Volume 125 Fall 2016 Roundup Issue 7

Hot and heavy under the collar

Moliere's sardonic comedy breaks down boundaries and the fourth wall

VICTOR RODRIGUEZ Managing Editor @Vrodriguez2100

The weight of the cross, familial expectations, and a family’s desperate attempt to enlighten their pollyanna patriarch are the building blocks Molière left back in 1664.

Shaheen Vaaz, the director, has crafted a winning recipe with a dynamic cast, witty intellectual dialogue, and a live musical performance, for her interpretation of “Tartuffe.”

The content of the script is what makes this play timeless. These themes of religion, hypocrisy, foolishness, morality and ethics are all universal and do not need the assistance of fashion from the 1960s to be relatable.

Vaaz had a novel idea, changing the time period, but lacked follow through. I believe it was an all-ornothing decision, either completely transform into a 1960s production or do not, and she tried to choose both.

The costumes themselves are very aesthetically pleasing, but they did nothing to enhance anyone’s understanding of the play.

The play opens with an upset Madame Pernelle (Avita Broukhim) rushing out of her son Orgon’s (Brian Felker) home, all the while berating her son’s second wife, Elmire (Leah Foster) and her brother, Cleante (Ben Landmesser), as well as Orgon’s two children, Damis (Gregory Hanson), and Mariane (Michelle Johnson) for their treatment of the titular character Tartuffe (Amir Khalighi).

Orgon has been away on business for two days. Upon returning, he summons Dorine (Meagan Truxal), Mariane’s maid, to fill him in on the status of the house. To Dorine’s dismay, Orgon seemingly couldn’t care less about his wife’s debilitating fever, while hanging over Tartuffe’s every word.

Mariane is set to marry Valere

(Nickolas Caisse), a young, ecstatic lover. The two are madly in love; their relationship is akin to any generic high school romance.

Orgon and his mother have both been deluded into believing the treacherous words of Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite and con man.

Orgon is so far gone under his spell; he even turns a blind eye when Tartuffe makes a sexual advance on his wife.

Damis, is not one to pass up a chance at exposing the fraud, no matter how tactless he appears.

Tartuffe, takes this opportunity to display his particular skill for

Brahmas win 4 ghouls to 0

Soccer explodes o ensively in second half against Wildcats

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @Richard65157819

After missed opportunities by both teams left the first half scoreless, the Brahmas shut out the West Los Angeles Wildcats, 4-0.

A ceremonial sophomore appreciation event started off the night for Pierce. It showcased the players moving on to university level teams.

The Wildcats goalkeeper, Monica Stieber, was able to stop the Brahmas in the at the beginning of the game, but once the second half started she struggled against the newfound determination Pierce exuded.

The Brahmas began to dominate the game starting with Leslie Ramirez who stole the show with back to back goals, giving the Brahmas a 2-0 lead.

“I just knew we had to get it done. We had the second half to regroup and tell ourselves on what we need to do.” Ramirez said. “The team executed and remain focus and we just wanted

to get it done and it just happen.”

Pierce then scored an additional two goals. Sara Hernandez assisted by Ramirez scored the first and Destiny Brandstetter assisted by Katherine Castillo had the other.

“My team just gave it to me and I finish it there is nothing more to it,” Hernandez said.

Brandstetter was focused on the game and knew she had to do what she needed to, in order to help out the team.

“It was the last few minutes of the game, obviously, and my adrenaline was pumping and I had to go through it,”

Brandstetter said.

The first half was full of mistakes on both teams and the second half was going to be the win or lose determinant.

“I was very pleased in the second half obviously. We woke up in the second half against a very tough team and got it done.”

Coach Adolfo Perez said. “The only thing we need to work on is finishing and our strength is that we never give up.”

Those that watched the game

redirecting blame, and points the finger at Damis. Orgon, choosing to believe he’d raised a churlish child rather than see the truth at hand, demands Damis apologize to the crooked priest. When Damis refuses, Orgon banishes him from the estate. This is the turning point of the play; the audience is left to contemplate Orgon’s decision. He truly believes anything Tartuffe says or does is divine intervention, so can he really be mocked for his choice? If Abraham were willing to sacrifice Isaac, who are we to say Orgon would not have done the same at his beloved preacher’s

request?

Felker, as Orgon, perfectly captures the outrage expected of a man who’s been betrayed on every fundamental level. Broukhim, as Madame Pernelle, was not afraid to use her cane as a weapon. Her performance reminds us all of a time when our mothers wouldn’t believe us, and the frustration that ensued.

Foster, as Elmire, was elegance personified. Her careful, deliberate movements represent much of the same tactful tendencies her character requires. Johnson, as Mariane, and Truxal, as Dorine, had the

most relatable chemistry, whether intentional or otherwise. Together they broke the dynamic expected of a master and servant and it was a relief for the audience to see a true friendship onstage.

Landmesser, as Cleante, was the unsung champion of reason throughout the play. Whenever the tension rose to its limit, Cleante was there to ensure a smooth transition. The antagonists’ aversion to Cleante’s worldly and well travelled liberal views were an apt metaphor for the use of religion as a tool. Everything not inside these narrowed views were perceived as sin, to question this was blasphemous, it’s no wondering why this play was banned by the church for five years.

Khalighi, as Tartuffe, who bears a striking resemblance to our women’s volleyball head coach, Nabil Mardini, is the very rare example of a perfect cast. The speed at which he’s able to switch tones is what allows him to drift perfectly between the humble, altruistic preacher, and the venomous snake that lies waiting for the most opportune moment to strike.

James Longstreet, who performed the live score, was absolutely fantastic. His ability to hit his cues allowed the entire play’s momentum to flow evenly and was undoubtedly integral to this performance’s success.

The minimalistic set design gave room for the actors themselves to decorate the stage. Going off the quality alone, one would be fair pressed to learn the floor was handpainted.

Overall, having been written and performed in rhyme, the decision to add beats and rhythm on top of the player’s dialogue was a nice touch. This is definitely a play worth seeing.

“Tartuffe” runs through Oct. 30, in the Dow Arena Theater. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com or by phone: 818-719-6488. Visit the website for ticket prices.

A safer campus for all

Senate prioritizes security with future events

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @Richard65157819

Public safety, sexual assault, a safe zone workshop and upcoming events were the issues that were discussed during Monday’s Academic Senate meeting in the Great Hall.

The idea behind the Safe Zones is to allow an area for students, staff and faculty to meet and discuss issues of gender and sexuality free of judgement and harassment, according to the Safe Zone Project’s website.

“It's important to have these safe zones on campus,” said Maria Perser, a member of the Professional Development Committee. “Especially for the LGBTQ community to feel like there are faculty who support them and have allies here.”

The workshops are meant to train faculty to be an ally, according to Perser. A number of other LACCD campuses have similar programs, such as Los Angeles Mission College, East LA College and Harbor College.

The senate announced that Pierce College will feature a documentary called, “The Hunting Ground” on Oct. 27, 2016. This film documentary talks about the impact and raises awareness of sexual assaults on campus.

According to Director of the Health Center Beth Benne, all schools and colleges are enforced by Title IX, where by law all school administrations have a responsibility to respond promptly to any sexual harassment or sexual violence that creates a hostile environment. They must take immediate action by reporting it to the proper authorities that handle these cases.

“The main issue is how various colleges across country have responded or not responded to the allegations of sexual assault that students have made,” Benne said.

According Perser, it is important for the campus to show this documentary.

“It is necessary to have a dialogue on this issue and to know what our obligations are and to know who our Title IX coordinator is,” Perser said.

/ Roundup

might say Ramirez was the most valuable player, but she made it clear that's not the case.

“This is not about me, this is an entire team effort,” Ramirez said.

Brianna Jacobo had an easy night, only having to save the ball once with no other intense plays coming at her.

The Brahmas have a BYE game before they play against Santa Monica College at home on Friday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Pierce Stats

Goals: 4

Shots on target: 9

Yellow cards: 1

Record: 10-3-1

Conf. record: 3-1

Goals (Assists)

46' Leslie Ramirez (Adriana Sosa)

55' Leslie Ramirez (Sara Hernandez)

57' Sara Hernandez (Leslie Ramirez)

85' Destiny Brandstetter (Kathrine Castillo)

Vice President of Student Services Earic Dixon Peters addressed the senate about the serious consequences of sexual assault.

“The importance of what we know from research and documentation is that one out of four women have been sexually assaulted on a college campus,” Peters said.

“If you look at that statistic, it is alarming that should you or anyone walk down campus and count one, two, three and four, that fourth person could possibly be a victim of sexual assault.”

According to Peters, the documentary will bring awareness to the prevalent problem of sexual assault.

Ezzat Wanas

Leslie Ramirez (10) on her way to score the second goal on Friday Oct. 21, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Taylor Arthur / Roundup

Amir Khalighi, Tartuffe, is seduced by Leah Foster, Elmire, to prove a point to her husband, Orgon, Ben Felker, in the second dress rehearsal of Tartuffe in the Dow Arena at Pierce College on Oct. 18, 2016 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

-Sarah

“When I used to be in my old neighborhood, me and my family members would always go trick-or-treating. But we would also be rebellious and liked to go egging and a little bit of teepeeing peopleʼs houses.”

-Adolfo Torres, 22, Biology

The Roundup newspaper encourages our readership to vote “Yes” on proposition 55 on this year’s election ballot.

Prop 55 is essentially an extension of proposition 30, which was passed in 2012. The measure seeks to continue the temporary personal tax increases on individual income over 263k, and 526k for joint income. Half of the money allocated will go to public schools at a rate of 89 percent for K-12 schools, and 11 percent for community colleges, respectively. The rest will go towards healthcare, debt repayment and savings.

Since the approval of prop 30 in 2012, $6 billion have been raised each year for California schools, according to ballotpedia.org.

In laymen’s terms, if proposition 55 does not pass, California schools will begin to lose the funds they have been relying on for the past four years.

Teachers will be laid off, increasing the unemployment rate, an untold number of sections will be cut from community colleges, and they’ll be left with barebone budgets which will reduce community colleges to nothing more than general education factories.

K-12 schools will most likely have to cut their already dismally funded arts programs. Community colleges may also see tuition hikes.

Prop 55 is a measure that does not raise taxes for anyone. Our wealthiest residents will only temporarily continue to pay the increased tax rate until 2030.

“I went trick-or-treating and one of the doors had those mail box openings so I looked and they started throwing eggs. So they were pretty much trashing their own house but they were still throwing eggs at me.”

-Michael Ortiz, 19, Psychology

“I went bobbing for apples when I was seven years old and I accidently snorted up a bunch of water. I was coughing and crying but everyone felt bad for me so I got all the candy I wanted and now Iʼm addicted to candy because of it.”

Opponents argue that forcing the rich to bare the brunt of the state’s taxation will eventually have them looking to move to states where there are no, or

lower income tax rates. But like most economic problems, there’s a certain ebb and flow.

Before the passing of prop 30, as the nation was coming out of the great recession, California’s unemployment rate was at 10 percent. As of April 2015 it has shrunk nearly in half to 6.3 percent.

Many groups criticized prop 30 for focusing first on lowering income area schools rather than

spread the funds evenly. Think of our education system as a set of building blocks, you have to start with a strong foundation before worrying about the middle, least of all the top.

Prop 55 includes measures that require school districts to separately identify how the funds will be spent, so we know where the money is going.

In a liberal state such as California, many voters are

willing to adopt a ‘stick it to the rich’ attitude, but we are all well aware that these tax hikes are temporary. Those affected in the upper tax bracket are quick to denounce the need for it, but one extension does not a pattern make.

So, for just a little while longer, we’re asking the 1 percent to help the other 99, we’re no longer looking to survive, but to thrive.

Should students have the day off for Halloween?

BRIAN CALDERA Reporter

@BTVCaldera

Halloween is like Christmas for college students. A time to let go of all the stress built up over the course of the semester and completely lose yourself in the night. The next day, you’re ready to come back to class refreshed and ready to drudge through the rest of the school year. However, this day is unfortunately cursed with the burden of responsibility. There is no vacation time allotted to students or staff during holiday.

VANESSA GONZALEZ Features Editor @itsvane1

Why is this so? Why do students not get a break during one of the country’s most celebrated holidays?

The average college Halloween party is a cesspool of debauchery and every type of depraved act known to mankind, and god bless them for that. College life is meant for making those types of memorable mistakes. Hedonism is needed every now and again to give a little spice to life.

which is why Halloween is one of those nights that needs to be experienced in excess. With so much noise and distraction going on throughout the day, do you expect anyone to be paying attention during a professor’s lecture? It simply isn’t going to happen. Students shouldn’t have to choose between academic success and the occasional day of leisure. There should be a certain amount of time allotted to students to not have to worry about grades and test scores; it’s too much to be concerned about for months at a time. The spring semester usually has 11 days off, while fall only has four days spread sparsely around four months. It’s a release valve for stress and constant time management and is good for a student’s mental wellbeing to relax every now and again. Besides, an additional day or two off wouldn’t be the end of the world.

-Avi Nelson, 21, Marketing Cartoonists:

Canceling classes for Halloween just so college students can stay home seems somewhat unnecessary. As a college student, missing class time to stay home and watch movies isn’t ideal.

Although this is a very celebrated holiday, there are still many people that don’t celebrate it due to religious reasons or simply because they’ve just outgrown it. Since various people don’t celebrate Halloween, they would rather just stay home and lay on their couch, which is wasted time that could be used to finish a chapter in class.

Even if a session gets cancelled, the next class meeting, the professor is usually in a rush to cover information because they could be running short on time, which typically occurs near the holidays.

dressed up and laughing at what everyone was wearing, and it’s still pretty fun in college. You also are allowed to eat in college classrooms, meaning you can actually eat candy during lectures, while dressed in your costumes.

Another thing to consider is the fact that people don’t usually begin to celebrate until nighttime and many kids don’t go trick-ortreating until the sun begins to set.

All in all, Halloween is a day for children to dress up in funny or scary costumes and go door to door, asking for candy. A day where part of the fun is wondering what everyone will dress up as. It is not, however, a day for adults to miss class time.

Most of the school year is spent reading, studying and testing, with a few breaks of excess sprinkled throughout,

Besides, Halloween is mostly for children and, as a child, what added to the fun of Halloween was actually going to school that day. I enjoyed getting the chance to see my classmates

bcaldera.roundupnews@gmail.com

This holiday is neither religious nor historical, which is why I don’t see a need to cancel classes. Halloween is fun, but it shouldn’t be the reason students miss class time.

vgonzalez.roundupnews@gmail.com

call Matt at (818) 710-2960

masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is

published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue 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 Nelson Simmons Mascar-mascart.tumblr.com

“My uncle in an official samurai suit chasing kids around with an actual sword when I was seven.”

-Alondra Sandoval, 18, Undecided

“My family used to do this huge haunted house that was a big deal for our whole neighborhood and all of my friends were always invited. It was super fun.”

Carney, 20, Environmental Science

Academic Senate

[From jump, pg. 1]

“What are we doing as a community to address sexual assault on campus? I think the documentary will highlight on what students are experiencing on campus that is criminal,” Peters said.

Peters said that sexual assault is not just an issue that affects women but men are also victims. According to Peters, one out of seven men are sexually assaulted.

“It's important that we have these conversations,” Peters said. “The documentary will highlight concerns and issues on college campuses.”

Peters said that he is involved in the formation of a panel at Pierce College relating to sexual assault prevention.

“Our panel is here to give staff and students the training they need to help reduce sexual assault crimes by being cautious to your surroundings and walking with someone to their car,” Peters said.

Art Gallery Director and Professor of Arts Monica Wee discussed the upcoming art exhibit, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky” which will run starting Nov. 1.

The exhibit will have videos, text panels, and a co-creative living sculpture. After visitors watch the videos and read the texts in the gallery, they are encouraged to add a wish to the “wish canopy.”

“[The canopy] becomes a living sculpture in the sense that it becomes a reflection of how we, at Pierce, are responding to the information,” Wee said.

There will be information in the gallery about charities and organizations that help women and families in need.

“What do we do when we go and we look at this information?” Wee asked. “It kind of becomes a big downer, where the idea behind it is not that, but instead to say, ‘Here’s how we empower women’ and if we empower everyone around us, it ends up having this sort of ripple effect.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

rjespinoza.roundupnews@gmail.com

Faculty advocating for cheaper textbooks

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @richard65157819

The high cost of college textbooks continue to be a financial burden for many students wanting to pursue their education. Pierce College staff members are working towards providing low cost alternatives textbooks for students with the “Affordable College Textbook Act.”

According to the College Board, during the 2014 and 2015 academic year, the average student budget for college books and supplies at four-year public institutions of higher education was around $1,225.

There are a few staff members who have been advocating for affordable textbooks for students who are on a budget.

Barbara Lombrano, Associated Students Organization president, and members of Student Senate California Community Colleges (SSCCC) region 7, are working on a strategy by collecting syllabi from introductory classes and offering professors an opportunity to look over the OERS (Open Educational Resources) and consider the program.

“There have been students at Pierce that are serving on committees on our region level for textbook affordability,” Lombrano said. “We fall under SSCCC region 7 and on the region level we are working on getting legislation passed to advocate for more affordable textbooks.”

Lombrano, who is also a veteran of the Navy and has been in active duty and reserves for thirteen years, is helping veteran students with the affordable textbooks process.

“I feel very blessed with this program and my books are covered by the VA [Veterans Association],” Lombrano said. “However, there are some veterans who are not disabled who don’t want to use their GI Bill at a junior college but want to save it for a four-year university.”

According to Lombrano, there is a veterans club that has been around for two years called “Veterans of America,” that provides military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.

“They are either free or low cost textbooks that can be used instead of using a standard textbook from the regular publishers,” Gediman said. “Usually the faculty would put together a text within their department to use or the instructor would build their own textbook

“ They are either free or low cost textbooks that can be used instead of using a standard textbook from the regular publishers.”

- Clay Gediman Pierce College librarian

Rundown Rundown

These incidents were reported between Oct. 18 - Oct. 24

Reported by: Samantha Bravo

• 10/18 Petty Theft Bicycle

An unknown suspect cut bike lock and stole bicycle in the North side of the Mall around 1 p.m.

“I know some veterans who are students here at Pierce who had to take time off from school and work so they can save up because they don't want to use up their GI Bill,” Lombrano said.

According to Lombrano, ASO is trying to create a database that lists the prices of materials necessary for each class. This will help them decide the affordability of their courses.

“The SSCCC are also looking for other volunteers from other college campuses in the district to help make this happen,” Lombrano said.

Clay Gediman, Pierce College librarian, is also working on the OERS project with Pierce faculty to create a textbook that they can use within the district.

Criminology major moves to CSUN

A closer alternative for Criminal Justice majors soon to be approved

NADINE GOSTANTIAN News Editor @Ngostantian

Cal State University, Northridge is currently waiting for chancellor approval to create a criminology major for spring 2017.

Until now, students who wanted to apply for the Criminology and Criminal Justice program at CSUN could only do so by choosing the sociology major and then selecting the criminal justice option. If classes get approved by the chancellor, students would be able to apply directly for the criminology major.

Vickie Bensen, chair of the new criminology department at CSUN, brought up the issue to the dean and started talking to faculty to develop the curriculum. The curriculum was passed earlier this year.

One of Bensen’s biggest concerns with sociology being the major and criminology being the option is that they don’t have an ethics course in

the option.

“Every student that gets a degree that says criminal justice on it, or justice studies or anything close to that, needs to cover ethics,” Bensen said. “The other problem that I've had is that they haven’t had criminal law and there’s an option which remains here to take a course in criminal procedures.”

According to Bensen, they’re expected to have classes that teach students about the system and focus closely on criminal law. Bensen said the content currently deals with the accused instead of providing students with a fundamental understanding of the foundations of criminal law and how the criminal justice system works.

Students who declare a BA in sociology with an option of criminology and criminal justice will have both titles show up on their record, according to Bensen, and this creates confusion for students.

“It’s interesting when I pull up a student’s record and their major

shows up as criminology and criminal justice,” Bensen said. “And a lot of students call themselves criminology and criminal justice majors, but we don't have a criminal justice major; you’re a sociology major, but a lot of students don’t see themselves that way.”

Bensen said students have the opportunity to get a fairly broad and deep understanding of criminology with the current option, but they have to select the right electives. “If students selected particular electives that were [not relevant], they may find holes in their understanding. The new criminology major’s core would include classes such as ethics in law, juvenile justice, criminal justice systems, criminological theory, and criminology and justice methods.

ngostantian.roundupnews@gmail.com

out of open education resource material.”

In 2015, the California Legislature adopted a bill from the 114th Congress. The Affordable College Textbook Act was passed on the state level but is still pending on the federal level.

According to congress.gov the bill was introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin in October 2015 with an intention to “expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students.”

According to Gediman, there are some professors on campus already implementing the affordable textbooks program.

Political Science Professor Denise Robb, is one of the professor's who is involved in providing affordable

textbooks for her students.

“I attended a workshop a couple years ago that had to do with the governor signing this and would increase affordable textbooks,” Robb said. “They had websites where we can find textbooks and at the time, I could not find anything on the courses I taught, but our librarian, Gediman showed me there were new textbooks so I look at them and I started using them so I no longer use the old one hundred dollar textbook.” Professor Wendy Bass, distance education coordinator, is one of the faculty members who is using the OERS program for her students.

“I decided to try to go all open education resource this semester, so my students don't have to buy a textbook,” Bass said. “I am gathering all the necessary resources and putting it all on canvas so they can be able to read it there.”

Bass is new to the program with only five weeks in, but has been enjoying creating her own material appropriate for her class. Bass said this project would still give the students the education they need, but it would not cost a fortune.

“I love it and I think my students are happy with it as well,” Bass said. “I could not have done it without his [Gediman] help. He has helped me get the necessary amount of resources for my classes.”

rjespinoza.roundupnews@gmail.com

• 10/19 Injured Students

Three students at different times and locations got injured last Wednesday and two of them were escorted to the hospital via paramedics.

• 10/20 Employee Incident

A professor and a student had an argument in room 3208 around 10 a.m. Student refused to leave the class.

• 10/22 Burglary locked vehicle

An unknown suspect smashed a car window and stole items from inside the vehicle on Lot 7 Row H around 11 a.m.

Pierce College Sheriff’s Station

General Information:

Emergency:

(818) 710 - 4311

Pierce faculty use new program to provide students with more affordable textbooks

Graphic by: Samantha Bravo

Project exposes domestic abuse

ASO event presents opportunity for victims to empower others with their stories

Me Malala” and “The Hunting Ground,” which will be screened at the Great Hall at 4 p.m., according to Conrady-Wong.

offers some services to students who may experience violence.

T-shirts of various colors hang across the Mall. On closer inspection, some of the clothes are decorated with messages of support, while others detail graphic experiences that might be hard for most people to share.

As the wind blows, the shirts act as flags for the survivors.

Sponsored by the Associated Students Organization, the Clothesline Project will be displayed on the Mall today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Clothesline Project began in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1990 to give a voice for women who have been affected by violence and to address the issue of violence toward women, according to the website clotheslineproject.org.

“It’s a beautiful display of support for survivors of violence,” said Lara Conrady-Wong, Student Engagement Coordinator and Counselor. “Not only is it a historical display of shirts from the past [Clothesline Project events], but we have new shirts for students, staff and faculty to decorate as well.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to raise awareness on the issue, the ASO, the Student Health Center and the library have worked together to organize a series of events, such as the screenings of “He Named

More than four million women in the United States experience violence by someone they know each year and one in four women will experience violence in their lifetimes by a partner, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

“For me, the Clothesline Project is empowering,” said Holly Hagan, Textbook Buyer for the Student Store. “I’ve always been a very tough person and I don’t let anything knock me down, so to be a part of the project, it’s important to raise awareness to these issues of violence towards women.”

Hagan, who is a survivor of domestic violence, has been a part of past Clothesline Project events on campus and originally brought the display to Pierce.

“Some of the T-shirts are really heartbreaking,” Hagan said. “There have been times where I’ve read a message on a shirt and totally cried because some of these people go through such traumatic situations and then some of them are even still in that situation because they don’t know how to get out.”

Women between the ages of 16-24 experience the highest per capita of violence by their partner and a quarter of college women will experience sexual assault over the course of their college life, according to a report by the University of Michigan.

The Student Health Center

“One of the most important things we provide is a place for students to come in and feel safe to talk,” said Loralyn Frederick, Health Center Assistant. “They can seek therapy and counseling from one of our mental health specialists.”

The Student Health Center has two clinical psychologists that students can talk to and the center is looking to Title IX to provide more funding for additional resources for students, according to Frederick.

More than 4 million women in the United States experience violence by someone they know each year and 1 in 4 women will experience violence in their lifetimes by a partner, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

During the event, there will be a booth where students can participate and decorate shirts with their messages and seek information about the project, according to Conrady-Wong.

“In case students will have questions, we will have staff

Tyler Dietrich, sophomore,

on describing himself and the importance of teamwork:

"I'm definitely a team guy. I'm not an 'I guy.' In baseball, the game is a bunch of individuals playing a team sport. Everyone has to bring something individually to the table for the game to work, but at the end of the day it is a team sport. I do well in those situations. I am cool with being involved with a team that works together to get things done."

Population Pierce is a Roundup social project that started in February 2016 focusing on the students, faculty and staff that inhabit the Pierce College campus. Share your story with us @RoundupNews. See more of our local features by searching #PopPierce in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

available on site,” Conrady-Wong said. “We’re prepared in case students need additional support like if they become affected [by the experience of viewing the project].”

In coordination with the Clothesline Project and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the

ASO and the Student Health Center will screen the documentary “The Hunting Ground” at the Great Hall on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. through 6 p.m.

Bruins, Matadors & more

Transfer fair will provide chances to speak with universities

JOSHUA MANES Reporter @Tweeporting

Dozens of universities are set to visit Pierce College on Thursday, Oct. 27 for the annual College Transfer Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m .

Representatives from around 50 universities will line the Mall, ready to meet with students. The fair is designed to provide students with an opportunity to get information about prospective schools directly from the source, according to Director of the Pierce Transfer Center Sunday Salter.

“Essentially what it’s for is to encourage students to think outside of the UCLA-and-CSUN box that we all live in,” Salter said. “We would like students to broaden their horizons about the schools they might consider.”

As part of the fair, UC Berkeley and USC will be putting on group admissions workshops.

According to Salter, schools that often don’t attend the fair will running these workshops because they know they have interest on campus.

Every UC is scheduled to attend, according to Salter. Other notable schools include Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University and Australian school Macquarie University.

“That day is a lot of fun and this year we have sponsorship from Grand Canyon University,” Salter said. “They’re going to be providing a free hot dog and churro vendor for the students.”

Counselor Judy Lam has been at Pierce for three years and sees the advantages the fair gives to students.

“It’s a great place for students to come and talk to the representatives, see what the school’s all about,” Lam said. “If they have any questions about specific majors, it’s their chance to talk to somebody that’s actual flesh and blood from the university.”

For the first time, there will be a game of bingo incorporated into the fair. Students will be given a card with university names in the boxes and questions to ask the representatives. Those who manage to get all the boxes filled will be entered into a raffle for various $25 gift cards. Lam thinks the game will help students get more involved.

“A lot of students just show up like a deer in headlights,” Lam said. “The game should encourage them to ask the right questions and be more involved and interactive with the representatives.”

ASO Senate President Barbara Lombrano likes the opportunity the fair gives to students.

“A lot of times our students don’t get exposed to all the universities they can apply to,” Lombrano said.

“I think this is a wonderful thing. I’m looking forward to it myself.”

Staff and faculty have been encouraged to wear their alma maters’ shirts, hats, and jackets on Thursday. The idea is to stimulate conversation in the classroom and get teachers to talk about the steps they took throughout their academic journey, according to Salter.

“Everyone’s path is so unique

and a lot of students feel there is only one way to get through this educational path and that’s so not true,” Salter said. “Often our professors’ bachelor’s degree is not related to what their master’s degree is in. That’s always an interesting story to hear.”

There will also be a breakfast for staff and faculty to meet with the university representatives on the morning of the College Transfer Fair. The breakfast will be used as an opportunity for staff to speak with the representatives and gather information to help students.

Halloween Events

Event: Boo at the L.A. Zoo

Tickets: $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $15 for children, free under 2 years

Location: 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Phone: 323-644-4200

Event: Rotary Club of Woodland Hills Annual Family Faire

Tickets: Free admission

Location: 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Date/time: 10/31 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Event: West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval

Tickets: Free Admission

Location: Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA

Date/time: 10/31 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

For more events visit laweekly.com/calendar

Mohammad Djauhari / Roundup

File Photo: Holly Hagan, team leader of Pierce College's Campus Violence Response Team (CVRT), hangs a newly written on T-shirt during the Clothesline event of Denim Day on April 24, 2013 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Like a moth to a flame, he’s drawn to the job

Instructor Justin Dahlberg sees teaching as a way to stay connected to the art world

JOSHUA MANES Reporter @tweeporting

While it has been expressed in different forms, the idea that if you love what you do then your job is not work has been around for ages. For art instructor Justin Dahlberg that always meant art.

“The biggest privilege of my life thus far is to have that kind of tunnel vision,” Dahlberg said. “Not the kind where I ever felt forced to do it or anything like that. I just always knew what I wanted to do, and most people I know don’t have that. I’m really grateful to have that.”

Dahlberg says he was drawn to art from an early age. Recognizing his initial ability in art, he explored the subject further through the years, developing his talents and knowledge.

“I never really remember not being interested in art,” Dahlberg said. “It’s a pure form of expression. There’s a lot of freedom in it, and a lot of rules, but once you learn the rules it’s fun to break them.”

Dahlberg moved to Los Angeles from Texas at 15 and graduated from Claremont High School. From there, he moved on to Pasadena Community College before Cal State Long Beach, and finally graduating from Claremont Graduate University in 2005.

It was at his grad show that Dahlberg got his big break as an artist. According to Dahlberg, the top art schools in Southern California put on a group show of their graduating students to provide them and their work exposure. Gallery directors and critics from all

over attend the show to see the new up and coming artists. Shortly after the show, Dahlberg received a call from the director of Western Project Gallery.

“I remember going to this gallery in graduate school,” Dahlberg said.

“We took a field trip and I knew the names. Ed Ruscha was on the wall and Wendell Gladstone. I was familiar with a lot of the work so I

respected this gallery.”

A year later, Dahlberg was represented by Western Project Gallery, and his solo show at the gallery is the big moment of his career according to Dahlberg. Dahlberg was featured in the recent faculty art exhibit at Pierce. On his website, he describes his work as “moments that embody solitude--not loneliness or unwanted

isolation--but the possibility of a unique and personal event that sticks in the memory and is worthy of visual preservation. The images are intimate, like quiet flashbacks. They are soft and often monochromatic vignettes that depict familiar, fleeting, ordinary moments filled with extraordinary possibility.”

His most recent body of work is largely nature based. Tree branches,

grass fields and leaves cover his canvas.

“There’s kind of a romantic quality to it,” Dahlberg said. “Some of the images are a little more mundane than others, like the leaf images. If you really think about they [leaves] are one of the most mundane things. It’s on the ground. But it’s also rooted in nature and romanticism which I like. It’s totally

mundane, but then romantic at the same time.”

Dahlberg is in his second year as a full-time instructor at Pierce and has been teaching at the college level since 2006. According to Dahlberg, it was an easy decision for him. If he wasn’t going to be making money making art, he still wanted to create and be around art, so teaching “was the best case scenario as far as real jobs go.”

“I just wanted to be around artists,” Dahlberg said. “I really just wanted to make sure I kept making art after school. Being around other artists is a lot of fun, and it’s a lot of fun to watch people grow and change. I know I learned a lot in school, technically and conceptually, and it was thrilling. So it was the logical place to be.”

Dahlberg has taught at universities and high schools, but prefers the diversity of students that a community college offers.

“You get people that are really good at drawing and people that have never picked up a pencil and thought about making a decent drawing,” Dahlberg said. “People that are taking it because they have to for an elective, and people that are taking it because eventually they want to get a Master’s in art.”

If you ask Dahlberg about his work situation, he’ll tell you he “has no complaints,” and his students feel the same about him.

“He’s a great instructor,” student Landon Nichols said. “He knows exactly what he’s talking about. He knows how to teach.”

Fellow student Dionna Henley agrees with Nichols.

“He’s really artistic,” Henley said. “He’s a good guy, funny.”

Beneath the tradition and the culture

Archaeologist studies the lands of the Oaxaca valley

he works on in Mexico. Which is not only a great way of being engaged in the field of archeology but will offer great opportunities for students who are interested in learning how to do archeology.”

Through archeology, the secrets of lost civilizations are revealed, and what was once unknown can now be explored. Archeologist, Ronald “Sonny” Faulseit, has a drive to discover what once was, and now is.

Faulseit, instructor of anthropology and geographical sciences, enjoys going out on the field, learning about ancient society, and experiencing other cultures and their traditions. His passion for archeology is what drove him to become an instructor. However, Faulseit did not begin his work in archeology until the year of 2000.

Faulseit has taught at other universities before instructing at Pierce. He has taught at DePaul University in Chicago, Southern Illinois University, and Tulane University in New Orleans.

It was difficult for Faulseit to settle down the first couple weeks of the semester when arriving from Chicago, but now that he is settled in, he is enjoying more of the campus and its atmosphere.

Erin Hayes, assistant professor of anthropology, believes that Faulseit is a really active and enthusiastic individual, and the department is excited to have him on their team.

“He’s awesome. He’s a hardworking guy that’s committed to archeology,” Hayes said.

Faulseit is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Field Museum in Chicago, and specializes in the archaeology of the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico. He first began his venture as a chemist, working in an oil company outside of Chicago, and he later decided to go back to school and achieve his PhD as an archeologist.

Hayes said that Faulseit’s expertise in Mexico brings a global perspective of archeology to their department.

“We are a four field program that includes each of the subspecialties in anthropology, and archeology is one of them,” Hayes said. “He is a practicing archaeologist and has a field sight that

Faulseit was also part of the military for a total of 17 years. He served in the United States Marines for two years, and another 15 in the Army National Guard.

Faulseit recently finished a project on Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl in 2015.

Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl is a town in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico, where his project was founded. Faulseit has always been intrigued by ancient astronomy, but it was not until he was sent to Afghanistan for a year where he had to be an advisor, for the Afghan National Army’s Nation building, where he became aware of how nations collapse.

“I wanted to do my research on resilience and with the Oaxaca Valley, and the particular town I worked in, has been occupied for 700b.c. and through all kinds of changes,” Faulseit said. “The Aztec invaded, globalization, the Mexican War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution occurred. All these political changes happening and yet the community that I work in shows a lot of continuity from 700b.c. to today. So I wanted to look at what was the cultural reasons behind this.”

According to Faulseit, The Field Museum in Chicago has over 60 million objects in its collection and 3 million in anthropology.

“One thing that was really fun about working in the Field Museum was that there were biologist, zoologist, geologist, dinosaur hunters, and this whole group of different people that were there all the time,” Faulseit said. “There was all this great material that I was learning about constantly that wasn’t part of my field. We also had great exhibits from my field and we had a large group of objects I got to study, which came out from the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico.”

During the Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl project, Faulseit’s task was to compare archeological sites with

modern day sites. Nevertheless, he got the full experience through the community when he decided to travel to their hometown.

Faulseit first traveled to the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico in 2002 and was taught their archaeological significance. He then continued his trips to their town for another 13 years. Last year, is when Faulseit decided to stay in Dainzú-Macuilxóchitl for almost all of 2015 before he got to Pierce College.

“For instance, the layout of houses is a communal effort. Though this is beginning to change from globalization,” Faulseit said. “But traditional Zapotec houses had a set of rules that they had to go by. They all look the same going from way back and this because they’re community projects. I see this in ancient houses that have excavated that have the same layout. So there’s this real continuity and sort of tradition going way back.”

Faulseit personally believes that the traditions in the Zapotec community in which he resided was the most interesting experience in his work. He was able to participate in their traditions and cultural dances. During his time spent in Mexico Faulseit also learned the term “cargo” which is a Spanish word for burden.

The community in where Faulseit worked explained to him the different positions and roles each had to partake in daily since their town does not pay financial taxes.

Faulseit explains that in addition to their cargo, every member of the community has to participate in the religious festivals.

“They are autonomous communities. They govern themselves and they use what is called Usos y Costumbres,” Faulseit said. “They governed me and that’s the way it should be. I was living in their community so I followed their rules.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

Taylor Arthur/ Roundup

Dr. Ronald Faulseit , archeology professor, sits in the offices above the old library with a variety of artifacts from the Pierce College archeology lab on Oct. 24, 20 16 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Taylor Arthur/ Roundup

Justin Dahlberg explains perspective in a fine arts building classroom on Oct. 25, 2016 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Music of the night

In an empty hallway, sound spills from the practice rooms in the music buildings where Professor Wendy Mason’s evening Honors Music class meets.

These special rooms are relatively sound proof to ensure that students have privacy so they may focus in a quiet space.

Each room, filled with musicians who are divided by the instruments that they play, practice together to fine tune individual parts of a whole piece.

In addition to continuing students, members of the community who have an advanced understanding of their instruments, take the class to strengthen themselves and help the less experienced.

By the end of the night the individual groups come together as an orchestra, conducted by Mason, and perform scores like, “Hairspray.”

Top Middle: Professor Wendy Mason conducts her Honors Music class in the band room at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2016. After her students have warmed up and practiced in small groups the whole band plays together until the end of class.

Below: Maudi Cameron’s piccolo lays in its case near her feet while she plays flute during her Honors Music class in the practicing rooms at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2016.

Photos and Copy by Taylor Arthur

Above Right: Maudi Cameron, music education major, plays her flute in a small practice secession during her Honors Music class on Oct. 24, 2016 in the practicing rooms at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Botom Left: Zeid-Amarin, theater major, plays percussion during his Honors Music class on Oct. 24, 2016 in the band room at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Soccer

Brahma of the Week

Leslie RamirezFreshman

Leslie Ramirez in the game against West LA on Friday scored two goals to help her team win 4-0.

Who inspired you to play soccer?

“My dad did. When we were little, he took my sisters and I out of Cleveland High School where we joined the guys team. Ever since I just loved the sport and wanted to be good at it.”

How do you feel about scoring two goals on Friday?

“It was unbelievable. As a team we had the chance to regroup in the second half, and

that really helped us. I mean the atmosphere, location, and everything about being under the Friday night lights. Once we scored it just filled us with more fire to get another one.”

How did you feel about the team getting the win?

“This team has come such a long way. After each game we learn more about what we lack and what we need to improve on. Knowing that we are all coming together, working hard for one another and getting the results we want is amazing.”

Are there professional soccer players you look up to?

“I look up to players like Ronaldinho Gaucho, Lionel Messi, Pele, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez.”

Where do you see the team going for the remainder of the season?

“We are going all the way. We are getting that trophy and bringing it home.”

Brahmas put the squeeze on Citrus

High

energy and strong defense fuel an impressive 3-set win

MONICA VILLACORTA Reporter @MVillacorta48

The women’s volleyball team remained consistent as its high energy and strong defense led to a league win against Citrus College at home.

The number four nationally ranked Brahmas won its thirdstraight, winning in three sets, 3-0, Friday Oct. 21.

“We played a good defensive team,” coach Nabil Mardini said. “They dug a lot of balls but we kept our composure. We kept transitioning hard. They did a good job behind the shortest line. Our defense was a lot better that’s for sure.”

In the beginning of the first set, oppositional hitter Shanon Volpis was injured. It appeared to have been a knee injury that put her out the rest of the game.

“If it’s a sprain, I’m hoping two weeks will be good. We can survive without her right now until the playoffs,” Mardini said. “We will deal with it; hopefully she will be okay.”

The Brahmas rallied through after the incident and won the first set, 25-19.

The game became more intense during the second set with fast balls coming at Citrus from Pierce. Mardini received a yellow card after complaining to the refs about two carries that Pierce had committed.

Peyton Moyles, setter, said being the same during practice and at a game is important for the success of the team.

it to the state championships.

“Conference just started and we have playoffs [at the] end of November. So they’re coming up, but conference is still going.

I’m excited we have a really really good chance this year to take that all the way and win state and I full heartedly believe that we will,” Moyles said.

“We’re a good team we have a lot of talent. I just think we need to be a good mentally tough team if we do that I think we can be unstoppable.

In the meantime the team has some things that can always be improved on like the serving and serve receive said Whitley Doss, opposite hitter.

SCHEDULE

Oct. 26 to Nov. 2

Water Polo

Saturday, Oct. 29 Santa Barbara Tournament vs. Hancock 9 a.m. vs. Santa Barbara 12:45 p.m. Soccer

Friday, Oct. 28 vs. Santa Monica 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 1 vs. Glendale 4 p.m.

Football

Saturday, Oct. 29 @ Hancock 2 p.m.

Womenʼs Volleyball

Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ Victor Valley 6 p.m. Friday, Oct 28 vs. Glendale 6 p.m.

“For us it’s always about keeping consistent energy on and off the court. Sometimes we struggle at letting it off a little bit or putting it back on, but almost our whole entire match we were consistent and stayed on it and I don’t think the team was able to hang with us. So we were able to capitalize,” Moyles said.

The team played offense well against a strong defense by Citrus

According to Mardini, this was their second match in the Western State Conference and they have six left before making

“It’s good, but I think it’s a little inconsistent and I think if we also get our offense down to where it needs to be I think we’ll be unstoppable with the hitters that we have and the arms that we have,” Doss said. “So those two things, as well as our team camaraderies sometimes.

It’s there and sometimes it’s not and I think if we have that togetherness at all times I think that is going to win us it all.”

The next game is on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at Victor Valley College.

Their overall record is 20-3 and in the conference they are currently undefeated.

The team is also second in the state ranking.

mvillacorta.roundupnews@gmail.com

State champion heading overseas Assistant coach plans on furthering her career in Europe

ALMA LOPEZ Reporter @alopezz2

She wakes up and comes to work where she brings her skills as a mentor for the women’s volleyball team. She’s known for leading Pierce’s undefeated team in 2011 with an overall record of 66 and zero.

Danetta Boykin, the assistant coach for women’s volleyball team, plans on furthering her love for the game by competing internationally in Europe next year.

This is only the beginning for Boykin’s career, she joined Bring it Promotions (BIP), a volleyball agency specializing in international tours and career development, where she will be traveling for 14 days to compete in different neighboring countries.

In the event she gets chosen, she will continue to play for an international team for the next five months after.

“I know I can get picked. I believe in myself. I’ve been working out and staying in shape,” Boykin said. “As soon as this season’s over, I’m going to the gym.”

It can be difficult to stay dedicated to the game, but her love for it and her supporters have helped her through the journey.

“Trying to stay playing is hard,” Boykin said. “But I love when you get the team together. I love celebrating with the team when a teammate gets

a really good kill we just want to be like f- yeah! I can’t curse, but when I get a kill, blocking, dominating the other team, I love it. “

After attending Pierce, Boykin continued her education at Cal. State Northridge where she continued playing and received a bachelor’s degree in communications.

After complications with the NCAA, Boykin had to stop playing in the middle of the season at CSUN. However, that didn’t stop her from pursuing her education.

According to Nabil Mardini, coach of the women’s volleyball team, having somebody who went through the system and played for him is a big plus.

“It’s a big plus to have somebody who played for you on staff, because they can be an extended arm or voice.

Coming from her it’s a lot different than coming from me. She played not too long ago, so they can relate to her a little better,” Mardini said. “She’s very talented no questions about it, says a lot about her as a leader, the high character that she has.”

Although Boykin has mentors and supporters of her own, she’s a big voice and inspiration to girls on the team.

“A few girls come to me, I have close relationships with them. I help them keep their mindset for the next level. This is a program, we want to win, but don’t lose focus of your grades,” Boykin said.

Mitch’s Pitches

Let me pitch you something: People —coaches, referees and sport organizations —should lighten up on players and not scrutinize them for showcasing their emotions.

This NFL season I have seen more ludicrous fines and penalties for celebrations than I have ever seen before.

to compete. She’s a crazy athlete,” Izquierdo said. “When she played here for two years she didn’t lose a single match, so she’s definitely someone I look up to.”

Win or lose, Boykin keeps her head up during and after a game. When inspiration is needed she turns to Dory, from “Finding Nemo,” and her mantra, ‘Just keep swimming’, instead she tells herself, ‘just keep going, just keep going.’

“I treat every point the same. Obviously when you lose you’re disappointed, but if we are fortunate to play them again then we know what they’re going to do,” Boykin said. “But if we lose, then I just look at it like you know what they outworked me, I just got beat, I didn’t lose, I just got beat. The following week you just go hard.”

If Boykin’s not coaching or hitting the ball over the net, she has an obsession for shopping and makeup. An afternoon stroll to the nail salon is her ideal day.

Eating healthy and having a nutritional diet is a must for Boykin, although her love for carbs can make her have more than one cheat day a month.

“For volleyball, we need to stay hydrated and eat right. We’re all out for cheat days! It’s how disciplined you are, although I’ve cheated a few times,” Boykin added.

The NFL (aka the “No Fun League”) recently fined New York Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. $24,309 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for —wait for it — removing his helmet after scoring a game winning touchdown last week. Meanwhile, a week earlier, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox, was only fined $9,115 for a late hit on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Call me crazy, but I think potentially injuring the most protected player on the field is worth a heavier fine than just removing your helmet in celebration?

Speaking of Odell, he has been been criticized tremendously for showcasing his emotions on the field. Between hitting a kicking net, hugging a kicking net, sleeping under a kicking net, proposing (yes, as in marriage) to a kicking net, crying after a loss and some unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. His critics have labeled him a “diva,” “attention-seeker,” “distraction,” but he is actually a beacon of fire that ignites his teammates by his undoubtable passion for the game, such is the case for all emotional players.

As a fan, I would much rather see my teams players exerting their emotions, rather than standing lifelessly in utter daze.

Players have the ability to fire up a fan base, and when people criticize and try to prevent players from being themselves on the field, it is taking away from the ultimate purpose of why players got into the sport, and that is to have fun.

Let the players, twerk, dance, shake and sizzle when they score, as long as it harbors no malicious intent.

Julia Izquierdo, a player on the team, expressed her admiration for Boykin and is glad to have someone like her on staff.

“She’s an ultimate committer, everything she does she just wants

Interview by : Felipe Gamino

Photo by : Jordan Nathan

Calvin Alagot / Roundup

Megan Weaver and Hayley Alvarez go for a block against Citrus College on Friday, Oct. 21 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Ezzat Wanas / Roundup

Danetta Boykin, assistant coach for the womenʼs volleyball team, stands in front of a display that showcases the awards the volleyball team have received through the years in the South Gym on Oct. 12. Boykin is a former student and was inducted into the Pierce College Athletic Hall of Fame this year.

“For us it’s always about keeping consistent energy on and off the court.”

-Peyton Moyles Setter

When there's a Will, there's a way

Soccer coach passes on his game day experience

MONICA VILLACORTA Reporter @MVillacorta48

Soccer is more than just a sport. For some, it guides their lives.

Women’s soccer assistant coach, William Diaz, 38, has played the sport his entire life and turned it into his career.

Diaz grew up in South Central LA and took the bus to the San Fernando Valley to go to Reseda High School.

“I had no choice,” Diaz said. “The schools in LA were overcrowded and at that time they started to bus inner city kids to the Valley. It was a state program.”

After school, Diaz had soccer practice, which led to multiple bus rides in areas that he said were unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

“My club team trained out here, so I would wake up at six in the morning to go to the bus stop and go to school at Reseda,” Diaz said. “Then when we got out I would get a bus to Northridge, then to Ventura, take the bus all the way to LA, and then I would have to walk a certain amount of blocks in neighborhoods that are not the friendliest.”

Diaz is the eldest of three siblings and made a reputation for himself at Reseda before his brother began there. His achievements have been recognized and noted in the local news several times.

“I had the record for most goals in one year with 36, but I heard it's been broken since I left. I left with the all-time [highest] leading score for Reseda High School. I was a two-time first team in the Los Angeles Times, two-time first team all in the Daily News. I was first team all conference three years in a row, I was all CIF,”

Diaz said. “My brother went to Reseda and it was tougher for him just because I left with a lot of accolades, you know? I was pretty well known there.”

Diaz received several scholarship offers for college, but ultimately decided to go to California State University, Northridge and continued playing soccer there. By his senior year, Diaz was coaching an all-girlsunder-12 club team called Valley United.

After going overseas for tryouts in the professional soccer world, Diaz took on coaching club teams and eventually coached at CSUN. Diaz came to help coach at Pierce in 2001 when the women's soccer program first started. He then came back in 2013 as assistant coach.

“In 2012, I was helping out at Northridge with the women’s program and we made the NCAA playoffs, but then Adolfo said he had an opportunity at Pierce to come and help him out, so I decided to come to Pierce,” Diaz said. “He’s known me since I was younger when I was playing club out here in the valley back in the early 90s.”

Women’s soccer coach, Adolfo Perez, has been at Pierce for 16 years. He considers Diaz to be a valuable asset to the coaching staff.

“He helps me with everything, mostly on the technical part. He warms the girls up, he stretches them, he does drills, he does the first part of practice,” Perez said.

“He’s a good teacher of the game. He knows the game. I have a lot of faith in him. I trust him.”

Diaz was nicknamed “Willie” by the coaching staff and the players on the team. He has made connections with players that help them improve their soccer skills.

“Willie pushes us to do our best. He’s hard on us which makes us

better; he’s the tough coach,” said sociology major Nani Reese, a firstyear student at Pierce and member of the women’s soccer team. “You can go talk to Willie if you need to; he knows his players well.”

The women’s soccer team at Pierce is ranked ten in the Western State Conference. They have won two out of the last three conferences.

“I’m not saying I’m a part of it, but I’m saying Adolfo has given me the opportunity to share in his success,” Diaz said. “It’s a privilege and an honor to work for Adolfo Perez, he’s the big boss hall-of-famer.”

Diaz is also a big part of the recruiting process and goes to many high school games in search of talent for the school’s soccer team.

“You try and sell them on the program and on our school,” Diaz

said. “This is the place they’re going to be to help them transition to their ultimate destination before a four-year school.” Diaz still takes on club teams and is currently the head coach for Total Futbol Academy, an all-boys team located in East LA.

“Right now I currently have the number one team in the nation for 2006, meaning that [the players] are kids that were born in 2006,” Diaz said. “Then I have the best 2005 age bracket; they’re in the top five in the nation. And I have one of the best 2004 teams.”

Soccer has taken Diaz around the world to countries like France, Italy and Spain. He will be taking his club teams to Barcelona this March to compete in a tournament called the MIC Cup.

“Soccer has taken me everywhere, and it’s a beautiful journey,” Diaz said. “I was lucky

that my parents allowed me to play and do the things that I did.”

Diaz is now a parent to Brooklyn Di Matteo Diaz, who will be four this November. His son is already kicking the ball around, but Diaz said he doesn’t plan to force soccer on his son like it was forced on him.

Diaz managed to use soccer as a way out of the rough neighborhood he grew up in. When he was settled enough in the San Fernando Valley, he brought his younger brother who was still in high school to live with him.

“When I was a senior in college my brother would live with me, I’d take him to school, pick him up and go to work,” Diaz remembers. “There are always struggles. There are trials and tribulations in every journey, but mine were a little different from normal people’s.”

Growing up where Diaz did was sometimes life-threatening because of the criminal activity in South Central at the time.

“There are a lot of shootings at night. There is a lot of gang activity in your neighborhoods when you’re living in that world,” Diaz said. “Sports got me out of trouble and got me to stay away from trouble. I’ve encountered a lot in my lifetime.”

Soccer has taken over Diaz’s life and he has no complaints. It’s what he knows and what he’s always loved.

“I have a lot of passion for the game,” Diaz said. “It’s something that runs through my veins and something that has been passed down. It was my destiny, and I’m just happy to be going through the journey of my soccer life.”

Taylor Arthur / Roundup

Alexis Lopez (left) and Alejandra Carvajal (right) pose with assistant coach Willie Diaz on the soccer field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 24, 2016.