Volume 136 Spring 2022 Roundup Issue 10

'Flor y Canto:' Conversation with Danny Trejo

Annual Chicano Studies “Flor y Canto” event, which featured a conversation with Trejo and a book signing to celebrate Chicano excellence.

For many Chicanos/Chicanas, especially those living in the Los Angeles area, Trejo has become an icon and a role model.

Rovero, who teaches Chicano Studies on campus, said that she was grateful for having Trejo on campus to speak to students and faculty and for them to learn his story.

“[Trejo] is one of the most prolific celebrity artists and human beings, and he’s the most giving and the most generous,” Rovero said. “It’s important for my students to read about his story. It inspires them, and we have a lot of students who need that positivity and to know that no matter where you come from, you can reach the stars.”

Trejo released a cookbook in 2020 named after his restaurant “Trejo’s Tacos.” In 2021, he released a memoir about his life.

During the event, Trejo spoke out about his experiences and how he turned his life around, from dealing with a drug addiction and being incarcerated to becoming a role model for Los Angelenos.

Trejo also talked about how his success came from doing acts of kindness.

“Everything good that has ever happened to me happened as a direct result of helping someone else,” Trejo said.

truly means to the Chicano/a community.

“Mr. Trejo is part of the field of Chicano studies,” Buena said.

“Part of the field of Chicano studies is about the full breadth of the discipline from Criminal Justice, to literature and to culinary arts, and to sending a message to generations that where you start off has no bearing on where you will end up.”

Aside from being an actor, Trejo is also famous for his recent culinary ventures with “Trejo’s Tacos” and “Trejo’s Donuts.”

Trejo said that with his newfound businesses, he still tries to help people, including handing out meals to the unhoused population in LA.

Trejo also works as a drug counselor for troubled and at-risk youths, and said that his faith has helped him through hard times.

“I think my relationship with God is really strong,” Trejo said. “That’s one of the reasons why I have had very few bad days. I have to be humble enough to let him have his own ways.”

Before ending the event and leading into the book signing, Rovero had announced that Trejo would be the keynote speaker at the LACCD Mi Gente graduation celebration on June 5.

Performing

Professor

Third

LA Community College District Board of Trustees president Gabriel Buena said that it was crucial for people to understand what Trejo

Following Rovero’s announcement, members of the organization Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) greeted Trejo early for his birthday, giving him warm hugs, a birthday cake and a happy birthday sing-along.

Brahma Fest welcomes high school students

Afew hundred Los Angeles high schoolers were given the opportunity on May 17 to attend Brahma Fest, a barbecue and workshop event.

Attendees came with different goals and ambitions, post-graduation.

One of the seniors, Ashley Park, said she wants to major in something health related and has been into the subject ever since her freshman year.

“I kind of felt useless, so I wanted to pursue something where I could help others,” Park said.

Senior Jonah Humphrey said he wants to major in film but is also leaning toward music.

“When I was little, my dad was in a band and we used to go to all these shows,” Humphrey said. “He was also a movie director and was a really big inspiration there. I got to see behind the scenes.”

Dean of Student Engagement Juan Carlos Astorga worked with other deans to bring these kids, as well as 400-500 other seniors

to campus. Beforehand, they put together different areas and activities to help those seniors explore their passion. According to him, the students were welcomed at the south gym before being grouped up and spread out around the campus, partaking in different activities. These activities included counselor orientations, presentations, and booths set up on the mall over by the victory parking lot.

Theater Department Chair Michael Sande said that one of the main reasons behind the event revolves around getting enrollment numbers back up after the decline during COVID.

Gerardo Sosa, another senior, said he is aspiring toward athletics. He originally wanted to go to Valley College, but changed his mind when he discovered all that Pierce has to offer in terms of sports.

“Now that I know that Pierce has things like swim, cross country, basketball, and soccer, I decided to change my mind,” he said.

Pierce College students and faculty clutched books in their hands while whispering among themselves in the

Arts Building on Wednesday, May 18. Everyone was waiting for actor, and now author, Danny Trejo.

Angelita Rovero and the Political Science, Economics, Criminal Justice, Law and Chicano Studies (PEACh) Department held the

Photo by Nancy Corona

Danny Trejo speaks during the "Flor y Canto" event and book signing event on the Performing Arts Building Mainstage at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 18, 2022.

Photo by Michael Moreno

SAMMY tanas.roundupnews@gmail.com

JOHNSON Reporter

EDITORIAL: From the desk of the Roundup

Students need a mental health day before finals

The week before finals can put a lot of stress on students and trigger anxiety and affect concentration.

Pierce College can focus on a mental health day where students have time to decompress.

EDITORIAL:

According to an article by The New York Times, the decline in the mental health of children and adolescents has led to new laws allowing kids to focus on self-care.

The New York Times reporter Christina Caron said, “Faced

with high stress levels among adolescents and a mental health crisis that includes worsening suicide rates, some states are now allowing students to declare a mental health day.”

When it comes to due dates and studying for finals, students

have an individual pace for working and studying.

According to an online article by Deseret News, the pandemic has been hard on kids and adults, but it didn’t take the pandemic to create a mental health crisis among American

teens, who in unprecedented numbers have dealt with anxiety and depression.

A mental health day at Pierce would allow students to decompress at home, the park, or go out to eat to help boost mental clarity.

Schools implementing this event can help students feel more understood which can lead to academic success and feeling more motivated.

Welcoming summer with watercolor fun

With COVID-19 restrictions lifting and warm weather approaching, it is a great time to bring the Pierce College community together and enjoy the outdoors.

Pierce could host an outdoor watercolor painting event for the community and for students to de-stress.

The event could be hosted at Rocky Young Park on a weekend

morning or afternoon. Tables for painting could be set up, or people could bring blankets and sit on the grass. It could be hosted right before spring finals week or after finals week as a way for students to relax. Admission could be free.

Arizona State University held an hour-long outdoor watercolor event. Watercolor sets were provided and students were encouraged to invite friends.

Pierce’s Art Department

could provide such supplies for this event or students could bring supplies from home.

Los Angeles City College held a two-hour watercolor painting session for students. The instructor of this class taught concepts, including color theory, brush strokes and blending techniques.

Pierce art professors or local artists could volunteer and give novice painters tips. Pierce could have a selection of

Time to get to work

BY MARIAH BRITT Reporter

coloring pages for attendees to paint. There could also be tables or areas dedicated to freestyle watercolor painting where there is no instructor. People would have the chance to paint whatever they like, without any guidance or direction.

CSUN held a “Paint and Sip Night,” where people gathered on Zoom to paint with each other and sip coffee and tea. There were painting tutorials

Pro: Con:

With summer coming around the corner, it’s important to secure a summer job. They give you the opportunity to earn and save some money that you may need for personal use, vacation or even student debt.

They give you a chance to learn time management by balancing out your potential summer school work, time with friends and family, and time alone all while learning a skill that can push you forward toward your future.

Whatever job that you’re interested in can teach fundamental skills such as communication and hard work. When you have a job, you are expected to show up to your shift on time, perform to your best ability, and finish your assigned tasks. Taking the time out to get and maintain a job during the summer will prepare you for your future career.

According to Hocking.edu, a summer job can also teach good money management and saving skills. A job can help

realize the things that are essentials in life, rather than just something that you want and will waste money on. It can also encourage you to set up a savings account with your bank and put money aside from each of your checks to reach short-term and longterm goals.

According to BeEducation. pk, a summer job is also something that is beneficial to your resume. Once you graduate college and go into the real world, employers will take all of your experience into account.

Even if you’re just working at a coffee shop, at a restaurant, or at the mall, these jobs will challenge you with unpredictable customers which will give you an opportunity to use critical thinking skills to alleviate the issue and learn a lesson along the way. Employers want to see that you have learned skills that can propel you into the next journey of your life.

According to LibertyStaffing.ca, another good reason to get a summer job is for networking. You never know who you’re going to meet in a job that can help you with your own career

goals. Whether it be a fellow coworker, someone higher up in the company, or a customer that you meet while doing your job. Networking is so important to do, and a summer job can help you with it.

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor/Reporter

Having a job is important, especially if you plan to have a roof over your head and food in your

held during this Zoom session. Pierce could invite food trucks to this event or have a table with some snacks for purchase. Attendees could also bring snacks and eat them at the cafeteria while they wait for their art to dry.

At the end of the day, people could take their artwork home or Pierce could display it on campus for a couple of days. They could hang artwork along the Mall or have a bulletin board

From the desk of the Roundup School is hard enough

belly and pantry.

A common situation for teenagers and college students is working summer jobs while in school.

On pen and paper, it may sound like a great idea. Once finals are over and graduation ceremonies are done, students may feel bored being at home. But, if you really think about it, having a summer job is not that easy.

A blog written by Tim Brunicardi at Hocking College explains one of the cons that is listed in getting a summer job, “It will cut into your social life and cause you to spend less time with your family and friends.”.

Another con of having a summer job is how mentally and physically draining it could be.

An article written by Phoebe Venable for The Tennessean on May 17, 2014, explains that someone with a summer job can be sleep-deprived and this is a big problem. If you’re a teenager, it’s even worse because teenagers tend to crave more sleep and need to rest more.

So, if a college student is working a part-time shift at Starbucks and doing full-time schoolwork over the summer at a community college, it will prove to be very daunting and

near the cafeteria showcasing the art from the event. A watercolor painting event would encourage students to use their creativity and imagination, bring the community together and add color to the campus. The art could beautify the campus while students end spring on a creative note.

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that student’s summer could be ruined due to the amount of stress they are under.

Less time with family and friends or how mentally and physically exhausted someone would be isn’t the only problem that comes with summer jobs.

According to an article written by Mat Woods for TeenWire. org on Jan. 25, 2022, if you work in a field where a kitchen is involved and you have a lot of spending money, you could turn to spending that money on drinking and drugs just to deal with the stress of work.

Eventually, that spending would turn into an addiction, where you spend your paycheck on a bottle of Kettel One vodka or a bottle of heroin because you just can’t do it anymore. You can’t handle the pressure of work and dealing with schoolwork and sports and hobbies.

Do you really want to screw up your life even more by doing a summer job?

Before you put your pen on that job application, stop and really think about whether or not it’s worth screwing your youth for a couple of bucks.

jkuklin.roundupnews@gmail.com mbritt.roundupnews@gmail.com

EDITORIAL: From the desk of the Roundup

Let's root, root, root for the Brahmas!

Going to a sports game with friends and family can be fun, but the hardest part is coming up with a way to pay for tickets.

The average cost of a ticket to a Los Angeles Kings game is $150, provided that you’re not a

season ticket holder. Some of our professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and the Dodgers, hold special promotions for students at schools, such as University of Southern California (USC) and California State University, Los Angeles

(CSULA) to attend their home games at a fraction of the cost.

For example, if you were to go to the Major League Baseball (MLB) website to purchase tickets for USC Night on May 13, ticket prices range from $35$64 per person for the infield top deck behind first base, but

prices will go up depending on where you sit in the stadium.

If three people go to a Dodgers game on USC Night that would cost about $192 which would save more than $70.

The Los Angeles Angels are also affiliated with California State University, Fullerton

(CSUF), and they hosted CSUF Night on April 23 versus the Baltimore Orioles.

Unfortunately, Pierce College is not affiliated with any professional sports teams, unlike Cerritos College, which is affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks.

They are hosting Cerritos College Ducks Night on Nov. 7 versus the Calgary Flames. Tickets are $18 each and are located in a Cerritos College section at Honda Center.

newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

EDITORIAL: From

the desk of the Roundup Creative outlet with jewelry classes

Providing a class as an art form would help attract new students to campus and provide another artistic outlet at the school. Instead of spending money on increasingly expensive items, having classes can enhance creativity and save them money by allowing them to make the jewelry they want.

According to an online article from The New York Times, instructor Jeanette Canes from the Jewelry Art’s Institute said creativity cannot be taught, it is unlocked through discovery.

“As much as anything, studying ancient crafts is about learning humility and patience,” Canes said.

Pierce College could

encourage students to take jewelry classes who are interested but don’t have the supplies.

Students could have a jewelry showing with booths at the Art gallery or on the Mall by the end of the semester so families and the Pierce community could admire their work.

According to an online

article from Jewelry Making Journal, jewelry instructor Michelle Buettner said taking classes helped her with the tools students need to succeed after finishing her course.

“When teaching jewelry classes, one important asset that allows you to stand out from another instructor who may be teaching a similar class, is your

ability to give your students ‘more,’” Buettner said.

The world of art is wideranging and many students want to explore all of its options. Pierce could help meet this goal.

Santa Ana College and California State University Long Beach offers Jewelry classes where they focus on fabrications, jewelry casting,

Photographers: Jasmine Casanova

Nancy Corona

Rozie Tadevosyan

Michael Moreno

Nikki Kober

Bre Jenkins

Brandon Sinclair

etching, sawing, and soldering. Pierce College offering a class can teach students to create their own jewelry and start a small business and sell their artwork.

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Advisers:

710-2960

Photo Illustration by Brandon Sinclair

Creativity springing forth Students showcase end-of-semester work at the Art Gallery

student and studies art at Pierce. He created a magazine collage as a self-portrait.

“It’s a cutout of a bunch of magazine papers to resemble a self portrait of myself, but it’s also a portrait of my inner self, so it’s basically my physical and emotional self,” Diab said.

Dalaanii Cochrane and Sharyn Field also won awards at the event.

Field’s piece was a ceramic teapot.

“My professor Melody Cooper asked me to give a theme. My inspiration began when I started building the teapot, and when I finished it, it looked like the Mad Hatter teapot from ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” Fields said.

As the spring semester comes to a close, the Pierce College Art Department celebrates with its last Art Gallery presentation of the semester.

The Art Gallery showcased more than 100 pieces, including ceramic

sculpting, graphite on paper, pencil drawings, cardboard 3D design, oil paintings, art made out of clay and acrylic paint and wood sculpting. For most of the art students it was their first time seeing and interacting with not only their peers but their professors because classes have been online.

The was also an award ceremony held for students for their outstanding work and

perseverance throughout the semester. The students also received checks with the awards.

Art professor Constance Kocs said students have been “troopers.”

“They showed up online, they did in many cases really great work even though they had to do it at home,” Kocs said. “They were committed and they did their best through some really difficult times.”

Cesar Guandique, won $3,000

Good communication

Dept. wins prestigious award

are in the business to make sure our students improve upon their communication skills,” Loy said.

“That could be listening, organization or even writing. We try to make our classes as fun as possible because we find that it’s good to put students in an environment where there’s trust.”

Professor Barbara Anderson said that seeing the growth of the department and receiving the award has been great.

“I felt so grateful to see the growth of our department through hiring these amazing people. It’s been fantastic to see,” Anderson said.

“In 2021, there were only two faculty members, Jenn Rosenberg and I were hired full time. We fantasized and dreamt about a vision for the department with seeing it having a degree and developing courses.”

Anderson said that it was a happy moment to stand beside her colleague and receive the award.

“I was really happy that I flew up there for the conference and was able to stand there with Yeprem and one of our part time members Michelle Brownlee,” Anderson said.

with the award “Recognition and Demonstrative Promise in Art.”

His goal is to be a fine artist. He specializes in ceramics, drawing, watercolor and oil painting. Guandique expressed how happy he was to receive the award, and how it’s been hard for him, juggling his art with his work.

“It’s been difficult for me being a full-time student, while working part-time and a full-time job,”

he said. “I’m really happy that I received this award. I’m going to be studying art for the rest of my life.”

Nyah Tibbs displayed a close up hand drawing of her lizard Spike’s skin.

“I’ve been drawing for three years, but this is my first art class,” Tibbs said. “I changed my major to art. It’s my passion, and art has always been my outlet.”

Brian Diab is a high school

Cochrane submitted a collage titled “It’s always ok to ask for help.”

“With us being back, fresh out of the pandemic, I thought it would be a good way to express myself through a collage,” Cochrane said. “Art has helped me evolve by expressing myself through different mediums.”

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The Pierce College Communications Department won the 2022 Model Communications Program Award at the Western State Communications Association Conference. Pierce was the first school within the Los Angeles Community College District to win the award.

Professor Robert Loy said the department put together a package that highlighted the department’s productivity and accomplishments throughout the past few years.

“We work together to be one big happy family,” Loy said. “The more happy family we are the better our students learn in that particular environment.”

Communications Department Chair Yeprem Davoodian echoed Loy’s sentiment that the department was worth of consideration for the honor.

“We were doing so many good things putting the pieces together, we realized that it could be an award that we could apply for,” Davoodian said. “We’ve created a sense of community where students believe they belong.”

Loy expressed how important it is for students to be in an environment where they can thrive. “In communication studies we

“It felt surreal because envisioning where the department was when we first started and how it’s developed over the years and what we do for students and what we try to do for students, it was super exciting.

Anderson also said that she welled with emotion and felt grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of the Communications Studies Department.

“I was coming home from the airport,” Anderson said. “I kind of got choked up and my thought was that I needed to write a letter to Rocky Young, who hired us, and just tell him that he did the right thing. He picked the right people.”

File photo by Katya Castillo Barbara Anderson speaks at the Rocky Young Celebration in the Faculty and Staff Center 600 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 17, 2019. WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

Photo by Jasmine Casanova

The Annual Student Art Exhibition is returning

WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

“They were committed and they did their best through some really difficult times.”

-Constance Kocs Art Professor

Transfer day—only a car away

Pierce hosts drive-thru celebration for students

Pierce College students gathered with family and friends for Drive thru Transfer Celebration where students received their Platinum Transfer Honor cord, goody bags and had their photos taken with their upcoming university banner. Students also wrote words of wisdom on cards to post in the Transfer Center to encourage Brahma students who will transfer in the future.

Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter said that the students have worked hard to transfer to their desired universities, and this event was held to honor them and how far they’ve come.

“It is no easy task,” Salter said. “It is a maze if you will, for them to work during the pandemic and come through the other side with certifications for General Ed and many of them have degrees at Pierce. Now they’re moving onto their university for their next dream to get their bachelor’s degree.”

Elizabeth Galadjian, a mentor and intern at the Transfer Center, explained the importance of the celebration.

“It helps give closure to the students that are transferring from Pierce to the next step on their journey, so it’s celebrating all of their accomplishments up until this point,” Galadjian said. “Especially with the pandemic it’s even more important to celebrate these students, because it was even more difficult to venture through this journey in such a difficult time.”

Bryan Herrera said he is transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

“I’m very excited,” Herrera said. “I’m transferring as a criminal justice major, and my goal is to help people who are formerly incarcerated get their life together. A professor that really helped me through my journey at Pierce was professor Joanna Carcamo.”

Zaki Katibah, who is transferring to California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo (SLO), is majoring in civil engineering.

“My journey to get here has been a little bumpy, but SLO has

been my number one choice for a while,” Katibah said. “I wanted to go there because they have a hands-on approach with learning and with my STEM major I think it’s really important. So I’m hoping to figure out what I want to do with my degree when I get there.”

Transfer student Maritza Zamora will continue her education in psychology and a minor in child development at CSUN. She said that her son is her inspiration behind her educational goals.

“I just want to be able to help other children who are in need, because not every child has a good home,” Zamora said.

Andrew Chavez, a kinesiology major who is transferring to CSUN, said that Pierce has been helpful with pursuing a career in physical therapy.

“I want to use my degree to possibly be a physical therapist or something in that realm,” Chavez said. “I’ve played sports my whole life.”

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WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

Photo by Whitney Evans Maritza Zamora poses in front of the Pierce College Career and Transfer Center backdrop with her son and a California State University Northridge pennant during the Transfer Day graduation celebration on Brahma Drive in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 20, 2022.

Photo by Whitney Evans

A colorful sign directs students to the Transfer Day graduation celebration on Brahma Drive in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 20, 2022.

Photo by Whitney Evans

Andrew Chavez gives two thumbs up at the Transfer Day graduation celebration on Brahma Drive in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 20, 2022.

Photo by Whitney Evans

Sunday Salter (left) and Elizabeth Galadjian at the Transfer Day graduation celebration on Brahma Drive in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 20, 2022.

Wearing her crown with pride Miss San Fernando Valley promotes community engagement

East Coast, I believe Los Angeles is the place to be,” Soong said.

businesses, and everyone that can gain key skills on marketing.

Melissa Soong is the current Miss San Fernando Valley and has remained active assisting the Valley through events and meetings focusing on personal branding and marketing tips.

Soong grew up in Los Angeles and studied business at Northeastern University in Boston.

“Northeastern, if you don’t know it too well, it’s a university that really bridges the gap between education and the workforce,” Soong said. “We’re known for something called the co-op program, which is a six-month long job or internship while you’re in college.”

While attending Northeastern, Soong wanted to gain as much experience possible and completed two six-month internships, one at New Balance in Boston, and one in Genentech in San Francisco.

“So not only is it work experience, but it’s also real world experience domestically and internationally,” Soong said. “I also did a six-month study abroad in Shanghai, and I just had a lot of opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, which I really appreciated.”

Soong had a diversified and comprehensive four years at Northeastern, at which she was able to lead several events based on helping other college students and the community in Boston with selfbranding.

Soong also prioritized and began the self-branding events, in which students and young professionals could learn how to have more success in job interviews, career paths and other self-marketing tools to benefit their careers.

“Being a student at Northeastern University helped me understand that I’ve been learning a lot of things about professional development, and not a lot of college students are able to learn while at their university, which put me in a position to be a role model and help others,” Soong said. “I was able to kind of spearhead my build your brand initiative, and I think it was a really great opportunity to reach out to students not only on campus at Northeastern but also the Boston community.”

Following her graduation, Soong came back to Los Angeles and hoped to help the San Fernando Community like she did in Boston.

“What I love about Los Angeles is that the people are so welcoming, and after experiencing things on the

Soong had some trouble working through Zoom at first during the pandemic, because her career is based on interpersonal and direct communication.

“But I think overall what has been really helpful to keep people engaged is to incorporate them more into the presentation, such as less talking at you but more asking questions and getting them involved,” Soong said.

The lessons she learned through working through the indirect and different forms of communication during the pandemic such as Zoom meetings led to her gaining several key skills, which has helped her grow in her field.

Soong desired to make a bigger impact on the Los Angeles community and competed in the Miss San Fernando Valley Pageant to have a larger reach.

To compete for the title, contestants must complete rigorous interviews and tasks related to the work done as Miss San Fernando Valley, such as detailing plans for aiding the local community.

“Every candidate that competes in Ms. San Fernando has a social impact initiative, which is something they are super passionate about,” Soong said.

“Maybe someone lost a family member to cancer, so they want to spend their year advocating for cancer awareness.”

Soong’s passion for selfbranding and her experience in the workforce as a project manager and digital marketing allowed for success in facilitating events as Miss San Fernando Valley.

“Mine is all about building your brand and that’s why I feel like I am able to incorporate personal branding in so many communities because it’s such a versatile subject,” Soong said. “That’s why I really enjoy what I’m doing as Ms. San Fernando Valley.”

While Soong is busy maintaining workshops and events aiding the San Fernando Valley, she also wants to win the upcoming Miss California pageant this year.

“I’m competing at Miss California at the end of the month which is really awesome, and all of the candidates who win the local titles get to compete at Miss California, and whoever wins can compete and Miss America,” Soong said.

While holding her title as Miss San Fernando Valley, Soong desires to continue progressing and helping assist the community with key events that will help students, local

“As Miss San Fernando Valley, I also have a lot of goals to keep the community engaged and get really involved,” Soong said. “I’ve been partnering with the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce a lot and they have been doing a lot of amazing community events, and spearheading and talking to a lot of local businesses.”

Eventually, Soong plans to host a diverse and comprehensive event that can truly change and improve students and business professionals with their career searches, interviews, and gaining key allies in their line of work in the community.

“One of my main goals is to really continue building that community engagement and I would love to host a ‘build your brand’ professional summit in the valley,” Soong said. “I think it would be a great opportunity for both students and young professionals to have a networking opportunity.”

As Miss San Fernando Valley, Soong has recently helped plan a vital and historic community festival celebrating Asian cultures in the Los Angeles region.

“One of my favorite moments as Miss San Fernando Valley has been helping plan the Valley Cultural Festival at Pierce College,” Soong said. “For one, I’m the first ever Asian-American Miss San Fernando Valley, and that was a proud moment for me, but we were able to plan the first Valley Cultural Festival and bring in so many

Asian cultures such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Pilipino, and there are so many that people don’t really think about.”

Soong was cheerful that so many different Asian cultures and communities in Los Angeles experienced a welcoming event through an festival she helped plan.

“Having all of these cultures perform at once, having food vendors, and being able to help out with obtaining sponsorships and vendors, and talking to people in the community, made me feel very impactful,” Soong said.

CEO of the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce Diana Williams believes that Soong has done a great job in her role as Miss San Fernando Valley.

“The West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Foundation has been sponsoring the Miss San Fernando Valley Scholarship Pageant since 2013,” Williams said. “Ms. Soong is a standout as an exceptional volunteer and has been a real asset to various committees.”

The partnership between the West Valley Warner Center

Chamber of Commerce and the Miss San Fernando Valley Scholarship Pageant has led to improved community situations and opportunities for local businesses and citizens.

Soong’s mother, Alice Gao, was happy with her daughter’s work as Miss San Fernando Valley and believes Soong’s work has helped many of the community centers.

“In my opinion, she has done a fantastic job,” Gao said. “She is able to leverage her title and crown to get involved of many community service, assist SFV Chamber and other community center to organize events, and promote Miss California/Miss America scholarship pageant.”

Gao said that Soong being the first Asian-American to hold the title was special.

“She has presented herself with grace and confidence while showing herself as being a great role model by speaking to so many students from elementary school to college about professional development,” Gao said.

msmithlin.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo by Nancy Corona

Miss San Fernando Valley Melissa Soong speaks during the Asian Valley Cultural Event at Rocky Young Park at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif, on May 7, 2022.

MICHAEL SMITHLIN Reporter

Photo by Ginina Pulcinella

Miss San Fernando Valley Melissa Soong (far right) presents a check to students of a local school at the 9th Annual Earth Day Celebration in Tarzana, Calif., on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

“She has presented herself with grace and confidence. ”

-Alice Gao Melissa Soong's Mother

Creating a bond, staying in shape

Student athletes bond across sports at John Shepard Stadium

BY JOEL ROBLES Reporter

As competition ended for all sports teams, athletes condition to stay in shape while interacting with their peers.

Athletes have been invited to condition with the football team at John Shepard Stadium.

Fitness Center Coordinator and head football coach James Sims said he wants the other student-athletes to connect with the players.

“I invite athletes from other sports to form bonds and relationships with the entire program. I want them to support each other and push each other,” Sims said.

Athletes are invited to participate Monday through Friday. On Fridays, they specifically do yoga.

Sims said he’s been doing this for a long time and that the athletes push one another.

“I’ve been coaching for 24 years and I do this everywhere I go,” Sims said. “My big 300 lb lineman finished all their runs because the girls were pushing them.”

Some of the activities the athletes do together are conditioning, weightlifting, and team building.

Many athletes participate in these activities and said that it’s been helpful.

Alexandra Meza, a freshman soccer player, said she finds it incredibly useful being with other players.

“I find it extremely helpful

training with the football team and other teams because our sports are different but we all try to push ourselves and work harder,” Meza said. “When you see a volleyball player or basketball player run the field quicker than you, as a soccer player you want to beat that and run faster.”

Meza said she participates in this because she wants to improve her skills.

“I attend and train with them because as a student-athlete that

wants to continue on to the next level and play in a four-year school you need to learn this kind of discipline and physical hard work,” Meza said.

Meza added, “Training with the football team and other athletes also helps us build this Brahma family where we can all support each other and help one another grow to reach our athletic goals.”

Working out with athletes in different sports is different compared to working out with

your own team and coach.

Alejandra Velazquez, a freshman volleyball player, said it’s different when you condition with other athletes.

“There is something about working out with other athletes that is even more rewarding. Since we all have the same goals we push each other to be better,” Velazquez said.

Velazquez also said she goes to work out with the football team because she’s healing from an injury.

“I expected these workouts to be difficult but rewarding. They have definitely pushed me to work even harder and set higher goals for myself. Since I am recovering from an injury, I am just trying to get back to the level I was before,” Velazquez said.

It's fair to say from these workouts that these teams have the potential to improve and are likely to have stronger bonds going forward.

“I expect all the programs will gain some benefit from this and do better with their teams,” Sims said.

Velazquez also believes teams will benefit from the conditioning.

“I think that all teams at

Pierce would benefit from attending them which is why we are encouraging everyone to come. Especially because it also builds bonds between the teams,” Velazquez said.

Meza said her favorite part about being with other athletes is getting to know them.

“My favorite part is getting to know the other athletes and about who they are as individuals and where they want to be,” Meza said. “I love getting to learn new things that’ll help us all as athletes and it’s amazing to be doing it as one whole family.”

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

Former Pierce College linebacker Blaze

Alldredge has signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League.

Alldredge played for the Brahmas in 2017 along with tight end Travis Koontz who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last Monday.

Alldredge was named to the inactive roster for the game against the New Oreleans Breakers on Sunday.

The Maulers lost the game to the Breakers 26-16 as they dropped their overall record to 1-5. They remain last in the North Division.

File photo by Raquel Frohlich

Assistant coach Mike Rodgers directs students’ workouts at Shepard Stadium in W oodland Hills, Calif., on April 22, 2021.

File photo by Ben Hanson

Trace Newman , left, stretches at John Shepard Stadium in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 19, 2021.

photo by Randi Love Blaze Alldredge tackles Santa Barbara City College's Donald Lambert as Julian B lain tries to help him break frees in La Playa Stadium in Santa Barbara, Calif. on

File photo by Taylor Arthur

As her two sisters before her, Leslie Ramerez continues her families legacy of playing soccer at Pierce College after graduating from Caifornia State University, Northridge. At Pierce College on Sept. 11, 2016, in Woodland Hills, Calif.