Volume 135 Fall 2021 Roundup Issue 4

CAS-per the friendly ghost is back and ready to help

Tutoring services return to in person assistance

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN Reporter

For students who struggle to focus on their online classes, studying can be just as much of a hassle.

But now that the Center of Academic Success (CAS) has re-opened to provide those students with a return to face-to-face tutoring and will operate from Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monique Galofaro, 55, who has been on and off campus for nine years, said that she’s had trouble in the past with online services.

“I’m at an age where the technology is a little bit more difficult,” Galofaro said. “Personally, I prefer in-person tutoring, and I don’t have to deal with doing the homework on the computer and with doing additional work just to reach a tutor.”

CAS Physics Tutor and Pierce student Jesus Gonzalez said that having interactions in person is a different experience than helping out online.

“It’s very exciting to see students and see their faces when they understand something or are confused,”

Gonzalez said. At the CAS, there are only a few available for in-person tutoring, according to CAS Director Crystal Kiekel.

“It’s a very limited number of tutors,” Kiekel said. “We only have seven tutors at the Center.”

There’s only in-person tutoring for five subjects— physics, English, anatomy,

astrology and philosophy—of the 40 subjects they cover.

Students are only able to get help with some of the subjects, according to Office Manager Marcos Garcia.

Kiekel said that since the pandemic, CAS, like most services, had to adapt and move everything online.

For now, students can schedule an one-to-one in-

Custodians demand fair wages from LACCD

falling below wage standards.

person appointment. Group tutoring and the writing lab are unavailable in-person, yet the space at the Center is available for students to use.

“Students can come in and get face to face tutoring,” Kiekel said. “But they can also just come in, use the space and take online classes right now because it’s totally quiet.”

According to Kiekel, prior

to the pandemic 90 percent of CAS tutoring was in-person and 10 percent was through online services. Kiekel said that the services did not meet student needs.

Now that has changed, 90 percent of tutoring is provided online, while 10 percent of tutoring is in-person.

Kiekel said that since the CAS revamped most of its services online, they have made it easier for students to access tutoring.

With all these changes being done, it can be said that it has reduced equity gaps for Pierce students who utilize CAS online services.

“I think it’s more accessible to be on Zoom and so I do Zoom and in-person at the same time. I do get more students on Zoom,” said Gonzalez.

However, there’s an issue when it comes to students not knowing about these provided services. “In this covid world, it’s really hard to let students know that we’re here,” said Kiekel.

And to combat that inequity, most of the in-person services provided for students on campus are teaching them about how to access online tutoring services.

“A lot of what we do on our face to face services is

helping students get online,” said Kiekel, who added that students use the Center to access an online tutor.

The CAS has 140 tutors and 20 part-time faculty staff who help carry dayto-day operations, mostly outside the Center. There are difficulties that CAS is facing, such as the lack of tutors for STEM and tutors for higher division classes. And there are policies that prevent qualified applicants from becoming tutors, according to Kiekel.

“The district really limits who we can hire and for how long and for what rate,” said Kiekel.

LACCD doesn’t allow tutors to work unless they take 12 units or have completed more than 10 semesters at Pierce. Kiekel that the District undercuts Pierce tutors by giving those who have transferred or come from a university a higher wage.

“The district tells us once a student transfers to a university, their payscale is raised by $4,'' Kiekel said. “We have all these amazing tutors and they can’t get a raise and I have to pay them at the lower rate just because they haven’t transferred to a university.”

pkalidasan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brief: Game cancelled

BY CECILIA PARADA Managing editor

The Los Angeles Community College District is refusing to recognize hundreds of workers with fair wages, according to Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99.

Communications specialist

Denae Ayala wrote in a press release that workers are demanding better treatment.

“Custodians and essential workers represented by SEIU Local 99 were called heroes during this pandemic, but the district now refuses to recognize their work with fair wages and a fair contract,” Ayala wrote.

The SEIU Local 99 consists of nearly 50,000 education workers in the K-12 system, early education and daycare, administration offices and community colleges across Southern California. This includes more than 300 custodians, groundskeepers and maintenance workers at the Los Angeles Community College District, according to Ayala.

Ayala also wrote that after months of negotiations, the deals offered to the service workers were unacceptable,

“Workers have declared that negotiations have reached an impasse and presented an official filing with the California Public Employment Relations Board,” Ayala wrote.

“This means negotiations are no longer productive and workers are calling for a neutral mediator to step in to work with the Union and the District to attempt to reach an agreement. "

"If this process does not produce a settlement, SEIU Local 99 workers will have the right to strike over the District’s failure to meet their demands in negotiations.”

According to the SEIU Local 99 website, COVID-19 has exposed inequities in the education system, specifically in the cleaning and maintenance of schools, because of staffing cuts and unmanageable workloads.

About 38 percent of students attend schools that do not meet the minimum facility standards, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Students attending these schools are exposed to damaged floors, walls or ceilings. Some campuses also have gas leaks, power failures and structural damage.

Executive director Max Arias said that the custodians

and service workers are essential in continuously ensuring the health and safety of the schools.

“Custodians have continued to disinfect schools and maintenance workers have made critical upgrades to school air filtration systems,” Arias said. “Their work is critical to ensure the full reopening of campuses and the continued safety of students and staff.”

The PPIC said that improvements to ventilation systems might be necessary in addition to hiring more custodial staff and purchasing extra supplies.

Los Angeles Southwest College custodian Rosa Aguirre said that she believes a wage increase is long overdue.

"I have continuously worked through the pandemic in person. No questions asked,” Aguirre said. “However, like Albert Einstein said, 'The important thing is to never stop questioning.' And my question is: why can't we receive a pay increase? We are essential yet we are struggling with higher prices for food, gas, and basic needs. Inflation is high and what we earn now is not enough. We need a pay increase. We deserve a pay increase.”

cparada.roundupnews@gmail.com

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports editor

The football game scheduled for Saturday between the Pierce College Brahmas and the Glendale Community College Vaqueros was canceled.

This is the second game that was canceled for the team. Their season opener against Bakersfield turned into a scrimmage after not having enough players cleared. It ended up being a forfeit loss for the Brahmas.

The Acting Vice President of Student Services Juan Carlos Astorga contacted commissioner Jim Sartoris and GCC Associate Dean of Athletics Chris Cicuto to notify them of their decision.

“Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our student athletes, the football game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9 with Glendale Community College has been canceled due to a reduced roster of available players,” Interim President Aracely Aguiar wrote. “Pierce remains strongly supportive

of its athletic programs for all men and women and their safety, especially in fullcontact sports, is a top priority for Pierce. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to working through the remaining schedule.”

The canceled game resulted in a forfeit loss for the Brahmas, dropping their record to 0-4 Football will look to get their season back on track as they travel to SBCC. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. fgamino.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo by Ginina Pulcinella

Lanlan Jia (L) gets help in English by Vince Denoga (R), a multi-subject tutor who also tutors child development students, at the Center for Academic Success at Pi erce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., Oct. 6, 2021.

Photo by Felipe Gamino

A traffic message board on the Winnetka Avenue entrance of Pierce Colleg e in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11 2021.

Let fans in through the doors

Student athletes are missing valuable experiences and memories by not being able to play in front of crowds.

Social media posts state that spectators are not allowed at indoor events, but the bleachers have reopened at volleyball games and some family members have been present.

Regardless of the current confusion, Pierce should make it clear that fans are allowed to attend indoor sporting events on campus.

Both high school and youth sports allow for spectators at indoor events in Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Department of Health’s protocol for organized youth sports, spectators are allowed at indoor events as long as they wear masks and do not have any COVID symptoms.

There are other precautions

Pierce can take for fans to stay safe while attending games.

They could have screening with the “Clear Pass” for all spectators to enter the gym. This would include having proof of a negative covid test or vaccination.

They could also put up signage to remind spectators to social distance and to wear their masks.

For student athletes, having their families and supporters in the stands can have an impact on their performance.

It is important for the development of the student athletes to be put into an environment where there may be added pressure by having people watching and rooting for or against them.

By not being able to have people in the stands they are also missing out on being able to be seen by professional or

STREET BEAT WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST?

collegiate scouts. It is important for scouts to see student athletes play in person because it gives them an opportunity to see how players conduct themselves on and off the court, as opposed to seeing video clips of them and not getting to know the player.

Players and their families are also missing out on potential lifetime memories that could be made. If a player was to have a great game or make an amazing play, their families would not be able to be there and experience that moment together.

With 18 months of pandemic protocol, there is enough information to be able to have people safely in the stands at games. There is no excuse for Pierce to not allow spectators at indoor sporting events.

Feed me suggestions

Pierce College should aspire to be a reflection of the many hardworking students, faculty and staff who roam campus grounds on a daily basis.

The simplest way of being more like the community surrounding it is to listen to those who see the potential of the campus by providing a digital and physical suggestion box.

This would allow students, faculty, staff and guests the ability to give feedback and proposals to improve campus life.

The digital form of the box has been implemented at other colleges in California and will provide a sure way for individuals to communicate with administrators at Pierce.

Los Angeles City College has a digital suggestion box. It also gives the person filling out the sheet the level of importance of the suggestion, making it easier to filter through urgent and non-urgent ones.

The digital form also asks if the person filling it out will need a personal response, allowing the administrators to get elaboration on

“Iwouldsaythe‘JoeRogan Experience’podcast.Hebringson specialguestslikescientistsand athletes,andhe’sfunny.”

-Alan Marchena

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-KekeGbewonyo

“ArecentpodcastIstartedlistening to is called ‘The Basement Yard.’ It’s apodcastwithtwopeoplehaving genuineinteractionsabouttheir childhoodandhowtheygrewup,and itkeepsmeentertained.”

-Michael Morreno

suggestions, provide reasons for why the change hasn’t been implemented and give updates on the feedback.

Bakersfield College’s suggestion box asks for more clarity on the submission, specifically on the area of that recommendation. It also asks who might need to be informed about the proposal to get it to the right people.

Pierce can simply introduce this change by adding a form to the website and by providing a place in the Student Services building for letters.

Column: Hispanic Heritage Month

Bureau and the Pew Research Center, there are roughly 62.1 million Hispanics in the United States as of 2020, making up 19% of the nation's population.

BY WALTER ORELLANA Reporter

Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, Immigrant, and Brown: I am all of that and more. I am proud to identify and share in the rich history that represents Hispanic Heritage culture in the United

Hispanic language and culture has existed longer than the founding fathers of the United States. The discovery of a new world by Christopher Columbus in 1492 ushered in new generations of Spanish people who mixed and created their own culture, traditions and values as they settled in North America.

Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

We acknowledge and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the past and present voices in the community whose contributions have paved the foundation and to those who continue to fight in bringing social and justice reforms to our communities.

way of life.

According to research from the University of Georgia, “The Hispanic market is the largest minority in the U.S. and continues to expand. The group's spending power grew to $1.9 trillion in 2020, an increase of 87% from 2010.” Hispanic communities are growing at higher rates than whites, African-Americans and Asians. With this growth comes new opportunities in education, politics and the economy.

And, another report by the U.S. Census states, “Hispanic voter turnout in 2020 was 54%, compared to 48% in 2016.”

We’ve proven that we're good for business and local communities benefit from our buying power. Our presence is felt during local, state and federal elections. Hispanic culture is woven in the very fabric that makes up the United States.

“Ilistentomostlyfictionpodcasts, andmyfavoriterightnowis‘Hello from the Hallowoods.’ It’s a horror fictionanthologypodcast,andIlike italotbecausethepodcast,andthe fictiongenreingeneral,givesalot ofqueerrepresentation.”

-SamanthaShumway

“Ihaven’tlistenedtoitinawhile,butmy favoritepodcastis‘That’sSpooky.’It’stwo guysthattalkabouttruecrimestories, andtheymakeitveryeccentriccompared toothercrimepodcaststhatsoundvery monotone and narrated.”

-Alan Marchena

Letters to the Editor

Policy: Letters and guest columns for or against any position are invited. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (300 words or less) and are subject to editing. Letters must be signed and include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms or initials will not be used, but names may be withheld upon request and approval of the Editorial Board. The Roundup publishes “Letters to the Editor” that are not obscene or libelous and do not contain racial denigration. Writers are given the opportunity to revise unacceptable letters. The Pierce College Roundup will not publish, as letters, literary endeavors, publicity releases, poetry or other such materials as the Editorial Board deems not to be a letter. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. the Sunday prior to the issue date.

Editorial Policy: The Pierce College Roundup position is

presented only in the editorials. Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.

6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91371

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States and around the world.

I was born in El Salvador, in the city of San Salvador, the capital. By the age of three, my parents fled the country due to an ongoing civil war. They arrived in California as immigrants - my father was granted a green card due to his employer sponsoring our family. I was raised in Arleta, and went to predominantly Hispanic schools. The San Fernando Valley was a melting pot; it's where I learned about who I identified with and where I had come from.

I witnessed our peoples' warmth, language and culture in our neighborhoods, street corners and in homes through the sharing of meals around the dinner table.

According to the U.S. Census

I didn’t have firsthand experiences like my parents did growing up in El Salvador, learning the language and culture, living among their own countrymen. Growing up, I was an immigrant in a new country that had no memory or experiences about my birthplace. I learned the English language, played American sports and watched American TV shows. In my mind, America was my country.

But behind the scenes, the new life I was experiencing in the United States came at a price; a price my parents had to pay. They left behind their aging and ill parents, family and livelihoods without knowing the outcome or risk that lurked as they traveled over 3,000 miles by foot, bus and train. Through their struggles and hard work, they managed to provide an education, shelter and a better

The future for Hispanic Americans is ripe and ready to be harvested. We must continue to move the needle forward and fight for better social, economical and healthcare equalities for all.

Today, I am thankful for their sacrifice and to our Hispanic Heritage and the leaders whose shoulders we stand on. It’s a great responsibility and honor to carry that legacy with me and to show the next generation how far we’ve come, but the work is still not done.

Campus Events On Sept. 22, the Student Engagement Center hosted an online “Latin/a/x Hispanic Heritage Month” event, cosponsored by ASO, MEChA and the Undo-Brahmas student club as part of the heritage month.

There will also be a Day of the Dead event which will be

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“We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure."

- Cesar Chavez

Shayne Tamkin - Reporter

Rainy Day by Ice Nine Kills

Young folks by Peter Bjorn and John

Venom by Little Smiz

Illustrations and idea by Anastasiya Orel

Town hall explains COVID daily pass

BY ANASTASIYA OREL Reporter

LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez and his district team held a two-day town hall webinar to address questions about school life regarding the pandemic, COVID testing and vaccinations.

Communications Director William Boyer started the Zoom meeting off by discussing the number of COVID cases throughout the LACCD.

“For the LACCD, we have not had a significant outbreak of more than three cases in a cluster since June of this year,”

Boyer said. “On October 3rd, LA county-wide reported another 32 cases in one day and in the last two months, we’ve only had a total of 39 positive onsite cases.”

Boyer said LA county is at almost 70% fully vaccinated and that the LA community is close to 80-85%.

Vice Chancellor Ryan

Cornner said the district is working on two administrative procedures, one for masking and the other for vaccination and testing procedures. The current procedures are being reviewed by the district’s collective bargaining groups and are expected to be posted sometime this week.

“Currently what our board policy states is that we have a vaccine mandate with baseline testing per the Chancellor’s direction, and then mandated regular testing,” Cornner said. “One of the questions that came up is ‘why does one have to baseline test if they are currently working completely remote’. That has been changed and addressed in the administrative procedure.”

Cornner said that the procedure delayed the baseline testing for

those working remotely until the individuals have an assignment or task that brings them onto campus. He said there have been concerns about the impracticality of those working from home to have to come and test regularly on campus and that they will be addressed within the new administrative procedure.

“The other most common question that has come up is related to how we know whether or not students are following the process as it relates to vaccinations and testing,” Cornner said. “This is also in the administrative procedure but most of what happens is on the back end.

Cornner said BioCept is the provider of COVID testing and clearance for both students and faculty.

“All that data is inventoried and we’re able to query the system to see which students are following the regulations and which students are noncompliant,” Cornner said. “We are working with the college Vice President of Student Services to do an information campaign. They may even come into some of the classes and remind students that this is an obligation that is put on them.”

Human Resources officer Mercedes Gutierrez said that faculty have one of two choices: either submit a vaccination file, which needs to be cleared and authenticated through the board system, or apply for an exemption.

“We currently have approximately 144 requests for exemptions, most of them being

religious exemptions,” Gutierrez said. “These are reviewed individually by human resources. In order for your exemption to be sustained, you are merely indicating your sincere religious belief to the vaccination requirement and how you do not believe in that component of it.” Gutierrez said that it is not an exemption for COVID testing or masking but instead you do not get vaccinated and/or submit a vaccination file,and you test regularly.

Chief Executive Vice Chancellor Rueben Smith said that the district has also been focusing their efforts on maintaining campus cleanliness and adequate indoor air quality, consistent with Cal OSHA and the Los Angeles County Health Department.

Jobs for Brahmas!

BY GISELLE LOMELI Reporter

Pierce College students can now apply for part-time and full-time Brahma jobs as well as internships.

William Macaraeg is a student worker at the Career and Transfer Office. He virtually assists students and refers them to counselors they should meet with. This way students can speak with counselors to reassess on how they can transfer to universities and how they can meet the requirements to transfer.

He says working for Pierce has been a refreshing experience, especially during the pandemic. Getting back and talking with people in person after more than a year of being in quarantine is refreshing to him.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve developed a strategy and we’ve had almost $14 million committed to this effort to ensure cleanliness and indoor air quality,” Smith said. “We’ve upgraded several HVAC systems and implemented strategies to introduce more outdoor air and improve the quality of indoor air and extraction.”

Smith said that there are challenges that the cleaning may present, especially in regards to air exit.

“You have a supply air and an exit, or what's considered exhaust air,” Smith said. “What we are most concerned about is the supplier that we return in the duct -clean position of that work, is actually the air that is being pulled out of the room. We’re actually cleaning that to

Faculty and staff are failing to comply with COVID precautions

Hundreds of employees haven't completed self-check ins and mandatory training

BY ANASTASIYA OREL Reporter

With the return of campus life, Pierce College’s Academic Senate addressed pressing issues and concerns, including COVID precautions and student graduation petitions, on Oct. 11.

Integrating the Biocept and Cleared4 companies into student and faculty protection details, Interim President Ara Aguiar said many have not taken the opportunity to create profiles or participate in self-monitoring on the apps.

“There are 288 individuals, both staff and faculty, that have

not opened the link at all,” Aguiar said. “Additionally, there are 982 individuals from our campus that have not done the COVID-19 mandatory training. This is mandatory and has nothing to do with the district.”

Aguiar said an email has been created to try and reach out to those who have not completed their profiles on the apps, as well as answer any questions and concerns regarding the implementation and practice of COVID protocols.

Alongside the COVID protocols, staff members brought up the issue of a backlog on getting student’s graduation petitions cleared.

Aguiar said the backlog is due to Pierce under-staffment.

“Pierce has been experiencing this for over three years and has been asking help from Valley, Mission, and West,” Aguiar said. “I think we have been, as a college, underperforming in that area, have been under-counting our students’ achievements.”

Aguiar said that the external evaluation process is working to remove any barriers that are not necessary. She said she had also approved a desk audit to many of the registered systems to evaluate the position Pierce staff have in ANR, in efforts to increase the scope of work as it relates to the evaluation process.

Acting Vice President of Student Services Juan Carlos Astorga said the goal is to create a procedure for.

“The expectation would be that by having multiple evaluators that are then spread out, they’re able to correctly be doing it,” Astorga said.

“Right now we went from four evaluators to one and a half so the goal is to really grow the staffing that will be able to then train and be effective at getting these processed quickly.”

Director of the Transfer Center Sunday Salter discussed the events and opportunities provided to students to enable and encourage them in transferring and positioning for graduation.

“We are on campus and are working with students that are coming,” Salter said. “We have a ton of students that also use it online so we work Monday through Thursday eight to seven, and Fridays eight to four.”

Salter said that once you navigate onto the Transfer page, students are able to see events and workshops linked on a master calendar for the fall semester. There are also statewide fairs that are happening with students who are currently not attending school on campus. Other ways to contact counselors besides appointments are through the recently established Zoom Lounge and Live Chat found on the Transfer page.

“We no longer have to do everything virtually, we can do things in person,” Macaraeg said. “It’s a refreshing experience and a refreshing atmosphere as well.”

Macaraeg says students need the most help in the afternoon. On Tuesdays he works from 2-7 p.m. and on Wednesdays he works from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Answering people’s questions is the bulk of my job,” Macaraeg said. “It’s really enhancing my people skills and I’m enjoying learning how to speak with others more efficiently, clearly and in a professional manner.”

He believes that it is important to get involved and find his place within anywhere. He says that place for him was at the Career and Transfer Center.

“They took me in openly and they were the ones that helped me realize that anyone can find a place here in Pierce College,” Macaraeg said.

He really wanted to begin his professional career so he decided to submit his job application anywhere he could. This included any jobs that the Federal Work Study Program offered including the Career and Transfer Center.

A week later after applying, Macaraeg explained that he got an email about a follow up interview.

“A week after that email I spoke and interviewed with them,” Macaraeg said. “Three hours later, they emailed me that I got the position. It happened all so sudden and unexpected. It was an unexpected pleasure to get that offer and be employed here at Pierce.”

William Macaraeg says as a student worker it is important to always keep learning. Those that are willing to learn and devote themselves to giving their best is what is needed to get hired.

“Keep asking questions and keep being persistent in what you want,” Macaraeg said.

Career and Transfer Center

Graduate Intern Elizabeth Galadjian is usually in the Zoom Lounge where students can pop in and ask quick questions or have longer sessions if necessary. Students can be taken into breakout rooms to review applications, personal statements and anything regarding the transfer process.

Salter said a Transfer Center Canvas shell is hoped to launch on Oct. 18 to allow students to post discussion questions about the transfer and graduation application process and a counselor is able to respond to them without an appointment or walk-in.

Galadjian also runs the Brahma Jobs Instagram account, @piercectc. Weekly highlights are posted as well as podcasts and articles to keep students informed.

“I highlight three positions every week,” Galadjian said. “The highlight has the job title, the company, and where the job is located.”

Podcasts include topics about transferable skills, personal insight from mentors about becoming a mentor and job searching during COVID.

Galadjian said that a lot of the articles have a common theme in regards to virtual communication and landing a job remotely which are found through Brahma Jobs.

Galadjian said that students can find local and farther out positions in Santa Monica, Encino and Thousand Oaks. She said positions vary from office assistants, file clerks as well as jobs related to majors.

Photo by Dominique Duñgo

District's Chief Facilities Executive, Rueben Smith discussed about upgraded filter systems across the disctrict and completing

Photo by Anastasiya Orel

Interim President Ara Aguiar raises a digital hand during the Academic Senate meeting on Oct. 11. 2021.

Photo by Anastasiya Orel

Acting Vice President of Student Services Juan Carlos Astorga attends the Academic Senate meeting on Oct. 11, 2021.

Fashion designer piercing through one garment and book at a time

On the heels of making a breakthrough in the fashion industry

Already a trendsetter, 20-year-old Russell Gener now is pursuing his passion of becoming a fashion designer with a new clothing brand— Harrow Numen.

Sharing the sleek and unique designs on TikTok and Instagram, he’s generating thousands of views all while in his final semester at Pierce.

In his senior year at Taft High School, he found his calling in fashion when he created his first clothing brand with friends who shared his vision at the time. However, that vision quickly faded and Gener soon found himself starting a new brand alone. “Things happened with my first brand that I found myself in a place where I was happier doing it alone. I recently started my new brand: Harrow Numen in June, and so far it's been doing good in sales and I'm making a profit,” Gener said.

Harrow Numen is his latest creation, a brand that speaks high fashion, architecture, and uniqueness. A designer with multiple talents - all his designs are original from inception, to getting the garments manufactured in Downtown L.A., and promoting his products online.

Gener explained the creative process in which he designs his clothes. This process consists of sketches, fabric selections, and manufacturers.

Gener will then go on to promote the finished design on social media apps.

Gener shared his favorite part of his creative process.

“When a design is ready, finding the right fabrics is the most time consuming yet rewarding,” Gener said.

Gener had great success marketing Harrow Numen on TikTok and Instagram. Gener’s latest design, a pair of wax-denim pants with a unique pocket arrangement, has received over 14,000 views on TikTok. Gener’s favorite design, a custom three pocket shirt and a t-shirt labeled “I’D RATHER NOT KNOW,” have also been trending on social media recently.

For Gener, becoming a fashion designer would be his dream job. In the meantime, he is finishing up his final semester at Pierce College and will be pursuing a Bachelors of Science in nursing starting next fall.

“My wife and I don't sugarcoat anything from him. We’ve told him from the start that he needs to pursue his nursing degree but fully encourage his fashion endeavors,” his father, Apolonio Gener, said. “It’s good to have a backup plan that provides a steady income before he makes it big. He’s really dedicated to his art, he’s a one-man show, he does it all himself and we are really proud of him. The whole family is.”

Both family and friends are at the core of his motivation,

constantly seeking their advice and feedback, asking them to be brutally honest on whether a design is good or trash. This type of constructive criticism has helped him evolve and grow as a designer.

Daniel Gonsalez, a friend since the seventh grade, has seen the progression and growth into what is now Harrow Numen.

“It’s been amazing seeing him grow from each new stage, and I can't wait to see what he develops next,” Gonsalez said. “We have such a great bond that I can be completely honest with him about a design and know he won't take it the wrong way. His work ethics are incredible.”

Russell Gener said he cares and advocates for ethical manufacturing and his company remaining sustainable.

“I want to make unique clothes that have a high fashion aesthetic but at a reasonable price,” Russell Gener said. “Right now, I’m a small brand, but I want all my clothing to be made in the U.S., because labor and environmental laws in other countries are messed up when it comes to the clothing industry.”

You can follow his journey by checking out his Instagram handle at @harrownumen and @russellgat for more information and product releases.

worellana.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich Russell Gener shows a roll of fabric in his home in Canoga Park, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

WALTER ORELLANA Reporter

Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich

Russell Gener adjusts the buttons on one of the shirts for his shop in his home in Canoga Park, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

Photo by Jasmine Casanova Russell Gener models a shirt he designed at the Botanical Garden at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2021.

Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich Russell Gener smiles outside of his home in Canoga Park, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

Preview : ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ Theater returns to campus with an Oscar Wilde classic

AJ WERNER Reporter

Classes are back, sports are back, and now theatre is back too.

“It’s an easy play to love,” Vaaz said. “It’s funny and we wanted a feel-good play that brought people back and had us, you know, laughing together.”

For the first time since the pandemic began, the LAPC Theatre will have live performances.

The Theater Department will be coming back with an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Play Director Shaheen Vaaz said this play is a combination of multiple elements.

“It’s about a guy who calls himself Earnest when that’s not his real name,” Vaaz explained. “Mistaken identities, secret identities, secret lives, alliances with people you don’t know, all that good stuff.”

While the Theater Department has a requirement

for one classical work, this was not the only reason this particular play was chosen.

Shaheen Vaaz explains the significance of this being the first play to be performed coming out of the pandemic.

Actor Kayvan Shai plays the character, Jack. “He’s a very conflicted character who is kind of searching for who he really is and what he’s doing,” Shai said. “He’s in love with Gwendolyn and that’s why he comes over in the first place.”

Shai believes the audience can learn a valuable lesson by coming to watch this play.

Actress Rachel Logan plays the role of Gwendolyn, who is also Jack’s love interest.

“She is very high society,” Logan said. “Very particular and specific about what she wants and what she does want, she will get.”

Although this play is more of a comedy, that doesn’t mean there aren’t tough scenes for this cast.

Rachel Logan describes the toughest scene she is a part of in this play.

“I think the hardest scene would have to be my garden scene with Cicely,” Logan said. “It’s a very long scene, it’s also a long act. I have a huge chunk of lines, it’s just Gwendolyn talks so much.”

There are many things the audience will be able to take away from this live performance.

However, both Shai and Logan hope the audience takes away some things more than others.

Shai believes the audience will be able to learn a valuable lesson from the story of this light-hearted play.

“They also will get, if they pay a little more attention, the depth of what is really being said about how one person can go their whole life not knowing who they really are.”

While Logan would like audiences to recognize the importance of theatre, she also hopes this play can help others be more comfortable with themselves.

“I hope they appreciate the art, that they will understand theater matters and support,”

Here, Have a Mentor!

Logan said. “I also hope they take away and know that it’s okay to be yourself. I hope audiences will see us as silly

and ridiculous with each other and just be like ‘Yeah, I can do that, that’s okay.’”

The play will be performing

awerner.roundupnews@gmail.com

Berkeley program helps California community college students transfer

SOPHIE WARD Copy Editor and Reporter

Students in the Valley who have never travelled away from Los Angeles could easily be forgiven for being nervous about transferring to a new school in Northern California and getting used to a new culture.

One possible remedy is a new relationship with a major school.

University of California Berkeley’s Starting Point Mentorship Program (SPMP) helps community college students transfer to the university by pairing them with current UC Berkeley student mentors.

According to the Starting Point Mentorship Program website, the program is designed to offer incoming UC Berkeley transfer students guidance, information about the admission process and campus

or community information.

Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) transfer representative and former SPMP mentor Gabriel Alfaro explained that the program offers community college students resources and assistance that aids them in successfully transferring to UC Berkeley.

“Generally it’s just really a program that is dedicated to helping students connect with current advisers for the programs they want to go into, all of the ins and outs in our admissions process,” Alfaro said. “It can provide one-on-one support with somebody who has been accepted to Berkeley, and does know exactly what it takes to get in, in terms of what you need to write about and that type of thing.”

The SPMP is studentfacilitated, according to Alfaro. Mentors are former California community college students and can have up to 8 mentees at a time. The number of mentees

assigned to a mentor depends on the number of units the UC Berkeley student is enrolled in.

Mentors have to spend a certain number of hours talking and mentoring each of their mentees. Mentoring is conducted through email, phone calls, Zoom, campus visits and workshops and additional forms of online technology.

According to Alfaro, mentors can help current community college students write their UC personal insight questions or help them with any current issues at their community college. As a student mentor, Alfaro was able to introduce his mentees to current Berkeley students and help them with projects at their community college.

“I know that when I was a mentor I ended up getting a couple of people who were in local student government, so I tried to help them with some of their projects there and [gave them] some of the connections

I had there.”

Availability in the program is dependent upon how many UC Berkeley students sign up for the program to be mentors. To be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.20, according to the program’s website.

Students can apply in the fall semester. A link to the program’s application can be found on the Berkeley Transfer Student Center website under the “Starting Point” tab. The program has reached maximum capacity for fall 2021, but students can still submit an application to be put on a waitlist.

Pierce alumni and current UC Berkeley student Vanessa Arredondo believes UC Berkeley provides transfer students with lots of resources, such as the SPMP, to ease their transition to the university.

“Once you get to Berkeley, they will provide you with resources, you know, people, offices, administration, etc,”

Arredondo said. “Starting off that transition while you’re still at Pierce is incredibly useful,with having a mentor who actually has already been through that process themselves.”

Arredondo believes having transfer programs can help students with the application process and encourage more students to apply to UC Berkeley.

“UC Berkeley is often high in the rankings and I think a lot of people are just like ‘I’m never going to get in, why even bother applying,’” Arredondo said. “There are people willing to help Pierce students.”

Pierce College Transfer Center Director and Counselor Sunday Salter said this program is beneficial for Pierce transfer students, especially those who are first generation ones.

“Most of our students at Pierce are the first ones to go to college,” Salter said.

“Applying to college can be very overwhelming and

stressful. Having someone who is close in age with them might make it feel a bit realistic to move away from home. This is the first [transfer program] with Berkeley and we’re pretty excited about it.”

Arredondo believes this program is advantageous for first generation students or those who may lack academic guidance from friends or family.

“A lot of community college students might be first generation, so they have no idea what it is like going to a university,” Arredondo said.

“My parents never went to university in the U.S., so I had no idea what I was getting into. I had to do this all on my own. You can have someone who has your back when you don’t have family, or you know, friends who have already gone through the process.”

Photo by Jasmine Casanova

Kayvan Shai rehearses his role of Jack in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 5, 2021.

Photo by Jasmine Casanova Shaheen Vaaz, the director of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” instructs her students during their rehearsal of the play at the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 5, 2021.

Guess Who’s Back? Back Again?

Copy by Felipe Gamino

After more than a year without competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sporting events have returned to Pierce College.

Soccer kicked things off, with football and women’s volleyball following suit. The soccer team had a great start to the season with an overall record of 7-2-3 with Kiara Washington, the top goal scorer for the team.

Football (0-4) and volleyball (0-6) haven’t had much joy in their respective seasons, but are thankful of competing once again.

The student-athletes have waited a long time to be back doing what they love best and to also have the support of their loved ones in the stands whether it’s at Ken Stanley Court or John Shepard Stadium.

The football team practice for a game at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo by Bre Jenkins.

Ryjon Mercer, a runner back/middle linebacker on the football team, works out in the Fitness Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich.

(Left to Right) Basketball players Larry Williams, Tyrel Robinson, Jaden Williams, Dylan Hicks, Gabriel Abbott, and Hector Page practice in the South Gym at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2021. Photo by Pauline Gener.

(Right) Julia Nederlk hits the ball over the net during a game against Moorpark at Ken Stanley Court at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2021. The Brahmas lost 3-0. Photo by Cecilia Parada.

This is 300

Every competitive team aspires to reach championships, division titles and milestones. The Pierce College women’s soccer team has been fighting to reach an historic achievement since returning to action.

The Brahmas celebrated the 300th win in program history on Oct. 12 against Cuesta College. The accomplishment came on the heels of winning the previous game against Santa Barbara 1-0 on Oct. 8.

The team was decisive and aggressive in their play against the Cougars, taking the lead early and maintaining it through regulation time in a 4-1 victory.

(Left to right) Kiara Washington takes possession of the ball from Ryleigh McGinty during a game against Cuesta College at Shepard Stadium at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 12, 2021. The Brahmas won 4-1. Photo by Pauline Gener.

(Left to right) Kiara Washington and Alexandra Meza react to a goal during a game against Santa Barbara College at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2021. The Brahmas won 1-0. Photo by Cecilia Parada.

(Left to right) Brenda Alas guards the ball from Ruby Fiori during a game against Cuesta College at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 12, 2021. The Brahmas won 4-1. Photo by Pauline Gener.

Head coach Adolfo Perez celebrates the win after a game against Santa Barbara College at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2021. The Brahmas won 1-0.

Photo by Cecilia Parada.

Copy by Cecilia Parada

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

Women's soccer team makes history at home

Pierce beat Cuesta College 4-1; earn their 300th win in John Shepard Stadium

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

The women’s soccer team reached a milestone Tuesday as they beat Cuesta College 4-1 to earn their 300th win in program history.

Only few programs have reached this accolade and the Brahmas are the latest team to obtain this achievement.

Longtime head soccer coach

Adolfo Perez said it is a blessing to have reached 300 wins.

“It is pretty incredible, especially when winning a game is difficult,” Perez said. “To win 300 is a blessing. This has only been done 10 times which is insane especially in college when it is up and down.”

The Brahmas began the game well on the attack and it paid off as midfielder Alexandra Meza gave Pierce the lead.

Moments later, midfielder Preet Kaur doubled the Brahmas’ lead.

Cuesta immediately responded through Jordan Bullard, who plays on defense, but she was at the right moment to poke the ball past Pierce goalkeeper Anabelle Rosas.

Forward Kiara Washington started as a sub, but made an instant impact when she came on. She had two great opportunities to increase Pierce’s lead, but her attempts went wide.

Third time was a charm for Washington as she gave the Brahmas a 3-1 lead heading into the half.

Perez was pleased with how the team started the game.

“Their offense was good and we took advantage of our speed and we are using a different tactic. We are not starting Kiara,” Perez said. “We want to wear the other team down and then put “Kiki” on and so far it has two games like and it has worked.” In the second half, the Brahma defense was firm as they didn’t give Cuesta too many opportunities in the attacking third.

The offense was creating more chances through Meza, midfielder Halle Manalili and Washington.

Pierce hit the post twice as they were aiming to wrap things up.

Washington made sure the Brahmas had a comfortable lead as she scored the final goal off a deflection from a Cuesta defender.

Washington said she is proud to be a part of this accomplishment.

“I’m very proud of Adolfo

and of the team. We have been working hard and we deserved it. It feels great to be on the team that reached the 300th win and even better that it was at home,” Washington said.

She was pleased with scoring two of the four goals in this game.

“It is great to contribute, and be on top of our conference,” Washington said. “We are going to keep working hard and staying focused.”

Perez said the team is now focused on Ventura. The Pirates

left the Brahmas with no playoffs in 2019.

“They are one of the best teams in the country. They are ranked number three in the country, but we are playing well,” Perez said.

Perez added, “The irony of things is that win 100 was on the road against Citrus, win 200 was also on the road against Bakersfield and finally the 300th win was at home.”

Athletic Director Susan Armenta said she is excited to have witnessed history.

“I didn’t think I would see this day in my tenure. We have been on a roll and I didn’t expect any less,” Armenta said. It’s reflective of what Adolfo

instills in the program and in our student-athletes. He does a great job in doing whatever it takes to have a successful program.”

Armenta said she hopes the team keeps doing well and appreciates what they do on the field.

Perez gave a special dedication after getting the win.

“I dedicate this to my mother,” Perez said. “She passed away in February. I wish she was here to see it, but I know she saw it from up there.”

The Brahmas have one week to prepare for their road game against the Pirates. They play on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m.

Repairs begin for baseball field

BY SHAYNE TAMKIN Reporter

Agopher peaks his head out of his hole behind home plate to get a glimpse of some sun.

Little does he know this will be one of his last days to do it.

Pierce College’s interim president Ara Aguiar said that the school is planning to use some instructional grants to repair the sports fields, including the baseball field.

“We’re looking at utilizing some of those funds to update the fields and really give them a new face, and you know, move the gophers,” said Aguiar jokingly.

Head coach Bill Picketts said that repairs to the field were well needed due to baseball’s unique circumstances.

“I'm not downplaying any other sport, but baseball is a sport that you have to have a field,” Picketts said. “You got to have bullpens, you got to have cages, you've got to have a field of practice and we had none of that and it was extremely difficult.”

The order was put in place in August, but was expedited due to Pierce's connections with Hollywood, said Athletic Director Susan Armenta.

“Right now I think it's been partly because of our partnerships with our vendors and the production company that have been using our facilities for rental for production.”

The show is about a college baseball turning the team around, which includes the field, leading to it’s constant and consistent improvements until done.

“It’s about a college program that is kind of in disarray, and the field isn't in very good shape, and through an influx of money the field starts getting better and better as the season progresses and so it kind of worked out nice for us because, as

you know our field wasn't in great shape.” said Picketts.

Picketts added he is pretty sure refurbishment began this quickly because of the production needs.

“I don't think it would have happened, just for normal reasons, administrative issues, and taking it to the board to get approved, stuff like that.” Picketts said. “So we kind of skipped that process because the movie wanted to start shooting immediately and so they took care of some things.”

Not only does the mending of the field come at an appropriate time for the team, as they get ready for the season, but it also allows the team to play home games.

Former Athletic Director Bob Lofrano said it was not possible in 2020.

“Before the pandemic, the baseball team played 20 games,” Lofrano said. “There were 10 [at home] and 10 [away], the pandemic hit everything shut down. They did not play any home games because the field was unsafe.”

Lofrano said that he did not feel the school’s reasoning for why the

field being unsafe was an adequate explanation.

“You're going to hear the powers that be say that oh it's in bad shape because of the pandemic and that's wrong. [They’re saying] the pandemics corrupted the pipes for watering, I thought the pandemic was on humans, not on waterpipes.”

Lofrano also said he is confident the field would not have been finished anywhere close to the beginning of the season.

“I saw an email that was put out this week about the film shoot because [the film company] is going to work on the field,” Lofrano said. “They got money, they're going to get it to look good, like they need to. But the person who put that out said that [the field's condition] is because of the pandemic. I call bullshit on that when you can't play home games because the field’s not safe before the pandemic. That's the facts.”

Photo by Cecilia Parada

(Left to right) Ela Nordsfor attempts to block Julia Nederlk’s set during a volleyball game against Santa Monica College at Pierce College’s South Gym on Sept. 17, 2021.

Photo by Felipe Gamino

The soccer team celebrate their milestone win at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on on Oct. 12, 2021. Pierce won 4-1.

Photo by Brandon Sinclair Joe Kelly Field is under construction at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 5, 2021.

Photo by Pauline Gener

Kiara Washington possesses the ball during a game against Cuesta College at Shepard Stadium at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Oct. 12, 2021. The Brahmas won 4-1.