Volume 131 Fall 2019 Roundup Issue 6

Pierce College turned animal evacuation center overnight due to the Saddle Ridge Fire

Cohen also explained how the center isn’t only limited to horses. Other animals such as pigs, goats, turkeys, rabbits, ducks, pigeons and dogs have been housed at the Equestrian Center in the past.

ERT Volunteer Bill Gruytch said that donations are always welcome during these situations.

While the Pierce campus was closed due to poor air quality, the Equestrian Center opened its doors to house more than 100 horses and large animals who were evacuated due to the Saddle Ridge Fire.

The Equestrian Center opened at 6 a.m. on Friday. Ranches, barns and stables in close proximity to the Saddle Ridge Fire had their animals transported to Equestrian Center for safety.

For horse owner Miguel Deniz, this is the second year in a row that he has evacuatted his horses to Pierce.

“Pierce has always been a central point where you can bring all your animals in case of an emergency,” Deniz said. “They can offer the resources to people when they’re in need.”

Emergency Response Team (ERT) volunteers assisted in the transportation of the evacuated horses to Pierce. Once the horses were at the Equestrian Center, ERT volunteers set them up in stables and provided them with food and water.

Los Angeles County Animal

Control Employee Justin Vaughn said that there were some problems

when the Equestrian Center opened its doors.

“We weren't able to really put the numbers on the horses and get them ready,” Vaughn said. “So when we got here, there was a little bit of chaos trying to figure out whose who and where people came from. We’re still doing some intake.”

Vaughn said that evacuated animals arrived from all over the San Fernando Valley, and that the

Equestrian Center remains open until it reaches full capacity.

‘We’re going to do as much as we can until we run out of room or space,” Vaughn said. “We’re going to try to utilize everything we can.”

Tyler Burzynski, a horse owner, said that Hansen Dam, an equestrian center in Lake View Terrace, was the first to open its doors to evacuees.

“Hansen Dam got filled up really quickly, because there are a

lot of horses out there,” Burzynski said. “Between Pierce College and Hansen Dam opening up, Pierce was a little late to open. A little late for our liking.”

Assistant Trainer Erin Leon explained what will happen to horses after they arrive at the center.

“[The horses] will hang out because the air quality is so bad, and we’ll just keep feeding them so they stay calm and collected,” said

Leon. “We’ll just be here all day checking on them.”

ERT Volunteer Erick Cohen said that things were running smoothly at the Equestrian Center.

“I think we’re just at 100 [horses] right now, but we’ve had a little over 200 before,” Cohen said.

“[The stables are] slowing filling up, but not as quickly as last year. Last year the fire was much more ferocious and spread a lot faster, and was in a worse area.”

Air quality delays sporting events

Soccer, men's basketball and women's volleyball games postponed due to fire

or the smoke was close to where they were,” Roberson said.

Friday, when the Saddle Ridge Fire started, thousands of people were affected, including Pierce student athletes.

Soccer and women’s volleyball were scheduled to be on the road, but saw their games against Santa Barbara City College and Ventura postponed.

Men’s basketball’s event, Intersquad Madness, had to be moved as well due to the school being closed.

Counselor Joe Roberson said that he was fortunate to not evacuate.

“I'm totally blessed that I didn't have to move. Other students let me know they had to move because they were on mandatory evacuation

Roberson was proud of the decision that the administration took because the players deserve to be safe and not exposed under those circumstances.

Head soccer coach Adolfo Perez said that the postponement changed their plans.

“I learned about the decision on the day of, which is a bummer. It changes everything because we are playing Cuesta who is having the best year ever,” Perez said. “Santa Barbara is a powerhouse and in 28 games they only have Iost two.”

Perez said that the game has been rescheduled to Thursday night at 7 p.m. He also said that one of his players Sofia Caparelli had to evacuate.

“We’re volunteers, and we can use any goods that people bring in,” said Gruytch. “Paper, pencils, food, water.”

Marci Sakapjian, Pierce College Senior Agricultural Technician and Farm manager of the Equestrian Center, said that this isn’t the first time Pierce has opened its doors for animals.

“The sad thing is that this is becoming an annual thing for us, unfortunately,” Sakapjian said. “So I think that every year we have one big evacuation at our facility.”

President Alexis Montevirgen gave a statement about Pierce’s involvement with the community.

“When called upon by the county in these types of services, we step up,” Montevirgen said. “We are here to be of resource and to assist the community in the ongoing situation.”

Brief: Security checks commencing

BRYAN CARBALLO Reporter @BRCreport & PAOLA CASTILLO Reporter @paaolacaastillo

President Alexis Montevirgen said the on-campus sheriff's department will conduct security checks at the Sheriff's Office from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Montevirgen said the security checks are for the department to take note of everyone who is on campus at that time, and that it would help them know where to locate those on campus in case of an emergency.

“It's part of our commitment to ensure the safety of the campus,” Montevirgen said. “It's such a large campus, and it's a challenge to make sure that we know and are accountable to who is on campus at all times.”

Faculty and staff are also asked to check in with the Sheriff’s office if they do need to be on campus late in evening.

Cecilia Parada/ Roundup

smoky sunset at the temporary Large Animal Evacuation Center at the Equestrian Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct.

2019. More than 100 horses were evacuated to Pierce due to the Saddle Ridge Fire in Porter Ranch.

[see FIRE PHOTO ESSAY on pgs. 4 & 5]

Cecilia Parada / Roundup

Sasha Corona feeds a horse named Pecas who was evacuated to the temporary Large Animal Evacuation Center at the Equestrian Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., due to the Saddle Ridge Fire on Oct. 11, 2019.

Ben Hanson/ Roundup

Smoky air at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 11, 2019. Soccer, men's basketball and women's volleyball were forced to postpone or cancel their sporting events planned for the weekend.

Food for the starving artist

With Pierce College’s campus spanning more than 426 acres in the middle of the dry San Fernando Valley, mixed with different hills and passageways, at some point in the average fatigued students day, they are going to need to replenish themselves.

For the most part, students can find a decent source of energy close to their classes, there is a specific hill that seems to have been neglected.

The path to the art department is by far the most strenuous path to travel and it is far removed from any type of food options.

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) reported that students who do not eat breakfast at home or at school were less likely to retain the information they had been taught. Hunger can also lead to attention, and behavior, emotional, and academic problems. This will lead to students who will either do poorly in classes, drop or just have to repeat courses altogether.

Hunger doesn’t just stop at affecting our academic performance, it can also hinder our long term physical health.

Scientists at the Imperial College London have demonstrated that severe hunger causes the body to go into a sort of survival mode that creates this craving for high calorie, high fat foods and eat in large portion sizes, which can lead to poor health and diets in the future.

So how can Pierce prevent this cycle of subliminal torture?

Since it is clear we won’t be revisiting the favored option of bringing back more food trucks on campus, Pierce will need to come up with some cost-conscious ways to fulfill the needs of its student body.

One plausible suggestion would be to put at least one vending machine at the top of the hill, but not limiting the options to chips and candy. They would need to offer healthier options like perhaps things like trail mix, nutritional bars, cereal, pretzels and snacks of that nature.

Another way we could tackle this problem is reaching out to the student run groups like art soup or any group effort of donations that would enable students to share the snacks that they aren’t going to eat and pay it forward to those in need of some nutrition.

That would be the most cost-effective, but isn’t concrete based on the fact that we would have to rely on

-Corrections-

Volume 131, Issue 5:

Front:

In the deck under "Coach under investigation" it's the CCCAA bylaws not LACCD.

The jump is not on page 7, it's on Sports page 10.

Opinions Page 2:

The Pierce College President's name was spelled wrong, it should be Alexis Montevirgen.

Features Page 6:

In "A professor with an aGENDa for Pierce" first graph, the second sentence should read "Now, Gend has a different weight on his shoulders, as he's now the Performing Arts department chair."

Campus Life Page 7:

Cecilia Parada took the College Fair photo.

See any errors we missed? Email us at: newsroom.roundupnews@ gmail.com

Load money with student I.D.

minimum fee for credit cards. College is already expensive. Why add another service fee?

California State University Long Beach (CSULB) already has this system. Beach Bucks is money loaded to the student ID. Money can be deposited easily in person, through the “Blackboard Transact Mobile eAccounts” app or at one of the Value Transfer Stations located on campus. Pierce College should have money loading stations located at the Business Center, Library / Learning Crossroads, Art Hill and financial aid office. New students will receive the Bucks ID and continuing students can get one for $5. Several schools, including the University of Alabama, Case Western Reserve University and Duke University, are using kiosks that allow students to custom order food and pay with a swipe of their ID cards, according to Dan Gretz, senior director of marketing for Blackboard Inc., the company that supplies education enterprise technology and teams with 450 schools to integrate campus card services.

Students can place orders hours or days in advance and specify that the food be ready at a specific time — such as during a break between classes.

students that are willing and able to donate.

There could even be a little snack stand on top of the hill monitored by the health office or another campus department that provides healthy options such as fruits, baked bread, vegetables and beverages so that students can purchase a little fresh boost to get them through to their next meal.

Either way, we could easily put a fix to an ongoing issue that is currently affecting our current student body everyday, and help prevent malnutrition and bad grades in the future.

PETER VILLAFANE Reporter @pcavillafane

The backbone of the most profitable companies in the world is not their CEO or their investors.

It is their customer service workers.

Customer service jobs are imperative to the success of most businesses.

Everyone eligible to work should be required to work a retail or customer service job at least once in their life to develop useful life skills, gain experience and improve the economy.

People joining the workforce often undergo the job paradox. To get a job you must gain experience but to gain experience you need a job. If people were required to work a customer service job, they would gain experience needed for future jobs. It would make their resumes more appealing to potential employers, providing them with more job opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, customer service skills are important in 70% of jobs employing the most workers in the economy.

Employees develop transferable skills when working in retail jobs. These skills can include the ability to work a cash register, stock merchandise and wait tables.

Service jobs also help to improve communication skills.

Jobs in retail or food service require daily interaction, which teaches people to be effective communicators, combat shyness and boost self-confidence.

Interactions with customers also teach employees patience because they need to

Most college students have two things in their wallets - a driver’s license and a credit card.

Why not a college ID card that works as a payment method?

Some students are in school for 10 or more hours and sometimes have two meals on or off campus. Why not keep the money at Pierce?

Add money to your ID card and use it on campus for any purchase. With this system, if a student is buying a bag of chips they will not be charged the

Ohio State University has added a new high-tech attraction to the campus - wireless hot dog carts. Students can grab snacks on the way to class and pay for their e-wieners with their Buck ID card.

Some schools use the Bucks ID card for laundry services, pay tuition, meal plans and discounted deals from major retailers. Money can be loaded by parents via app and students will receive an email notification confirming the transaction. This alternative ID will soon add convenience to a student’s life.

newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

learn how to manage their emotions when dealing with a line of people who aren’t as considerate.

Team building is a part of many customer service jobs as well. Employees benefit from team building because they learn to cooperate with others and interact with people from different backgrounds and lifestyles.

Businesses would benefit from employees having these skills too. According to a Gartner survey, “89% of companies expect to compete primarily on the basis of the customer experience.”

Profits would increase and the economy would eventually benefit from companies having better customer service.

The day-to-day demands of a retail job teach problem solving. Employees learn to think on the spot and address issues in an effective and timely manner. They learn to de-escalate tense situations and work under pressure. Customer service also teaches practical math skills like mental math for employees who work at cash registers.

People who have had a previous customer service job develop respect for other employees. They learn to be kind to retail workers and know to tip their servers a fair amount because they’ve had prior experience with working that position. Shared experiences foster kindness.

Customer service jobs teach employees commercial awareness. They learn how a business operates and remains functional. They learn what makes a company profitable and how to satisfy consumers.

Nothing strengthens a person like a customer service job.

Photographers:

Ben Hanson

Cecilia Parada

Kamryn Bouyett

Kevin Lendio

Pablo Orihuela

Rezvan Yazdi

Sergio Torres

Sophia Gomez

Taylor Watson

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, it is estimated that more than 3 million college students will earn a degree after the 2019-2020 academic year. Working at a retail or customer service job should not be a requirement for students or people in general.

While working in those fields can offer one of a kind lessons and moments, any job can.

There are many other jobs or experiences that can benefit a person for a fulfilling future. Any “requirements” set on someone’s life journey serves as a deterrent.

Internships give the most accurate example of on the job experience for future career goals.

When human resources or talent acquisition teams say “we are looking for someone with more experience” for an entry level position, they mean internships.

While yes, experience at any job is better than nothing and a well-worded resume can turn “replaced customer’s wrong order” to “problem solving customer inquiries alongside management in order to ensure continued business and satisfaction,” it cannot beat “worked on business propositions” when the job requirement states “someone who has worked on business propositions.”

Internships have the stigma as being only for students or grunt work when the truth is many internships offer monetary compensation and or require a college degree to even apply.

Furthermore, making a retail or customer service job a requirement does not automatically ensure they get a job in that field.

In many ways, it creates another barrier or

hurdle for them to get passed.

Taking a look at it from a college perspective, students are required to take certain classes, called prerequisites, before they can take others.

An inability to take the required course as a result of no space, no time and or no availability for the semester prevents progress. The same goes for any other requirements in life.

Even if everyone were to be given a job in retail or customer service at the time they sought for it, the situation would still pose some serious issues.

Mainly, there is the chance of a deep dive in the quality of work. Using the college example, a class is sometimes dependent on group assignments because students need to learn how to work with others.

There is often that one person in the group who is only taking the class to meet the requirement, just trying to get the C and only working for the passing credit. This in turn either brings down overall group performance and quality of work for said projects or demands the other group members to pick up the slack left behind by the student who strives to “just get by.”

The scenario will also be repeated in the workplace setting if not exacerbated by the fact that, at this point many things are on the line than just a grade, often rent, food and general financial well-being.

While retail jobs may give students an opportunity to interact with customers and deal with high pressure situations, any job can give that kind of experience if a person allows themselves to acknowledge the opportunity.

At the end of the day, there is no experience, training or skill that can be learned or honed solely from retail or customer service or one job.

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Illustration by Jesse Bertel

Should people be required to work a retail job?

Budget wounds

Health Center wants to increase student health fee

MAJA LOSINSKA Reporter @RoundupNews

In 1998, gas was $1.06 a gallon and the student health fee was $11. Gas today is around $4 a gallon, but the student health fee remains the same.

Director of the Health Center

Beth Benne wants to raise the health fee to provide better services to students.

“Going 21 yers without raising the budget for the Health Center is doing nothing but hurting the health care we can provide. I don’t know how we are going to survive the rest of this year,” Benne said. “It’s very frustrating because I can’t service our students like I want to.”

According to Benne, increasing the student health fee will increase operating hours and provide a fulltime psychologist.

“We still need to find time for more hours because the demand is just so great. Sometimes we are booked out two-to-three weeks in advance,” Benne said. “We need more room and we need a full-time psychologist.”

Vice Chancellor of Educational Programs and Institutional Effectiveness Ryan Cornner wrote in an email that the fee needed to be increased, although he also outlined the potential costs of such a fee.

“This is not a student established fee the way ASO and transportation fees are. The health fee is established by the [LACCD] Board district wide and there has to be a full analysis to bring to Board,” Cornner wrote. “As the proposed fee increase represents

Niaz Khani in spring 2019. However, Benne said that a fourth mental provider is still needed.

“It’s exhausting to us as providers,” Benne said. “I spoke to the board on September 4 and at that time we had 25 new clients and I think we had three or four crises.

It’s kind of mind-boggling.”

Preparing for the worst

Benne said she also wants to increase outreach to students with learning disabilities.

“Somebody asked me, ‘Do you have any disability ADD and ADHD testing?’ but we don’t,” Benne said.

“Special services is desperate for somebody to do that.”

Despite the desired raise in fees, Health Assistant Loralyn Frederick said the center recently increased its mental health clinic hours and services.

“There has been a demand and

Lockdown drills to be held on campus

THOMAS DILLON Reporter @Troundupnews

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) wants to hold lockdown drills on campus

shoving the issue on them to scare them. Education is the number one way to dispel fear.”

Saldivar compared the lockdowns to other drills done on campus.

“We have Earthquake prep, we have fire prep drills. Why not be prepared for an active shooter?” Saldivar said.

LASD is interested in incorporating lockdowns during class periods.

“We don’t want to interrupt lectures or class for a long time, so we want to keep it

L O S A N G E L E S P I E R C E C O L L E G E P R E S E N T S

# P I E R C E B U S I N E S S M O N T H 2 0 1 9

THE BUSINESS MAJOR

Thursday, October 10th 12:45PM - 2:00PM, The Great Hall

Over 5000 students at Pierce declare business or related subjects as their major Areas of emphases include marketing, management, accounting, finance, insurance, supervision and international business Martin Karamian, department chair, is kicking off #PierceBusinessMonth2019 to talk about how to transform your classes into a career. What program is right for you: An AA? An AST? A certificate? A Program Completion Award?

THE BUSINESS COLLEGE FAIR

Wednesday, October 23rd

12:30PM - 2:30PM, The Great Hall Thinking about majoring in business or related field? This college fair is tailored just for you! Representatives from the business departments of transfer institutions such as CSUN, UCLA, Pepperdine, California Lutheran, Woodbury, Azusa Pacific and others will provide information and answer your questions Expand and explore your options! Find the university that meets your needs!

IS ECONOMICS THE MONEY MAJOR?

Wednesday, October 16th

12:45PM - 2:00PM, The Great Hall Economics is MORE than Money! It is one of the most popular majors at top American universities. Kaycea Campbell, department chair, will tell you what it s all about Many students wonder if Economics is worth the time/energy Attend this workshop to see if its is a good fit for you Learn what to expect in an Economics Major and the benefits of the AA-T. Understand career opportunities available as you explore this major and hear from alums talking about their experiences in the world of work

PROFESSIONALS' PANEL AND Q&A

Wednesday, October 30th

1:00PM - 3:00PM, The Great Hall

Want to know what it's REALLY like to walk in the shoes of a business professional? Meet insiders from Disney, Universal Studios Hollywood, LinkedIn, RSM US, Robert Half, Wells Fargo, Re/Max Gold Coast and OnStride IT Services as they share their roles/responsibilities and how to land jobs like theirs Moderated by one of our own faculty, you will find out about their educational and professional pathway as well as the challenges and perks of their positions Q&A to follow!

brief,” Saldivar said. “We have a brief 10-minute presentation to give during classes.”

The lockdown drills will last between 10-to-15 minutes.

Director of the Health Center Beth Benne recently participated in a lockdown drill that was conducted in the Health Center.

“Initially I had forgotten, although Saldivar reminded me the morning of,” Benne said. “When I walked out and saw the cadets in the waiting room, it clicked. ‘Everybody, we’re having a lockdown drill,’ I had said.”

In the lockdown, faculty used rebar to block the front door from being opened and located the lockdown room, which for the Health Department is the lab room.

Benne said the lockdown drill was short and good practice for a real active shooter situation.

“Practice makes you better,

but it won’t make you perfect,” Benne said. “If we’re familiar with what needs to be done when the adrenaline is pumping, the hope is that the practice will allow you to make the right choices in a state of terror.”

At the Academic Senate on Monday, Oct. 7, LASD Captain Rodrick Armalin shared information with professors on what to do during a shooting.

“In the event, locking your door is one of the first things you should do. We use the term ‘run, hide, fight’, which means if you have a way to safely get off of campus and away from what’s happening, then take it,” Armalin said. “If you don’t, then secure your area that you're at and hide, turn your phone off, be quiet and lock the door.”

10/8 5:46 p.m.

•Employee Incident

Students were riding on the back of an electric cart on Mason Avenue/El Rancho Drive. Students were warned and advised.

10/10 3:10 p.m.

•Missing Newspapers

Faculty reported newspaper theft on the Mall.

Photo Ilustration by Kevin Lendio/Roundup

On the left, Omid Taghizadah leans his back on the table to push it along with two other students to block the doors at North Gym, Oct. 10, 2019, in Woodland Hills, Calif. The lockdown drill is a collaboration between the Administration and Sheriff's Department to promote awareness on the proper responses to terrorism or shootings on the campus.

" We still need to find time for more hours because the demand is just so great."

-Beth Benne Director of Health Center

A

tamed horses

Leon carries a bag of shavings inside the Pierce College stables at the Equestrian Center. Photo by Kevin Lendio.

Evacuees from the Breezy Meadow Stables in Chatsworth have breakfast and coffee at the Pierce College Equestrian Center, on Oct. 11, 2019, in Woodland Hills, Calif. Coming from the same barn, they all took their horses with them and evacuated during the Saddle Ridge Fire.

Photo by Kevin Lendio.

The Saddle Ridge Fire forced residents and their pets out of their homes and into the stables at Pierce College last weekend. Horses, donkeys, dogs, ducks and chickens from farms in Porter Ranch and Granada Hills found safety at the Equestrian Center, where Los Angeles County Animal Control, Emergency Response Team and volunteers gave the animals food, water and shelter. Animals arrived as early as 6 a.m. and stayed until evacuation orders were lifted the following day. The Equestrian Center filled quickly and housed about 150 horses, along with several other animals.

Gerardo Bacerra leads an evacuated horse to Pierce College’s Large Animal Evacuation Center at the Equestrian Center due to the Saddle Ridge Fire.

Photo by Cecilia Parada.

at the Pierce College Equestrian Center. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

evacuated to Pierce before sunrise

Chickens were also evacuated to the Equestrian Center during the Saddle Ridge Fire.

Photo by Katya Castillo.

A miniature horse rolls around on the ground at the Equestrian Center. Animals from the San Fernando Valley were evacuated to Pierce because of the Saddle Ridge Fire. Photo by Katya Castillo.

Copy by Katya Castillo

Preview: Hookman

Active Shooter Training

Sheriff's Department display safety procedures

McCarthy also expressed her thoughts on the event as a whole.

STREET

What horror movie is your favorite/ most remembered and why?

Faculty and staff proactively gathered in the Active Shooter Training at the Faculty & Staff Resource Center.

Led by Sgt. Roman Castillo, the training covered the best practices when an active shooter is not only on campus, but in the immediate vicinity at any location.

“I think this training is a really good start, I hope that they can continue to offer them for more faculty staff and even students so that we can be more prepared,” McCarthy said.

Captain Rodrick Armalin stressed the importance of preparation, drawing comparisons to the event of a car accident.

BEAT

Quotes by Paola Castillo Photos by Ben Hanson

““Myfavoritehorrormoviehasto be "TheNun."It'sscaryandit'sanice experience,buttheonethingIdidn't likewastheendingbecauseit'skindof cliche.”

-BryanHerrera Automotive

Urban legends of murderers and kidnappers on the loose are frightening stories to share around a campfire, but they’re also cautionary tales that warn about the importance of safety.

The Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre is tackling this subject by opening their 2019-20 season with the slasher-comedy play “Hookman,” written by Lauren Yee.

Set in the contemporary age of social media, Lexi (Alexa Maris) is a 17-year-old Californian who decides to study out of state at the University of Connecticut (UConn) for her freshman year.

When Lexi returns to California during school break, she and her childhood friend Jess (Loida Navas) drive to a midnight screening to watch a movie. Their

plans abruptly change when they get in a car crash and Jess dies, but did the crash actually cause Jess’ death?

Now, Lexi believes a serial killer that an urban legend calls Hookman is stalking not just her, but also her indifferent roommate Yoonji (JJ Javier) and others at UConn.

“I thought it said so many smart things about our modern culture and college campus culture,” Director Shaheen Vaaz said. “It’s current. It’s fresh. How fun to do something scary for Halloween.”

Opening night is on Oct. 18 at the Dow Arena Theatre on campus. Performances continue through the final show on Oct. 27. Tickets are $15 for students from any school with a valid student ID. Senior citizens who are 62 years old or older pay $18,

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

“What I presented today is proven facts,” Castillo said. “If you do what we discussed today, your chances of survival are very high.”

Having children of his own, Castillo takes his chance to inform seriously.

“Through all my years and experience, I gathered the most pertinent information I could,” Castillo said. “Knowing that this is going to help people, I put my heart into it.”

The training also included a showing and breakdown of a video depicting an active shooter on a college campus as well as slides going over each course of action in the Run, Hide and Fight method.

The video held nothing back to which Academic & Personal Counselor Tara McCarthy appreciated.

“It was graphic, but I think it was needed,” McCarthy said. “A lot of people don’t even know what a real gunshot sounds like, so I think for people to be able to see that and have some reaction to it. It helps them realize how close this is to home and it could happen at any moment.”

“When you’re in a car accident, you’re in shock, you’re trying to figure out where you are at,” Armalin said. “Same thing when you’re in class. Your body is trying to come back and figure everything out at once.”

Armalin stressed that situations of life or death need constant attention.

“Emergencies, especially active shooters, muscle memory, practice and preparing is highly important.”

Also, in attendance was Pierce’s President Alexis S. Montevirgen who felt being a part of the training was paramount.

“I actually had a meeting that was scheduled for the same time and rescheduled,” Montevirgen said. “I felt it was important to be here and show my personal commitment to campus security safety.”

The President also expressed his plans to bring the information into classrooms.

“We have a 10 minute program we have sent out to faculty,” Montervirgen said. “In the classes, they’ll actually do a 10 minute session to inform the student in that class. It’s important that students are made aware of what they can do in similar situations.”

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

“I'mnotintohorror,butthere'sthisone Isaw,Ithinkit'scalled“TheWomanin Black”,somethinglikethat.Thatwas prettyscary.Iwasscaredforliketwo days.”

-Nazir Mushaf ElectricalEngineering

“Probably"MonsterHouse"because itwasthisreallyscaryasakidandI wouldjustalwayswatchit.”

-KaitlynCuellar Sociology

“Well,theJokermoviejustcameout anditwasreallygood.Itwasjust psychologicalandthat'swhyIlikedit verymuch.Ifeellikepsychologymight bethemajorthatIwanttogetintoand justlookingintotheperspectiveofthe Jokerandseeinghowinsaneheis,Ijust foundthatprettyinteresting.”

-Franklin Salamanca

Undecided

#PierceBusinessMonth

Guiding students finanically in the Great Hall Preview: Thursday Concert

Instructors from the Music department will return to the stage to showcase their talents at the Thursday Concert series the next two weeks.

Applied Music Program

instructor John Storie will be the next to perform at the concert. He will perform Jazz Guitar on Oct. 17.

Storie has been an instructor at Pierce College for a year and is also an artist-in-residence at his former school California Institute of the Arts where he teaches student musicians how to self promote.

Apart from being a guitarist, according to his website, johnstorie. com, Storie is also a vocalist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. His website also mentions that he has performed with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra with actor and pianist Jeff Goldblum and the New West Guitar Group.

Following Storie, Applied Music Program instructor Micah Wright will be performing the following week on Oct. 24. Wright will take the stage to perform the clarinet and saxophone.

According to his Linkedin, Wright is a freelance musician and has been an instructor at Pierce for a year. He has also been a clarinet and saxophone instructor at California Lutheran University for three years. Callutheran.edu states Wright has won many awards in his career. He recently won the 2018 Beverly Hills National Auditions.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

JOEY FARRIOLA Reporter @RoundupNews

A student’s major is similar to announcing a career plan, and the choice will alter not only what to study, but potentially an entire lifetime of work.

To help students choose more carefully, the business administration and economics departments on Thursday, Oct. 10, began a month of events titled #PierceBusinessMonth, with a symposium on being a business major, held at the Great Hall. The event’s goal was to help transform class choices into a future job.

Business Administration Chair Martin Karamian talked to students about possible degrees, where to transfer and yearly cost at different colleges.

“The most popular major by far not just at Pierce but almost across the country is the business major, but I want students to know what it is first before they decide to commit to it,” Karamian said. “I always tell

people business is not for everyone.”

Karamian advised against most students racking up student loans.

“It’s kind of like a credit card,” he said. “The more you use it the more you are going to bury yourself in debt, and the more interest rates will pile on that debt and the harder it is going to be to pay it off.”

John Gonzalez, a Pierce business major, came to the event to learn more about his desired field.

“I want to start my own gaming technology business, starting first small with Microsoft gaming, then going big with my own company,” Gonzalez said.

Student Michael Rosales said the event showed him that the varied business world provides a lot of opportunities. There are three more events on the schedule. “Is Economics the Money Major” will be at 12:45 p.m., Oct. 16. The Business College Fair runs 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Oct. 23, and a Q&A with business professionals is 1-3 p.m. on Oct 30. All events will be in the Great Hall.

and general admission pay $23.

ALEJANDRA AGUILERA Reporter @_ale_aguilera

Martin Karamian, the Business Department Chair, points to a presentation as he discusses about the advantages of majoring in Business, Oct. 10, 2019 at the Great Hall of Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Kevin Lenido / Roundup

Katya Castillo / Roundup

(Left to right) Loida Navas and Alexa Maris practice a scene during the dress rehearsal of Pierce's prodction of Hookman in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 14, 2019.

PAOLA CASTILLO Reporter @paaolacaastillo

Polish professor provides Pierce with principles

A long way from Poland, a professor makes Pierce College her home

ALEJANDRA AGUILERA Reporter @_ale_aguilera

Anna Bruzzese remembers growing up in socialist Poland when the Berlin Wall dominated her homeland and martial law—supported by the Soviet Union—was in control.

In Poland, students entering college needed to declare their major and take entrance exams. Bruzzese chose sociology only because it was one of the entrance exams she found less difficult— and she discovered she loved the topic.

“With sociology I realized, maybe I’m not the source of all my problems,” Bruzzese said. “Maybe some of it comes from the outside and my environment. You really have to understand the impact of different forces to explain why we do anything and I find that endlessly fascinating.”

Bruzzese has been a sociology professor at Pierce for 13 years, and is a representative of the statewide Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She is also a past president of the college’s Academic Senate.

Though she wasn’t sure what to study before finding sociology, she believed education would be a major part of her career. Her mother has a doctorate degree in psychology and her father has a doctorate in political science. When Bruzzese was a child in Poland, she would often see her mother typing her dissertation paper on the kitchen table.

“I wanted to sort of follow in their footsteps,” Bruzzese said.

“My parents expected a lot from me in terms of education and I was worried that maybe they wouldn’t approve of me if I didn’t continue.”

Bruzzese’s first stay in America was in 1989, when a family friend offered to host her in New Jersey for her junior year of high school

and she agreed. By the time she returned home to Poland at the end of the school year, the Berlin Wall fell and the socialist regime had ceased.

was promoted and became the History, Philosophy and Sociology department chair, a position she held for five years.

“What I enjoy about it the most is meeting people outside of campus and other faculty,” Bruzzese said. “I’m more aware of certain issues that I probably wouldn’t have been aware of that the statewide Academic Senate really emphasizes like issues of diversity and equity.”

Cara Gillis, a philosophy professor and current History, Philosophy and Sociology department chair, described Bruzzese as thoughtful.

“She is always trying to make sure she matches the way she’s teaching to the ways students typically learn,” Gillis said. “We’re really fortunate to have somebody that’s so engaged in education and pedagogy.”

James Mckeever, a sociology professor at Pierce, said Bruzzese goes above the call of duty when it comes to serving Pierce.

The biggest change she recalls after the regime ended was witnessing homelessness, along with the freedom (for those who could afford it) to buy new products that weren’t in the market before.

“When McDonald’s first opened in Poland it was a hip place to take your date to eat,” Bruzzese said. “You’d see people in suits having lunch there. It wasn’t super cheap either.”

In 1992 Bruzzese transferred to Stony Brook University in New York where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

In 2006, she landed a job at Pierce College. She earned her doctorate in sociology a year later.

“I really think sociology is very liberating. I love to share that with students,” Bruzzese said. “Honestly, I’m humbled because a lot of these students deal with very serious things and overcome very serious obstacles. It’s inspiring.”

Within two years, Bruzzese

“I think she’s an amazing professor who’s dedicated to her students but also dedicated to larger campus issues that affect faculty and students,” McKeever said. “She’s willing to take on those roles outside of the classroom that some people don’t really want to take on because she cares about the bigger issues of education.”

Bruzzese said teaching continues to be a path for her to learn more, just as it was when she first studied sociology in Poland.

“I want my students to maybe start asking these questions that we all need to keep asking like, ‘Why do we do things? Why do we aspire what we aspire?’ I want people to ask these questions really throughout their lives,” Bruzzese said. “I want to keep asking myself these questions. It helps me. It’s like a two-way street.”

aaguilera.roundupnews@gmail.com

Student brings understanding and knowledge to Pierce

Chabad club, offers insight into one of Judaism’s largest movements

PAOLA CASTILLO Reporter @paaolacaastillo

If Gabby Mahgerefteh wasn’t late to her Bio-Psych class last year, it’s possible that she would have never joined the club that would play an intergal part of her life on campus.

Mahgerefteh was rushing down the Mall when she walked by the booth. She couldn’t help but notice that the Chabad club was in need of some assistance.

“I was walking by the booth and the vice president was just standing there alone and she’s like, ‘Can you help? Can you help me?’” Mahgerefteh said.

After putting her class aside and deciding to help out with the booth, it soon dawned on Mahgerefteh that there was more that needed to be done.

“I almost skipped class just to help them, but at that point I realized they don’t have anyone, they need a president,” Mahgerefteh said.

Later, Mahgerefteh sat with the head organizer and offered herself. She let them know that she was there for them.

Chabad at Pierce was made to help create a community for Jewish students at Pierce and also serve to educate the student community about the Jewish religion and culture.

Mahgerefteh said religion plays a major role in her life.

“Religion, to me, is my entire life,” Mahgerefteh said. “I feel like my religion revolves around my life,” Mahgerefteh said.

Chabad, being an anagram for wisdom, knowledge and understanding in Hebrew, is also one of the largest movements in Judaism, having its origins go as far back as 1775.

Chabad Vice-President, Sepide Lavian, said Mahgerefteh’s role is to help

organize events, appoint club members their jobs, and to help everyone stay on track. She said Mahgerefteh’s involvement in the meetings has helped with their events.

“A lot of our events and meetings are off campus, like at a rabbi’s house, because we are a Jewish based club, so she does help us with that,” Lavian said.

To Lavian, Mahgerefteh is a breath of fresh air. Lavian said the former president wasn’t as involved as Mahgerefteh. She said Mahgerefteh has lived up to the role of president.

“At first it was a different president and he didn’t do the job. He didn’t come to the meetings all the time and he didn’t join us at club rush. So,

Kamryn Bouyett/ Roundup

“She was part of every part of the club. Every aspect. Her and the vice president were essential to the success of Chabad at Pierce.”

The average college student has enough tackle on a normal day to day basis. They have classes to attend, homework to do, and most have jobs they have to head to right after class, but Mahgerefteh has to manage her life as a student and her life as a president for Chabad at Pierce.

Kashanirokh said Mahgerefteh has remained consistent as the Chabad president. He said most members struggle with position of presidency.

“A lot of the time the person can’t really handle being president because it’s a lot of responsibility,” Kashanirokh said. “That’s why I would never want to take that position.”

Mahgerefteh has plans for the future of Chabad at Pierce. She hopes that she’ll be able to increase the attendance to the club soon.

“I’d like to keep growing the Chabad because it’s still small. Our marketing could be a lot better.” Mahgerefteh said.

For students interested in getting involved, Mahgerefteh said the board is limited, but that anyone can attend the events held by the Chabad which are situated off campus.

“We go for Jews, but we’ve had non Jews come as well. We’re very inclusive to everyone,” Mahgerefteh said.

she’s very committed,” Lavian said.

Former Secretary David Kashanirokh said he only worked with her for a year, but she was good at the job.

“She was a great leader because honestly she kept us on top of our responsibilities. It’s very hard to do and it’s a hard job,” Kashanirokh said.

Kashanirokh elaborated that it’s difficult to get everyone to go to the meetings, but Mahgerefteh would make sure everyone would show up. Kashanirokh also said Mahgerefteh was involved in everything that had to do with the club.

“She figured out how to organize it and orchestrate everything,” Kashanirokh said.

Mahgerefteh believes a student should feel encouraged to find out more about their beliefs and join its community.

“If you have a religion and you’re trying to figure it out, there’s a life on campus for your religion.” Mahgerefteh said.

“You should go for it.”

Gabby Mahgerefteh, a peer-to-peer mentor, poses in Rocky Young Park at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif on Sept. 26, 2019.

“I really think sociology is very liberating[...]Honestly, I’m humbled because a lot of these students deal with very serious things and overcome very serious obstacles.

It’s inspiring.”

-Anna Bruzzese Professor of Sociology

Kamryn Bouyett / Roundup

Anna Bruzzese, a professor of sociology, poses in her office at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct 8, 2019.

Women's Volleyball Football Soccer Water Polo Men's Basketball

Life changing experience helps Gianna Ros mentor by example Leading on and off the court

KATYA CASTILLO

Photo Editor @PhotosbyKatya

After seeing her grandfather get sick, Gianna Ros decided to study nursing to help people in need. She now carries this compassion onto the volleyball court.

Ros, one of the women's volleyball captains at Pierce College, tries her best to support and help her loved ones at home, as well as her family on the team.

“My abuelo got sick to where he almost died, and it scared me to think of losing him. So I thought a caretaker goes into being able to help everyone and it makes me feel good to help people. With the team, if something is going on with one of the girls I’ll take the extra time to ask, ‘are you okay? What’s going on?’ I’m always there for them,” Ros said.

Her coaches and teammates appreciate her kindness and recognize how it helps the team.

Aniya Cleavland, who plays outside hitter, knew Ros was a good player and teammate the first time they met.

“She's so motivational. When everyone's down, she's always trying to bring us back up. If she sees someone fall, she says, `you got it next time, you can do it. Don't give up. Never give up.’ That’s what makes her a great captain,” Cleavland said.

Ros’s compassion became second nature to her over time.

“I’ve always been that kind of person you can lean on. I’ve had a lot of things happen in my life with my family and other people. But I like being there for everyone else. I know I would want that as a teammate, so I want to be that for

them as a captain,” Ros said.

Her encouraging words and strong mindset about winning and losing motivates her teammates to play their best.

While many athletes define a win as scoring more points than the opposing team, Ros believes it’s all about how the team plays together.

She emphasizes the importance of good sportsmanship by trying your best.

“As long as we play as hard as we can, that’s how we know we won. It’s not defined by the score, it’s defined by how we think we did,” Ros said.

Ros pushes herself beyond her limits, and beyond the coach's

expectations both during practice and on the court.

Carrie Wright, the assistant volleyball coach, recalls her first encounter with Ros.

“We were at practice and everyone was jogging but she was running. I noted what a great athlete she was and she always pushed herself without us ever having to say anything,” Wright said.

Not only is Ros known by her coaches and teammates for her hard work and caring nature, she is also recognized for her serves and kills.

“We were at Cuesta and she was going on a service round and serving really strong. She just flies in the air and hits the ball quickly,”

Brahma of the Week

Kathy Ceron

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Setter

Hometown: Northridge, CA

Ceron had 15 assists and three service aces against Santa Barbara City College on Oct. 9.

You had a great performance in the only game of the week.

What were your overall thoughts?

“I did great overall. It comes to team effort and them supporting me.”

How do you prepare for games?

“Music and my family. I always speak to them. Also to take deep breaths and not get anxious."

In what areas can you improve on?

"Being more consistent when it comes to setting and to not overthink things."

Any plans after Pierce?

“I want to go to UCLA or UC Irvine.”

Brahmas Scoreboard

Wright said.

Cleavland recalls the first few games in which she was watching Ros from the sidelines and cheering her on.

“I was yelling, ‘go Gianna!’ and when she would get a kill, I started jumping up and down,” Cleavland said.

Cleavland even gave her a nickname in honor of her skills.

“I call her a machine. She’s a really good player and has really good kills, and always hitting the ball down, so I call her a machine” Cleavland said.

The administration was involved in making the change. The team were also unable to get their uniforms since school was closed Friday and Saturday.

“This changes our landscape because now we are going into three straight tough games,” Perez said. That is not an excuse but we have to prep well physically for what is coming.”

Caparelli said that this was the first time she had to evacuate from a fire.

“So I found out on Saturday morning since the smoke was getting closer to where I lived and I got a text saying we had to move,” Caparelli said. It was scary because I had never gone through a situation like that. Thankfully nothing had happened to the apartment when we went back.”

Caparelli said despite having to play multiple games, if they are able to manage them well, they can get good results.

Women’s volleyball outside

Football hopes to shift their focus as they look to start conference on the right foot with a trip to Santa Barbara City College.

An acting head coach is set to be named after Pierce College President Alexis Montevirgen announced Carlos Woods was placed on temporary administrative leave on Thursday.

Conference will be a contested one. Champions Hancock College is the only team to have a winning record going 3-2.

The rest of the field have losing records. Pasadena and Santa Monica are 2-3 while

hitter Gianna Ros said she got notified through her phone.

“I was sleeping and it kept vibrating. We were getting messages since we have a group chat. I also got an email notifying me that the campus was going to be closed,” Ros said.

Ros said the team took the situation well and that their health is a priority. She is happy that the game is going to be rescheduled.

“When we go on the road, we will be more than prepared to face them,” Ros said.

Head basketball coach Charles White who works with the Los Angeles Unified School District said they left early because of the fires.

“You know that left us in a bad spot. The officials to give a clinic to the players about the new rules this season,” White said. “Hopefully we are able to have the event this Saturday. I will talk to Genice [Sarcedo-Magruder] about it and see what she says.”

there is a three-way tie between the Brahmas, Harbor and the Vaqueros at 1-4.

Pierce start with two road games. After going to SBCC, they take a trip to Pasadena on Oct. 26. Their next home game will be in Nov. 2 when they host the Seahawks. One week later they face the Bulldogs in the last away game of the season.

Brahmas have their last home game on Nov. 16 when they host the Corsairs.

Three of the five conference games start at 6 p.m. The only two early kickoff matches are against the Vaqueros Saturday and when they face Hancock. Those games begin at 1 p.m.

Katya Castillo/Roundup

Gianna Ros, one of the volleyball captains, poses in front of her team during practice in the South Gym at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 10, 2019.