Volume 128 Spring 2018 Roundup Issue 3

Volleyball Wins, 3-0 full story pg. 8

Library has 105 tablets available to students

VANESSA ARREDONDO Managing Editor @v_anana

An economic divide might keep students from accessing technology to complete schoolwork, but a new program helps get rid of those barriers.

The Library / Learning Crossroads is extending its electronic device checkout to all students after a successful pilot program last semester through EOP&S and Distance Education.

Preview:

Day of Politics nears

Congressional candidates to speak on campus

REBECCA O'NEIL

Reporter

@RebeccaRoundup

Polarized ideologies may feel the heat during the Day of Politics when legislators and students take the stage for speeches, questions and moderated debates.

On Thursday, March 15, student debates will start at 9 a.m., California Assembly candidates will speak from 10 - 10:30 a.m. and U.S. Senate candidates will come from noon - 1 p.m.

Voter registration will take place throughout the event, which is sponsored by Pierce College’s Democrat Club, Republican Club,

Vegan Club, Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society (AGS) and ASO.

Political science professor Denise Robb said the Day of Politics offers students a venue to learn more about their current political situation and engage.

Robb began the biannual event when she first started working Pierce in 2011.

“I wanted the students to not only vote —we register them to vote there too— but actually get involved in politics, to know who exactly is running for office what kind of propositions are on the ballot,” Robb said.

Robb said this semester’s Day of Politics is particularly poignant given the three elections coming

up in California elections this year. The first election of the year, which is on April 3, will replace California Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D - Woodland Hills), who attended a number of Pierce’s Day of Politics events and resigned earlier this year after facing accusations of sexual misconduct.

Former Pierce student Ankur Patel is running for Assemblyman in District 45 will also be attending the event.

“Now we have an open seat,” Robb said. “So that’s April, and June is the regular primary and November is the general election when we choose between the top two candidates.”

Robb said Day of Politics is

DACA recipients still have support

Undocumented students can receive help om faculty

REBECCA O'NEIL Reporter @rebeccaroundup

As President Donald Trump’s tentative date for the DACA rescindment nears, faculty, staff and on-campus clubs’ commitment to serve undocumented students continues.

General knowledge of how to help undocumented students and campaigns that raise awareness have increased on campus since Trump made his statement.

Dean of Student Engagement

Juan Carlos Astorga said counselor Jeanette Madueña helped develop the resource website for undocumented students, headed the campus-wide Know Your Rights Campaign and conducted “UndocuAlly” trainings for faculty.

Madueña said the knowledge and passion that inspired her to host UndocuAlly trainings came from her working with undocumented students while pursuing her master’s and doctorate degrees.

“When I got here two years ago, I realized there was nothing happening with support mechanisms, trainings, or anything like that,” Madueña said. “At Cal State Long Beach, there has been a training that’s been going on for many, many years. I was part of that training, so when I came here, I wanted to start something similar.”

Faculty who complete the training receive a monarch decal that is then placed outside of their classrooms, Astorga said.

“We use the monarch butterfly because it does a lot of migration,” Astorga said.

She referenced I.D.E.A.S at Pierce (Improving, Dreams, Quality, Access and Success) and said they are trying to create a resource fair for undocumented students.

“Julio Tsuha and this undocumented student support group want to create a resource day full of activities and information sessions,” Madueña said. A report released by the Office of Educational Programs

and Institutional Effectiveness stated that 813 of the 11,501 undocumented students in LACCD attended classes at Pierce in fall 2017, 3.9 percent of the student population overall.

Student Equity Coordinator Jose Vargas said his position on Pierce’s campus—designed under California’s Education Code sec. 78220-78221—exists to identify the needs of underserved populations and divert dollars to bring these students to parity.

Vargas, who co-chairs the Student Diversity Committee, said the statewide initiative on behalf of the underserved student population explicitly includes identity, race, gender, veteran status, foster youth and disability.

“The Education code does not enumerate specifically on undocumented students,” Vargas said. “But what we’ve done on this campus—equity, and I would say diversity too—is that we found work-arounds.”

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sponsored by the Pierce College Democrats, the Vegan Club, the Pierce College Republicans, the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), ASO and AGS.

Bella Aguilar-Rosil, the copresent of College Democrats, said Day of Politics educates and motivates students to participate. “A lot of people aren’t as politically informed as they should be. This event is a great opportunity for people to come through and learn about issues they ought to care about because the government is a very large and important part of their lives,” Aguilar-Rosil said.

Students can check out Surface Pro tablets for two days or the entire semester. They need a valid Pierce ID and will need to sign a contract to be loaned the device.

Director of EOP&S Kalynda Mclean said that priority for the program is given to individuals who are enrolled in distance education, online or hybrid classes.

“It allows students access to electronic equipment that they normally would not have access to for the completion of coursework,” Mclean said. “For students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged, this program is of particular help to that student population.”

Clay Gediman, the technology library, oversees the program and said it was created to help lowincome students who can’t afford to buy equipment or don’t have time to visit the library.

“Laptops are expensive,” Gediman said. “A lot more classes are online, and though the library has pretty good hours, not everybody can make it in.”

Distance Education Coordinator

Wendy Bass said that the Surface Pros tablets were chosen because they are lightweight and easily portable, in addition to other features.

“We found that the younger

generation likes to touch things,” Bass said. “We went with smaller computers, and we found that it was a generational thing. Younger people do work on phones. I can’t stand it. It's too small. But the tablets are nice size, light and versatile.”

The tablets have Deep Freeze installed to facilitate distribution. Students are encouraged to save files on external and online drives because content is erased once the device shuts down, Bass said.

“This would prevent anybody loading any viruses on them,” Bass said. “If the students aren't saving things on them, they won’t worry about losing them.”

Bass said that she and Gediman worked closely together to bring the program to fruition. Gediman tested the tablets by taking one of Bass’ test, failing it, but demonstrating that the devices support Canvas and Proctorio.

“He was instrumental in having us check them out of the library,” Bass said. “He's been hands on to make sure that this program will work and that students will succeed.”

There are 15 tablets available for two-day checkout and 70 to be loaned for the duration of the semester, Gediman said.

The tablets have Microsoft Office and web browsers. Though they don’t have the processing power to run Adobe softwares, Gediman suggests that students visit the Library / Learning Crossroads for those projects.

Gediman said they are letting students know that anyone is eligible to check out the devices.

“They have been getting checked out, we’d just like more students to know about the program,” Gediman said. “In the future, we'd also like to purchase more as others become worn out.”

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Instructor of Life Sciences Jamie Beavers is growing sweet pea plants, Gregor Mendel's model organism, in her Biology 110.

“We lost some of them to rats. We are raising them higher so we don't lose more. These are safe up here. If we can have more of these trays that keep the plants up high, we’d be great. We had them on the ground until recently, because until there’s leaves, the rats don’t care about eating them.”

Shae Hammond / Roundup

Pierce College's Bernardo Roese sets the ball while playing against Los Angeles Trade Tech College at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 2, 2018.

Quotes gathered by Vanessa Arredondo. Photo by Brian Caldera.qw

In the wake of the latest school shooting by a gunman armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, Pierce College should have additional security to prevent a similar tragedy by adding a second campus sheriff’s station on the west side of the school.

Currently, there is one sheriff’s station located on the east corner of the campus.

Although the campus sheriff’s are efficient at maintaining school security, Pierce College is 426 acres. Of that, approximately 225 acres is farmland, which is used for instruction and housing

-Corrections-

Volume 128, Issue 2:

Page 1: A quote from the story, "Cheating on tests" was inaccurate. It should have read, "I’m really sad they got bought out," Bass said. "They [Turnitin] were charging the community colleges over double what they were charging the Cal States."

Page 1: In a photo caption Professor Richard McMillan's name was mispelled.

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animals.

In addition, there are approximately 20,000 students that attend Pierce College and only one campus sheriff’s station to protect them.

At the University of Southern California, which sits on 226 aces, there are three Department of Public Safety Stations. They are all 24 hours and can respond to different areas of the campus.

Pierce College is the second largest geographically of the nine community colleges in the district, behind West Los Angeles College.

Yet we don’t know the best way

to get in touch with our sheriff's department, besides the phone number listed in our syllabi.

The other eight community colleges in the district have a website with easy access to location and emergency information. Pierce does not, which can also cause a problem when people do not know who to contact within the department or how to find out certain information or services.

Now if there was a serious emergency or an active shooter on the west side of the campus, police intervention would likely be delayed.

If there was another sheriff’s

Pro: Arm our educators

RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @EspinozaReport

Gun free zones are death traps that invite trouble. Criminals become the wolf, while an unarmed victim becomes a slaughtered lamb.

The only way you can protect schools from wolves is to allow teachers and principals to evolve from lambs into armed sheep dogs. If faculty were allowed to carry guns at school, it could result in saving lives.

According to The Texas Association of School Boards, 172 school districts in Texas allow staff and board members to carry firearms onto school premises.

ABC News’ Nightline reported that Harrold Independent School District in Harrold Texas voted unanimously to allow faculty to carry guns on school property. This decision was made after the mass shooting at Virginia Tech University in April 2007.

When you see a sign that says “Gun Free Zone,” do you honestly think that it will save lives? The answer is, no it will not. Gun Free Zones are such a joke, that it makes a criminal laugh its head off.

Criminals are notorious for not not obeying laws. If a criminal sees a sign showing the words, “Gun Free Zone,” all it is doing is inviting more trouble to harm unarmed people.

In an article by The University of Chicago Press, John R. Lott Jr., a gun rights advocate, economics professor and author of More Guns, Less Crime explains why armed citizens are less

likely to become victims.

“Concealed handgun laws reduce violent crime for two reasons,” Lott said. “First they reduce the number of attempted crimes because criminals are uncertain which potential victims can defend themselves. Second, victims who have guns are in a much better position to defend themselves.”

We all know that members of law enforcement cannot be in two places at once. In the situation of a mass shooting, by the time someone calls “911” and the police show up, most people are already harmed, or dead.

In the Policemag.com article, “Quicker Response to Active Shooters,” author Amaury Murgado wrote that sometimes law enforcement are a little too late.

“Department of Homeland Security research reveals that the average duration of an active shooter incident at a school is 12.5 minutes,” Murgado wrote. “In contrast, the average response time for law enforcement is 18 minutes.”

If our legislators and school district board members cannot trust teachers or principals with guns, then they should at least consider hiring retired police officers to protect our schools.

The President of the United States gets armed security by the Secret Service. Police officers protect the mass crowds at sporting events and concerts. Banks are overseen by armed guards. So, why can we not give this security to our own children, by arming America’s teachers?

Photographers:

station to work with the established one, there could be a great increase in security.

In the present climate faculty and students are being faced with the threat of mass shootings.

A way Pierce could decrease the chances of violence with the second sheriff’s station manned by additional deputies and cadets.

Some Americans have suggested that teachers should be armed. Arming teachers is a controversial idea.

According to an ABC News poll in Feb. 2018, 42 percent of people surveyed say the Parkland shooting could have

RANDI LOVE Editor-in-Chief @randi_love29

The safety of students should not lie in the hands of armed instructors. This poses as much a threat as a person coming onto campus and opening fire.

Having weapons in possession of professors gives the opportunity to disgruntled faculty to use those guns because of accessibility.

A student could become upset, angry or feel fed up with the way a teacher or classmate may have treated the person and disarm or steal the gun to open fire.

An active shooter scenario doesn’t tell you if the person is a student, teacher or faculty member. Having the weapon garnishes the opportunity for both purposeful and accidental discharges that can result in unnecessary fatalities.

Bouts of anger, even in the slightest, could cause someone on campus with the intent to commit a violent act, to grab a gun they know is there, and use it. The second amendment states “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, th e right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

But why do those weapons need to be allowed on a school campus?

A militia is a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency. Nothing above states that

Cartoonist:

been prevented if teachers carried guns.

That leaves 58 percent of Americans that are indifferent or do not think arming teachers would have helped.

Most teachers do not want to be first responders. More guns on campus can lead to more accidental shootings.

When more police are available on campus it would be a safer option because they are trained professionals and understand how to better use guns in situations such as school shootings.

individuals need, nor deserve to bear arms and more to the point, they aren’t necessary to have at a school. The only people on campus that should have firearms should be the sheriff deputies. They are there to protect the school and those on the grounds.

An instance where an armed teacher stopped or shot a mass shooter on any campus hasn’t showed up during any shooting thus far, even in open carry states, so why start now?

Also, most mass shooters use semi-automatic weapons. A hand gun would be the most likely gun for a professor to have, if armed. There’s not much a handgun can do when faced against a semi-automatic weapon. That would leave an armed instructor in more danger with an increased likelihood of being injured or killed.

The fact that most people that own a weapon are not properly trained to use them is another reason for guns not to be on school grounds.

An article on vox.com titled “The case against arming teachers,” wrote “Multiple simulations have demonstrated that most people, if placed in an active shooter situation while armed, will not be able to stop the situation, and may in fact do little more than get themselves killed in the process.”

Just because a person may go to a shooting range occasionally doesn’t mean they should walk around a school campus with a firearm.

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.

"I think it would be safer.Maybetheteacher could disable the shooter."

-Gerardo Sanchez, 19, Computer Science

Illustration by Wyce Mirzad / Roundup

“Thereareprosand cons,butIthinkthe negativesoutweighthe positives,becauseyou'll neverknowanyone's true intentions."

-RaymundoPantoja,20, Criminal Justice

“There would be no forebodingsenseof dread.”

-DaniellaKing,19, Undecided

Con: Not in the hands of teachers

"I think students would rethinkgoingtoclassif theyknewtherewasa guninthere."

-InsiyaZariwala,23, Biology

Tax help is easy to find here

Business Administration lends a hand to the community

weeks. And for the next seven weeks, they are preparing taxes for low-income families in the communities,” Ignatovski said.

Rundown Brahma Blotter

The deadline to file taxes is on April 17. It is fast approaching, but Pierce College has a program that can ease the stress of tax season.

Pierce College provides a resource for students that need help filing taxes—free of cost by creating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).

Department Chair of Business Administration Martin Karamian said the program is sponsored by the IRS and benefits low-income taxpayers.

“It is for people who are low income that make $54,000 or less a year, and it is free of charge,” Karamian said. “We are sponsored by the IRS, so they actually support us financially to provide this service for free.”

Karamian said people must meet specific qualifications to receive tax help.

Self-owned business owners, for example, are not eligible to participate in the program.

“This is for individuals who are either students, low-income

earners, people with limited English or elderly people,” Karamian said.

Professor of accounting Stefan Ignatovski said this program helps his students practically apply what

they are learning in class.

“I trained my students on how to prepare taxes for three

The students assisting with the VITA program go through a process before they can participate in the program. Students become certified by the IRS after they complete an exam.

“It is very rare in a college that you take a class and apply for a job right away. Usually, you have to wait to graduate to get a job in accounting,” Ignatoski said.

Taltar Hanounek, an accounting student and tutor, volunteers for the VITA program and said it’s helpful and fun.

“I started volunteering for the VITA program last year. This is now my second year, and so far, it has been a great experience for me,” Hanounek said.

Appointments are not necessary for the VITA program. The service is first come first serve for all students and members of the community.

Those interested can go to Business Building 3218 on March 10, 17 and 24, from 9 a.m. - noon to meet with volunteer tax income professionals.

These incidents were reported between Feb. 23 - March 3

Reported by: Jordan Nathan and Rocio Arenas

02/23

•Petty Bicycle Theft

An unknown suspect stole a mountain bike from Parking Lot 7 by cutting the bike lock between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.

02/24

•Petty Theft

An unknown person stole a math textbook from the Student Store at 12:24 p.m. 02/26

•Property Damage

An unknown person damaged the door to Music 3400.

02/26

•Traffic Collision

An unknown person damaged the door to Music 3400.

2/28

•Graffiti Report

An unknown person graffitied the walls with chalk at the Elm 1700 building.

opportunity to study outdoors.

Library Department Chair Paula Paggi said that the patio attached to the library will allow for some extra space.

library has other resources available to students.

The Library / Learning Crossroads provides students with resources, such as access to computers, books, and a quiet environment. This semester, it will open an area long closed off to students and expand the study space outdoors. Open space and resources to the library will allow students to explore different avenues of education.

Since the Library / Learning Crossroads opened in April 2013, the patio space located behind Computer Lab B was supposed to be allocated to students to give them an

“Students could sit outside in the fresh air and read, take their tablets and be a little louder compared to being in the library,” Paggi said.

“It’s self-contained. It’s not really an entrance or an exit – they still have to go through the courtyard and front yard entrances.”

Paggi said the project was delayed due to adding security gates and ensuring that the doors work properly with ADA clearance and access.

The new patio space is expected to open after spring break.

In addition to more space, the

One of the newer resources is the ability to rent Microsoft Surface Pros. These tablets are available to be checked out by students for the entire semester. The process of renting a tablet includes providing a valid Pierce student ID and signing a contract taking full responsibility for the tablet. [See Tablet story on front page.]

Pierce Technology Librarian

Clay Gediman said the library has 105 tablets available for check out.

“Fifteen of those only check out for two days and that’s because we have some instructors that use this online test program called Proctorio, an online proctoring program,” Gediman said.

Proctorio is designed to reduce students cheating on online exams and determine how engaged students are in their online studies.

An annual program that the library does is the One Book, One Campus program. It is in its third year and has opened the conversation about numerous social and political topics. Each year, one book highlighting a specific theme is chosen and is used as a tool to help better understand the subject matter.

“I started the first one and I got the “Operation Homecoming” going,” Paggi said. “We just started small and we grew it, and I think it’s a way for us to open understanding.”

Paggi said the program initially started with highlighting veterans,

then moved to women’s issue with “I Am Malala,” and are now opening the conversation about immigration with “Enrique’s Journey.”

One Book, One Campus brings awareness to matters that are relevant on campus.

Reference Librarian Mario Macias said choosing a book relevant to today’s social conscientiousness is the intended purpose.

“Usually we pick a book that’s related or highlights a marginalized identity group,” Macias said. “That brings up a lot of issues of social justice, which is always good to talk about and cultivate that activist mentality of what can we do to make our society a better place to live.”

BESA Club Meeting

When: Wednesday, March 7th at 2:30-3:30!

• Where: Birch 1101

• We will be discussing our plans this semester, so bring your friends!

Come

3/1

•Traffic Collision

An unknown person hit a parked vehicle and left the scene without leaving a note in Parking Lot 7.

Pierce College

Sheriff’s Station General Information:

Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311

Pierce College displays student enagagement and school spirit for two days

Each semester, Associated Student Organization (ASO) hosts Club Rush, an event that provides a space for groups on campus to recruit new members and make connections. The event took place Wednesday and Thursday on the Mall from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

ASO President Efren Lopez said clubs are essential to the Pierce community and it strengthens student engagement.

“Seeing the students be motivated enough to create diverse clubs just makes this campus more unique, special and stronger,” Lopez said.

Some of the clubs seeking recruitment were the Student Business Entrepreneurs and Investors Group, Love is for Everyone (L.I.F.E.) and Young Americans for Liberty.

First-year student and volleyball player Steven Bulgrind said Club Rush serves as a catalyst to form strong and potentially lifelong bonds.

“This event is a great way to socialize and meet new people,” Blugrind said. “Sometimes I feel meeting new people can be more important than success.”

Ambrose Ngo, the president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor

Society (PTK), said the club looks good for students applying to universities. “You get unlimited scholarship opportunities as well as automatic transcript recognition,” Ngo said. “You can get a lifetime membership which means you can get scholarship opportunities for your undergraduate, doctorate and master’s endeavors.”

Joey Glasser, the vice president of the Young Americans for Liberty said that people should try to see another person’s political perspective.

“We go out and promote all forms of liberty,” Glasser said. “Regarding this climate, I don’t think people should be so polarized. We should try understanding each other and

reach a level ground. If we don’t, we won't make any progress.”

ASO Club Council President Kosar Afsari said the next Club Rush will be hosted in fall.

“You’re here to learn, but you also come to college to really just celebrate with people, and how you do that is by really just engaging, talking to them, seeing what interests them and working

together as friends, as peers, to grow and have fun.

“Honestly, this is why we have Club Rush. We want students to come here, join a group of people with similar interests and enjoy themselves,” Lopez said.

Aguilar-Rosil said she is most looking forward to the student club debates, which she will moderate this semester.

Tahmineh Dehbozorgi, a

YAL statewide chair, said the intercollegiate club event is about students realizing their political agency and living into their civic responsibility.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re democrat, republicans, conservatives libertarian—we want everyone to be aware what is going on in the country so they take a stance and stand up for their ideas,” Dehbozorgi said.

Dehbozorgi said Day of Politics facilitates information exchange that challenges students’ ideologies and deepens their political investment.

“First what you want to see is what the opposing side stands for so you can debate with them intellectually— not just be offended—so you can also take a stance yourself,” she said.

A lot of times, I hear the opposing side and I think maybe they’re right, maybe they have some point, and also it helps me better understand them.” One of the topics up for debate this semester is the policies surrounding gun control, Aguilar-Rosil said.

“America has the most public shootings out of any country in the world, so I think this is an issue that a lot of college students are worried about,” Aguilar-Rosil said. Dehbozorgi said the quadripartisan event encourages discussion and open mindedness.

“Even though we might not agree politically, it’s really important to come together and hear each other out,” Dehbozorgi said. “A lot of us do not agree with each other, but that’s a time where we can bring the arguments forward.”

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Charlie Stein and Rebecca

Take chances, dance more dances

From salsa to hip-hop, this club’s diversity steps to a different beat

Nine students pay close attention to dance instructor Jenny Ghiglia as she demonstrates the carefully constructed choreography that they will soon practice.

The students are part of the Pierce College Dance Crew (PCDC) and they meet every Sunday and Tuesday evening in the North Gym.

Ghiglia, adjunct dance instructor and advisor of PCDC, said she created the crew two years ago in 2016 after she realized Pierce was missing a hip-hop dance team.

“I was walking through campus one day and I realized there was a lot of hip-hop students, especially by the library. It was then that I told myself, ‘I’m going to start a hip-hop crew,’” Ghiglia said.

Ghiglia said that she was also inspired by the techniques she developed with her daughter.

“She came to Pierce and was a part of the Pierce College dance program as well, so I learned a lot from her. We would often choreograph modern hip-hop fuse dances together,” Ghiglia said

Ghiglia said the PCDC represents the diversity of Pierce College students, while giving them a positive environment to share their love and passion for dance.

“Your typical PCDC practice is a creative outlet. It’s a non-judgmental place for students to express themselves,” Ghiglia said.

Our primary focus is hip-hop, Ghiglia said the class focuses on jazz, contemporary and salsa as well.

“We always try to add an artistic element to our dances. They always have some sort of theme because it’s not just hip-hop,” Ghiglia said.

Tory Fernandez, a freshman at Pierce, said she enjoys being a part of the dance crew because it’s fun and energetic.

“Being a part of PCDC is a great way to get away from homework or school and just dance and do

something I love,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez came to California from Hawaii a year and half ago because her parents wanted her to provide her with more opportunities in dance. She said that when she enrolled in Pierce and realized there was a dance crew, she joined right away.

Fernandez said the dance crew helped her improve her techniques during the two semesters as a member.

“I’ve always struggled with techniques or making sure I’m always hitting the right note. Since I started, PCDC has allowed me to feel more comfortable with myself while learning new routines,” Fernandez said.

Bryson Wesley, the president of PCDC, has been a part of the dance crew for the past two years, and said everyone in the crew is always willing to help.

“It’s a fun, relaxing experience

mainly because, here at PCDC, the crew doesn’t just use one person for the choreography but rather, it’s a group effort,” Wesley said. Wesley said PCDC offers students different genres of music to express themselves.

“Students like to come to PCDC because of all the types of styles it has to offer. We all have the freedom to be ourselves and do what we please,” Wesley said Wesley said being a part of

PCDC is a positive experience. He said that when he walks into a PCDC meeting, he has a group of people that will have his back no matter what.

“PCDC is a place of safety for many of us. We are not judged. We are valued and we are acknowledged as dancers and individuals,” Wesley said.

Wesley said dancers are challenged to express themselves more than others.

“It’s different to express yourself as a normal person rather than a dancer, but with PCDC it’s different,” Wesley said. “Dancers have to express themselves a lot more. We come through different places. We pour our emotions and leave it on the floor.”

Ghiglia said that some of her most memorable moments in PCDC was seeing how her students become one, under the rhythm of music, despite coming from diverse backgrounds.

-Tory

“Most of these students are street dancers. Some are professional dancers and others have little to no experience. But when they come together, it’s beautiful to see because they feed off each other,” Ghiglia said. “There are these ‘aha moments’ I have when I see them perform. I get to see their energy and the sparks between each dancer on stage.”

Ghiglia said that her Pierce students carry their dance crew with pride.

“The students know that it’s about them, their journey and how they represent PCDC. The fact that they understand my passion about PCDC is a wonderful thing,” Ghiglia said.

This spring semester, PCDC will host events like Dance Day on May 20, in which students can learn four styles of dance taught by professional dancers and choreographers.

Ghiglia said contemporary will be taught by Luis Trujillo, jazz by Brian Moe, salsa by Jose Valencia and though the choreographer for hip-hop is tentative, she wants it to be taught by a woman.

Duty, honor, courage and higher education

26-year military veteran aiding fellow servicemembers at the Pierce College Veterans Center

aiding them in the process of filing for and receiving financial aid.

Dean of Student Engagement

Going from “boots to books” can be difficult for some transitioning back to everyday life and taking orders from professors instead of sergeants. But 26 years of military service turned this veteran into a man willing to help others who were once in the same shoes as he was.

Charles Johnson served in the Navy before coming to Pierce College as an instructor on special assignment. He runs the Veterans Resource Center on campus and assists veteran students with reintegrating into school life.

“Our resource center is a brotherhood of experience,” Johnson said. “I understand the process they are going though and the resources that are necessary for our veterans because I started off at a community college too.”

Johnson comes from a family with a large military affiliation. His father served in the Army, two brothers in the Marines and another brother in the Air Force. While Johnson was on active duty, he served on four combatant ships and became a Navy counselor. For three years he served at the Guantanamo Bay Naval base and, in 2007, he retired from active service.

At Pierce, his work as an advocate for the Veterans Resource Center includes helping veteran students get back to school and

Juan Carlos Astorga has never served in the military, but said it would have been a beautiful opportunity and he can see that Johnson has a special connection due to his background.

“I think that because there’s a shared experience of ‘you were a vet, now I’m a vet,’ you understand what it was like back outside,’” Astorga said. “Outside of the military world there is a greater ability for students to feel understood, and he gets it.”

retirement. He attends Cal State University, Northridge, where he is studying CTVA: Electronic Media Management. Before transfering to CSUN, Lawson received his degrees in Journalism, Film, Television and Electronic Media.

Lawson said that he receassistance and support when Johnson was still an Associated Students Organization adviser.

“I know that because he’s a veteran, it will definitely help with assisting students. There is a particular way that military members work together and a certain way we understand processes,” Lawson said. “This allows us to communicate our needs better between each other.

Lawson said that, when Johnson was an ASO adviser, he helped him in several areas, including job search.

“I’ve met with him several times about Pierce ASO events, chartering a club, Pierce College affiliated organizations, the Foundation for Pierce College and federal business opportunities.”

Astorga said that Johnson is a part of a doctoral program, and that may have given him a few ideas as to how he can continue to help students.

“One of the things that he’s trying to really create as part of his research is what can we do to continue to motivate students,” Astorga said. “Also, he wants to imporve how we support the engagement and the resiliency of our students.”

Mareo-Ahmir Lawson is a veteran of the Army. He

Middle

his

Johnson said he is here to improve how students engage with campus and society.

“We want our veterans to know that we have three core values in our department, and that is honor, dignity and commitment,” Johnson said. “This means that we treat them with dignity and honor their service. We are committed to them, but at the same time they must be committed to being successful in their education”.

Erick Salgado / Roundup

Salma Ubwa, Bottara Khan Nabaie, (LtoR) Salma and Bottara dancing at Club Rush at Pierce College in Woodland Hills on Feb 28, 2018.

“I’ve always struggled with techniques or making sure I’m always hitting the right note.”

Fernandez Dance Club Member

LUPE LLERENAS Reporter @lupellerenas

RANDI LOVE

Editor-in-Chief & RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter

“Also. he wants to improve how we support the engagement and resilience of our students.”

-Juan Carlos Astorga

Dean of Student Engagement

Club Rush is one of the Associated Students Organization’s first events of the semester.

It allows the clubs and organizations the chance to show students what they have to offer.

They try to recruit people by advertising upcoming events.

A few of the newer groups are the Hemp Club, the Justice Democrats and the Photography Club.

The Justice Democrats organize off campus events. They want students to know they can get something out of politics by participating in them.

Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga said joining an organization shows students there’s more to school than homework and lectures.

“It’s an opportunity for our students to really see the vibrancy of clubs and where they can be

involved in,” Astorga said. “I want students to get away from just going to class then going home or going to work.”

Astorga said the groups are meant to bring people together.

“They can create a community for themselves, of scholars, of activists, of involved individuals,” Astorga said. “Be it if they want to be involved in athletics, in a political organization, in Blatigenous, in Queer Brahmas Collective. Whatever they want to do, I believe we have a club for you.”

Dashing down the Mall

Club Rush was on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and Thursday, March 1, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Photos by Natalie Miranda and Erick Salgado Copy by Randi Love

Far Left: Natalie Albizo hugs Natalamb while Linh Ly and James Baires observe the moment at Club Rush on the Pierce College Mall on Feb. 28, 2018, in Woodland Hills, Calif. Photo by Natalie Miranda

Above: Shayla Alexia, Kiana Gutierrez shows chool spirit on the Pierce college Mall during Club Rush on Feb. 28, 2018, in Woodland Hils, Calif. Photo by Natalie Miranda.

Top left: David Serri and Bella AguilarRosil stand on the Mall in the Pierce College Democrats booth at Club Rush on the Mall on Feb. 28, 2018, in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Photo by Natalie Miranda.

Bottom Left: Zach Harris, Cheer Coach, Zach is doing a handstand at Club Rush at Pierce College in Woodland Hills Calif. on Feb 28, 2018.

Photo by Erick Salgado

Dear Students, History is in the making and time is calling out for your attention. The sacred power of education, advancement and equality is the key to the success of our society. Endowed with empathy, devotion and envisioning endless possibilities towards progress, I believe that, you the students are the gateway in passing the solemn transfer of this great power to our next generations. Here in America, we are blessed with the Declaration of Independence that serves us the rights of equal opportunity. It is only upon us to preserve these rights, promoting peace and progress. I stand to remove the burdensome student loan and heavy debt conditions. I stand to create new better paying jobs and to remove economic hardships faced by the students for many years. It is in this noble cause that I stand to serve and protect your future, asking you for your heartiest help and participation. God bless you and God bless America.

I will fight your fight, for your rights and for your future. I will be your champion for humanity. I will set our youth on a winning path and strengthen women in the workforce. Women are pillars of our workforce and TIMESUP for sexual harassment.

Brahmas tame Wildcats

Men's volleyball wins in straight sets; jumps to second in conference

A20-minute delay to the start of the game couldn’t keep the No. 8 Brahmas from getting home in time for dinner after a straight set victory over the Los Angeles Trade Technical College Beavers Friday night (25-22, 2515, 25-18).

Transportation issues caused the Beavers to arrive late, altering the regular warm-up routine for both teams.

“The first set was our warmup, and we had to get everything organized,” freshman Cole Chea said. “Not knowing about them was in our heads because we were not able to get hyped up.”

Chea, the team leader in kills this season with 83, said that the Brahmas expected nothing less than a victory despite not knowing the scouting report or the game plan of the Beavers.

Teddy Niemira, Pierce assistant coach, expected the Brahmas to maximize their efforts and improve on their previous performance, a straight set loss to No.1 Long Beach City College.

“Long Beach beat us in every statistical category, so everything could have been better. If we go out there and be competitive, we will be fine,” Niemira said. “I’m focused entirely on our side of the net. We’d like to get good production out of our opposite spot and our passing line as well.”

Chea credited the Brahmas’ calling, blocking and overall team support for their victory in this set and the game overall.

Although Walker was satisfied with the victory, he believes the Brahmas still have not reached their full potential.

“Right now, we’re still battling eligibility issues,” Walker said. “We’re also dealing with a couple

injuries here and there, so we’re still not at full strength. Our record right now does not dictate our potential and where we’re going.”

One of those players who have dealt with eligibility issues, second year player Max Petuhov, was active in the game for the Brahmas.

In the third set, with the score tied at 13, Petuhov dove straight into the crowd to save the ball.

“I just took a wild swing at it, and I didn’t realize it was still in until I stood up and saw people still battling,” Petuhov said. “To be honest, I didn’t even expect it to go in, but I worked hard for it,

The court of his dreams

Kills leader envisions himself playing in the Olympics

If things go his way, Cole Chea will spend part of 2024 in Paris. But not to see the Eiffel Tower.

Chea, the current team leader in kills for the Brahmas, dreams of playing for the United States Men’s National Volleyball Team.

Chea, a freshman, graduated from El Camino Real Charter High School and started his volleyball career during his sophomore year in high school.

In his last year in high school, Chea was awarded Most Valuable Player and City Section Division 1 Player of the Year.

Sports have always played a big role in Chea’s family.

“I have a family full of athletics, but my grandfather is the main reason I got into volleyball,” Chea said. “I realized volleyball was the main thing I wanted to do more than anything. It’s the one thing that actually clicked with me and I quickly began to see how much I want to play.”

When he was 14 his grandfather showed him Chea life-size cutout of himself wearing the number four. That inspired Chea to continue the tradition of wearing the number four.

Chea said his grandfather has always told him to hustle, and that “it’s always better to be the worst person on the court then the best person on the court because you always strive for greatness.”

While Chea has had the support of his friends and family, he’s also experienced challenges.

At a point in his life, Chea spent cold nights sleeping on the floor and had a grade point average of 1.7 but through it all, he maintained his spirits high.

“At the end of the day I always

learn from every situation,” Chea said. “You have to have a mentality of wanting to better yourself everyday. You have to ask yourself, did you get better than you were yesterday?”

Brent Norkus, middle blocker, said Chea always gives 100 percent in everything he does.

“He is charismatic, always positive and he loves the game of volleyball,” Norkus said. “His work

ethic is always on point. Chea has an incredible talent and it’s always great to be around someone like him who motivates you to be your best.”

Morgan Wadlow, outside hitter, said he sees Chea obtaining his Olympic dream.

and it felt good.” Petuhov said that the Brahmas work off the court to make sure they form a brotherhood and connection that translates into their performances on the court. With the win, the Brahmas move to 4-5 on the season and their next game is on the road when they visit Irvine Valley College on Wednesday, March 7, at 6 p.m.

kkapoor.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brief:

Baseball wins; swim places last in first meet

FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor @fgamino13

In a rescheduled game, baseball (7-10) beat the West LA College Wildcats to improve their winning streak to three games.

Baseball won their previous game against the LA Mission College Eagles by a score of 12-2.

Diego Harris, Will Picketts, Michael Tillman, Ryan Shin and Gabe Curtier scored the runs for the Brahmas.

Baseball plays on Thursday against the Bakersfield College Renegades at 2 p.m.

Swim places last

The men’s and women’s swim team placed last in their first official meet of the season at the Ventura Aquatic Center at Ventura College.

The women got more points than the men as the women got 48 points and the men got 30.

Alonso Noguera placed third in the men’s 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.65.

Kayli Hedges finished second in the women’s 100-yard freestyle with 1:03.03.

In the women’s 200-yard freestyle, the team finished second with a time of 1:57.34.

The team's next meet is on Saturday, March 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Bakersfield College.

fgamino.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brahma of the Week

Max Petuhov

Sport: Volleyball

Position: OPP Class: Sophomore

High School: El Camino Real

1 asssist, three digs and three block assists in the game against LATTC.

How do you feel about your overall performance on Friday?

“It was my second game back. I have been practicing for a long time and to finally be able to get out there and help out myself. It was good.”

If you weren’t playing volleyball, what sport would you be playing?

“I played soccer when I was a lot younger. So it's fun when your juggling the ball when you are warming up.”

Who do you look up to?

“I look up to my dad. He just turned 55 and he just recently became a black belt in jiu jitsu. He started later in life and he worked 12 years to get so that is inspiration.”

Do you have any pre game rituals or superstitions?

“I get the whole team together and we cook a meal. We have to be a family. Last time we cooked chicken quesadillas.

Damiesha Williams/Roundup

Men's volleybal l player Cole Chea inside Ken Stanley court at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif. March 3,2018

LUPE

Shae Hammond/Roundup

Max Petuhov tips the ball over the net against Los Angeles Trade Tech College's Michel Silva and Alan Pugh at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 2, 2018.

“Not knowing about them was in our heads because we were not able to get hyped up”

-

Cole Chea Freshman