Volume 114 Spring 2011 Roundup Issue 10

Reliving events of 150 years ago

‘Heritage Days’ celebrated with a Civil War reenactment

Canons were fired and the silence was broken. Cavalry charged as rifle after rifle was shot. Smoke filled the air, and men from both sides fell to the ground.

The Pierce College Farm Center’s cornfield transformed into a battlefield Saturday and Sunday for “Heritage Days,” historical reenactments that observed the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

Approximately 150 actors and community members relived the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of New Market for the second year in a row.

Robert McBroom, director of the Pierce College Farm Center, contacted actors who came from the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura.

“We’ve been planning this for months and months,” McBroom said.

At noon, Confederate soldiers marched into Gettysburg to meet the Union Army. Both parties hid behind trenches for protection.

Rotary International was present at the reenactment. Elizabeth Tilkian, a member, sold wristbands that gave attendees the option of viewing the battles while sitting on bleachers. All proceeds from the sales benefited End Polio Now, she said. See ‘Reliving events,’ News 3

Nothing to GAIN, everything to lose

The GAIN/CalWORKs Program at Pierce College is suffering a major cut in finances, and by extension, the aid that they can offer to students involved in the welfare program is declining as well.

FUTURE: To be determined

New V.P. to be announced

humane.”

lum issues.

This program is implemented by the state of California, and it was created to assist students in different areas of need such as food stamps and Medi-Cal benefits, and it also provides an option of work-study employment.

“This cut is crap,” said Davis. “This is why you need to stay in school and read the newspaper; go to the ASO meetings to see where your money is going.”

Davis shares her struggles of the past and informs that being in school has saved her life.

Because of these cuts that are to be implemented July 1 of this year, she will no longer be able to attend school.

“School makes a difference,” said Davis. “I don’t want to leave and work a survival type job.”

The hiring process to select a permanent vice president of Academic Affairs has begun and is currently in the final stages, according to Diane Levine, professor of anthropology, chair of the anthropological and geographical sciences department, and V.P. of the Academic Senate. Applications were taken in March and have to be advertised on the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) website for six weeks, according to Levine.

“They have had the interviews, and have narrowed it down to two or three [applicants],” said Levine. “The president interviews those two or three.”

Pierce President Kathleen Burke-Kelly has the final decision on who is hired.

But prior to receiving the finalists, the applicants were

interviewed by a committee of faculty members, including Academic Senate President Tom Rosdahl and Los Angeles College Faculty Guild (AFT) representative Donald Sparks, along with representatives from the deans and other administrators.

The hiring committee was led by Joy McCaslin, Ph.d, vice president of Student Services.

“[McCaslin] chaired the committee that recommended the final candidates to me,” said Burke-Kelly in an e-mail.

The names and number of applicants are considered confidential.

According to Levine, when the permanent vice president of Academic Affairs is chosen, he or she will assume the job at the end of June.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs, one of three vice presidential positions on campus, is in charge of the teaching faculty and curricu-

Committee members Rosdahl and Sparks approached faculty members at various times throughout the process for their input.

“The most important job of the campus is to teach students,” said Levine. “And the academic affairs vice president is the head of that job. That is the most important job on the campus.”

Pierce College will be going through an accreditation evaluation in the next couple of years. One of the main stipulations from the faculty on campus is that the new vice president of academic affairs be familiar with that process.

Faculty members also want someone who will work with them.

“We know we have to cancel classes, but [we want] someone who will take the faculty’s input on what classes to cancel,” said Levine. “We want to see someone who is

Pierce College has not had a permanent vice president of Academic Affairs since Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh left to become Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Technology in the Coast Community College District at the end of September 2010.

Since then, Pierce has been under the guidance of interim vice president of Academic Affairs, Anna Davies. Davies was appointed in November 2010 by BurkeKelly.

A final decision had not been reached at the time this article went to print. More information will be released once the hiring process has been finalized.

RU online? Follow us on Twitter for the official announcement of V.P.

lreyes.roundupnews@gmail. com

On Thursday, May 12, Vanessa Lee of Neighborhood Services hosted a lecture to inform students who are currently registered or interested in the program that there will be drastic changes due to the budget cuts that are happening this fall.

“I am not going to pretend this is a happy discussion,” said Lee. “I am here to help you find ways to combat these changes.”

Lee started off the discussion with statistics of what is going to be cut.

She informs that there will be an eight percent cut in cash aid, child care for children will be discontinued, and there will be a limit of seven doctor visits per year.

Cheryl Davis, who has been a student at Pierce since 2008, attended the discussion and has recently lost her job, looking to the GAIN/ CalWORKs program for assistance.

At the end of the discussion, the 13 students in attendance felt informed and more prepared for the changes that are about to come.

Lee provided strategies for these students and assured them that the fight was not over.

“Stay in school” was the most prominent advice that underlined the discussion.

Abbey Kalein, GAIN/CalWORKs program director at Pierce, was there throughout the lecture and offered the students more information afterwards.

Kalein opens her office to anyone who has questions about the program or has concerns about the future changes of the GAIN/CalWORKs Program at Pierce.

The GAIN/CalWORKs office is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building and is open Monday through Friday.

aantoniadis.roundupnews@gmail.com

Lorrie Reyes/Roundup

Alexis Antoniadis/Roundup

UD/Roundup

INTERIM: Anna Davies

Joe Kukuczka / Roundup

READY, AIM, FIRE: The Farm Center’s cornfield was transformed May 14 and 15 when ‘Heritage Days’ was commenced with a reenactment celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

UD/ Roundup

FORMER: Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh

—EDITORIAL—

Counselors:

here to advise

Obtaining an appointment at the Counseling Center can seem both endless and exhausting.

After the Roundup conducted a random poll of 150 students on the Mall last week, 56 students said the Counseling Center did little to nothing to help, whereas the remaining 94 thought that it was pointless to even go.

The third option in the poll asked students if they had ever gone to the center. The answer? Zero.

For both full-time and part-time students looking to transfer to a four-year university or earn their AA degree at Pierce College, academic advisement should be mandatory.

This is an opportunity for students to meet with their academic advisor and review courses that have been taken in order to better assess which classes should be taken next term.

The Counseling Center on campus can create a new system that creates ease and flexibility for both advisers and students.

CSUN seems to make their student advisement procedure to work.

Each department at CSUN has an office with student files that include up-to-date transcripts. Students are to pick up their file prior to attending their advisor’s office hours.

Next, the student reports to their advisor and is given suggestions on what step needs to be taken next. This is a requirement before the students are allowed to register.

The outcome of making advisement mandatory is to assist

students in fulfilling and achieving their academic and professional goals and to help facilitate a timely graduation date.

A pitfall at Pierce is the lack of bodies able to make time to see the numerous students in a timely manner.

According to the Los Angeles Community College District, there are 22,139 students at Pierce. Of those, approximately 6,000 students are full-time, more than 8,000 are aiming to transfer, almost 4,000 students want to earn their AA degree and roughly 3,500 students are undecided.

Pierce has 10 full-time counselors available to students needing academic counseling, and 4 part-time counselors. That would mean each counselor would need to see 1,000 students prior to the registration dates.

If that deems to be too difficult, then here’s an idea.

Instead of limiting advisement to the campus counselors, advisors can include the faculty and staff. Department chairs and both full-time and part-time professors can become advisors based on their area of expertise.

The process can now be easy and time efficient. With the faculty and staff taking on the roll of advisor, more time is created for students to fulfill on this requirement.

No additional time needs to be put in by faculty. Since each professor must offer office hours, those times can be used for both students who need help in class and who need to schedule their advisement.

—EDITORIAL—

Collaboration needed for I-TAP

As we reach the end of the spring semester, student commuters are anxiously waiting to see what the future holds for the discontinued student I-TAP card.

The bond, which funded the discounted I-TAP card for the past two years, is empty and will be cutoff, unless colleges’ Associated Student Organizations (ASO) have a referendum.

The referendum is the only other option as of now, and it would make all students, even those who don’t use public transportation, pay $25 to $50 fees.

With the recent unit fee increase of $10, students will pay $36 per unit beginning in the fall. That may be enough for students, especially those who don’t use public transportation, to vote against the alternative.

A solution that hasn’t been discussed but may work is that both the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and each campus’ ASO dip into their reserve funds and split the cost to renew a contract with Metro.

This solution seems the most logical and beneficial to students.

After all, the ASO and LACCD are here to help students and satisfy their needs.

Former LACCD Chancellor Dr. Marshall E. Drummond expressed the commitment to helping students.

“In these tough economic times, we are intensely committed to insuring that our students have easy, affordable access to our campuses through a variety of transit channels,” he said in a Metro article January 2009.

Surely, Dr. Daniel LaVista (the current LACCD chancellor) has the same vision.

Renewing a deal with Metro and securing students with discounted I-TAP cards would help students and may be a steppingstone to repair the district’s image after all the headlines they’ve been making for wasteful

spending.

With class cuts, some classes students need to transfer are not offered at every campus. Students count on Metro to get them to other campuses.

Metro specifically made stops for Orange and Red Lines at LACCD colleges to make it easier on students. Take a minute and think about it.

This is a much better alternative than having every student pay $25 to $50 fees for services not every student will use. That is similar to the $11 health fee or $7 ASO fee students are required to pay, although they don’t all use the service.

If the district chooses to go that route, you may see a lot of students switching to schools outside the LACCD where they don’t have to pay unnecessary fees.

If discounted I-TAP cards are no longer offered in the fall, students would have to pay $20 for the week. In a 16-week semester that is an increase of $300.

If you add the extra $300 to a full-time (12 units) student’s schedule, with the $10 unit increase, students would be paying an extra $732 next semester, than they did this semester. Do the right thing and don’t make funding for this service come out of students’ pockets.

Regarding “Loyalty is essential,” Opinion, May 11

The point of your May 11th editorial regarding President Burke-Kelly is not clear. You acknowledge that she was assigned the Mission College presidency on a temporary basis by her boss, Chancellor LaVista. It is not fair to then say that “she should be loyal to her campus and know her priorities.” When she told a reporter that she was not currently the president at Pierce College, she was not “disowning” Pierce, but just stating a fact. There cannot be two presidents at any given time, and she correctly referred the reporter to me. Please also note that I was compensated as president during the time I held that position. Kathleen and I were in regular communication throughout our short, threemonth assignments. She never lost contact with the college, and she attended a number of meetings and events. Now she is back and fully engaged in leading Pierce through a time of difficult challenges; she deserves everyone’s assistance and support.

Joy McCaslin, Ph.D Vice President, Student Services

—LETTERS— President did her job Terrorism is not dead

Regarding “Let the picture tell the damn tale,” Opinion, May 11

The killing of Osama bin Laden is a significant victory in the long struggle between radical Islamists and modern civilization.

This victory is a tribute to the patient endurance of American justice. I commend both President George W. Bush who led the campaign against our enemies through seven long years and President Obama who continued and intensified the campaign in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

We should remember to thank those who made this possible. Without the courage and professionalism of our men and women in uniform and in the intelligence services, this victory would not have been achieved.

This victory is only a milestone in a long war. We must also recognize the long struggle ahead. Radical Islamism did not start with bin Laden and it will not end with his death. This is the 32nd year since the Iranian dictatorship seized our diplomats illegally and held them hostage for 444 days. It has been 28 years since Iranian-supported terrorists killed 241 servicemen in Beirut in 1983.

As long as there are schools teaching children to hate; as long as there are state-supported terrorist systems; as long as several countries actively recruit children to be suicide bombers; this war will continue.

The world is a better place without Osama bin Laden, but his just demise cannot erase the loss and suffering of the families and friends of those who died on September 11 or died fighting in the war since September 11. So while we are celebrating this victory, we should take time to remember all who suffered and sacrificed and pray for them.

Brian Goldenfeld

Woodland Hills, CA

— CORRECTIONS — Corrections from last week’s issue

The name of Kathleen Burke-Kelly, president of Pierce College, was misspelled several times in the page 2 editorial of the May 11 edition of this newspaper.

A Page 1 story in the May 11 Roundup incorrectly identified former Pierce President Rocky Young as the current chancellor of the L.A. Community College District. Young was chancellor of the LACCD from July 2005 to August 2007. The current LACCD Chancellor is Daniel LaVista, Ph.D. The Roundup staff regrets the errors.

Maria Salvador / Roundup

Maria Salvador / Roundup

History comes to life on a campus near you

Reliving history from FRONT

Ahleea Brenner, a Hale Middle School student, stood behind a yellow rope and watched soldiers fighting with sabers.

“I’m just really exited. I’ve never been to a reenactment before,” she said. “I just learned about the Civil War, and it’s fun to see it played out.”

Mike Argabright and son traveled from Lancaster to see the reenactment.

“[Noah] wanted to see the Union win,” Argabright said. “Last year, the Confederates won; I guess it was a different script.”

As Noah watched the battle, Argabright had to ensure him that the actors laying on the ground were not actually deceased.

After the Battle of Gettysburg concluded, William Peck, a resident of San Diego

First psychology showcase

Assistant professor Angela Belden was inspired by a professor from the Media Arts Department who provides their students the opportunity to share their work with members of the Pierce community, so she created a platform to showcase her students’ work as well.

Achieving their dreams

In an effort to help more students succeed at Pierce College Bob Martinez, who is part of the Student Success Committee, is working on making the Achieving the Dream program eligible to students. The Dream program initiative

Professor to be published

A Pierce College astronomy professor’s discovery of new stars will be published in the July 2011 issue of “Astrophysical Journal.”

Carolyn Mallory, instructor of

who has personified Abraham Lincoln for 31 years, delivered the Gettysburg Address at the Heritage Town Hall. He was introduced by “Hail to the Chief,” played by The Armory Band.

“It’s rather humbling when I get to teach someone about history,” Peck said.

Dr. Jon Willen and Larry Duncan, who personified “Dr. Malarkey,“ narrated both battles that took place Sunday.

The first annual “Psychology Showcase” took place Monday in the Great Hall.

“This is my second semester here, and I really wanted to give my students a chance to display their work,” said Belden. “I want them to feel as if their hard work is not going unnoticed.”

Eleven of Belden’s students created posters, each explaining the findings from their semester-long

seeks to help more students reach their individual goals. The program’s goals emphasize successfully completing the courses they take; advancing from remedial to creditbearing courses; enrolling in and successfully completing gatekeeper courses; enrolling from one semester to the next; and earning degrees and/or certificates.

“The students at Pierce College

physics and planetary sciences, headed a year-long research project in the California Institute of Technology that involved the application of infrared to discover new stars.

She presented her findings in a presentation called “Finding the Stars,” using the Spitzer telescope data.

They discovered 29 new stars by

research projects.

Jessica Anne Bagood, a 19-yearold psychology major, researched whether or not Rap music effects stress levels of college students.

“Nurses often play classical music to their patients as a form of musical therapy, so I decided to study the effects that rap music has on the stress level in college students,” said Bagood.

—James Hermon/ Roundup

will benefit from this program and it will encourage them” said Bob Martinez.

The Student Success Committee will begin its journey to bring this program to Pierce College by attending the Kickoff Conference June 12-14, it’s intended that by Fall 2011 the program will be eligible for students.

—Fanny Cano/ Roundup

heat, because they were not visible to the naked eye.

They didn’t know if there were a many stars, or just a few, in the nebula so they had to use infrared to see in the dark mass.

“It was a really, really good scientific feat,” she said.

Victor Kamont/ Roundup

Duncan, a performer for 11 years, and Willen, a performer for 15 and a physician at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, provided audience members with anecdotes about the war.

After Lincoln’s speech, they spoke about medicine and what amputation would have been like at the 137th Regimental Field Hospital.

“I clear the table, one of the soldiers lays down and I put him under anesthetics,” Duncan said.

“My patient always dies. I go through several procedures for everyone to see.”

Adjacent from the town hall was Brodiaea’s Quality Clothing. Handmade 19th century inspired dresses, mauve bonnets with white ribbons, cloth dolls and calico undergarments that were hung on a line with wooden clothespins were available for purchase.

“This event is part of the California standards. This is way more fun to learn about than in the textbooks, Nora Meza, a high school teacher, said. “If you see people with a bright yellow paper, those are my students.”

msoto.roundupnews@gmail.com

Finals: Tuesday May 31 to Monday June 6

Upcoming Dates

• Last day of instruction May 29.

• Campus closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30.

• Textbook Buy Back days are May 26 to 27, May 31, June 1 to 3 and June 6 to 7.

• Finals week is May 31 through June 6.

• Graduation is Wednesday, June 8.

• Summer session begins July 5. Classes still open.

• 7 Week Summer Session July 5 to Aug 20.

• 5 Week Summer Session July 5 to Aug 6.

• Fall Semester Starts Aug. 29.

Bon voyage party for riding companions

Horses

Lindsay Edell used her hands to break large carrots into pieces while Corrina Jeffers measured six ounces of wheat bran and poured water in a blue plastic bucket.

Jayme Mills stirred all three ingredients together using a metal sweat scraper, and the main course was ready for the 17 guests of honor living in the Equestrian Center.

A going-away party, organized by equine science students who remain uncertain whether they will see their riding classmates again, took place Thursday.

All 17 horses used at Pierce wear two letter D’s on their side, initials representing owner Dave Dohnel, who has had a contract with the school since 1997.

During summer, the animals used for instruction throughout the Spring semester travel to June Lake, Calif., where they become pack horses in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

David E. Williams, associate dean of agriculture, is not familiar with the school’s contract with Dohnel and was unable to comment on the horses’ futures.

“The horses are here until they are not needed,”

said Williams. “Right now, they’re getting ready to go back home.”

Several students, however, expressed that Williams had told them that this group of horses would not be coming back to Pierce in the Fall.

After learning this, students decided to organize a party for the horses they have spent much of their time with.

“They’re not coming back next semester, so we’re spoiling them a little bit,” Edell said.

Like most days, the sun was harsh in the morning.

Benches were set up under an uncovered steel tent frame for the event.

Pieces of carrots, squares of sliced watermelon and apples were purchased as special treats.

Jenn Stott was squatting down and feeding the seal brown, Quarter horse named Lobster. She had bathed and groomed him some time before, and now he was picking out all of the watermelon squares and eating them first.

“Look at [Lobster], he’s so cute,” Edell said.

Stott went to Pen 3 and poured a watermelon mixture into the metal feeder for Leon, Lucky, Mac and Tommy to eat. Mac stared at the watermelon for a minute before trying it.

Williams has said that he plans on bringing 24 “push button” Cadillac reining horses to Pierce, according to Mills and Stott. Stott is concerned about this possibility. Reining horses are trained to slide and spin, and a new rider could easily be shoved off a horse if they send a horse a wrong signal.

“Reining horses are good if you know how to ride. Most of the people that take riding classes here have never touched a horse before,” Stott said. “To us, the idea of it seems like a danger, but if they’re not trained that way that’s fine.”

Stott’s mother, Barbara, took riding classes at

Melody Soto/ Roundup

Boots and Saddles

With 49 active members, the Boots and Saddles Club is one of the oldest running clubs on campus according to Zinn. They meet every other Monday in Agriculture Building 4114.

• Concerned with promoting horse culture and education.

• Organize equestrian shows on campus.

• Participated in the Agricultural Department’s annual fundraiser, Farmwalk, Sunday, April 10.

Pierce after Jenn enrolled her. She is now the owner of a horse named Sox.

“I knew how expensive they were,” Stott said. “I’m 59-years-old, and I never expected to buy a horse.”

Barbara is thankful to instructors Paddy Warner and Ron Wechsler for teaching her what she knows and even wrote to Warner on her birthday about how grateful she was.

Since becoming the owner of Sox, Barbara says she feels healthier.

“My horse makes me laugh; he nudges me,” she said. “I’m outdoors and I’ve built muscles from cleaning stalls. It makes me feel good.”

As the party ended, Jenn Stott, Helene Zinn, Tiffany Colohan, Jayme Mills and Danielle Williamson gathered around the shade casted off by the side of a freight container.

Colohan said she would miss the personalities of all the horses, while Stott said she would miss their tempers and willingness to put up with the beginning riders.

“They’re really intelligent,” Zinn said. “They’re patient with the beginners and they give the advanced riders a challenge.”

msoto.roundupnews@gmail.com

GIDDY-UP:

They’re [the horses] are not coming back next semester, so we’re spoiling them a little bit.

-Lindsay Edell Equine science student

Melody Soto/ Roundup

John Gutierrez / Roundup

The Boots and Saddles Club members and Girlfriend, the horse, at the ranch on Pierce College.

Coburn Palmer / Roundup

FAREWELL: Danielle Williamson, an equine science major, says goodbye to one of 17 horses that are used on campus as teaching tools. The horses spend summers in the Sierra Nevadas as pack horses.

Passel of dancers = potpourri of dances

Annual Spring Dance Concert expands from 9 participants to 112 performers since 1993.

The crowd at the Performing Arts Mainstage couldn’t help but emit a collective “Aww” as the stage lights lit up to illuminate two dancers on stage: 83-year-old Beverly Polcyn and her 68-year-old dance partner, Hap Palmer.

Their number began with a relatively conservative composition and the couple, both clad in red ensembles, tap-danced to the tune. Then, the music changed.

A medley, opening with Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” and transitioning to hits like the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” and Flo Rida’s “Low” began playing, and the crowd clapped loudly and cheered enthusiastically as Polcyn and Palmer started hip-hop dancing.

Polcyn and Palmer were only two of the hundred plus dancers that graced the Mainstage during the Pierce College Dance Theatre Department’s annual Spring Dance Concert, which took place Friday to Sunday.

The three-day dance show, which features routines created by both student and faculty choreographers, has been going on since Artistic and Dance Director, Marian Weiser, and retired dance instructor, Kay Turney, started it more than 18 years ago.

Since then, the number of dancers who participate in the show has increased significantly.

“We started out with only nine people,” Weiser said. “Now we have about 112 dancers.”

Weiser said Saturday that Turney was expected to attend the last show of the concert.

The Dance Theatre students perform their numbers for their dance shows both on and off campus, according to Weiser.

The Children’s Dance Theatre, a branch of the Dance Theatre Department, also performed Saturday as part of the show.

The Spring Dance Concert typically showcases a variety of contemporary dance styles, including modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, musical theater, tap dance, dance improvisation and dance drama.

“It’s really heavy on hip-hop this year,” Weiser said.

The money earned through the Spring Dance Concert goes strictly to the Pierce College Dance Club,

according to Weiser.

The club, in turn, pays for everything needed for the show, she said.

“The ASO gives us a small stipend of around $2,000,” said Weiser. “But it costs at least $14,000 to $15,000 [to put on the concert].”

The Dance Club single-handedly supports the Dance Theatre Department financially through concert and concession sales, off-campus performances and fundraisers.

Save the date, last performance end of May

Several departments and clubs will host events to close the semester, here is a closer look at some.

May 19- Pierce College Choir, Women’s Ensemble, and The Pierce Encore Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the PAB.

May 21- San Fernando Valley

Symphony at 8 p.m. in the PAB.

May 22- Los Angeles Symphonic Winds at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the PAB.

May 25- Rocky Horror Picture Event- 7 to 10 p.m. in the Great Hall, admission is a penny. This event will be put on by the Cinema

Club. May 26- The Pierce College Concert at 12:45 p.m. in the PAB. May 28- Philharmonic Choir and Premiere Chorale at 8 p.m. in the PAB.

There were a total of 20 performances included in the show, and each day opened to a full house.

The concert began with a number entitled “Timeless Decades,” a succession of dance numbers that reflect the Lindy Hop style of dance: a fusion of dance styles popular during the preceding decades of its emergence.

“Snapped” is another student-choreographed piece featured at the concert. It focused on the various ways people deal with addiction.

In order to illustrate this allusion, choreographer Malorie Mummert had the dancers tie one end of wide bands of black garter around their wrists and wind the other end around their ankles.

“I thought the use of the props [for ‘Snapped’] was interesting,” said Anita Greenberg, 46, business major. “Everyone feels that way at some point in their lives.”

Denise Gibson, adjunct instructor of physical education, choreographed two pieces in the concert: “Maltrato” and “Thackeray.”

“I like working with the students and seeing them succeed through the hard work that they put into their performances,” she said.

Caroline Theodrou, Dance Club president, was one of the dancers for “Carnival Ball,” a hip-hop piece choreographed by DaRon Bell and Russell McFadden.

“The production gives a group of people a chance to be a family, to showcase their talents and show how hard they’ve been working,” said Theodrou. “Hearing the applause, the ‘ooohs’ and the ‘ahhhs,’ makes it all worth it.”

Martin Dancers, a professional dance company headed by Shirley Martin, also prepared a number for the concert.

Though it did not have a title, their piece involved the performers dancing to the beat of live bongo music.

The show concluded with 12 dancers from the Dance Theatre Company forming, through different poses, a human prop spelling the word: DANCE.

“I found the concert to be really inspiring,” said 21-year-old Pierce student Talia Cheren. “Seeing all the performances makes me want to take all the dance classes now.”

Audience members who regularly attend the concerts put together by the Dance Theatre Department also expressed their appreciation for last weekend’s concert.

“I’ve been to a lot of dance concerts,” Greenberg said. “But I thought this one was the most creative and edgy one I’ve seen.”

R U Online? For more A&E stories visit www. theroundupnews.com

mhernandez.roundupnews@gmail.com

38 years in the making

Students, staff and friends honor prof Oshima at gallery

— James Hermon/ Roundup Fanny Cano/Roundup

Thirty-eight years of art on the wall, live performers and more than 50 people came out to honor and celebrate the retirement of Pierce College professor David Oshima.

The May 14 opening took place at the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center. Oshima will retire at the end of Spring according to Monika Del Bosque, Gallery Director.

In addition to his career as a professor at Pierce, Oshima was the Senior Graphic Artist for 20 years at Mission college. Oshima’s art was accompanied by the work of his previous art students that he collected throughout the years. The mediums varied from self-portraits, web designs, logos and photography.

Emad Abbasi/ Roundup

CELEBRATING: Mark Pracher, former grant writer for Pierce College, takes a moment to discuss the art with Computer Applications and Office Technologies Chair Lyn Clark .

“He made me go out of my ordinary self with my art by taking it to different extremes,” said Mona Mazloumi, a Pierce College student who studied under Oshima. She said that taking his classes was a good experience and inspired her to become an art major.

“I wish that he would continue teaching so that I could take some of his other classes,” said Ma-

zloumi.

A message from the staff at Mission College was placed on the wall that read “David Oshima’s Mission College Logo Design Project from early 1980’s is a prime example of breadth and versatility required for a designer during this time period.”

There were live performances by Christina Linhardt from Linhardt Circus Production and Wil-

liam Roper.

Linhardt said that the live performances where inspired by some of Oshima’s work. The sound of Roper’s music also circulated the room as he played his horn throughout the night.

Oshima expressed that he was not sad to be retiring.

“This is one part of my life and now I’m moving on to a different part in my life.”

He said that he looks forward to traveling and going fishing.

The thing he is going to miss the most is the “folks“ and the students that he has worked with thus far.

“I am only retiring as a faculty member, but I am not retiring from art and photography,” said Oshima. He was excited to have his work displayed at the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center and hopes to inspire some of the children who visit it. His friend Steve Yatomi of 20 years was proud of his work.

“It is great to see the combination of all his great work,” said Yatomi.

fcano.roundupnews@gmail.com

Michaia Hernandez/Roundup

Joe Kukuczka/ Roundup

PERFORM: Pierce students perform ‘Carnival Ball’ choreographed by DaRon Bell and Russell McFadden.

Ready ... aim ... fire!

Pierce Farm Center hosts annual Civil War reenactment over two days in May.

The Pierce College Farm Center celebrated Heritage Days May 14 and 15 with its second annual Civil War reenactment. More than two hundred actors camped out to relive the famous Battle of New Market. Also participating were surgeons, shop owners and an Abraham Lincoln impersonator. Hundreds of local community members came to witness the history of the 1860’s being replayed.

Left: Union soldiers march over dead Confederate soldiers after the first battle during the Civil War reenactment at the Pierce Farm Center May 14. Right: An actor playing Abraham Lincoln recites the Gettysburg Address during the Civil War Reenactment at the Pierce College Farm Center May 14.

Top: A Confederate colonel stands outside of his tent after a hard day of fighting and a long night of drinking in a Civil War reenactment at the Pierce Farm Center. Left: Dr. Malarkey demonstrates how an amputation was performed during the Civil War, using medical pliers to remove a bullet, to a crowd of visitors during Heritage Days at the Pierce Farm Center May 15.

— Joe Kukuczka / Roundup

Joe Kukuczka/ Roundup

Jose Romero/ Roundup

Joe Kukuczka / Roundup

UD/ Roundup

Joe Kukuczka / Roundup

Left: A Confederate lieutenant aims at Union soldiers during a reenactment of the Battle of New Market at the Pierce Farm Center May 14.

Brahma Fall 2011 sports preview

The upcoming Fall season will have giant shoes to fill if they want to compete with the 2010 teams

Going for three-peat —FOOTBALL—

Tyler McGee / Special to the Roundup

In 2010, the Pierce College football team was lead by a sophomore receiving core, two experienced quarterbacks, two sophomore defensive linemen and the leading tackler at linebacker.

This fall, when the Brahmas take the field at the newly renovated, John Shepard Stadium to defend their back-to-back Pacific Conference Championships and American Division Bowl Championship, it will be with new players at nearly every key position.

Pierce loses the only quarterbacks to complete a pass for them a year ago, as well as their top two rushers, their top six wide receivers, three All-Conference offensive linemen, two All-Conference defensive linemen, two kickers and their defensive leader at middle linebacker.

“That’s what is so exciting about college football: it changes from year-to-yearto-year,” said head coach Efrain Martinez. “That is what recruiting is all about; you go out and get some prospects you think are prospects and hopefully they pan out.”

Heading into 2011, the Brahmas will rely heavily on their defensive secondary.

The squad is highlighted by cornerback Oliver Johnson, an Arizona State commit, and Gerald Bowman, who is probably the best defensive player in the country, according to Martinez.

“We’ve got a lot of pressure on us,” said Bowman in reference to the secondary. “I think we can play up to our standards and high expectations.”

Bowman, who is being recruited by a slew of schools, is “eliminating and evaluating” teams and should have a top five selected by the end of the spring.

Last season, Bowman was third on the team in tackles with 58 while intercepting one pass from his free safety position en route to a first team All-Conference selection.

The linebacking core is in holding pattern as it heads into summer work outs.

Jake Minster, the Brahmas second leading tackler last season, is waiting on a scholarship offer from Villanova and could leave if offered, according to Martinez.

Offensively, the Brahmas will rely on running backs Josh Johnson and Greg

Wanamaker as their young passing game matures. Wanamaker, out of Lindenwold High School in Lindenwold, N.J., is still recovering from surgery on his leg, which he injured in the Brahmas upset victory over Fullerton College on Sept. 18.

“Right now, my chances are looking really good, thank God,” said Wanamaker about his probability of playing this season. “I’m working hard; that’s motivating me just to overcome adversity and prove everybody wrong.”

Wanamaker said he is undergoing physical therapy with the trainers to improve his weaknesses.

Joining the Brahma staff this year is Robert Garcia, a defensive line coach from San Fernando High School. Garcia played for John F. Kennedy High School before

moving on to play for UCLA.

The Brahmas start their quest for a three-peat Sept. 3 at Bakersfield. Last season when playing the Renegades, Pierce struggled on special teams, losing 41-52.

An essential part of the Brahmas’ special teams a year ago, Mike Pearson did not play in the game versus Bakersfield. Pearson, who had the team logo cut in his hair for the Brahmas bowl victory over San Bernardino Valley College, said the team is calling their kickoffs this season

“The Hit Squad.” Pearson guaranteed the

Goal: State Championship or bust?

After going further into the playoffs than any other season, the Pierce College women’s soccer team have their minds set on state glory for the upcoming campaign.

Following the success this program has had so far, winning eight of their last ten Western State Conference Championships with an impressive 181-27-30 record, the goal amongst players and coaching staff is the same: to win the state championship.

Having won their sixth straight WSC tournament with a 21-1-2 record last season, which earned them the first seed in the South Region and placed them third in the nation, the Brahmas are ready to go further.

“The expectation for the 2011/12 season is to obviously win league; this is my fourth year here, and my goal since I got here is to win a state championship,” said assistant coach Jose Mejia. “Last year, we went the furthest into the playoffs that the school has ever gone before which was the semifinal, and that’s what

we’re aiming for.”

New and returning players feel that there is a need to give 100 percent on and off the field, according to second-year defender Briana Chopin.

“As a returning player, I’ve learned that there is no time for procrastination or intimidation on the field,” said Chopin. “We all have to play our hearts out and give it our all.”

Head coach Adolfo Perez is confident in their preparation for the upcoming season.

“We always try to do our best and work extremely hard for our goals,” he said. “We have to be as organized as always.”

According to Perez, one of the newcomers to look out for is freshman Edith Dominguez, who was captain of the Sylmar High School women’s soccer team and made the all-city team her last two seasons as well as first team all-league all four years.

“I’m looking forward to playing with my new teammates and hopefully I can help them win games,” said Dominguez. “I think I can contribute with strength and vision on the field; I see myself as a positive player, so hopefully that helps the team.”

There are many players who are going to be missed from last season, according coach Perez, like first team all-conference player, Ani Eishoei, who will be attending Cal State Dominguez Hills in the fall.

However, none will be missed like the Western State Conference Player of the Year, team MVP and captain, Erica Vangsness, who broke the school record for goals in a season with 29 last year and plans to transfer to USC.

Brahmas logo will be back in his hair this season.

Fans can see the new look Brahmas in the new look Shepard Stadium on Sept. 10 versus rival Moorpark College. Pierce starts the defense of their backto-back Pacific Conference titles Oct.1 at West Los Angeles College.

The Victory Bell will be on the line again Nov. 12 as the Brahmas conclude their regular season by hosting rival Valley College.

tmcgee.roundupnews@gmail.com

In addition to the new names and faces on the squad, the team can look forward to a new stadium too.

Next season, the women’s soccer team will be able to use the new stadium for practice and regular season games.

The field availability and which games are going to be played in the new stadium will be determined by the head coach, and it will be decided to the team’s convenience, according to assistant coach Mejia.

rcarbonel.roundupnews@gmail.com

JOB BOARD

Summer Day Camp

Seeks fun, caring summer staff that reside in or near the San Fernando & Conejo Valleys

Counselors, Lifeguards & Instructors for horses, crafts, gym, music & drama, rock climbing, animals and more!

Earn $3275 - $3500+ for the summer 888-784-CAMP

www.workatcamp.com

Rodrigo Carbonel/ Roundup

UD / Roundup

REBUILD: The Brahma Bull will be a mainstay at Pierce home games in John Shepard Stadium this season, with the hopes of winning a third straight Western State Conference Football Championship.

Chris Audish / Roundup stock image SOUR: Last season’s playoff loss to Cerritos College has Pierce forward, freshman Nora Perez, and others eager to start the season.

*To see the defending Women’s Volleyball State Champions, the Pierce College Brahmas’ volleyballpreview,logonto www.therounduponline.netto see how they’ll try to defend their trophy.