Volume 136 Spring 2022 Roundup Issue 3

Preview: 'El Nogalar' highlights Mexico

BY WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

Characters traditionally overlooked will be in the spotlight of the Pierce College Theatre Department’s performance of playwright Tanya Saracho’s “El Nogalar.”

“El Nogalar,” which means pecan orchard, is a contemporary drama taking place in present day Northern Mexico and follows the story of a mother and her two daughters, their maid and a worker on their land.

They are faced with the possibility of losing to the Mexican cartel their legacy that was built by a generation of women.

Director of “El Nogalar”

Christian Barillas said he’s excited to see Latin America represented on stage.

“We’re used to plays that take place in New York, period pieces in England, Chekhovian Russia,” Barillas said. “It's not often that you see an American play that has bilingual elements that takes place in the country of the Northern part of Mexico. It’s not the kind of thing we see in the theater, so I'm excited to hopefully create a world that feels new and welcoming and also dangerous for audiences.”

Barillas said that he is enjoying the work he’s doing for the play and with everyone involved with the project.

“It’s been great, it's been positive and everybody's encouraging, committed and pitching in to get this going,” Barillas said.

Barillas said that he felt a connection to the story because of his personal ties to the culture.

“Being from Latin America, I have a good grasp of the sort of harsh realities that the play navigates,” Barillas said. “I had been wanting to work with Pierce's [Performing Arts] Department for a long time, so

it felt like the stars aligned and it was a great opportunity for everyone.”

Barillas shares his experience with the cast while putting the production together. And what he wants the audience to consume from the play.

“Witnessing how positive, committed and enthusiastic all the actors are has been really energizing seeing everybody grow into their parts,” Barillas said. “It’s not easy material so when you see somebody

clicking into a certain moment more deeply or defining a relationship a little bit more specifically in rewarding.”

Yvonne Caro-Caro, who plays Maite, the mother, is confronted with losing everything her family has worked hard for.

“I am the woman who loses it all but I am full of life, past and memories. It’s a beautiful full part, it's a great role to play,” Caro-Caro said.

Caro-Caro said she shares qualities with Maite which help

her deliver the best version of the character.

“Just like this character brings her history to this world, right now she has such a deep relationship with this space, I feel like I bring that too from my life, from my family. I’m Puerto Rican, I bring Puerto Rico with me, I bring the Latin culture with me,” Caro-Caro said.

Dunia, a maid, played by Amy Solano is the optimistic dreamer, who through trial and triumph keeps a sense of humor and doesn't let the world around her become a distraction.

“I think her role is important because she is the dreamer and is always looking forward to the better things in life in spite of the situation she’s in,” Solano said.

Solano describes the similarities and values she and her character Dunia share and how “El Nogalar” being a representation of the Latin community is important for viewers within that community to experience a show that’s relatable in some way.

“I think the way that we’re similar is in a societal way with lower income and dealing with financial security. Even my family was homeless at one point when I was growing up. I still managed to be motivated and encouraged to want to move ahead in life and not allow those circumstances to hold me down.”

Guillermo Lopez, played by Alejandro Balderas, plays a prominent role in “El Nogalar.” He is the peacemaker stuck

between the light and dark side of this dangerous cartel takeover.

“He is a businessman who is caught between two worlds of a group of people who aren't updated where their home town has gone and dealing with the cartel trying to monopolize the entire city that they live in,” Balderas said. “He’s trying to find a way to make sure that his people aren’t losing lands unwillingly while keeping the cartel happy.”

Balderas said he works on his character development by rooting it in the story.

“We know the importance of telling something like this,” Balderas said. “When I can, I'm just dissecting the script and trying to get into the mind of my character and just see the world the way he does.”

Solano said seeing a variety of characters of other nationalities on stage.

“I also think it's a big deal for Spanish speakers or people with darker skin to actually watch a show with people that look like them and speak the same language as them, I think that’s very powerful to be able to see that.”

The play will be performing from March 25-April 3, 2022, in the Dow Arena Theater at Pierce.

Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com

Are you ready to break a sweat?

Fitness center reopens its doors for students

BY WHITNEY EVANS Reporter

After being closed for nearly two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fitness Center has reopened to athletes, students, faculty and staff.

Football head coach and Fitness coordinator James Sims said he is glad that the center has reopened, because it can give students a sense of normalcy.

“I hope that the students could come back in, start getting somewhat of a normal life and be able to come and enjoy the full campus life of being able to work out and go to class,” Sims said.

Women’s basketball assistant coach Zenith Robinson echoed the sentiment and said the opening allows students to get active again.

“They don’t have to feel like they're stuck at home or in front of a computer,” Robinson said. “It allows them to get back on campus and get in a workout.”

Men’s basketball assistant coach Travell Robinson said the

center is extremely beneficial for student-athletes.

“It gives the athletes a chance to get back in shape, back in conditioning,” Robinson said. “We're making sure everybody’s staying safe, while being competitive at the same time.”

The fitness center is used by many student-athletes on campus, Women’s soccer forward Alexandra Meza said she is happy about the reopening and the support student-athletes are getting.

“I get to come in everyday, I feel a lot better and I feel healthy,” Meza said. “There has been great support for our athletes and our team, preparing our muscles for game day. I love it.”

Football player Peyton Pelletier said adjusting to working out through the COVID-19 lockdown was difficult for student-athletes.

“We weren’t able to go into the training room to get our bodies right,” Pelletier said.

“We weren’t able to go into the weight room. It’s great to come in here four to five times a week with the coaches and the team,

it’s really helping us develop a lot more”.

Coaches and athletes had to adjust to having their training sessions on Zoom.

Sims said that he was working with student athletes during the lockdown but the equipment needs were not met for many at home.

“Some students had weights at home, some had water bottles,” Sims said. “I had a student using drills.”

Sims said the Fitness Center is one of the many athletic facilities that needs to be remodeled because of the wear and tear it has accumulated throughout the years.

“It’s really looking kind of old. Especially the flooring, walls and mirrors because it sat dormant for almost two years due to COVID,” Sims said. “The gym is a little over 10 years old, it’s time to replace it.”

The fitness center is reserved for athletes from 7-11a.m. Students, faculty and staff are allowed access from 11 a.m.-1p.m.

Photo by Nikki Kober

(Left to right) Stella Ramirez and Loida Novas rehearse "El Nogalar" at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 10, 2022.

Photo by Brandon Sinclair Marcos Reumante lifts weights at the Fitness Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 8, 2022. The Center reopened on February 28.

STREET BEAT SHOULD THE UNITED STATES GET INVOLVED IN THE RUSSIAUKRAINE CONFLICT?

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor and Reporter

Russia and Ukraine have been at war for eight years and two months over an issue regarding the old president of Ukraine being overthrown. Now it’s ongoing because Russia annexed Crimea, which is a land that is valuable to Ukraine. Russia then invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 without giving any prior warning.

It is time for the United States to take a stand. It is time to let President Vladimir Putin know that this unprovoked attack cannot be ignored and that actions have consequences.

An article for NBC News written by retired Army colonel and former member of the National Security Council Jeff McCausland explained that even though the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not in our territory, it should matter to Americans.

McCausland stated the reason why this invasion and war should matter: “Democracy is under attack.”

Ukraine is not strong enough to be handling an invasion on its own, especially when Russia has Belarus as an ally.

Ukraine is an ally. When an ally is in trouble, it would be within our mindset as humans to do anything possible to help keep them safe.

When we see our friends in danger, or countries being invaded, what would you do?

Would you rush in and help them against the enemy by providing soldiers and weapons? Or would you stand off to the side and let them handle it themselves?

Meredith Deliso from ABC News explained a statement made by President Joe Biden in her article, “This is more than just about Russia and Ukraine.”

And Biden is correct. This isn’t just about the invasion taking place in Ukraine or about any of the two countries.

Now, things are different. Ukraine is a country of its own, having its own military force as well as its own government. Putin isn’t happy with it.

“Ithink[theU.S.]shouldnʼt getinvolvedinitunlessthere isdangerthataffectsus.Why wouldyougetinvolvedin somethingthatputsyouin danger?”

-RobertZepeda

“Weshouldjusttrytohelp Ukraineinanywaythatwecan. Itʼsdifficultbecauseobviously, wedonʼtwanttogetinvolved inawar,orstartWorldWarIII, God forbid.”

-Michelle Pencak

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought along immeasurable tragedy, hardships and mental grief for everyone, but especially for the citizens caught in the crossfire, which include my family.

I was born in Moscow, and immigrated to the US at the age of 10. I have immediate family in both Russia and Ukraine.

My father lives on the outskirts, while my brother has been living in the port city Odessa in Southern Ukraine for the past three years. Odessa was one of the first cities hit by Russian shelling. My brother was among the lucky few who had the opportunity to leave the city, heading toward the Polish border.

According to an article from CNN the United States will be forced to go to war with Russia over Ukraine, and relations between China and Taiwan will also falter because Putin just gave China the chance to invade Taiwan. Why? Because Taiwan is considered to be Chinese territory, just

BY SAMMY JOHNSON Reporter

Ascenario in which the United States physically intervenes in the Ukraine crisis would prove very risky on all sides.

Ever since the Russian invasion of

“IʼmfromtheRepublicof Georgia,whichisanother countrythat'sbeenconstantly invadedandattackedbyRussia. Assomeonethatʼsveryfamiliar withRussianaggression,I thinktheU.S.shouldnotget involved.”

-EmmyApreyan

My brother was among the lucky few who had the opportunity to leave the city, heading towards the Polish border.

Being a U.S. citizen, he was also one of the few able-bodied

like how Ukraine is considered to be Russian/Soviet territory.

Think about it. Who are the two countries in the world that have the biggest nuclear weapons right now? It’s not China, it’s not Taiwan and it sure isn’t Ukraine.

So that leaves the United States and Russia, and they would face off again in over 30 years if things escalate.

As you can see, Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine has damaged the U.S. too, even though Ukraine is taking the worst of it.

War is unavoidable. And now is not the time to leave an ally who is in desperate need of assistance.

men that were let out of the country. The rest have to stay in case of a military draft. He is in Germany now, and hopes to return to Odessa soon but doesn’t know if his home will be there when he does.

The dubious reasons for this offensive, the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and nuclear power plants alike, highlight a pattern of disdain for basic human rights and a disregard for laws of war. At the center of it all is one man that wields enough power to destroy the livelihood of millions of people without a second thought.

While incomparable to the atrocities faced by the Ukrainian citizens, the mental health of all reasonable and empathetic people all over the world has taken a toll.

I sit in my nice apartment in Encino while typing this article. I have my cat perched on my lap purring quietly, a cup of tea emitting slight plumes of steam, and numerous books scattered all over the table. I feel ashamed of my privileged position and the safety net I have.

So, every 10 minutes I have to check the news. I have to see what the people are going through; I have to hear their voices, their hopes and dreams. After all, if I did not, would that not be considered willful ignorance?

My friend Vika Aytuganova said she left her hometown near

Ukraine began on Feb. 24, Russia’s military forces, supported by countries like Belarus, have destroyed thousands of buildings and displaced many more thousands, even millions of citizens, according to a report by Reuters.

At first glance, crises such as this should never happen. However, the United States’ intervention could cause what is happening in Ukraine to spread throughout Europe and displace many more citizens.

Ukraine is not a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), so whatever conflict Russia engages in the country of Ukraine, should stay there, unless Putin decides to invade a NATO member afterward.

However, if the United States engages in conflict, Russia would likely attempt to

Kyiv just days before it was encircled by Russian troops.

“The whole sky was red. There is no light, electricity, phone service, or internet,” Aytuganova said. “Yesterday we fled to Western Ukraine. Today we are going to the border.”

The connection was choppy, with her voice cutting in and out throughout our call. She sounded tired and distraught.

I felt helpless. I did not know what I could say to make her feel better. There were no right words that I could muster. This made me think of my own undeniable connection to this conflict.

My powerlessness to do anything more than donate funds and resources to aid Ukraine infuriates me. As much as I know it to be a logical fallacy, I feel responsible for the actions of my countrymen.

This sense of collective guilt and responsibility is wrong for a number of reasons, primarily, because 99.9 percent of the Russian population has absolutely no say in the actions of the Russian government.

Also, it would be erroneous to assume that the Russian people are in support of this war, or even in support of their government. The majority of the people I know, my family and friends are as appalled at Putin’s actions as I am. They are protesting on the streets at the risk of arrest and

retaliate because it shares a maritime border with the U.S. across the Diomede Islands of the Bering Strait.

If Russia strikes the U.S., all other NATO countries would be unwillingly dragged into a war with Russia because of Article 5, a policy which states that an attack on one member of the Organization is an attack against the rest of the countries a part of NATO.

If every country in NATO went to war with Russia, it would cause further displacement, especially in Europe, and force many people to leave their homes and some to be drafted.

The amount of Ukrainian people that have been displaced as of Thursday is at least two million and counting, which is approximately four-and-a-half percent of the total population, not counting people that have been killed in the conflict.

The population of all European NATO countries combined is approximately 576 million, according to countryeconomy.com. This means that, if the U.S. and Russia were to directly engage in conflict, a population of almost 600 million would be facing refugee and resource crises.

Additionally, the combined level of nuclear warheads possessed between NATO and Russia lies at just over 12 thousand with an additional 350 owned by China, who is a close ally of Russia, according to articles on Nationalworld, Swiss Info, and Wikipedia.

Rather than intervening directly, the U.S. and even the rest of the world can help Ukraine by sanctioning Russian oligarchs and keeping borders open to the rest of the world.

persecution. I know that if I was in Russia, I would be in jail for speaking my mind.

The atrocities that Putin is committing are unfathomable. The photos and videos coming from Ukraine show the extent of destruction that he has brought upon Ukraine. Amidst the terror, death, and misery, one thing is becoming clear.

The levels of resilience, perseverance, bravery, and humanity displayed by the Ukrainian people are beyond our understanding. The nation of 43 million stands strong in the face of the Russian invaders, making them earn each inch of land with blood and shame.

I’ve seen images of elderly women creating Molotov cocktails to support and supply their troops. I’ve seen videos of farmers on tractors, hauling off Russian tanks to turn them over to the Ukrainian armed forces. I’ve also seen civilian footage of bodies on the streets. Children, mothers, fathers, dead. The Russian artillery does not discriminate.

This raises the question of what can the average Pierce College student do to show their support for the citizens of Ukraine? The answers vary, but there is one that I’ve heard a lot from my Ukrainian friends and family: share the truth of what is happening.

The world needs to be aware of the immense human cost of Putin’s actions. Many Russian citizens are still unaware of the extent of the atrocities since the media is almost entirely controlled by the government. There are also a number of organizations that distribute humanitarian aid and resources for the displaced and suffering population of Ukraine. Doctors Without Borders and the Ukrainian Red Cross are actively providing medical aid inside the war zone. You can also donate to humanitarian organizations in bordering countries that are focused on housing and supporting refugees, such as the Polish Humanitarian Action and R2P, a Ukrainian-based organization. Do your best, whatever that might be. Do not resist the urge to help. Do not blame the people for the actions of one man who does not care about anyone else. Do share the truth, as dark and inhumane as it might be. Do not avoid the news, just because the gloom seems to overpower the feelings of hope. We will get through this together.

Quotes gathered by Peter Polygalov Photos by Michael Moreno

Photo Illustration by Anastasiya Orel

Temporary update available Website sees interim change before October

BY JAYNA KUKLIN AND PAMELA KALIDASAN

Copy Editor and Reporter and Features Editor

The days of hide and seek on the Pierce College website will be coming to an end.

Pierce’s Internet Technology (IT) and Web design team are aiming to finish the new page by October.

Interim President Ara Aguiar explained why the update is happening.

“We realized that we had a lot of pages that were inaccurate,” Aguiar said. “We wanted to make sure that they were accessible. We wanted to simplify it because our students are telling us that it was very complex.”

Public Relations Manager Doreen Clay said that the website may be puzzling, but that will change.

“I thought it might be confusing to people that we had this update, and it's really only on the homepage and the student page as well,” Clay said. “Things on the back end are still the same. They decided to go ahead and do this interim update.

The new website is scheduled to debut in October 2022.”

Clay said that the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) office and nine colleges will have their websites redone by the company Sensis.

“[They] have gone through our website and created a new one based on Drupal software,” Clay said.

Some of the changes to the page and student portal included an updated design to make things more accessible with a mega menu, use of a new header, footer and a new image banner.

The website will have new fonts from the Google font library and a code base along with improvements on the mobile site to make it more accessible for anyone to navigate.

“We’re taking off a lot of stuff that’s for faculty, staff and the community, and really making this very student-friendly,” Clay said.

Links have been reorganized and moved to the mega menu and there are a new set of guidelines established to help traverse and follow standards for the upcoming website.

The new site aims to be more insured and consistent in design.

“It’s going to be more secure and it’s going to have a more unified look across the website instead of

pages that were made by different people,” Clay said.

Nursing major Naavi Kaur said she had trouble navigating through the old page.

“There’s a lot of options and a lot of icons, and a lot of stuff going on,” Kaur said. “So I called the administration offices to ask ‘Where do I go and how do I do this and that?’”

Business and Sociology major Nelson Solares said that using the former site was difficult for him, but he’s already loving the improvement it has made.

“Pierce had this very archaic looking 1990s website,” Solares said. “Now, I actually love the changes that they made in the past

Finders

Keepers! Foundation doubles scholarship money for students

week.”

Psychology and Statistics

Professor Angela Belden said that she noticed the page had moved the faculty and staff tab and a tool for helping students keep track of their academics to the top of the homepage.

Until more updates appear, the community at Pierce will have to wait.

“I’m really looking forward to this new website,” Aguiar said. “I think it’s simpler. I think it looks more modernized.”

jkuklin.roundupnews@gmail.com pkalidasan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Good fences make good neighbors Money approved to rebuild school barrier

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN Features Editor

There is never a shortage of demand when it comes to scholarships. And for osme students, receiving one can be a life-altering situation- a mak eor break situation for their feature.

The Foundation for Los Angeles Pierce College plans on awarding students a total of $118,000 in scholarships.

The Foundation’s Board Chair Edward Albrecht said that he is happy and that they are looking for more support.

“We have improved considerably,” Albrecht said. “And we’re looking forward to support from additional donors, professors and staff.”

Albrecht said that for Pierce students to apply for a scholarship, they have to go onto The Foundation’s website and this website can be found on the homepage under Scholarships in Financial Aid and Tuition.

Nieman said that as soon as stu“Then you drop down to scholarships. There’s a link that will give you the map to the [LACCD student] portal and you’ll need your student ID and from there you select the scholarships that you would be eligible for,” Albrecht said.

And it’s not the first time that The Foundation has given back to students as Albrecht said that in the past seven to eight years, the collective have raised the minimum for their scholarships from $250 to $500 in some cases.

BY MICHAEL SMITHLIN Reporter

As COVID-19 cases drop, Pierce College is improving campus conditions and creating interactive live events to encourage students to fully return.

During Monday’s Academic Senate meeting on Zoom, Interim President Ara Aguiar said she and her staff are working to successfully reverse the effects of the pandemic while adhering to the safe and cautious Los Angeles Community College District

(LACCD) guidelines. “Our COVID-19 cases have drastically dropped,” Aguiar said.

“We had two positive cases last week and both were from external factors and only came in contact with and were exposed to their family.”

The school’s improvements will include the white fence that borders the school.

“There have been quite a few emails and complaints about how our fence is broken, whether due to possible termites or cars driving

into it,” Aguiar said. “We finally have received approval and a quote to replace our white fence that is falling apart, for the entire campus.”

Pierce had the lowest cases since the start of the pandemic, and Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter has encouraged professors to tell students about the resources offered throughout STEM week.

“It’s a great way for students to learn more about their transfer options, career options, and get support from our faculty,” Salter said.

STEM Week’s goal is to inform students about STEM majors, careers, courses, and to help them with their campus experience while creating a welcoming community.

Math Department Chair Eddie Tchertchian is looking forward to STEM Week.

“Students and faculty are working really hard on it,” Tchertchian said.

Political Science Professor Denise Robb said that she donates under the Maryln and Stewart Robb Memorial scholarship dedicated after her parents, where she gives out two $500 worth of scholarships for students who are currently taking or have taken a Political Science course.

She said that she wants all Pierce College students to know about possibly receiving various scholarships on their portal.

“It’s not just The Foundation scholarships,” Robb said. “If you go to the portal for LACCD wide

scholarships that everyone can apply for.”

As far as how the organization made an impact on campus, Interim President Ara Aguiar mentioned how they do their best for Pierce students.

“They want to raise as much money for Pierce College students. The majority of them I would say are retired faculty members, members of the community and some of our faculty members now,” Aguiar said.

She stated how the group was heavily involved in different aspects of this Valley community, which include contributing to the vintage events, the car shows, the vintage markets, and about them wanting to provide funding for Pierce students who plan on attending the Washington D.C. trip.

And as much as The Foundation gives to students, Albrecht hopes that it can spur them to do the same.

“I like them to keep in mind that when they start earning salaries, they give back to themselves in their life. And when they get married and potentially have children, those children teach those children to do the same,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht also said that those who can pitch in, including students, can make a donation to the Foundation under their name or a family member’s name.

The Foundation for LAPC currently has an office suited for one person, however, Aguiar said that she intends to pull a chair for The Foundation to have a seat at Pierce’s table.

“I’d like to position The Foundation members at a place to have their own meetings and have an area for gatherings and fundraising events,” Aguiar said. “Actually having a table for them to do any of the activities that we do. And those are the conversations that they are having, which is becoming more visible to the students.”

The deadline to apply for the scholarships is next Friday, March 25, 2022.

pkalidadan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photo Illustration by Cecilia Parada

Photo illustration by Rozie Tadevosyan

Photo by Cecilia Parada

Broken slat in fence surrounding Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 15, 2022.

Without Music the world would b flat

Laura Lyles performs Lonely Days and Lonely Nights in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022. Photo by Nancy Corona.

A student’s music sheet during rehearsal in the Music Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 9, 2022. The Pierce Choir will perform at the Kennedy Center for the National Memorial Day Festival on May 26-30.

Photo by Jasmine Casanova

Stephanie Keledjian laughs at a joke during rehearsal in the Music Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 9, 2022. The Pierce Choir will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the National Memorial Day Festival on May 26-30. Photo by Jasmine Casanova.

A Steinway & Sons piano is played in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022. Photo by Nancy Corona.

Rhenar Boncato plays bass to a Latin Jazz melody in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022. Photo By Nancy Corona.

Tucked away in the Los Angeles Pierce College Music Department are the college choir and music classes.

The school is no stranger to harmonies and choruses, with concerts on campus every few weeks. Sounds of drums, flutes, guitars and other instruments fill the air to the delight of students and faculty alike.

The Pierce Choir is preparing to perform at the Kennedy Center for the National Memorial Day Festival on May 26-30.

Garineh Avakain leads rehearsal in the Music Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 9, 2022. The Pierce Choir will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the National Memorial Day Festival on May 26-30. Photo by Jasmine Casanova.

Annie Yolo performs in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022.

Photo By Nancy Corona.

Lorenzo Patino plays the drums in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022.

Photo by Nancy Corona.

Jasmine Guilmette plays classical sax in Room 3400 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 3, 2022.

Photo by Nancy Corona.

Copy by Trisha Anas

Kim Lewitt sings during rehearsal in the Music Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 9, 2022. The Pierce Choir will perform at the National Memorial Day Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jasmine Casanova.

Up on the Art Hill S

ketch Pads, pencils, erasers and sculpting tools are in abundance in the Visual Performance Department. Students scrawl on paper while sitting at drawing tables as others lean over pottery wheels and form clay to their final shapes.

While the Art Hill may be far from the rest of the Pierce College campus, art thrives at the summit.

Ori Reani working on his art project for Professor Greg Gilbertson at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 2, 2022. Photo by Nancy Corona.

Busts in Room 3303 for Visual Performance Department at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 2, 2022.

Photo by Nancy Corona.

Issael Medina works on her art project in Room 3303 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 2, 2022

Photo by Nancy Corona.

Students watch attently in Drawing Class 1 in Room 3303 C at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 2, 2022.

Photo by Nancy Corona.

Copy by Cecilia Parada

Practicing safe sex, one condom at a time

on transfer

The Pierce College Student Health Center (SHC) held an in-person event on Feb. 28 to discuss safe sex practices.

Student Maria Mohammed said she understands the health risks involved in sexual activity, but other students might not.

“It’s very important to educate students about safe sex because a lot of people just don’t know about all the [sexually transmitted] diseases that there are,”

Mohammed said. “[Safe sex means] to get educated about all different ways you can be safe.

Alexandra Alpuche said that it would be better to be proactive rather than regret a decision.

“People are having sex, so it’s better to be safe and cautious rather than catch some -

thing and cry about it,” Alpuche said. “Safe sex means safely building a family or having the opportunity to get a chance.”

Student Health Center intern Jacky Torres mentioned some options for sexual health insurance.

“There are a lot of services at the Student Health Center, but the main one is the [California Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT) Program,” Torres said. “The Family PACT is essentially insurance that covers free testing for things like STDs and UTIs. You get Plan B, contraceptives and all that jazz.”

The SHC also offers other services including counseling, lab testing, health screenings and immunizations.

For more information about sexual health, students can contact the SHC at (818) 710-4270 if they have any questions.

sjohnson.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Pierce College Career Transfer Center (CTC) held workshops via Zoom for students who were planning to transfer.

The event featured different mentors, including Lorena Rivera, who gave advice and tips on filling out applications and applying to internships.

Rivera said that sometimes it takes a while to get a response from the schools and universities after submitting any transfer requirements.

“Unfortunately after applying, the dreaded wait time begins,” Rivera said.

Rivera also said that students should review their financial aid status and their intent to register after receiving an admission offer because the timing is crucial.

CTC mentor Jennifer Koerner said that if a student is rejected from the primary school they applied to, they should keep a backup school handy and have a plan.

Rivera encouraged students to utilize their time efficiently.

“Get experience in your fields such as part-time jobs, internships, and research experience,” Rivera said. “These are all really helpful tools that you can use to only increase your chances to not only get accepted, but also for work experience.”

For jobs, Pierce students won’t have to scourge on Linkedin. Koerner said that through BrahmaJOBS, students would be able to keep an eye out on opportunities from places closeby.

“BrahmaJOBS is an online job and internship board available to current students and alumni provided by Pierce College,” Koerner said. “It offers jobs by local employers and is completely free.”

The next transfer workshop will be held on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

SAMUEL JOHNSON Reporter

JOEL ROBLES Reporter

Photo by Michael Moreno

(Left to right) Student Health Center Intern Jacky Torres hands items to Maria Mohammed and Alexandra Alpuche at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Mar. 7, 2022.

Photo by Michael Moreno

The Student Health Center at Pierce College held a small table event to promote safer sex for all students in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Mar 7, 2022.

File photo by Skylar Lester. Inspirational notes left by students who have successfully transferred cover a board in the Transfer Center located at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 18, 2015.

Men's Volleyball Baseball Swim Women's basketball Men's Basketball

Back to the drawing board for football

BY FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

After a season of difficulties, the Pierce College football program will have a familiar face returning as head coach.

Fitness Center Coordinator

James Sims returns to lead the team after taking over on an interim basis in 2017.

He coached the remaining eight games, finishing 4-4.

Sims will take over for Anthony Harris, who stepped in as the interim head coach in October 2019.

The Brahmas finished the 2021 season 0-10, with multiple games forfeited because of a shortage of players.

Sims said he received an email from Acting Vice President of Student Services Juan Carlos Astorga to see if he was interested in the position.

Sims said that he was ready to step onto the gridiron.

“It is going to be my biggest challenge yet,” Sims said. “We have to [increase the roster size]. That has to be our number one priority, to get some kids in the school. Also, we have to go local. If we get out-of-state athletes, that's fine. But between now and June, we need to get 100 kids to commit to the program.”

Sims went to several high schools to make connections with their head coaches, and to see several potential players for the

team.

Sims said that out of those 100 kids, 20 or 30 might leave because of grades, personal reasons or lack of interest.

He said his second priority will be to get the coaching staff together. “Some of the coaches that were with me in the year I was interim have expressed interest in coming back," Sims said. "That's great because we have that familiarity and they know what I expect. It's hard when you come into this job when you need to bring in new

coaches. To have two [familiar coaches] come back with me is huge."

Sims said his intention is to have a new staff, but there is a possibility he may retain one of the coaches who was with Harris last season.

Sims also said it will take a while for the team to gel, but said at the end of the season, he wants to look back and see the progress made.

“I have the experience. I’m already at the school full-time and it makes sense,” Sims said.

“They have something that most schools don’t have. They have the chance to see me in the position and judge my work. That is an advantage because when you bring a new coach, you don’t know how it will turn out or how they will perform.”

Sims is hopeful that the administration will commit to their support and provide resources to help the program for the upcoming season.

Athletic Director Susan Armenta said she supports the decision of Sims being named the

head coach.

“I’ll support any decision that is made to help our studentathletes," Armenta said. "I feel that Coach Sims being on campus and being accessible to our students is a positive thing. They’ll be able to be successful not only on the field, but also in the classroom.”

Former athletic director Bob Lofrano said it was great that the administration rewarded loyalty.

“He has been at the campus for years," Lofrano said. "It is good to see they are looking at loyalty. I wish him the best in the position, and I know he will continue to have a great impact on the athletes."

The football team already began meeting as they prepare for 2022.

The schedule is yet to be finalized,but one of the games Sims is looking forward to is the Victory Bell against LA Valley College. Sims said that he guaranteed Pierce's team will compete next year. "You are going to see football. When you attend a game, you will be entertained," Sims said. "I don't care who we play. We are going to compete."

Swim

returns

to

the pool Brahmas travel to Cuesta College

Soccer player receives national recognition Forward Kiara Washington earns accolade in Kansas City

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN Features Editor

There is a first time for everything. For the Athletics Department it is no exception. Brahmas forward Kiara Washington is a became the first Pierce athlete to achieve the first team All-American Award.

“It was definitely a big accomplishment for me,” Washington said. “When I got there to receive the award in Kansas City. I was really nervous but I felt excited.”

The award was given to Washington during the United Soccer Coaches Convention that took place in January.

Head soccer coach Adolfo Perez said that Washington is the first Pierce athlete in 20 years to have accomplished something to this degree and how he’s seen that Washington’s hard work from last season had paid off.

“She has a tremendous amount of speed and plays with a lot of desire,” Perez said. “She’s very good around the goal and she never gives up.”

Goalkeeper Joanna Cerda said that Washington is an important player to the team that motivates everyone.

“I think she’s a good asset to the team as she brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” Cerda said. “Seeing her be a good player, makes you want to be a good player too.”

Prior to receiving the AllAmerican Award, Washington got recognition from the Western State Conference for being named the All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, she and four of her teammates have made the

first team All-Conference.

Washington led the Brahmas last season with 21 goals and 45 points. She also created the most chances with 69 shots out of which 49 were on goal.

Two members who have made it to the first team All-Conference, forward and midfielder Alexandra

Meza and defender Natalia Puccio said that Washington deserved her recognition.

Fitness Center Coordinator returns to the program after a turbulent season Brahmas Scoreboard

“I think it’s amazing that she’s the player that gets to represent [Pierce],” Meza said, “I think she continues to be a great competitive player and that motivates the rest of us.”

Washington said that the key to her achievements has always been staying grounded and true to herself.

“I just told myself to stay humble and do what I want to make me happy,” Washington said. “I feel like I have a lot of expectations, being named an All-American, but I’m not going to let it get to me. I’m just going to keep playing my game.”

File photo by Cecilia Parada

(Left to right) Kiara Washington and Alexandra Meza react to a goal during a game against Santa Barbara College at John Shepard Sta dium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2021.

File photo by Joshua Manes Jacob Jepson swims the butterfly during the men's 400-yard medley relay on Mar. 16, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Photo by Bre Jenkins

(Left to right) Parker Pelletier, TeNorris Merkel, head coach James Sims, Richard Edwards and Peyton Pelletier at John Shepard Stadium on Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2022, in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Photo by Bre Jenkins Richard Edwards and Parker Pelletier prepare to do a drill with new head coach James Sims on Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2022, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“It was definitely a big accomplishment for me. When I got there to receive the award in Kansas City. I was really nervous, but I felt excited.”

-Kiara Washington Forward