STREET BEAT

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions and what are they?

if students would still like doing that.” Summer Mehrzai, an attendee, said the importance of writing gratitude cards is expressing how you feel and hopes the person she gives her card to will feel warmth.

“I know you can't express everything, but at least writing something, just a little bit, and giving it to someone else could probably brighten up their day,” Mehrzai said. “Like if I received something like that, I would be like, ‘Oh my gosh! Thank you!’ I would feel warmth inside that someone at least made the effort to make a card.” egarcia.roundupnews@gmail.com

of Justice

“Igettogetherwithfamilyandwe haveaturkeydinner,butsinceIam Latino,itisturkeyinthebread.”

-Ernest Hernandez Astrophysics shone during this piece choreographed Dexter Amande, Elijah Aguilar, Derek Zhang and Anya Li. It was beyond amusing to see the dancers’ faces light up with joy as they hit every beat hard with attitude.

“Bradley’s Angels”

This piece by VAAS was clean, with all dancers in sync for the performance. The group as a whole was strong straight through to the ending, skillfully managing their bandanna props.

“The Salem Sisters”

This broadway number was appropriately set to “I Put a Spell on You.” Dancers from the Pierce Dance Company were fun and engaging, making the performance as a whole enjoyable.

“Haunted by What Will, Was Is.”

This piece was a showstopper. It featured a light and video effect that played with shadows and silhouettes. Technical Director, Lighting Designer and Sound Designer Edward Salas is commendable for the show as a whole, but for this piece especially. Dancers Gabriela Freire and Cheyenne Smith were breathtaking, and their performance could stand on its own even without the screen effects. It was like a museum piece come to life.

“Period”

The last VAAS piece of the night highlighted the strengths of all their dancers. The group work was clean overall and the choreography had good transitions.

“Como Tu”

This salsa piece choreographed by Denise Gibson was fun and flirty and allowed dancers to showcase their personalities. Every couple made the dance their own, drawing the viewer’s eye to all parts of the stage. Great dancers make audiences want to dance with them, and that was the effect that “Alert the Cul de Sac” had this weekend. pvillafane.roundupnews@gmail.com

Tracking the right career path

Geographic Information Systems Day features five speakers

level and is used to recognize the Geographic Information System technology.

Geographical Sciences Instructor Adrian Youhanna said Pierce’s relationship with GIS is unique and a rare one to come by.

“This is an extremely unique program that we have because nobody else within our district, at the other eight colleges, have a GIS certificate program. The closest one is about 50 or so miles away at Rio Hondo College and Cyprus College. We are also the only community college in California that has an AA degree for GIS,” Youhanna said.

Three high schools, Northridge Academy, Birmingham Community Charter and Cleveland, also attended the events.

GIS major Tanzi Jackson gave a presentation on Farmers Markets and Food Insecurity. She said she wants to let know students know GIS exists and can be applied to a majority of fields.

The field of Geographic Information can not only dig a student into a unique academic path, but it can be incorporated into a future career.

Pierce College held its fifth celebration for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day Wednesday in the Great Hall. The event hosted five guest speakers who displayed the variety of ways GIS can be applied in everyday life.

State Government employee and student Steve Brand gave a presentation on his analysis of the Los Angeles County climate. He said GIS is too broad to describe in a singular way.

“There is a lot to GIS. It's just one word that encompasses a lot, but if I could simplify it, it's like storytelling using maps or geography,” Brand said.

GIS Day is celebrated at a national

“Iusuallyhaveafriendsgiving. Weusuallyjustmakeita potluckandwatchmovies.”

-Ronald Lu FineArts

“If you're into computers or into maps, but you're also into environmentalism, tracking fires, water or traffic, there's a career there for you,” Jackson said. “I once saw Petco was hiring a GIS analyst probably to find where to put new stores.”

Brand has already graduated with a Bachelor's Degree but wanted to gain more technological experience. He is an internship away from getting his certification.

[For

]

“Itismycatʼstraditionmorethan anything. When people gather in my house, she likes to bring in an animal. I guess she wants tobepartofthefun.Iguessher bringing in a live animal is our tradition.”

-ValerieVaca Environmental and Occupational Health