Volume 116 Spring 2012 Roundup Issue 6

ROUNDUP

Child Development: A thing of the past?

More

The future of the Child Development Center at Pierce College is in question after the town hall meeting discussion of budget cuts March 22.

“We do not know exactly how the cuts will affect us,” said Child Development Center Director and instructor Phyllis Schneider.

Schneider does know, however, that one child development instructor will retire at the end of the semester, and since the college had claimed March 22 that there will not be any hiring done for next semester, her position will not be filled in.

This will push the Child Development Center shut down two classrooms that are currently used.

“If the state of California can not give us the state contracts, and we are pushed to cut radically within our program, we will have to drop a classroom completely,” Schneider said.

Pierce College student-parents are the first priority of the programs at the Child Development center. To utilize the center’s services, parents must be enrolled in a minimum of six units, and qualify under income guidelines designated by the state of California.

With these budget cuts, studentparents, who will suffer with future classroom cuts throughout campus, may be forced to take their child out of the care at the Child Development Center.

This may lead to the children of student-parents being unqualified for the center’s services, and disable some student-parents from attending school.

“I am a single mom, and I am worried that if I can’t sign up for classes I need next semester my daughter could loose the child care here,” Pierce student Patricia Lozano said. “I don’t want to have to take her

to a new place because she has just begun to be comfortable with being here while I’m in class.”

Classes shut down in the Child Development Center will not only affect student-parents, but also students in programs such as child development, nursing and psychology.

“I go often to play with the kids and have a visual understanding of their growth and learning.” Nursing major Charlotte Adams said. “These cuts will not only hurt the professors but those of who aspire to become one of them in the future.”

She said it will be difficult for students to learn from the center’s

activity if the amount of services decreases.

“I can’t imagine how it will be next year for students coming to do their hours here if there are fewer classrooms,” she said. The Child Development Center currently accommodates 120 children, and provides six children classrooms within two programs.

One program is a subsidized state preschool program designed for parents from Pierce College and surrounding community for children that are three to five years old. The second program is offered to Pierce College students with need for child

care, whose child is at least two to five years old.

Students majoring in psychology, nursing and child development attend the Child Development Center on a daily basis to observe the children’s physical and cognitive developments.

“We have hundreds of visitations from Pierce College students and occasionally CSUN students,” Schneider said. “By the end of the year, we have over one thousand visitor sign-ins from students. Loosing classrooms will limit how many students can come observe the children, and could affect their class work, if they need the time to be here.”

If budget cut are applied as predicted, the Child Development Center will accommodate 75 children next semester. This is a 38 percent decrease in comparison to this semester.

This decrease will push the center to close their doors to community members because priority is given to Pierce College student-parents and low income families.

“I attended the Town Hall meeting last month, heard the decisions that were made, and I just pray that my children aren’t affected by this.” 28 year old Pierce College student Diego Luna said.

High speed case ends in

e Roundup News Sta newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

A 19-year-old male was shot and killed by police officers Wednesday night after leading a high-speed pursuit that ended in Woodland Hills.

“The preliminary investigation indicates he did not have a gun,” Nelofar Arian, Abdul’s sister said. “How can the LAPD defend what they did?” Police attempted to pull over Abdul Arian Wednesday night after he failed to stop at a red light, according to police officials.

Arian fled from police leading them on a high-speed chase on the 101 Freeway that ended in his death near the Canoga Avenue onramp.

Arian called 911 during the pursuit.

“If they pull their guns, I’m going to have to pull my gun

out on them,” Arian said in the conversation according to Los Angeles Police Department representatives.

Arian’s funeral was hosted yesterday at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood at 1p.m.

The family hosted a press conference before the funeral at noon where family council member Jeffrey M. Galen spoke of the lawsuit the family filed against the LAPD.

They are seeking $120-million. $1-million for every bullet fired.

Police claim only 90 shots were fired.

Arian’s uncle, Hamed Arian, was quoted by KTLA News saying his nephew hated and feared guns.

But Arian’s Facebook page shows otherwise.

In a post on his Facebook page, Arian mentions that he returned from a shooting range with his cousin.

“Got some blood on my hands,” he wrote.

In another post, Arian expressed feelings of depression, stating that he was “dying inside.”

After police pinned Arian’s vehicle, he exited through the passenger side door and fled on foot, turning and pointing at police.

The eight officers then fired 90 rounds at Arian, and he died on the scene.

Although his uncle told the LA Times that Arian was a Pierce College student, Public Relations Manager Doreen Clay said that there are no records of him taking classes at Pierce.

Arian’s friend Sonya Tabosom said that Arian was a serious and affectionate teenager.

“He was not the sort of guy to carry guns or hurt anyone,” she said. “It’s been two hours I’ve been crying.”

Tabosom met Arian at a restaurant during one of his

visits in Fremont, her hometown. They have been “like family” ever since.

His death was a shock to her, and she could not understand why the police chose to shoot him, she said.

“My brother was a really good Guy,” Rahman Arian, Abdul’s brother, said. ”Why did they kill him?”

Though he may not be a Pierce College students, other teens on campus responded to the fatal killing.

“When you’re messing with the police and getting into a high speed pursuit, the police has to act quickly,” 19 year-old mechanical engineering major Mehran Azizi said. “If they believe they’re in danger, they will take action.”

But not all students feel the police acted justly.

“They (the police) are always judging people and pulling people over on their appearance,” Nick Moore, music major, said.

Aurora Ramirez aramirez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Ava Weintraub

Smiling Faces: Children take part in activities in the Child Development Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 29, 2012.

Kristen Aslanian

Grieving Family: Michelle Arian (left), and Nelofar Arian (right) hold up a family portrait including Abdul Arian

Winning really isn’t everything, but... More money issues

Poorly performing teams should be placed aside to afford other sports a chance at competing

The Athletics Department at Pierce College must implement a system among the school’s sports teams, to promote or demote them based on their overall performance at the end of the year.

Currently, the school fields 11 athletic sport teams. During this semester though, Athletic Director Bob Lofrano, announced the addition of a women’s Water Polo team in the fall.

Although Pierce has enjoyed an impressive tradition of playoff competition and winning teams, not many of those fulfill the requirements of what exactly a winning team represents.

The women’s volleyball team, for example, has won the state championship the past two seasons while competing in the playoffs in ten of the last 11 years.

Women’s soccer has won their division eight times out of the last 11 years, winning six straight Western Southern Conference championships in the process.

Although the football team had somewhat of a disappointing season last fall, the reason mainly being the lack of a stadium to play at, they’ve won their conference two years in a row before that.

However, the rest of the teams do not enjoy that level of success.

Men’s basketball made the playoffs during the 2009-10 season, but it’s the only time since 1983 they’ve done it.

Both the men and women’s basketball teams were t eliminated from playoff contention this year with records of 10-13 and 11-17,

respectively.

Meanwhile, the softball team is currently in one of their worst seasons posting a record of five wins and 24 losses, with five games left in the season.

To guarantee competitive team performances, the athletic department should have a system in which the team that performs the worst during that year should lose their intercollegiate competition privileges for their next season. This opening would give way for a new team, as well as an opportunity for the newly formed team to create a legacy of their own.

For example, if the softball team ends up with the worst record among Pierce teams, under this system, they should be demoted and consequently not have a season next semester so they will have time to practice, recruit better players, and get better overall, given that the class itself would not be cut or the team dismantled.

The open spot left by the team demoted should be filled with another team sport that could potentially have more success competing in a intercollegiate level like women’s tennis, golf, wrestling, or men’s soccer.

The promoted team would not have their existence guaranteed as all Pierce teams will have to be ruled under the same standards.

This process should be repeated every year so the teams demoted have a chance to come back and prove everyone wrong.

Not only the school’s sport teams will increase their motivation to perform better and save their sport from oblivion for the whole year, but the coaches would look more into better

Pell Grant restrictions hurt students

The new limitations placed upon the Pell Grant should be revoked.

As of July 1, 2012 students will only be eligible 12 semesters during their lifetime for the Pell Grant.

recruits to be able to improve their rosters and really compete for a championship. This will lead to stronger teams, more championships, more student athletes being recruited from Pierce to higher level institutions, more scholarships being awarded to students so they can complete their education, and hence higher enrollment for semesters to come.

The Basic Educational Opportunity Grant Program, or simply the Pell Grant, was created in 1972 to help undergraduate students with the cost of going to school.

According to the Federal Education Budget Project, recipients received an estimated average Pell Grant of $3,711 for the 2011-12 school year, when Congress had set the maximum grant at $5,550.

Determining the eligibility of a student is simple.

If a student is not able to match the maximum amount set by Congress that year, they receive a Pell Grant in order to meet the basic necessities.t Students use this money for things like books for classes, gas for their cars, and even rent.

With tuition going up and classes being cut the odds of students getting in and out of college in less than six years is slim, and now they have began to cut financial aid.

Personally, I work at a restaurant and make minimum wage, but I am barely able to make it through because of the tips I make.

Financial aid such as the Pell Grant help me make it on months that I have unexpected expenses, like the month that I needed new tires for my car.

Students are coming to school to get an education, but with education becoming more expensive, financial aid is not a choice; it is something we have come to rely on.

The Roundup recently ran an article about the high salaries of college presidents.

It is interesting how California has money to pay the presidents of these public institutions but can not find the money to help students in financial troubles.

This is one of the many changes that will take effect on July 1.

Stafford Loans, verification for FAFSA, the automatic zero EFC, the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Program will also be changed due to the Consolidation Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2011 by President Obama.

To learn if your financial aid will be effected reach out to Financial Aid office on the second floor of the Students Services Building or by visiting the Pierce College website and clicking the financial aid tab.

of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.

Illustration by: Maria Salvador

LAMC protests for education Students form an empowerment movement after protest at SMC

lhaykeen.roundupnews@gmail.com

Students at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) protested against recent decisions made regarding budget cuts before the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting last Wednesday by carrying signs calling for help from the board and talking in front of the trustees during the meeting.

“How does it make sense that we’re paying more to get less?”

Mission College’s Associated Students Organization Executive Administrator Randy Gamez said.

The protest was organized and brought into action by Gamez and a group of LAMC students who recently formed the Student Empowerment Movement, an organization with the goal of raising awareness and encourage students to make their voices heard.

Gamez attended the protest outside the BOT meeting at Santa Monica College (SMC), which ended with protesters being pepper-sprayed by police officers. He was pepper-sprayed in attempt

to make his voice heard.

“We have been standing here today through sun and rain to make a statement,” he said.

If they do not feel a change in the way the BOT represents student, the Student Empowerment Movement plans to begin a recall campaign that will jeopardize positions of the trustees.

“It’s your job to find the money and make sure that the people in your positions will represent us,” Gamez told the BOT during their meeting.

The students wanted to let the BOT know that they will fight for their rights, computer science major at LAMC Saul Perez said. Perez said that he is afraid that if no one stands up and talks, the government will continue to take away needed resources from students.

He has been finding it difficult to enroll into classes that are required for his major.

“How can they only give us one networking section every other semester?” he said. “It’s a basic class and a basic skill we need.”

Nadia Abrica, the mother of 4-year-old

Future of Academic Success Center is TBA

Monica Velasquez mvelasquez.roundupnews@gmail.com

What will become of the Center for Academic Success and the Writing Lab will be determined on Monday when the Academic Senate will vote on one of the proposed budget scenarios.

ment with an example.

“[When] you take any of your classes [and] the teacher [is] teaching you, [Pierce is] collecting money from the state to reimburse for that and that there are certain services that the center can perform that we had not necessarily been collecting money [for],” Kozeracki said.

Lior Haykeen

Mother: Nadia Abrica, a LAMC student whose 4-year-old was pepper sprayed during a protest at SMC, fights to keep LAMC’s Child Development.

Aranza who was pepper-sprayed during the protest at SMC, attended the protest at LAMC as well with the goal of fighting for LAMC’s the Child Development Center.

Abrica brought her child to the protest at SMC since she could not leave her at LAMC’s Child Development Center child care, because its’ hours have been cut tremendously, she said.

For this reason, she could not leave her daughter at the Child Development Center’s child care when she went to the protest.

The incident inwhich her daughter had to be treated after being pepper sprayed by a police officer could have been prevented had the child care been available for more hours a day the way it used to be, she said.

Abrica makes sure daily that her 4-year-old is informed of the situation.

“If you ask [my child] why she went to the protest, she’ll tell you

Sheriff’s Blotter

Burglary:

April 13 - The locked vehicle of an 18-year-old female student was broken into. The vehicle was parked along Stadium Way. The items stolen incuded a purse, money, a credit card, an iPod Touch, keys and a driver’s license. The burlar has not been found.

‘because budget cuts want to take away my day care,’ “ Abrica said.

Abrica said that she will continue to fight for her daughter’s future.

“We’re 10,000 students here, but everyone is scared to act,” she said. “And it’s time we stand up and fight for our rights.”

Pierce College students fear what will come in the future.

“It’s nice to know that we’re not the only ones suffering from all these cuts,” said dance major Alisha Perez. “But it doesn’t change the fact that they are taking everything.”

The Student Empowerment Movement at LAMC plans to continue to protest and talk with officials until they feel a change.

ROOM

•

An in-depth analyzes was made by a Viability Committee, who presented their findings during Monday’s special Academic Senate meeting in order to prepare for the vote.

The study was done not only because the center will have a permanent centralized location once the new Library Crossroads Building opens, but also the Writing Lab will be two faculty members short in the fall.

With professor Jeanine Brown retiring in the fall, there will not be a faculty member to run the Writing Lab.

The committee is has been looking into the option of collecting apportionment.

Carol Kozeracki, Dean of Research and Planing took part of the Viability Committee that looked at the Center for Academic Success and Writing Lab.

Kozeracki explained apportion-

However, the California Code of Regulations under Title 5 states minimum requirements for apportionment to be collected.

“In order [to] collect apportionment you need to have someone who has the credentials of a faculty member,” Kozeracki said.

A qualified faculty member must be present while services are being provided.

Currently, services such as tutoring are offered in different parts of the campus, which include the Village and the Center for the Sciences. This set up makes it difficult to collect apportionment simultaneously.

R U Online?

For the full story visit theroundupnews.com

Contributing: Aurora Ramirez and Melissa Trahin

For New Customers

• Free pick up & delivery at your convenience

• Year-round Service

•

• Authorized IRS e-file provider

•

If interested, please contact Ginny at ginnginnstone@gmail.com

L

Lior Haykeen

A Morrocan alternative on campus

Healthy and organic food now available

John McCormack, Casablanca Truck chef. “The food has lots of flavor and spices, but not hot food.”

The exotic flavors of Northern Africa roll on over to Pierce College in a new Moroccan style food truck.

The Casablanca food truck is located in front of the Student Services Center near the Mall area on campus.

“Moroccan food is so popular in Europe but for some reason, in the States it’s not so popular so we wanted to bring it here at lower prices,” said Casablanca Truck owner Karim Snoussi.

Currently, Casablanca is only available on the roaming truck.

“Our next step is an authentic Moroccan restaurant,” said Snoussi. “The reaction we get everyday is ‘wow.’”

The foods served are primarily couscous, tagines, and pastilles.

“It’s different from the ones you see around here,” Jovan Ardy said. “Everything else is just burritos and tacos.”

All the food is healthy and organic. It is completely fresh, and nothing is pre-cooked except for the French fries.

“They are completely nutritious meals,” said

More than just a buyer

The textbook buyer for Pierce is part of something much bigger than schoolwork, and that includes helping people in life threatening situations Holly Hagan is the co-leader in the Campus Violence Response Team (C.V.R.T.).

C.V.R.T. is a group of people that respond to students, faculty or staff who are living in a domestically violent home, those who are being stalked and/or those who have been sexually assaulted.

For the individual who has been sexually assaulted, a member of the team will send them to a place where they can get a physical examination, not only to make sure the victim is taken care of but also to keep any physical evidence. Anyone living with domestic violence will be given the resources to go to a special center where they can recieve help and advice.

“I think it’s excellent especially because it’s available to students. Most of the time when you think of domestic abuse you think of older married couples but there are plenty of young people dealing with it,” Pierce student, Ulysses Escartin said. “Even for advice, I think it’s great.”

Helping

Hagan is passionate about C.V.R.T. because she is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault herself.

“I live my life to be a good person, as long as you’re a good person that is the most rewarding thing in life,” Hagan said.

There are certain members of the team that are mandated reporters such as Beth Benne, the Director of the Health Center, and the Sheriff’s Station. A mandated reporter means they are required by law to report

violent cases. If the individual does not want to press charges the club will lead you to members of the team, such as Holly, that can just listen and help.

One of the main projects C.V.R.T. does is a clothesline project that takes place during Denim Day. Holly Hagan runs the event and sets up the clothes line.

R U Online?

For the full story visit theroundupnews.com

There is also a breakfast menu with items such as breakfast burritos and French toast.

The operators of the Casablanca truck are more concerned with satisfying their customers than making a huge profit, according to the workers there.

“We try to adjust prices for the students,” said Snoussi.

Casablanca truck has a charity event where it goes around Los Angeles, giving food out to the needy. They cater to studios, fundraisers, and private events.

“It would feel as if you entered Morocco,” said Snoussi.

This food truck has a contract until 2014 but when the cafeteria comes in, the food trucks go out.

Once the cafeteria is built Snoussi plans to “take over the Cafeteria.”

Snoussi wants to keep a diverse menu with French, Italian, and Spanish meals.

“Bring different cultures into one spot,” said Snoussi.

Our Autistic friends

Samantha Williams swilliams.roundupnews@gmail.com

Kal Valasek kvalasek.roundupnews@gmail.com Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

Autism and Friends is a club at Pierce College designed to help autistic students interact with their peers.

“The basic goal is to make friends with students with autism,” member Nanoor Shahin said. “Students with autism have trouble making friends.”

“We interact with the autistic population at Pierce College and help them make friends,” Alastair Naghieh, club member said. The club strongly urges students to attend the walk, volunteer at the

event, or donate to help fund research.

This year’s Walk Now for Autism Speaks will be the 10th anniversary of the event.

“We want to support them not as a mentor, but as a friend,” Shahin said. “The second goal is to give information to the public.”

Shahin believes it is very important to teach people how to communicate with their autistic peers.

“Autism has a specific culture,” Shahin said. “It’s like a different language.”

Club members hope that educating the public will ease communication

APRIL

difficulties between students and those with Autism.

Currently, Autism and Friends is spreading the word about a 5 k walk and resource fair called Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

The event will be hosted Saturday, April 21, 2012, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The group has about seven students with autism registered as members of the club.

Autism and Friends meets every Wednesday from 12:35 to 2 p.m. in BEH 1310. Shahin expects the club to begin meeting on Fridays as well.

- One-on-one appointments with Admissions Advisors

- Detailed

National University Online Information Center in Northridge

Sonie Gurrola

Decisions, decisions: Pierce College student Mark Camba views the menu outside of the Casablanca Food Truck.

Jasson Bautista

Rockin’ the Hard Rock

Band on the rise: Orkÿd, featuring Pierce students jam at the LA venue

Eli

Up and coming West Hills band Orkyd performed at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café in front of a packed house, Thursday night.

The group formed in October of 2010 with original members Brandon Messersmith, 27, a former Pierce student and Shaun Ward, 25.

“Literally within the first day we were jamming like we had been playing together forever,” bassist, Messersmith said.

The instant chemistry lead the two searching for a drummer. Luckily, Ward knew a drummer that was willing to collaborate with them.

Garret Baldwin nailed the first

audition and instantly clicked with the band. All that remained was just one piece, another bassist. The group struggled to find a

bassist for over a year.

“All the other bass players were either flaky or completely obliterated our songs,” Messersmith said.

Finally, through Facebook, Orkyd contacted Pierce College student Garret McIntosh to audition for their band.

“We ended up jamming for about three hours- random jams, nothing was written.” Messersmith said. “He blew us away.”

The group couldn’t deny the fact that McIntosh was the final piece they were searching for.

McIntosh, who has played with five other bands, said this has been the best band he’s ever worked with.

“I gelled with these guys immediately and I’m very lucky I get the chance to play with great musicians that always push me to be my best,” said McIntosh. “It’s such a big honor to play with them.”

The group prides itself on improving its music.

“We are all really pushing ourselves and that is what is making our music come out great,” Orkyd’s drummer Baldwin said. “What we’re doing amazes us.”

This was the groups second performance as a complete ensemble, so emotions were high before stepping up onto Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café stage.

“It was a nice mixture of anxiety, excitement and adrenaline,” said Shaun Ward.

“Can I get another beer?,” Garret Baldwin added.

There was no doubt that the group had a mixture of emotions coming out and performing Thursday night.

Fortunately, the band embraces these emotions and focuses them into their music.

“We use our instruments as channels of our emotions,”

Art exhibition highlights the work of abstract painter

Samantha Williams swilliams.roundupnews@gmail.com

An art exhibit displaying works of art created by a Mission College art professor and abstract painter will take place in the Art Gallery from April 12 to May 3. For the Barbara Kerwin Exhibition, special gallery hours will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

“Students would be interested in going to see this,” Instructor of Art Constance Moffatt said. “Paintings in person are so much more beautiful.”

Moffatt encourages everyone to attend.

“It’s a looking back at some of her early pieces,” Moffatt said.

Michael Barraza, 26, who majors in electronics, said she will be attending.

“I’ll check out anything, to tell the

truth, I’m a really big cartoon fan,” Barraza said.

“Whether it’s drawing or music it’s a great way to get something across that you may not be able to with words. I’m a musician. I love art.”

Daniel Vital, 19, a student with an undetermined major, also sees the splendor of art.

“Art’s cool,” Vital said. “It’s a different way of people expressing themselves. It’s always nice seeing

different art.”

In addition to attending the exposition for the beauty of the art, Moffatt also sees the Barbara Kerwin Exhibition as a great learning experience.

Moffatt notes that students can unexpectedly learn critical thinking skills while they learn about art.

“Painters can be incredibly analytical,” Moffatt said. “Kerwin uses a lot of mathematical equations

and even calculus to devise what will go on canvas.”

Most of all, however, students will discover a plethora of artistic expertise.

“Students can learn about different paint medium,” she said. “[She] uses some medium that is not usual, like oil and wax and metallics.”

The experience, she believes, could be as beneficial to students as an art class.

Messersmith said. “Our big thing is that were trying to show real passion and musicianship into our music.”

The group is trying to bring back the feeling of vintage bands.

“The industry needs a lot of fullhearted people and a lot of energy,” Baldwin said. “I think we have a lot of energy and spirit to give.”

Ward hopes their music will reach out to people who are truly inspired by music and able to understand how important it is in their daily lives.

“I think people should really examine the things they feel and realize what kind of effect music has on the way they feel, maybe then things can get to a place where real bands can make a comeback,” Ward said.

Diaz ediaz.roundupnews@gmail.com

Angela Tafoya

Slappinʼ da bass: Pierce student and bassist Garrett Macintosh, 21, plays with his band Orkyd.

Angela Tafoya Metal Moment: Former Pierce student and lead guitarist Brandon Messersmith, 27, led vocals to cover the Black Sabbath hit, “Paranoid.”

Early deficit too much for baseball team

Melissa Trahin mtrahin.roundupnews@gmail.com

Swim team hopes to put the school’s name on top with busy workouts and state competitions on the horizon

Although the season is coming to a close, the Pierce College swim team is enthusiastic for their upcoming state conference competition this Friday and Saturday and state championship next week.

Pierce College men’s swim head coach Fred Shaw and women’s head coach Judi Terhar have been working hard with their swim team on a daily basis to get them ready and at their best for the upcoming meets, practicing everyday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Whether it is raining or sunny outside, they are hard at work at the Steven E. Shofield Aquatic Center.

“This season we have had quite a few conference swim meets and have also done some invitationals. We just did one invitational in Cuesta College, which is in San Luis

Obispo and this Saturday we have WSC Conference Championships in Bakersfield,” said Assistant Coach Moriah Van Norman. “Next week we have California State Championships in East Los

Angeles.” The conference championships are attended by all team swimmers, and only those that qualify either from previous records in meets or those that they set at the WSC Conference Championship, will get to attend the state competition.

“Even though there may be a week until state championships, the team has already gained four spots for Pierce College, and there are three additional swimmers that still have a possibility to gain opportunity to attend state championship,” Van

Norman said. Out of the Pierce swimmers who have gained their place in state, three have already broken records.

One of them being swimmer Laura Hagopian, who competes in the 100m and 200m.

“We have had a really good season, sore most of the season because of the hard work outs but we are doing well now. I am concentrated in conference this week and hopeful to qualify for state,” said Pierce swimmer Matthew Kaveli.

Some extracurricular problems have affected the team’s

“We

After a long and cold three-hour game, the Brahmas’ baseball team couldn’t capitalize on the five errors Glendale committed and were defeated Saturday.

Pierce struggled offensively as well, recording only three hits throughout the game and scoring five unearned runs, which shows the lack of offense the team had.

“Even though the runs were unearned we still did a lot of good things offensively and our defense was really solid,” said Brahmas’ shortstop Matt Sanchez. “It was good how we never gave up.”

The game ended with a final score of 10-5 in favor of the Vaqueros who blasted Pierce, forcing them to use six pitchers to try and contain a 13-hit parade from their opponents.

“We lost the game in the first inning, it’s hard to come back from a six-run deficit,” said pitcher Joe Franiak.

The Vaqueros proved to be force early in the bottom of the first inning scoring five runs on four hits, later five more runs were scored including a solo homerun from designated hitter Adam Ochart in the bottom of

the fourth.

Though many opportunities were given to the Brahmas, they couldn’t seem to find a gap early in the game and unfortunately when things were looking up, it was too late.

“Glendale ran a lot, they don’t strike out that often and they have a bunch of solid pitchers,” said Franiak, who came in relief for reliever Brian Nostaja on the bottom of the fifth.

Glendale’s starting pitcher David Lira maintained Pierce’s offense to two hits and three walks for his six innings of work, even though the Brahmas scored four runs while he was on the mound, all of them were unearned.

In conference Pierce and Glendale are quite opposites, their records being 4-12 for the Brahmas and 12-4 for the Vaqueros.

While Pierce struggles with an 8-23 record overall, a 5-9 record at home and 3-11 away, they run a twogame losing streak and have won only one of their last six games.

However, Glendale enjoys success with a 21-9 record overall, leading their conference and currently ride a three-game winning streak, having won four out of their last six, with an 11-4 record at home and a 9-5 outside of Stengel Field. Pierce baseball will host Citrus College Thursday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m.

Joe Kukuczka

Elam: Samantha Elam places second during the 200 meter freestyle April 6, at the Steve E. Schofield Aquatic Center.