Volume 119 Fall 2013 Roundup Issue 6

SUPPORT: Pierce College textbook buyer Holly Hagan promotes the fight against domestic violence by organizing the Clothesline Project on the Pierce campus Mall during Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Thursday, Oct. 23.

More than a

Not all classes are created equal

New law allows higher fees on select priority transfer classes

Caleb Johnson Roundup Reporter

Gov. Jerry Brown approved Assembly Bill 955 Oct. 10, which will offer additional core classes at six California community colleges during the summer and winter intersessions at a significantly higher cost per unit.

AB 955 will add extension courses for general education classes that will cost the same per unit as non-residents on campuses, which the Legislative Counsel of the State of California says cost around $200 per unit.

Pierce College, along with all schools in the LACCD, are not currently offering these courses.

The six schools that are a part of the preliminary pilot program are: College of the Canyons, Crafton Hills College, Long Beach City College, Oxnard College, Pasadena City College and Solano Community College.

Reactions to the bill are mixed – some think it would be great and reduce the load of students trying to get core classes, while others believe it would create precedence for unfair singling out of certain students.

Cynthia Herbst, an American Sign Language instructor at Pierce, is curious to see if the bill will alleviate crowding in normal classes by opening up the additional classes for those who can afford it.

“I say give it a shot and see what happens,” Herbst said. “I have a

feeling it will only open another avenue for taking classes.”

One additional benefit is that Veterans can write off the cost for these classes under the Post9/11 GI Bill, a bill that provides certain veterans financial support in education and housing for their service post 9/11.

But Yeprem Davoodian, a communications studies professor at Pierce, who used to work at Santa Monica College and saw the beginnings of the bill there, is against the idea of preferential treatment for some students over others.

“It’s hard for our students to pay for it now,” Davoodian said. “Every student should have equal access and not be weeded out because they can’t afford it.”

Omid Haghnegahdar, a student at Pierce, believes the bill doesn’t make much sense cost-wise for community college students, as some can’t afford to go elsewhere for their education.

“If it is self-sustaining, then there isn’t a problem,” Haghnegahdar said. “If you’re paying that much though, you might as well be going elsewhere.”

The community college campuses included in the bill have the option to set pilot programs in place to see how the bill will fare within the schools, with students and with staff in a real environment. After this trial period, schools will be able to decide if they want to put the same programs into effect on their campuses.

Film Club // Online

is intended to replace their current offices located next to the Great Hall.

Monica Salazar / Roundup

During the Day of Politics on Oct. 24 I was saddened to see my colleague Prof. Denise Robb refuse to allow our students to debate the “Obamacare” mandate. She repeatedly stated in a loud voice that it’s “established law!” - as if that declaration, by itself, was an “argument” for ending discussion. Many regulations have been “established law” in our country through the decades - including racial segregation and slavery. Just because something is “established law” doesn’t place it beyond discussion - or even beyond repeal. We should encourage students to examine both the truthfulness, the politics behind, and the long term consequences of any standing state, local, or federal law.

Several students standing nearby - these weren’t students taking my classes. but simply in the audience - expressed a strong desire to discuss Obamacare in that public forum - and with the RoundUp present. They were clearly frustrated by what was a one-sided presentation - or sales pitch, if you will. They wanted to air their opinions about the supposed “benefits” of the new law, and challenge the young undergraduate who was invited to summarize the mandated program to our students.

Dr. Pam Brown Economics Professor Pierce College

-DOUBLE thumbs up-

UP: Thinking pink

Numerous Pierce College events and students dressed in pink to bring awareness to breast cancer during the month of October.

UP: Vintage market

For the first time in decades, a vintage goods market will take place in parking Lot 7 on Sundays, Nov. 4 and Dec. 15.

-Poll Results-

What schools are students transferring to?

New law neglects old problem

Atwo-tier system that allows California community college officials to charge more than $200 per unit for additional high-demand classes will do little to affect the imbalance between the number of classes offered to the thousands of students enrolled.

The so-called two-tier legislation, “AB 955 Community colleges: intersession extension programs,” was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 10. It is a pilot program that creates more expensive general education classes during the winter and summer intersessions through Jan. 1, 2018. It will affect six colleges outside the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD).

California residents currently pay $138 for a three-unit class. However, if the system is applied to Pierce College, students would have to pay $708. Similarly, for a five-unit class, $230 would increase to $1,180. The amount of money a student has should not be the deciding factor in determining who gets into an English 101 class.

Eloy Ortiz Oakley, superintendent-president of Long Beach Community College, heavily promoted the concept of AB-955 and LBCC will be the first school to implement it.

Depending on the results of the trial program, the state could push the policy to all its community colleges. So, even though Pierce is not affected

yet, it could be enticed to follow.

While the policy adds self-sufficient classes to colleges that voluntarily participate, it unfairly singles out students with the money to afford them.

Two-thirds of the money collected from this legislature will go toward supporting the additional classes, while the rest goes to student financial aid.

Though a majority of students at Pierce receive financial aid -- there were 31,906 applications filed in 2012-13, according to Financial Aid Director Anafe Robinson -- and could probably pay the fee if needed, it would take away money that could be spent on necessities like expensive textbooks and food.

Creating new classes isn’t necessarily the best solution for the scarcity of general education classes in California community colleges. Instead of making students pay more for these extra classes, school officials should focus on improving access to existing low tuition classes.

Also, the law isn’t an effective way to regulate the number of hopeful students who persistently stand outside general education classes by the hundreds and disrupt lectures on the first days of school.

The creators and supporters behind the two-tier law mean well, but to truly solve the problem of a lack of classes, a more thought-out regulation is needed.

Biking and skating rules on campus

there are ways to make biking and skateboarding safe on campus.

Kate Noah knoah.roundupnews@gmail.com

The distance from one Pierce class to another is often difficult to cover on foot if a student has classes back-to-back, so bikes and skateboards should be allowed to help students get to class on time.

Would students obtain a four-year degree from Pierce?

What would be students’ deciding factors?

* Answers out of 75 responses from students on campus with a median of three semesters left at Pierce College.

-Corrections-

Issue 5

Volume 119

Page 5: Michael Hovance is playing the role of El Gallo. Page 6: In the bottom photo caption, the trainer’s name is Erika Artman and her horse’s name is Vainilla.

Riding is forbidden on campus, but signs containing the anti-biking and skateboarding laws are not prominently displayed, and many students do not know the laws are in place.

For this reason, people ride around campus daily and don’t watch where they’re going, rushing around corners and often coming close to careening into pedestrians.

If there were designated areas around campus, riders would be happy to acquiesce and ride in the allotted space, much like a majority of the smokers on campus who light up only in the parking lots where smoking is permitted.

Certainly, safety hazards are avoided with the current policy, but

For example, Pierce has a large foliage area that runs the length of the Mall. While the bushes are a nice touch of scenery, a bike lane could easily fit in that space and be much more useful to students.

The Mall is not the only area where it would be easy to add a lane for bikes and skateboards. The campus is open and surrounded by large grassy areas. It wouldn’t take a lot of space to add another path for students on wheels.

If a student has a class on the Art Hill directly followed by one in the Village, the chances that they will make it to the second class on time are slim and most professors are annoyed when people are late to class and cause distractions.

There is definitely no time to grab a bite to eat, make a necessary phone call or use the restroom between classes if the entirety of the ten minutes is spent rushing from one classroom to the next, causing students to have to miss parts of a lecture if they have something important to get done.

Adding a bike lane for faster travel between classes would be extremely valuable to students who ride and would promote pedestrian safety.

News Editor

Tracy Wright twright.roundupnews@gmail.com

Skateboarding and bike riding on campus may be a faster way to get through the school, but it’s a nuisance if you’re not on wheels.

It’s a burden to predict routes of oncoming traffic from people traveling at higher speeds. The mere sound of an illicit skateboarder’s wheels instills fear — and hope –that you’ll choose the right direction as they casually glide past you and hopefully not into you.

Bike riding on campus has its dangers, too. Our parking lots mimic any “Fast and the Furious” flick and many bike riders assume full safety zones as they fly from campus walkways into the lots. On many occasions you can hear the slamming of brakes and horns as near accidents are averted from bike riders carelessly crossing into driving lanes.

From teachers moving desks to store multiple bicycles in classrooms

-COMIC STRIP-

that takes time away from students and teaching, to innocent students crashed into by skateboarders hurrying to class through the halls and walkways, and countless “near accidents” on the mall with students merely trying to make their way to class in the easiest way possible–there’s a reason Pierce has issued a no skateboarding or bicycling law on campus. To further infuriate those without a bike or board, it seems there is rarely a discussion, let alone punishment, for those who break the rules of no skateboarding or bike riding on campus. While biking and skateboarding have health and time advantages, the people using these methods of transportation on campus need to understand that our student body is comprised of over 20,000 busy people who don’t have time to factor in the negligence of others’ rule breaking habits. Set your alarm two minutes earlier in the morning and save the rest of the campus the unnecessary stress of dodging your wheels.

Lauren Vellvé / Roundup

Maria Salvador / Roundup

incident report

– Compiled by Genna Gold

Oct. 20 - Oct. 26

10/20 - Mentally ill person - A male, possibly transient, was found behind the Sheriff’s station and admitted to the hospital for 72 hr. mental evaluation.

10/21 - Traffic accident - A student said she was hit by a vehicle in Lot 7 as it was backing up. The driver refused to give her drivers license information so the student wrote down her license plate number.

10/21 - Lost property - A student said he left his wallet filled with over $200 and miscellaneous cards on top of the vending machine after buying something. Nothing was turned in to lost and found.

10/23 - Ill student - A high school student participating in a track meet fainted on the cross country track and was transported to the hospital.

10/24 - Verbal disturbance of the peace - A faculty member had an argument with a student who parked in the staff parking lot in Lot 1.

10/24 - Suspicious person - A transient was found showering in the North Gym girls locker room and was escorted off campus and was advised they were trespassing.

10/24 - Ill student - A student was hurt playing basketball in the North Gym and was transported to the hospital by paramedic.

General Information: (818) 719 - 6450

Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311

Former Roundup reporter dies at 47

Carlos Islas Sports Editor

Friends and family gathered on Saturday Oct. 26 to pay their respects to former Roundup photographer Gary Moratz, who died at 47.

Moratz, who was a part of the Roundup during the fall semester of 2009, died on Oct. 5 of respiratory arrest.

Moratz was described by family and friends as a happy, honest and friendly person, who would never want a problem with anyone and was quick to solve any dispute he may have had with any person.

“You’ll never find anyone that has an issue with him,” said Moratz childhood friend, Walter Rodriguez. “He would like to sit down with you and talk it over.”

Former Media Arts Department professor Stephanie Stassel Bluestein described Moratz as energetic and hard working and recalled the time Moratz covered the student body government.

“He wrote more than was expected of him,” said Stassel Bluestein. “He approached it with passion and vigor.”

Friends and family agreed that when Moratz set his sights on something, he would pursue it with a ferocious passion. They recalled his fascination with rockets and insects.

Guests at the memorial were asked to wear bright colors and hawaiian shirts in honor of Moratz’s love of sunsets and Hawaii.

The memorial closed with friends and family singing one of Moratz’s favorite songs, “Come Sail Away” by the famous rock band Styx.

ASO room relocated

[SENATE, cont. from pg. 1]

ASO President Gustavo “Gus”

Sandoval lead the pilgrimage of students from the bull statue on the Mall to the Library/Learning Crossroads.

Sandoval hoped to influence the PCC by showing a strong student presence to the council, because they are the final stop before Pierce College President Kathleen Burke can approve the motion.

“The room and office space would be a lot better than the Great Hall. It’s a space for people to come and address the ASO,” said 23-yearold history major and ASO senator John Burkett. “If you consider the size of a classroom and cut it in half, that’s the size of our offices now. It isn’t open unlike here where students can actually come in.”

According to the PCC members, the room located on the first floor of

the library was originally intended to be a computer lab. However, only desks were bought. The ASO plans to remove the partitioned desks and create a gathering area where the Pierce community could congregate, creating a comfortable lounge for students.

“We want to extend our hand out to students on campus and have them be able to come to our areas and create dialogue with us and create dialogue amongst themselves,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval mentioned the absence of a student community on campus. On average, he said, the largest group of students found together on campus are about two people.

Most students come to school for classes and immediately return home when their session is over, ASO Senator Wandoly Juarez said about the average student on campus.

Walking Shield fundraiser

Pre-vet participates in annual charity drive

Kat Wilson Roundup Reporter

Pierce College donates about 250 backpacks through the Walking Shield Backpack Drive every year, which provides Native American children with educational supplies to encourage them to stay in school.

Every year, the Pre-Veterinary Club works together with the Child Development Center on campus to collect many school supplies to fill backpacks for the drive, according to the director of Pre-Veterinary Science, Dr. Leland Shapiro.

“The backpacks are a way for the kids to hold the stuff we give them,” Dr. Shapiro said. “Some of them don’t have any other place to put them.”

Pierce started helping the homeless in 1976 in Los Angeles Mission and Skid Row areas by providing food and clothing to the needy.

Over the years, Pierce noticed there were many Native Americans that had left their reservations to seek help in Los Angeles, Dr. Shapiro said.

How to donate

Online: thewalkingshield.org

By mail: Walking Shield Inc. 22541 Aspen St. Ste. E Lake Forest, CA 92630

For more information, contact Lidia Hernandez at prevet. mail@gmail.com.

Pierce joined the Walking Shield drive in 1987 by giving backpacks and supplies for children in hopes of keeping them in school to better their state of poverty and make a future for themselves, Dr. Shapiro said.

“We provide hope for the children,” Dr. Shapiro said. “We’re giving hope for opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Doctors and dentists also collaborate together to help with medical and dental needs for these

Midnight madness [10/30]

The men’s basketball team will be hosting a fundraising “Red vs. Black” intrasquad basketball game after the women’s volleyball game on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the South Gym. The game begins at 9:30 p.m. and funds raised will benefit the men’s basketball program.

College & University Fair [10/31]

The Career & Transfer Center is hosting a College & University Fair on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet with local and out-of-state colleges and universities. No appointment is needed, and the event is open to all Pierce students.

News Briefs

UCLA transfer workshop [11/1]

The Honors Transfer Program is hosting a workshop on Nov. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. offering tips to help students get into University of California, Los Angeles. The workshop will be held in the CTC Workshop Room.

Speakers series [11/4]

The Media Arts Department will be hosting Jeff Gross, a foley artist who has mastered the art of creating and mixing sound for film and television, in the Great Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday,

- Compiled by Tracy Wright

Nov. 4. Gross is a former Pierce student who has years of experience working in recording studios, performing live music, and ultimately moving into the production realm of television. The event is free and refreshments will be served.

Planetarium show [11/8]

The Physics & Planetary Sciences Department will be opening the planetarium on Friday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. for all faculty, students and the community. There will be presentations from faculty as well as narrated videos comparable to any IMAX experience. There is no charge and the planetarium will open 15 minutes prior to the show.

HALLOWEEN CLUB CARNIVAL

The

children.

The help goes to North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, North and South Carolina, and other Indian Reservations across the U.S., according to the Walking Shield Backpack Drive flier.

Advocates for the Walking Shield Backpack Drive ask for warm winter clothes like gloves, hats and scarves, along with school supplies such as puzzles, coloring books, crayons and other games, said Carole Jenkala, the enrollment coordinator for the Child Development Center.

“I like knowing someone is out there that will go that extra mile to help someone that normally wouldn’t get any help,” Jenkala said.

This year, Lidia Hernandez, a student in the program, is in charge of the drive.

The backpack drive is asking for warm clothing, toiletries, school supplies and activity books. All donations are welcomed, but games and toys may not require batteries or plug-ins because the children may not have resources to charge them.

Monica Salazar / Roundup

EMBRACE: Robin Barker, sister of Gary Moratz, embraces his fiance, Amber Joans after the memorial service on Oct. 25.

Taking control of her own destiny

[Hagan, cont. from pg. 1]

“We have referrals for free mammograms [at the Health Center] if people are over 40 years old and Northridge Hospital has a program for free mammograms for people who are not insured or underinsured,” Sargent said.

Hagan found a lump in her breast one day and quickly went to get checked to see what the problem could be.

She took her biopsy on July 9, 2010 and 4 days later on July 13th, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was horrified and scared,” said Hagan. “But I told myself that this doesn’t mean I’m going to die. I told myself that this happened to me for a reason. I’m a survivor of many things.”

It was that confidence and strength that gave her the ability to continue on with her life the best way she could: happily.

The first person she told was her boss, being that she found out at her work.

Her family was next, but since she received the news a day before her youngest daughter’s 14th birthday, she decided to hold off until after their celebrations. A couple days later, she broke the news.

“My family took it really hard,” she said. “Especially my parents. You don’t think that something like this would ever happen to your child.”

By July 19 she had her first lumpectomy, in which the doctors remove the lump from her breast.

Unfortunately, they were unable to remove the entire lump, and she went under a second time on Aug. 19.

From August 2010 to March 2011 she went through eight treatments of chemotherapy. During this time she continued to work.

“It scared my co-workers a lot,” she said. “It was a reality check that anything can happen to anyone.”

But even though they were scared for her, they were extremely supportive of the situation.

During this time they made T-shirts and ribbons on her behalf to show their support.

After her chemotherapy she went through six and a half weeks of radiation.

“The worst part of the radiation was the drive to Los Angeles,” she said. But because she had an overwhelming amount of support from co-workers and family, it made the process a little better.

Today, assistant manager of the Pierce College bookstore Candy Van oversees Hagan and is impressed with her daily performance.

“She has an excellent work ethic,” Van said.

Throughout radiation her doctors advised her to keep a journal. But because the questions in the journal did not apply to her, she decided to skip the questions and went a different route.

“I began talking to the cancer. At first I said that he was a serial rapist

Finding hope on a clothesline ose a ected by domestic abuse share their stories

According to the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence website, on average, three women a day are murdered by a current or former intimate partner.

victims of domestic violence, and thinks the Clothesline Project is very important.

Colorful T-shirts hung on a clothesline were set up in the Pierce College Mall to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Campus Violence Response

Team Leader Holly Hagan, who hosted the Clothesline Project, has been in charge of it for the past six years. Hagan created this project because she was once in a violent relationship. She described her numerous violent encounters, including having a shot gun pulled on her, being beaten countless times and being dragged by her hair to the backyard.

“One of the reasons why people are in a domestic violent relationship is because they are not happy with themselves,” Hagan said. “In order to be in a good relationship you have to love yourself and be happy with yourself.”

In California, 147 domestic violence homicides occurred in 2011. Of those 147 domestic violence homicides that occurred, 129 victims were female and 18 were male.

Pierce College student Shaina Barnett knows friends who have been sexually assaulted and been

“[I] offer love and support to anyone that needs it,” Barnett said. “Abuse is not love. The more we bring out awareness, the more people can come out into the open and justice can be served.”

Michelle Borsto, a sociology major, has been helping Hagan for two years.

She clarifies that there are different kinds of abuse including inter-partner violence.

“People think that inter-partner violence is violence that happens just between spouses but it’s not,” Borsto said. “It happens in high school relationships and in college relationships. It’s not just between spouses but between people that are dating.”

Borsto says to use caution when trying to help people that have just gone through a situation such as domestic violence.

“I find it’s best not to say anything,” Borsto said. “Just be willing to listen.”

who invaded my body. And then he responded that he wasn’t a serial rapist, but a serial killer because he kills millions,” she said.

The journal helped her tremendously in coping with the disease.

At the same time, she wasn’t one to give up easily either. Her friends would say that, “Cancer is in for it,” because they all knew how tough she was.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 232,340 cases of new invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year and about 39,620 women will die from it. Numbers have decreased about 7 percent and current statistics show there are 2.8 million breast cancer survivors.

For more information about breast cancer go to cancer.org, or the Susan G Komen website.

Monica Salazar / Roundup

INKED: Breast cancer survivor, Holly Hagan, proudly displays her pink ribbon tattoo, on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

“ I was horrified and scared. But I told myself that this doesn’t mean I’m going to die. ”

-Holly Hagan Breast Cancer Survivor

Nelger Carrera./

ADVOCATE: Pekaterina “Kat” Kolenkina, 22, public health intern from California State University, Northridge hangs T-shirts in support of the victims of domestic violence at Pierce College Mall. On Oct. 23

Ethan Hanson Roundup Reporter

“I find it best not to say anything.

Just be willing to listen.”

-Michelle Borsto Sociology Major

DJ delivers on dreams

Student chases passion despite health condition

Music could be heard from the quiet main street as the beats blasted through speakers at a Friday night party. A siren sound made its way through the songs to increase their urgency.

Daniel “Dan” Amaya, or DJ

GoodAmaya21, stationed himself in the corner of an apartment complex’s parking garage. Yellow and red streamers hung from the ceiling. Balloons were everywhere.

Amaya, a Pierce College student, is a professional disc jockey based in Canoga Park. When he was 9 months old, he was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes the bones in his body to become fragile.

“I’ve had more than 300 fractures in my lifetime so far,” Amaya said.

Although he lives his life in a chair, he doesn’t let his condition stop him from chasing his dreams. He studied to be an accountant, but ultimately made the decision in 2009 to follow his passion and make dance mixes. He hopes to study to be a musical producer in the future.

“I really like his music,” Estrada, 17, said. “That’s why I asked him to come to my party.”

When Amaya’s not at school, he’s at home doing homework. When he’s not doing homework, he’s at his laptop fiddling with his music, said Ana Amaya, his mother.

“He’s really friendly,” she said. “I feel happy and proud that he’s doing something he loves.”

For the full story, visit theroundupnews.com.

Arts & Entertainment 5

Theater Review:

‘Fantasticks’ proves an overall triumph

Musical is a must-see show for all

Caleb Johnson Roundup Reporter

Imagine a story based on “Romeo and Juliet” – except instead of the family feud being real, it’s fabricated to bring the pair together. That is the basis of “The Fantasticks,” currently being performed by actors from Pierce College’s theater department.

The show was well done in all aspects, from acting and singing to choreography and musical accompaniment. It is a must-see show, even for those who have already seen it before.

Small changes in the script made fantastic differences – even something as minor as changing a single line from one person to a similar character made moments seem sweeter than they would’ve been otherwise.

“The Fantasticks,” running through to Nov. 3 at Pierce’s temporary Performing Arts Complex, is a 1960 musical with an off-Broadway production that ran for 42 years. It is the world’s longest-running musical, with many well-known tracks such as “Try To Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and “Much More.”

The story centers around Matt (Mark Needle) and Luisa (Samantha Labrecque), whose fathers, Hucklebee (Mark Lewis) and Bellomy (David Colville), had built a wall and started a fake feud in order to push their children into marriage.

causes the fathers to be so proud and happy that the supposed feud ends, allowing them to drop the aggressive pretense and let the two be together.

The acting was solid throughout the musical, seeming to fit the balance of serious, playful and briefly fantastical that the plot exudes. There was a definite sense of camaraderie and friendship between the actors, fitting in with their roles perfectly.

Even Wells’ death scene within the play caused a brief pause in the music as musical director and accompanist Cassie Nickols stopped to watch it with a worried expression along with the crowd.

The set manipulation was simple, but nicely done. The Mute (Ondřej Pšenička, also the Wall) and occasionally other cast members moved the props on stage. This made the changes in scenery a physical and observable part of the play, allowing the audience to participate in the changeovers visually.

The microphones could have been more balanced with the accompaniment when moments are intense, though everything was still audible and understandable without much issue.

The piano accompaniment by Nickols was great. It drew the audience in just when it was necessary – and even an occasional, poignant pause caused the crowd to truly fear for the actors when they seemed to be in trouble.

No details were spared even given short windows of practice before they had to start performing the show.

DJ:

College student Dan Amaya

not be able to walk, but nothing sets him back from achieving his dream to become a DJ. His hands are of much use in enabling him to perform and entertain as a DJ for parties and events. He mixes and blasts music from his customized devices for a birthday in Canoga Park on Friday, Oct. 25.

The fathers hire a professional, “El Gallo” (Michael Hovance, also the narrator) to arrange a kidnapping of Luisa where Matt saves her with the help of Henry (Michelle Hallbauer) and Mortimer (Vance Wells).

Matt’s heroic rescue of Luisa

Putting it all together, “The Fantasticks” was well-acted, sung, played, danced and directed by all involved.

Choir to host annual fundraiser

Singers to perform

Kathryn Grayson, a movie star from the 1940s and ‘50s, and “Les Misérables” will be the focus of the Pierce College Philharmonic Choir and San Fernando Valley Master Chorale’s annual fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Madrid Theatre.

The concert will feature a onewoman tribute performance from Kristin Towers-Rowles, who is a granddaughter of Grayson’s, and revue of the first and second acts of “Les Misérables.”

Terry Danne, artistic director,

says that he hopes the combination of the two performances will provide a good contrast to show how musicals change with time.

“I thought about the audience. A lot of older people know about Kathryn Grayson, and the [younger audience members] will get to hear about her,” Danne said. “By doing both in one show, we should be able to pick up two generations.”

Danne says that audience members can expect the performers to put on a good show.

“The characters are wellrepresented,” he said.

Tickets – $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and veterans and $15 for students – can be purchased online at madridtheatre.tix.com or at the box office of the Madrid Theatre for $30 each on the day of the show.

For more information, call (818) 753-3306.

REHEARSAL: Terry Danne, artistic director for the Pierce College Philharmonic Choir, leads the performers (not pictured) during a rehearsal on Saturday, Oct. 26 for their annual fundraiser. The show is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Madrid Theatre.

Monica Salazar / Roundup

Pierce

may

Kat Wilson Roundup Reporter

Michaia Hernandez Online Editor

Nelger Carrera / Roundup

“Les Misérables,” Kathryn Grayson

Clockwise from Top

Bobak Radbin/Roundup

VOLLEYBALL: Pierce Collegeʼs womenʼs volleyball team all wear pink shirts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at a game against Cuesta College on Friday, Oct. 18 in the Ken Stanley Court.

Carlos Carpio/Roundup

SOCCER: The womenʼs soccer team wears pink to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the game against Ventura College on Oct. 10 at Pierce College. A pink soccer balls was also used during the game.

Carlos Carpio/Roundup

CHEER: (L-R) Rudolph Secundino, Lattice Simpson, Alina Camacho and Jessica Reveles, members of the Pierce cheer team, sport pink ribbon stickers on their faces for during the game at Los Angeles Valley Collegeʼs Monarch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Carlos Carpio/Roundup

FOOTBALL: Wide receiver Earl Hargrove of Pierce wears pink gloves and chin strap as he celebrates in the endzone during the game at Los Angeles Valley Collegeʼs Monarch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19.

PIERCE SPORTS PINK

Throughout the month of October, the color to wear at every sporting event is pink. The color has come to represent cancer awareness, with the pink ribbon as its international symbol. The athletes of Pierce College do their part in supporting the fight by wearing pink through the entire month of October. The support for cancer awareness is noticeable at every sporting event, from the coaches and officials on the sidelines to the fans in the stands.

Illustration by Lauren Vellvé/Roundup

Football player finds puppy love

Lineman funds tuition by working with dogs

Roundup Reporter

For most students who come to Pierce College from out of state it’s a struggle financially, but one student athlete is able to pay for his higher priced tuition and living expenses by selling teacup puppies.

Tzion Wayden, a 21-year-old offensive lineman for the Pierce football team, moved to Los Angeles from Philadelphia, Pa. all on his own last year in hopes of continuing his football career.

“I needed to go to a school to play football and it had to be a community college because I’m not qualified,” Wayden said. “I did some research online and found Pierce, which seemed like a great place.”

Around the time of arrival he immediately searched everywhere for a job but didn’t find anything that sparked his interest.

He stumbled upon a business owner named Ben Ashel, who offered him a job working at his Kennel where teacup puppies are legally bred and sold.

“After three months of already living in Los Angeles, I started working at Star Yorkie Kennel with the puppies in Sept. 2012,” Wayden said.

He explained that this job wasn’t just any job like working at McDonalds because he gets a lot of experience from this opportunity.

“This job is more productive and helps me for my future because I learn more about the business aspect,” Wayden said. “I don’t only work with the puppies, but I work with the shop and customers.”

The player is grateful for this job because the work environment has a positive vibe and really helps pay for the tuition fee at Pierce, according to the football player.

“Two words that would describe my job would be cute and fun,” Wayden said. “It is a fun job because I get to care for these adorable, little puppies and I get to see people leave with a smile on their face which makes me feel great knowing I did a good job.”

Ben Ashel, owner of Star Yorkie Kennel in Reseda, Calif., explains that when he first met Wayden he knew he would be a trustworthy employee that he can rely on.

“Tzion is awesome. He is the

Swinging back into action Guard returns to the Brahmas a er 2 years

Tracy Wright News Editor

While battling girls and boys on the court throughout her childhood, she faced struggles off the court that she will no longer let stand in the way of the ultimate prize this year: a championship.

“I had a basketball in my hand since I was 2,” Jackson said.

Monica Jackson, the point guard for the women’s basketball team at Pierce, was named most valuable player of the California Community College Athletic Association during the 2010-2011 season, but she struggled in the classroom and was unable to lead her team or lend a helping hand during the last two seasons.

The burden of her absence has been weighing heavily on Jackson.

“I’m making more of an effort to try and pass my classes,” Jackson said. “I’m doing all the extras I didn’t do. I communicate with my teachers. I never did that before. I feel like I’m putting more of an effort in class, so it’s pushing me to come here and play basketball. I know it’s important.”

When Jackson’s not in the classroom, you can find her in the gym practicing her craft.

“That’s all I do, basketball and go to school,” Jackson said.

When Jackson came to Pierce in 2010, she was averaging 28.9 points per game as a senior at Chatsworth High School, and scored 42 points in her first game as a Lady Brahma. Her quickness and knowledge of the game are what coach Jim Couch is looking forward to seeing the most.

best employee that an employer can ask for,” Ashel said. “The most important thing for me is honesty and I know I can trust him with my eyes closed.”

This is Wayden’s first year playing on the team and he has been training consistently during offseason to be prepared for the football season, according to Efrain Martinez, the head coach.

“He is probably one of the hardest working student athletes this team has,” Martinez said. “This kid definitely has the right stuff to make it in life.”

Martinez continued on, saying that Wayden tries to be the best he can be.

“He has a great attitude on the field and just respects everyone he works with,” Martinez said.

Even though his life is busy right now and sometimes difficult to handle, it challenges him to stick with it.

“It is tough to balance school, my job and football practices, but it just takes dedication and you have to stay focused,” Wayden said.

“We’re hoping she can come back as strong as she was as a freshman,” Couch said. “If we can use her quickness in defense, we can have a pretty good team.”

Jackson knows she has a difficult season in front of her, but she’s had her fair share of obstacles over the last few years and is ready to overcome any challenge.

In 2011, Jackson was involved in an altercation off campus involving a student and a security officer according to a previous article from the Roundup.

Last month, her family was distraught with the news of a death of a child in the family. The financial burden almost ruined her family until Los Angeles based rapper The Game donated $5,000 to fund funeral arrangements through The Robin Hood Project, a campaign he started in efforts to help giving back to his community.

Her teammates Joi Beard and Zenith Hernandez explain how

Mohammad Djauhari / Roundup

SWISH: Monica Jackson, point guard for the Brahmas, takes a shot during one of the teamʼs practices, Thursday Oct. 10.

Jackson is a guiding force on the team.

“She has so much experience,” Hernandez said. “She helps us out on and off the court. Off the court, she’ll do workouts with us. Even in class, I motivate her to go to class; she motivates me to go to class.”

“I feel like for Monica, we’re not just her team- we’re another family for her,” Beard said. “For her to just know we’re there supporting her in everything she does, it means a lot.”

Jackson said this is the most humble team she’s ever been on.

“I want them to know that I’m all about them,” Jackson said. “It’s

not about me …it’s about all of us together and I want us to all come together and be one.”

Jackson has been prepping for this season for years it seems; another chance to show the world just how talented she truly is.

“I use to have a lot of guys mad at me cause I used to tell them I’d bet my house on her to play 1-1,” Coach Charles White said. “I use to have a lot of people mad at me for a long time. Then they see her play and they say ‘ya, I understand.’ She’s just that good.”

Now that she’s back, Coach White said “I’d still put my money on her.”

Ashel also explained how Wayden is the hardest working employee because he comes into shop early every day and still has the time to attend school and football practice.

“He is very dedicated to his work because he comes in every day at 7 a.m. and then leaves for school at 2 p.m.,”Ashel said.

Wayden is majoring in kinesiology and hopes to one day open up his own business taking the experiences he gained from working at Star Yorkie Kennel.

“This job has helped me grow because I’m learning business management, I’m paying for my living expenses and I’m able to pay for my education at Pierce,” Wayden said.

Jonathan Andrino/ Roundup

DOGS: Tzion Wayden holds a handful of teacup dogs at Star Yorkie in Reseda Thursday, Oct. 24.

“He is probably one of the hardest working student athletes this team has. This kid definitely has the right stuff to make it in life.”

-Efrain Martinez

Head coach of Pierce football

Chiara Perbil

Johnathan Andrino / Roundup

Tzionʼs own beloved Siberian Husky, goes to

Oct. 24.

Football team beats the unbeaten

Brahmas outlast Santa Barbara City College 53-42 to remain undefeated in conference

be a monumental game for the Brahmas this season.

play

The Pierce College Brahmas cruised to a high scoring victory over Santa Barbara City College football team on Saturday Oct. 26.

In a fierce battle for control of the western conference, both teams came out fired up, delivering one of the most physical games of the season with Pierce winning by a score of 53-42 which gave Santa Barbara its first loss of the season.

Before the game, Pierce Head Coach Efrain Martinez gave a quick preview of what to expect from the team that came into Shepard Stadium without a loss in the season.

“It’s going to be a good game. We never played an undefeated team this late in the season,” Martinez said. “They’re so balanced all the way around. That’s what’s so good about them.”

The Brahmas brought on the offense early, scoring three touchdowns, but the Brahmas would not be so lucky on extra point attempts later in the game, getting stuffed twice by the Santa Barbara defensive line.

Freshman defensive back Jay’Onn Myles performed well along with the rest of the defense for multiple sacks, short gains, and interceptions by the secondary defensive unit.

“We can’t let them control the game,” Myles said. “We’ve got to show everybody we’re still the number one team.”

Freshman and fellow defensive back Andrew McCrea was also prepared for one of the biggest games of the season, with an almost zen-like level of concentration before the game began.

“We had a great practice all week, we’re ready to play,” McCrea said before adjusting his equipment and running straight into the maelstrom that would turn out to

Although Pierce scored a season high 53 points, Santa Barbara was still able to bring the pressure in the second half, at one point tying at 21 from a reverse pass play in the third quarter.

Santa Barbara even got an interception later that quarter for a touchdown, but by then Pierce had already scored two touchdowns, putting the Brahmas well in the lead.

Not every part of this game was gridlock action from play-toplay. The fourth quarter was full of blunders by both sides, with a baffling amount of penalty flags thrown.

At one point, the ball didn’t advance on the field , this was due to a large quantity of penalties being called on both sides.

Santa Barbara did its best to take advantage of Pierce’s miscues, but ended coming up short whenever the game was in motion, due to the solid defensive plays by Pierce.

Jarred Evans, sophomore quarterback for Santa Barbara City College football team and childhood friend of a few Brahmas, was gracious enough to offer a quick statement after his team received the first loss of the season.

“We all wanted the win to be honest. Pierce is a good team and we’re a good team also,” Evans said. “[I] wish we could have come out with the win. It really hurt me a lot to lose this one.”

Pierce now shares control of the Pacific Conference with Santa Monica College with both teams at the top with records of 4-0.

The Brahmas now sit atop the Southern California American Division rankings, moving up two spots, according to the Southern California Football Association’s website.

The Brahmas will be looking to continue their winning ways against Antelope Valley College in an American Pacific Conference game on the road on Saturday Nov. 2.

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LATERAL: Running back DeShawn Jones (right) runs the ball instead of making a pass to his teammates at the football game on Saturday Oct. 26. Pierce went on to win the game 53-42.