CO U R I ER Pasadena City College
Serving PCC Since 1915
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 03
First steps toward accreditation Kristen Luna Editor-in-Chief
of these classes are late-start classes. A total of 3,023 new seats were added to replace the 3,284 potential seats that were removed. The fate of a class is dependent upon its context, where factors such as if it’s offered on a regular basis and if there are many more sections that offer the same class affect the decision whether to keep or scrap it. There is a benchmark
of a minimal enrollment rate of 60 percent, which is also taken into consideration. When a class is on the brink of cancellation, the procedure is not as simple as scratching a timeslot off a schedule. “The dean of the instructional area will talk to the instructor and they will discuss what will be the implications if they [were to] cancel the class,” Jarrell explained. Among topics that are typically discussed in this situation are alternatives for students and if there would be a better timing later in the term to offer the class again. Should the class be canceled, the school will encourage professors offering the same class to open seats to students who have been impacted by a cancellation. “None of these was driven by a budget from the standpoint of, ‘we’re running out of money, we have to cancel those classes,’” Dr. Jarrell said. “It’s really about making the best use of the money we have
Soon after school officials received news in early July that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) placed PCC on probation, members of shared governance came together to try to form a solid plan to avoid the loss of accreditation. The ACCJC included nine recommendations in their external evaluation report. Each recommendation addressed areas within the school that have been problematic. These recommendations include areas of shared governance and communication, implemented planning, adherence to institutional policies and overall institutional effectiveness. Kathy Scott, associate vice president of academic affairs and accreditation liaison officer, worked with accreditation faculty leaders Stephanie Fleming and Kris Pilon over the summer to form the Accreditation Task Force (ATF), which has approximately 10 members with Scott leading the committee. “[It] was created to deal with the accreditation recommendations,” Scott said. “[We] met three times and put together work groups to deal with each of the recommendations … We worked and created some initial steps for each recommendation.” According to Scott, those work groups are currently being populated with members of the faculty, classified staff, managers and students within the Associated Students. The ATF has also created a “tentative calendar” for how to fix all recommendations so they are able to meet the October 2016 deadline. Each group will be required to put together their own tentative plan with steps targeting the specific recommendation they are managing by September 25 and form a draft
Graphic by Daniel Valencia
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ACCREDITATION page 2
Fiestas Patrias: Celebrating Latin American Independence Katja Liebing/Courier Dancers of the Aztec dance group Yankuititl perform at the Villa Parke Community Center in Pasadena on Sept. 16. The City of Pasadena invited the public to celebrate Latin American Independance Day at Fiestas Patrias at the Villa Parke Community Center.
Give and take of canceled classes Rachel Ho Staff Writer
A total of 126 credit sections have been given the axe by the PCC Academic Affairs office this semester, rendering more than three thousand previously available seats unavailable to students. Insufficient enrollment was the reason for the cancellation of 71 of these classes, which ran the gamut from Marine Biology to Jazz Dance to Television Production. In addition, nine classes—seven of which were mathematics classes—were nixed as the school was unable to find instructors for these classes. Contrary to popular belief, budget cuts are not necessarily the driving force behind the cancellation of classes, which is a decision that the school officials say they do not take lightly. Instead, it is resource allocation that forces the school to scrap courses with low demand, according to Paul Jarrell, dean of instructional support.
With this give-and-take shift in resources, the school was able to create 66 new sections this semester for in-demand courses such as English, Political Science and Psychology. Out of the 66 new additions, 19 are Large Group Instruction classes that accommodate approximately a hundred students each. Many of these additional classes filled up in a matter of days and most, if not all,
PCC expands free adult education Keely Damara Managing Editor Pasadena City College, as a member of the Pasadena Area Consortium, created 27 new noncredit adult education programs this fall after receiving a grant from the state for just over $1.5 million. The state appropriated $500 million in the 20132014 budget through the AB 86 Adult Education Block Grant to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and the California Department of Education to allocate funding for adult education. Of this, $1.5 million was allocated to the Pasadena Area Consortium—which consists of the Pasadena Area Community College District, Pasadena Unified School District, Arcadia Unified School District and Temple City Unified School District. The grant funded the creation of new courses beginning this fall in career technical education, English as a second language, workforce preparation for the developmentally disabled and elementary and secondary education – which includes GED courses and adult
basic education courses. All of the new program offerings are entry-level, with the main goal of either preparing students to transition to credit programs at PCC or into entry-level jobs. Ofelia Arellano, dean of academic affairs, said that these noncredit courses are a starting point for adults in the community to start a new career path or build on prior experience. “The big difference between noncredit and credit programs is that we design very basic introductory training for entry-level jobs,” said Arellano. “If you want the more advanced training, you come to credit.” Catherine Cheng teaches the Basic Graphic Design CTE class, which consists of two, eight-week sections that cover everything from the history of graphic design to learning software programs used by working professionals. She has 13 years experience as a graphic designer, seven of which she spent working for PCC until she was offered a position teaching this fall. “I’m basing my curriculum and my methods of
FREECLASSES page 2
SCENE: ART ON CAMPUS! Courier photographers document all mediums of art around campus
WOMEN’S SOCCER WIN 5-2 Lancers hosts SBVC and come out ahead
CAVA ROCKS OUT AT ZONA ROSA Latin-afro-cubano-world-beat-fusion band puts their own spin on music
PCC STUDENT AND SUPERMOM Full-time student, president of the Paralegal Association and mother
NEWS
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BLOTTER
MONDAY, SEPT. 14
Disturbing the Peace: A professor reported that two of her students in C325 had a verbal altercation during class. One irate male student entered her class and started yelling at one of her students. The irate student left and was seen pacing back and forth in the hallway on the third floor. Campus police were contacted and checked the student for warrants/ wants with none issued. Bicycle Theft: A student reported her white/blue Cannondale bike was stolen from the bike racks located south of the L-building between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The Student claims the bike is worth $900. A report was taken and the bike not found.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15
Theft: A student stated his textbook was taken from a secure locker on the fifth floor of the R-building on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. A report taken and the book not found.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16
Transient: Campus police found a transient sleeping in the men’s locker room shower in the W building and led subject off campus. Burglary: Bookstore staff flagged down a cadet and stated that a person wearing a burgundy sweater and blue jeans walked out of
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teaching the way my favorite teacher taught me in college,” said Cheng. “Which is, you’re not only giving a lot of information from the book, you’re also giving them real life experience with real life jobs and projects so that way they can get, pretty much, my 15-year career condensed into 16 weeks.” Cheng said that she has a wide variety of students with different backgrounds, experience levels and interests in her class and that the skills she teaches can be used to find entry-level work in graphic design – like freelance work, marketing and the growing field of online media. Some of the programs cater to bilingual students, such as the VESL programs—or vocational English as a second language—by simultaneously teaching them occupational skills while also covering job-related vocabulary in fields such as childcare, housekeeping and construction. Carolyn Corrie is an instructor for many of the VESL programs, including the new childcare program. She believes the VESL
the bookstore with four to five books without paying. The suspect took off eastbound towards the west side of the C-building, north towards the mirror pools and then the south side of the E-building where the suspect was detained. The subject was escorted back to Campus Police and was checked for warrants/ wants with positive results. Subject then transported to the Pasadena jail. Disturbing the peace: Campus police received multiple calls regarding a male interrupting classes in session by being loud and possibly drunk on the second floor in the Center for the Arts building. The subject entered a class in CA-203 where he was detained and escorted to Campus Police for being drunk in public. The subject complained of pain in his ribcage while in custody. Pasadena Fire Paramedics were notified and arrived on scene to treat the subject. Subject was then transported to Pasadena Police Jail for booking.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17
Vandalism: The parking permit machine was tampered with using an unknown tool.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
Transient: Campus police reported a female transient wearing a blue dress was soliciting for money at the north side of the Piazza. programs are a good opportunity for adults who have already taken ESL classes to improve their vocational vocabulary. “I think that the VESL programs can work with people who already have some professional training in their countries but don’t have the appropriate English skills to really find those jobs here,” said Corrie. The grant also pays for a job developer to work with partners in the community to help students connect with job prospects after finishing their programs. The mission of California Community Colleges is not only to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions or to teach them skills to enter into the work force, said Arellano, but to also “provide focused education for adults, as well as lifelong learning opportunities in noncredit programs.” Currently, 3,168 students are enrolled for the fall 2015 noncredit courses, but the classes are “open entry, open exit”—meaning there is no cut-off date to enroll. There are also late start classes this fall that begin near the end of October. You can find the noncredit program application online on the Community Education Center website.
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on Nov. 1. “Our goal is to create a rough looking draft by December,” Scott said. “We’ll come back after the break and we’ll start finishing up whatever we didn’t do. We have to get the report through all the governance committees and we’re hoping to get this done before everyone leaves for the summer.” According to Scott and Superintendent-President Rajen Vurdien, the first recommendation regarding integrated planning will be the most challenging recommendation to tackle. “You have to show certain elements for each recommendation,” Vurdien said. “For example, one of the recommendations says that we need to have a planning cycle. We have that
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to service as many students as we possibly can.” Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kathleen Scott concurred, adding that “we don’t cancel classes lightly. We look at it very carefully and we do try to cancel as early as we possibly can so students have the time to find something else.” Part-time student Joseph Law’s first semester at PCC started on a rough note this term. His meticulously-planned schedule fell apart when he showed up to his basketball class on the first day of school only to learn that it had been canceled. “The cancellation of the class caused a time gap [of two and a half hours] on Mondays and Wednesdays so it was an inconvenience,” Law said. He added that he would not attempt to take this class again. After a class is canceled, affected students are usually informed via email—sometimes via phone—and options and alternatives will be brought to their attention. However, in Law’s case, he was not aware that his class had been canceled until the first day of class. Jarrell suggested that this could be because of the disruption of the school’s email server in early August, where students were unable to receive emails through their
September 24, 2015
go.pasadena.edu accounts. While action was taken to contact affected students via phone, he admitted that there could have been some students that were missed out because the office could not ascertain whether the classes were canceled before or during the window of the email server’s downtime. “It is important that students check their email and [check that] they have phone numbers that are accurate on file because we do make an effort to contact students to let them know,” Scott said. PCC is seeing an increasing number of available seats in recent semesters as losses from state budget limits several years ago are being recovered. For example, on the first day of the fall 2015 term, there were a total of 2,804 more seats than on the first day of the fall 2014 term. Judging from the current trend, it is likely that the number of seats offered will continue to grow in the future. “In an ideal world, we would be able to match the student’s demand down to the seat but it is very difficult to do,” Jarrell said. “Students’ lives are impacted by whether they can take a class this term or next term and that’s a hard one to judge so we try to be as responsive as we can during the time right around registration to see what classes fill rapidly.” “It is our goal to try to create a schedule that best serves the needs of the students,” Scott added.
Katja Liebing/Courier Teresa Deukmedjian is helping J Carmen Lopez during her bilingual Computer Keyboarding class in the Villa Parke Community Center on Sept. 14. The class is one of many tuition free courses that is being offered by Pasadena City College’s Noncredit Division.
planning cycle integrated within the budget cycle. The budget decisions have to come out of that plan so you have to be able to show that you have all that.” The Integrated Planning Model (IPM) is designed to ensure that the process for planning, budgeting and the allocation of resources for all faculty, departments and divisions are transparent and understood by all. At the Sept. 14 Academic Senate meeting, Ryan Cornner, associate vice-president of planning and innovation, presented the new integrated planning model and stated that “the need for an integrated planning model that determines the budget has been recommended for PCC since 1986.” Vurdien said that the plan would need to be fully implemented by the end of spring. “Unless we can get through one full cycle with the [model]
before we break for summer, you can rest assured that we will remain on probation,” Vurdien said. The Oct. 16 deadline is 13 months away, which seems like a long time. But given the reality that faculty are not on campus a few weeks in the winter and a few months during the summer, the work they do while on campus is crucial given the deadline will come in a blink of an eye. “What we have to do is make sure that we’re organized,” Scott said. “That everybody understands the timeline and are part of the groups. That people step up and participate. None of [the recommendations] are insurmountable, they’re all doable. We just have to have the will and we have to work collaboratively and respectfully. I feel confident that we will have a report when it’s due and we will have addressed these recommendations as best as we possibly can.”
Contributed by John Orona
Graphic by Daniel Valencia
OPINION
3 COURIER
Catching up with Common Core? Christian Rivas Staff Writer
Since its establishment in 2009, the Common Core State Standards initiative has faced criticism from teachers and parents alike. While the Common Core Standards weren’t fully implemented in classrooms until earlier this year, many fear that the material is already overwhelming for students. Heather Kays wrote an article featured in The Washington Times expressing her distaste for the Common Core Standards. “The Common Core State Standards are academically mediocre at best, according to professors, curriculum experts, child psychologists and many teachers,” Kays wrote. “That is especially true for the younger grades—specifically, K-3— where a mountain of information will be hammered into these young students even though there is evidence such practices do not lead to academic gains that last as students get older.” While I understand it’s difficult to introduce such a heavy workload on younger students, the fact of the matter is that everyone else is already doing it. Every three years, 15 year olds in developed and developing countries take The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) as a measure of literacy, math and science comprehension. The U.S. ranked 35th out of 64 countries in math and 27th in science, according to the PISA results from 2012. If the U.S. wants to remain competitive with China, which ranked first in mathematics, and Japan, which ranked sixth, they have to hold their K-12 students to the same standards. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) offers an in-depth look at the results of the PISA and it doesn’t look pretty. “While the U.S. spends more per student than most countries, this does not translate into better performance,” the report found. “For example, the Slovak Republic, which spends around USD $5,300 per
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student, performs at the same level as the United States, which spends over $11,500 per student.” So if the money the U.S. is spending on education isn’t working, what will? Ideally, the Common Core Standards. These standards would implement a system of learning that requires K-12 students to think critically, as opposed to filling in the bubble that sounds like it’s right. Common Core Standards will teach students how to solve a problem, explain how they got their answer and find a different way to get the same answer. This allows students to really understand what they’re learning and also increases the likelihood of them using that knowledge for the later years of their education. The end game for Common Core Standards would be to better prepare students for the extremely competitive work force in the United States. It’s also an opportunity to keep jobs in the U.S. Perhaps the biggest mountain politicians in the 2008 presidential election had to climb was finding a way to get Americans back to work. The problem was that there were jobs, but big businesses felt that outsourcing jobs was not only the smartest choice economically, but the safest bet. Year after year, it is only getting harder for people seeking employment in the United States to get hired due to their lack of education. The time where high school teens left their parents house to find a career is far behind us. A high school diploma is no longer a sufficient level of education for employers. The Common Core Standards aim to mold a generation of students with a higher level of education to pursue degrees that would allow them to compete with other powerhouses in the fields of English, science and mathematics. Whether or not this initiative pays dividends is yet to be seen, but I believe Common Core is the step in the right direction for America.
Alex Chhuon Staff Writer
With 20 percent of eligible third through eighth graders passing on the standardized exams last spring, the recently adopted Common Core standards have come under fire. Common Core, a programs adopted by 45 of the 50 states sets national standards across the entire country as opposed to having 50 different standards controlled by each state, was originally passed to improve the overall test scores of students across the country. According to a report by The Learning Curve, published by Pearson and written by The Economist, America ranked 20th in educational attainment in 2014. Countries like Korea, Japan, and China ranked highly across the board in the education department. What these countries have in common, besides being in Asia, is that they have a set a more united national standard as individual countries that their students strive towards day and night. Thus, the logic to Common Core is to reach a similar educational level by following these countries in standardizing a set goal across all 50 states. It is difficult to compare the educational levels of states due to the differences in curriculum nationally. As such, by gathering the states under one educational banner, they should to work towards a higher level together. At first glance, this theory seems sound as the best way to learn anything is by copying. However, copying doesn’t work when the test we have is a different form. Although, the United States and these Asian countries had students taking the same test, the fundamental issues with the education system and culture are an entirely different monster to wrestle than those in Asia. Common Core is an answer that will not translate well from Chinese, Korean and Japanese to American English. With Common Core, teachers must adhere to a rigid curriculum
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that stymies the teacher’s creative freedom as they will be forced to devote time to teaching the Common Core curriculum. The driving force of Common Core is the idea that the United States has dropped off from being one of the leading influences in education. But the idea that America was once the very epitome of the educational system is false. According to Diane Ravitch, a research professor, American students came in 11th out of 12 nations on a national test in 1964. It would be foolish to call the American education system stellar, but it does have its strengths that these Asian countries do not possess. “The ideal Shanghainese student is like a sea sponge blindly absorbing any and all information and spewing it all out during the tests,” Saga Ringmar of The Guardian wrote. What the rigorous curriculums of China, Korea and Japan promote is the memorization of scientific facts, mathematical equations and even aspects of literature. Many of these Eastern students may possibly spend double the time studying that American students do. In Korea it is the norm for students to attend private institutions at night wto remain competitive. However, what these countries lack is what America has in spades. Creativity and critical thinking are underdeveloped in these students who are forced to do worksheet after worksheet in not only school, but their school after school. “Asian nations struggle with outmoded instructional practices and an over-reliance on high-pressure examinations -- and they continue to look to America for clues in cultivating innovation in teaching and creativity in their students,” Vishakha N. Desai, president of the Asia Society, wrote on CNN. Common Core may not be the solution to America’s issues, but it is a good starting point. Reaching the standard level of these Asian countries is probably impossible, but the idea of improving our standards holds merit. However, we should not do so at the cost of our creativity.
September 24, 2015
VOICES
What do you think of the controversy surrounding Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue licenses to same-sex couples?
“I think it’s extremely unfair. She has the will to grant people rights to certain things and she shouldn’t be imposing her own moral beliefs or religious ideologies on others because she’s a government official.” Alonso Chavarria, sociology
“I think your religious beliefs and the law should be completely separate. It’s okay for her to believe that gays getting married is wrong but her job is to marry people. She can’t stop doing her job when the law says that gays can get married.” Genevieve Armstorff, geology
“I believe that people have the right to be happy with whoever they want to be with. If they are happy that way, they are happy. I feel like homosexual couples appreciate marriage more than heterosexual couples.” Justine Sanchez, undecided
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I’m all for it and it doesn’t bother me but some people just refuse to let that go. I think it was wrong for them to put her in jail.” Patience Madayag, political science
COURIER
Cartoon by Mick Donovan
Serving PCC since 1915
Editor-in-Chief Kristen Luna Photo Editor/ Managing Editor Keely Damara
Online Editor/Features Editor Mick Donovan
Online Photo Editor Katja Liebing
Opinion Editor Hannah Gonzales
Asst. Online Photo Editor Eric Haynes
Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu
Social Media Editor Amber Lipsey
News Editor John Orona
Sports Editors Ahmad Akkaoui and Christian Rivas
Scene Editor Erica Hong
Design Editor Samantha Molina Staff Writers Ericka Bernabe, Anthony Carter, Alex Chhuon, Julius Choi, Melody Congote, Lilith Garcia, Andi Harding, Rachel Ho, Erica Hong, Timothy Mably, Kelly R. Murillo, Elissa Saldana, Arielle Taccad
Staff Photographers Irma Carrillo, Nate Fermin, Anthony Galindo, Monique LeBleu, Alexis Luengas, Kristen Luna, Samantha Molina, Josie Rodriguez Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photo Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Manager Daniel Nerio
The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District. The Courier is written and produced as a learning experience for student writers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department.
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“If [couples] would find someone else that would issue the license to them then that would respect both her beliefs and theirs and things would be okay.” Philip Silao, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship club Reporting by Ahmad Akkaoui Photos by Keely Damara
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-Ralph Waldo
Kristen Luna/Courier Graphic design student Tony Gallardo, 48, working on a class assignment in the Screen Printing Fundamentals for Sales and Marketing course held in V106. GRFX 134A is a handson certificate.
Josie Rodriguez/Courier Nicholas Conrique, an architecture student at Pasadena City College, drawing in between classes on Wednesday Sept. 16..
Cynthia Butler, Pasadena City College Biology s on Wednesday Sept. 16.
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Josie Rodriguez/Courier Paint brushes and other tools used by the ceramics students at Pasadena City College on Wednesday Sept.16.
Josie Rodriguez/Courier student, working on clay cups for her ceramics class at PCC
Kristen Luna/Courier Student Chris Yanez has a work in progress in the Screen Printing Fundamentals for Sales and Marketing course held in V106. GRFX 134A is a hands-on certificate program that teaches students screen printing and digital imaging. He is taking the class for fun.
LIFESTYLE
6 COURIER
El Grito sets celebratory mood Ericka Bernabe Staff Writer
The Villa Parke Community Center was filled with hundreds of adults and children celebrating Latin American independence on Tuesday. Every year during the month of September, the center hosts Fiestas Patrias, a festival where people celebrate the independence of 18 countries starting with Mexico. “Fiestas Patrias allows for the community and the city of Pasadena to bring together multiple generations, anywhere from toddlers, infants, adults and seniors to celebrate the Latin American culture and heritage,” said Pasadena recreational service specialist Yurica Montes. The event started with an “El Grito,” which is the calling for independence followed with the Mexican national anthem. Each room was filled with colorful paper flowers, piñatas and decorations relating to Latin culture. Kids had a variety of cultural games and entertainment to choose from such as creating stenciled posters, face painting, pin the tail on the donkey and cultural games like loteria and el burro. Every year, a royal court for Fiestas Patrias is held at Villa Parke. Each young girl in the cultural pageantry was asked questions about her heritage and the day concluded with three being crowned as princesses. A live music performance by Ignacio Hernandez y su Mariachi had the audience wanting more, the young girls of Ballet Folklorico Nahuatzen danced on stage with their beautiful traditional dresses, and the Aztec dancers had amazing metallic costumes with large feather headpieces. A Pasadena local, Yesenia Orozco, came to the event with her grandchildren, Christian, 1, and niece Angela, 5. “This is my first time coming here with my grandchildren,” Orozco said, “It’s great to expose the younger generation to their cultural roots and watch them have fun. California was once Mexico, and the Mexican population is big here and Independence Day is important to us.” The community center has held this event for over 20
Katja Liebing/Courier Emie Vega, of the Aztec dance group Yankuititl, dances at the Villa Parke Community Center in Pasadena on Sept. 16. years. “I’ve been working here 15 years and we’ve been doing this every year,” said Edna Mejia, the community relations representative. “I’m pretty sure the people who worked before me did it too.” The city of Pasadena’s Human Services and Recreation Department sponsored the free festival. It has been held specifically at this center because the population it serves is 80 percent Latino.
Latin rhythm lives in band’s blood Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor
Down the narrow side alley next to the Zona Rosa Café, “Latin-afro-cubano-world-beat-fusion” band Cava put their spin on some 60s, 80s, and 90s songs for die-hard music lovers enjoying the Playhouse District earlier this month. Glowing and happy, lead singer and percussionist Claudia “Cava” Gonzalez Miranda sits astride the Cajón, a traditional Peruvian percussion box, and croons lullaby-like while gently stroking the anticipated new life that’s growing in her belly. Cava, who also plays the guiro, taiko, jarana and maracas percussion instruments, formed the band in 2006 fresh off another called Domingo Siete, where she commonly covered bolero and Afro-Cubano “Son” style traditional music. “My influences are Celia Cruz to Billie Holiday to Michael Jackson,” and even 80s Latin-jazz based ska-reggae band, The Skatalites, said Cava. “It’s a really wide spectrum of sounds. But I started with mariachi, and that’s the reason why boleros are my forte.” Walter Miranda, Cava’s husband and a keyboardist and vocalist with the band as well, is a PCC alum that studied architectural design and then later music and jazz standards under professor Bobby Bradford. Cava credits her music education to family support, musical influences, aural training and practice. “We’ve been training all our lives, since we were inches tall,” said Cava. “It’s a lot of ear training, which is a master class for most musical students. I was raised on really fine music and musicians.” “My mother’s part mulatta and my father’s full Jalisco-raised Mexican and had a beautiful voice,” said Cava, attributing them as the inner
source behind the rhythm and soul of her music. Audience members were quick to stand up and dance in the snug and breezy alley next to the café to the infectious rhythm of Cava’s music on a hot Sunday. Sisters Jacqueline and Daisy Chilin made a special visit to the cafe when they heard the band was playing on Sundays and danced to their favorites. “Mi Malasuerte is one of the lively ones. It just makes you want to move,” said Jacqueline, PCC alum who transferred from the Child Development Blended Program and is now doing public service with families for the city of Los Angeles.
Monique A. LeBleu/Courier Cava and drummer Adam Topol of the band Cava play in the Zona Rosa Cafe adjacent alley on Sept. 13.
“I like the intimate feel of the outdoors and it’s a just a good thing to have in a cafe,” said Daisy of the alley play space. Daisy, also, PCC alum, political science, transferred and now works for the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services. “We just came to enjoy some Sunday afternoon music. My sister introduced me to Cava,” said Jacqueline. “We went to see them at the Levitt Pavilion [years ago] and they were awesome. She has an amazing voice.” Wishing to leave the limelight for his sister Cava, Gabriel Gonzalez spoke briefly after joining the lively ending of the day’s performance. “Well I’m what you call a hired gun in this scene,” laughed Gonzalez. “I’m Cava’s older brother and we’ve played in different bands through the years.” Cava’s older sister and PCC alum, Martha Gonzalez, sings in the Grammy award winning band Quetzal. “All our children are performers. And our children, they all sing,” said Cava, whose 16-year-old daughter is actress Mia Xitlali. In continuing the tradition, the three siblings plan to do a story and music performance piece called Caminos y Canciones next year. In it they will share their history of growing up with music in Los Angeles, including memories of their time at the once popular variety show Noche de Variadades, formerly held at the Million Dollar Theater downtown. With a voice she finds uncommonly deeper than contemporary vocalists, Cava’s finale is El Yerberito Moderno, a traditional favorite by Celia Cruz that she calls her “Hollywood Bowl” song to be ready for when that day comes. Cava plays Sundays at the Zona Rosa Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
September 24, 2015
SPORTS
7 COURIER
September 24, 2015
Lancers look great in win over Glendale more goals in the second half so I
Christian Rivas Co-Sports Editor
Following a loss to Mt. San Jacinto Friday, the PCC women’s soccer team bounced back with a huge 5-2 win Tuesday over Glendale at Robinson Stadium. The Lancers looked out of it at kick-off and Glendale scored early on in the first half. This seemed to have woken the Lancers up and they looked like a completely different team the rest of the game. The Lancers equalized with a beautiful goal by freshman forward Sandra Ambrosio, but a draw was the farthest thing from their mind after losing Friday. The Lancers wanted this win, and it showed. Just before the half ended, defender Michelle Morales and the Lancers got the go-ahead goal. The Lancers hoped to go into the second half with the same confidence in attacking the net. Co-captain Rachel Schroeder opened up the scoring in the second half giving the Lancers the insurance goal they needed to secure this win. Schroeder nearly secured a brace on the evening, but her shot from outside the box late in the second half hit the crossbar. The Lancers didn’t let up following Schroeder’s goal. The net seemed to look ten times bigger to the Lancers and Leila Farazdaghi made a good game into a blowout. But even with the Lancers’ threegoal cushion, Glendale was looking to attempt an almost impossible comeback. With less than 20 minutes on the clock, Glendale caught the defense sleeping and curled one
was very pleased,” said Rivas. A large part of the win had to do with how well the Lancers spread the field. The wingers, Ani Hemelians and Leila Farazdaghi, were dominant throughout the game. Their pace was too much for Glendale to handle. Rivas credits his coaching staff for the adjustment. “My coaches, coach Kyle and coach Heidi, both recommended putting Leila out on the wing which was a great change they saw,” said Rivas. Farazdaghi echoed what coach Rivas had to say about the team’s stellar performance in the second half. “In the beginning we were off to a rough start but after halftime we talked together and we came back and played a lot better,” said Farazdaghi. While it was just a preseason game, Schroeder believes the team’s competitive nature had something to do with their opponent.
Eric Haynes/Courier Sophomore midfielder Rachel Schroeder battles it out with a Vaquero during the womens’ soccer game against Glendale Community College at PCC on Tuesday.
“We really wanted this win,” said Schroeder. “It was a cross-town rivalry at home and we had a decent crowd today so we definitely wanted
in off the far post to decrease the deficit to two. The Lancers weren’t taking any chances and forced the ball down the wings for another goal.
Some crafty footwork by Farazdaghi to beat the defender led to a cross in the box to a wide-open Elena Hueze. Hueze’s goal was the fifth and final of the game.
Coach Reggie Rivas was delighted with the way his team played. “At halftime we talked about having high energy, high work rate and they came out and scored three
won 3-1, giving up their second set 22-25 but coming back and shutting down Rio Hondo in the last two sets 25-15. Coach Kari Post said that sophomore middle blocker Chy’Annea Hodges was a powerhouse over the weekend, with two digs, three solo blocks and 10 block assists against Rio Hondo. “I think that overall for the whole weekend Chy’Annea Hodges—she just shined— she blocked the ball like a beast,” said Post. The Lancers women felt confident playing Glendale, but freshman setter Hannah Clarke felt that they needlessly gave up runs later in the game, even though they swept them 3-0. “We played our game, the first set, very well—that’s when we actually got our runs —but we kind of gave up a lot of runs,” said Clarke. “I feel like the only thing we need to work on is getting consistent in playing our game.” Post said that although there are
a lot of experienced players on the court this year, a lot of them are returning from a season off so it still feels like a new team. One of her goals for her first year as head volleyball coach is an even record this season. Right now they are 4-1. Post is excited to see how the Lancers women perform at the Pierce Invitational this weekend against teams like Pierce—the No. 2 team in the state, along with Foothill. “The big thing for us is that we’re going to have to be able to serve receive,” said Post. “Passing the ball is one of the biggest consistencies that we’re going to have to face. We’re going to be playing teams like Pierce and it’ll be fun to see how we match up to them. I think we are very close if not just as good as them. The Lancers are headed to Woodland Hills this Friday for the two-day Pierce Invitational in Woodland Hills.
Irma Carrillo/Courier Chy’Annea Hodges makes an overhead pass against Rio Hondo College for the win at the Quad tournament hosted by Orange Coast College on Saturday.
Men’s Soccer: 0-5-1 (Overall) @ Santa Ana - T, 1-1 @ Santiago Canyon - L, 2-0 @ Chaffey - L, 1-0 v. Rio Hondo - L, 2-0 v. San Bernardino Valley - L, 1-0 v. San Diego Mesa - L, 5-2
Women’s Soccer: 2-3 (Overall) @ Santa Ana - L, 2-1 v. Moorpark - L, 5-1 @ San Diego City - W, 3-0 @ Mt. San Jacinto - L, 3-1 v. Glendale - W, 5-2
Volleyball: 4-1 (Overall) v. Mt. San Jacinto - W, 3-2 v. Citrus - W, 3-0 v. Ventura - L, 3-2 Orange Coast Quad Tournament v. Rio Hondo - W, 3-1 v. Glendale - W, 3-0
Upcoming Games: 9/25 @ Cuyamaca, 4 p.m. 9/29 v. Mt. San Antonio, 3 p.m. (SCC Opener)
Upcoming Games: 9/25 @ Fullerton, 4 p.m. 9/29 @ Mt. San Antonio, 4 p.m. (SCC Opener)
to come away with the win.” The Lancers play their final preseason game away against Fullerton College at 4 p.m.
Lancers volleyball sweeps Orange Coast Quad Tournament Keely Damara Managing Editor
Lancers volleyball swept Rio Hondo and Glendale at the Orange Coast Quad Tournament in Costa Mesa this past weekend in what were their first away games of the season. Coming off of their first loss last Wednesday against Ventura, middle blocker Kendra Logan, a third-year red shirt sophomore, said they were determined to follow through during the tournament games over this past weekend. “We learned a lot from it. I think we realized that we can’t just let up on teams,” said Logan of their loss on Wednesday. “I know I was getting beat on blocks and stuff like that and we were also getting beat on serve receive a lot, but other than that we were doing pretty well.” Their first tournament match was against Rio Hondo and the Lancers
SPORTS RECAP
Upcoming Games: 9/25 - 9/26 Pierce Invitational 10/2 v. LA Trade Tech, 6 p.m. (SCC Opener)
Water Polo: 2-3, 0-1 (SCC) @ Chaffey (SCC Opener) - L, 14-3 El Camino Tournament v. LA Valley - L, 16-5 v. El Camino - W, 16-0 Upcoming Games: Cabrillo Tournament 9/25 v. Cabrillo, 8:30 a.m. v. West Valley, 2:10 p.m. 9/26 v. Ohlone, 8:00 a.m. v. De Anza, 12:35 p.m.
Football: 0-3 (Overall) @ El Camino - L, 31-23 v. Grossmont - L, 51-0 @ LA Harbor - L, 24-23 Upcoming Games: 9/26 v. Canyons College, 6 p.m. (SCFA NNC Opener) Cross Country: Upcoming Meet: 9/26 Rose City Running Classic, 9:30 a.m.
FEATURES
8 COURIER
September 24, 2015
Supermom, student, club president, parent
Ericka Bernabe Staff Writer
She describes herself as a “go getter” and there is nothing that can stop this supermom from achieving her goals. Twenty-six-year-old Amanda Murillo of El Sereno has no problem juggling being a full time student at Pasadena City College, President of the Paralegal Association, and being a mother to her seven-year-old daughter Alexis. Murillo has been intrigued with law ever since she was a young girl. She is currently in the process of earning her A.S. degree in political science and also her paralegal certificate. Her dream is to go to Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles and stay local. As president of the Paralegal Association, Murillo does her best to make sure the club participates and gets exposure in a variety of activities including interacting with the community and participating in food drives. “We like to get together and create activities surrounded by things a paralegal would do in the work field or get them exposure to the environment, such as field trips
to the court house and field trips to the L.A. Law Library,” Murillo said. A member of the club, Diana Suarez, said she was hesitant to join until she met Murillo. “Students are enriched with the knowledge and ability to communicate with all Pasadena City College students and of the Paralegal Program, and offers this in the most positive way,” Suarez said. The association also runs the Law Day event at PCC, which has been around at PCC since the 70s. Although the club only meets once a month, Murillo has many plans for the club for this semester. “I’m so impressed with Amanda. The club currently looks extremely well organized and is hosting really impressive events much more so than we did back then,” said Professor Marc Angelucci, who was the former president of the club in the early 90s. Her secret of handling her busy life is multitasking. Everything she does is planned and written down on her planner, which is something that helps her keep organized with her life. “I combine my work. I’m always going super fast with everything that I do and I don’t watch TV,”
Murillo said. She also is the admin to her club’s Facebook and Instagram page (PCCParalegals) that she checks on at least once a week. Murillo is family oriented and that is the main thing that keeps her going. “Family is my drive. I lead by
example. I am blessed to live the life that I live,” Murillo said. “My mother, my father, my sister, my aunts, my grandmothers have been great teachers to me. A little bit of them, I carry within me. So I lead by the example I was taught.” Growing up she was told she would never be anything, yet here
she is doing everything. And she has advice for anyone who feels they cannot succeed. “You can have anything in this world, just as long as you want it,” she said. “If you put all of your energy and perseverance on what you truly want without giving up, you can achieve it.”
This is the second year in a row that Lancer Lens has held auditions open to anyone who was interested in landing the host position. In years past, the hosting gig was only open to students who were enrolled in television and radio classes.
“This is a great opportunity for those who want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism as well as those who want to build more confidence performing in front of a camera,” said PCC One producer David Steiman.
PCC One is PCC’s official daily video program that informs students of the events that are taking place at school and what is going on involving the school itself. The show is broadcasted on television all around campus in building hallways. Every episode of the show can also be accessed online on PCC’s YouTube page. The host selection is a two-step process where the applicants first go inside of the recording room and read from the script that is on the teleprompter. From there, every applicant’s audition is uploaded onto Facebook for the public to decide who performed best. The top five applicants with the most votes on their audition video will land a spot as a host for the entire 2015-16 academic school year. A few students who auditioned for the role said that landing this opportunity would have a huge impact on their future in years to
come. “I looked at this as a good way to gain experience for performing in front of a camera because I am a dance and theater arts major,” said Jessica Lavren Taylor, a second year student at PCC. “I wanted to test myself and I wouldn’t normally do and step out of my comfort zone. This will allow me to be more well rounded and learn new skills.” First year PCC student Keno Deary Jr. saw this audition as a step closer to achieving his goal of landing his dream job. “I had a really good time during my audition,” said Deary Jr., a first year communications major. “In the future I hope to be a sports broadcaster and this is one step closer to reaching my goal. The more hours you put into your craft, the better you will become.”
Kristen Luna/Courier Paralegal studies student Amanda Murillo studying in the Shatford Library on Friday, Sept. 11. Murillo is a single parent and president of the Paralegal Association. She is in her second year in the paralegal studies program and working towards her associate’s degree in political science.
PCC One zooming in on rising TV news stars Julius Choi Staff Writer
Lancer Lens held auditions to find new hosts for Pasadena City College’s daily news show, PCC One, on Thursday.
You have a world of ideas. Let’s hear them.
PJ L
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