Volume 136 Spring 2022 Roundup Issue 1

LACCD launches program with Metro

BY CECILIA PARADA Editor-in-Chief

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) partnered with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to launch the GoPass Program. The program, which offers free bus fare to students commuting to any of the nine schools within the District, was announced on Dec. 7, 2021, by LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. The program had strong support from students, the Board of Trustees and a Fareless Transit Initiative Task Force aimed to reduce inequity in transportation. The LACCD Student Transit Pass Pilot Program was unanimously approved by the Metro Board of Directors and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors in September 2021, culminating in the launch of the GoPass.

According to an LACCD press release, about onequarter of students in the

District regularly used public transit to attend class prior to the COVID-19 pandemic— mainly because of cost concerns. The GoPass aims to remove a barrier to higher education for low-income students.

LACCD Board President Steve Veres said the program is transformational for more than 50% of students who have said they had difficulty paying for public transport.

“This effort will undoubtedly bring improved quality of life and peace of mind to many of our students, allowing them to focus on their academic success,” Veres said.

A hope of the program is to increase the use of public transportation, alleviate traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and make college campuses more accessible to students in Los Angeles.

Wiggins said a Hope Center study found that students spend one-fifth of their total expenses on transportation.

“It is clear that students with subsidized transportation perform better at school, allowing them to focus on what really matters—their education,” Wiggins said. “We created the GoPass

program because we do not want transportation to be one of the barriers students must face in completing their college education.”

Rodriguez said the program is a significant step in reducing the burden for students attempting to attend the District’s colleges.

“I am committed to working alongside Metro to find the resources for the GoPass because our students need to get back to school in order for our economy to bounce back and recover from the devastating impact of this global pandemic,” Rodriguez said.

Former LACCD student Leonardo Gonzalez said the program will provide reliable, equitable and convenient transportation to college campuses.

“It has been truly inspiring to be part of a student advocacy team that was able to turn fareless transit from an idea to reality,” Gonzalez said.

Pierce College students interested in registering for the program can sign up at the Business Office with a picture ID.

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Enrollment down for third straight year

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor and Reporter

For the third straight year, Pierce College has been faced with a growing decline in enrollment.

The school’s council met on Feb. 24 via Zoom to discuss concerns and possible solutions to the alarming decrease in student registration.

Interim President Ara Aguiar said Pierce is currently experiencing a drop in students coming to the school.

The influx of students is down at least 30% from 2019 and 84% compared to 2021.

Pierce also has the secondlowest enrollment class size out of the nine colleges in the district as of this spring, at 19.2. Los Angeles Trade Tech College (Trade) currently has the lowest, at 17.6.

“We’re not going to get out of this problem,” Aguiar said.

“But we are going to offer more classes with lower sizes. We’re talking about 11% more classes with at least 30% fewer students.”

Aguiar said Pierce is down 4,500 students, and is also considering offering more classes that run for eight weeks to help combat the issue.

On March 16, Pierce plans to discuss efforts and strategies to help with enrollment at the Board of Trustees meeting.

Enrollment numbers are not the only thorn in Pierce’s side as infrastructure has also begun to prove problematic for the college.

Action 18 was passed and approved in a unanimous 10-0 decision and plans to have 25%

of Pierce spaces having electric vehicle chargers by 2030.

Pierce psychology and statistics professor Angela Belden expressed her concerns about the EV chargers while also praising the idea.

“My concerns are two-fold,”

Belden said. “Number one, I love the idea of charging stations on campus. I’m a little concerned about them all being in one place. I also am concerned about the Center for Sciences building being refreshed when there are facilities on campus that are in

massive disrepair.”

Joe Kelly Field is one of the sports venues in the college that is in desperate need of remodeling and repair work.

Belden said that there are buildings on campus that are newer that are eligible

for refreshment, while older buildings are being neglected.

“Our athletic facility and many of our academic buildings are really behind the curve,” Belden said.

Pierce Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher stated that El Rancho Drive will be closed off for the next three days starting tomorrow for “project work.”

Co-Chair of the Technology Committee and Representative of the Budget Committee Ron Paquette announced that he plans to move 67 classrooms to high flex rooms, though wifi remains to be an issue.

According to Paquette, it costs at least $15k to convert each room to accommodate high flex classes. He also said that some of the high flex rooms may not have the wiring needed for the transfer.

In other news, Aguiar said that meetings about student housing are currently underway for all nine Los Angeles Community Colleges in the district, and how such it can be sustained and paid for.

Aguiar also said that Pierce has received COVID-19 antigen tests for students and faculty, and are currently figuring out how to properly distribute them.

Photo Illustration by Cecilia Parada

Photo by Michael Moreno

The G Line bus comes to a stop at Pierce College Station in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 14, 2022.

STREET

BEAT SHOULD PIERCE LIFT THE MASK MANDATE?

Busy, busy bookstore EDITORIAL From the desk of the Roundup

As the new semester begins the bookstore is overwhelmed with helping students get the materials they need with the low amount of staff they have now compared to last semester.

Students waiting to receive school supplies stand outside of the bookstore, creating a long line that at times extends outside the building.

Pierce College could devise plans to make transactions more efficient to get students in and out of the store quickly.

West Los Angeles College allows students to pick up their

“I believe that we shouldnʼt participatebecauseweʼrestill inthemiddleofthepandemic. Theclassroomsarepretty small,soweʼrestillclosetoeach other.”

6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Room: Pierce College Village 8211 Phone: (818) 710-4115

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Website: www.theroundupnews.com

E-mail: newsroom.roundupnews@ gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief .......Cecilia Parada

Managing Editor .....Anastasiya Orel

Photo Editor..........Dominique Duñgo

Opinions Editor..............Sophie Ward

News Editor ...............Giselle Lomeli

Features Editor........Pamela Kalidasan

Campus Life Editor..Madison Creekbaum

Campus Life Editor....Shayne Tamkin

Sports Editor...............Felipe Gamino

Social Media Editor.........Bre Jenkins

Social Media Editor....Jaelin Williams

Copy Editor......................Trisha Anas

Copy Editor ...........Benjamin Hanson

Copy Editor ..................Jayna Kuklin

Reporters: Angie Alvarez Mariah Britt

Kuklin

Photographers:

Casanova

Corona

Tadevosyan

Cejoco

Moreno

Kober

books at a roll-up window in front of their college store.

A solution could be to move the bookstore to another location on campus where a small drivethru could be made to offer a quick purchase. Selling onethird of the textbooks in the library also could help reduce the long lines at the bookstore.

California State University Northridge offers curbside pick-up Monday to Friday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). Students can preorder their items online then follow the instructions. They also have designated curbside stalls that do not interfere with the flow of the school parking.

Upon arrival, they must call in advance to confirm their order.

According to TheMillions website, many colleges and universities libraries across the country sell books that were donated. Instead of involving money by selling the donations, they can be re-donated to students who need them for that semester on a first-come firstserve basis. Students borrow the books and return them at the end of the semester.

Clark College allows students to do in-store pick-up by appointment only. They offer a free service to order books on their website and they have

Pro: Off with masks

BY PETER POLYGALOV Reporter

According to the California Department of Public Health, starting on Feb. 16, wearing masks indoors will only be required for unvaccinated people. Some exceptions include Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties.

But Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrrer said the timeline for lifting the mask mandate in the region has been accelerated to a likely start date of March 16.

So why is Los Angeles County trailing behind the rest of the state?

After all, it does seem like the general opinion toward wearing masks is shifting.

Part of the problem might be the lack of clear enforcement guidelines behind mask mandates.

While Mayor Garcetti has emphasized that under Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Safer at Home” order, persons not wearing masks can face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, the reality is that such cases of punitive action are few and far between.

Enforcement aside, the downsides of wearing masks for two years have been severely downplayed.

In an article for the Association of American Medical Colleges, Zina Jawadi writes about her experience going through medical school as a student with significant hearing loss.

“Finding and managing the right technologies consumes extensive time and energy, and is often exhausting and logistically challenging,” Jawadi wrote.

But not only students with disabilities are suffering from the pandemic’s impact. Masks aside, learning loss is a real thing and has affected all students since the start of the pandemic.

Mask mandates may be linked to providing a false sense of security in some.

According to an article published in The British Medical Journal (BMJ),

the authors found that respiratory virus infection rates are significantly higher when using cloth-based masks as opposed to a lower risk of infection associated with medical masks.

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made statements, no clear state mandates were ever enforced specifying what type of masks must be worn. Some people might think that wearing a piece of cloth or a bandana over their face is just as effective as a medical-

to wait two business days for the order to process. Walk-ins and unscheduled visits are not allowed. A matching I.D. must be presented at the appointment to get the book. They do allow friends or family to pick up the order as long as their name was stated in the order comments.

Pierce could send out an order confirmation email to the student’s Los Angeles Community College District email.

An article from the World Economic Forum estimated that 23 percent of the population purchased an e-book last year and 45 percent purchased a

printed book. This shows that printed books are here to stay and that e-books are not always the best solution or alternative to buy a textbook.

Finally, by offering these alternatives and solutions, it will create a more comfortable environment for staff members and students. Purchasing at the Pierce Bookstore can be faster, and staff members can have an easier time helping students find what they need.

Con: Keep masks on

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor and Reporter

California announced that the mask mandate will be lifted starting Feb. 15 after the mandate was reinstated in mid-December when the Omicron variant peaked in the state.

However, Los Angeles County said that it intends to keep its mask mandate in place, making it the only county other than Santa Clara to do so.

According to a Deadline article, the

Even though the case numbers may be falling, it is not yet time to take off the masks. There should be concern if the current rate of cases per day goes up again.

According to an article from The Los Angeles Times, the current case rate for LA County is 9,500 cases per day, one-fifth of the Omicron peak of 44,000 from January. This rate is still six times more than the December average, which was 1,600 cases per day in the county.

These numbers should be a cause for concern, despite California having the highest vaccination rate in the United States, with 69.8% of the state being fully vaccinated and 81.2% having at least one dose as of Feb.11.

California was once the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, having been the second state to close down after New York on March 10, 2020. Who is to say that it won’t be that way again if the state were to lift its mask mandate?

If we were to remove the mask mandate after Feb. 15, the number of infections would rise again, as well as hospitalization and case numbers.

The state would be forced to shut down fully for a second time, including businesses, schools and universities/colleges returning to learning on Zoom.

The country has been forced to combat the pandemic and among other arising issues.

In a press release, LA County District Two Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said that the city cannot ignore the realities of public health orders that show up in hand with the pandemic in the county.

grade mask.

Director of Los Angeles Public Health

Advisers:

Connelly

Favre Tracie Savage

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Sinclair

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Letters to the Editor

Dear Roundup,

As a student of Pierce College and member of Los Angeles Youth First Tobacco Coalition (LAYFTC), I am writing this letter to advocate for Pierce to go smoke-free. A report by California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) shows that all CSUs and UCs are 100% smoke-free (1). With 60% of community colleges in California measuring up to the UC and CSU standards, I am hopeful that Pierce College can do the same.

In reviewing the meeting minutes on going smokefree from the Pierce Work Environment Committee (WEC), there’s a concern for staff needing to leave the campus to smoke. This was said to make it unlikely for Pierce College to go smoke free in the future. However, with 68% of people who smoke want to quit (2), smoke-free environments have been proven to help (3). Thus, we should focus on providing cessation services to those who want to quit smoking.

It is also vital to recognize vulnerable groups, such as asthmatics or children, when considering going smoke-free—especially considering how close one of the designated smoking areas is to the

Barbara Ferrer said at a press briefing that the problem with the mask mandate lift is timing.

“Two years of fighting this pandemic has taught us many lessons, including the fact that wearing masks helps stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mitchell said.

In the end, the masking mandates are in place because many are reluctant to get vaccinated. Once everyone has the vaccine, masks might become irrelevant again. So please, stay safe and get vaccinated. The return to normalcy might come soon. jkuklin.roundupnews@gmail.com

“This is not the right time to stop wearing our masks indoors and in crowded outdoor settings,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer also stated that the post-surge trigger for easing some restrictions would be when virus-related hospitalizations fall below 2,500 for seven straight days. They currently clock in at 2,773, a sizable drop from 3,398 on Thursday. That easing would not include indoor masking, however. It would only be for masking at large outdoor events.

Child Development Center. Furthermore, in light of COVID-19, going smoke-free would help keep our lungs healthy and safe. Tobacco use decreases the body's potential to fight infection and raises the risk of lung disease and heart disease, resulting in a higher risk of serious COVID-19 complications (4).

My coalition conducted a public opinion survey regarding tobacco-use on campus to account for the diverse perspectives on the issue. The survey results show 87% of the Pierce College faculty, staff, students, and visitors believe a smoke-free campus would improve the health of the campus community. Highlights of our findings can be found on linktr.ee/ smokefreepierce.

I believe Pierce College can join the 60% of community colleges who have become champions of tobacco-free environments.

Sincerely, Sara

Karl Pierce College Student Los Angeles Youth First Tobacco Coalition

If there is one thing that we should not take for granted, it is that everyone suffers from COVID-19 differently. Those that are immunocompromised are expected to take extra precautions than those who are not.

Lifting the mask mandate is the last thing the county should have to deal with, especially considering the COVID surge in the winter.

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.`

Photo Illustration by Janice Cejoco Pierce College student Krish Acu removes his mask as California lifts mask mandate in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 15, 2022.

Quotes gathered by Whitney Evans

Photos by Michael Moreno

“Idonʼtthinkso,sinceour countyismorepopulated.I think we should take more precautionsandprocedures.”

-StephaniePeddijanto

-John-John Estanislao

“Iftheydotakeoffthemasks, itʼsok.ButIpersonallywouldnʼt take mine off.”

-Noelia Chaffino

Prioritizing Black students' needs A distric resolution seeks to improve lives through ethnic studies education

BY ANASTASIYA OREL Managing Editor

The month of February recognizes and honors Black History Month: appreciating culture, educating ourselves and the community, remembering and moving forward from history.

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees approved the annual Resolution Honoring Black History Month. It is a restatement of the District’s efforts to “improve life for our Black stakeholders through prioritizing ethnic studies programs, thriving and fully funding Umoja programs, facilitating discussions about critical race theory, diversity in hiring and promotion and especially Black student outreach.”

The resolution has a list of “whereas,” statements that refer back to the history of the United States and of the development of Black History Month. The resolution also has a list of “resolved” statements that show the actions taken to distribute the resolution and share information to all nine campuses in the community college district.

LACCD Director of Communications and External Relations William Boyer said the resolution is used to inform and raise awareness amongst the faculty, students and staff of LACCD.

“What we hope is that this gives the opportunity for all employees and students to engage in a positive discourse and dialogue about these accomplishments,” Boyer said. “What we can do to continue to elevate and promote Black History Month, and to make people aware of the significance of the month and the contributions.”

Umoja program coordinator and counselor Kalynda McLean said Umoja is a student support program designed to help Pierce College reduce opportunity gaps that are impacting

Black and African American students.

“Opportunity gaps are something that the college is required to measure and track by the state and report back,” McLean said. “They are gaps in the performance in terms of success, retention, and persistence by identified populations and in this particular case, one of those identified disproportionately impacted populations are Black and African American students.”

The program is used to help Pierce meet its objective by serving students and

promoting Black and African American student success.

“It is through a curriculum and a pedagogy that’s responsive to the legacy of the African diaspora,” McLean said. “Special Umoja courses are taught by faculty that have been trained in Umoja practices and also culturally responsive teaching and learning practices. Our community is really fostered through our connection and the relationships we developed in the program with everyone.”

Sociology professor Arthur J. McKeever said he believes the resolution sparks

discussion rather than actiontaking.

“I would say that the district itself has been a bit more conscious of the plight of not just Black faculty and staff but also Black students,” McKeever said. “These resolutions are kind of like feel-good exercises where we do a lot of lip service instead of actually dealing with the issues of African Americans. It makes everyone feel good who isn’t Black.”

McKeever said he believes taking action would be more beneficial in the movement towards the resolution.

Brief: Academic Senate

BY WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

Enrollment numbers aren't the only thing that has decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Transfer Director Sunday Salter said via Zoom Feb. 28, at the Pierce College Academic Senate meeting that transfer applications have declined.

“Preliminary data are in for the applications,” Salter said. “Pierce is a 6.5% decline. Our sisters and brothers in our district are not doing well. Some are down 33%. We have to keep our heads up and keep doing what we can to support our students.”

Salter extended an open invitation to students, faculty and staff to attend the Advisory Board in the Transfer Center.

“The more brain power we have, the more we get behind this the better,” Salter said.

“I think institutionalizing Umoja would be the way to go,” McKeever said.

“Creating a line item in the budget for Umoja programs would encourage campuses to start an Umoja program. I know they are working on issues of hiring Ethnic Studies faculty so that’s a step in the right direction.”

Brief: Former Pierce coach dies

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

Former Pierce College coach and two-time Hall of Famer Jim Fenwick died Feb. 17 after battling with multiple health issues which included leukemia.

Fenwick was head coach of the school’s football team from 1981 to 1986. The 1984 team, which had former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer on the roster, went undefeated.

The 1984 team also went into the college’s 2012 Hall of Fame with Fenwick as coach. He would eventually go in individually two years later.

Former Athletic Director Bob Lofrano who started the hall of fame said Fenwick was a good man.

“He really served the [San Fernando] Valley as a whole since he was here and at LA Valley both as a coach and administrator,” Lofrano said. “He will be surely missed by all who knew him, including myself.”

Lofrano said Fenwick was the type of person to be easygoing.

“Football coaches tend to have an edge to them, but in his case, he was a wellrounded individual,” Lofrano said. “We got the opportunity to attend meetings together when we were both athletic directors. We would work together on a constant basis.”

Fenwick retired as athletic director from LA Valley

College in Dec. 2020. Lofrano previously said that even though Fenwick was at Valley, his roots are from Pierce.

Fenwick helped Susan Armenta when she was named

interim athletic director two years ago. In an email, she mentioned the impact Fenwick had in athletics.

“He was a great motivator and contributor to any

program that he was involved in, whether at Cal State Northridge, Pierce, or at Valley. Our condolences go out to his family and anyone that was impacted by him,” Armenta wrote.

Pierce head football coach James Sims said Fenwick was always welcoming.

“He was a good guy. He was really helpful, loved football and the programs. I remember seeing him in his

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cart at Valley and Fenwick was really nice and courteous when we showed up,” Sims said.

Photo Illustration by Brandon Sinclair

File Photo by Erick Ceron Jim Fenwick , (Athletic Director Valley College) to be inducted in to Pierce College Sports Hall of Fame. the former Athlete also coached at Pierce between 1981 to 1986 at Valley College in Valley Glen Calif., on April 17, 2014.

“The Disrict itself has been a bit more conscious of the plight of not just Black faculty and staff but also Black students ”

- Arthur McKeever Sociology Professor

Actors nab festival honors

Performing Arts Department earns several Kennedy Center awards

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor and Reporter

Pierce College’s Theatre Department has made history and took home four awards.

Student Topher Ngo won the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

According to the KCACTF website, the scholarship provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education in the performing arts.

For this year’s KCACTF, participants were required to record a less than six minute video of two monologues and a scene with their partner.

Ngo performed a monologue as Steven in “Eight Nights” for the final round and was nominated for his performance in “The Bomb-itty of Errors.”

“The scholarship means a lot to me,” Ngo said. “I was a medical school graduate from UCLA before I eventually decided to go into acting.”

Ngo said that when choosing what he wanted to do for the competition, he wanted something that meant a lot to him.

“I was doing some soulsearching and I chose my pieces based on what shapes me as a person,” Ngo said. “I also wanted to do a scene with someone that I had good chemistry with when I was doing my scene for ‘Ironbound.’”

Laura Lyles, another Pierce finalist, finished in second place and was named as an alternate for the National Competition in Washington, D.C., set to take place this spring.

Lyles was named the winner of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) Award for Vocal Excellence in Performance, which recognizes outstanding work in acting and voice work.

Whitney Evans, Lyles’s partner for her Irene Ryan Scholarship audition scene in

“Intimate Apparel,” won the award for Best Acting Partner. Lyles said that she put in a lot of work practicing for the audition.

Miller Friedman and Kayvan Shai also took part in the Final Round auditions for the scholarship, despite not having taken home any awards.

“It’s a great opportunity

to be going up against the competition,” Shai said. “I am very honored to have taken part in the audition process.”

Other participants in the final round auditions for the Irene Ryan Scholarship were Jonathan Bowen, Olga Medkova and Jamie Spector, who were the scene partners for Friedman, Ngo and Shai.

Associate professor

of Theater Arts and cocoordinator of the KCACTF Region VIII Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Shaheen Vaaz said that Pierce has a long history of participating in the festival.

“In my seven years [at Pierce], we have been slowly building our skill, agility and our strength within the Acting Program,” Vaaz said. “This

BY JOEL ROBLES AND TRISHA ANAS Reporter and Copy Editor

E

is a first for us. Eight actors in the semifinals, four in the finals, first and second place, best partner and Voice and Speech Award and top prize in Directing to Roya Row. It is a measure of excellence and of collaboration within the larger community and region.”

Photo by Jasmine Casanova

Department. “It’s perhaps even a display of where Pierce stands as an excellent program for training actors, directors and designers."

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Shields looks forward to new recruits registering at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 24, 2022.

Pierce College partnered with the City of Los Angeles on Feb. 24 to host the return of the annual Valley Regional Job Fair, featuring companies including Amazon and ChickFil-A.

mployers greeted students on a sunny morning with flyers and glimpses of what future employers have to offer them.The free event was held online for the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BuildAbility Manager of Programs Kevin Shields said that he didn’t know what he would become while he was in college.

“I didn’t know what the hell I was going to do. You kind of just fall into something,” Shields said. “I went to college to be an artist, but I ended up doing this and it’s

become my career. I make a good living off of it and I get to help people every day.”

Shields said that his company helps people with disabilities and that the job is flexible.

“It’s a really great job for students because you tell us when you’re available, and then we send you your

schedule on an app that shows you who you’re going to help,” Shields said.

Students from the West Valley Occupational Center also attended the event to see what opportunities were available.

Student Ye Lu said that she had been looking forward to the fair and was hoping there

Photo by Michael Moreno

would be something she was interested in.

“I was just excited to see what kind of jobs there would be," Lu said.

The Irene Ryan Scholarship finalists and their scene partners smile for a picture in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2022.

Four out of 16 of the finalists were Pierce students.

Brief: Job Fair brings energy back to campus

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Manager of Programs Kevin

Job Fair Returns

The Mall was filled with canopies and employers late Thursday morning as Pierce College hosted the Valley Regional Job Fair.

Recruiters from Amazon and Rite-Aid, to Suna Staffing Agency and the Los Angeles County Human Resources Department were in attendance.

The job fair gave the opportunity for students to explore their options and find the right fit for them.

John Mina (left) shares what it's like to work for the Los Angeles County Human Resources Department with West Valley Occupational Center student Dawna Capps at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 24. 2022. The Pierce College Job Fair isn't only open to Pierce students, but to the public as well.

Students and employers fill the Mall walkway to kick-start the Valley Regional Job Fair at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 24, 2022.

Copy and photos by Michael Moreno

Kimberly Guzman, a HealthCare recruiter for Maxim LA HealthCare Services, gathers important information needed for potential new hires at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 24, 2022.

Looking through the lens Pierce alumnus wins Pulitzer Prize award

BY ANASTASIYA OREL Managing Editor

As the early morning sun rose, 12-yearold Julio Cortez walked through the gates of Madison Middle School and grabbed the end-of-theyear newspaper. He knew he had written one story for his seventh period elective, he searched for it and found his byline.

At that moment, in the seventh grade hallways, he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

“I wanted to play professional baseball for the Dodgers,” Cortez said. “If I didn’t do that, I wanted to find a way to be on the field somehow. I knew that reporters were always in the field with them so that was

going to give me my chance.”

Growing up throughout high school and into college, sports journalism inched closer and closer to what Cortez wanted to do. He attended Los Angeles Valley College then transferred to become a student at Los Angeles Pierce College and a writer for the Daily News.

His first professional story was for the Daily News, covering the first major Mexican Dodgers player turned radio announcer Fernando Valenzuela. The news outlet needed a Spanish speaker to interview Valenzuela, so they asked Cortez to take the story.

“He was my grandpa’s idol as well as my dad’s idol,” Cortez said. “I got to go over there, meet him, shake his hand, and interview him. That was by far my number one sports story; they gave me 14

inches which was the longest I’ve ever written for the Daily News.”

While attending Pierce as a journalism major, Cortez decided to take a photography class as an elective to fill up his schedule. Little did he know, he would discover another goal in his life.

“I took photo classes for fun and then one day, September 11th happened,” Cortez said. “I was actually on the other side of the 1300 Building and in a political science class. I went to the Daily News to try to help out, saw the pictures and I was like ‘I want to do that.’”

Cortez said the transition from journalism to photography was not difficult regarding his skillset, but rather in gaining support. He had tried to pitch some of his photos to the photodesk at the Daily News and they

discarded him, yet he was not going to let that affect him.

“I wanted to do something that the world was looking at in real time and give them

let the pictures do the work.”

Former Pierce College Media Arts professor Roger Vargo said he believes Cortez was able to utilize the skills and knowledge of photojournalism given to him from Pierce and the Daily News, as well his personal drive to move towards success.

“It certainly takes technical skills as a photographer to get well-composed, competent photos; that’s something we can teach,” Vargo said.

“Things we can’t teach are how you internalize your job, a work ethic, a drive, or an individual’s style. Julio has those things.”

it comes to photojournalism.

“To separate yourself as a photographer, you need to be able to think outside the box and he knows how to separate himself from those around him,” Davis said. “It goes back to the question: what’s gonna make my picture stand out more than the person next to me? That is where he excelled.”

Cortez now works as a photojournalist for the Associated Press. Working for the news organization, he had traveled to Minneapolis in May of 2021 to cover the George Floyd riots. A photo he had taken won the Pulitzer Prize.

pictures in real time,” Cortez said. “There’s always been people trying to step in the way and as a brown person, so a lot of times I’m singled out. That doesn’t bother me, I just

Freelance journalist Adam Davis had attended Pierce as a student journalist with Cortez, working alongside him on the Roundup newspaper. He said Cortez has the ability and talent to think differently when

The photo shows a burning building in the background with a protester in front of it carrying a U.S. flag upside down. The flag symbolizing distress, Cortez said he knew this photo would be a universal visual representing the riots and environment.

“My dream was to tell historical pictures and a lot of it has to do with you trying to get the message out of what’s going on,” Cortez said. “I wanted to get him right in front of the fire silhouetted. There’s progression with bad photo after bad photo and then it was a perfect moment.”

California State University of Northridge Journalism professor David Blumenkrantz said the Pulitzer Prize winning photo had given him chills.

“When I saw that photograph of the person carrying the flag, I literally got goosebumps,” Blumenkrantz said. “It’s just that kind of picture. It’s so incredibly symbolic and powerful.”

Blumenkrantz said the photo displayed a perspective on humanity.

“No matter what situation he is in, he can extract an extraordinary image and that’s a great talent,” Blumenkrantz said. “It’s like you see with your eyes and your mind, and Julio also sees with his heart. You feel the humanity of the situation and that’s what you’re looking for, whether you’re doing it intentionally or just intuitively.”

Screenshot by Rozie Tadevosyan

Pulitzer Prize Winner and Los Angeles Pierce College alumnus Julio Cortez shares the story behind his award-winning photograph of the George Floyd protests during an online presentation at Los Angeles Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2022.

Photo by Rozie Tadevosyan

2021 Pulitzer Prize winner and Associated Press photographer Julio Cortez speaks about his award-winning photograph at the public presentation at Kurland Lecture Hall, California State University, Northridge, on Feb. 8, 2022.

“I just let the pictures do the work.”

-Julio Cortez Photojournalist

Continuing the legacy Baseball catcher carries on family tradition at Pierce

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor and Reporter

It is not uncommon for two family members to work with each other in the same workspace.

But when a young man is stepping onto the same diamond where his grandfather once excelled, there’s added pressure to carry the tradition.

Max Lyons, the grandson of former Pierce Athletic Director and baseball coach Robert “Bob” Lyons, is no exception. Max Lyons has taken a position on the Brahmas’ baseball team as a catcher. He graduated from Calabasas High School in 2019 before attending Pierce.

“It’s an experience to be playing for my grandfather’s school,” Max Lyons said. “It has taught me to be humble and be the best that I can be as an athlete and as a person.”

Max Lyons is a freshman at Pierce College. He is unsure of his major, but the college has placed him as a social and behavioral sciences student.

Max Lyons said that his expectations this season are to win games and make the playoffs.

As of today, Max Lyons has made three plate appearances, going one for three with a .333 batting average and one run batted in (RBI). In one of those appearances, Max Lyons was a pitcher in a blowout loss versus Palomar on Feb. 17.

Max Lyons’s batting

average is currently the second-highest in the team for the 2021-22 season, following utility player Nick Alfaro with a batting average of 1.000.

Pierce’s head baseball coach Bill Picketts said that he did not know Max Lyons was the grandson of Bob Lyons.

“I actually found out from his teammates firsthand,” Picketts said. “I was very humbled to have found out this information.”

Picketts hopes Pierce can make a playoff appearance, but wants to focus on the team’s morale.

“I want the team to be better as people and as a team,” Picketts commented. “Even though we have had our difficulties, we’re making the most of it.”

Picketts previously said the team has had problems with practicing because of the field’s poor condition, causing players to be injured.

Despite the field’s condition, this has not stopped them from practicing at Joe Kelly Field.

Like Picketts, Max Lyons’ teammates were also taken by surprise by his background.

“I just learned about this,” Pierce outfielder Sean Power said. “Max is a hard worker, and I think it’s good that he played where his grandfather played.”

Power said that he wants to compete every day and for the team to be looked at, as well as make a name for Pierce.

Photo by Michael Moreno

Max Lyons expects to win more games this season and clinch a playoff berth in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 23, 2022.

Photo by Michael Moreno

Max Lyons , the grandson of former Athletic Director Bob Lyons, has his eyes locked on the next pitch at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb 23, 2022.

Photo by Michael Moreno Catcher Max Lyons warms up with a game of catch at Joe Kelly Field in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2022.

Men's Volleyball (0-3) Baseball (3-9) Swim Women's basketball (2-19) Men's Basketball (12-16)

Athletic Director makes a return

Administrator continues to fulfill her role in athletics

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

After originally announcing her intention to step down as athletic director, Susan Armenta did a 360 and has returned to lead the athletics department.

Armenta mentioned that her decision to step aside temporarily was because the athletics department wasn’t getting the proper support.

But with Claudia Velasco as acting dean, Armenta said she was convinced to return because of Velasco’s decisions.

Armenta acknowledged Velasco for stepping up and said that they can build good chemistry.

“At first, I told Claudia that I was there as a resource,” Armenta said. “I wanted to be a support for her. Once I saw how dedicated she was to our programs, I felt that athletics had a chance.”

Velasco approached Armenta to ask her to see if she would consider returning.

“At first she said no. I told her I respected her decision, but I asked her to consider it. We spoke again the following weekend and to my delight she said yes,” Velasco said.

Armenta said taking time off helped her physically and mentally, but at the end of the day she made the final decision with some input from close family.

“I talked it over with my partner. She saw the struggles and frustrations I was going through,”

Armenta said. “She said ‘This is your decision. I just want to make sure that this isn’t going to take a

toll on your health.’ I reassured her by all means that I wasn’t going to allow that to happen.”

Armenta recognized that with all the responsibilities, she wasn’t prioritizing her health.

She said the first week back was hectic, but went in with a positive attitude.

Armenta returned in time for the final basketball games, the start of spring sports and to accommodate a last minute change so the Filipino National Team could have their third baseball tryout.

Armenta said the department still needs to do an overview of all the programs. She mentioned the importance of being efficient as it relates to their spending. “We also need to be able to

address our equity gaps as far as who we are serving,” Armenta said. “Does that mean, do we cut a program, add a new one, or do we find a way to merge programs. We need to become more efficient and equitable.”

Armenta said that another reason she came back was because of college support. She said the faculty, Academic Senate and the union are being more receptive.

In the long term, Armenta wants women’s cross country to start and acknowledged the importance of having men’s soccer.

“One of my goals is to get that going,” Armenta said. “Again, it will have to do with reviewing our existing programs. We saw what happened with tennis. I know the

School holds national team tryout

Joe Kelly Field hosted Philippines baseball

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

Pierce College stepped up to the plate after a last minute cancelation as the Filipino National Team had their third U.S. tryout on Feb. 6.

These events are organized by Fil-Am Nation Select, an organization that gives a platform to Filipino-Americans.

This is the second tryout held in the San Fernando Valley as the first took place at cross-town rival Los Angeles Valley College.

At the Valley tryout, Pierce first baseman Mitch Kurtz was present with retired and professional players including Riley Conlan, LA Gamo, Chase d’Arnaud, Devon Ramirez and Kelsie Whitmore.

Athletic Director Susan

Armenta said she was excited that the tryout was held at Joe Kelly Field.

“I first heard of the request yesterday, but I know they have held tryouts at different venues,” Armenta said. “I’m happy that we were able to accommodate the last minute change. We want to show the Filipino community that we are here for them.”

Armenta said she is happy for head coach Bill Picketts and hope more coaches get involved not only at four-year schools, but at the international level.

Picketts said he was happy that the field was the site of the tryout despite the last minute change.

“We’ve been trying to do this here for months. The field looks better even though it needs major improvements. It’s good to know that our acting dean and current AD are fighting for us,” Picketts

Volleyball drops game

Brahmas lose to Long Beach City College

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

demand[for enrollment], and that is another equity gap that we need to look at. My hope is to see it happen.”

Head football coach James Sims said he is pleased that Armenta decided to return.

“She is stepping up to the plate when we need her,” Sims said. “She is standing her ground and requesting things that need to get done. In all of my time being at Pierce, this has been the most support I have seen from an athletic director. It looks like the administration is getting behind us.”

Men’s volleyball continued their tough start to the season losing to Long Beach City College in straight sets (25-6, 25-9 and 25-11).

The Brahmas came into this game 0-2, having lost to Fullerton and Santa Monica.

Head coach Edison Zhou said he saw improvement from the team. “We played better. In the first set, we didn’t pass the ball well,” Zhou said. We lost a lot of points on passing. In the second and third set, I saw that we improved. We scored more points.”

The Brahmas struggled to keep up with the Vikings, who were clinical in all three sets. Most of their kill attempts were blocked, and Zhou said he had to make adjustments.

Zhou said outside hitter Julian Soto played well mentioned that he wants to see more passion from the team.

Outside hitter Jhair Jimenez said he could have improved his hitting and that LBCC were a dominant team. “They have been playing for a really long time. They’re really skilled and really talented,” Jimenez said. Jimenez said he hopes to improve as the season goes on.

Middle Blocker Alireza Manizani said the team could have done better.

“There were a lot of things missing. Overall I feel we did fine as the sets progressed,” Manizani said. With the loss, the Brahmas drop to 0-3 for the season and will travel to Moorpark College on Wednesday. First serve is at 6 p.m.

Facilities under maintenance Athletic teams affected by field conditions

said. “Despite changing sites, it is good to see the turnout. We have a good group here.”

The national team is preparing for the Asian Baseball Championships and World Baseball Classic (WBC) Qualifiers.

Both tournaments are pending any COVID-19 changes and decisions made by the respective authorities.

The qualifiers could potentially change venues according to Czech Republic head coach Pavel Chadim with Regensburg being the possible site.

Tucson was originally scheduled to host in 2020.

Picketts said he is ready for the challenge and is ready to go anywhere in the world.

“I’m going. No matter where it might be. I am definitely going,” Picketts said.

Picketts said he had a meeting with leadership at the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and

mentioned the country is opening up so they definitely will be monitoring the talent back home.

“We want to find the right balance. We don’t have a set number yet. What we need is strong arms, getting the best pitchers will help us win games,” Picketts said.

San Diego City College pitcher Hunter Kirkpatrick said that being apart of this tryout is a good chance to make an impression.

“My goal at the end of the day is to be on the WBC team. Being here is awesome. It is apart of my culture and hopefully lead on for the future generations,” Kirkpatrick said.

Fil-Am Nation Select will announce more tryouts in the coming weeks and when rosters are finalized.

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

Whether in high school or college, athletics provide a sense of excitement.

But for student-athletes to do well, they need the proper facilities to compete.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, facilities were neglected, including Joe Kelly Field, John Shepard Stadium, the softball field and the tennis courts.

Acting Dean of Student Services Claudia Velasco said they have work to do and is collaborating with Athletic Director Susan Armenta.

“We are all aware that we haven’t taken care of our fields well,” Velasco said. “We didn’t have enough money and then COVID came and it ruined everything. Currently, Gil [Salas] and Susan are working with me so we can get vendors and gather quotes to give to Vice President Rolf [Schleicher]. He

will then approve the best price.”

Velasco said it is unlikely that the fields will be worked on currently because spring sports are in season.

“One of the priorities that Susan and I have is the baseball field,” Velasco said. “We have $1 million to fix both baseball and softball facilities. Is it going to happen right now? No, because they are competing. Will they get fixed? Absolutely.”

Velasco said it will cost around $30,000 to work on the baseball field, but they have support from the college to begin repairs.

The Faculty Union has lent support to athletics in addressing the situation.

Velasco is hopeful that in the long run, tennis can return along with softball. As it relates to adding sports, it will have to do with the facilities.

Armenta said they will have a much successful program if the facilities are up to date.

“Part of the buy-in that I’m trying to tell the administration is, ‘Why can’t we be the administration in place

to make it happen. Why can’t we do it now?’” Armenta said. “I know there is a pandemic, but there are things that we can do.”

Head football coach James Sims said he expressed his concerns over the stadium.

“The field is over 10 years and the turf needs to be changed every decade,” Sims said. “All of the infection and blood because of lack of rain is still sitting there.”

Head baseball coach Bill Picketts said he won’t risk his players' safety.

“The field is unsafe and unplayable,” Picketts said. “It has been for three seasons, and too much damage has been done to it. I’m not putting my players at risk by playing games here. It is awesome that there is some money reserved, but it is nowhere close to what the cost will be. Until it gets taken care of, we will play on the road.”

File Photo by Brandon Sinclair

The baseball field is under construction at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Cali f., on Oct. 5, 2021.

File photo by Benjamin Hanson Pierce College Athletic Director Susan Armenta sits in her office in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2020.

Photo by Bre Jenkins

Captain Alireza Manizani goes for the kill against Long Beach City College, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Cailf., on Monday, Feb. 25, 2022.

Photo by Felipe Gamino

Pierce and Philippines head coach Bill Picketts speaks with potential players at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2022.