age of nine that she knew she wanted to be a performer after playing Dorothy in an elementary school production of The Wizard of Oz. “[There’s] something about performing in front of people, just learning the lines and having fun with it. That’s when I realized performing was something I wanted to do,” said Kane.

Kane’s first major accomplishment came at the age of 14 when she released her first album, “U Can’t Stop Me,” on iTunes with help from producer Brad Cox, whom she met through Craigslist in Atlanta. It was also through Cox that she got her song “Terri-

fied” to be played on the ABC Family show “The Lying Game”.

“Basically Brad put out the EP on iTunes and the song became popular so he went to ABC Family and they called back saying the song was going to be on “The Lying Game”,” said Kane.

After the song was featured in the television program, Kane began to develop a larger fan base, which included fans from outside the country. “We were watching it and it ended up being [played for] two and a half minutes. I started getting all these Tweets from people from Australia, New Zeeland, and England,” said Kane.

One of the highlights in Kane’s career was her experience on American Idol. To standout from the competition Kane decided to take a risk and rapped the song “Super Bass”

by Nicki Minaj for the producers instead of singing.

“I wanted to be unique so I rapped even though I don’t rap. They loved it. It was in the moment and I haven’t rapped since,” she said.

Kane says she enjoyed her experience on American Idol but afterwards could not work with any managers or try out for any reality shows for a year because she was under contract.

It was then that she decided to take her career into her own hands and not rely on television competitions to propel her forward.

“The overall experience was incredible, [but] after American Idol I decided I wanted to make my own career,” said Kane.

Keeping her songs relatable, Kane describes her musical sound as pop music with a country sound. She cited singers Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson as having a major influence on her music.

“You write what you feel, what you’ve been through,” said Kane.

Her high school experience was a rough one, which had a major impact on what she would come to write about. She was looked down on by some of her classmates because she did not drink or do drugs and was made fun of by others because she made music.

“I wouldn’t say I was bullied, no one understood what I was doing,” she said.

“People looked down on me for not doing something illegal and people would also make fun of me because I made music. I think people thought I was conceited about it but I always tried not to talk about it.”

It was this experience, though, that helped

influence not only her songwriting but also her as a person. She sees herself as both a performer and a role model for younger girls who might be going through similar experiences as her.

“I just know there’s 15-year-old girls in that same position I was,” Kane said. “I want to write songs that can help them.”

Sharilyn Hernandez, communications, who has known Kane since childhood, described her as a good-hearted person who is trying to make a positive impact with her music.

“She is a very positive outgoing person and wants to make a difference through her singing by connecting with people through music,” Hernandez said. “She is a great role model for younger students. She’s done anti bullying events at elementary schools.”

Kane’s boyfriend, Ronald Mackenzie, who also acts as her guitar player, spoke of the joy he gets from performing with her.

“It’s fun being able to play music with your best friend,” MacKenzie said.

Kane’s future goals go beyond just music.

She not only hopes to be an accomplished musician but also an actress and one day write a book.

“Right now I’m focusing on acting, my singing is my thing but I’ll go out for readings,” Kane said. “I want to write a book one day about girls, it sounds cheesy but I just want to be someone people can look up to.”

Photo courtesy of Jordyn Kane

FEATURES

December 5, 2013

COURIER

9

Health services promotes smoke-free campus Paul Ochoa Staff Writer

Students walking in the Quad last week might have noticed a table with rat poison, lighter fluid, nail polish remover, and other household chemicals.

These items were not an odd arrangements of prizes. Instead, they were all physical representations of everyday items that contain similar chemicals found in cigarettes.

The display, which was part of the Great American Smoke, was there to help the students better understand what they are putting in their bodies.

“Most of us are visually orientated and it helps when you can see what you are putting in your body,” said Lorrie Gray,

registered dietician.

Student Health Services coordinated the event with the emphasis on promoting the campus going smoke free next year and also informing students and staff on the dangers of smoking and encouraging them to quit.

“We’ve gotten a really strong response, we saw over 100 students,” said Jo Buczko, coordinator of Student Health Services.

While smoking was the main issue at hand, registered dietician Lorrie Gray also addressed nutrition by showing students the fat content of popular fast foods and recommending healthy alternatives.

“Realistically people are going to eat out but they can still

make a good choices,” Gray said. “It’s about having that awareness.”

Clubs on campus were also encouraged to participate in the Smokeout by competing with each other to see who could collect the most cigarette butts.

“We give them masks, gloves and the club who collects he most butts will have $150 added to their T&A account,” Buczko said.

The event came to an end on Thursday in the Library’s rotunda with poster presentations by two human physiology classes on the impact of smoking on the human body. Physiology instructor Sonya Valentine said she decided to focus on smoking to coincide with the campus going smoke free.

Megan Symanow / Courier A jar in the student health services center demonstrates a year’s worth of tar that your body accumulates from smoking cigarettes.

“Each semester students give a presentation on a disease or disorder related to the human

body and this year we are doing it on smoking,” said Valentine.

by the number of students who are willing to learn. The good will take on several students.

Instructors with poor technique will quickly lose students due to a loss of interest and simply choose move on.

During the demonstration in the quad, Yi and Zhang, the two masters, began to perform what can be described as a slow and synchronized but purposeful dance. Their hands moved with grace and the position of their feet a distance matched a similar pattern or pose. In some way, it

resembles a ballet.

Next, the masters asked students to come forward and participate in an impromptu demonstration. With some having slight difficulty in keeping up with the masters the majority performed fairly well.

According to Peidi Chen, the course in this form of Asian studies is well received and quickly fills to capacity in a short time. Many of her students who complete the program “continue to learn and do very well,” Chen said.

Aspiring Aerospace Tai Chi brings balance to students Scholar fights to beat the odds Robert Tovar Staff Writer

Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer

Nestled in a comfortable corner of Pasadena, a small city on a big planet that’s part of a vast, ever-changing universe is Sarkis Tashjian, who may have the chance to take part in space exploration through NASA’s National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program.

Tashjian, a mechanical engineering and mathematics major, is one of 52 other community college students in the nation competing in the second round of the program. He is currently planning his own hypothetical mission to Mars as well as designing his own rover on a 3-D modeling software, all while juggling his tutoring job and studying for finals.

“I feel really excited and anxious competing against others in the nation. I’m not sure how prepared I am, but I’m going to give it my best shot,” Tashjian said.

In the program, which was started in 2010, students compete for the opportunity to work directly with NASA scientists and engineers, according to Maria Chambers, NASA Education Specialist.

“Students will complete 20 hours of online work, which consists of Mars past, present,

and future missions as well as Mars geology...,” Chambers said.

“The students have to obtain at least a 70 average on the online work. We also look at the geographic region as well and completed application.”

If he is chosen, Tashjian gets to participate in an on-site project where he will work with teams and other students while competing in engineering design challenges. He will also design a working rover that will retrieve rocks from a simulated Mars terrain, according to Chambers.

“I’m interested in the program because it’s exactly what I want to do in my future: space travel.

It is the single most important thing to human civilization and growth,” Tashjian said.

Tashjian’s interest in space exploration came from learning about math and its roots and how it connects with everything in the universe. Though it is a fairly new interest for him, he plans to pursue a doctorate and one day hopes to work with an astronautics team for NASA or SpaceX. “I’ve had to bust my ass to get to this point by finding out about little programs and opportunities and striving through the competition and fighting the odds of being picked,” Tashjian said.

East met West last week for a demonstration in the art of Tai Chi presented by masters of ancient eastern technique and style.

Tai Chi serves as a balance between Yin and Yang according to Tianyu Yi and Sheng’en Zhang, who led the demonstration.

“The practice originated from a book titled “I Ching” some three-thousand years ago,” said Peidi Chen, the program director and instructor. “The flow of energy starts from the top to bottom of the body. The benefits of Tai Chi include increased energy, the person can reduce stress.”

The practice can be done solo or by couples who do the movements together as one unit in sync with each other.

The skill needed to be proficient requires only continual practice. There is no certification for mastering the skill.

“As for the instructor, there is an art form that is measured

Mary Nurrenbern/Courier Sheeng’en Chang and Peidi Chen teach PCC students Tai Chi in the quad on Nov. 26.

Reading Rockets Youth Literacy Program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is seeking commi�ed tutor interns for the Spring Session of the Reading Rockets Youth Literacy program, which will begin on February 3rd, 2014 and end on May 22nd, 2014.

This na�onal award‐winning literacy interven�on program is open to children in 2nd through 6th grades who need extra help with reading. Tutoring sessions address reading, literacy and academic skills and take place every Monday though Thursday from 3:00‐ 5:30 PM.

Successful tutors will be punctual, dependable, comfortable working with children, energe�c, pa�ent and enthusias�c. Tutors must commit to a�ending all sessions. Bilingual speaking ability in Mandarin or Cantonese is preferred. The library provides tutors with all necessary training and materials. Tutors will be selected through a compe��ve process and a s�pend will be available to tutors who successfully complete the Spring Session. Tutor applica�ons can be found on AAEDE’s website at aaede.org.

In partnership with

Monterey Park

Bruggmeyer Library

For more informa�on contact Diana Garcia, Reading Rockets Coordinator, at 626‐307‐1358 or email at dgarcia@montereypark.ca.gov or Jose Garcia, Senior Library Literacy Clerk, at 626‐307‐1251 or email at jgarcia@montereypark.ca.gov

Asian American Economic Development Enterprises, Inc.

LIFESTYLE

10 COURIER

December 5, 2013

Inked up: tattoos not so taboo Tiffany Herrera Staff Writer

Mark of the Beast. Tat. Body Art. These are just some of the slang terms people may use to refer to tattoos.

According to Fox News, a study done by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that 24 percent of Americans between the age of 18 and 50 have at least one tattoo.

Considering that 24 percent is one in four Americans, there should be plenty of students and instructors on campus with a tattoo or two.

Speech Instructor Joshua Fleming has five.

He has a moon on one shoulder and a sun on the other. Then there is one of a man holding a sign with the words “speak up.”

While the tattoo has a work-related meaning, there is more to it then just representing his job.

“The ‘speak up’ tat is my work-related ink [because] I’m a speech teacher,” Fleming said.

“But [it] also means a lot because it advocates what I encourage in my classes: for students to exercise their voice.”

Myrna Koehling, nursing, has tattoos that are for her family members.

She has her younger sister’s initials, “D.C.,” on her left wrist.

She also has two unfinished tattoos, one for her brother who passed away and one for her daughter.

Alumna Cicely Chisholm has a tattoo on her foot with the words “Keep Running” as an inspiration.

“It’s my reminder to keep moving forward. No matter what happens. Good or bad, it will always end up becoming the past, so I should keep looking ahead,” she said.

“The past doesn’t have to dictate my future, and sometimes I need that reminder on bad days.”

There wasn’t much concern over the idea that tattoos can jeopardize getting hired.

Fleming wasn’t worried about

Finals week pushes students to caffeinate Tiffany Herrera Staff Writer

But not everyone turns to coffee or energy drinks as an aid to stay awake and study.

Students like Chelsea Newbold, biochemistry, prefer Samuel Adams beer from Vons or Ralphs and green tea from the Piazza. “I actually drink [a lot] of beer during finals week.

For some reason that really helps me stay focused,” Newbold said over Facebook.

While students run around buying coffee, energy drinks, tea, or any beverage that has caffeine, some students choose an alternative.

Belen Rivas, child development, breaks up her studying time with short breaks to relax .“That’s what helps me the most [because] if I stay sitting for too long I can’t focus anymore,” she said.

“So I tend to call a friend for 15 minutes or go outside or watch a show…it wakes me up.”

As finals approach, students start occupying the library and other quiet spaces in order to study.

In order to ace finals, what do students grab when looking for something to help someone stay focused and awake?

Java Hut, which is located right outside the Shatford Library, slows down according to one of the baristas who works there, Pauline Hall, music.

“Most of the time, the customers we have [are] just people who are standing around waiting for their classes to start,” Hall said.

“And when it’s finals [week], people are in more of a rush and more focusing on trying to get to their next class and take their exams.”

When students do stop to buy a drink from the Java Hut, the most frequent order is espresso because everyone is tired from studying, Hall said.

Karen Rocha, psychology, prefers to get her coffee from Starbucks. “I usually get…the frappuccinos. I go three times a day when I come to [PCC].”

Other drinks that are bought more frequently during finals week are Monster and Red Bull.

“Whatever we have left Concepcion Gonzalez/Courier in the semester, it usually Coffee fuels the PCC campus for gets bought out during finals week. that time,” Hall said.

Mary Nurrenbern/Courier Myrna Koehling, nursing, shows off two tattoos on her left and right hand on Nov. 26 in the CC building. “The little heart is for family time and the smiley face is just because,” said Koehling.

it because he had ways around it. “I’ve never had a problem with covering them up if needed,” he said.

But Koehling has a different view of the idea. “I was not worried because if my appearance is more [important] than my skill, then I don’t want to work for you.”

Mary Nurrenbern/Courier Koehling shows off the tattoo of a heart and ribbon that is on her right wrist on Nov. 26 in the CC building. Koehling said the heart is in memory of her brother who died in 2005.

Actors challenged by ‘Family Circles’ Samantha Molina Staff Writer

“What would my life be if I had married someone else?”

This is the question posed by Alan Ayckbourn’s play “Family Circles” which opened on Nov. 22.

The play directed, by Whitney Rydbeck, followed the relationships of Emma and Edward, an older married couple, and their three daughters Jenny, Deirdre and Polly. Throughout the play each of the daughter’s trades between the three partners Oliver, James and David.

When the scenes changed, so did the relationships and the dynamics between husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend “I chose this play because it is very funny and the actors must adjust to what happens when

they find themselves married to a different partner in three of the four scenes,” Rydbeck said.

“It was like they were playing three different characters.”

The cast of eight performed the entire play speaking in English accents, including some terminology Americans might not recognize. Dialect teacher Anita Adcock taught the cast how to perform with the accents.

“I had her work with the cast who were all very eager to learn,” Rydbeck said. “Without the accent I think some of the comedy would be lost.”

“I was comfortable speaking in an accent,” Caroline Williamson, Deidre, said. “I’ve taken dialect classes before and throughout my life I’ve really taken to accents easily,” Rydbeck considered having the actors perform in American

accents but wanted to provide a valuable learning experience to the student cast. ”We’re a school and we’re supposed to be teaching student how to do these things even though it may not always succeed,” Rydbeck said. “It’s a good challenge and learning experience for my cast and also a fun experience for the audience.”

Despite the minor language differences the audience still understood and enjoyed Ayckbourn’s quirky comedy.

“English humor is different from American humor; you always wonder what’s going to translate to an American audience but I think everything went well,” Rydbeck said.

“Family Circles” runs from Dec. 5 to Saturday Dec. 7 in the Little Theater.

SPORTS

December 5, 2013

COURIER

11

Lancers’ volleyball led by sophomore duo Daron Grandberry Sports Editor

As the tears ran down the face of Nora To’omalatai and sadness overcame the rest of the Lancers’ volleyball team, sophomore outside hitter Thula Parks was nowhere to be found.

After losing the conference title on the last day of the regular season, the co-captain Parks could not let anyone see her drop a tear or hang her head.

“After the loss I just left,” Parks said. “I hate losing and I didn’t play well against El Camino at all. I needed to be alone.”

The athletic duo took the loss personally after leading this year’s Lancers volleyball program to another Top 25 state ranking.

The Lancers would finish the regular season second in the South Coast Conference with a record of 12-2.

In her second year for the Lancers, Parks was named to the 2013 All-SCC Second Team.

Parks ranked third in the SCC this year in total kills (267), To’omalatai ranks first.

“The El Camino loss was always on the back of my mind,” Parks said. “Our coaches encouraged us to put the loss behind us, but for me I felt like I didn’t perform well so I had to prove my capabilities to myself.”

One of the more vocal leaders on this year’s squad, the enthusiastic and versatile Parks aspires to be a math teacher and has been playing volleyball since her freshman year of high school.

“I’ve always been a leader,” Parks added. “Maybe I’m a good leader because I can be loud or because I’m one of the captains this year. My team inspires me to play well so we all help one another.”

A two-way player, Parks averaged 2.92 kills per set and 2.39 digs per set this season.

“We started at the bottom,” Parks added. “No one thought we would play well in conference and we really had a great year despite all the obstacles.”

After losing their first conference match of the season Parks picked up her play to average 3.05 kills per set against the following five opponents.

“I love playing with Thula,” To’omalatai said with a huge smile. “She’s always excited and she makes playing the game so much fun. Even when we’re down she’s the one to motivate the team and we want to go out on top together.”

For Parks, the admiration and respect for To’omalatai as an athlete and leader shines through Parks’ wide smile.

“I love playing with Nora,” Parks added. “That’s my girl.

She’s a beast on the court and I know that when the ball is set for her, she’s going to make the kill or make an amazing play.

She’s a great player and even better teammate.”

The athletic kinesiology major began playing volleyball in the third grade.

Her goals include playing for a Division 1 university and possibly coaching in the near future.

“My dad inspired me from the beginning,” To’omalatai said. “I play because of him and Anthony reyes/Courier I’ve fallen in love with the sport Sophomore outside hitters Thula Parks (left) and Nora To’omalatai (right) led the No.12 Lancers since he introduced it to me to victory over No. 5 San Diego Mesa College on Tuesday, Nov. 26. years ago.”

Victoria Arreola said. “Now that student athlete. er successful season according In her second year with the I’m playing with her it’s so much To’omalatai’s humble personto Arreola.

Lancers, To’omalatai received better and she’s gotten so much ality and big smile easily makes “Our hitters Thula and Nora her second consecutive All-SCC better.” her a joy to work with both on have been one of our biggest First Team selection.

In the Lancers’ upset over and off the volleyball courts. weapons this season,” Arreola The Lancers’ all-time kills and No. 5 ranked San Diego Mesa The talented outside hitter said.

“Nora is a great player aces leader, To’omalatai topped College, To’omalatai recorded 11 totaled 668 career kills and 94 that brings out the best in her the Lancers’ five 2013 All-SCC kills to break the Lancers’ single aces in her two seasons. teammates. I never wanted to let selections while also being season kill record (414).

To’omalatai also led the Lancher down.” selected to the elite All-Southern A record set in 2001 by standers in digs this year with 247.

To’omalatai’s SoCal selection California Region squad. out Mariel Arcos.

With both grace and power, placed her among just 14 players “I played against her in high The athletic and talented duo’s presence on both sides of in the South who were recogschool and she was very inTo’omalatai is not your average the net led the Lancers to anoth- nized for postseason honors. timidating,” sophomore libero

Player of the Week

Men’s Soccer eliminated in playoffs

Benjamin Simpson/Courier Jeffrey Dockett was named Courier Player of the Week for his outstanding play in recent games. Dockett averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals in the past three games.

Philip McCormick Managing Editor

After finishing with a strong and much improved 2013 season that culiminated in a playoff berth, the men’s soccer team couldn’t pull out a win in a close 1-0 loss against the Oxnard College Condors on Nov. 23 at Azusa Pacific University.

“It was a great run,” head coach Edgar Manvelyan said.

“They are a tough team to score on, and it showed today. I’m still very proud of our effort.”

It wasn’t until the 59th minute when the Condors scored the only goal of the game. After making two spectacular leaping saves, goalie Gaetano Perez, who made seven saves in all during the game, couldn’t turn away the goal that ended the Lancers’ season.

“Oxnard is a very strong, technical team,” Manvelyan said.

“The guys threw everything at them and we just came up a little

Antonio Gandara/Courier Midfielder Diego Rodriguez battles for the ball against the Condor Defender.

bit short.”

PCC came on strong in the second half but just couldn’t find the goal. Oxnard defenders stopped forward Luis Flores in the 56th minute after driving the ball deep into Condors territory.

“I think we had more athleticism,” Manvelyan said. “We really pushed the play in the second half.”

On a bright note, Perez was

named SCC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

He broke records as the college’s all-time saves and shutouts leader. Perez had two great seasons with the Lancers, finishing with 183 saves and 10 shutouts.

“It’s a good feeling to have,” Perez said.

“We had a great season and I hope the team is just as good next year.”

SPORTS

12 COURIER

Successful season cut short Daron Grandberry Sports Editor

With an amazing postseason upset under their belts, the Lancers’ volleyball team looked poised for a deep run in this year’s SoCal Regional Playoffs.

Although the Lancers would began the match with a victory in the first set, the No. 4 seeded Santa Barbara City College would not go down without a fight, defeating the Lancers in an epic five set match 19-25, 25-19, 25-19, 27-29 and 15-13.

“We threw everything we could at Santa Barbara, and they gave it right back at us,” said interim head coach Bill Sanchez.

“We fought off two match points in the fourth set and we never quit in that fifth. They just got a few more points than us.”

In an amazing fourth set comeback, the Lancers facing match point twice would fight the Vaqueros to take the fourth set and keep the game alive. The two teams fought to 20 ties and 11 lead changes in the fourth set.

After the Lancers faced their second match point at 25-24, outside hitter Nora To’omalatai drilled back-to-back kills to give the Lancers a 26-25 lead.

To’omalatai would continue her efforts with another kill at 27-26.

After a Vaqueros’ service error,

To’omalatai would take the set with a perfectly served ace for set point at 29-27.

“Nora is very, very smart with her shot selection and the precision of her shots,” SBCC head coach Ed Gover said. “Not too many have a great roll shot like hers. It was a great college match, both teams battled their hearts out. They played great defense and so did we.”

Although the Lancers’ season was cut short at the hands of the Vaqueros, To’omalatai carried the team as she did the entire season, finishing the game with 25 kills, 16 digs and three blocks, her fifth straight double-double.

The sophomore All-SoCal Region selection finished her Lancers’ career with 414 career kills. The Lancers’ all-time leader in kills and aces became the first Lancer hitter to ever record 400 kills in a season.

“Nora had a great game and I’m really proud of her,” freshman middle blocker Kendra Logan said. “She’s broken records and been a great teammate both on and off the court. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know her as a player and person, she’s just awesome.”

Logan recorded seven kills and four blocks (two solos) while sophomore libero Victoria Arreola totaled a career high

Lancers hire new track and field coach Bryan Acosta Staff Writer

Courtesy of PCC Sports informantion Freshman middle blocker Kendra Logan goes for a kill.

30 digs to go with three aces and three assists in the five-set defeat. Right side hitter Briana Hilton recording a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, freshman middle blocker Angela Banuelos added five kills and five blocks (one solo).

Sophomore outside hitter

Thula Parks added 10 kills, 19 digs and four aces while sophomore setter Tiffany Roesler added a double-double 50 assists and 15 digs.

The Lancers season ended at 15-10 while Santa Barbara advances to face No. 1 seed Irvine Valley (22-0).

Men’s hoops victorious in tourney Daron Grandberry Sports Editor

The No. 15 ranked men’s basketball team displayed its offensive prowess this holiday weekend as they hosted the PCC Kennedy Thanksgiving Classic.

In their first game of the tournament Friday, the Lancers defeated Occidental College’s Junior Varsity team in a 101-60 blowout. The Tigers were outmatched all game, only connecting on 28 percent of their field goals.

The Lancers were led by sophomore forward Taj Spencer who contributed 20 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore forward Bryce Clifton returned from an early season ankle injury with 14 points and three assists off the bench.

Head coach Michael Swanegan is slowly working Clifton back into rotation and admitted that the forward was not at full strength despite his production off the bench.

“He’s not fully 100 percent but he’s getting there,” Swanegan said. “We’re working him back in rotation slowly and he played well against Occidental.”

The Lancers’ shot an efficient 58 percent from the field against the Tigers, led by Clifton’s perfect 7-for-7 field goals. Spencer was also impressive from the field, connecting on 9-of-12.

“Overall we had a good tournament,” Swanegan said. “We ran into San Bernardino again, but our kids played hard and we had an opportunity to go undefeated in the tournament.”

Sophomore point guard Jeffrey Dockett who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists. Freshman guard Brandon Joseph added 10 points and 6 rebounds and freshman guard Adrian Miles added 11 points in his first start of the season.

December 5, 2013

Courtesy of PCC Sports information.

Sophomore forward Taj Spencer splits two defenders for a layup.

In their second game of the tournament the Lancers again eclipsed the century mark in a 101-80 victory over Barstow Community College.

Dockett led the Lancers to victory against the Vikings with 28 points, seven assists and four steals. Dockett shot an impressive 10-of-17 from the field and connected on a season-high five 3-point field goals.

“He (Dockett) played great against Barstow,” Spencer said. “When he’s hitting the three-pointer he can hit it all day. I have faith in my shooters and he brings the outside presence for us.”

Against BCC the Lancers were once again efficient, connecting on 49 percent of their shots. Spencer, again efficient around the basket, added 24 points. Joseph added 17 points (8-for-12 shooting), seven rebounds

and five assists and Miles continued his allaround efforts with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.

“AJ (Miles) is a good asset to this team,” Dockett said. “He brings a lot of energy off the bench, and now with him in the starting lineup he’s been knocking down his open shots and I love playing with him and feeding him the ball.”

In their final game of the tournament the Lancers (6-3) ran into familiar foe San Bernardino Valley College (7-2). Earlier this season it was the Wolverines who defeated the Lancers in the “Alvin Hunter Classic”.

On Sunday, the Wolverines once again came up victorious, snapping the Lancers’ fourgame winning streak 68-60.

“With three minutes remaining it was still anyone’s game,” Swanegan said. “We were up at halftime and they just made some plays at the end and we did not.”

At halftime the Lancers led 34-30 and extended their lead to 41-36 with 14:08 remaining in the second half, but could not contain the SBVC. The Wolverines went on a 21-6 second half run that the Lancers could not come back from.

“We have to execute,” Spencer added. “We can’t be a championship team if we don’t execute.”

Spencer recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds in defeat. Freshman center Faruk Oyalade added 15 points. Miles remained consistent for the Lancers with 12 points and four rebounds.

“Our bench has to step up,” Dockett said.

“We had some starters playing big minutes and when we get production from the bench we’re a very good team.”

The men’s basketball team will have the next week off to prepare for the Santa Barbara Tournament. The Lancers play Victory Valley in the opening round on Dec. 12.

Pasadena City College has named Cedric Hill as the new men’s and women’s track and field coach.

Hill started out his career coaching young children and moved on to various positions at the Division II collegiate level.

From 1999-2003, Hill coached 11 conference champions and eight national indoor/outdoor champions at Cal State Los Angeles, according to Robert Lewis, the head of sports information at PCC. Hill was the college’s assistant sprints and hurdles coach.

From 2004 to 2008, Hill served as a top assistant at Cal State University-Dominguez Hills.

Hill believes anyone with the desire to help young people and an opportunity to do so should take advantage of it.

“I want to fulfill my role as an administrator, coach and teacher in the athletic department,” Hill said. “What I want to accomplish here is history, to continue the legacy that is PCC. I want to impact this community by using track and field as a platform to create socially aware, good men and woman, good citizens.”

Javelin thrower Caleb Wood, social and behavioral sciences, is eager to see what’s in store for this season.

“When I heard he was going to be the coach I took the time to look him up and what I found was interesting,” Wood said.

“He’s got a good resume under his name, he’s coached a lot of successful athletes and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Pole-vaulter Nicole Brown, kinesiology, feels the change in coaches is in the best interest for her and the team.

“I have never been coached by someone who is as articulate and technical as he is,” Brown said. “He’s someone who has different tactics than what we were use to. It’s challenging, it’s grueling, but it’s working.”

Hill expressed how grateful he was for the opportunity.

“This is a blessing, its not about me and who I am, it’s not about titles or recognition, its about being a vehicle to be used for the edification of somebody else,” Hill said.

Photo courtesy of Cedric Hill