Volume 116 Spring 2012 Roundup Issue 1

ROUNDUP

www.theroundupnews.com

Woodland Hills, California

Possible reduction of deans on campus

Bri any Blust bblust.roundupnews@gmail.com

A dean reduction program that would put deans back in classrooms to ease budget deficiency was proposed by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Feb. 15 and could affect Pierce College administration if put into action.

“[It’s] not a formal targeting of just the deans,” Pierce College President Kathleen Burke-Kelly said.

The LACCD Executive Committee recommended the District Budget Committee (DBC) community colleges in the district hire only a number of deans, but has not voted on the proposal yet, Academic Senate President Tom Rosdahl said.

“But what tends to happen is colleges like to hire administrators, and when times are good and you have money [the colleges] generally start loading up with deans and vice presidents and associate vice presidents,” Rosdahl said.

The LACCD is now looking at their formula for how they disburse the funds they get from the state to the colleges and proposing to change it.

“This task force that looked at the allocation formula looked at how many [dean] positions a college should have ... they give each college a chart and say ‘in the amount of budget you get you can afford this many deans, vice presidents, presidents, etc.’,” Rosdahl said.

The proposal or a dean reduction program would not increase the number of classes and would have no other effect on the number of classes Rosdahl said.

In 2003, Pierce College enacted a similar program.

Burke-Kelly said there’s a different chancellor now than there was in 2003, which means that the situation today is not like it was then.

“Any reduction is difficult because we can’t provide management, and that requires a full cadre of administration,” Academic Affairs

Dean Paul Whelan said.

Burke-Kelly is putting together a small team to look at the budget.

“When you cut classes you don’t have as many Indians but you still have the same chiefs,” Rosdahl said. “So if we’ve reduced sections by 20 percent, we haven’t reduced the other areas of the colleges.”

In 2010 the average gross pay for the eight deans on campus was $113,010.63.

Deans who were professors before they were in their current position may have retreat rights, and be able to return to their previous job if the proposal is voted in, Rosdahl said.

Community colleges have a Faculty Obligation Number (FON), which the state provides the district. The FON is a ratio of full-time professors to part-time professors.

Pierce needs to hire nine fulltime professors to meet state law requirements, or the district can be fined $65,000 per missing full-time professor by the state for falling below the FON.

FTR leaves jobs incomplete

Stadium still un nished as construction company walks out

The future of Pierce College’s football stadium and the faculty offices north of the Mall undecided after the district’s Board of Trustees voted to terminate its contracts with the main contractor Feb. 22.

Four settlements with Irvinebased FTR International were terminated for convenience two weeks following the contractor’s debarment from the district for five years.

FTR headed the 14-year, $6 billion LACCD Building Program, which aimed to renovate academic buildings, sports complexes, and administrative buildings, among other structures, in the nine campuses in the district.

The debarment did not have any legal effects on FTR’s existing projects, but the contractor walked away from construction efforts for Shepard Stadium weeks prior to the termination of the contracts, according to Pierce Athletic Director Bob Lofrano.

“I’m very disappointed that they just walked off,” Lofrano said. “They’d been giving signs. Things were moving very slowly.”

FTR refused to comment on the

issue. “F T R, those are three letters I don’t want to think about anymore,” Lofrano said. “My goal is to remove the FTR sign [at the stadium construction zone]. That’ll be down pretty soon.”

The $8.9 million Shepard Stadium renovation project was originally supposed to be completed by Dec. 28, 2011.

However, late approval of the initial project drawings by the District State Architecture moved its completion date to February, Swinerton Management Team Project Deputy Director Ed Cadena said.

The only stadium parts left undone by FTR are the walkway between the home and visitors’ sides, the restrooms on the visitors’ side, and the field house, Lofrano said.

“We’re 90 percent done,” Lofrano said. “We’re relatively confident that we can play this year.”

The North of Mall project, on the other hand, was shut down and repackaged late last year after the district suspended its contract with FTR in November for change order work, according to Cadena.

The termination of all contracts between FTR and LACCD finalizes

this move.

“We recommended the termination [last year], but that doesn’t mean it was going to get done right away,” Cadena said. “The district will execute it when convenient.”

The decision to debar the contractor was brought upon by a recommendation made by a hearing committee comprised of two LACCD trustees based on findings that proved FTR to be an irresponsible contractor.

“This is the last step of the district taking action to debar [FTR],” LACCD Inspector General Christine Marez said over the phone.

The district alleged that FTR submitted fraudulent documents with regards to construction projects in both Los Angeles Mission College and the Los Angeles Valley College, and failed to adhere to building standards outlined in its contract with the latter campus.

“It always costs something to make the decision to terminate a contract,” Goulet said. “But it doesn’t make sense to keep it [if you know there are problems].”

The contractor has, in turn, filed a petition for writ of mandate against the district days after the debarment decision was finalized.

A hearing is scheduled for March 13, according to Goulet.

In the meantime, the district is allowed to hire a different

construction company to complete unfinished work.

Contributing: Rodrigo Carbonel

Program helping to pick up the P.A.C.E.

about the program.

P.A.C.E. is available to all students who want to finish classes in half

associate’s degree and transfer in two years due to classes fitting into 8 week quarters, rather than taking 15 week long semesters.

Pierce

Accelerated

With the accelerated courses,

students are able to get their

Along with Ryan, Lupita Narkevicus is the other P.A.C.E. consultant and senior office assistant at the P.A.C.E. office. Both are available to answer student questions

“Students can find a lot of information about the program on our website, including the frequency and availability of classes,” Narkevicus said.

The next scheduled orientation is March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Great Hall.

mph

Kristen Aslanian

Lockedout: Construction area locked up after FTR International was suspended from work in the North of Mall area.

Dropping all first day no-shows

Professors have to drop students who do not show up the first day of class.

Too many students spend the first two weeks of school shopping for classes, holding seats in classes they don’t even intend to take.

With the existing economic environment this practice must be put to an end.

Students often resort to crashing these classes when they need the units to qualify for financial aid or they will register for courses in default for classes they would prefer.

As a result, core classes are overflowing with students trying to add but can’t due to a full enrollment of students.

Some professors already maintain a policy of dropping students who don’t show up for the first day of class and add as many students as they can handle.

But not enough professors do this and it’s unfair to those students who genuinely want to learn and need the course to transfer, not to mention the time spent looking for the class.

California is in an unprecedented economic crisis resulting in disastrous education budget cuts from all of the public colleges and universities.

It should come as no surprise that next fall’s budget will be even worse, classes will be in short supply, and enrollment fees will increase to $46 a unit.

The time has come to put stringent measures into place to help those who are here to learn.

We were unable to obtain records of student enrollment and this semester’s course drop rates.

Pierce’s policy regarding first-day student absentees is not available online, nor is it readily available anywhere on campus.

Pierce College has to create and enforce a strict policy that if you register for a class you must show up the first day or you will be dropped. The luxury of shopping for classes is no longer feasible. Too many students can’t get into the classes they need, prolonging the transfer process.

Compounding this problem is the decreased enrollment at California State University Northridge and potential closing of the West Valley Occupational Center.

The perfect storm of too many students, too few classes and rising tuition costs approaches.

In the past, community colleges were the place to go to get your first two years of college and then transfer to a CSUs, UCs, private colleges or universities.

Today community colleges still serve the same function as before but rather than transferring students to universities, they have become stagnant pools of students – there isn’t enough money in the budget to offer enough core classes.

Now is the time for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Directors to mandate a new policy that requires professors to drop absent students on the first day of class. Tough times call for tough measures.

Expensive education

One would wonder if the higher costs for higher educational institutions are worth the price of admission, but if students reflect on what they will be gaining in the process, the knowledge gained is meant to certify graduates for career work that would do more than just pay back school dues.

The money spent on college education these days fluctuates as much as the temperature in the San Fernando Valley, and with that in mind, it still manages to rise every year.

The average tuition cost for public college students is around $8,000 yearly, according to the College Board website, and as long as the end result is the same after graduation, the price is worth it.

College Board also states that the higher the cost for the college means that it is more likely students will have access to multiple financial aid programs.

When looking at other options like vocational and trade schools or joining the military, the benefits are limited to whatever particular fields are offered.

While at a college, either public or private, is expected to have a wide variety of paths to take to further career goals.

The benefits of joining the military vary on the goals of the individual, but the according to the official website, active service can be used to obtain up to $50,000 for college expenses if one decides to leave after a full tour on duty.

Not to mention military-specific scholarships, of which there are plenty.

The worth of schooling shouldn’t be measured by its cost as if it is some sort of product of entertainment; the experience gained is something used all throughout life to benefit the individual as well as supporting the country.

Looking at the state of the unstable economy, government spending on education is one popular topic of discussion and a high priority of the president to help make schooling more affordable to those hesitant or incapable up against the rising costs.

While education is still at relatively high costs these days, the sheer importance of taking advantage of whatever aid and scholarship is offered can make the future of education a bit easier to cope with, and the potential and life benefits that comes with a college degree is close to priceless.

Classes cut for 2012-13

Pierce cuts 130 sections starting summer session

William Smith wsmith.roundupnews@gmail.com

More than 100 sections will be cut throughout summer and fall 2012, and spring 2013. Ninety sections will be cut in the fall semester, and 40 in the summer, Vice President of Academic Affairs Anna Davies said.

Workouts limited

Training hours restricted to class schedule

William Smith wsmith.roundupnews@gmail.com

Pierce College students once again face the year-old ban on working out at the Fitness Center outside of class.

Before spring 2011, Pierce students were allowed to workout anytime they wanted, but now they can only train during their class times.

“These new hours [that] went into effect took the fun out of [the workout],” Pierce College student Christopher Kosharian said.

Kosharian used the Fitness Center often before the new policy was approved.

because I would go workout whenever I had a bunch of time to kill,” he said.

“Now I can’t do that.”

The change was a result of rules in the education code.

“I don’t know if we were violating an education code, but it just wasn’t right,” Athletic Director Bob Lofrano said.

Lofrano wishes the Fitness Center was open for student-athletes to train and improve their skills anytime they wish, he said on KPC Radio’s Beyond the Print Thursday.

“We had to go back to the traditional way,” he said. “If you are

these are the only days you can go work out.”

This policy frustrates teachers who teach at the fitness center as well.

“[The original hours were] a convenience for the students to get these hours to pass the class whenever they had the time,” instructor of men’s physical education William Norton said.

Due to this recent policy, all students who must complete the training requirements for their classes continue to be forced to exercise during their class time only.

There are now approximately 17,000 students on campus and there will be around 16,000 next year, she said. This decision was made because Pierce will have $4 million less to spend next school year than last year.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do,” President of Academic Senate Tom Rosdahl said. “If we go

over too much you get what we call ‘unfunded classrooms,’ so we have to wait until we know what classes the college can afford.”

Also, tuition price will rise to $46 in fall 2012, almost double in comparison to $26 a unit in fall 2011.

Contributing: Shannon Ma

Going green with electric carts New electric carts on campus bene t the environment

Pierce takes a step in the green direction starting this semester by adding electric carts, as well as electric car charging stations, to maintain the campus.

The electric carts were acquired during the construction of the Maintenance and Operations Building that was completed on Dec. 1, 2011.

There are three 72-volt carts and five 48-volt carts on campus, Director of Facilities Paul Nieman said.

The charging stations located at the Maintenance and Operations Building are for the electric carts used on campus only and are not open to the public, including students, at this time.

“It’s better than gas because it improves the environment, but the school should use the money to open more classes like biology, chemistry, and math,”Arvin Agcaoili, an environmental science major, said.

Three of the electric carts were obtained through the Resource Recovery Program using money from the bond project, and five were budgeted in the project for the Maintenance and Operations building.

“The carts are great,” biology pro-

fessor Pat Harris said. “[They are] better than exhaust vehicles going up and down, quiet for classes and [we need them] because of the pollution value, especially with the campus getting so big,” said Biology Professor Pat Harris.

The electric carts are clean, easy to control, noiseless and do not require as much maintenance as a combustion engine.

Each electric cart that replaces a gas-powered cart saves at least 10

gallons a month in gas for the school.

The gas-powered carts had a 10 gallon tank and would require filling once, sometimes twice in a month.

“We need things that can handle moving large weight around and the batteries might run down way too fast,” said Nieman.

The campus still needs gas-powered vehicles for maintenance, and will not be converting all of vehicles to electric ones in the near future.

• Feb. 13 - Spousal battery incident occured in Parking Lot 8. Incident still under investigation.

• Feb. 15 - Verbal threat by an employee to steal tools from Auto Tech building.

• Feb. 21 - Burglary in Parking Lot 8. A car was broken into, and a stereo, a navigation system and an iPod were stolen.

• Feb. 21 -A pregnant woman fainted in Village 8201.

• Feb. 22 - A bicycle was stolen near the Student Store.

Ava Weintraub

Fitness: Pierce College Womenʼs Volleyball team members Janelle Futch (left) and Danetta Boykin (right) workout lifting weights at the Fitness Center. The team trains year-round to defend their title.

Todd Rosenblatt

New cinema professor

swyman.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Media Arts Department welcomes new cinema professor Karin Stellwagen, an experienced documentary filmmaker, plans to expand the department with new and exciting ideas for her students.

Stellwagen is determined to bring sensibility and an appreciation for cinema to her students. She believes the city of Los Angeles can offer students many professional resources in order to succeed.

“I am asking students to chal-

Thereʼs a new sheriff in town

New member brings years of experience

William Smith wsmith.roundupnews@gmail.com

A new deputy with a quarter of a century of experience has arrived to maintain and improve order at Pierce College.

Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Dunkin is the newest addition to the Sheriff’s Department. Dunkin has worked for different sheriff’s station, and for the Community College Bureau (CCB) for two years.

Upon graduating from the Sheriff’s Academy Dunkin began his career working at downtown Los Angeles men’s jail.

Dunkin left his position at the jail after two years to continue his career at the Malibu and West Hollywood Sheriff’s stations before he began to work as a bailiff.

As a bailiff Dunkin worked for the Los Angles County Metropolitan Courthouse and the San Fernando Courthouse.

Dunkin, while working for the CCB, was a rover. He would work within the college district, but was not limited to one campus. If an incident were to occur Dunkin would respond to the call depending on his proximity.

“I just like working with the faculty and the students here, and helping them any way I can. I have always liked to help people. I think students tend to see an officer on campus in a uniform and tend to think we’re just here to give out tickets,” Dunkin said. “I want the students to know if they need it were here to help them to.”

Pierce is Dunkin’s first on-campus

position. Dunkin chose to work at Pierce because of its proximity to his residence. Dunkin is the only deputy on campus for the next two weeks as Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Nohles is away on a special training assignment.

• 13 Security Offices

•

Training for leaders

lenge themselves and be risk takers and face failure. I think that’s what it takes to be creative and a problem solver,” Stellwagen said.

Stellwagen first discovered her passion for film making after a yearlong trip backpacking through Asia with only a film camera. Upon returning home, is when she felt that a “deeper mental truth” lied between the untold stories.

Stellwagen is an award winning filmmaker for a number of independent films in the U.S. and internationally.

“I find cinema a consuming,

creative and an intriguing filling. At the moment, I am in the midst of enjoying a great career.” Stellwagen said.

The newest club on campus, Circle K International (CKI), welcomed new members who are interested in developing leadership skills, making friends, and helping the community during their first meeting Feb. 23 at Pierce College.

President Kim Nguyen explained to potential members that their club is student-run, giving members an opportunity to lead and serve on different boards within the club. Nguyen also spoke about plans for upcoming events to benefit the community.

Members of the club can hold office at the division, district, or international level in the club to gain leadership experience but “don’t have

to hold office to lead,” according to Nguyen.

Nguyen has been working on starting a chapter at Pierce since the summer of 2010 and was inspired to start CKI from her time with Key Club, a high school club from the same organization, Kiwanis International, that have similar goals.

“I wanted to continue to lead and motivate people, members, and teach them how to be a leader and have them enjoy what service is all about,”

Nguyen said.

During the meeting Nguyen informed members that the club would be volunteering at the Los Angeles Marathon this March and a dodge ball fund raiser at California State University Dominguez Hills, another college with a CKI chapter.

El Camino College, California

Sate Universities in Long Beach, Northridge and University of California Los Angeles are also in the same metro division as the Pierce College chapter and are available for networking to CKI members.

“I think colleges like wellrounded students and this will give them the information that I help the community,” potential member James Trieu said.

CKI will have a table during Club Rush to answer questions, give out information about club, and let students know that they are on campus.

The club meets bi-weekly Thursdays in BUS 3205 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Ava Weintraub

New sheriff: Bill Dunkin stands in front of the Pierce College Sheriffʼs Department.

Jose Romero

New Professor: Karin Stellwagen

Art department celebrates 35th annual photo salon

Photography students compete for scholarships

walls.

Children’s fashion show raises money for charity

Funds from the Child Development Club’s 2nd annual show benefit the Haven Hills Women and Children’s Shelter

The Child Development Club raised $434 and clothing donations for the Haven Hills Women and Children’s Shelter at their 2nd annual Children’s Fashion Show Friday in the Great Hall.

The funds raised are more than double what they collected at last year’s event. All of the money made during the event will go towards Haven Hills Women and Children’s Shelter in Canoga Park.

Haven Hills is a center that takes in women and children who have been affected by domestic violence.

It had been only two minutes since the official opening of the Pierce College Photo Salon Feb. 23, but the Art Gallery was already full of people.

Photographers and photo lovers alike mingled and enjoyed refreshments under a starless night outside Art 3301 during the opening reception, while others gathered inside admiring the works of art.

The 29 photographs that adorned the otherwise white walls of the gallery will be on display until March 23, and will be open Monday through Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m.

The photos varied from stop motion, scenery, profiles, and still life.

All photos were submitted by Media Arts students who are competing to win scholarships

provided by the Associated Students Organization and other prizes.

Awards will be announced during the first annual closing reception on March 7.

Erin Stone, an award-winning photographer whose work has been featured in the Pierce Bull magazine, also attended the event.

“It is an honor. It is very nice to see people enjoying what you put your heart into,” Stone said.

Stone’s pieces that are on display are called: “Metamorphosis,”

“Floating Man” and “Man”.

The exhibit has also changed the perspective of 36-year-old Pierce architectural student Juan Pinedo.

“I never thought I would like that; it’s just dirt,” Pinedo said of Lynn Levitt’s photograph entitled “Hailakala Volcano, Maui.”

Levitt’s photo is a landscape photo of a volcano in Maui.

Polish born photographer Agata Dziatlowicz stood quietly admiring the work that was displayed on the

From her composure one would never guess the excitement that awaited her when she discovered not one, but two, of her photographs had been selected for the gallery.

She is most proud of her photo entitled “Dancer,” in which she used the blur technique to portray the motion of a flamenco dancer.

“I have been waiting to take this picture for two years, but I was always scared,” Dziatlowicz said.

She credits Professor Sean McDonald, instructional assistant of Media Arts, for pushing her to experiment due to an assignment she had in his class.

“Thank you Sean,” Dziatlowicz said.

Jill Connelly, chair for the Media Arts Department, was also at the opening.

“I think it’s a really great experience for the students,” Connelly said.

“[Haven Hills] helps get them back on their feet,” said Executive Director of Haven Hills Sara J. Berdine, “We have a 24 hour service line,” Berdine said.

The shelter receives most of its money from the community to help support the women and children.

“We rely on donations. We rely on the monetary support of the community,” Berdine said.

This isn’t the first time Haven Hills has come to Pierce.

“We’ve come into classes to talk about domestic violence,” Berdine said.

The Great Hall was filled with colorful balloons and booths where attendee’s could make friendship bracelets or get temporary tattoos.

While admission, the clothing boutique, and booths were all free, empty jars were placed around the room so anyone could drop a donation. Meanwhile, raffle tickets were being sold for prizes.

Volunteers came to help work at the booths, give out food, and set up for the event.

“I’ve been working at the podium, music wise, working the popcorn [booth], and setting up,” Saul Lopez said.

The expected outcome of this event is supposed to be much better than how it went last year.

“It went a lot better than last year. We were more prepared and we had a lot more volunteers for the Child Development Club,” said Lopez.

The club also expects to make more money than it did last year.

“Last time we made about $200. This time. I’m estimating, about three to $400,” Lopez said.

“It was great. It was wild and crazy,” Child Development Club Advisor Michelle Ventimiglia said about the event. “It had more people attend so that was nice.” For more information about the Haven Hills Women and Children’s Shelter, visit http://www.havenhills. org or call (818) 887-6589.

Sarah Storey

Photo frenzy: Pierce College student Monica Salazar oberserves a photo entry for Pierce College’s 35th annual Photo Salon.

Monica Velasquez mvelasquez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Kal Velasek kvelasek.roundupnews@gmail.com

Kristen Aslanian Fashion show: Child models strut their stuff Feb. 24 on the runway in the Great Hall for the annual Children’s Fashion Show. The fundraiser was organized by the Child Development Club.

Farm tails

An udderly rare glimpse of the Pierce Farm

Pierce was founded as an agricultural college by Dr. Clarence Pierce shortly after World War II. According to the Agriculture Department website, in 1947 the college opened with 212 veterans enrolled in classes. At one point, the farm was home to a 15acre orchard, and housed 6,000 poultry, 450 heads of cattle, 250 heads of sheep and 250 swine. As time passed, the orchard was removed and the numbers of animals decreased. There are now horses, donkeys and goats. Today, the farm serves as a learning laboratory to educate future farmers and ranchers, veterinarians and equestrians. Every year the Agriculture Department puts on Farm Walk, a fundraiser event open to the community. During the event, approximately 5,000 to 8,000 people flock to the farm to see the animals, open space and programs, according the Agriculture Department website.

TOP: Principles of animal science class students tour the farm.

MIDDLE: Farm Manager Russ Schrotenboer tosses a bail of hay to the waiting cattle.

FAR LEFT: An elephant painting on one of the farm’s grain silos

LEFT: Dr. Leland Shaprio, chair of the Agriculture Department, talks to PreVeterinary student Michael Marshal about the care of baby goats.

BOTTOM: Pierce farm vista with Warner Center in the background.

Photos by: Ava Weintraub

Disappointment feeling in the air

Men’s basketball season ends on a losing note, dissatisfaction all around

Jonathan Sierra jsierra.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Brahmas men’s basketball team finished the regular season with a record of 10 wins and 13 losses putting an end to their campaign after falling short of making the playoffs.

“Disappointing,” said Brahmas’ head coach Edward Babayan of the season. “We had very high expectations going into the season.”

The record doesn’t reflect the effort of the team as many of the games were lost by merely a few points. The Brahmas started the season in slow form losing eight of their first 10 games but ended the season strong with an 8-5 record after that and by winning at Santa Barbara by almost 30 points.

According to head coach Babayan, the only missing piece to make his team successful next season is better leadership on the court and amongst the players.

However, the season wasn’t at all bad, said Babayan.

“As regards to our players it was a success,” he said.

The progress of two players throughout the season surprised the coach.

Freshman guards Tre Holden and Khiry Williams developed into good college players and scorers.

Pierce College Athletic Director Bob Lofrano said he looks back at the season as disappointing.

“No expectations [for next season] just take what happened this year and move forward,” he said.

Offense picks up on time

Taylor Rouch

trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

Pirates’ starting pitcher, Joey Contreras, threw a complete game five-hit shutout to lead his team to another their third victory against the Brahmas.

Wednesday,

Going into the offseason the main focus said Babayan, is to create a better focus and discipline.

Even though the season did not end up according to plan, the players’ expectations for next season are high since most of them had important numbers against stronger opponents.

Freshman guard Jordan Fuller sums it well.

“[We’re] looking to win state,” he said.

Melissa Trahin mtrahin.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Brahmas’ baseball team took a beating against Ventura College on Wednesday but rebounded during the weekend at home against the East L.A. Huskies.

The final score for the first game was 5-0 in favor of the Pirates, which makes it the third time Pierce has lost against Ventura this season.

“The team consists of twenty freshmen and only 10 sophomores,” said Pierce head coach John Bushart. “With most players experiencing college baseball for their first time, this is a learning process for them but nothing they can’t improve on.”

“We just came out a little flat offensively,” said Bushart.

One of the highlights of the game came on the bottom of the fourth inning when Brahmas’ third baseman Michael Hymes, dove for the ball in a tough play and threw out the runner at first to end the inning.

Relieve pitchers Scott Felgenhauer, Joe Franiak and Christian Tobias came into game after the sixth inning and managed to keep the Pirate’s offense to two hits and no runs for the rest of the game.

“We used five pitchers and found that to be effective, I think that’s going to be one of our game plans this year,” said Bushart.

Pierce flipped the page after hard losses against Ventura and came on top against East L.A. winning by a final score of 5-2.

“I think we were really flat today, we had no energy and we were just kind of down,” said pitcher Tyler Peddicord who is among conference leaders in saves with two..

Pierce players found their energy thought, because they picked up the pace in the fourth inning when they jumped ahead two runs against the Huskies, who had scored one in the second.

Standing fourth in their division with a record of 4-8 with two of the eight losses being shutouts, the Brahmas’ .224 team batting average reflects their lack of offense and affects their performance.

“We have been playing and working as a team, as well as failing as a team,” said infielder Matt Sanchez.

Angela Tafoya

Slide: Ventura College Pirates second baseman Jared Patterson (5) slides into home plate as Pierce College Brahmas’ catcher Greg Koll (21) stands in front of home plate poised to tag the runner out.

for softball team

Grennan.

The team is 4-8 and coming off wins over the past week against San Bernardino in another double header and Santa Monica.

From Brahma to Trojan

the opportunity.”

He moved to the San Fernando Valley from his native Philadelphia at the age of 20 with the dazzling dream of playing professional football.

After June 2012, Gerald Bowman will be one step closer to his goal.

Today, at the age of 22, Bowman is a five-star safety recruited by the University of Southern California (USC), and, at the same time, earned a full scholarship to the prestigious university.

“I knew I’ll do whatever it takes to get a scholarship to play,” he said. “I came out here with a lot of work ethic and dedication. I just wanted

After more than a year of playing for the Pierce College Brahmas’ football team, Bowman’s skills justified offers from universities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.

“I could tell he was special early in the season,” said Pierce football head coach Efrain Martinez. “He’s the best safety player we ever had here.”

At first, Bowman was not sure which four-year university he wanted to attend.

“I didn’t decide to go to USC right after getting the

offer, it was a process,” he said. “I made sure to look into other places and make the decision based on where I feel is best for me to go.”

Bowman started playing football in Philadelphia when he was nine years old and it has been his passion ever since.

“Football to me is more than just a sport,” he said. “It teaches me so much more than just how to play.”

He appreciates the tools and skills that he was given during his time at the Pierce football program.

“[Pierce football] is one of the up-and-coming programs,” he said. “They still need to work on their togetherness and the way they run practices, but the coaches are great people who

would bend over backwards for us.”

Bowman advises players to take advantage of football to learn self-discipline, responsibility and teamwork.

“Knowing that other people rely on you, and you can work with them toward a goal has given me so much,” he said. “That’s why I love this sport.”

He hopes to fit in with the Trojans as soon as possible, make an impact on the team and still devote enough time to his studies.

“He completely deserves this,” said Donta Clanton, Pierce football player who grew up playing with Bowman in Philadelphia. “He worked hard, he was dedicated, he is a good athlete and a great person.”

The Pierce College softball team suffered back-to-back losses in a double header to the visiting San Diego Mesa Olympians Monday.

The Olympians came in boasting an impressive (11-3) record and their play on the field showed it.

The Olympians won the first meeting by a lopsided score of 20-0, and the second game 9-0.

The Olympians came out strong in the first game pulling out to a 14-0 lead after three innings of play.

Their aggressive approach at the plate paid off because it put a lot of pressure on the Brahmas pitcher.

The Brahmas had a rough time offensively during both games of the double header.

In the second game of the afternoon the Brahmas offense went four innings without getting a hit.

“They are definitely a top team, but they are not 20 runs better than us. We made a lot of mistakes out in the field,” said Brahmas’ head coach Pat Grennan.

The second game started off with much of the same as the Olympians jumped out and got on the board quickly with a two-run lead in the first inning.

The Brahmas’ starting pitcher Alyssa Abrenica was throwing really well especially considering the team has been traveling a lot lately.

The Olympians just seemed to be hitting the ball really well.

“This is the best season that our team has had since 2006. Everyone is really excited about our team this season,” said Dolores Alvarez, a fan of the visiting San Diego Mesa.

Although the Olympians were hitting the ball well the Brahmas’ offensive struggles were the driving factor behind both losses.

The momentum was on San Diego’s side as they hit everything Abrenica threw to them.

“We are not screaming or hollering at them out there. We make simple errors and Alyssa was pitching really good,” said head coach

The team traveled a lot and was in Palm Springs the week before.

“I pitched in games against San Bernardino and Santa Monica and I am very proud of my team for winning those games,” said starting pitcher Alyssa Abrenica.

The Brahma team has the week off and then has another double-header Monday against the visiting L.A. Southwest Cougars.

Lior Haykeen

Jonathan Tucker jtucker.roundupnews@gmail.com lhaykeen.roundupnews@gmail.com

Joe Kukuczka

Fly Ball: Pierce College Brahmasʼ softball centerfielder Kahmone Harris (7) fields a pop fly.

Joe Kukuczka

Kickoff: Gerald Bowman returns a kickoff against Moorpark College on Sept. 10, 2011 at Moorpark College.

Angela Tafoya

Safety: Gerald Bowman standing on the sideline during the last game of the 2011 season at Shepard Stadium. He recorded 52 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one interception Oct. 22 at Santa Monica.