Volume 115 Fall 2011 Roundup Issue 11

Pierce College is rated number one in transfering students to public universities in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD).

The number of admissions are decreasing at four-year universities and there is more competition than ever before leading to larger and more popular transfer wokshops.

“High school students are coming here (Pierce) with the goal of transferring because the UC’s have reduced the number of freshman

they’re admitting which increases the transfer population,” said Sunday Salter, director of transfers at Pierce.

Pierce College led the district in transfers with 4,805 students, according to the California Community Chancellor’s Office (CCCO).

There are three public higher education systems in California, the California State University (CSU), the University of California (UC) and California Community Colleges (CCC).

Pierce has a transfer center in the Student Services Building which

can help students gain acceptance to a four year institution.

Students have been encouraged to file their paperwork as early as possilbe.

“See a counselor right away, understand from the beginning that every course you take will impact the access to the school of your choice,” said Joseph Roberson a counselor at Pierce.

Adrian Sondhi, 22, a representative from Cal State University Northridge (CSUN), was recently at a transfer workshop at Pierce to recruit students during an outreach

Assessment test results for student English and math placement levels are lower than expected for high school graduates.

High schools students entering community colleges are expected to test into English 101 and Math 120/125.

But the average placement levels for students who have taken the assessment exam are under the expected placement levels.

“I believe it’s a reflection on the LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) from K through 12,” said Matriculation Director Miran Prochter.

“I see that students who go to private schools seem to perform better.”

One of the issues is the possible lowering of scores needed to pass the high school exit exam.

Those allegations are denied by the

and recruitment program.

“What you need is 60 transferable units, you need English, critical thinking, and math,” said Sondhi. “You also need at least a 2.0 grade point average.”

Pierce College transferred 880 students to a public universities in 2010, according to the (CCCO).

“Most business students transfer to CSUN,” said David Braun, department chair of business administration. “Their business school has a good reputation, a lot of major companies recruit from their graduates.”

See TRANSFERS page 3

LAUSD, however.

“The passing scores haven’t changed,” said Jim Overturf, test operations manager. “The whole thing is scanned and scored as one and the questions change every year.”

The assessment tests offered at Pierce College are optional. Students can choose to begin at the lowest levels and work up without taking the tests.

However, for students who wish to graduate or transfer quicker the tests are available. Students can start at higher levels of math or English depending on how they score on the tests.

But even those students taking the exams still have to start at lower levels, according to data compiled by the Pierce College Assessment Center.

“There is a big disconnect between what is going on in the high schools and the colleges,” said Dean of Student Services Phyllis Braxton. “Only 13 percent of our students are placing in English 101.”

After facing elimination not once, but several times in two matches during the weekend, the Pierce College women’s volleyball team came out on top to capture back to back state championships.

Despite losing key players like team captain and aces state leader Kathleen Wright before playoffs and sophomore Shayna Guitare in the middle of the season both to ACL injuries, the Brahmas showed their toughness to overcome the challenge and regain their title.

“It means a lot to me personally, to the program more than anything, and it means a lot to the sophomores who basically have something to talk about for the rest of their lives,” said Brahmas’ head coach Nabil Mardini. “It’s quite an accomplishment for them to win two state championships in a row, not a lot of people can say that, so the feeling is very ecstatic.”

The Brahmas became the first team to win back to back state titles since El Camino in 2007 and 2008, and the first to complete an undefeat-

ed season since Orange Coast did in 2005. Pierce faced elimination in two matches during the state championship tournament when they were down to Santa Rosa and El Camino 1-2 and 0-2 respectively, but managed to keep it together and come out victorious.

“People have to understand that we had two starters that weren’t playing,” said Pierce College Athletic Director Bob Lofrano. “Shayna and Kathleen blew their knees out, and you only play six at the time so we had 33% of our starting unit on the bench, and we were still beating this guys.”

Several serving and defensive mistakes made by the Brahmas let El Camino take a commanding 0-2 lead in the winners’ bracket game on Saturday.

Pierce won the next three sets, however, thanks in part to 2011 tournament MVP Danetta Boykin who managed to contribute with 62 kills over the weekend, 21 in this game, and the experience of Veronika Ban who in the absence of Kathleen Wright was the natural team leader.

See VOLLEYBALL page 8

Not all students taking the assessment tests are just out of high school; there are also students who are returning after a long reprieve.

“Because we are a community college we have to take everyone that comes to our door,” said Braxton. “All we can do is try to provide classes for the students coming in.”

Over the last several years there has been an increase in students taking the assessment tests, according to Braxton.

Assessment tests are provided by each college. They are not standardized.

Moorpark College doesn’t offer assessment tests, students are allowed to take the classes they believe they are capable of passing.

“The self-placement doesn’t really help the students,” said Prochter. “Students are more likely to take classes they aren’t ready for and not pass.”

See TESTS page 3

Romero

Photo illustration: Pierce student Shanni Tal peers into her future as a transfer student. Pierce leads the district in transfers.

published

The following letter is in response to the article “LACCD salaries save money” published Nov. 30, 2011:

Thank you for your piece on LACCD salaries. There has been much criticism lately of the top richest 1% and their large salaries. If you Google-search “Rich-O-Meter” and click the Wall Street Journal blog, you will see that college teachers earning $100K (or more) are in fact within the top .1% (yes, that’s a decimal point) of the wealthiest people globally.

Having explained this reality let me say this: I completely support and applaud my fellow teachers for their economic success, and the personal sacrifice it took to get there. As I

Where is the Internet?

The Wi-Fi service provided for students and staff on campus is terrible.

In some places it works okay but almost never where and when you need it.

The service is great at the library where there are computers available to you so it isn’t needed but in the Village area where all the orphaned classes from the construction are housed, you’re lucky if you can even log on.

There has not been a map with WiFi hot spots sent out in three or four years according to Jill Binsley, professor of computer application and office technologies.

But the Technology committee will be meeting during the break in January where a new list will be provided.

We live in an age where everything is done online. From research to homework assignments everything can and is being done on a computer.

As a student it is imperative that we are able to connect to the Internet from anywhere on campus so that we can finish our assignments. And equally as important if not more so staff members need access to the Internet to grade papers, research their upcoming assignments and even teach in their classrooms.

Yet the campus is doing very little

to help in this area. It seems like no attempts have been made to help the collegial body with this.

The administration should be working on this problem. They could spread out some of the routers or use some of the bond money to set up more servers around campus.

They could even go as far as to put a tower on the hill by the Farm.

Anything that can be done in this area would be a tremendous gift to all on campus.

This is not a need that will dissipate in time, if anything this is a problem that will only become worse. Teachers have already begun to assign homework and announce assignments

online using Moodle. A link is available on the Pierce College website that allows professors to outline their courses online for students.

More and more of these things are done online.

Students who are looking to work on homework or get anything done online can at least get service near the Freudian Sip and the Book Store. But that is a very limited area and let’s be honest, how often are your classes near there? Most of us are either at the top of the Art hill, the Center for the Sciences, or the Village. And good luck getting service near any of those places.

repeat every semester in my courses, we can all be wealthy. One simply has to defer immediate consumption, invest seven to ten years additional time while remaining desperately poor without a car and living in crappy apartments, and slowly build up the skills needed for a high-yield career (chemical engineering, molecular biology, neuroscience, motion picture production, cybersecurity, genetics, etc).

The game of survival is not a zero-sum game nor a matter of class warfare, it is an individual choice.

Dr. Pam Brown Economics Professor

Occupy Pierce?

With the occupy movement taking East Los Angeles College, the same thing would work here at Pierce

To generate change, writing a letter or signing a petition isn’t always impactful enough these days.

Student Protesters at East Los Angeles Community College (ELAC) have camped out in front of the school’s Administration Building since Oct. 31 to protest budget cuts and the rising cost of tuition.

If Pierce College students were to follow suit, it would send an even stronger message that the request for affordable education cannot be filed away or ignored.

Although the recent pepperspraying incident that happened at the University of California Davis could make some people apprehensive to join the cause, ELAC demonstrators were able to obtain permits that allows them to occupy safely.

As American citizens we should not be chastised or labeled as hippies, or rebellious for wanting to exercise our first amendment rights to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress or grievances.

On Oct. 26, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and

Shannon Ma sma.roundupnews@gmail.com

Students Organizing for Success (SOS) held a “Where’s the Funding rally on campus to protest the fee hikes. The problem with a rally is that they only last a few hours, and a week later, can be considered old news.

If students at Pierce were to get permits to occupy an area on campus and create a list of grievances it could send an even stronger, resounding message to congress that our voices should not be taken lightly.

In order to be heard, we can’t just sit back and let congress make decisions that affect our future when we have the ability to try and create change.

CON

Occupying East Los Angeles College just serves as another pointless rally that will have no results

Oh great, another occupy camp.

Pierce should not follow in the footsteps of East Los Angeles College and form an occupy movement.

First and foremost, I understand the message behind the movement loud and clear, but I have trouble seeing as how one huge slumber party will change anything. The efforts of the protestors need to be directed toward a more productive outlet.

The movement has been going on for months now and it seems like the only thing the protests have accomplished is creating even more dislike towards the police, and further isolating themselves from the world.

Hmm, something about that does not seem right to me.

I understand the frustration from the protestors and agree that something needs to change, but I do not believe forming new camps will help. How about forming a game plan? How about communicating like adults? How about actually making a difference?

I am not sure what the occupy movement is even about anymore.

Gina Gutierrez ggutierrez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Somewhere down the line, the camps lost track of what is important. Now, it seems like it turned into a “We Hate the Police” movement. Whatever happened to the main message? Maybe the banks would take it more seriously if there weren’t stories of protestors peeing on police officers.

I am interested to see how long the student protesters at East Los Angeles College camp will last since the school is actually allowing them to stay there until their deadline which is Jan. 1 and see if they get kicked out.

Maria Salvador

Maria Salvador

With more assignments being done online, not enough Wi-Fi is being made available for students to connect to the world web

Christmas trees, train rides and Santa

The Farm Center hosts

Yajayra Gil ygil.roundupnews@gmail.com

With the holidays quickly approaching, the Pierce College Farm Center is packing away the Halloween decorations and incorporating Christmas-themed activities to its everyday routine.

The Farm Center, located on the corner of Victory Boulavard and De Soto Avenue is open year round.

They Farm Center sells produce and host a Halloween festival each year.

Current activities at the Farm include sales of Christmas trees, decorations, photographs with Santa Claus, and wagon rides.

“We’ve gone from scary to merry,” said Robert McBroom, Farm Center director.

The prices of the Christmas trees range from $25 to $700, depending on its size. The smallest tree is two feet tall, and the biggest one is 15 feet tall.

This is the seventh year the Pierce Farm Center is selling Christmas trees.

A commercial was filmed last week advertising the trees being sold in the Farm Center. It will appear on most television channels, McBroom said.

Buyers have the option of getting their trees at the Farm Center, or delivered right to their houses, said McBroom.

“We provide a complete service,” he said.

There will also be trees available in January after the holiday season is over according to Desiree Cooper, market supervisor.

In addition to the selling of the Christmas trees, the Farm Center also offers pictures taken with Santa for $10 and a wagon ride for $4.

The Farm Center still offers their usual services such as train and pony rides, and a petting zoo.

The Christmas house that serves as the backdrop of the portrait with Santa has tarps just in case the weather gets bad.

Santa will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during weekends, and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. during weekdays.

Costumers who purchase a tree taller than 5’6” get a free portrait with Santa Claus and a ride in a wagon.

The wagon rides and the bonfire will be available at night only, because the wagon ride lights up and is better suited, like the bonfire, for the evening.

“It’s just a lit-up wagon, it’s got pretty lights with Christmas music and it takes you around the farm,” said Cooper. “We’re planning on expanding it to make it a real Christmas ride, but it’s nice.”

The Farm Center will also have fresh reeves, garland and mistletoe available for purchase along with the other products that they offer to consumers for purchase.

“[It is] all about the family experience,” said McBroom.

The Center will reamin open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, selling trees and other goods for only half of the day.

“It is fun for the kids,” said Desiree Cooper, market supervisor.

Contributing: Carlos Islas

Xbox competition in Great Hall

Alex Smith asmith.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Leadership Club will host a fundraising event at Carl’s Jr, according to vice president of the Leadership club.

Funds raised during these events will be donated to charities in the area.

“Our goal was to get students to hang out and get their mind off of school, especially during finals week,” said Leadership Club Secretary Christian Cardenas.

The Xbox competition was hosted Wednesday in the Great Hall on Nov. 30. Participants competed against each other playing the game Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Marvel vs. Capcom is a fighting platform game with characters from Marvel comics as well as Capcom Video games.

The game was played on a projection screen as well as a television that was brought in by one of the members.

It cost $3 to compete in the tournament and prizes were offered to first, second, and third place winners according to Leadership Club member Karen Solis.

Winners received either an Iron Man, Spider-man, or Captain America poster.

The original plan was to have a movie screening of a feature film that was recently released, but the rights to screen the film were not granted.

First place winner was 15-year-old Jessie Gonzalez whose brother is a member of the Leadership club. Gonzalez attends Cleveland High School in Reseda and said he thought it was fun to come play and watch on a college campus.

The Leadership club is working towards setting up more charitable events that will give the club more of a presence on campus.

“We know it’s not cool on campus with all the construction,” said Leadership club Vice President Robert Dinkel. “So we want to be able to create a place to go where students can feel comfortable and have a place to relax.”

Registration Begins January 23

You can take academic-credit classes at California State University, Northridge this Spring 2012 without formal application and admission to the university.

Community college students can take the same university classes as regularly enrolled Cal State Northridge students, so long as they meet course prerequisites, space is available in the class, and the instructor approves.

Credits earned through Open University may be applied to degree work and transferred to other universities.

Enroll in Open University courses through Cal State Northridge’s Tseng College.

Spring 2012 classes start January 23.

Registration for Open University takes place online and in person, Jan. 23 – Feb. 10.

Course Fees: $320 per unit

Tessa Miller

Christmas Tree: Pierce College Sophomore Daniel Covello helps customers with their Christmas trees at the Pierce College farm center.

Javier Zazueta

K.O. : Engineering major Temo Rodriguez (left) beats Christian Cardenas in a Marvel vs. Capcom 2 at the Xbox tournament in the Great Hall on Nov. 30.

events for the whole family including pictures with the Santa Claus

schedule

Creativity displayed by student performers in the Great hall during club hosted event

Lindsay Martinez lmartinez.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Pierce College Philosophy Club hosted the Philosopher’s Cabaret in yesterday in the Great Hall

The event combined a variety of digital video, live spoken word and live performance, while highlighting the creative exploration of philosophical ideas.

Student’s created and presented performances of up to five minutes on the theme ‘perspective’ on either

Failing to

[Tests: Continued from page 1]

Some students who place in the lower levels try to bypass the system by taking English or math classes during winter and summer sessions.

Some of the professors are more lenient during the short semesters since students are supposed to cover so much so quickly, according to

• Nov. 21 -employee

artwork, photography, music, poetry or movies.

Performances included original songs, skits, videos,and poetry.

The musical performances ranged from 1920’s stylistic tones to contemporary rock and new age.

Guitarist Raul Whitfield performed a song expressing the opposing ideals on happiness of the philosophers Aristotle and Plato.

“My goal is to be happy, and to be happy is to play music,” said Whitfield. “I cannot make music without this guitar and this guitar cannot

make music without me, it creates a bond.”

Student Bill McGary gave an informal presentation on the way the human brain processes its sensory input based on the different way each individual perceives visuals.

“Our minds, as great as they are, do have short comings said McGary. “Because we all see things in different perspectives.”

The Cabaret generated a strong audience turnout and each and every performance was applauded at its conclusion.

bypass the system

Christopher Tyson, a 23-year-old music major.

“We always told students not to attempt English or math courses during winter or summer unless you are a wiz at it,” said Prochter. “We traditionally see more D’s and F’s during winter and summer courses.”

Assessment tests are offered all semester long and students can retest

once each year if they place low the first time, said Prochter.

The number one comment to come from students who do poorly on the assessment exams is that they either didn’t take it seriously or they went out partying the night before, said Prochter.

“Take it [the test] seriously,” said Prochter

Sheriff’s Blotter

incident verbal confrontation

• Nov. 23 - misc incident computer network construction damage

• Nov. 24 -misc incident medical problem

• Nov. 24- injury incident - accidental fall in the farm area

Javier Zazueta

Rockin Out: Kenneth Sosa, Edgar Rodriguez (drums) and Samantha Cabrera of Dr. LimB

The year in review

Looking back at campus happenings of 2011

Pierce College president works at Mission College

Gov. Jerry Brown signs bills to cut community college budget and raise tuition by $10

Relay for Life

Student trustee and ASO executive board elections

Enough is Enough rally South Gym court renamed to Ken Stanley Court

Farmwalk

Hands Across California Swim team goes to state championships College president returns to Pierce College president talks budget cuts in town hall meeting

Heritage Days

New Academic Affairs vice president named Graduation; Swisher Park renamed to Rocky Young Park

I-TAP program ends

Renovations to Performing Arts building begin Club Rush

Q&A forum with administration

Parade of Breeds

Harvest Festival carnival

Halloween Feast

Pierce keeps victory bell after winning homecoming game in newly-renovated Shepard Stadium

new ASO president

“Where’s the Funding?” rally

Congressman Brad Sherman answers questions in town hall meeting

yarn bomb

women’s volleyball wins state championships

The sizzling September sun that lazily loomed over Pierce College is a faint memory as the end of the fall semester draws near.

Now facing the wintry cold, it is astonishing to think about the time that has passed since all the classes were packed beyond capacity with students eager to crash. Halls and corridors congested by construction had to be navigated quickly and concisely to keep schedule. Coming up on a decent parking spot was a blessing-and-ahalf.

With events such as Club Rushheld Sept. 27 and 28 - that inhabited the Mall and the Oct. 13 club carnival that made a festive spectacle of our normally tranquil Rocky Young Park, it is easy to say that Brahmas are active.

This semester there were over 50

clubs chartered by the Associated Student Organization (ASO), putting the “unity” back in “community college.”

Campus club Ars Poetica organized the Halloween Feast on Oct. 31 that treated tricksters to an afternoon of live student performances, including a dance number by the Performing Arts club and a costume contest.

ASO’s Social Cultural Committee hosted an event in the Great Hall, called Travel Through Unity on Nov. 17, which included two guest speakers that provided tips for traveling on a budget.

The most memorable event of the semester was the “Where’s The Funding?” (WTF?) rally organized by the ASO and Students Organizing for Success (S.O.S.) against budget cuts and fee increases.

Though the Oct. 26 rally was not as epic as anticipated, with a turnout of roughly 150 participants, it was

a good effort by students to gain recognition and spread awareness.

ASO has seen a tough semester; with tons of decisions to make and the mid-semester resignation of their president, Gabriel Mellibosky, it hasn’t been easy.

Because of this unexpected resignation, Febe Ruiz, Mellibosky’s vice president, had to step up and take on the presidency role. Meanwhile, ASO Senator Shane Mooney took on the vice presidency position.

There were only eleven senators this semester in addition to the 5 members of the executive staff, leaving the student-run government with 16 members to make the decisions for over 20,000 students.

On the field, Pierce’s football team encountered numerous defeats, but they won their homecoming game against Los Angeles Valley College.

RU Online? For the full story, visit http://theroundupnews.com

Clubs part of his school experience

Student balances school, work and leading

Being a part of nine campus clubs, having a job, and studying as a Pierce College student comprises the normal, everyday life of 21-year-old dance major Daniel Jin Nah.

Welding needs funds Participation in SkillsUSA competition canceled

When budget cuts due to a bad economy start to hit the athletic programs on campus, you know the budget is bad.

But what does that mean for other departments that aren’t as high profile as the Athletic department?

In the Welding program, it means that Pierce College will not be sending a team to the SkillsUSA competition because of lack of funding.

“There’s no way to get there anymore. We have no support whatsoever in getting to our state completion,” said Welding Instructor Gary Wheeler, who chooses the students for SkillsUSA.

Even before this year, money has been an issue for the

department.

“Each year I take money out of my pocket to get people to go to Skills[USA] and it’s been such a hassle trying to get the money back,” said Wheeler.

Last year’s welding team won six gold medals in the regional competition.

“I’m a big advocate for SkillsUSA,” said Wheeler. “It gets these guys out there to see what the real world is like.”

Part-time welding instructor Eugene Korchmarev was a student in Pierce’s welding department and participated in the SkillsUSA when he was a student.

Now his focus has become welding and teaching others and helping them become certified welders.

“This job is great. I love being able to help some of the

guys out,” said Korchmarev . “I love knowing that people want to do this for a living. There aren’t too many people that want to do this. It’s really hard work.”

Wheeler gets his welding students ready for both the real world and the completion by having them work with blueprints and Korchmarev lets students bring in small projects from home.

“Everyone uses welding. It’s one of the most used practices out there,” said Korchmarev. “A lot of these jobs are what runs this country. Most people think if you’re not a lawyer, doctor or engineer you are not doing anything and it’s not true.”

According to Wheeler, although the SkillsUSA competition helps students get ready for the real world, their main goal is to get students to

become certified welders. Pierce College’s welding program no longer certifies welders, but in each completed class a student receives a certificate of completion.

Craig Weiser, part-time welding student, has almost completed the six classes that the welding program has to offer.

“We need more classes. We need to turn it into a full-time program,” said Weiser. “This is an American Welding Society test shop.”

Even with full classes, a strong welding shop, gold medals won at past SkillsUSA competitions and an industry that is in demand, budgets still have to be cut.

“If we did have a full-time program it would do very well here.” said Wheeler.

Contributing: Angela Tafoya

Plans for Paris trip underway

Pierce College students have the opportunity to go to Paris for a chance to study beginning to advanced French language and civilization courses.

Summer Study in Paris has been offered to students for 30 years and has been available to Pierce students

the past two summers. Students will spend the entire month of July in Paris and will receive up to eight units of UC/CSU transferable units.

“They get the experience of the city being their classroom and having French lessons all day long,” said French instructor Rebecca Ebin.

“It’s a life-changing experience for students who can’t wait to go back.”

The base program price is $3,000. However, full-time students can apply for financial aid to help pay for some or all the expenses for the program.

“Students will be able to immerse themselves completely into the language and the culture,” said Ebin. For more information about the Summer Study in Paris visit www. esaparis.org.

D.J., as his friends like to call him, is in his third semester at Pierce and is the current president of the Performing Arts club, a club that he helped found.

“Starting my own club came from being involved in clubs in high school,” said Nah. “My own club [Performing Arts] is not only about performing, but helping students get over that fear of performing and, not to mention, we have a good dance team.”

Nah isn’t just an officer of his club.

In fact, he is currently or has held positions in other campus clubs, like the Anthropology Club, the Gamers Club, and Political Science Student Association.

“The way I got introduced to the clubs was through my own interest and through friends,” said Nah. “I wanted to just experiment to see what clubs I could join and see if it fits me.”

Clubs aren’t just a place for a group of people to socialize; they are also to help those who are alone and with their head down just coming and going to school.

The goal of the clubs he is a part of is to help these kind of students socialize, according to Nah.

Editing and film major Lorena Zevallos, 20, who has known Nah for over two years, describes him as dedicated.

She and Nah are members of the International Students Club and Cinema Club.

The Cinema and International Students clubs are just two out of the nine clubs Nah is committed to.

The other clubs include Political Science, Gamers, Ars Poetica, Business and Economics.

“D.J. is very dedicated,” said Associated Students Organization (ASO) Vice President Shane Mooney. “I am surprised he has enough time to be in nine clubs and still have the time to actually play video games.”

Review: ‘Sideshow’

Standing ovation

Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

The musical “Sideshow” premiered to a standing ovation in the Temporary Performing Arts Complex.

The actors and the scenes moved in a fluid fashion and the singing from the leads was amazing.

The remaining performances will be Dec. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. The final performance will be Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

The sequined dresses, the clean-cut suits, the circus freak garb and the amazing set lent to the feeling of an early 1930’s circus, the era of Vaudeville.

The highlights of the show were actresses Katy Harvey playing Violet Hilton and Miranda Chandler playing Daisy Hilton.

Their voices filled the room with beautiful music and together their harmonies and acting worked, almost as if they really were Siamese twins.

Harvey and Chandler play Siamese twin sisters who start off in a circus, the “Sideshow,” as ‘freaks’ and end up on an adventure.

The adventure features freedom, love and fame in the Vaudeville circuit.

Kathrina Aranas, who played the fortuneteller, belted out a few tunes that awed the audience.

This was the Theatre Department’s first performance that included more than eight people.

To venture from eight performers to 22 in such a small space is amazing.

Some might be off due to their nerves, but the leads, choreography, set, and costumes make it worth it.

Current and former Pierce students forms ‘Alive at 27’

Lior Haykeen lhaykeen.roundupnews@gmail.com

With thrilling music led by their vocals, guitars and drums, these four 20-something-year-old boys will make any college student want to get up and dance.

Dane Rippee and Dreux Zimmer, former Pierce College Students, founded the indie-rock band in the San Fernando Valley with their friends Pat Schettler and Matt Riddle when they decided to live their dream of using music as their outlet at the average age of 27.

“Music is empowering, it’s a release and it takes a lot of dedication to perfect,” said Rippee. “It’s just nice to have something like it in your life.”

Rippee, 28-year-old vocalist and guitar player, and Dreux, a 26-year-old drums player and vocalist, were hosted on the Media Arts department’s weekly live stream show, “R U Live,” Thursday, and talked about their band’s name, their CD and their new music video.

Before turning 27, the guys felt afraid of the age and what it will bring, said Zimmer. This led them to their choice of name, Alive At 27.

“Three quarters of the band are out of there, they passed age 27, and we’re still alive,” said Zimmer.

In their new CD, “Less Angeles,” they concentrate on the love-hate relationship that they feel many have with Los Angeles.

“There’s so many things we hate about this place,” said Zimmer. “Traffic and pollution are taking over. Still, we love it so much.”

“Less Angeles” is expected to start selling on iTunes this week.

They receive their inspiration from people they encounter, challenges they face, and bands such as the Pixies and The Smiths.

Their new music video to the song “Parking Lot Window Seat” tells the story of four white men who are hired by two Mexicans in need of workers for a one time job.

“It was a fun idea that connects us to the Spanish community,” said Rippee. “It could be misinterpreted, but it’s actually meant to raise awareness for racial equality.”

Mani Shabbooi

Lead Vocalist: Dane Rippee opens up about their video shoot for the single ʻParking Lot Window Seat.ʼ

Pierce Framed

Rushing to and fro between classes, students at Pierce rarely stop to admire the scenery.

One Roundup photographer chose, not only to stop and observe

but also to look at the world through a different point of view.

The next time you step out of class, stop and think: what frames your point of view.

Emad Abbasi

Diving: Brian Anderson dives into the water as his coach Josh Foster watches him.

Emad Abbasi

Skating: A Pierce student is seen through a bike rack as he rides a skateboard down the Mall.

Emad Abbasi

Parking Lot: The North gym as framed by a student walking through Parking Lot 1.

Emad Abbasi

Gardens: Pierce College Students seen walking through the Botanical Garden are viewed through a bench.

Back to back champs

Volleyball team wins second straight state championship

[VOLLEYBALL from front]

Ban had 12 kills, eight blocks, and 12 digs during this match while freshman Sakurako Fujii also spiked 12 kills but had 7 digs.

“We weren’t playing as a team as much as we could have [played], and Veronika Ban helping put us back together,” said freshman Jessica Burns. “She played last year in the championship game so having her on the court helped us keep calm and come back together as a whole.”

The Brahmas’ carried their momentum from those come-from-behind wins to sweep Santa Rosa in the state championship match in three straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 26-24), dishing out the only sweep of the final tournament.

- Jessica Gonzalez soccer

- Edith Dominguez soccer

- Kathleen Wright volleyball

- Daisy Alvarenga soccer

- Edith Dominguez soccer

- Kasseim Everett football

- Stephanie Gilbert soccer

- Jessica Gonzalez soccer

- Brian Gutierrez football

- Devon McKinney football

- Lucas Melo football

- Joe Morris football

- Gabe Woullard football

State Tournament MVP

Danetta Boykin

The freshman was a force to be reckoned with during the entire 2011 season which earned her the state tournament’s MVP trophy. Along the season, Danetta Boykin kept stacking kill after kill pounding an outstanding 308 for 564 attempts. During the three-game championship weekend she contributed with 62 kills to spark the Brahmas’ offense to their second straight title.

Regional Co-Coach of the Year Award for 2011

Nabil Mardini

Ban had another solid performance, not only spiking the title-clinching kill, but she also pounded nine kills, had 11 digs, three blocks, and two aces.

Boykin contributed with a game-high 18 kills while Fujii added 12 without an error, and Jasmine Levi had a total of eight kills and six blocks.

Setter Janelle Futch dished 47 assist to add to her 144 assist total during the weekend.

“Even more than being champions is the fact that we were 33-0, coming off a season where you were the state champs everyone wants to beat you,” said Lofrano. “But the one thing that made them champions was not as much their ability but their inner strength, their mental toughness, they were down 2-1 on Friday and 2-0 on Saturday playing

Danetta Boykin

- Gerald Bowman football

- Veronika Ban volleyball

- Kathleen Wright volleyball

- Veronika Ban volleyball

- Danetta Boykin volleyball

- Sakurako Fujii volleyball

- Jasmine Levi volleyball

- Marquell Combs football

- Jake Minster football

- Marcus Jenkins football

- Joandra Ramirez soccer

- Janelle Topete soccer

- Jennifer Venegas soccer

- Greg Wanamaker football

poorly, but then, we get to the final and blew them out in three straight.”

The Pierce women’s volleyball program, under head coach Nabil Mardini’s hand have won their conference and advanced to the playoffs 10 out of their last 11 seasons, have gotten to the final four a total of four times, and have won the state championship twice.

“It’s good for the school, everyone should put out their chest a little further and be proud of the fact that they’re at Pierce, that these are our kids, our students, they represent us, the community of Woodland Hills,” said Lofrano. “This isn’t Rhode Island, this is California and 85 teams play women’s volleyball so its something to be really proud of.”

Under his 12-year tenure as the Pierce College women’s volleyball head coach, Nabil Mardini has led the Brahmas to 10 conference championships in 11 years, they have reached the final four a total of four times, were 2006 state runnerups, and have won the state championship the last two seasons.

For his accomplishments with Pierce, he has also received the All-Southern California Coach of the Year, AVCA 2010 Two-Year College Southwest Region Coach of the Year, and the AVCA 2010 Two-Year College National Coach of the Year.

Mardini led his Brahmas

to be the first back to back champions since El Camino in 2007 and 2008, and to be the first team to have an undefeated season since Orange Coast in 2005.

Courtesy: Michael Burke

STATE CHAMPIONS: The Pierce College volleyball team poses for their championship photo after receiving their medals and trophy.

Courtesy: Michael Burke

Javier Zazueta

Although it’s beginning to look a lot like winter, the Pierce College baseball team has been training for spring since the start of fall.

Once the holidays are over the baseball team will only have a month to get ready for their season opening tournament beginning Feb. 3, 2012.

“A lot of good things came out of the fall,” said head coach John Bushart. “There is still a lot of work to do but I think we are very close.”

The Brahmas and Bushart will try to bounce back after taking second place in the Western State Conference-South last season.

With a two-game lead with four to

games left in the season, the Brahmas let the conference title slip though their fingers.

“This year our goal is to win the conference,” said Bushart. “We’ve been close the last two years.”

Returning pitcher David Carver, who threw 80 innings as a freshman, will be a key for stability on a young pitching staff.

“I think our pitching is going to come around,” said Bushart. “It’s a little inexperienced but they made some good strides this fall.”

Although they have lost key players they are returning all of the players up the middle, including catcher Alex Gonzalez, second baseman Fernando Gallegos, shortstop Matt Sanchez and center fielder Bobby Cortes.

“If you go right up the middle of

the baseball diamond that’s where you want to be strongest defensively,” said Bushart. “Those guys should set a precedent for the younger guys.” Gallegos, Sanchez and Cortes all hit around .300 last season and will need to continue doing so to get the Brahmas to the playoffs this year.

Even without their coaches present on the field some of the softball team players have begun with their preparations for their upcoming season.

The Brahmas are looking to improve from last season’s 5-33 record, but will have to do so without starting pitcher Heather Krahling who won all the Brahmas games last season.

With their third leading hitter no longer on the team it will be up to the returning starters and incoming freshman to pick up some of the offense.

“One of the things we are really

trying to improve on is to be more dedicated and to put a lot more effort,” said Leon “For me personally I want to improve on my hitting and fielding this season,” Leon added.

Another one of these returning starters trying help improve the team from last season is 21 year-old outfielder Tiffany Quezada.

“As a team we are only trying to get better,” said Quezada “I am also trying to get more stronger than I was last season,” Quezada added.

A new batch of freshman are coming to the team to take their positions and one of these new freshmen trying to make the team is 20 year-old outfielder Ariana Padilla.

“I am just trying to do my best and make the team,” said Padilla, who did not play any high school softball.

said Padilla.

Preview of 2012 spring sports Baseball Softball Tennis Swim

we don’t beat them

said Datt.

With the New Year nearly approaching the Pierce College Tennis Team has begun with their preparations on the high expectations they have for the upcoming season.

With returning sophomores and incoming freshman there are expectations that the team should win the conference and anything less than that would be a disappointing season according to Head Coach Rajeev Datt.

“We are going to own this conference, “said Datt. “It will be fun to play Ventura College since they will be our only competition and it will be fun to squash them,”

High expectations for the season aren’t only felt by coach Datt, but returning starter Moises Cardenas, 21, and incoming freshman Richard Catabona, 19, have echoed the high expectations the team has set for the upcoming season.

“I expect us to win state and anything less then that will be a disappointment,” said Cardenas. “We want to be number one in the state … it will be tough, but it’s due able,” said Catabona.

The team has taken steps to improve from last season like working out five days a week to improve on the teams conditioning according to volunteer coach Long Dao.

“We are going to be strong … if

While the rest of the college is busy going on vacation this winter the Brahmas swim team will be in the pool practicing as hard as ever.

“Swimming is an endurance sport,” said Head Coach Fred Shaw.” “The more you do it and the harder you push yourself, the better you’ll be.”

The swimming season starts in Feb. and continues until May.

“Everybody’s been training really hard,” said Matthew Cobelli, a returning sophmore, before slipping into the pool to start his workout.

Last year was the first time during Shaw’s tenure at Pierce that the swim team brought home a conference

championship.

The major change going into the 2012 swim season will be the addition of a second head coach. Judy Terhar, formerly the assistant coach, will assume her new role as head coach as Shaw begins to slowly retire, he said.

Shaw will looking to beat Ventura College, the swim team’s strongest opponent.

“There are 20 people as good or better than me on that team,” said Jordan Bernstein.

The women’s team, which had four returning swimmers last season, will look to their two returning swimmers this season, including last year’s Western State Conference Swimmer of the Year, Samantha Elam, to lend experience to the teams newest additions.

“Many of them don’t have enough experience,” said Shaw.

The men’s team, who placed fourth in the conference last year, will also be trying to repeat last year’s performance and will be looking to Jordan Bernstein and Blair Kroetz to lead the way.

“I wanna break the 100 meter freestyle for men’s,” said Bernstein.

“Even though I haven’t played in a really long time I still have what it takes and I know I have room to improve,”

Angela Tafoya Catch: Outfielder Tiffany Quezada catching the ball. Lynn Levitt Swim: Pierce College swimmer practicing.

Javier Zazueta

Swing: Richard Catavona swinging at the ball.

Pitching: David Carver is throwing a pitch.