Volume 113 Fall 2010 Roundup Issue 1

ROUNDUP UP

Vice President of Academic Affairs says his goodbyes

Mall construction set to end in November

One of many new Pierce projects is nearing completion

Sienna Jackson/ Roundup

Reconstruction of the second half of the Pierce College Mall is expected to be complete by early November, according to officials supervising the construction.

This is welcome news to the student populace, who have been using the pedestrian detours to navigate around the construction site, which stretches from Parking Lot 7 to the Business Education Building.

“It’s kind of disturbing, it makes us get to class late,” said Daniel Ortiz, a 19-year-old criminal justice major.

However, when asked about the renovation itself, he said that the campus facelift “sounds good, it makes the college look nice.”

Many students on campus shared mixed sentiments about the construction.

“It’s annoying, the first day I came here was orientation and this whole area [the stairs] was blocked,” said Shannon Seufert, an 18-year-old freshman and undeclared major.

The extra walking that the detours bring doesn’t perturb

John Sung, a 22-year-old accounting major. “It’s fine, I’ve been through worse,” he said.

Sahara Ahal was another student who doesn’t mind the walkways. “I don’t have a problem with it,” said Ahal, a 19-year-old fine arts major attending her last year at Pierce.

“It [construction] doesn’t normally stay in one spot, and it makes the campus prettier, being at a nice school is relaxing,” she said.

Her only complaint was lack of cool seating on the Mall.

“They need more benches in the shade, there’s no umbrellas or anything,” she said.

Fortunately for Ahal and other students, a covered seating area is also going to be a part of the new Mall, according to representatives of Swinerton Management and Consulting, who oversee the current construction.

Other new additions to the Mall include a fountain, a relatively life-sized Brahma

Bull statue, as well as a large working sundial, which will have to be meticulously designed and positioned if it is going to tell the time.

“Overall, what is happening is a complete regeneration of this campus,” said Paul Nieman, Director of College Facilities at Pierce.

“I guess what you could say is the campus is going through a renaissance,” he said. “The campus is looking much more like a four-year university than a two-year college.”

All funding for the campus’ new four-year-look comes from state bond money that Los Angeles voters approved for use on campus infrastructure and facilities.

These bond funds, which total $5.725 billion according to an LACCD report, can only be used for building on community college campuses.

Payment of nearly $2 million in bond money has already been approved so far to pay a general contractor, United Contractors

Company Inc., for the second part of the construction on the Mall, according to representatives at Swinerton.

Next on the slate of renovations after the Mall is complete will be Project North of Mall, projected to begin Sept. 24.

That construction is estimated to cost $28-$29 million, and will renovate all the buildings surrounding the Botanical Garden as well as the Campus Center building.

The Botanical Garden itself will remain the same.

“The students will have a better environment. It’s a little bit of pain to get there, but it’s going to be a much, much nicer environment,” said Nieman.

According to Nieman, this update of the campus will improve the school experiences of both students and faculty, which will raise everyone’s morale and performance.

In the end, “it’s more than a facelift,” he said.

sjackson.roundupnews@gmail.com

UD / Roundup

Pierce College has gone through many changes in the past couple of months, from building and campus renovations to new hires and even a new president.

Another change will come at the end of October, as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh has taken a position with the Coast Community College District (CCCD), in the Costa Mesa area.

“It’s certainly a promotion for me,” he said about his new position.

His new position as Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Technology will be effective Oct. 1 of this year and will continue through June 2013.

The CCCD consists of three colleges: Coastline Community College, Golden West College and Orange Coast College.

The position will entail coordinating the three colleges on instruction, student services and technology.

The CCCD’s Board of Trustees made the announcement at a meeting Sept. 8.

Abu-Ghazaleh said in an e-mail he will work until his last day on Sept. 30, unless his wife convinces him to take an early vacation.

He lives in Glendale with his wife Rita Gonzales who teaches Speech Communications at Pasadena Community College.

According to President Kathleen Burke-Kelly, there has been no mention of a replacement yet.

Any interim hired will take the position from Oct. 1 until Jun. 30 of next year, when a permanent replacement is expected to be in place.

Kathy Oborn, chair of political science, economics and criminal justice, who met Abu-Ghazaleh 15 years ago before working at Pierce, shared her sentiments.

“He will be missed, he’s a really great guy,” said Oborn. “[I] wish he could’ve stayed longer.”

The two were in the same Ph.D program at UCLA and were reunited in 2006 when AbuGhazaleh began working at Pierce.

In the four short years AbuGhazaleh was at Pierce, he worked under three different presidents; Robert Garber who resigned in the fall of 2008 due to personal reasons, Dr. Joy McCaslin who worked as an interim president when Garber left and the most recent, Burke-Kelly.

McCaslin, Vice President of Student Services, credits

Abu-Ghazaleh with keeping the accreditation process on track and selecting faculty.

“He showed great leadership for the college,” she said. “I’m sad about him leaving, he’s an excellent administrator.”

CCCD Board of Trustees’ President Jerry Patterson was unavailable for comment, but described why he chose AbuGhazaleh in a press release.

“Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s experience as a leader in educational services is impressive,” said Patterson. “He has a unique combination of academic and technological skills that will serve the District well.”

Abu-Ghazaleh described having “mixed emotions” about the change of scenery.

“I’ve built a very strong relationship with a very capable Academic Senate,” he said. “It’s difficult to leave that behind me.”

Abu-Ghazaleh has been a member of the Academic Senate and has participated in the American Cancer Society’s 24hour Relay for Life fundraisers the past 10 years.

Pierce’s Dean of Academic Affairs, Barbara Anderson attended graduate school with Gonzales and worked with AbuGhazaleh at Moorpark College while she worked in the Speech Department.

“I’m grateful I got the chance to work with him,” said Anderson. “I deeply admire him.”

“I worked for the wonderful team of deans,” said Abu-Ghazaleh about his departure. “I will miss the boundless energy to be the best.”

Additional reporting by Lorreine Castellanos and Kat Mabry

Bryan Melara / Roundup bmelara.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brahmas take historic win against Fullerton

caliber of the team,” said Martinez.

An orange Gatorade bucket was poured over Head Coach Efrain Martinez’s head Saturday night as fans and players celebrated one of the biggest victories in Pierce College history.

The Brahmas have now won back-to-back games, defeating the 5th ranked team in the nation, the Fullerton College Hornets, 24-21 in their house.

“This is the biggest victory in Pierce College history dating back to the early eighty’s because of the

Beating the Hornets is a step in the right direction toward winning their division.

“My biggest concern is that we’re going to get big headed so it is now [the coaches] job to keep them level headed,” said Martinez.

According to Martinez, the team plans on celebrating all weekend, but come Monday, when they get back on the practice field, they’ll start preparing for their next game.

While the Brahmas celebrated their victory, the Fullerton’s head

coach Tim Byrnes said, “it’s an embarrassment losing to the Brahmas.”

Pierce had to step up their game in order stop the Fullerton passing game led by one of the top junior college prospects in California, quarterback Darius Banks.

Running back Greg Wanamaker had a big run in the first quarter that put him close to the goal line, which set up a Pierce touchdown pass from Exavier Johnson to Kiyle Playter.

BREAKING AWAY: Freshman Pierce College quarterback Clinton Granger (12) bolts past defenders in Saturdayʼs 24-21 overtime win against the Fullerton Hornets.

Madison Bell/ Roundup

UD / Roundup

FAREWELL: Vice President of Academic Affairs Nabil AbuGhazaleh will formall resign from his position on Oct. 1 after four years with Pierce College.

Amber-Rose Kelly / Roundup

BUILDING: Kelly Woods works on a new shaded area being built for students on the Mall in front of the Business Center.

In-class

Anyone who’s attended a class this semester has seen it; students pack themselves into a classroom like loneliness at a Stephanie Meyer book signing.

They’ve also undoubtedly seen some of the problems this can cause, but there is one in particular that is simply inexcusable – the noise pollution.

Obviously, with the amount of students at Pierce College, places to sit may be hard to come by. Most students are aware that this will be the case and will arrive early.

But arriving early does not necessarily mean getting into the room early, as there are often other classes going on. What we end up with are hordes of students gathered outside of classrooms that still have classes going on inside of them.

This creates a problem.  A group of 20 or so people can make a lot of noise.

Also, remember that there is usually more than one of these groups near each group of classrooms, so add even more noise.

So if you’re in one of those classes that is still going on (and you have been, we all have) you’ll spend the last 15 minutes or so trying to hear your professor over the din coming from outside.

And God help you if you’re sitting by a window or if your instructor is a “lowtalker.”

This can usually be solved by a professor simply opening the door and asking the horde to just quiet down for five minutes, but it shouldn’t have to come to that.

Now, obviously, it would be completely ridiculous to put a school-wide ban on talking within 10 feet of a building. Plus, considering Pierce can barely enforce a smoking ban, it would also be extremely difficult.

It should also, however, be completely unnecessary.

Most people learn somewhere around kindergarten that it’s just common courtesy for students to remember where they are and to act accordingly.

But apparently some of us missed that day, so here’s a refresher.

Keep the volume at a dull roar when outside of a classroom.  It’s really not that hard, and it’s really not asking too much.

No student’s education should be compromised just because some inconsiderate individuals who happen to travel in large groups have vocal levels that go to 11.

If you really must communicate as loudly as is humanly possible, take it somewhere else.

You could try the parking lots. The smokers are probably lonely out there anyway.

“Generation Why?” is a column that will focus on social and political issues that affect students. From budget cuts to mental health, it will always question why?

In this country, we are taught about freedom. We’ve learned about it in school. We’ve heard the word used a million times on TV. We’ve fought and died for it. It’s always the same: freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government and freedom of speech.

But being a student on a college newspaper doesn’t always afford you the same freedoms as everyone else. This will not be tolerated.

Recently, student journalists on the Southwestern Sun at Southwestern College (SWC) in Chula Vista, Calif. saw this first hand. Their first issue was to profile the continuing problems with Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs Nicholas Alioto, as well as the controversial governing board election.

On the eve of the first issue being published, their administration filed a cease-anddesist order to keep the issue from being printed, citing a policy that had not been enforced for almost 20 years. The policy not only bars the paper from printing without the board’s approval, but allows the board to oversee content and control the firing of an Editor in Chief.

And this was not the only incident according to the Sun. Campus police stopped members of the Sun’s staff while trying to take equipment off campus, even though using computers and cameras off campus has been a common practice, according to senior staff writer Lyndsay Winkley.

the Protection of Free Expression worst offenders list.

It is obvious that the administration at Southwestern has a general disregard for the first amendment, and not just with the newspaper. This is a problem.

First Amendment freedoms are different for college and high school newspapers, but we still have the same basic rights. We learn in journalism, that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do something. Perhaps SWC’s administration should learn this. Just because they could censor, oversee or stop the printing of the newspaper, doesn’t mean that they should. And even if they do, they best believe it will not go unnoticed.

It is only after extensive media coverage that the administration met with Branscomb to try and come to an agreement regarding their outdated and ill-advised policy. Even so, the Sun has decided that until the policy is abolished, they will print without district funds.

I attend a school nearly 3 hours away from SWC, but I am still a student journalist, the same as the members of the Sun. And what’s bad for one college is bad for all colleges, since policy and procedure can catch like wild fire.

As the Great Recession trundles on, higher education is more important than ever.

In keeping with national trends, many Californians are flocking back to community colleges to update their skills and remain competitive in an ever-tightening job market.

This overwhelming demand for education is putting pressure on community colleges to serve as many students as possible.

If you’ve ever taken a class at Pierce or any other community college in the last two years, then you’re familiar with this scenario: You walk into a classroom, day

one, and maybe twenty—no— fifty other students are waiting nervously in the classroom for your professor to show up.

There’s not a single free desk in the room, so some students are leaning against the walls or sitting in spare chairs in the back.

When the professor finally arrives and asks, “How many of you are on the roster,” only half of the class raises their hands. The others are all hoping to add, or are on a waiting list.

This is what an offset of the roughly 2.2 percent enrollment growth in the California Community College system looks like.

That translates to over 200,000 students enrolled in community colleges who don’t have classes because of a 20 percent reduction in community college course offerings, according to statistical data from the California Department of Education.

Solutions to this rising and unmet demand for higher education range from increasing tuition, putting the burden on taxpayers, or simply continuing education cuts regardless.

A simplistic solution would be to increase class sizes, allowing a larger number of students to attend a course at any one time in an effort to save money—this has

Reporters:

Madison Bell

Ariana Campbell

Lorreine

Castellanos

Gloria Delgado

James Hermon

Virginia Isaad

Sienna Jackson

Dustin Johnson

Jason Lemery

Hanna Loew

Kat Mabry

Katie Oh

Scott O’Malley

Willam Overvold

become a trend throughout the California school system since the beginning of 2010.

But raising the cap on class sizes to alleviate demand isn’t the best option; it would increase the strain on the colleges to support larger classes, even if it might save some cash in the state’s overall budget.

As classes continue to be cut, funding for secondary education continues to dwindle, and the state struggles with a nearly $20 billion deficit, classes at Pierce College will have to stay small and lean, or they’ll buckle under the strain.

Michael Hays

Coburn Palmer

Rosalinda Pena

Mandi Prince

Julian Reyes

Angel Moncada

Kevin Reynolds

Vanessa Sahawi

Lail Stockfish

Photographers:

Chris Audish

Leah Austin

Nick Carey

Joshua Cowan

Yvette Gastelo

Juan Gutierrez

The Sun’s reported that their advisor, Max Branscomb, has been forced to teach more classes for the same pay, and he could face termination or suspension if the paper went to print on board funds.

Three other professors were already suspended after participating in a peaceful protest regarding class cuts. The three professors were hand delivered their suspensions by the Director of Human Resources, along with an armed police officer. This event helped to land Southwestern’s administration on the Thomas Jefferson Center for

Yes, we are students. Yes, we are beginners. But, for the most part, we are closest to the issues, because they affect us the most directly. If college administrations or governing boards are doing something wrong, it is our job to make sure the faculty and staff and, most importantly, the students know about them.

And while I retain my First Amendment rights, I will fight until my last printed word to make sure that I, the Sun, and every student newspaper has the right to do so.

So SWC administration: We are watching and we will not be silenced.

ekelley.roundupnews@gmail.com

Joseph Kukuczka

Evan Lipton

Gary Moratz

Eva Murray

Petrina Roudebush

David Schub

Lorena Perez-

Valladares

UD

Sienna Jackson / Roundup

Emily Kelley / Roundup

Sienna Jackson/ Roundup

Fees may jump

Unit fees may be raised from $26 to $40

Sienna Jackson/ Roundup

An advisory office of the California State Legislature has made a recommendation to raise student tuition fees from $26 to $40 per unit, according to Sacramento officials.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), a nonpartisan office that provides fiscal and policy advisement to the legislature, recommended the raise in February of this year—submitted as part of the encompassing LAO analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget.

California’s state budget is still being debated by the state Legislature, which has been locked in stalemate since returning from its summer recess nearly three months into the 2010-11 fiscal year. The recommendation was made by the LAO in response to a 2.2 percent growth in enrollment in the California Community College (CCC) system since 2007, according to statistical data from the LAO and the California Department of Education.

CCCs are currently educating more students than the state has funding for over 200,000 students enrolled in the CCCs are unfunded, according to Paul Steenhausen, principal fiscal and policy analyst for the LAO in Sacramento.

This unpaid growth will cost the state $126 million to cover, according to Steenhausen.

According to the LAO, the $126 million enrollment growth fund, in turn funded by an increased tuition, would only manage to cover approximately 60,000

of the 200,000 currently unfunded students.

While a raise in unit fees hasn’t been voted on by the legislature, Senator Bob Huff (R-29 District) discussed the LAO’s recommendation to raise the fee in June, to the state’s bipartisan Budget Conference Committee, of which Huff is a member.

It is this committee that is tasked with balancing California’s near $20 billion deficit, which includes covering the over-enrollment in CCC.

Huff was unavailable for comment, so his Chief of Staff Junay Gardner Logan in provided the following statement Sept. 14:

“Senator Huff brought up as a discussion item the fact that the LAO suggested an alternative - to raise student fees from $26 per unit to $40 with the revenue going to fund additional enrollment growth.”

The release goes on to state that:

“It was merely a discussion of the alternative to allow for more students to enroll. The LAO’s fee increase would pull in another $150 million for enrollment growth. Even if this fee increase had gone into effect, California students would still be paying the lowest community college fees in the nation,” she said.

At Pierce College, Nick Naczinski, Associated Students Organization (ASO) President, was briefed on the proposed fee increase over the weekend.

“This is being proposed by Senator Bob Huff,” he said in a phone interview. “I’m against it absolutely, I can see their argument, but I’m against it.”

Naczinski also said the financial aid programs would continue to remain available to students even with the increase in tuition.

The ASO will be launching a letter-writing campaign to their representatives to protest a unit fee raise and will also try to raise student awareness about the proposal, according to Naczinski.

Indeed, news of the proposed fee increase came as an unwelcome surprise to many students, who had not been aware of the proposal.

“That’s horrible,” said Ryan Middleton, a 21-year-old business administration major. Middleton transferred to Pierce from Wagner College in New York. “It’s very hard, difficult for commuters. I’m from out of state. There’re a lot of students who’ll stop going [to Pierce],”

Ryan McMurren, a 24-year-old general studies major and Iraq war veteran, shared stronger sentiments.

“I think it’s [expletive] since we’re already struggling to pay twenty six,” said McMurren.

“That makes it very hard for us.”

For some students, the fee increase will not pose a problem. as Sacramento officials and politicians have assured student financial aid will remain untouched.

“I guess I’ve never really felt it because I get financial aid,” said Sandy Moreno, a 22-year-old latin american studies major. “But for the students who do pay, it’s a lot, community college shouldn’t be that expensive. We’re here to save money, right?”

sjackson.roundupnews@gmail. com

Paper to plastic

This fall marks the first semester students will receive their award grants via the myLACCDcard by Higher One.

Higher One is an online bank that was chosen by the Los Angeles Community College District’s Board of Trustees to distribute student’s disbursements.

According to Pierce College Financial Aid Director, Anafe Robinson the district had a selection process, which included interviews with Higher One, in addition to other online banks.

“We knew about it for three years,” said Robinson. “The last two years is when we started researching and gathering data and we found there were no major problems.”

The plan that was in the works for three years according to Robinson was approved Feb. 2010.

Since the beginning of financial aid students have received their money by checks sent to their homes.

With the myLACCDcard, students now have the option to either open a free account with Higher One known as the OneAccount, or by electronic deposit to their personal checking or savings account.

“We’ve had students in the past that didn’t have checking accounts and would take their checks to

check cashing places, which they had to pay,” said Robinson. “There’s also been a lot of lost checks in the past.”

With wa OneAccount students will be able to receive their funds the same day they get approved and will have benefits that include: no minimum monthly balance, no monthly fees, free internet banking and the ability to make purchases anywhere debit MasterCard is accepted.

For electronic deposits to a personal checking or savings account students will need to enter their banking information on the Higher One website, however funds will be delayed two to three days business days.

“I think it’s more convenient,” said Junnel Gutierrez, 16, undecided major. “I can just go to an ATM and get cash instead of going to check cashing places and filling out paperwork and paying.”

Along with making the Financial Aid process easier and safer for students, the use of the myLACCDcard should save the district money according to Robinson.

“With our economic conditions we need efficient ways to give our students financial aid,” said Robinson. “Four cent stamps, special paper for checks, printers, a full-time staff and maintenance of printers adds up.”

The myLACCDcard is mailed to students that applied for financial aid, whether they get approved or not.

-Anafe Robinson Financial Aid Director

When the myLACCDcard is received students will need to enter the 16-digit number on card to login on myLACCDcard. com and choose the disbursement preference.

“It’s a lot easier, instead of having to run around,” said Annette Logan, 18, Criminal Justice major.

Not everyone is as delighted about the myLACCDcard.

“I don’t really like it,” said Oswald Cuellar, 17, psychology major. “I think its just making things more complicated.”

A Higher One ATM has been installed and is available for use in the Student Store.

For more information on the myLACCDcard visit www. myLACCDcard.com or the Financial Aid office located in the new Student Services Building.

bmelara.roundupnews@gmail.com

Bryan Melara / Roundup

With our economic conditions we need efficient ways to give our students financial aid

Victor Stephen Kamont / Roundup

PULLING CASH: Nicole Pascual, child development major and Junnel Gutierrez, undecided major use the new Higher One ATM machines in the Student Store.

Gene Putnam behind ʻRumorsʼ

Rehearsals are underway for the fall production of the Neil Simon comedy “Rumors,” directed by Gene Putnam, chair of the theatre art department.

The cast of 10 entered their second week of rehearsals and are very optimistic about their progress. Aside from minor setbacks, the production is going according to schedule.

“We’ve had a little illness to strike a cast member, but tonight we will get thorough blocking for the entire second act,” said Putnam. “We will be working the scene, breaking them down.”

The casting process for “Rumors” was extended an extra day, but now that all characters have been assigned the entire cast and crew has committed to countless hours of practice.

David Tinsley, who plays Officer Welch, was called back three times before he became a member of the cast.

Calendar

Michael Gend, the new technical instructor, is in charge of creating the set and lights.

“‘Rumors’ is the first show in awhile, where I have not created my own set,” said Putnam.

Edward Salas, stage tech, is in charge of the sound. Ariel Boroff, a former Cal Arts student with her masters in costume and makeup is in charge of costume designing. Kathy Juday, a Pierce College staff member, is the costume seamstress.

“Gene understands comedy really well and he understands this play really well,” said Wasim Nomani, who plays Glenn Cooper, said.

-Gene Putnam Theatre Director

Binh Danh: Made in Vietnam

Guest Lecture:

Wed., Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.

Opening Reception:

Wed., Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.

“I don’t know if I was the first choice, but I am glad that it worked out for me,” said Tinsley. “Officer Welch is the only serious character in the play. He’s up for a promotion and isn’t going to let anything stand in the way of it… He means business.”

The play does not have any lead characters, nor is one character moresignificant than the other.

“‘Rumors’ is an ensemble piece, a team production, I took an extra day during the audition process to make sure that I chose the right team players… It’s like sports. A coach wants to play the best players,”

San Fernando Valley Symphony

Sat., Sept. 25

8 p.m.

Performing Arts Mainstage

Cinema Club premieres

Weeks of anticipation drew more than 50 students to the firstever Cinema Club meeting on Sept. 15 at 7p.m. in the Great Hall, where they learned various facts of film and the viewed a screening of “Casablanca.”

The 1942 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman won three Academy Awards including best picture, making it the film of choice for the first

meeting.

Some of the activities included in the club’s agenda are creating motion pictures, watching films, participating in film festivals, and having guest speakers from the Hollywood entertainment industry share their stories are some of the many activities set on the club’s agenda.

Jennifer Penton, assistant professor of cinema and faculty advisor to the club, received her Master of Fine Arts degree in film from the University of California

said Putnam. “You just don’t grab the first person you see and throw them in the game.”

The setting alternates from the inside of a Victorian house to Upper Manhattan. The characters are upper class with “too much time on their hands,” said Putnam, as he fought to hold back his laughter. “Its just plain fun.”

Due to the nature of the piece the entire cast have a difficult time remaining serious during rehearsal.

The Broadway production first opened on Nov. 17 1988, under the direction of Gene Saks.

Nomani’s character is associated with the upper class and is running for state senator. The humor comes into play when he has constant arguments with his wife.

The preview performance will be Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. Tickets will only be sold at the door. Opening night is Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Both performances will in the Performing Arts Mainstage, located in the Performing Arts Building.

jhermon.roundupnews@gmail.com

On our site

• Sweeney Todd: Many cuts, some good, some bad

• Celebrities and media experience King Kong’s return to Universal Studios Hollywood

• Students perform their best for a chance in the upcoming “Rumors”

• For a full list of our calendar of events visit our website therounduponline.net

Berkley with emphasis in experimental animation.

Penton hopes to share her love and knowledge of films to students by allowing them to view as many movies as possible.

“We picked Casablanca because it is an Academy Award winning classic,” Penton said. “ I want members to learn about American, as well as international films”. Her goal for the club is to pass on her knowledge of cinema so that members will be successful in the industry and eventually thrive in future careers.

“Members do not have to be interested in employment in the film industry to join the club, however, if they are interested I

would like them to learn all they can and network so they can find good jobs within the industry.”

The club is open to cinema majors and Pierce students who have paid.

One of the members, Kris Caballero, who is a Film/Video Production major, agreed that hosting this kind of club would be a great opportunity’ when approached by Penton with the idea to start the club, Cabellero’s response was a positive one.

“When she said she wanted to host a Cinema Club, that really got my attention,” said Cabellero.

Caballero was one of the many students who had a positive reaction to the outcome

of the meeting.

“I did not know what to expect at first; I thought the film and the club would be boring, but the film was very comedic and interesting. I think the club has a lot to offer,” said Betty Varela, a student at Pierce College. “I think it’s really exciting to have a club where you can learn about different aspects of film, and really have a voice in determining activities for the club.”

For more information about the Cinema Club contact Penton at: PentonJK@ piercollege.edu or at (818) 710-2961.

acampbell.roundupnews@gmail.com

It’s like sports. A coach wants to play the best players.

Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds

Sienna Jackson/ Roundup

Country western music emanates from unseen speakers, relaxing and warm compared to the cool sterility of the laboratory classroom on Sunday, Sept. 12. It would be out of place in any lab class other than that of Professor Raymond Wells.

“It’s the weekend, we should enjoy ourselves while we’re here,” Wells explained to his class.

In classroom 91008 of the new Center for the Sciences building, a group of around 20 students sit comfortably in their swivel chairs as Wells, wearing a baseball cap and sneakers, prepares for the fourand-a-half hour lecture ahead.

They have a lot to cover in one day, because in Biolgy 11A the class only meets twice. The second meeting will take place on Sept. 26, when they go on a snorkeling expedition to the kelp forests off the coast of Catalina Island.

“Kelp forests for me are like being in a gothic cathedral,” Wells said.

Before the lecture begins, a slim girl with brown hair pulled back in a ponytail walks in with a chilled bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino in one hand, and a bag of cookies from a vending machine in the other.

She hands the snacks to the professor as she passes his desk.

“He’s really great, awesome field classes,” said Meagan Truxal, a 20-year-old undeclared major.

Truxal went on expedition with

Wells’ Biology 123 class to Bahia de los Angeles in Mexico this summer. She now assists him under supervised work-study, archiving data collected during expeditions.

“He’s a great teacher, really passionate,” she said.

Wells has taught at Pierce since 1983, when only two marine biology classes were offered. Since then, he has expanded those classes into a full curriculum, the Pierce College Marine Sciences Program, of field and lecture courses, all designed by Wells.

“I’ve got the world’s greatest job,” Wells said. “I love what I teach. I design all my courses, so if I don’t like something about the course I can only blame myself.”

Even the new classroom is his brainchild, inspired by the architecture of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, where Wells and his family live.

It’s an historical village on the tip of Palos Verdes Peninsula right on the water.

From there, Wells can see the dark silhouette of Catalina from his home, rising out of the sea, shrouded in mist on cold mornings.

But for nearly four years, Wells lived and worked on that island, studying the kelp forests for his Ph.D. in Biological Science, from the University of Southern California and Catalina Marine Science Center.

“I used to look out from Catalina to San Pedro and wish I could order a pizza,” Wells said.

Wells has returned regularly to the kelp forests of Catalina with his field class. Before a lecture on kelp

college!

forest ecology began, Wells had to get one thing out of the way.

“We’re going to play the Name Game,” Wells said to the class.

One by one, Wells had the students in the classroom state their name, along with the names of all the others who introduced themselves beforehand.

“It’s very useful to know someone’s name when you say ‘watch out!’” he said.

By the end of the day, the students were chatting amicably with each other, shaking hands and joking, excited for the trip ahead.

“It’s the nature of field classes, and I try to nurture that,” Wells said. “I know of two or three marriages that have come out of these classes.”

Wells keeps in touch with many of his students. Some have repeatedly taken classes with him just for the fun of it.

“I sat in on one of his classes, and I was inspired to change my major,” Jorge Sandoval said, a 24-year-old English major. “Wouldn’t you want to get paid to scuba dive, look at the ocean? It’s more intriguing to me. I’m looking forward to all the trips this guy offers.”

For a professor who had originally been in a pre-vet program at California State University, Northridge, Wells has ended up right where he wants to be.

When asked whether he’s still excited to be returning to Catalina’s kelp forests, Wells replied, “I always am.”

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The director yelled cut and the lights turned off. The production staff started clapping in the few seconds that followed the scene’s end. Almost as quickly as it finished, a new scene began.

The lights were dimmed. The cameras were adjusted and the director shouted again, “And action!”

This is just another typical day of work for Armani Smith on the set of his show “Hopelessly Awkward,” where he is surrounded by microphones, camera equipment, cords flooding the floors, clothing racks and the glorious food craft table that consists of energy drinks and junk food.

This is the life of an ordinary Pierce College student who juggles the everyday tasks of completing his homework assignments and showing up to glamorous Hollywood red carpet events.

“I look forward to seeing Armani accept an Oscar, Emmy or Tony or all three,” said RoZsa Horvath, Smith’s acting professor at Pierce. “He is multi-talented and can do anything he sets his mind to.”

Smith can be found in class in the morning. His remaining free time is dedicated to working towards his Mini Empire Entertainment production company. They have more than 20 different screenplays and television show pilots written that they pitch to Hollywood producers on a weekly basis.

Smith, 23, was born in Colorado and moved back and forth from Denver to Los Angeles because his father played for the Denver Broncos. He currently resides in the Hollywood Hills.

Before he began his career in the entertainment industry, he went to the Musicians Institute to become a recording engineer. He later realized that something was missing in his life.

“I felt [music] was something that I loved, but wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing for the rest of my entire life,” Smith said.

Smith left music school and enrolled at Pierce, looking for answers. He enjoyed his classes and got great grades, but he wasn’t passionate about anything in particular.

He decided to sign up for a beginning acting course, which is when his love for acting came to light.

Right now, you could love your job more than ever.

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Bachelor’s

“After I felt that rush I got from the stage I never looked back,” Smith said with a smile.

Horvath considers Smith one of the most outstanding and dedicated students in all levels of acting.

“As I continue to progress and make it in this business it will be all because of her help,” Smith said.

Smith met his best friend, Manni Adriano, at Pierce in a beginning acting course and from there they joined paths to work on their dreams of becoming Hollywood’s new hotshots.

“It feels great working together because we support, motivate and help each other,” Adriano said.

After learning the in’s and out’s of the business, Smith teamed up with his sister and a few friends to build a production company that encompasses screen plays, television pilots, movie trailers and comedy shorts.

“Hopelessly Awkward,” a show their production company started, has gained the interest of many Hollywood’s big timers. They have filmed a pilot and are currently filming episodes, which are online for viewers.

“We have some offers that we are considering right now, and people are really interested. We feel very blessed and lucky,” said Adriano.

The success of their show has landed them on the hottest Hollywood guest lists. They dress to impress, socialize with A-List celebrities, sashay down the red carpet and are surrounded by paparazzi galore.

Between attending school, building his production company, pursuing his acting career and attending these glamorous events, it can only make one wonder where Smith finds the time for anything else.

“It does get hard working long nights on scripts and filming then having to wake up for class,” Smith said. “Let’s say I sleep with my eyes open in a lot of classes and I have a huge addiction to caffeine.”

His philosophy is to sleep later in life. He says this is the time to act foolish and follow your dreams no matter what it takes.

“We have the same amount of time that some of the greatest minds, inventors and scientists have had, so let’s make the best out of it,”

said.

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Armani Smith walks the mall during the day and the red carpet at night

Lights, camera,

Smith

Madison Bell/ Roundup

UD / Roundup

FLASHING LIGHTS: Armani Smith, a Pierce College student, is also one of the stars of the show “Hopelessly Awkward.”

Amber-Rose Kelly / Roundup WELLSʼ WHALES: Professor Raymond Wells sits in attire that is all too familiar to him at Pierce Collegeʼs new Center for the Sciences.

Halloween Harvest Fest creeping closer

Lorreine Castellanos/

Roundup

Haunted houses, bloody scenes, and screams will be feared at the grand opening of the Halloween Harvest Festival which will open this weekend Sept. 24 at the Pierce Farm Center.

The Halloween Harvest Festival is now going on its sixth season at Pierce.

Cathy McBroom, manager of the Pierce Farm Center, has been preparing for the corn-maze scaring event for the past two months.

“Auditions started in August,” McBroom said. “The last auditions were last Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. We open Sept. 24 and it [goes] all the way to Sunday, Oct. 31.”

In addition to organizing the maze and setting up for the festival, McBroom has also been involved in the audition process.

McBroom said she is looking for creativity from those who audition.

The event will offer performances, a haunted house, hayrides, farm animals, and a scary maze, all taking place under the moonlight.

“There are two different mazes,” McBroom said. “One side has creatures that jump out and scare you, while the other is a walk-through corn maze.” The festival is not only for Pierce students, but is

also open for anyone who would like to see a performance, play some games, or walk through the mazes.

“I think it’s nice that Pierce does this event not only for students but for the community,” said Patricia Martinez, a psychology major.

Many students are aware of the annual event and are excited to walk into the moonlit night that will be filled with anticipation, horror, and fun.

“It sounds like a lot of fun when they try to scare you,” said Lazar Ishayev, an anthropology major.

Some students are up for the spooky event since a buddy system has been put in play for the night.

“I get so scared so fast, [so] I will go with a group of friends,” said Michelle Zavala, a biochemistry major. “[I need] a big group because it’s fun to get a little scared.”

Festival Hours

10 AM - 10 PM Sun - Thurs

10 AM - 12 AM Fri - Sat

Haunted House & Trail Hours

Weekdays Dusk - 10 PM

Weekends Dusk - 12 AM

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Assistant Professor of Child Development, Patricia Doelitzsch

If she could be anyone for a day she would like to be one of her kids (she has a 5-year -old son and a 3- year-old daughter) so she could see the world through their eyes.

Loves to read Reader’s Digest Condensed, “ an old lady book,” is how she described it.

Assistant Prof. of Speech, Michelle Silver

Prefers coffee over tea.

Lived in Austin, Texas for a year and “y’all” slips out in front of her students every once in a great while.

Favorite holiday’s include Thanksgiving, birthday’s, and Mother’s Day.

Assistant Prof. of Physical Education, Shilo Nelson

Was a cheerleader for the Seattle Seahawks. Loves to excercise to disco music.

A Starbucks fanatic who loves a white chocolate mocha, minus the whip cream.

Catalog Librarian, Michael Habata

Loves being a librarian because he can help direct students to find the answers they are looking for. His favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. Before becoming a librarian, Habata was a research assistant for a news orginization from Japan and covered headline stories. such as Hurricane Katrina and the Colmbine shootings

Assistant Prof. of Geography, Adrian Youhanna

A Pierce College alumnus.

Youhanna hopes to educate her class on Los Angeles’s rich geography.

Uses YouTube to become more related to her students by finding interesting clips that correspond to her class lecture.

Grant Coordinator, Patrick Salazar

A U.S. decorated Navy veteran. Enjoys giving back to the community through his nonprofit.

His words of wisdom to the Pierce student body is, “Savor the time you have here and take advantage of what Pierce has to offer, take one fun thing each semster.”

Victor Stephen Kamont / Roundup

SPOOKY: Decorations border the Halloween Harvest Fest, opening Sept. 24

Rounding back into shape

Women’s volleyball regains old form

Julian Reyes/ Roundup

Finally healthy, the women’s volleyball team has regained their old form, winning six of their first seven games

They’re hard at work trying to erase the memory of an injury plagued 2009 season.

The Brahmas won their match against the Moorpark Raiders (1-3) in the South Gym, on Sept. 15.

Moorpark beat the Brahmas last year.

Goal!!!!!: The Womens soccer team is off to a fast start. All of the Brahma sports teams have enjoyed an abundance of early season success

Brahmas of the Week

—FOOTBALL—

The Brahma’s defensive leader and captain, Brandon Reeves had 15 tackles Saturday against the Fullerton College Hornets, the 5th ranked team in all the land. The sophomore and returning AllConference performer from a year ago currently leads the team in tackles again, after posting over 100 a year earlier. The linebacker, number 41 played previously at Canyon High School in Canyon Country, California.

—VOLLEYBALL—

Quite possibly the most dominant womens soccer player in southern California this early season, Erica Vangsness has scored 8 goals in 6 games, leading her soccer team to a currently undefeated 6-0 record.

The sophomore from University High School has been the driving force behind the notoriously strong Pierce soccer program.

Pierce College’s freshmen setter, Julianna Hicks lead the Brahmas to a second place finish at the San Diego Mesa College Women’s Volleyball tournament over the weekend. A captain as just a freshmen, she leads the team in assists. She’s from nearby Fairfax High School.

“It’s a good rivalry game,” Pierce freshmen Julianna Hicks said. “Coming back from last year its awesome to take this game.”

This season Pierce has had a tendency of starting off slowly, but finishing strong.

That slow start was evident in last Wednesday night’s match.

The Brahmas won the first game 25-20, the second game 25-19, but lost the third game 22-25 finishing off the match in game four, 25-20.

“That is something we need to work on, something we need to fix,” Brahma sophmore Sam Potter said, in reaction to the slow starts.

The Brahmas had 20 errors in the game three loss alone, compared to only three from the Raiders, mostly because of net violations.

“I wouldn’t say it was an intense match against Moorpark, it was more like an intense match against

ourselves,” Potter said.

Her head coach shared that opinion.

“Maybe it was just being too aggressive, we have never netted like that before,” Head Coach Nabil Mardini said in response to all of the net violations. “We have a tendency to start slow, make our errors in the game and then when our backs are against the wall we decide to pick it up.”

The Raiders did not make it easy for Pierce.

“Moorpark did a good job blocking and had a lot hustle in them,” Mardini said. “They frustrated our offense a little. They waited for us to make errors.”

Moorpark Coach Steve Burkhart gave credit to the tough Brahma offense.

“They are a good squad,” Burkhart said. “Their serve is pretty tough and their outside hitting is tough, so those two elements are better then ours right now. “

The Brahmas hit the road this past weekend and competed in the San Diego Mesa Tournament.

The team finished second in the tournament, falling 1-3 to Cypress College Sunday in the championship game.

Currently ranked 4th in the state, according to the California Community College Athletic Association, with an overall record of 6-1, the team will host the Pierce Volleyball Invitational starting this Friday at 2:00 p.m. in both the North and South Gyms.

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BRANDON REEVES

JULIANNA HICKS

ERICA VANGNESS

Joseph Kukuczka / Roundup

Brahmas upset Fullerton

CONTINUED FROM FULLERTON ON PAGE 1

Pierce’s defense held strong on Fullerton’s first drive holding them to no points and stopping them on a crucial 4th down.

Unfortunately, running back Greg Wanamaker left the game due to a broken leg during Pierce’s second offensive drive of the game early in the first quarter in the game’s infancy.

“This could be a season-ending injury,” said Martinez.

After Wanamaker was unable to leave on his own will, Josh Johnson stepped in at running back, and did a more than respectable job moving chains and finishing off runs with authority.

Quarterback Clinton Granger led the Brahmas into the red zone, but the drive stalled due to a personal foul and a sack, forcing Pierce to attempt a field goal that was missed.

“To the naked eye it seems, oh god the defense is playing bad,” Martinez said. “They’re giving up a lot of points, but when I see them play on film they play well,”

Granger marched Pierce down the field on his second series of the game, beating

the Hornets with his arm and his feet while capping the drive with a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

The Brahmas defense continued their stellar play in the second quarter when Jaston Wells picked off Fullerton quarterback Banks when they were in the red zone and threatening to score.

Pierce’s third touchdown scoring drive was in large part due to the tough running between the tackles by Josh Johnson. On the drive, quarterback Exavier Johnson also made some nice throws with the best one being a strike over the middle to tight end Nate Ingram for a big gain. Johnson would do the rest as he took the ball from five yards out to pay dirt, smashing a Hornet defender on his way in.

The Brahmas defense was strong on the Hornets last drive, keeping them out of the end zone to stay eight points ahead at the half.

On the opening drive of the 2nd half Fullerton found plenty of running room en route to a quick touchdown drive gashing the Pierce defense for large chunks of yards. The touchdown drive was capped off with a twopoint conversion that tied the game up at 21.

Pierce’s offense struggled to sustain a drive or find any kind of rhythm for most of the second half and was held scoreless.

Taking the bull by the horns

The sounds of the defense hitting the tackle dummies, the quarterbacks shouting the cadences, and the cheerleaders practicing their cheers echoed throughout Shepard Stadium, announcing that football season is officially here.

This football team is clearly ising to the top, which is made clear by their intense practices. The Brahmas defeated the highly touted Fullerton College Hornets Saturday night, who previously were the 5th ranked team in the nation according to JCGridiron.com.

Free safety Gerald Bowman, and linebacker Brandon Reeves led the way for the Pierce defense with big plays and big hits. Behind the strong play and great effort by the rest of the Brahmas on defense, they were able to blank the Fullerton offense in the fourth quarter and force the game into overtime.

“Its not about schemes, it’s about players making plays,” said Ty Greenwood, Pierce’s defensive coordinator.

In overtime Pierce kicker Steven Sandoval put the Brahmas up three nailing a 30-yard field goal. They would go on to win the game, as Fullerton kicker missed their field goal attempt from 19 yards out.

“Our defense made it happen,” Exavier Johnson said. “[The defense] stepped it up.”

With this win the team’s outlook for the season continues to grow with hope of being able to sustain their winning ways.

Up next is the Brahmas’ home opener. The team will play host to Long Beach City College Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pierce’s Shepard Stadium.

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The Brahmas, after the win, are now ranked among the best in the nation, currently 17th. They’re also the defending American Pacific Conference champions.

“Pierce has a lot of exposure right now,” said Exusdus Roodlin, a Pierce College Student and Brahmas football fan. “We are a good team.”

Not only do these athletes excel on the field, but they also excel in the classroom. Many of Pierce College’s football players have been awarded the rights to the Southern California Football Association ScholarAthlete Team, as well as many of them being named “All Conference Selections.” It’s no wonder why many of these players are being recruited to play at fouryear universities.

While the Brahmas football program may be at the top of their game right now, Head Coach Efrain Martinez says it has been a work in progress.

“The program was chaotic when I started,” Martinez said. “The players were running the program.”

Martinez was able to change things around by bringing the program a different kind of philosophy.

Instead of focusing primarily on winning, he believes in focusing on the player’s well being, as well as winning.

“We needed to focus on each individual and make sure they have a positive experience,” Martinez said. “We do a better job than any other junior college at placing our players at four-year universities. We make sure they take the classes they need in order to transfer.”

Martinez, currently the “Coach of the Year” in the American Pacific Conference, diligently works to get his players’ scholarships so they can pursue football at four-year universities and says he is always thinking positively, which is the kwy to forming a good group of athletes.

The team endures intense practices, maintains strict diets, and are giving it all they can in order to be the best.

“The team has a lot of talent and can do really well,” said Exavier Johnson, one of the quarterbacks on the football team.

Johnson left Utah State University to get a fresh start at Pierce College because he knew coming to Pierce College would be the gateway to a brighter future.

“Pierce gives their athletes opportunities,” Johnson said. “Theyw really care about helping us.”

Martinez’s long-term goal is to keep building a respectable football program so that players will choose Pierce College first.

However, with all of the awards and accolades this team has been getting it’s no secret that Pierce College’s football program will only continue to thrive. With their swarming defense and unstoppable offense, the Brahma football team has what it takes to grab the bull by its horns and advance to the post-season once again.

“This can be the best year ever for the team,” Martinez said.

UD / Roundup

PAIN: Running back Greg Wanamaker in pain after being hit by Fullerton defenders.

Madison Bell/ Roundup