Volume 127 Fall 2017 Roundup Issue 13

Fire evacs find stable ground

Equestrian Center accepting animals; ranch owner reports losing 44 of 50 horses

SAMANTHA BRAVO Editor-in-Chief & NATALIE MIRANDA Reporter

Owners found safety for their horses and large animals in the Pierce College Equestrian Center evacuation zone, escaping danger from the fire that broke out in Sylmar at 4 a.m. on Dec. 5.

A brush fire, dubbed the Creek Fire, prompted mandatory evacuations for people and animals alike.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department released a statement on twitter, letting residents affected by the fire know where they could evacuate their animals. One location they recommended was at Pierce College.

The Equestrian Center is a temporary boarding facility for evacuated animals in mandatory evacuation zones. The Los Angeles County Animal Control officers and emergency response team’s focus was to board large animals such as horses and donkeys.

Animal Control officer Nelson Gonzalez said that the Hansen Dam evacuation location has closed, and residents are being re-routed

to Pierce College’s Equestrian Center.

Maximum capacity holds about 120 animals, and there are 62 horses currently boarded at the facility.

Pierce College Senior Agricultural Technician Marci

Sakapjian works at the Equestrian Center and helped owners who brought animals in for evacuation.

“The facility is almost full,”

Sakapjian said. “It happened within an hour. They could take them back to Burbank, but if they’re in crisis, we never send them away.”

Sakapjian said a farm owner lost some of her horses due to the brush fire.

"Out of 50 horses, six made it out,” Sakapjian said. “It was really dry, all the dry causes fire. Luckily for Pierce College, we work with the county and animal control, and we have specific protocols and use specific equipment.”

Sakapjian said some owners don’t want to leave their horses behind, so they are writing their numbers on their horses and letting them go. Sakapjian said they don’t have trailers to bring them down.

Sakapjian said the Equestrian Center is still accepting large or small animals, but they are almost occupied.

[see evacuation on pg. 7]

Consequences of free speech suit

Pierce makes national news, loses donations for French program

VANESSA ARREDONDO Copy Editor @V_anana

No trial date or settlement has been determined for Shaw v. Burke et.al., however that hasn't prevented repercussions for Pierce College. A preliminary hearing for the lawsuit filed by Pierce student Kevin Shaw, which states that the Free Speech Area is too small and the policies enforced are “arbitrary,” was cancelled. Whether the lawsuit goes to trial will be determined based on the legal briefs.

Kraus sits in his office in the Administration Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. Kraus came to Pierce in 1971 as a student, but also started working full time in the bookstore.

Forty and all its glory

Vice President Larry Kraus will retire at the end of the 2017 fall semester

SAMANTHA BRAVO

Editor-in-Chief

@sammybravo93

During four decades at Pierce College change has been dramatic.

Associate Vice President Larry

Kraus has seen much of it unfold from the decline of grand farm events to the rise of new buildings and eye-catching gardens. But any future transformations will be missed by Kraus who will retire at the end of fall semester.

“I don’t want to say bye, it’s been marvelous time, it’s been an amazing experience, most people today move from job to job but, I’m almost like a potted plant,” Kraus said. “I kind of just plotted here, and I enjoyed it immensely. Doing the best I can to help the students and faculty and staff.”

Kraus said that at 18, he worked as a district manager for the Los Angeles bookstore,

Waldenbooks. He then returned to Pierce to work at the college as an assistant manager at the student bookstore, between 1981 and 1982 then became the store manager.

“I’ve been here since 1971, but I was here as a student. I was employed as a cadet in the Sheriff's Department,” Kraus said. “After high school, I came to Pierce, and got a job as a cadet. I ran around as a cadet for a couple of years, then went in the Air Force reserve from 1974 to 1975.”

Other than working full time, Kraus was also taking classes at Pierce. Kraus received his associate’s, bachelor's and master's in business administrative.

Pierce College President Kathleen Burke said in an email that Kraus was their go-to person for special projects because he knows the college’s history.

“Mr. Kraus has provided

dedicated and loyal service to Los Angeles Pierce College for over four decades,” Burke said. “He is woven into the fabric of what Pierce College is and what it will be for the foreseeable future. While we will miss Larry’s expertise and tireless work ethic, we wish both he and his family the best as Larry transitions to this new phase of his life.”

Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher has known Kraus since he started in 2012 and said it was a pleasure working with Kraus for the past few years.

“He really loves the college.

I think it’s in his DNA now,” Schleicher said. “He’s been here a long time; he grew up with the college.”

Schleicher said he’s fascinated with Kraus’s knowledge and historical perspective.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

However, Pierce dealt with consequences and media attention regarding the freedom of speech case.

Pierce has gained national attention due to the lawsuit. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions mentioned the college by name during his speech about the First Amendment at Georgetown University.

In late October, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest supporting Shaw. Sessions states that the DOJ strives to protect Freedom of Speech on college campuses.

The suit has also caused the Dennis and Anne Beaver Foundation to revoke the funding it provided to Pierce and LACCD students in the French programs.

Dennis Beaver, a Bakersfieldbased attorney, said the foundation has been sending students to study abroad for more than 20 years, and

for the last ten years, has sent Los Angeles Valley College and CSUN students to France.

He was hoping to extend the study abroad program in Paris to include a Pierce student, but after learning about the lawsuit, the foundation has decided to pause its funding to all of LACCD.

“What the administration of Pierce and the college district is doing is clearly unconstitutional,” Beaver said. “It does anything, but encourage free speech. It is arbitrary. It allows faculty to decide who can talk and what they can say. This is galling. He was handing out copies of the Constitution for God’s sake.”

[See free speech on pg. 3]

Fall 2017 final's schedule

Samantha Bravo/ Roundup

Horse owners bring their animals to the Equestrian Center for evacuation due to fires in the San Fernando Valley.

Deivid Beytayoub/ Roundup Larry

Curriculum in need of a makeover

The beauty industry is continuously growing in popularity.

Careers in cosmetology are high in demand and are considered to be everlasting.

Pierce should open a cosmetology program on campus to help students within our community pursue their dreams in the beauty world.

Cosmetology is the study of beauty treatment that includes hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures and hair removal.

According to an article called “Beauty Industry Analysis 2017Cost & Trends” on franchisehelp. com, the beauty industry has been known to be resistant during economic downturns, even during the 2008 economic crisis.

It says that in 2015, the industry generated $56.2 billion in the US.

This article also states that there are nearly one million people employed in this field, and growth is expected to increase 10 percent by 2024 in jobs for barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, manicurists and pedicurists.

Social media has become a heavy influencer in the beauty industry.

There are beauty gurus with millions of followers on Instagram and other social media platforms who inspire others to follow a profession in cosmetology.

The beauty industry has also crossed genders recently, to where both men and women use cosmetics. This is also a large factor to the rise in its popularity.

Students interested in cosmetology can also build a business in it if they desire to.

There are a lot of beauty gurus who have become entrepreneurs using the skills and knowledge they have obtained.

According to an article on Forbes, there are at least 40 beauty startups today founded by women, making the $445 billion industry one of the most popular places for women to start their way to success.

If you would like

Pierce already offers business courses for students, if a cosmetology program was available as well, students who wish to startup a business in beauty

DANIELA TORRES Campus Life Editor @DT_1129

There’s always that one test that students completely bomb each semester.

Even the best student in the class might earn a not-so-great grade on one of their exams.

It happens, whether it be due to not studying, or the test being really difficult.

Every instructor should be required to drop a student’s lowest test grade. College is tough, and at times, it can get hard to balance social life and academics. Life happens, so please cut us some slack.

Dropping a student’s lowest test score makes it possible for them to still do well in the course. Also, dropping a student’s lowest grade means that instructors have to deal with less make-up exams. I’m assuming that this would be a good thing for instructors.

If a student can still pass the class with an A or B after having their lowest test score dropped, then this shows that they still put effort into the course. Their lowest grade should not define their capability.

Some courses are also extremely

can learn all the skills needed here on campus.

People always want to look and feel their best.

Cosmetology helps people

do just that. Just like we will always need mechanics, plumbers and electricians, we need cosmetologists. A cosmetology program is

-Maximilan

needed at Pierce. It is a non-perishable field with a vast amount of opportunities.

difficult, and are considered to be “high-risk” because student D and F rates and withdrawals exceed 30 percent, according to an article on duq.edu.

For courses like this, it is crucial for students to have their lowest grade dropped.

Every little bit of help in such a tough course can save a student’s final grade.

There are students who get nervous and completely blank out while taking an exam, no matter how hard they studied.

They should not have to earn a fail because of this.

Most students are also adults who have a load of responsibilities to deal with. College just adds to the list of things you have to take care of.

Sometimes, it is just too much to juggle, and we forget to study, or simply don’t have the time.

Professors, who were also previously students, should know what it’s like to have to balance your priorities.

They can relate to our everyday problems.

So please, drop our lowest test score. You can really save a life, or a grade.

dtorres.roundupnews@gmail.com

JESSICA VAUGHAN Reporter @JVaughanRoundup

Many students breathe a sigh of relief when their teacher tells them that their lowest test score(s) will be dropped. However, this may not be the best idea for teachers to do.

The percentage of tests and quizzes in comparison to an overall grade is adjusted by a teacher to match their agendas. It may not even be beneficial for students to have their lowest scores dropped. Unless each test or quiz is worth the same amount of total points, it may be tricky to calculate the best option for a student.

If a student gets a bad grade on a test, it should be the student’s responsibility to figure out how they can improve their score next time and not be given a crutch.

Students should be making every effort to study for any test or quiz. While schools mostly offer a wide variety of tutoring, there are plenty of apps and online programs that offer tutoring and ways to study.

This idea gives students an opportunity to not put in their best effort. By informing students that their lowest test score(s) will be dropped, they know that they

Cartoonist:

have some room to slack off or not prepare or study as hard. Some students may just not show up for a test or quiz anticipating the zero to be dropped. This does not promote good work ethic. Students should be encouraged to show up for every class and lecture and to take every test or quiz seriously. By dropping low test scores, teachers are not supporting good work habits.

Students will not learn to improve their grades if their bad ones are just disregarded.

There is a responsibility factor that comes along with getting a bad grade. Earning and keeping a low grade on a test or quiz lets the student reflect on the mistakes that were made, force them to seek help they might need, and work harder to improve their next experience.

The world has high expectations for people. When people move on from school and get a job, poor performance will likely not be disregarded.

Teachers should not drop the lowest test score for students. Students should be held accountable for every grade they get, be expected to learn from that and work harder to improve.

jvaughan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Pierce College Roundup position is presented only in the editorials. Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup.

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.

"Ilistentomusicandjust screammylungsout."

-Clara Mae Tabuldan, 23, Nursing

“Irelaxbygoingtothe botanicalgardens.Ithas amixedcrowd,wideopen spaces,plentyofplants.It’s prettyquiettheremostofthe time.”

Peranteaux, 20, Animal Science

“Itryandjustnotthink aboutitthatmuch.Prepare as much as I can stand. Smokeweed.Laughter.”

-Jess Getter, 17, Music

Photo Illustration by Randi Love / Roundup

Remedial courses find new form

English Department supports student success, combines 28 and 101

ARIELLE ZOLEZZI Reporter @ArielleZolezzi

CSU Chancellor Timothy White issued an executive order in August to eliminate the school's placement exams and remedial courses for incoming freshman whose math and English skills may not meet college standards.

The order is expected to increase the rate of graduation from fouryear universities and increase the affordability of college, White said. But there is controversy if this will actually help students or leave them unprepared.

“The idea that students have to take courses that don’t count toward their degree, costs them money and costs them time. It really invites first-generation students to question whether or not they really belong in college,” said James Minor, a CSU senior strategist for academic success.

Pierce will not be getting rid of the remedial English classes, but will instead have students pass English 28 and English 101 in one semester.

Starting this spring, two English instructors, Mike Urquidez and Dustin Lehren, will be teaching the courses.

The course will start off as English 28 from Feb. 5 to April 1, then it will switch to English 101 for the remainder of the semester, which is April 2 to June 4 from 9:35 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

It will be twice as much work, but if students are willing to rise to the challenge they deserve the chance to knock out the units in a timely manner, Urquidez said.

“Pierce students come from many different backgrounds and many different challenges. One way to help overcome those challenges is by being more conscious of your time, because the longer you're here, the less likely you are to get out,” Lehren said.

azolezzi.roundupnews@gmail.com

[For the full story visit: theroundupnew.com]

CAL fresh on the horizon Pierce partners up with CSUN for student food program

NOAH GOLDBLOOM Reporter @noahgoldbloom

Calfresh is a new program looking to expand on what food stamps can do for students at pierce.

Financial Aid Director Anafe

Robinson is heading the project on campus. Robinson said that CalFresh is a rebranding of food stamps. The program started at the California State Universities after a study that was done.

“Based on that study they found that a lot of students at the CSUs are food insecure,” Robinson said.

The Pierce College program for CalFresh is partnering with California State University Northridge to start the program.

Robinson said that this is partly due to CSUN being a school that many Pierce students transfer to.

“If a student is eligible for

CalFresh here then when they transfer to CSUN they can already connect to the CalFresh program there,” Robinson said.

The CalFresh program will be more than just food stamps though. Anafe is looking to expand the program into having a food pantry on campus. Anafe said that there is Students Against Student Hunger, a food pantry club on campus, she is looking to make an expanded one.

“We have secured a location. We will stock it and staff it,” Robinson said.

Robinson said that StASH is still a good resource on campus for students and the CalFresh program

“Maybe StASH can help us secure food through donations, and we are securing funds to stock the pantry.” Robinson said.

CalFresh is new on campus and this has brought a challenge of getting the word out. Anafe said that two CSUN interns are helping with setting up the program and helping

Brief: Pay back financial aid

Propsed bill would make students repay Pell Grant money

VANESSA ARREDONDO

Copy Editor @ V_anana

Republican senators introduced a bill that will “encourage” Pell Grant recipients to graduate within six years.

The Pell for Performance Act is proposing that students who fail to graduate in six years repay back the Pell Grants, with interest accumulating from the first award letter. Should this bill made into law, it would affect all levels of postsecondary education, including community colleges.

According to Stanislav Levin, a research analyst for the LACCD Office of Institutional Research and Information, community colleges serves as an entry point into higher education for economically disadvantaged students, and the Federal Pell Grant serves a major role.

‘The Federal Pell Grant program is one of the critical mechanisms enabling students to substantially reduce their work burden, persevere in college, obtain a two year degree or transfer to a four-year institution,” Levin said in a report.

Beaver said that the program is not ending, but it is on hold. Should the district change it’s stance, the funding will resume.

“I don’t have a lot of respect for school administrators who act in such an arbitrary, clearly unconstitutional and clearly illegal manner,” Beaver said. “You think that you would have college campus of over 400 acres and a free speech zone the size of two or

Pell Grants are need-based financial aid rewards given to qualifying students, usually lowincome, to subsidize the cost of college each semester. These grants are not loans and do not need to be paid, whether a degree is completed or not.

Statistics show that about 36 percent of Pell Grant recipients are not graduating. These rates have caused concerns for opponents of the grant, who are pushing to amend the program. According to the Hechinger Report, analysis of 32 of the largest private and 50 of the largest public universities revealed that more than a third of Pell Grant recipients hadn’t earned a degree after six years.

A large percentage of Pell Grant recipients are non-traditional students in community colleges and trade schools, who are usually in those institutions to reduce the cost of an expensive education.

According to NPR, these students make up almost half of Pell Grant recipients, but only 3 percent earn a bachelor's degree.

Pell Grants are capped at $5,920 a semester. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the maximum Pell Grant award covers

three paces. It’s crazy to have it in the first place.”

On campus, faculty and staff were told by undisclosed persons to not discuss the lawsuit. Yeprem Davoodian, an assistant professor of communications, said that students and faculty should be able to express their opinions on campus.

“First Amendment rights are federally protected for faculty, students and the general public, for

about 30 percent of a four-year tuition, but on average, students don't receive the maximum award of $3,700, and are unable to pay tuition and fees.

“Access to financial aid is considered to be essential to the student academic success and educational goal attainment in a two-year institution,” Levin said in the report. “Absent an adequate financial aid award, many low- and middle-income college students will face certain barriers to college education, having to work significant number of hours to cover the costs of their education and living expenses as well as to fully meet their family obligations.”

Republican senators say that this bill will offer a reprieve to taxpayers, who have paid $400 billion to fund the Pell Grant program since 2000, and are now spending more than $30 million a year to continue to fund the program, according to TIME.

The Act exempts current recipients, students who are on active military duty or who experience illness, injury or the death of a relative.

varredondo.roundupnews@gmail.com

all civilians, and should be upheld on campus,” Davoodian said in a Roundup multimedia interview. “Free speech zones have been established because of incidents that may have caused a disturbance. But for free speech, you should be able to voice your opinion as long as it does not cause a disturbance.”

varredondo.roundupnews@gmail.com

students get into the program.

“They are usually up and down the mall talking to students,” Anafe said. “They help me with the outreach for the CalFresh program.”

For the moment students who are interested in the CalFresh program need to be taking at least six units to apply to CalFresh. Robinson said that students will be able to get up to 250 dollars a week for food if they are fully eligible to join.

CalFresh is still and expanding program. Anafe said that for contact information on more there is a website for students to visit, but the best to contact through the email that has been set up.

Associated Student Organization president Efren Lopez is looking forward to what CalFresh will bring for the students at Pierce College.

Lopez said that the school being so diligent in pushing CalFresh forward is a good sign for the students in need.

“When you make it transparent

for students, when they meet the needs, its nice to know that this specific program school is showcasing for the students here,”

Lopez said.

Lopez is not the only person on campus that is looking forward to what CalFresh will bring to the campus. Students Against Student Hunger President Jordan Rice is looking forward to what CalFresh will bring to the students.

“I feel that it is a valuable asset on campus,” Rice said. “I would love to work with CalFresh.”

CalFresh has already been helping students. Rice said that he personally knows someone that has been helped by the program.

“CalFresh has literally helped my friend, so I have a lot of love for CalFresh,” Rice said.

For contact and more information please email calfresh@ piercecollege.edu.

Library Hours for Finals Week:

Sat. 12/09 & Sun 12/10: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Mon. 12/11 - Thurs. 12/ 14: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Friday 12/15: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat. 12/16: 10:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m.

Photo illustration by Titus Littlejohn and Brian Caldera

The photo illustration above depicts a student holding a variety of fruit and vegetables. CSUN and Pierce College are working together with Cal Fresh to help students with food insecurity.

If you witness a crime on campus or have any informatin report it to the sheriff's station.

Kathrina shares her ‘Voice’ Alumnus takes center stage while pursuing musical theater

ANNA CLARK Features Editor @AnnaClarkReport

In the Philippines, a little girl participated in singing competitions. When she moved to the United States in 2002 at 9, she continued to compete and used her winnings to support her family. Fast forward 15 years, and Kathrina Feigh is still competing, but now on national television.

Feigh, a 24-year-old Pierce alumni and a contestant on season 13 of the NBC singing competition show “The Voice,” lives in New York City, where she recently graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater.

Feigh, who was born in Manilla, began singing at 2, starting with the song, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.”

From a young age, her parents told her to not compare herself to others, but to do her best.

“I am very passionate about my work,” Feigh said. “My parents have a great deal of responsibility in engraving that on me from a young age, whether for school or for music, they’ve always pushed me to be the best that I can be.”

At 5, her mom asked her if she loved to sing, she replied, “Yes.”

“She put me through singing lessons, ballet lessons and piano lessons,” Feigh said. “I wouldn’t be here without my parents because they really were the ones that pushed me to go and support that music.”

Feigh said her love of singing continued when she moved to the United States, where her competitions meant more than just sharing her voice.

“We aren’t super financially stable, so that was a way of me helping out my family by winning competitions,” Feigh said.

Feigh was part of the Musical Theatre Department when she attended Pierce from 2011-2013.

Feigh comes from a family

that works in the medical field, and she said she planned to go to school to study pharmaceuticals, but changed her mind after she attended Pierce.

“When I got to Pierce, that’s when it [singing] really took off,” Feigh said. “I took a lot of classes in theater and that’s when I realized.”

Feigh said that Pierce was a beneficial part in furthering her

education.

“I know we [Pierce] have a great transfer rate, and what better way to seal the deal than in New York City and get that musical theater degree,” she said.

Feigh said that being a part of the Music and Theatre Departments at Pierce shaped her into who she is now.

“I owe it all to Denise Gibson and also Valorie Grear,” Feigh

said.

Performing Arts Department instructor Denise Gibson wrote Feigh’s college letter of recommendation, and said that she knew Feigh had a career ahead of her.

“Any student like that, when they ask for a letter of recommendation, I almost jump to do it because I know they are going to be successful,” Feigh said.

Gibson said that Feigh was always pleasant to work with, and her colleagues thought so, too.

“When you see something like that, you know that they are going to work well in group scenarios and in group casts and musicals,” Gibson said.

Gibson said that she thought Feigh would go into musical theater.

“She also has a really beautiful

singing voice,” Gibson said.

“I knew that would go far. She worked really hard as a dancer to become that triple threat.”

Valorie Grear, an instructor in the Theater Arts and Dance Department, said that Feigh took her acting class in fall 2011 and was one of the top students.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

English instructor uses creative writing to teach incarcerated Creative outlets for at-risk youth

JESSICA VAUGHAN Reporter @JVaughanRoundup

The arts are often used as an escape. English instructor Dustin Lehren found that incorporating literature in juvenile halls allowed atrisk youth a creative outlet.

Now he’s bringing that creativity to Pierce as a creative writing instructor.

Throughout his high school and community college experience, Lehren was not a fan of English classes and did not excel in them. It took one teacher in community college to show him the subject in a different light, making Lehren realize a latent passion.

Once he transferred to CSUN, he joined a film program that led him to discover that he really wanted to write and create films.

When he took a creative writing course at the university, there was a part of the curriculum that taught playwriting. Through this, he discovered his passion.

With the help of a professor at CSUN, a course was created that used playwriting to work with at-risk young men on probation. Lehren said his goal was to incorporate something he was passionate about to help others.

Lehren said his first job after attending CSUN was teaching playwriting in prisons.

He worked in the juvenile halls Camp Glenn Rockey in San Dimas, Camp David Gonzalez in Malibu and a correctional facility in Chino, where he taught young men ages 15 to 25.

Lehren said he worked with a

theater company called The Unusual Suspects. He said this company mostly worked with at-risk youth.

They collaborated with Lehren to have him be the first teacher to go into these prisons to teach creative writing.

Lehren said there were other coaches who helped with directing, teaching and acting, but he was in charge of the writing aspect and getting students to produce a story.

His job was to facilitate the writing and have his students write plays to

perform.

“I never viewed myself as a teacher until after that experience,” Lehren said.

“The Hustler’s Epiphany” was the first play the young prisoners wrote and performed.

The three times Lehren did this, he said he noticed a pattern in the story lines. He said many were about someone who needed redemption and had an epiphany about their life and turned it around. Lehren said his role was to teach

those young men how to write creatively.

“It was the best feeling ever,”

Lehren said. “It was much more rewarding than writing my own play and getting accolades for that.”

After this experience, Lehren said this is when he started seriously thinking about teaching.

Lehren earned a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a master’s degree in creative writing with an emphasis in playwriting from CSUN. This is his first semester teaching creative writing at Pierce, whereas before fall 2017, he primarily taught English classes.

Department Chair of English

Donna Accardo said that Lehren does his best to help students understand the creative process of writing and really cares about student success.

“What stood out to me about him was you hear his passion for teaching as soon as you hear him talk about teaching,” Accardo said.

She said Lehren is committed to success and his love for literature and writing is obvious.

First-year psychology major Arche Gososo said he was pleasantly surprised with how fun English can be after enrolling in Lehren’s creative writing class.

Gososo said that Lehren’s style of teaching allows students to feel more comfortable with creating answers to thought provoking questions, and he encourages students to create original ideas.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

Samantha Bravo/ Roundup

English Professor, Dustin Lehren earned a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a master’s degree in creative writing with an emphasis in playwriting from CSUN. Lehren poses at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. On Thurs, Nov. 30, 2017.

Brian Caldera/ Roundup

“The Voice” contestant and Pierce alumnus, Kathrina Feigh, sings a soul song in the Pierce College Darkroom Studio in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 17, 2017.

Workshop: got brahmajobs?

11 to noon at the CTC Workshop: Applying to Private Universities noon to

p.m. at the CTC “The Arabian Nights” at 8 p.m.

“The Arabian Nights” at 8 p.m. on the Performings Arts Mainstage

“The Arabian Nights” at 8 p.m. on the Performings Arts Mainstage

Fun and free on the Arabian stage

Pierce Theatre Department fall season ends with tale of 'One Thousand Nights and One Night'

JESSICA VAUGHAN Reporter @JVaughanRoundup

Astage filled with colorful lights, music and 22 performers brought laughter and enjoyment to viewers.

The cast of “The Arabian Nights” received a standing ovation from some audience members after their opening night performance on Friday.

The play was adapted from "The Book of One Thousand Nights and One Night."

Director Shaheen Vaaz was happy with the outcome of opening night and thought that the cast and the audience made it a great show to attend.

“The performances were wonderful tonight. They had this sort of energy about them and the audience really fueled it and made it much stronger and more vibrant,” Vaaz said.

As the performances continue, Vaaz said she hopes the cast starts having more fun and having freedom and playing with the audience more.

She said the big cast made some things a little difficult.

“It wasn't the easiest show to stage, but we made it happen,” Vaaz said.

Asif Baig, who plays the character Shahryar, said he felt great about opening night and thinks the show is a fun story to tell.

“Most people don't know about “Arabian Nights,” so it was good to see a bunch of people figure out what was going on,” Baig said.

Baig described the show as the developing interaction and relationship his character has with Sheherezade, played by Sharai Bravo.

The audience sees the experience of someone's life and how it evolves.

Baig said that his character Shahryar is a horrible person in the beginning, but his cruelty comes from a broken heart.

“He does horrible things, but not because he's pure evil,” Baig said. “He went through something traumatic and he's recovering. When he meets Sheherezade, his life is turned upside down.”

Sheherezade tells Shahryar a series of stories, hoping to help him be a better person.

Baig previously attended Pierce, but came back to be a part of this production. He said he was excited to be invited back for this experience.

He said he loved working with the cast, and although they had their ups and downs through rehearsals, they pulled through to make a great show.

“The best thing is that we all

respect each other,” Baig said. “Shaheen gave us, not just a platform to perform, but she gave us the opportunity to take risks. The entire department was wonderful and they supported every single one of us.”

Audience members Karen Barrios and Yorcy Barrios thought the show was good and creative.

Yorcy said the one thing that stood out to her the most was that each story told by Sheherezade was detailed and made the show enjoyable.

Karen and Yorcy said the dancing was great to watch and made them feel immersed in the play.

“I wanted to get up there and dance with them,” Karen said.

Performer Darnel Young said putting the show together was hard work.

Young said it took the cast a while to get their characters down and get the feel for the show.

He said that the day before opening night, everybody was finally vibing together, having fun and enjoying themselves.

“It's been a process. Honestly, it's been such a hard, ridiculously stressful, rewarding process,” Young said. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

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Understand where we stand

Club raises awareness of different cultures represented on campus

SAMANTHA BRAVO

Editor-in-Chief @sammybravo93

The world is big, diverse, and expensive to experience the unique cultures spread throughout.

But on a breezy Thursday afternoon, sounds of Spanish music traveled down the Mall captivating on goers toward a booth showcasing a taste of different countries such as Russia, Mexico and Guatemala.

The Uniting Latin America club hosted a Diversity Day where they encouraged students to stop by their booth to enjoy sweets, learn about their origins and ask questions about artifacts on display.

Ariana Gil, the president of the Uniting Latin American, said they wanted to bring awareness about the different cultures, archaeology and food. Members of the Communication Association volunteered and helped ULA with their event.

“I know there’s a lot of people who don’t know Dia De Los Muertos

in Mexico and Semana Santa in Guatemala,” Gil said. “We’re just trying to bring knowledge to people, trying to educate people.”

Gil said they couldn’t cook or bake anything at home; they had to purchase their food from a restaurant.

Gil said they’ve been planning the event to be at the Free Speech Zone because the Great Hall was already booked.

“We were planning for about a month,” Gil said. “We were inviting other classes, whoever wanted to join us, to make this bigger, but I guess we’re at finals, and a lot of people are applying to universities, so I guess they’re very busy. We didn’t get to get a lot of people involved, but we did what we could.”

Gil said it’s important for students to understand different cultures before judging.

“We’re going through an era where we have a lot of racism, and sometimes, people need to understand other cultures so they can not just judge people because

the way they look or the way they talk,” Gil said. “Bringing cultural awareness to people is very important, especially now.”

Gil said they want to print a magazine next semester. They’re collecting artwork or drawings for the magazine.

Secretary of ULA Crystal Sanchez brought salsa and chips to the event. Sanchez said she could have easily made it at home, but due to the new rules, she had to purchase it from a restaurant.

“We’re just trying to let people know about our traditions, culture, what we do on holidays and what we do for our country,” Sanchez said. “We brought mexican candy, games like Loteria. We also brought some candles used for when a family member dies; we light those.” Sanchez said, to share our traditions with other people.

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Randi Love/ Roundup

Azizah (Alliyah Ferrera) shares a moment with Azia (Darnel Young), her cousin that she is in love with, during the dress rehearsal for "Arabian Nights" on the Mainstage in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 27, 2017.

Samantha Bravo/ Roundup

The Uniting Latin America club organized “Diversity Day” on the Free Speech Zone to give students the opportunity to experience the different cultures and explore artistic expressions from around the globe on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Hot ‘N’ Ready

Morning rush consists of finding parking, grabbing a quick snack and rushing to class. Students and faculty can go to the Brahma Cafe for an on-the-go treat to start their day.

In Spring 2016, the Pierce College contract with CSUN expired, and the Freudian Sip was renamed to the Brahma Cafe. The new logo also came with a new menu. Although the menu changed, the atmosphere stayed the same. The cafe has a variety of drinks to choose from.

While the cafe serves the community, the people behind the counter are students. Licis Valle, 21, a shift leader at the cafe, has been working on campus for more than a year. She said she enjoys working at the Brahma Cafe because of the new people she meets.

Students can also go to the cafe to meet with friends or study with classmates. The cafe recently removed its tables and chairs and added a third register and more snacks.

From lattes, to pizza, people can get something for their taste buds. The cafe is open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Top Right: Ice Coffee from the Brahma Cafe at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 2 2017.

Above: Coffee machine at Pierce College at The Brahama Cafe in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 2 2017. This is the coffee machine used for all the drinks at the cafe.

Middle: Daniel Covelli 19, Talia Barrett 19, (LtoR) Covelli & Barrett waiting for their drinks at The Brahma Cafe at Pierce College in Wooldland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 2 2017.

Below Left: Paula Ochoa, serving pizza at the Brahma Cafe at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 2 2017

Photos and Copy by Erick Salgado

Friend to the four-legged

Student embraces life-long love of animals for her future

CHRISTIAN JUAREZ Reporter @roundupcaj

They are often confused for doctors, but the people in the blue scrubs are veterinary technicians, and it's a whole different job.

Unlike some of her peers, Isabel Garay, 24, wasn't faced with difficulty when choosing her major. Her passion to help animals keeps her going, is why she chose to major in Veterinary Sciences and Technology.

Aa a child, she knew she was going to pursue a career in the veterinary field. Garay said her hobby was helping animals.

“I liked feeding the stray cats around my neighborhood,” Garay said. “I loved taking care of them. They had no one to look after them.”

Garay grew up in a supportive and loving household, despite of all the obstacles her family faced.

“We moved around a lot,” Garay said. “I had to move from my apartment to my grandma’s, and then from there, to a house with my whole family because of the Northridge Earthquake.”

Garay, who is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, experienced educational struggles.

“I had to move from three different schools because of my disability disorder,” Garay said. “They kicked me out because I wasn’t learning quick like the others.”

Garay said the Pierce Vet Tech Program helps her out tremendously.

“It’s hard to concentrate with a disability because I focus and get distracted a lot,” Garay said. “With the program here, I get a lot of hands on work which is helpful for me.”

Garay said she enjoys the hands-on experience that she receives at Pierce.

Safety zone training

Queer Brahma Collective takes initiative on discrimiation in LGBTQ community

community.

she has learned.

ROCIO ARENAS Reporter @rarenas_roundup

The Queer Brahma Collective (QBC) is hosting a Safe Zone training this Thursday for campus leaders, faculty and students after recent harassment affected the LGBTQ community.

There were transphobic and homophobic comments on the QBC’s Instagram page, so advisors, faculty and staff suggested the club organize a Safe Zone training to educate and teach participants how to respect those who identify within the LGBTQ spectrum.

Marcus said the training will include a presentation about acceptable language to refer to members of the LGBTQ community, how to be an ally and how to be accountable for problematic confrontations.

Marcus said community colleges are often very diverse, not just in culture or race, but also in gender identity.

“Very often, we think of diversity as racial diversity, but it means so much more,” ErsigMarcus said. “A huge part about inclusivity is that, if people are seen and heard, they feel a sense of belonging. That sense of belonging is a huge part of student success.”

Angela Killipis, instructional assistant in the RVT program, said that Garay is a great student to have.

“She absorbs material, she is helpful, and she is participatory,” Killipis said.

One of Garay’s responsibilities as a vet tech student is finding homes for program animals.

“We had a program animal cat that got adopted, which is good,” Garay said. Vet tech student Caroline Franko said that Garay is a great example of a successful student in the vet tech program.

“She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met and really supportive,” Franko said.

to work in a lab doing animal research or work in the zoo with wildlife animals.

“My favorite part are the labs with the animals, with the techniques, and the skills I learn,” Garay said.

Garay said that knowing how to

It's on all of us

B.R.A.V.E. joins nationwide movement to combat campus sexual harassment

ANDREW FORTIN-CALDERA Sports Editor @afortincaldera

It can happen to anyone.

Among undergraduate students, 23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males experience some form of sexual harassment or assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation, according to RAINN, an antisexual violence organization. However, nationwide, people are addressing the issue to change the stigma when discussing sexual assault.

On campus, Brahmas

Responding with Actions and Voices through Empowerment (B.R.A.V.E) spoke to students about sexual assault and measures to prevent it in the “It’s On Us” event on the Mall last Thursday.

“It’s On Us” is a nationwide cultural movement dedicated to raising awareness, with the goal of curtailing sexual assault.

Lara Conrady-Wong, the student engagement coordinator and counselor, said that the event was hosted by B.R.A.V.E in conjunction with the Student Health Center and the Cal State Northridge non-profit organization Strength United.

Conrady-Wong said that the event aimed to promote active attempts to prevent assault rather than focusing on its aftereffects.

“The Clothesline Project was geared toward acknowledging survivors of sexual assault. This movement seeks to promote sexual assault prevention,” ConradyWong said. “It’s meant to inspire others to get in front of the epidemic, rather than focus on the fallout.”

Conrady-Wong said that the “It’s On Us” event at Pierce is timely, considering the sexual assault cases prevalent in recent news.

“It’s the perfect time to have an event like this because students are going to be learning about the problem with all that’s been happening in the news. This gives us a chance to further educate them and teach them how they can stop sexual assault before it happens,” Conrady-Wong said.

Julia Stern, a prevention education specialist with Strength

United, said that the “It’s On Us” movement seeks to encourage individuals to not standby when faced with a crime or when seeing someone in need.

“The movement is meant to promote upstander intervention. Where bystanders witness an event and choose not to do something about it, upstanders do the opposite and intervene when someone needs help,” Stern said.

Stern said that the movement was inspired in part by a persistent culture that seems to treat sexual assault as a facet of life rather than an issue that can be addressed and stopped.

“All too often, we teach young girls how not to be sexually assaulted, which seems to say that, ‘It’s not if it happens, it’s when it happens.’ We’re trying to challenge that as a condition of living,” Stern said. “It’s not enough to be there to hold someone’s hand after something happens. We need to be there to protect people.”

Like Stern, Associated Student Organization (ASO) president Efren Lopez said that the ASO was inspired to host the event with B.R.A.V.E and the Student Health Center to emphasize sexual assault as a topic of concern.

“When sexual assault is highlighted in news with politicians and celebrities, it can seem like it’s something that only happens in the higher levels of society above ordinary people,” Lopez said. “It happens everyday, but people like us don’t have the same platform to speak up from. This movement creates that grassroots change in how we talk about sexual assault among the general population.”

Lopez said that the “It’s On Us” movement makes sure the topic of sexual assault does not get lost in a deluge of popular news stories and gives people a way to keep the discourse surrounding the subject alive and on focus.

“Sometimes, people might get sick of the news or feel oversaturated with the same things happening, but this is a conversation that needs to continue. The movement makes sure that we can talk and keep on talking about the issue of sexual assault,” Lopez said.

hold an animal, knowing the difference between overdosing and underdosing, how to give a dog a pill and how to extract blood, are just a few skills that

Review:

Garay said that she uses the experience she learned at Pierce while working at a cat clinic sanctuary, where she rescue cats from shelters.

After Pierce, Garay hopes to get a job working with cats and reptiles. Garay said that she might continue her education after Pierce.

“If I continue, I will probably go to CSUN and major in biology,” Garay said.

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President of the QBC Gabrielle Castleberry-Gordon, 23, said the person or people responsible were trying to impose their will on what they wanted the club to do and how they wanted them to interact with the QBC.

“The QBC thought we would take the time to educate people and that people know we’re here and why we’re here,” Gordon said. “It’s a friendly way for all of us to get together and sort out our differences.”

The training will focus on gender binary, different sexualties, and how to respect them.

Gordon said they will also educate community members about what to do in the event that someone says something disrespectful to an LGBTQ person, and how to fix the situation.

Co-Advisor for the QBC and associate instructor of communication Christine ErsigMarcus said the Safe Zone training is important because the number one goal is to bring awareness to the campus about the LGBTQ

Arabian Nights

Comedic take on ancient tales offers sophomoric entertainment

JOSHUA MANES Managing Editor @TheManesEvent

There are many ways to tell a story, and Arabian Nights has many stories to tell. At the heart of it is a mad-king regaining his humanity, falling in love with our storyteller Sheherezade (Sharai Bravo) as she spins tales of fancy night after night to keep her life.

Unfortunately, the over-thetop comedic tone of much of the show falls flat and can feel excessive, taking away from the rich storytelling that should be. At times, the show can feel targeted towards a more juvenile audience, with fart jokes and parts that feel chocked full of the scene breaking style that happens in cartoons. And while the dance choreography is appealing at first, it falls flat throughout.

Visually, the production excels. Set design and costumes are wonderfully done. Little details, such as the thin gold line at the edge of the horizon in the background, make everything pop. With no set changes, the audience can truly get lost staring out across the dunes of

the background. Sheherezade draws the audience in with her storytelling just as she does King Shahryar (Asif Baig).

Before she even begins with her tales, the fear on her face when first meeting Shahryar is unmistakable and speaks volumes.

Often times, the storytelling is layered, with a character in Sheherezade’s stories telling their own story. The first example of this is in the story of the Madman (Nickolas Caisse), who recounts the events that led to him being locked up in a madhouse. During the story, Madman speaks with Skeikh (Darnel Young), who leaps around the stage, confusing Madman with his movement and words. The choreography between the two is well thought out and adds a spark to the scene as it begins to fall off.

This is also the first example of the over-the-top comedic style used, but coming from an asylum inmate it seems fitting, but, as the play evolves and more stories are told, the slapstick and caricature can start to wear on the audience.

The comedy is not just presented through dialog and motion. One story features a song about flatulence after Abu al-Hassan

(Robert Johnson) passes gas while meeting a prospective bride.

Not every story relies heavily on comedy. The most touching of the stories is that of Azia (Darnel Young) and Azizah (Alliyah Ferrera), two cousins who grow up together and love each other, but Azia pursues another woman, at the behest of Azizah.

While much of the cast if young and inexperienced, most of the production’s issues come from the script that is now 25 years old. First performed one month prior to the release of Disney’s Aladdin, a familiar character from the source material The Book of One Thousand Nights and One Night who is left out of Arabian Nights along with Ali Baba and Sinbad. Comedy is one of the more difficult acting disciplines, and as the cast grows more comfortable on stage the show could certainly improve with some of the caricature turned down.

Arabian Nights runs through Dec. 10 at the Pierce College Dow Arena Theatre. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Co-Advisor of the QBC and librarian Mario Macias said ErsigMarcus has led similar Safe Zone trainings for faculty and staff in the past. Together, they decided to also educate student body leaders.

“We wanted to target student leaders and clubs because we wanted to create a community of understanding,” Macias said.

Macias said the training is designed to teach student leaders the basics of a queer curriculum and appropriate LGBTQ vocabulary.

Gordon said the Safe Zone training will help the community understand that Pierce is a safe campus for all members.

“We want to have solidarity with other groups and have as many members as possible and feel safe,” Gordan said.

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Horse owner Kelly O’Connell brought her horse from the Lake View Terrace Area, and said she helped evacuate four separate loads of horses, bringing a total of 10 horses to the Pierce College Equestrian Center.

“Horse people, they all just come together,” O’Connell said. “There are a lot of horse owners that don’t have trailers, and we try and help out everyone that doesn’t. Everyone tries to come together and coordinate. It’s just what equestrians do.”

“I got a call at 4:15 in the morning that the fire was coming down the canyon, and our horses are up Little Tujunga Canyon,” O’Connell said. “Today was pretty scary. There were embers, there was fire, and it was right there.”

Horse owner Lisa Farrah said she rushed to evacuate her 100 percent purebred Friesian horse after receiving the call from the ranch that boards her horse.

“I literally went flying past parked traffic and went into ongoing traffic, because I know how fires can escalate,” Farrah said. “I saw the fire when I was driving to the ranch. It was literally at the front door.”

Gonzalez said their goal is to make sure everyone has somewhere safe to go, providing food, water, shelter and aroundthe-clock care to evacuees. He said residents in mandatory evacuation zones have first priority to board their animals.

“We are trying to make it as painless as possible, especially with large animals,” Gonzalez said. “We all know that they get nervous, especially if you have horses that are not used to going in and out of trailers.”

Gonzalez said the evaluation center will be open until after the “all clear” is given.

Carly King, a horse owner, was told by her ranch manager to evacuate to Pierce College. King said the Equestrian Center would provide her with food and water, however, she brought her own to be safe.

“It’s one of those things where you never know, so you want to grab your own stuff while you have the opportunity,” King said. “I believe I’m going to be leaving my horse here overnight as long as the evacuations are in place.”

Damiesha Williams / Roundup

Isabel Garay wants

Garay has been in the Registered Veterinary Technician Program at Pierce College since 2012. Garay stands with a stuffed dog that they use during class in the Veterinary Tech Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 30, 2017.

“I liked feeding the stray cats around my neighborhood.

I loved taking care of them. They had no one to look after them.”

-Isabel Garay Vet-tech student

Randi Love / Roundup

King Shahryar (Asif Baig) grabs Sheherezade (Sharai Bravo) face showing his digust in the story she was telling during the dress rehearsal for "Arabian Nights" on the Mainstage in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Nov. 27, 2017.

Drawn to her passion Artist finds inspiration in music, travel, and fantasy

ROCIO ARENAS Reporter @rarenas_roundup

Some people are born with a special talent that makes them unique to family and friends, whether it’s cooking, making music, or having a knack for mathematics, Hannah Eisen shares her artistic talent with the community on and off campus.

Eisen, 21, is a Pierce student pursuing an illustrations major. Her passion for art began when she was young, watching her mother and grandmother who were artists.

“I grew up knowing I wanted to do, art,” Eisen said.

Eisen said that being an artist can be challenging, but she continues to create.

“You have to keep drawing because practice makes perfect and it’s not good to just stop drawing out of nowhere,” Eisen said. “My style wasn’t the same as it was three years ago, because it’s developing each time I draw something new.”

Eisen attended Taft High School where “unfortunately” no art classes were offered to students. But despite the lack of classes, Eisen’s career as an artist began as she developed a community with her peers at Taft.

“I had a lot of artist friends, so we would all get together and feed off of each other and teach each other stuff we didn’t know,” Eisen said.

Eisen sought art classes at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, during her last year of high school.

While it was during this year that Eisen began selling her artwork. It started with students and friends offering to buy her concept artwork, which was inspired by a band she listened to, she said.

Eisen said that balancing school and other responsibilities made it difficult to make time for her to sell her artwork. She plans on selling her prints on etsy.com in the future.

When Eisen began at Pierce, she continued to pursue art classes, taking an illustration class taught by art instructor Gerry Vicich. Vicich said he immediately noticed Eisen’s artwork.

“She has a particular style that developed throughout her high school years,” Vicich said. “She has an intrinsic understanding of color. It’s playful, fun and friendly.”

Vicich said Eisen’s work is unique and takes spectators to another universe.

“It’s like she creates this little universe that we’re all invited into,” Vicich said.

Vicich said his favorite work of hers is a storyboard that was featured in the student art show in spring 2017. The work is composed of six boards that represent pages of a book.

“The cadence of the story worked very well throughout, and the drawings were all exciting. She had a captive audience with the class,” Vicich said.

Vicich said there is a 60s energy to Eisen’s work. He said her work looks like it is influenced by Peter Max, an artist whose style was pop art and expressionism.

Vicich said that Eisen’s work reflects her unique style. Her storyboard of aliens in space was inspired by a Cage the Elephant song “Telescope,” Eisen said.

“It’s all her style, and there are things she puts in there that are entirely unexpected,” Vicich said.

Eisen said that her artwork ideas often stem from music and the beach, where she likes to find inspiration and relax.

“If I have nothing in my head to draw, I’ll just go there and lay out and paint the whole day,” Eisen said.

Eisen said that she also attends concerts almost weekly and while she’s there, ideas begin to spark in her mind.

A lot of Eisen’s inspiration also comes from traveling, she said.

“I travel a lot. When I went to

Israel over the summer, I came back pumping with ideas,” Eisen said.

All-conference team Football has 13 named to first and second teams for the American Pacific Conference

-Hannah Eisen

Art major

One of those ideas, was an illustration of a mermaid with her tailfin wrapped around a cup, which Eisen said is her recent favorite.

Pierce student James Le, 25, met Eisen in an introduction to illustration class, where he immediately noticed her work and gave her a nickname.

“Hannah Miyazaki, because she is that high level of an artist,” Le said.

Le said he supports Eisen’s artwork because he appreciates her talent as an artist.

“We all should support each other, and Hannah’s art inspired me to make my own art even more,” Le said.

Vicich said he sees opportunities for Eisen in her career as long as she keeps working on her skillset and “being Hannah, because Hannah is liked by everybody.” He said he’d like to see her become a professional illustrator for books or even write her own book.

Eisen’s artwork can be found on her Instagram, @hannah_beat, and her Etsy page, Given Vintage.

“Art is creativity. Without creativity, the culture would just self-destruct,” Vicich said. “The world needs it, and when you have somebody who has an individual voice like Hannah, it should be celebrated.”

rarenas.roundupnews@gmail.com

ARIELLE ZOLEZZI Reporter @ArielleZolezzi

Athletes throughout California spent rigorous hours practicing, studying and training to perfect their game. Each year, the American Pacific Conference board members elect 44 scholastic football athletes to take home honors for their dedication and performance on the field.

This year, Pierce had 23 student athletes nominated for the American Pacific Conference football’s first and second team all-conference honors. Of these nominations, 13 football players went home with honors.

“It’s an honor to make it. I think they are very satisfied and pleased with those who made first and second team all-conference. Of course, you have some that were upset that they didn’t make it, but unfortunately, not everybody can make it,” said interim head coach James Sims.

Pierce is known for housing some outstanding freshman. Last year’s freshman class was awarded five second team all-conference awards for their notable performance. The new bunch of freshmen finished this year with a higher honor, the first team all-conference. The year prior, Pierce was nowhere to be found on the

first team all-conference list.

However, this year, a remarkable five freshman graced the highly anticipated accolade. Quarterback Jonathan Saavedra, tight end Travis Koontz, and wide receiver Wesly Touze were named to the first-team offense. Defensive end Eric Mateo and linebacker Blaze Allredge made the list on the other side of the ball.

Most players don’t realize that their hard work is being looked at by a board of football experts and other coaches in the league. For the most part, the young men go in with the mentality that they are on the field to win games, while coaches, such as Sims, are more concerned about player development and transitions into higher level education.

Saavedra is a prime example of a player that selflessly played the sport of football. He helped carry his team to victories this season.

“It felt good to make first team all-conference. Obviously, football is a team sport, but it’s good to get acknowledged individually,” Saavedra said.

Justin Castell, safety, also made the first team all-conference, making him the only sophomore to receive the award. He said he has a few Division 1 offers on the table, but has yet to pick a school.

Several players were also named in the second team all-conference. Among those seven were lineman Daijon Mainor, wide receiver Joseph Branch, and running back Kyshawn Richards. For the defense, defensive

lineman David Melo, linebacker Daniel Collins, cornerback Matt Demahy and punter John Pecaro received the honors.

“It feels amazing. I’m coming out of high school and coming to college being up on this type of level and making [second] team is a good accomplishment. I’m very blessed to make it,” Richards said.

While Richards explains his personal triumph as a blessing, Sims describes it differently.

“This award shows that [the players] worked hard during the offseason and during season. It gives them a way to gage and measure how they performed against the other player’s in the conference,” Sims said.

Pierce Football ended their season with an overall record of 5-5. The collective effort helped the Brahmas finish strong with two consecutive wins against league contenders Santa Barbara City College and Antelope Valley College. Brahmas closed their record with three wins and two loses in the 2017 American Pacific Conference.

While the football season is over, sophomores anticipate heavy recruitment and freshman hit the weight room getting a head start to build the foundation, getting ready for next year’s season.

For live updates follow us on

Randi Love / Roundup

Offensive and defensive football players line up for a field goal portrait in John Shepard Stadium on Dec. 4, 2017. Thirteen players made all conference, six made 1st team and seven made 2nd team.

“My style wasn’t the same as it was three years ago, because it’s developing each time I draw something new.”

Jose Herrera / Roundup

Hannah Eisen, art major, poses for a portrait in the Botanical Garden at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Dec. 1, 2017. Eisen is an illustrator who likes to tell stories with her art. She focuses in creating her favorite subjects which are images of mermaids and aliens.

Brahmas Scoreboard

Soccer M’s B-ball W’s B-ball

Farming the new talent

New assistant coach igniting goals and dreams

Sports bring people together, and for Mike Farmer, basketball has brought him to different countries and into the minds of youth.

Farmer, a San Fernando Valley local, was born in Panorama City and is the new assistant coach for men’s basketball. He is also the founder of Hardwork Basketball, a youth sports program based in Simi Valley.

The idea for Hardwork Basketball came to Farmer because of his desire to help his community.

“When I was younger, I had people that helped me in my career, so I always wanted to give back,” Farmer said. “That is the reason and foundation for why I started to give back to those that I can, and the kids are the ones that I want to give back to.”

The program is in its 10th year of existence, and consists of about 80 kids with ages ranging from 5 to 18. Farmer said it makes education a goal.

“What I do is train kids,” Farmer said. “We travel all around to Reno, Las Vegas, and all over to try and get kids into high school and into colleges.”

Farmer is no stranger to

traveling. He spent thirteen years playing basketball professionally for three different pro-am teams: Pasadena, Nike and Maywood Buzz.

Farmer said he had his first child while he played for LA Valley College. Instead of going to university, he got an agent who got him a French deal,

on the basketball team

of the basketball team. Guillory said he is learning some new tricks from Farmer.

“He teaches us a lot of new aspects about the game,” Guillory said. “Because he used to play, he knows a lot of inside things. He helps us on defense and helps us score on offense.”

Guillory said that Farmer inspires him both as a man and a player.

“He inspires me on how to carry myself, because he is a pretty put together guy,” Guillory said. “I like how he carries himself as a person.”

Head coach Charles White said that Farmer fulfills all the qualities of that someone he was looking to hire.

“I knew that he would fit well with the players I had,” White said. “He is a people person, and he knows how to get along with all walks of life.”

White said Farmer is making the team better.

he said.

“When I got there, I didn’t like it very much because I was young and homesick,” Farmer said. “I came home after a few weeks, and I joined the Pasadena and Nike pro team, and then we traveled the world playing for thirteen years.”

Farmer said basketball is similar throughout the world,

Season review: Soccer 2017

The soccer team’s season was full of ups and downs. Injuries, beating opponents by huge margins, also seeing the other side of the coin, the team had a lot to reflect on this year.

Head Coach Adolfo Perez was proud of his players despite the obstacles they had to overcome.

“Under the circumstances, the team played outstandingly,” Perez said.

The Brahmas are the only team in the state to have made it to playoffs for 17 straight years.

Women’s soccer had season ending injuries at the beginning of the season. Co-captain Adriana Sosa

and it all comes down to a single commonality.

“Out there, they play a slower game than we do, running wise,” Farmer said. “It is about the same thing. When you break it down, you have to work hard and practice all day.”

Christian Guillory, 20, is a social and political science major and part

tore her ACL.

Despite the injuries, the soccer team was able to carry itself to playoffs and defeat the no. 2 seed College of the Canyons on penalty kicks. In the regular season, COC had given Pierce their biggest loss in program history, beating them 7-0.

Before that match, they beat Grossmont College 3-1 in a play-in game, and Jennifer Veliz scored two sensational goals.

The team’s leading goal scorer Gisell Cruz made the game’s final goal. Cruz scored 14 of the 48 goals this season.

Perez said that the COC game was the best game they played. Not only was it exciting, but it was also payback for a previous loss.

“To go to their field and beat them on the same field they had beat us, was such an amazing feeling,” Perez said.

Perez said the season as a “rollercoaster.” The team has never finished less than second in its league.

part of learning with understanding what it is to be a teammate and still a good work ethic in participating. We went far, had a lot of good games and I am proud of them,” Mardini said.

The team began their season by hosting the Pierce Kickoff Classic in which they finished in third place. They lost the semifinal game against College of the Canyons in straight sets.

“I think he is bringing some stability and encouraging both players and staff,” White said.

Farmer, who also works as the assistant coach for varsity basketball at Simi Valley High School, is looking forward to bringing his experience of working with young men to Pierce.

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Jocelyn Ramos, midfielder, said that the team has a great bond, regardless of their struggles.

“It was such an unexpected season because of so many injuries. We overcame every obstacle,” Ramos said.

The team’s season began with a 3-0 win against San Diego Miramar College. The Brahmas won their first two games before losing 3-2 against Chaffey College.

The team also won by a huge margin by beating Glendale College 8-0.

Irene Reyes, midfielder, said the team got on the same page as the weeks went by.

“I feel as though my team grew when we really gelled together. When we started to get to know each other, was when we really became a team,” Reyes said.

The team lost to San Bernardino Valley College 4-0 in the second round of playoffs. Their overall record ended 13-6-4.

that is attend to state title, but everything else on the way is icing on the cake,” Mardini said Mardini talked about his 3 principles and how they shouldn’t be compromised.

Women’s volleyball fell short of the state championships as their season was put to a stop against San Diego City College in five sets. Head Coach Nabil Mardini said the team fell off their goal but are ready for another run next year.

“Season was good we fell short of our ultimate goal, but you can’t win them all. We have a lot of young talent, learn from this experience and come back next year to have another run at it,” Mardini said.

Mardini said how hard the team learned from their games and is proud of them.

“My team worked hard and did everything I asked them to do. It is

The team also got the upset over Cabrillo College who was the no. 1 seed. Cabrillo were undefeated before the Brahmas handed them their first loss.

Shari Volpis was the standout player this season as she registered 330 kills this season.

The Brahmas didn’t drop a set until the game against El Camino College in which they lost in five sets.

Mardini said how their goal is to win confidence and to win state title, but everything else is bonus.

“Winning streaks I don’t even think about it to be honest. The goal is to win confidence and that is what we are focusing on. After

“I don’t compromise principles: master the fundamentals, compete like a lunatic and be an exceptionally good teammate. We have these three principles in our team that we abide by including myself. Doesn’t matter to me how talented you are as a player to me it is about principles that is really the solid foundation,” Mardini said.

Mardini talks about his coaching with inspiring and leading as example.

“To me as a coach my job is making sure everyone is on the same page. Make sure to inspire my players to play at a higher level. The way to inspire is to example, being consistent and delivering the same message day in and day out,” Mardini said.

ANNA CLARK Features Editor @AnnaClarkReport

Randi Love/ Roundup

Mike Farmer spins the ball on his fingertip in the south gym during men’s basketball during men’s basketball practice on Ken Stanley Court on Nov. 13, 2017 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

L @ LPC 69-61

W @ Compton 95-74

L @ Santa Ana 79-76

PHOTO BY: Shae Hammond

PHOTO BY: FELIPE GAMINO