Women’s soccer defeats El Camino in first-round playoff, falls to Pasadena in penalty shootout
The Brahmas beat El Camino 2-1, with both goals by midfielder Brenda Medina
By Abraham Elizalde Sports Editor
The Pierce college women’s soccer team defeated the El Camino Warriors in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Nov. 20, with a score of 2-1.
The team was the only Pierce College team in the Fall 2024 season to end off on a winning record and head to playoffs, with a record of 13-5-2. With this record, they secured the 15th
seed and were set to go against the 18th seed Warriors.
The Warriors were coming off the SCC Tournament, where they won third place after a game against Long Beach College in penalty kicks.
Assistant coach Joandra Ramirez expressed her thoughts on the El Camino women’s soccer team, and how the Brahmas competed against them.
“They play excellent soccer. They are a team that probably has played the best soccer all
season,” Ramirez said. “We moved as a team, defended them as a team and just took away the shot they had in the middle. By doing that, we were able to close them out.”
The first half started off tame with both teams having no shots on goal. As the half was ending, a corner-kick by Isabel Morales resulted in an assist to Brenda Medina, scoring a header on overtime.
With the half ending in a 1-0 score in favor of Pierce, the
game continued with another contribution from Medina. The midfielder shot a penalty, which resulted in a 2-0 lead within ten minutes in the half.
The Warriors showed persistence with a goal from freshman defender Sofia Hudson.
Pierce seemed to be falling with captain forward Livia Pereria and starting goalkeeper Adriana Villacana both getting injured in a span of ten minutes. The injuries and the goal from Hudson weren’t enough for the Warriors, as the referee whistle concluded the game with the victory for Pierce.
The communication from the team is what helped the Brahmas
push forward and secured the win, according to Medina.
“With the pressure we had, we performed good, we calmed down and we kept pushing each other,” Medina said. “We kept communicating on the field, and I feel like that just helped us move forward.”
This season for women’s soccer was one of the best ones they ever had, according to head coach Adolfo Perez.
“What a wonderful group of young ladies that we have,” Perez said. “This is honestly one of the best girls we have had ever, the camaraderie between the team is unbelievable.”
SEE PAGE 8: Pierce double overtime 4-3 loss to Pasadena
to pass the
during a playoff game against the Pasadena Lancers in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024. The
lost on penalty kicks 4-3.
Angelina Guerrero
Pierce’s Lily Rang (left) attempts
ball
Brahmas
Benjamin Hanson / Roundup News
Pierce midfielder Brenda Medina (#20) heads the ball with El Camino defense surrounding her in playoff game against El Camino at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 20.
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Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup
Providing assistance for students completing FAFSA
With the changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during the 20242025 application, many students struggled to fill out their form, resulting in loss of money and financial obstacles throughout the year. To prevent this from happening again, Pierce College should offer help with workshops to help the students go through the 2025-2026 application, which is now open, with ease.
The problems with the FAFSA application were apparent as soon as it opened. According to the National Public Radio (NPR), the form was released
months behind schedule and that caused colleges to panic in sending out their financial aid packages in time. The problems didn’t stop there. When students were filling out their application, there had been numerous delays and technical issues in the website, according to NPR.
This, along with other issues, were clear to students. 31% of students had trouble filling out the form because of technical issues, according to a survey by debt.com.
Students were also faced with the trouble of the duration of the application. According to debt.com, 48% of the students surveyed said that the new form
had far too many questions and 23% said that the form took them at least three and a half hours to complete.
With these high numbers of people struggling to fill out the form, Pierce should offer the assistance students need so they can go through the application with minimal stress, and fill it out successfully to maximize their chance of financial aid.
Without assistance, this will result in many students giving up on their form, and endure the financial struggles to come.
According to Federal Student Aid, as of now 11 million applications were completed for the 2024-2025 form, comparing
it to the near 17.7 million applications that were submitted during the 2019-2020 form, according to The Hill.
It is clear that last year’s FAFSA application process was difficult for many students, and that they will need assistance for the 2025-2026 application. To make sure the students of Pierce get through the process with little problems and the right way, the campus should provide the assistance they need to make sure that the chaos of last year doesn’t happen again.
A look
into the archives: 70 years of the Roundup
On Nov. 28, 1990, The Roundup published Vol. 73, No. 11.
Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451” and “Dandelion Wine,” gave a lecture at Pierce College on the importance of writing for oneself. He talked for more than an hour, describing his literary influences. His main piece of advice was for writers to never tell anyone their ideas, because they will never properly write their story if they do. Community Service Director Kathy Main said the event had the largest turnout she had ever seen.
Despite Pierce cutting 95 classes, enrollment at the colleged increased by 2.7%. Certain classes were cut in order to prevent the LACCD from falling into a deficit of 10 million dollars. Dean of Student and Administration Services Phil Stein claimed that the removed classes were already “weak.” He also explained the increased enrollment was caused by a poor economy, when people tend to return to school.
The ASO began petitioning for the removal of styrofoam from the cafeteria. ASO Vice President Alex
Haydon said that the chemicals in styrofoam motivated him to petition for this change. Cafeteria Manager Marty Vargas responded to this, stating that styrofoam is no longer made with harmful chemicals. Although using paper products would cost more, Haydon believed most students wouldn’t mind paying the extra cost. Vargas disagreed and stated that students should not be forced to pay extra to eat.
Pierce sought Title III funds for a third time. Title III would give Pierce $2.5 million apart from their state fund over the course of 5 years. The college hired Western Research and Development Inc. to help them draw up the proposal for the grant. The consultant from the year prior charged $18,000 for their services, which Pierce paid through proceeds from their Swap Meet. The current consultant would only charge up to $3,000 if they lost the case.
Copy by Daisy Malone.
An archived front page of the Roundup Volume 73, Number 11 displayed in the newsroom.
A deeply flawed holiday Should Thanksgiving be recontextualized? An important tradition
By Gerardo Escobar Campus Life Editor
In the United States, Thanksgiving is continuously overshadowed by its more popular cousin, Christmas. With so many people overlooking Thanksgiving as soon as Halloween is over by putting up ornaments, lights and tuning into Christmas songs. Some people may wonder why it is celebrated at all, especially because it overlooks the injustices faced by indigenous people.
Thanksgiving is often a time for people to look back and reflect on the year they had while coming together with family and sharing food, but with Christmas taking place around a month after and having similar themes, it almost feels redundant.
should go from being about turkey and watching the Detroit Lions’ abysmal performance and instead be about the nation reflecting and acknowledging the injustices committed toward the indigenous populations.
largely regarded to have taken place in 1621.
conflict or disease.
Fifty years following the feast, King Phillips’ War (16751678) would break out, where the Wampanoag Tribe and other disgruntled tribes would fight the English and their Mohegan and Mohawk allies because of the colonists’ continual push into sacred Native American lands.
It is estimated 5,000 Native Americans died and some 1,000 were sold into slavery, according to the Harvard Veterans Association.
Even by the 1600s, the indigenous population in the Americas had dropped so dramatically that global temperatures decreased and possibly contributed to the Little Ice Age, according to a study
after the Pilgrims moved into Plymouth in March of 1621, with the help of a Pawtuxet man named Squanto, who was an escaped slave, they would become familiar with the new land and he also helped the Pilgrims create an alliance with the Wampanoag Tribe. After a successful corn harvest in November of that year, Governor William Bradford organized a celebration that would last three days and invited allied tribes of the colony.
Squanto himself had already felt the effects of European colonization, after being in slavery in Europe for five years, once he escaped and returned to the Americas in 1619, he found that his entire tribe had died from smallpox leaving him as the sole survivor, according to the New York Times.
However, the popular telling of the Pilgrims and Natives coming together and sharing food as the origin of Thanksgiving severely downplays the struggles of the native tribes faced by the colonists and paints a picture of camaraderie between the European settlers and Indians when that simply was not true on a larger scale, whether through
Wounded Knee.
A dedicated day to remember and acknowledge that these events actually occurred can help better relationships between the government and indigenous peoples by showing they do matter and are recognized and potentially increase awareness of the current issues they face, and potentially address them more effectively.
As Native Americans continue to feel the effects of colonization through high poverty rates, higher rates of diseases such as lung and heart disease, lower access to healthcare, and according the Administration for Children and Families, are 19 times more likely to lack indoor plumbing than white households, it is time for the United States to recontextualize Thanksgiving to acknowledge and reflect on the hardships of Native peoples.
Given the history of abuse, it is almost insulting to have such a holiday in the same month that is meant to acknowledge the history and heritage of Native Americans, Alaskans and Hawaiians.
By Nathalie Herrera Reporter
Thanksgiving is a time for family and giving back to the community.
As many people know it today, Thanksgiving is iconic and prevalent in American culture. It is taught as a day for thankfulness and families coming together over a meal.
Though it does have a controversial history, Thanksgiving today is not about celebrating its history but rather the traditions each family has set for the holiday. If recontextualized, the holiday could erase many family traditions across multiple cultures.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been mass-marketed to everyone in the United States through commercials, movies and TV shows. It is a holiday that is nationally recognized and celebrated. It is also one of the only Holidays most religions and cultures can celebrate together.
Thanksgiving holds many values of family, food, and gratitude that coincide with Latin cultural values while allowing different cultures to implement their flavors. Thanksgiving is a chance to be accepted and celebrate their heritage.
While many argue that sharing the true history of Thanksgiving requires recontextualizing the holiday, there are many ways that peoplewe can continue to teach its history without erasing the holiday as many families know it.
Schools can implement a new curriculum when discussing Thanksgiving and its history while allowing families to celebrate their traditions, and they can change how the history of Thanksgiving is shared.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
“I actually lost my grandma last year during Thanksgiving, and so that was a time when everyone came together and really bonded. It brought us all back together.”
Bella
An article published by The Counter, written by Samantha Cross, shares an experience of Cross’s family holiday being about Thanksgiving marketing and how it has led to her family’s traditional Thanksgiving meals. Cross mentions that Thanksgiving is all about the food, and coming from a Caribbean background, they can make their Thanksgiving dinner include their cultural background.
For many families with different cultural backgrounds, Thanksgiving is a time to include themselves in a very American tradition that fits their families’ culture by making a holiday meal and feeling united.
According to the Latino Times,
Giving is a very prevalent Thanksgiving value and tradition, in addition to the traditional family meal. Certain family traditions include volunteering in a soup kitchen, donating nonperishable foods to the homeless or donating money to nonprofits.
The Martha Vineyard Times shared the story of dozens of volunteers coming together to provide meals and food for struggling families this Thanksgiving. Each bag is filled with traditional items a Thanksgiving meal calls for and is delivered to each family.
Recontextualizing Thanksgiving means changing many traditions that each family has created to fit their culture and traditions of volunteering and giving back to families in need.
Thanksgiving in the present day is about celebrating family and is not about celebrating its history. Americans can be taught and informed about the holiday’s past without affecting traditions passed by each family.
“I don’t think helping people is optional. I think we as humans are called to help others by God. Thanksgiving is definitely more about giving than receiving.”
Joel Haro - Mechanical engineering
“I don’t really think that much about the importance of Thanksgiving. I guess every Thanksgiving is about spending time with my dad’s side of the family.”
Allison Quach - Education
“I think it’s important to talk about what you’re thankful for and showing what you’re grateful for and truly expressing to the people you love that you care for them.”
Jadin
Interviews by Tim Lewis
by Marzia Rankin
Photos
Baron - Film
Newnan - Mathematics
Delilah Brumer / Roundup News
A table centerpiece during the Thanksgiving Concert at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024.
Transfer Center supports students as deadlines loom
By Jonathan Wheelock Reporter
The Fall 2025 UC and CSU transfer deadline is on Dec. 2, and the Pierce College Transfer Center is helping students finish their applications.
The Transfer Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday in-person and online from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., excluding Friday. Friday’s online hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Transfer Center can be found in the Student Services Building.
“They want us to succeed and they’re really inclusive on what they believe is right for us and what the tools that we need [are],” Business Administration Major Evan Malinis said. “And I think it’s a great place to start and to look for help.”
The Transfer Center holds different workshops and events to help students. One such event was held on Nov. 21 and helped students get provisionally admitted to California State University, Northridge.
As of the Fall 2023 semester, 84% of Pierce students who applied to transfer to CSU Northridge were admitted.
CSUN Outreach Counselor Bryan Gittins helped students during this event and explained how the process of transferring can be tough for students.
“It can be overwhelming,” Gittins said. “Especially when they’re trying to figure out if they need to earn a degree, what the difference between an associate’s degree is and an ADT and associate’s degree for transfer, and then learning of the requirements of the different schools, especially for those students that are applying to the different systems.”
Sunday Salter, the Transfer Center director, said she feels that the best thing for students to do is to start early and come to the workshops.
“We encourage students to come to our workshops because we go over a lot of that information,” Salter said. “But if they are interested in the UC system, day one, they should create a Transfer Application Planner.”
The UC Transfer Application Planner is a website that allows students to track their progress toward transferring.
“We want everyone to do their research, meet with a counselor, meet with the university directly whenever possible and then come in here to clarify anything that they don’t understand,” Salter said. “It’s very complicated. It’s very confusing. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there and so students get confused.”
Pierce President Ara Aguiar said she encourages students to
work with the Transfer Center.
“My biggest recommendation is to ask for help from the Transfer Center,” Aguiar said. “You’re in good hands. The staff there is really terrific.
English major Adamary Cantillano has received help
from the Transfer Center and been able to successfully fill out her applications.
“I’ve been here for two years,” Cantillano said. “And the first year I was super confused and it was because I hadn’t reached out to help. And I reached out to my counselor and she made everything really easy.”
More transfer information and event and workshop details can be found on the Transfer Center tab of the Pierce website.
Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter assists Buisness major Desmond Thompson with his transfer goals at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 21, 2024.
Pierce College Council discusses construction
By Ryan Kassebaum Reporter
The project manager in charge of Pierce College’s bond construction projects spoke on the progression and deadlines that are being met with the college looking to renovate the campus at the Pierce College Council (PCC) meeting on Nov. 21.
Project Manager Soufiane
Boudiaf explained the expected conclusion date of the first set of building renovations on Dec. 16.
“We are anticipating to reach completion of all the steel ration by Dec. 16,” Boudiaf said. “We are going to have what we call a topping-off ceremony of the steel. We are going to start our celebration around 12 o’clock lunchtime and there is going to be some refreshments, some sandwiches. Everyone is
welcome to come.”
Boudiaf said that before the last steel piece is put atop the structure, everyone has the opportunity to sign their name.
Boudiaf also gave an update on the Academic West Building.
“So that building we started about four weeks ago, and we’re working on connecting all underground utilities,” Boudiaf said. “A lot of existing utilities are in really bad shape, so we worked to connect some chilled water lines.”
Boudiaf also stated the child service academic building has 50% completion on it. According to Boudiaf, there will be areas with shade, as well as a courtyard for people to sit around in as well.
ASO President Jasmine Minchez discussed events that have been happening for the betterment of the student body. Minchez states ASO has been busy with the large abundance of student events including a pumpkin painting social, the transfer fair and much more.
“We had a pumpkin painting social on Wednesday, Oct. 30 which was a huge success,” Minchez said. “We saw a lot of foot traffic since it also coincided with the Transfer Fair that was
taking place at the Mall.”
Minchez stated that the Social Cultural Committee who put that event together would also be hosting an upcoming event with cookie decorating in December. As other future events approach and the second semester nears, Minchez stated the importance of having more students attend the events and the frequency with which she wants to hold events.
“So I just want to make sure that we have students out on the Mall,” Minchez said. “If not weekly then on a bi-weekly basis. I think in the spring especially is when we will have a very consistent schedule for tabling.”
Deputy Isaac Jorge expressed the success of the past month and the necessary actions professors must take as the holiday season approaches.
“We’ve only had one crime,” Jorge said. “It was a hit and run. Just a little fender bender where somebody took off.”
Jorge stated locking doors and keeping bags in the trunks of cars is a way to minimize the crime happening on campus. Although there was a lot of activity around campus, it was an overall good month with just one crime, according to Jorge.
crimes were reported for the week of Nov. 20-26.
The crime log is made publicly available
Moses Murga / Roundup News
Reporting by
Delilah Brumer
Ryan Kassebaum / Roundup News
Screenshot of Project Manager Soufiane Boudiaf speaking on Zoom during the Pierce College Council meeting on Nov. 21, 2024.
Professors raise concerns about common course numbering
By Delilah Brumer Editor-in-Chief
Many students at Pierce College take English 103 to satisfy their critical thinking requirement for transfer to a UC or CSU. At Santa Monica College, 20 miles away, the comparable course to meet that requirement is ENGL 2. This incongruence of course names and numbers is common across California.
With the aim of eliminating potential confusion caused by non-uniform course information, Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, authored AB 1111, which was signed into law in 2021. Due to this law, the state chancellor’s office has required California community colleges to adopt a common course numbering system, including standardized content outlines.
Three years after the law’s
passing, its implementation has proved complex.
Some Pierce College faculty, as well as the statewide Academic Senate, have raised concerns that the process of streamlining course information, including names, numbers and content descriptions, could have a negative impact on students trying to transfer and could infringe on professors’ academic freedom.
Pierce Academic Senate
Secretary Jennifer Moses is one of the professors who has called for a delay of the implementation of AB 1111. She said she is concerned that AB 1111 might result in some Pierce courses losing their transfer articulation to four-year universities, because when the community colleges standardize their course information, they’ll have to resubmit their courses for transfer approval to each CSU and UC
individually. She added that there is no guarantee that these fouryear universities will accept the new versions of the courses.
“We all want what is best for students,” Moses said. “If you’re going to make a huge change, avoid unintended harms for students. Why can’t we just slow down and make sure we do this rollout responsibly?”
Moses said she wants to pause AB 1111 implementation until there is more faculty involvement in the common course numbering decisionmaking, and confirmation from UCs and CSUs that the law won’t adversely impact transferability.
“This is an unprecedented change in how we do things, and it happened so quickly, without broad input from faculty,” Moses said.
Each California community college, including Pierce, has received $913,043 out of the 2024-2025 budget to spend on the implementation of AB 1111, including updating course catalogs and aligning course information.
Another issue raised by faculty is AB 1111’s implications for academic freedom. The state community college chancellor’s office has created templates for the first six courses to be included in the new course numbering, and they include course content outlines that are required to be identical.
Psychology Professor Angela Belden spoke during the public comment portion of the Academic Senate Curriculum Committee
Veterans come together at Pierce
By Alfonso Vargas Reporter
Veterans make up about 3% of the Pierce College student body, and their challenges of readapting to civilian life are often not understood by those who haven’t served.
That’s why the Veterans Resource Center hosted a resource fair on the courtyard in front of the Library Learning Crossroads on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Veterans Club Vice President Jonathan Block helped organize the event to spread awareness for the veterans who don’t know about local resources.
“There are around 600 veterans at this school that I’m aware of, and not many people know about any of the 25 plus veteran resources that are local to us,” Block said. “I wanted to be sure that veterans who are struggling, going through hard times transitioning out of the military. We’re in a safe and comfortable place here at Pierce.”
Block adds that the event has resources that will help the veterans with their struggle in life or educational benefits by enrolling in Pierce.
US Marine veteran Oscar Rodriguez believes Pierce helps veterans feel a sense of belonging after transitioning out of the military.
“The support that Pierce College gives to veterans, it’s very humbling to feel a sense of belonging,” Rodriguez said. “Especially here because like most veterans you’re out of the military so you don’t have a sense of purpose, but here, at least they help.”
Veterans Center Coordinator Curtis Smith wants veterans on campus to know about the resources around them.
“Resources like this are invaluable to our veterans,” Smith said. “A lot of our veterans don’t even know that there’s resources in the area. Our dean Will Marmario and Vice president Jason Cifra really want to grow our veteran population and make sure that we have the
meeting on Friday, Nov. 22, to voice her concerns about how this standardization might limit the ability of professors to adapt to the needs of their students by limiting what they teach.
“Academic freedom exists not for faculty, but for the good of our students,” Belden said.
Faculty concerns about AB 1111 were at the forefront of Friday’s Curriculum Committee meeting, which was a special meeting called to approve, for the fall 2025 semester, the six initial courses impacted by the common course numbering law.
The original Curriculum Committee meeting, when these courses were set to be approved, was held on Nov. 15, but no vote was held due to a loss of quorum, according to Curriculum Committee Chair Phyllis Braxton. There were not enough voting members present during the meeting, after some members walked out before the vote was held.
During the special meeting on Friday, the courses were approved unanimously, with the Dec. 2 state deadline to approve them looming. Several members of the Curriculum Committee said they want to delay the implementation of AB 1111, but that if they didn’t approve these courses in the meantime, they might not be allowed to offer them at Pierce next fall, which would hurt students.
The six courses, which include English 101 and Political Science 001, make up approximately 24% of all course sections
offered at Pierce, according to Dean of Social Sciences Susan Rhi-Kleinert.
Pierce President Ara Aguiar said the approval vote was a “step in the right direction” to ensure there are no issues for students who want to enroll in these courses.
“I’m very proud to say that the faculty did a great job by approving the six courses, so we will meet the timing that is required by the chancellor’s office,” Aguiar said. “This has to go through a process, and we are in compliance. But we still have an opportunity for further discussion, and for the faculty to express their concerns, and have their concerns addressed.”
Political Science Professor Anthony Gabrielli, who is a member of the Curriculum Committee, said he hopes the implementation of AB 1111 is delayed so that colleges can ensure they have the proper transfer articulation, as well as adequate technology resources to change course information online.
“I think what the state Academic Senate says, that this should be delayed, is probably the best thing we should do, because I think this is just going to be a nightmare,” Gabrielli said.
Barring a potential pause to the implementation of AB 1111, the first six courses will have uniform names, numbers and content outlines across the state beginning with the fall 2025 semester.
resources to help them and get them what they need.”
Some of the resource booths that attended the veterans resource fair was the VA Chatsworth Vet Center and Path which is an open mental health organization that helps vets with PTSD and also the CVJP (Community Veteran Justice Project), according to Block.
Nursing major Ursula Centurion who attended the event believes it’s important to engage with the resource fair and veterans.
“I feel like even though you’re not a veteran, it would be nice for you to come. Engage with this and to get somewhat of understanding what it is,” Centurion said.
Veteran Clubs Media Manager Julissa Gomez wants the resource fair to help veterans realize they are not alone.
“I hope that they get to know that they’re not alone when they’re out here in the civilian world, and that they can find the support they need within the school,” Gomez said.
Delilah Brumer / Roundup News Math Department Chair Eddie Tchertchian speaks during an Academic Senate Curriculum Committee special meeting at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 22, 2024.
Hanna Vandergugten / Roundup News
VRC Rep. and Veteran Club VP Jon Block (left) discussing the Navy with Chief Anthony Copeland (right) at the Veterans Resource Fair on Nov. 20, 2024, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Choir hosts Thanksgiving show and potluck
By Delilah Brumer Editor-in-Chief
In a Thanksgiving concert that combined upbeat pop hits, holiday classics, original spoken word pieces and a traditional Yiddish folk song, the Pierce College choir worked to spread gratitude on Saturday, Nov. 23, using the universal language of music.
“We wanted to have the vibe of a Thanksgiving feast and of coming together,” Choir Director Garineh Avakian said. “It’s all about having hope, giving thanks, finding peace and promoting unity.”
The concert brought together about 50 performers and more than 200 audience members in Building 600. The choir’s members ranged from firstsemester singers to seasoned musicians to non-traditional and returning students.
Music major Harmony Arevalo performed in the Pierce choir for her first semester this fall. She said being a part of the performance was a “lovely opportunity.”
“I have a lot of family in the audience who I haven’t seen for awhile, so it means a lot to me,” Arevalo said. “I love how [Avakian] made it feel very homey and inclusive.”
During the concert, music major Jessica Iovino sang the solo piece “The Trouble with Love Is,” by Kelly Clarkson. But it was another song in the concert — the ensemble piece “How do you Tell a Veteran Thank You?,” by Karl Hitzemann — that she said was especially meaningful to her.
“We have a song for our veterans, and my father-in-law is a Vietnam veteran,” Iovino said.
“It’s very special to me to be able to celebrate that with a nice song with my peers.”
Iovino has been a musician for about 21 years. She came to Pierce to further her technical education, and said that being a part of the music department “changed my life.”
“I came here strictly because I wanted to be in the recording industry, but now I’ve realized I’m into teaching choral music,” Iovino said. “I’m going to transfer to CSUN and pursue teaching. I’ve seen a side of music that I was never interested in before, and now I really am.”
In addition to feel-good songs including “We are the World,” by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and “Thank you for the Music,” by ABBA, the concert also featured three original poems written by choir students.
Music major Naiya Donovan performed the spoken word piece she wrote, entitled “Melodies and Memories.”
“I don’t really write poetry that often, but when I do, it’s usually about music,” Donovan said. “I wrote a poem about my gratitude for music. It flowed out as I started to write.”
Avakian said part of what made the Thanksgiving concert unique was that it included a potluck and a food donation drive. Tables lined the back and sides of Building 600, covered in steaming meatballs, fresh-baked muffins and dozens of other homemade and store-bought dishes.
“We didn’t want it to feel like just a concert,” Avakian said. “It’s interactive and welcoming. The moment people walk in, it’s kind of like home.”
Biotech students showcase their work in D.C.
By Matthew Stewart Reporter
Breakthroughs in vaccine development and genetically modified food can often come from biotechnology research — the same kind that students at Pierce College are conducting each semester.
Some of those students from Aron Kamajaya’s biotechnology class showcased their work in Washington, D.C., from Oct. 22-25 as part of the ASPIRE (Advanced Student-centered Projects: Internship, Research and Education) program.
Kamajaya was responsible for teaching the invitees their foundational skills in this trade, which ultimately led to many
of them getting prestigious internships and allowed them to present in Washington, at the Principal Investigator’s Conference.
“From our class, we select people that you know their project is going somewhere, not every project ends up being published,” Kamajaya said. “We basically nominate a student to apply, and then there are committees that say, ‘We like this student,’ depending on what project they have.”
The conference only allowed up to two people to be sent up with their financial support, but four from Kamajaya’s class would go anyway.
Marcelo Cabrera, a recently graduated political science student who picked up biotech
for the fun of it, was grateful for the opportunity to go through the trials and tribulations to get to the conference.
“It was honestly very inspiring to see how much could and is being implemented as trials in different schools, and how it can potentially be brought over to other schools,” Cabrera said. “It felt like a privilege to be able to present and talk on a panel in front of teachers alongside industry professionals.”
Cabrera’s political science background was not for nothing as the group was granted access to Rep. Brad Sherman’s (D-CA) Washington office for a tour and discussion. There, they were able to talk about the biotechnology industry with the congressman’s staff, including how the industry
can be expanded in the San Fernando Valley.
For biotech students, a defining moment of their college experience is whether or not they can get their research published by a major company or university.
For students like Helen Kim, this dream became a reality.
“I was invited to go to the conference because the project other Pierce students and I collaborated on led to a publication, which is huge, especially for a community college,” Kim said. “The conference was great. I got to participate in the poster session, I met many students from other community colleges across the country and learned about their research.”
Many students in biotech
programs spend hundreds of hours a semester perfecting their craft to get into Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs for the summer. Kim was one of these students.
“I did my REU at the Institute for Systems Biology,” Kim said.
“Thanks to the biotech program I learned a lot of valuable skills which prepared me for it.”
The success of the Pierce biotech program has shown itself clearly in the amount of students getting accepted into these programs which typically accept students from bigger institutions.
“I remember when I first started teaching here, we had one student getting into a fellowship. I was so happy, I used to use it as a flex,” Kamajaya said.
Jessica Iovino (left) and fellow choir students perform “Three Shaker Songs,” by Shawn Kirchner, during the Thanksgiving Concert at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024.
Delilah Brumer / Roundup News
Delilah Brumer / Roundup News
Choir Director Garineh Avakian conducts “We Are the World,” by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, during the Thanksgiving Concert at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024.
Pierce Dance Company debuts fall concert
Dancers collaborated with Taft High School to perform “Inherent
By Daisy Aguinada Reporter
As the curtains rose on the Performing Arts Mainstage over the weekend, Pierce dance students were accompanied by guest performers from Taft Charter High School.
The Pierce College Dance Company showcased its 2024 Fall Dance Concert, “Inherent Flux,” at the Performing Arts Mainstage from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24.
“Inherent Flux.”
“The variety in music and dance was amazing to see and I felt fully emerged in it,” Braun said.
While reflecting on the feelings that the dances and music evoked, Braun said “it was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible filled with versatility.”
“With one moment we were
the concert because it’s so cool seeing how the competitiveness and rivalry was shown through these young dancers.” Tapia said. “Watching them dance to my favorite rappers was overall entertaining and amusing, and you can sense the energy that the dancers were putting into each move.”
“The variety in music and dance was amazing to see and I felt fully emerged in it.”
The concert featured an array of musical and dancing styles, which were choreographed by both staff and students. The performers danced to a mix of genres and artists, from Michael Bublé to Kendrick Lamar to Lady Gaga.
Taft students danced across the stage to a combination of multiple R&B songs during the concert’s opening dance performance, “Pressure of Euphoric Love.” The show transitioned over to Pierce dancers’ performance of the act, “Transduce,” choreographed by instructor Denise Gibson.
Throughout the concert, the transitions between different genres kept Pierce student Lisa Braun engaged when she attended the first performance of
Lisa Braun
Audience member
swaying to jazz and the next we were hyped up by hip-hop,” Braun said.
As the concert progressed, Taft Dance Team dancers portrayed Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s musical rivalry with a rap and hip-hop segment. With one group of dancers wearing red and another pair in white, the dancers performed to the singers’ diss tracks about one another.
Attendee Jose Tapia found amusement in this performance, where he said he was caught by surprise.
“It was unexpected, but it was definitely my favorite part of
Gibson choreographed a Latin dance portion in the concert, “Nos Perdimos”, with the dancers dressed up in black and flowing outfits.
This specific performance was the highlight of attendee Rosie Sanchez’s night.
“My favorite part was the Latin section,” Sanchez said. “Not only were the outfits beautiful, but the dance and music that came along with it as well.”
Sanchez expressed the enthusiasm she felt.
“The energy was infectious, and the dancers seemed to be having so much fun that it could make anyone in the crowd want to get up and join them,” Sanchez said.
Auditions for the Spring 2025 Dance Concert will be on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at noon inside of the North Gym 5601 Dance Studio.
Flux”
Angelina Guerrero / Roundup News
Women’s soccer loses second round playoff to Pasadena 4-3
By Matthew Stewart Reporter
The Pierce College women’s soccer team narrowly lost against Pasadena City College in regional playoffs, for their final game of the season, finishing 4-3 after double overtime.
Neither team managed to score heading into overtime, other than a PCC goal that was quickly nullified in the second half.
Neither team got a goal in two 15-minute rounds of overtime which caused the game to go into penalty kicks in which Pierce players Livia Pereira, Hailey Chavez and Brianna Gutierez all managed to score but were ultimately beaten out by Pasadena with one kick.
Head Coach Adolfo Perez spoke about the incredible pride he has taken in his team and how far they were able to come despite setbacks.
“We literally lost our heart and soul, our best defender we’ve had in many years on Thursday, she is still at the hospital,” Perez said. “We had one day to adjust
and put different people in, and we did a phenomenal job.”
While there were a handful of close calls for Pierce, the defensive players like goalkeeper Adriana Villacana prevented the vast majority of near-goals, which Perez acknowledged.
“Still, to take it all the way to the end past double overtime, that shows this team has real guts,” Perez said. “They’re strong.”
Assistant Coach Julio Castillo said the team played to nearperfection.
“Changed? Absolutely nothing. We live and die with the warriors, with the athletes, the players that we trust,” Castillo said. “We’ve been practicing penalty kicks all week, and our game plan worked to a tee. What else can we ask from them? They executed the game plan beautifully.”
In addition to struggles with certain players being injured, Perez said it was a challenge to have limited resources given to programs like women’s soccer, and how it impeded their season.
“It was hard for us to even get
food or transportation today,” Perez said. “I’ve been at Pierce for 23 years, it’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. We’re the only women’s team that has made the playoffs 22 out of 23 years, I got this all with no transportation and no food.”
Despite the loss, players like Villacana looked back on the season with good memories and how she and her teammates were able to create a strong bond.
“When we started we were just getting to know each other and it was difficult to play, but after a while, we became a family and sort of just connected,” Villacana said. “One of my favorite things about this season was just meeting new people, I’ve met a lot of people that I know I’m going to have a relationship with outside of soccer and outside of Pierce. It’s the best thing, a community.”
As the season meets its end, many players will go on to graduate as new ones come in, and the returning players, along with the coaches, will continue to practice and go for the championship.
Men’s basketball loses to Bakersfield College 73-61
By Karla Delgado Photo Editor
Excitement, adrenaline and determination echoed in the gym during the men’s basketball game between the Pierce College Brahmas and the Bakersfield College Renegade Knights. After a grueling match, Pierce lost to Bakersfield 73-61 on Nov. 23.
The scores grew close during the first half of the first round, with a score of 16-17. The Brahmas won another two points thanks to Armon “AC” Cole, earning the advantage by three points score to 20-17.
Although the beginning of the first half was close, Bakersfield pulled ahead. Team captain Lawrence Caudillo said what the team needed to improve on.
“Personally, just taking care of the ball and scoring a little bit more, that’s it,” Caudillo said.
Two minutes into the second half of the game, Jule Sims earned the Brahmas three points, bringing the score to 44-31.
Lawrence Caudillo was then substituted by Ahmir Brown. After 42 seconds into the half, Brown was able to earn a point for the team with a free throw, changing the score to 52-32.
As the players went back and forth, Markus Steele was able to earn two points for the Brahmas. After continuing their play after Steele scored, the Brahmas called a time-out to change their strategy and try to earn points back for the second half.
Anticipation became more apparent with both teams kept yelling, “defense” trying to get their teams energized to keep playing and win the game.
Despite the Brahmas’ effort, they lost the game. The second half ended with a score of 73-61, earning Bakersfield a victory.
Head coach Charles White expressed his opinion on how he felt about the team’s play compared to last week’s game against El Camino.
“An L is an L, we were right there but we cut down on terminal rules. Cut down on mistakes, we made minimal mistakes,” White said.
With the result of this week’s game, Associate Head Coach, Mike Farmer believes that the team has a way to go to improve despite feeling more confident about the team.
“There are some improvements when it comes to our confidence but we still have a long way to go,” Farmer said.
Karla Delgado / Roundup News
Markell Brooks #12 jumps into the air as he blocks Ahmir Brown #1 from making a point during the men’s basketball game at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024.
Benjamin Hanson / Roundup News
Pierce’s Payton Larsen (center) attempts to control the ball during a playoff game against the Pasadena Lancers in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 23, 2024.