Volume 132 Spring 2020 Roundup Issue 9

Protesting for social justice

Supporters gathered in masses around the San Fernando Valley

BY PETER VILLAFANE

People have been holding demonstrations across the country in support of Black Lives Matter. These events have been the nation’s response to multiple instances of police brutality. At least three of these events happened in the San Fernando Valley.

Orange Aligned

About 70 people attended a demonstration called Orange Aligned in Woodland Hills on June 3.

The event began at about 2:30 p.m., after social media posts raised awareness of it, and ended with a prayer at about 5 p.m.

Demonstrators first gathered at the parking lot at the Pierce College Station of the Metro Orange Line. There were no acts of violence at the event.

San Fernando Valley locals Emily Alvarado and Samson Tupuola organized the event and said they were motivated by their faith and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

“We just think by entering prayer, we’re aligning with god and aligning the people to this mindset for the heart to be aligned in what’s really important—not the hatred, but the love and support we can give to Black Lives Matter,” Alvarado said. “Opening in prayer is just essential for us.”

Tupuola said it takes more than just words to change the current political climate. He said before the protest began that he hoped for divine intervention.

“We’re really hoping that God moves today,” Tupuola said. “We are people of faith, we are children of faith and we’re so expectant for what god is going to do. We’re here with god and we’re expecting god to move, even through the silence, that god would speak.”

Tupuola also said he believes God supports marginalized people.

“God's been fighting oppression,” Tupuola said. “He is for the people that have been oppressed.”

Tupuola, a Samoan person, said he stands in solidarity with Black people.

“I’m not Black, but I’m fighting for you,” Tupuola said. “I’m not Black, but I’m standing with you. That’s our message today.”

Protestors held signs and walked down the sidewalk along Victory Boulevard from Winnetka Avenue to De Soto Avenue and back. People also stood on the sidewalk to face the passing cars.

Sage Robinson held signs saying "Let's talk" and "I'll listen if you'll listen" at the event.

"I don't like how there's a Black Lives Matter and there's people that say 'all lives matter.’ But no one's actually talking. They're just yelling,” Robinson said. “To get to a better understanding of everyone, we just have to start talking."

Alvarado said her hopes for the event were to be peaceful and to open up a conversation.

“We were just moved by all the things that we’ve seen in our nation and we just wanted to bring that to the community in a peaceful manner to let them know that their voices are also important and heard,” Alvarado said. “We just want to make that space for them to just show that we care and we support our Black brothers and sisters.”

Northridge BLM at CSUN

On June 2, people gathered at an event organized by Northridge Black Lives Matter (BLM) at the Delmar T. Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

People held signs, chanted together and gave speeches on the steps while using a megaphone. An audience gathered at the lawn in front of the library, and organizers let people from

BLM, said the history of institutional racism in America motivated the group to organize the protest.

Logan said the event also sought to raise awareness to and discuss police brutality.

was like a one band, one sound. It was a beautiful thing. It was like music.”

- Malachi Maisha

the crowd come up to the steps and address everyone.

Police were parked in the area. There appeared to be no acts of violence.

A series of social media posts notified people of the event.

Carrolee Logan, part of Northridge

“We built this country and we deserve so much respect,” Logan said. “But because we came here as slaves and that's all they wanted us to be, they didn’t expect us to rise as a people. They didn’t expect us to overcome and conquer our situations. But at the end of the day, we know we're on the right side of history.”

“The police, they try to control the narrative,” Logan said. “They try to paint us as the enemy, as bad or savage--whatever the situation. But at the end of the day, the reality is when we protest, we’re peaceful. They're the ones that come and they aggravate us. They're the ones that come and they stir things up, getting violent.”

People tried to get police officers to show solidarity with them, but Logan said the officers declined.

“It makes no sense that the police cannot kneel with us and show union and show love,” Logan said. “Yet they can knee on a man's neck for nine minutes until he dies.”

Northridge BLM asked lawyer

Jaaye Person-Lynn to be at the event. Group members met Person-Lynn at a demonstration covering Santa Monica to Venice.

Person-Lynn said he was honored to be at CSUN and wants people to gain the motivation to enact change.

“I hope they understand that they have power,” Person-Lynn said. “They have power in unity, even at a young age.”

Matthew Nielsen handed out supplies including water, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, napkins and hand sanitizer. Nielsen ran out of water bottles and was able to give out all the sandwiches by the end of the event.

“I feel it's my place as a white person to do the most I can to stand by black people and all people really,” Nielsen said. “I can't miss these anymore. There's too much that needs to change.”

Granada Hills

On June 1, more than 100 people gathered, many holding signs and chanting “Black lives matter,” “Say his name” and other call-and-response sayings in Granada Hills.

Class

of 2020

Ceremony to be streamed live

BY ARIELLE ZOLEZZI

Faculty and students at Los Angeles Pierce College, along with the rest of the Los Angeles Community College District, are gearing up for a Virtual Recognition Ceremony for the first time in history.

Although this has left many students frustrated that they can’t culminate their achievements on stage, the Pierce College community is trying to look on the bright side.

Pierce College president Alexis Montevirgen said via virtual interview that he wants to be clear by no means are they trying to replace the actual experience of the graduation ceremony, but rather that Pierce is trying to still commemorate the achievements of the students who have worked hard.

“All of our graduates will be invited back to a face-to-face commencement, which looks like it might be around this time next year,” Montevirgen said. “We know that that’s a long time, which is why we wanted to have something now.”

Montevirgen acknowledged this isn’t what people had envisioned, but they are hoping that it is still something that people can celebrate and enjoy.

“I really do believe that this graduating class is the most prepared and what we need right now in the world,” Montevirgen said. “I feel here at Pierce we prepare our students not just academically, but to be civil in society, ask courageous questions and to be understanding and see where people are coming from.”

Sociology professor James McKeever said this graduating class has gained much love and respect from him.

“It makes me sad that we have to do it this way, but this group of graduates should be so proud of themselves for finishing under such horrible conditions,” McKeever said. “Truly a magnificent feat by some truly extraordinary students.”

ASO president Vivian Yee said in a text that she is really looking forward to our first ever virtual recognition ceremony and hope all of you can join in the experience.

“A few months ago, no one could ever have imagined what we're all having to go through right now,” Yee wrote. “We're all trying to make the best of everything and sometimes it's hard. But I really appreciate that Pierce is doing everything they can to give us graduates as close to a real celebration as possible.”

is saddened that we're not holding an on-campus commencement ceremony, he is still really excited for the virtual graduation.

“Commencement is one of my favorite days at Pierce College because we have the opportunity to show up for our students,” Loy wrote. “It's a day where faculty and staff get to dress up in our cap and gowns, rooting for students on stage, and continuing the tradition of ringing a cowbell for them!”

The ceremony will be held on June 9 at 6 p.m., and you can access on Pierce College's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Photo by Katya Castillo / Roundup

Protesters hold signs and chant on the corners of Chatsworth Street and Zelzah Avenue on June 1, 2020.

“To hear so many people on the same chant as you, the same voice as you--it was just like one voice. It

professor Robert

azollezi.roundupnews@gmail.com

Message from your Pierce President

BY PIERCE COLLEGE PRESIDENT ALEXIS MONTEVIRGEN

What a way to close out a first year as a College President!

Little did I imagine when

I joined Pierce College last summer that this would be the way that we would be closing my first year as your College President. But I also never could have imagined how immensely proud and honored I would be right now to be leading such a resilient and inspiring campus community.

Resilient and inspiring FACULTY… who as scholars and experts in their respective fields have come together to shift to a fully remote instructional learning environment in the middle of the academic semester so that we can continue to serve the educational needs of our students and our entire community. Thank you, Pierce College faculty!

Resilient and inspiring STAFF… who continue to work tirelessly and with dedication to ensure that online services continue to be provided, ensuring student success and preserving access for all. Thank you, Pierce College staff and administrators!

And most importantly, resilient and inspiring STUDENTS… who have persevered and who continue to progress towards their certificates and degrees. Thank you, Pierce College students!

It is no small task what we all have had to endure as a campus, as a city, as a state, as a nation, and as a world over these last few months. I am confident, without a doubt, that the qualities and virtues that we have come together with to face our current situation are exactly what we so desperately need more of in this world of ours right now.

What these last few months have hopefully proven to you, to your families, and definitely to all of us at Pierce College, is that our campus community has the grit, the determination, and the will to not let anything, even a global pandemic, get in the way of supporting the success, educational ambition, and the continued overall wellbeing of our community.

Continue dreaming and reaching for that next milestone. Do not let this pandemic get in the way of you being able to complete your certificate or degree. Continue believing in yourself and the fact that no matter what this world may place in front of us, we each have the opportunity to make a positive impact in this world with each action that we take moving forward.

GO

BRAHMAS! #piercecollegeproud

COLUMN:

Message from your ASO President

BY ASO PRESIDENT VIVIAN YEE

WhenI first stepped foot on the Pierce College campus back in Fall of 2018, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was just a little different from most of the other students -- a bit tinier, somewhat shorter, and a whole lot younger. So I told myself to just keep a low profile in classes -- I would keep my head down, my hoodie up, and do just about everything to NOT draw unnecessary attention to myself. However, as I am humbled and honored today to be writing this as your graduating ASO President, it is obvious that I did not stick to my plan. And I'm glad I didn't.

What I did not know then that I do now, is that I had nothing to fear.

Because EVERYONE at Pierce is different in some way. Every one of us has a story to tell. And it is that very uniqueness in all of us that makes every one of us special. So if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time here at Pierce, it is that it’s okay to be different and to try new things. Even if we fail and make mistakes along the way.

As a professional actress since I was eight years old, I know all about failure, disappointment and rejection. They all hurt. No one likes them. I sure didn't. But now, looking back, I'm thankful for them because those experiences made me stronger, more resilient and, most importantly, more appreciative of the little successes when they do come.

I know that the road to success is almost never a straight path. It sure hasn't been for me. But Pierce is a wonderful place to include on your journey of life -- a community full of amazing people and abundant resources available to anyone who asks. At Pierce, I was encouraged to put my fears aside and try many new things. I signed up for classes in Salsa Dance, Hip-hop, Geography and Karate. I joined clubs and organizations such as the ASO, AGS, Chinese Club and Film Club. I utilized the many student services such as those offered through the Transfer Center and Honors Transfer Program. Each new experience opened my eyes and mind to exciting new possibilities I never would have known otherwise.

So I want to say a big THANK YOU to Los Angeles Pierce College! I will always fondly remember the many wonderful people here who have helped me along the way.

Whether you're graduating or transferring from Pierce, or if you're continuing or just beginning your journey here -CONGRATULATIONS! You've come to the best place! As said in one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Seuss -- "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." GO BRAHMAS!

Letter from the editor

difficult, but we are committed to overcoming these new challenges that we all have to face in the new normal.

While the pandemic has put physical distance between our staff members, we have come closer together as a team.

We are still here. We are still ready and willing to serve the public, to serve you, in finding and sharing the truth. We are here for you digitally, and hopefully soon, we’ll see you again in print.

BY KATYA CASTILLO kcastillo.roundupnews@gmail.com

COLUMN:

L

BY PETER VILLAFANE

ately I feel like a caged bird.

I was supposed to move to Long Beach over the summer because I’m transferring to California State University, Long Beach.

Since CSUs are online for the fall semester, I’m going nowhere. Although I’m excited to attend a new school, I still feel like my academic plans are stagnant.

I had already been looking for places to move and talking to potential roommates, and I’m so disappointed about having to abandon those plans. I had saved up to prepare for the move. I finally had enough money to move out of my parent’s place, and I can’t even celebrate that accomplishment.

Personally, my family home is a toxic space, and I felt like I was going to be free from that negativity once I moved out. I’m scared to see how being forced to stay home is going to affect my mental health. I was also hoping that being physically apart from my family was going to improve my relationship with them.

My happiness is being postponed.

The pride I have in graduating and transferring has been diminished as well.

I was so happy to be graduating and getting my associate degree because it’s been five years since I graduated high school. I dropped out of the last college I went to, and it was such a relief to finally have finished something.

Of course, I’m still getting my degree, but it doesn’t feel like I’m moving on to a better future if I can’t move and physically be in a new school.

I wanted to explore the campus because I was obsessing over the photos of how good it looks. I wanted to join clubs, explore campus life events and meet new people. I didn’t put all my effort into applying to school just for it to be online.

I was looking forward to starting a new chapter. Now it just feels like I’m stuck on the same page.

Photographers:

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed how we act. We at the Roundup continue to strive to provide excellent news coverage to everyone on our digital platforms. In our final printed issue - Issue 4 - we came back to campus while students were sent home. Within two days, our team of editors, reporters and photographers were able to put together one last special COVID-19 issue that was printed and distributed. The transition to a fully online work environment has been

COLUMN:

BY BENJAMIN HANSON BY FELIPE GAMINO

Due to the pandemic, sports across the entire world have been put on pause or have seen their respective season come to an end.

For several months, fans have seen reruns of past games or events depending on the sport they like.

As sports are slowly returning the question would be what would the logistics be?

Some countries have decided that outdoor activities can resume without fans. Germany and South Korea have resumed their soccer and baseball seasons respectively, while NASCAR also made its return.

The NCAA has sent guidelines for how colleges can resume their practices. For high schools, the National Federation of State High School Associations also sent requirements for returning to physical activity.

That leaves community colleges at a limbo. Although the California Collegiate Athletic Association has suspended the fall sports, others are simply not taking that route.

And they shouldn’t.

Different administrators and presidents should also make the efforts to not let athletics go down the tube although some are considering that option.

A simple solution could be for them to have their seasons without fans. Pepperdine University announced their preliminary plans and for sports they would be held with no spectators.

For student athletes and coaches, they should have their temperature checked like they do in the pros and should be tested if they don’t have the virus.

COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere until there is a vaccine or a medicine that takes it away.

The ball is on their side of the field. Do the right thing and let the student athletes play, while taking the measures necessary for their safety.

Please stay home.

If you won't do it for yourself, do it for your parents. Do it for your grandparents. Do it for the healthcare and essential business workers. Do it for your friends, neighbors and their parents.

I know you feel cooped up inside and you want to get out. Your home is now your prison. I get that. This COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we live our lives. Routines have been broken and it feels like there is no end in sight.

I am right there with you.

However, you should not use essential businesses as a way to escape. That is not what we are here for. We are here for your essential needs.

We are not here for your hair dye, your makeup or your photo print orders. We are not here for you to browse and spend money because you're bored at home.

I have been a retail worker for my entire career. I have met many wonderful people and learned a lot about how we all live our separate lives.

I used to hear stories from customers about how they were once the mascot for the Pittsburgh Penguins or stories about how they once won the Golden Gloves for amatuer boxing. There are many wonderful stories to hear from anyone you meet on any given day. I like to treat customers like they were on the front page story of my own little imaginary newspaper.

Everybody's story has been the same lately: they ran out of toilet paper, somebody close to them has caught COVID-19, they can't wait for this to be over, they can't find masks for sale anywhere.

The allure of talking to strangers has been lost. I want nothing more than to hear what drives a person to their dreams and goals. But if we keep breaking the Safer at Home order and if we don't take this seriously, the only thing that will drive you to me is going to be when you ask, "When will you have toilet paper?"

If you want to shop for what you don't need and you want to look for makeup and hair dye, that is fine. I am powerless to stop you. When you catch this virus, at least you will make for a pretty corpse.

Please stay home.

Please come for only what you need, I will gladly help you find it and one day soon, you can tell me what drives you too.

BY SHEHREEN KARIM

As I near the end of the third month in quarantine at home, I find myself noticing a decline in my mental health and hope. In March when the Stay at Home orders were placed, my mentality was that those orders would be lifted in no time and somehow and some way everything will go back to normal.

But, my hopes and mental state began to dwindle when I realized it wasn’t anytime soon and I found myself questioning if this will ever end. The first change I noticed was that I was looking for “good news” related to COVID-19, such as people making masks for other people.

However, these high hopes only lasted about two weeks until I started to escape reality and start playing more video games such as Animal Crossing New Horizons. With the game being released near the end of March and until now, I have played over 250 hours on a single game.

I realized how gaming gave me the satisfaction that my actions can solve something such as completing the daily tasks in the game. Whereas in the COVID-19 world, I have no control but to stay inside hoping things would go back to a state of normalcy.

Within my social circle, people know me as the one who goes to sleep on time before midnight. For me I have to go to sleep by 11 p.m and I’ve done this all throughout high school and college.

Now I get to bed at 2 a.m. wide awake, tossing and turning until I hear birds chirping at 5:30 a.m.

During summer breaks, my friends and I always joke how messed up our sleeping schedule is during breaks but that’s expected and only lasts two months.

But with quarantining at home with no definitive date to when it will end, I can't help but question how having a loss of sleep will affect me physically and mentally.

Staying at home for this long, my mind is constantly questioning how things changed so drastically as I lay awake at night saying “this can't be real.”

At the start of the Stay at Home orders, I had hoped that it would end in no time and we’ll be back to Pierce in a month. Then came the denial phase where I didn’t think any of this was possible.

Now, I’m in the stage of acceptance and adapting to this new normal.

This is the stage where I realized I’ve been so dependent on a schedule like waking up at 8 a.m. and going to class, have lunch, go home and do homework, and then sleep. My schedule before COVID-19 was already made and now in quarantine I’m getting used to having no schedule.

Luckily for me, I have the privilege to have time to start new hobbies such as skating and painting. With this new normal, I’m spending more time cooking Bangladeshi food with my mom and prior to COVID-19 I always wanted to but couldn’t find the time.

Even during a pandemic when it's unclear when life would go back to normal and we can have large social interactions again, I noticed that I still make plans with my friends for the future.

Our conversations consist of “after corona I can’t wait to go to the beach with you” and even though there’s no definitive date of these plans, “after corona” is what gives me hope.

Those two words give me a feeling that I can get through this and give me the strength that I desperately need during these uncertain times.

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.

From the desk of the Roundup: Editorials

Two in one learning

Pierce should make a return with hybrid classes

Education changed quickly and dramatically in the past few months.

The global pandemic has forced people into their homes and caused radical change in our educational system.

While this change isn’t ideal for all students and faculty, Pierce should adopt some modifications when in-person instruction resumes.

With online instruction, many professors have activated Canvas shells and regularly upload lecture material and additional resources.

Before the switch to remote learning, many professors didn’t. Pierce should strongly encourage that all professors actively use their Canvas shells to upload lecture videos, handouts and supplementary material.

When Pierce reopens its classrooms, efforts should be made to minimize crowding.

While attendance wasn’t mandatory before the switch to distance education, classes without active Canvas shells made it difficult for students to catch up on missed information if they weren’t able to get to class.

For lecture based classes, professors should record and upload lectures so students have the option of going to class, and anyone can watch or rewatch lectures when necessary. Classes with lab instruction should have the lecture portion online and students only come to class for hands-on learning.

According to Joel Barker, an assistant accounting professor at Borough of Manhattan

'Get the notes online'

Professors should upload Zoom lectures

to Canvas

Community College, hybrid classes most benefit students who commute to college.

“The major advantage of hybrid classes is that this forum allows some flexibility to students with multiple responsibilities to maximize their time,” Barker wrote in Benefits Of Hybrid Classes In Community Colleges.

Additionally, hybrid classes would decrease the number of students in the classroom, as well as reduce the amount of time students and faculty are on campus.

Whenever in-person instruction resumes, it’s unwise to allow classes to go back to crowded classrooms multiple days per week.

Students who have previously enrolled in online courses are familiar with how they work and haven’t struggled with the sudden and unexpected change.

But for others, it has not been so easy.

Some students have been forced to adapt quickly to a new learning environment without previous knowledge on time management skills and the work effort required to maintain a passing grade.

Although meetings are more accessible because going to campus isn’t necessary, there are some who are still finding it difficult to make it to class.

To ease the trouble, Pierce College should consider making

it mandatory for professors to upload their Zoom meetings to Canvas after it’s over.

Before, students would have to miss critical information taught if they were absent. But because class is done virtually, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore.

Instructors don’t have to set up additional equipment or have advanced technology skills. They have the option to simply press record during a Zoom session.

Not only would it be useful for those who couldn’t attend class, it’d be a resource for those who did.

It’s common to forget what was said during a lecture because there’s so much new information being said.

If the video of the lecture was uploaded, students could refer to them to help with homework or study.

They could also use it to catch things they missed or to find answers to questions about assignments that were asked by others.

Professors could also use their recordings in the future if they teach the same class again.

While some may never get comfortable with remote learning, Pierce should provide tools to make the process easier.

BY JOEY FARRIOLA

While school is stressful enough, students should consider taking the semester off until they’re ready to go back.

With college campuses being closed due to COVID-19, some may not feel comfortable with taking online classes.

Students may want to wait until they learn or get a better understanding on how online services work.

Both high school graduates and transfer students from community colleges most likely didn’t anticipate that their first time going to a two-year or four-year university would have to be done at home.

They didn’t fill out page long applications or sit around for months eagerly waiting for emails announcing admission decisions to get stuck watching lectures on their computers.

They wanted to have the experience of driving to campus, living in a dorm, participating in campus activities or sporting events, joining clubs and making new friends in their classes.

Not only would they be missing out on those opportunities, they’d be paying for it too.

Enrollment fees aren’t being lowered simply because they’re done virtually. Professors are still holding lectures and providing the same amount of work they would have if it was done in person.

While there might be no difference for the instructors, the students are the ones at a disadvantage because they’re still charged the same tuition.

They’re basically being charged hundreds or thousands of dollars a semester for an overpriced video call.

They should consider holding off on enrolling in classes until they get their money’s worth.

The break from school could be useful for students to save up money because college isn’t cheap regardless of when they decide to attend.

It can also allow them to get prepared for the next semester such as getting classes in order or talking to a counselor about their long term goals.

Deciding on a major could be difficult for those who just graduated high school. According to studybreaks.com, many people enter college without a plan.

“According to surveys, an estimated 20 to 50% of students enter college as undecided, and an estimated 75% of students change their major at least once before graduation.”

While it is normal to be confused, it could be costly to enroll in classes that may not be needed to complete their degree. They should take the time to reflect on what career path they want to go down before potentially wasting time doing something they don’t want to do.

Community college students could consider simply staying at the college they’re currently attending.

Instead of rushing to transfer, they could use the extra semester to take more transferable courses for their major.

Most people wouldn’t think of taking a gap year or semester after they just graduated, but no one could’ve anticipated that all classes would be online either.

Many different colleges and universities have already been compromising about these special circumstances by allowing pass/ no pass grading and excused withdrawals (EW), they should be understanding why some students would want to wait until campuses are open to attend.

BY GISELLE ORMENO

The high school class of 2020 was born after 9/11 and saw the first African-American president inaugurated when they were in second grade. Now, their first taste of adulthood is marked by the pandemic. They most likely wouldn’t have imagined finishing their senior year of high school confined in their homes watching their graduation virtually through a screen.

According to a recent survey by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, around 30.9% of high school students said that the pandemic has caused them to worry or have anxiety.

The rate of COVID-19 cases is increasing day by day, and it doesn't seem to slow down.

Even with states reopening businesses and letting the public gather slowly, it doesn't mean that things are going back to normal. Another wave of COVID-19 cases is imminent. It will likely come in the fall, according to Dr. Anthony Facui who spoke in the Economic Club of Washington webinar on

These high school seniors didn't sign up for their first semester of college to be entirely online. The thought of skipping the incoming fall semester is enticing for many high school seniors with the hope that things will improve.

But, according to an article published by Inside Higher Ed, research has shown that students that delay their college enrollment are less likely to graduate and may have their long-time earnings penalized. A study in 2005 suggested that students that delay their enrollment are 64% less likely to achieve a bachelor's degree than their "on-time" peers. High school seniors should try to re-plan and refocus their energy into being as productive as possible.

wAccording to a USA Today article by Chris Quintana, he said that if first-generation and low-income students take a semester off to wait for a more stable outcome, it could mean they never graduate.

High school seniors must weigh their options of not attending or attending the upcoming fall semester. Almost every student and their family are experiencing unique circumstances that make it hard for them to make life-altering decisions.

For some, choosing to attend the university they worked so hard to get into is no longer an option because of the economic downfalls.

But, the opportunity to have a productive and engaging first semester at college is still there. Community college can be the best option for high school seniors. Many community colleges are working hard and preparing to receive the incoming freshmen class this fall semester.

High school seniors shouldn't let the pandemic delay their journey into becoming a college student.

Illustration by Peter Villafane

Right to protest

in the street, we were loaded into a jail bus with seats that had no seatbelts, with a cage around each seat and decorated with the dirt and grime from god knows who. Thankfully I was sitting next to a fellow journalist who actually had a mask on.

BY ARIELLE ZOLEZZI

Sitting with my hands zip tied behind my back, listening to racial verbiage and pleas for officers to help restore circulation to other’s hands, I felt my fire get even more fueled.

After peacefully protesting and trying to document history in Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, my cousin and I made our way back to the car, before curfew, and made it safely to the car thinking that we had successfully made it through the day, but boy were we wrong. We tried to explain that due to the police barricades all around the protest it was hard to get to the freeway, and before they herded us like cattle, we were actually trying to leave.

I soon learned this was just a numbers show. They didn’t care about the people, not even blocks away, who were breaking, looting and tagging the city, they just wanted to display arrests so they looked like they were cracking down on “rioters” and “thugs”.

They lined everyone up in rows, and as I was swiveling in the zip tie trying to reach some spot of mild comfort, I heard a woman start crying because of how aggressively unnecessary the female officer was groping her vagina and breasts for prolonged periods of time.

We all yelled for her to keep her head up and to not let them see her cry, but you could tell that it was traumatizing her. The comradery between and the detainees was electrifying, we were all there for each other and you could feel it.

After two hours of being displayed

This was a blessing considering not one of the officers who detained us had a mask on, only one wore a pair of gloves. As we fumbled inside our perspective cages, I tried to channel Malcom X, his stillness and calm. I meditated on the thought of justice and those who had come before me who had endured worse.

It got me through most of the ride except when the driver slammed the breaks and I went plunging forward unable to break my fall, I moved my face out of the way, forcing myself to slam my chest bone into the cage.

They brought us to a big parking lot that had busses full of what I presume were the rest of the innocent protestors that they trapped and rounded up on that street, where there was an assembly line of officers ready to cite us for a misdemeanor for breaking curfew.

When I was taken off the bus and reached the line, I thankfully was placed in front of this respectful female cop, who inseared herself in my memory.

She told me, don’t be sad, you went out there and stood up for what you believe in. She said it wasn’t a bad decision that I made, it was just the decision that was made and the consequence that followed.

She said I made her proud.

I always wanted to be the change I wanted to see in the world, and until that point I thought that I was. But that entire experience made me realize that radical change will come from radical people and radical minds.

One of the officers asked people as they got off of the bus, was it worth it?

I’d say that securing charges against all officers involved, starting a conversation about getting police defunded and starting a new age civil right movement was worth it. The revolution will be televised, stay tuned.

COLUMN:

TOP A police vehicle burns on Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 30, 2020.Photo by Arielle Zolezzi.

BOTTOM Kill Nigel walks with his child on his shoulders on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 2, 2020.

Photo by Arielle Zolezzi.

MIDDLE A group of people hug on Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 2, 2020.

Photo by Arielle Zolezzi.

CCCAA Board approves plan for athletics

Sports to reconvene July 17

BY FELIPE GAMINO

COVID-19 meant that student athletes, some competing in their spring sports and others preparing for the fall, had to dramatically change their lives.

That’s because on March 12, California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Board of Directors suspended all spring sports and practices, including the conditioning classes.

One week later, CCCAA canceled the 2020 season and added a year of eligibility to all student athletes that were involved in a spring sport.

In a meeting Friday, the organization approved to adapt a plan for athletics next semester. The plan consists of three options and the Board will meet July 17 to determine which plan they go with.

The options include having sports in their respective semesters, moving several spring sports to the fall and vice versa.

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) had discussions two weeks ago, but didn’t come to a decision.

LACCD Director of Communications and External Relations William Boyer wrote it is uncertain when they will decide.

“We, like all in Los Angeles

Social justice protests in SFV

Continued from Page 1

County, are operating under the orders and guidance of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, who, in turn, is working with the State’s Department of Public Health,” Boyer wrote.

Boyer wrote that also from Public Health specifically references colleges and universities getting to resume some on-campus activities under Stage 3.

“To date, there is no exemption from the state or the county for LACCD or other colleges and universities to re-open and assume any activities, including athletics under Stage 2—this is a very complicated issue on what to do; when to do it, how to do it, etc,”

Boyer wrote.

“A lot of planning needs to take place—which is what we are looking at now and working on now. It is possible that some of this could be phased... where some singleperson athletics or training might possibly occur with proper social distancing, protection equipment, tracking and testing, etc. –health officials tell us contact sports are a big concern for health officials and allowing spectators, etc and, “class size” is 30 or less with all social distancing, etc. even in Stage 3.”

Interim Director of Athletics

Susan Armenta wrote in an email that she was looking forward to this semester.

“We were doing well with the

The event took place at all four corners at the intersection at Chatsworth Street and Zelzah Avenue. Police vehicles were parked in the area. There appeared to have been no incidents of violence at the protest.

Most people heard about the protest from a series of social media posts.

Malachi Maisha, who uses they/ them pronouns, said they went to the protest to be heard and to speak out against the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Maisha said they became emotional while chanting with others because they are a slam poet and are used to speaking alone on stage.

“To hear so many people on the same chant as you, the same voice

exception of having to cancel softball at the last minute. We were excited about the baseball, men’s volleyball and men and women’s swim seasons,” Armenta wrote.

Armenta was named on an interim basis in December after a semester-long unsuccessful search for a replacement.

Interim head football coach

Anthony Harris said he is optimistic about having a season.

“This pandemic has shown us how important athletics has been. Myself, our coaching staff and the

as you--it was just like one voice,” Maisha said in a phone interview. “It was like a one band, one sound. It was a beautiful thing. It was like music.”

Maisha said their main takeaway from the event was the feeling of unity.

“People are here for us,” Maisha said. “A lot of times we feel like black lives don't matter.”

Maisha said they felt good about seeing people from multiple cultures come together.

“You felt so complete to be able to see everybody fighting for the same thing,” Maisha said. “It was an awesome experience.”

Sheryl Thompson said it was her first time at a protest. She said seeing the video of George Floyd’s death was the reason she attended.

Unfinished business

Vet tech and lab courses waiting for instruction

players are going to be ready to play,” Harris said.

Harris said the team have been meeting through Zoom and it is a positive for him to connect with his players.

This pandemic affected the plans of opening the positions for both AD and football. President Alexis Montevirgen said Armenta agreed to stay next semester.

Harris said they were supposed to have interviews for the coaching position, but asked him if he wanted to stay for this season.

“That was devastating, and I'll never get that image out of my head,” Thompson said. “So that's why I'm out here because it has to stop for my kid, her generation and her children that are coming on. It has to stop. When does it stop?”

Thompson said she is almost 60 years old and has been dealing with racism for “a very long time.” Her father and brother are from the deep south, and she said she feels tired of injustice.

“We have to do something,” Thompson said. “We can talk about it. We pray about it. The prayer without action or faith without works is dead.”

Shey Cobb, Thompson’s daughter, said she was there because she feels the country needs change.

“I'm tired of having our Black men

BY GISELLE ORMENO

Students can expect fewer classes to be on the fall semester catalog. Some classes have not been able to transition online, so they will not be offered.

Vice President of Academic of Affairs Sheri Berger wrote in an email that the school is planning to bring classes that need in-person instruction and activities on campus for fall.

“Faculty have been working with their district counterparts to discuss what is needed for specific courses,” Berger said. “These courses range from classes requiring practical experiences like those in nursing and veterinary technology to handson experience classes like those in automotive service technology, welding, some science classes, and some fine and performing arts.”

Berger wrote that only classes that can be completed online would appear in the fall schedule. Meanwhile, the other courses will appear on the fall schedule once they have finalized plans on how students can complete the class’s in-person requirements.

RVT Program Director Jennifer Adelini said in a phone interview that RVT lecture courses will be online. One lab class will be offered, which will be held on the farm.

“We’re basically going to be offering all of our fall and spring lectures in the fall and then have most of our labs, offered in the spring when we will hopefully be able to have more normal conditions again,” Adelini said.

“I accepted to stay one more year as interim. We have a lot of things we can accomplish and it will depend on the administrators whether I stay or they bring someone in my place,” Harris said.

Harris said they are ready to go on the gridiron regardless if there are fans in the stands or not.

“We would love to perform in front of them, but what’s really important is we ensure the safety of our players, staff and personnel. We hope that as the season goes on, fans would be able to attend

killed every single day,” Cobb said.

Cobb said she is calling for an end to police brutality and that she wants the Minneapolis police officers responsible for George Floyd’s death to be held accountable.

“Hopefully it will act as a deterrent for other cops to not act in the same way,” Cobb said.

Melaney Garcia held a sign saying “You stood with us. We stand with you.”

Garcia said her and her family members went to the protest because she is of Jamaican descent and also has Mexican, Cuban and Nicaraguan people in her family.

“A lot of them come from black descent, which is why we all decided to come,” Garcia said. “We have very, very, very dark, African-looking

Adelini said that all of the labs for the RVT program are all advanced laboratory courses that require individual assessments of each student on specific skills that they are required to perform. Those skills require either live animals or specialized equipment that students would likely not have at their homes.

According to Adelini, the accrediting body of the AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association still requires its students to perform every skill on that list. She explained that because of the restrictions on how many students can be in a specific space at a particular time, they didn’t think it was realistic to offer their lab courses in the fall.

“In order to maintain safety and meet the program’s educational goals of the program, we decided to move our labs into the spring,” Adelini said. “Hopefully, at that point, we’ll be able to have more of a normal laboratory setting as far as our normal numbers, and not have to have so many limitations on.”

Adelini said that transitioning online for her program has not been easy because of the limitations of not being able to meet in person.

“It has been a little frustrating that we can’t do things the way that we would typically do them,” Adelini said. “And it’s challenging to try to come up with solutions given the limitations. However, we want to protect the safety of all of our students and our faculty and staff. So that’s got to take priority.”

games,” Harris said.

Head soccer coach Adolfo Perez said their season will most likely be short.

“I know this is day-by-day, but most likely we will begin at a later date,” Perez said. “[NCAA] Division One already made the decision to have their seasons go on. I can’t imagine them playing and not us.”

fgamino.roundupnews@gmail.com

family members, and they get the same treatment that most African Americans do. So this is just one way that we can at least help our family.”

The protest started around 3 p.m. and lasted until around 6 p.m. Los Angeles County placed a curfew starting 6 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Maisha said they were inspired to go to more protests.

“I love the peaceful protests,”

Maisha said. “I can't necessarily knock someone else's way of protesting, but this is what I enjoy.”

These demonstrations continue to happen on a daily basis in Los Angeles.

pvillafane.roundupnews@gmail.com

Adelini said that the RVT program typically offers lectures and labs concurrently so the students can build their theoretical and hands-on knowledge simultaneously.

“It’s taken some creativity and some flexibility, but I think overall, it’ll still allow our students to move forward towards their goals,” Adelini said. “I think it will still work out, and I believe our students will still be able to benefit, and I think we have a pretty good plan in place, given the challenges.”

Director of Distance Education Wendy Bass said in a Zoom interview that professors had to come up with quick solutions to the problems that COVID-19 brought.

“It was such a bizarre emergency,” Bass said. “No one expected this to happen. We’ve never obviously it’s completely unprecedented. So, we just had to throw everything online, whether it was really appropriate or not.”

Bass said that since fall is planned to be completely online, she hopes that things can change and that the school can offer some in-person classes.

“The biggest thing for us is looking out for students and not setting them up for not being able to pass something at the state level in terms of getting accredited or some testing,” Bass said. “Because the students didn’t get enough hours in a lab or something that has to do with it being completely online.”

File photo by Benjamin Hanson

Small forward Dallas Johnson holds a basketball on Ken Stanley Court at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2020.

File photo by Nicolas Heredia Veterinary student Ayla Aguilar (left) holds Dior as they wait for her vaccine in the Veterinary Technology building of Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Students consider community colleges

Pierce enrollment may increase

BY VICTOR BRETADO

As schools introduce fully-online semesters, some high school graduates are choosing to attend a community college instead of a 4-year university.

Community colleges could see a surge of students due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to CNBC.

Many students do not want to deal with staying at a different location and dorming as well as buying other essential needs with the way the economy is at the moment.

Students who are looking for a better start to college financially and to keep their studies as well as work part time could all be going to community college.

Ramon Arellano, who is graduating from Cleveland High School, is attending Los Angeles Valley College instead of his first choice, California State University, Northridge.

Arellano said he plans on becoming a pharmacist and feels going to community college first would be better for him in the long run.

“For my future and what I want to be, I feel saving money and going this direction is better for me and will help me grow as well,” Arellano said.

Arellano said going to Valley would ease financial burdens.

“Right now my parents have been laid off because of the virus so I think it would be better if I attend a community college to help them money wise,” Arellano said.

Elizabeth Parocua is a current student at CSUN and is calling for students coming out of high school to enter a 2-year program before entering a 4-year university.

“The way the world is right now, I don’t see schools opening up any time soon, and it is kind of hard to learn specific material online depending what your major is,” Parocua said. “If I could go back a couple years and we were in this global pandemic, I probably would have gone to a community college also. So I could see why many are electing to go that route.”

CNBC also reported that 40% of students said they would rather attend a public college and 26% said they would choose a community college.

Arellano said going to a community is a better deal money wise for him and his family and as well as other students who have seen an economic deficit.

Parocua said she thinks that once the virus is gone, more students will look to community colleges rather than universities.

“I definitely believe more students will attend community college and public colleges before entering private schools as well as universities,” Parocua said. “It tends to be a lot cheaper in the long run.”

Erick Lemus, who is graduating from Birmingham Community Charter High School, said online school has been challenging because he loses focus.

“I haven’t made my mind up on where I will go to school yet, but classes online are pretty difficult,” Lemus said. “It’s hard to stay focused.”

Lemus is considering taking a break after graduating.

“I’ve been thinking about waiting until the virus is over and then returning to school, but I would feel bad for my family because they want me to graduate from college,” Lemus said.

Amalnourished baby elephant seal named Freddy was brought back to health.

A homeless man with his burmese python lives in the streets of Venice. These are a selection of some of the stories in the new issue of The Bull Magazine.

Instead, some will be scattered in local pet shops and vegan restaurants by the campus.

A former supermodel from Holland who moved to Los Angeles ended up founding the nation’s largest guinea pig rescue organization.

Despite Pierce College being caught in the middle of a global pandemic and facing a new world of online instruction, there will still be a printed magazine.

Choir sings for freedom

A cappella performance online

BY ALEJANDRA AGUILERA

The Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) Choir harmonized virtually while singing the South African folk song “Freedom is Coming” in acapella on YouTube.

The video published on June 1 features the choir of about 30 students unifying their voices with the accompaniment of bongos, while social distancing in their prospective homes.

Soprano singer Moraiya Pourfarid said in a phone interview that she could relate to the message of freedom because of experiencing months in quarantine.

“This song definitely reminded me that this quarantine isn't forever and that times are really crazy right now, but there will be freedom at the end,” Pourfarid said. “Once we have the freedom again, we won’t take it for granted.”

Earlier in February, the choir performed the same piece live at the Invitational USC Community College Choir Music Festival. But Poursarid said that because of the recent protests in support of Black Lives Matter, the song has a new meaning to her.

“With everything going on, people sometimes forget that racism is a big issue now,” Pourfarid said. “Even to this day, we’re still fighting for freedom for people of color. I relate this song to not only quarantine, but just fighting for our own rights.”

Throughout the transition to online learning, the LAPC Choir met on Zoom. But because the platform has audio and visual delays, choir director Garineh Avakian had a different approach in making the video.

Avakian asked students to first submit an individual file of them singing “Freedom is Coming.” Then after DJ Medina professionally mixed the files together, choir members submitted videos of themselves lip-syncing to the audio.

“The talents that we are able to share are now being portrayed through different lenses,” Avakian wrote in an email. “People are encouraged and forced to think outside the box.

The song features lyrics in English and Swahali. Alto singer Andrea Davis said in a phone interview that she approached learning the song by perfecting the English first and then learning the Swahali lyrics.

Davis said that overall, she believes the song carries a hopeful message for the present and the future.

“I think that’s why this song is so great for the time that we’re in right now because it doesn't seem like really anything’s going to happen that’s good. A lot is going on that’s negative,” Davis said.

“This song is to bring back some hope in people’s lives that it’s going to be okay in the end.”

The Bull Magazine Spring / Summer 2020 issue’s theme is on animals this semester, and there will be 500 copies printed and distributed locally. With the fall semester being entirely remote, the copies will not make it to the Pierce news stands like they usually would.

that will bring attention and new perspectives. Stories can be read online at thebullmag.com and the full digital issue is at https://issuu.com/ bull_magazine/docs/bull_ animals_finall.

BY CHELSEA WESTMAN cwestman.roundupnews@gmail.com

Included in this issue are stories about the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and why people love their pets. From the Pierce College Farm to the homeless with their pets in Venice, The Bull has selected stories

End of semester performances

Theater performance and dance show available to watch online

BY EDUARDO GARCIA

Withonly 24 hours to write, rehearse, prepare and perform, seven groups of actors in The Journeymen theater club performed live Saturday evening over Zoom in what would be their final 5-minute plays of the semester.

Each group had a director, a writer and two or three actors. With a team of approximately 30, some didn’t get much sleep. Some others didn’t eat much. With breaks in between, they still pulled it off.

The Friday evening before, the team learned their prompt for the play festival was ghosts, interpreted literally or figuratively. Each person was randomly assigned into groups, then brainstormed. Scripts were then due by 7 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. check-in and breakout sessions, 2 p.m. scheduled run-throughs, and 6 p.m. regroups and final notes.

They performed at around 7 p.m. in front of more than 100 attendees for about an hour. And each play had one thing in common. One ghostly line:

“Did you feel that?”

“It was doing something subconsciously in your brain that you didn’t realize that now you were like, ‘Oh, that’s why it was happening,’” said Jon Michael Villagomez, founding member, ex-president and mentor for the club. “We didn’t tell the audience on purpose that [the line] was a requirement. [It] was sort of a fun challenge for writers and the directors to negotiate.”

Villagomez said what inspired the play festival was through his friend Angel Villalobos, a UC Santa Barbara student in the university’s BFA acting program. Villagomez said the program was looking for an event that was a culmination of the semester, which later was its version of the 24-hour play festival.

Villagomez added that Villalobos asked him to watch him perform over Zoom. Villagomez was excited by it and pitched the idea to the club adviser, Shaheen Vaaz, and its members. With everyone in the club on board, Villagomez said there were no worries about copyrights or about borrowing other works to use for the acting because the plays were original. The theater plays can be found on the Pierce College Facebook page and LAPC YouTube Channel.

The Dance Department filmed individual solos from the students. Faculty member Brian Moe edited the clips together and made the music, and the assignment was overseen by artistic director for the concert, Denise Gibson. The video can be found on the Pierce College Facebook page and on vimeo https://vimeo.com/423345383.

Atena Naghi / Roundup

Charlie Psy holds his dog Halu in Venice, Calif.

Screenshot courtesy of Dance Concert Vimeo video Patricia Moreno performs her solo in her backyard for the dance show "Isolation."