Volume 136 Spring 2022 Roundup Issue 6

Active shooter exercise on campus

BY MICHAEL MORENO Photographer

The Los Angeles Sheriff's County Department (LASD) hosted an active shooter training at Pierce College early Thursday morning, after a two-year hiatus.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions that followed prevented the Sheriff’s department from hosting such exercises.

The event consisted of electronic simulations, where the participants were placed into a real-life scenario of hostile situations and an enactment of an active shooter, where deputies and the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team entered the Library’s premises through police vehicles and a helicopter.

CEO and Founder of Secure Measures Dave Weiner, who was in control in one of the simulators, shared that with active shooter situations, analyzing the situation to deescalate is key.

“Obviously, if you’re going to an active shooter, you’re not going to pull out your pepper spray,” Weiner said. “It’s about making sure that you’re using the appropriate tools for the appropriate situation. Different tools for different types of scenarios.”

Weiner later added that his company has worked with grade schools and other universities to identify abnormal behavior such as unusual or direct threats on social media.

Deputy Sheriff Mike Sampson, who also helped conduct the simulations with

Weiner, shared how wellprepared LASD is for situations like an active shooter.

“The preparation that we’re showing and showcasing here today for LACCD is something that we do on a weekly basis,” Sampson said. “Additionally, my partners and I go through Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives simulator training (MILO) and

we do a lot of situational training as deputy sheriffs.”

Deputy Sampson mentioned that despite rising cases of mass shootings in the past two years, it hasn’t made him feel uneasy.

“Uneasy isn’t a word I would really use because that’s what we’re trained to do,”Sampson said. “We’re trained to respond to these scenarios.”

Excited for the return of training, Deputy Sheriff Miguel Meza weighed in the importance of training like the one held at Pierce College.

“This is a great training not only for deputy personnel, but for civilian staff and everyone here who was present at this training,” Sheriff Meza shared. “It's great training because it

provides us with the things that we think we do need in case something were to happen.”

Deputy Meza also shared that the LASD would like the public to be aware of their surroundings, alert, and ready because anything can happen at any given time.

The training comes after a mass shooting in downtown

Sacramento that left six people dead and 12 others injured last week. There have been a reported 122 mass shootings in this year alone, and 689 last year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The active shooter training was closed off to the public.

Assemblymember hosts Day of Service

The Pierce College Mall overflowed with students, faculty and staff, and volunteers in celebration and participation of Valley Day of Service on Sunday, April 3.

Volunteers at the event took on a variety of projects, including cleaning neighborhoods, donating blood, assembling essential item kits for domestic violence survivors and outreach kits for people experiencing homelessness.

California State

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel organized the event and encouraged numerous organizations, including LA Family Housing and Students Run LA to come together and dedicate a day for aiding and cleaning the neighborhood.

Gabriel said the event had been an effort to kickstart normality on campus and to address community issues.

“It has been a complicated and difficult two years. There's been a lot of loss and a lot of

challenges,” Gabriel said. “It is so nice to be able to bring everybody back together in person to make a difference. I think it proves our point that this is a community of generous and eager people who are eager to give back.”

Gabriel said that his legislative priorities have been aimed toward addressing social issues such as homelessness, fighting climate change, strengthening public education, standing up for and supporting frontline workers, and protecting the environment.

Pierce had been where Gabriel chose to pursue a career involving law and government, and recognized it as an environment that helped get to where he is now.

“I actually got my start here at Pierce,” Gabriel said. “I took my first constitutional law class here. It’s where I decided that I wanted to become an attorney.”

Interim President Ara Aguiar said the outreach for the event had been followed through using social media, high schools and other programs, and the Pierce faculty and staff.

“It turned out to be way above our expectations and above the expectations of the assembly member’s team,” Aguiar said. “It’s an opportunity for all of us to network. Having those resources and those connections just really makes it a seamless process for our students that may be in need of those services.”

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board member Nick Melvoin said he was amazed with the turnout of the event and enjoyed the inperson event.

“Last year, I was in Encino Elementary and there was a little kindergartner who had only seen her teacher on Zoom,” Melvoin said. “She said ‘Wow, you’re so much bigger than I thought’ and I assure you the teacher was normal size. It’s very nice to see you out of our Zoom boxes.”

The event was held from 9 a.m. to noon with a variety of groups and clubs. Aguiar said she had even spoken to a Pierce alumni.

“I just had a conversation with a 1968 alum,” Aguiar said. “She wants to come back to help and do something for Pierce. It’s so great to see a lot of

community building outside of Pierce and it really connects us as a community.”

Aguiar said Pierce has been trying to provide more green perspectives and curriculum, incorporating a sustainability

evaluation group.

“I am very interested in climate studies and curriculum development,” Aguiar said.

“Knowing individuals in the community that are doing the same thing, it just embraces

way where people who are interested can then come to our campus and vice versa.”

Photo by Michael Moreno

Photo by Anastasiya Orel

California State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel speaks during the Day of Service event at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 3, 2022.

ANASTASIYA OREL Managing Editor

EDITORIAL: From the desk of

Spring back to the chalkboard

Spring is a season filled with color, but more of it could be added on the Pierce College campus. Pierce could host a Madonnari week when the Arts Department and other students can create chalk art.

An article from Wayne State University reports that “Madonnari," or street painters, were known for creating simple images with

crude materials such as chalk or coal. The practice is traced back to 16th century Italy.

These can be created along the Mall, in front of Student Services and in front of the Library. Students and the community could bring chalk to make art representing the spring season.

the Roundup STREET BEAT WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?

Wayne State University held a public sidewalk chalk event on its campus with work by students in a mural class. This

allowed students to create art on a larger scale and in public. The murals were documented for an online exhibition.

Indiana University hosted an annual chalk art festival, where they encouraged the community to compete for a chance to win an Amazon gift card. A committee of students and staff judged each masterpiece. First place won $100. The murals were documented for an online

You're cancelled!

BY GISELLE LOMELI News Editor

Cancel culture is well known in the media industry although there are mixed emotions about it there are a lot of pros.

According to scmp.com rapper DaBaby was canceled at the 2021 Rolling Loud Festival for making homophobic remarks during the show. This caused other festivals in the United States to remove him from their line-ups. Singer Dua Lipa removed DaBaby’s credit from her song Levitating as a way to show that she did not support his statement.

This is an example of how serious cancel culture is and how much celebrities do not want to be involved in it. Cancel culture holds celebrities accountable for their wrong doings in order to make sure they don’t make the same mistakes.

According to TMZ Rolling Loud is supporting DaBaby as a changed man that has learned and grown from his experience with a 2022 tour. This takes away from the idea that cancel cancel culture is not forgiving.

Cancel culture gives a voice to those of less power for example, abuse survivors have come forward to expose their abuser without having to feel ashamed of being judged for it. According to eyrieonline.org an example of this is the #MeTooMovement that went viral in 2017. This allowed victims to have a voice and feel like they weren’t alone all while holding abusers accountable for their actions.

According to onourmoon.com cancel culture demands social change and focuses on addressing inequalities.

Political writer Amanda Marcotte said that when we are unable to rely on the justice system we turn to cancel culture. When the system doesn’t punish a criminal or someone who expressed sexist or racial behaviors the people turn to cancel culture.

Cancel culture does not only hold people accountable but companies as

well. #BoycottDolceAndGabbana was a way to boycott against the luxury brand for its racist comments towards the Chinese community. Some celebrities showed support which cost the brand $2 million in just a few days.

According to therazoronline.com

Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy has a history as a donor to anti-LGBTQ organizations. This caused millions of people to boycott outside of Chickfil-A restaurants. According to CNN business the company promised to only collaborate with organizations that improve education, homelessness, and

exhibition that the public was able to view.

Pierce could make posts on its Instagram to promote the event. This will give students time to prepare their supplies of chalk, gloves, paper bags and painters tape. To seal the art, hairspray can be used to preserve the art for an extended time.

Eastern New Mexico University held its event for six hours. They recommended

BY JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor/Reporter

The world has been taught one important rule in today’s society—The Golden Rule.

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

Unfortunately, cancel culture has become more relevant in society. No one is safe, as it even targets people who do not deserve it.

There are many problems that come with cancel culture, but the biggest

students create four feet by four feet art, which allows space for everyone.

The daylong event can be held on a Sunday. This will allow students to decide when they want to participate, and it gives them time to think of what they want to design.

Each work will be judged on creativity, but the most important part is that students can enjoy the festival.

is ‘cancel culture’—driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees.”

There is a difference between holding someone accountable for their actions or disagreeing with the choices they have made and canceling someone because you do not agree with their choices or views.

For example, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on March 27, 2022. Many people condemned his actions, while some praised him.

Last Friday, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences decided that Smith would not be allowed to go to the Oscars for the next 10 years.

Would you consider a 10-year ban from participating in the Oscars the appropriate call to action for one slap, or would you consider it to be uncalled for?

Cancel culture is something where there are consequences that come with it.

A blog reviewed by Jessica Schrader for Psychology Today explained a darker side of cancel culture with this statement, “Cancel culture is undeniably toxic when it involves criminal threats, invasion of privacy (doxxing), or driving a person to suicide.”

If this statement doesn’t scare you, then recall this situation and see if it does: Television presenter Caroline Flack died of suicide on Feb. 15, 2020, after learning she would be prosecuted for assaulting her boyfriend as well as going under fire for the poor decisions she made.

Pierce's Athletic department has struggled. With the best record in the last three years being the 2021-22 women's soccer team, having a record of 11-5-4. The struggle has been so real that the football team was barely able to field a roster for most games and had to forfeit 3 because of it.

This struggle has led to a downturn in students wanting to compete, which in turn makes it more difficult to dictate funding for these programs.

The question is how to turn the current trend around and provide options for both students and faculty to

hunger, including Junior Achievement USA, Covenant House International, and local banks. Although there are mixed emotions about cancel culture, it holds people and companies accountable for their actions. It creates necessary social change that can make a positive impact.

glomeli.roundupnews@gmail.com

improve these situations. Some restorations have even started, with the baseball field being renovated over the course of this school year.

One great way to increase the awareness of the programs would be to reintroduce alumni games back into the school calendar.

There has only been one Alumni game in Pierce’s history. In 2019 the Women’s Soccer Program placed against past players in a friendly yet competitive game, leading to the question, why not more?

With each game, the tickets sold could bring funds to continue to improve the programs, with the money

problem is that it promotes intolerance in democratic societies that leads to a person being systematically excluded from a group, just because they happen to disagree with someone else’s views.

In a pro-con article for Britannica Pro-Con.org, former President of the United States Donald Trump stated in a speech on July 4, 2020, “One of (the left’s) political weapons

going to renovating facilities, helping faculty and boosting morale. As with any positive change, it brings a sense of hope to those involved.

Evidence can be seen by the Boston Bruins hockey team of the National Hockey League (NHL) which, by using alumni games from the franchise has been able to hold events each year, raising approximately $100,000 annually for underprivileged children's foundations.

The games would also bring graduates back to campus to compete and reinvigorate their love of Pierce, bringing more support back to campus, in addition to possibly creating more donors to the school.

This is how bad cancel culture can affect a person’s life. Not only can it cause the victim to lose their entire career, but their life could potentially be destroyed because of it.

You can disagree with someone else’s opinion and views as much as you wish, but please stop bringing cancel culture into every situation where it’s unnecessary or not needed.

jkuklin.roundupnews@gmail.com

A possible game could be to bring back baseball players as Pierce has two Alumni that have made a name for themselves in MLB, with Coco

Crisp and Barry Zito having been household names at one time or another.

Another game could be to bring out Mark Harmon or another football Alumni to coach a game against current students, roster size permitting.

All these factors don’t only bring eyes to the teams, but they also create a situation where every event brings new eyes to the sport. Bringing more athletes into the Pierce community to compete for Brahma pride will improve the Athletics department.

Quotes gathered by Whitney Evans

Photos by Rozie Tadevosyan

"MalcolmX,becausewhilehe startedwitharoughlife,he decidedtoturnthingsaround and learn from his mistakes. Regardlessofyourage,aslong asyoucanseeyourmistakes andrecoverfromthemyoucan stilldogreatthingsinlife."

-David Martel

“I want to be the influential personforthegenerationsthat come behind me.”

-ChannelleBryson

“Mymominfluenceseverything Ido.Sheʼsmybiggestmotivator ineverythingIdoinlife.”

-Stephanie Pynes

Photo Illustration by Trisha Anas

File Photo by Cecilia Parada Marissa Albano (right) hugs Jenna Koziol during the Pierce College soccer game against the Pierce Alumni team at John Shepard Stadium in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Sept. 13, 2019.

To re-elect or to not re-elect?

Term limits addressed during Senate meeting

of the entire faculty.

Distance Education Coordinator Wendy Bass asked for clarification on the rationale for adding such an amendment to the Bylaws.

“I’m curious, because it looks like we want more equitable participation of faculty in shared governance, so why would we wait until after two terms. Why wouldn’t we have the position advertised after one term?” Bass asked.

Professional Ethics Committee chair Cara Gillis expanded upon the question posed by Bass.

“Is this just about term limits, or is it about the option to go on another committee?” Gillis asked. “For the sake of effective and equitable access, it seems like we should ask members to be judicious and use discretion when they’re opting to run for committees particularly if they are already on multiple committees.”

With the rationale of ensuring equitable participation of faculty in shared governance affecting all faculty members, multiple voices echoed their support of this revision.

PETER POLYGALOV Reporter

The question of whether or not the Pierce College Academic Senate would place a term limit to committee service

was discussed on April 11 during a meeting.

A revision to Article V. Section 3.a would add a two-term limit to committee service.

Second Vice President and Curriculum Chair Margarita

Pillado opened the discussion by providing context on the current

status quo and what a revision to this rule would mean.

“Shall there be term limits, or should things continue the way they are?” Pillado said. “We currently do not have term limits, so I invite discussion on this item. It seems that people are on the fence, but please correct me if I’m misreading

the Senate.”

The fact that this item concerned the entire faculty might have contributed to the several responses that followed the call for input.

Pillado highlighted the importance of having the entire faculty offer input because she said the committees are representative

Guiding student mentors

Professional Development Chair and Events and Recognition Chair Brian Moe provided an explanation for the addition of revisions to this article.

“A lot of times people don’t want to. I chair two committees, so I take two places up in the Senate,” Moe said. “ It’s kind of like people don’t want to step up. Like I don’t

want to be the coordinator and the chair of the committee, I just am. It just got voted that way. But to allow elections every two years, regardless if someone wants to step forward or not, that way if no one steps forward, ok, cool, they retain the position for another section.”

In other Senate news, Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter shared news about California State University Northridge and University of California Los Angeles transfer events.

“We have a ton of things coming up including awesome events, ways for students to get information and connect and the Brahma Transfer Summer Camp,” Salter said. “We have a number of students who maybe get to that point where they are almost ready to apply to transfer, but for some reason, they don’t and there’s a lot of research on this.”

Salter also spoke about one of the events coming up on campus on May 11.

“Our big event coming up is UCLA Day,” Salter said. “We host this every year. Sometimes [students] just have to go once and they realize, ‘Wow! There’s so much information, I need to connect to these universities so that I can get it.’”

The next Academic Senate meeting will take place Monday, April 25, at 2:15 p.m. , likely on Zoom.

ppolygalov.roundupnews@gmail.com

Millions secured by Los Angeles Community College District

JOEL ROBLES Reporter

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)

Board of Trustees

(BOT) announced last month that they will receive more than $5 million funds for their schools as part of the federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which addresses essential student services, including transportation, workforce development and basic necessities.

LACCD Board of Trustees President Gabriel Buelna expressed his gratitude to the local members of Congress, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, and President Joe Biden for their support.

“We want to thank our local members of Congress, Senators Feinstein and Padilla, and President Joe Biden for their strong support of community colleges, which is evident in this appropriations bill,” Buelna said.

LACCD Board of Trustees Vice President David Vela said this is a special moment for the District.

“This is a momentous occasion for LACCD and will change so many lives,” Vela said.

“There’s something here for everybody and after the pandemic, a lot of students dropped out,” Veloz said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to convince them to come back.”

Veloz also said that this is the perfect time for students to return to campus.

“We’re in a transition and there couldn’t be a better time,” Veloz said. “[Students] should come back, finish where they left off and just get this out of the way so that they can transfer, get a better job, go back to work or continue with their lives because education is the key to success.”

Some students said that they believe the money will help the schools within the District.

Art major student Joshua Negrete said it’s a lot of money and that it should help.

“That amount of money can go far, not just for our school but all LACCD colleges,” Negrete said.

Nursing major student Don Carlos Margullo said that because of the bill, the future is looking bright for LACCD and for Pierce.

William Macaraeg found that providing support for students has given him as much satisfaction as the education he is receiving.

As a Pierce College student mentor, Macaraeg encourages students to follow his path.

“Building your network while having a balanced school-work life has never been more fulfilling when you are a student worker,” Macaraeg said. “I have personally seen the blessings in my life in how I am able to have work experience while balancing the stress I have as I study.”

To become an unclassified paid intern (UPI) or student worker, applicants can check the job postings for program conditions.

Mentors typically meet with students to offer advice and provide guidance to help them reach

their academic goals, according to an article on the University of Washington website.

Some requirements include being a part of a bachelor’s program or a master’s program, and within the bachelor’s program, the student must be considered a junior.

Career Center director and counselor Wendi Meckler said as long as students meet the criteria, they are eligible to apply.

Meckler said that the center hires students depending on availability.

“We hire people, based on what we have for how many spaces we have available and then we decide who is the best fit to help our students with Career and Transfer,” Meckler said.

Meckler also discussed working hours, which may vary.

“We space out our team so that they can work and keep our centers running from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and then Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..”

Current UPI student workers spoke about their experience working there.

Career and Transfer Center (CTC) intern and mentor Elizabeth Galadjian said that the job, like any other, came with its own difficulties which is heightened during application season.

“The most challenging thing during [the fall semester] was maintaining calm during very stressful periods of time,” Galadijan said.

Galadjian said that this position allows her to form relationships, which is the most significant advantage.

“I think what it did was really allow me to network with professionals in the field that I’m going to pursue,” Galadjian said.

“Just building those relationships, establishing them and connecting with them was a big skill and one of the biggest benefits that came out of this position.”

Macaraeg said that the center

wanted to talk more about the student’s aspirations during the interview, instead of just about what students knew about the CTC.

“Rather than asking about my technical skills and how much I knew about the [CTC], I was actually asked about my goals, what I would do in certain situations and my motives,” Macaraeg said. “My supervisors searched more for someone with an outgoing and hardworking personality that can be easily trained, rather than someone that knew everything beforehand.”

Macaraeg added that serving the student body is rewarding.

“The people I work with all enjoy working hard together to serve the students at Pierce. It is one of the most fulfilling jobs that any student can have.”

For more information, contact the Career and Transfer Center or visit the Pierce College website.

jrobles.roundupnews@gmail.com

Legislative and Governmental Affairs Officer Maria Luisa Veloz thought that this bill would help enrollment rates at all LACCD colleges.

“I think it’s really beneficial to all LACCD students, especially the ones that need it the most,” Margullo said. “I hope it helps the enrollment rate of Pierce College and all LACCD colleges. I believe this bill will be a better future for Pierce College, staff and students.”

jrobles.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brief: Volleyball coach's responsibilities reduced

FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor

After going winless this season, men’s volleyball head coach Edison Zhou has been relieved of his duties for the team.

The program ended with an overall record of 0-13 and 0-12 in conference play.

Despite no longer coaching the men’s team, Zhou will still coach the women’s team for this season.

Outside hitter Julian Soto said he was an amazing coach for the team.

“He’s an amazing coach, and one of the best coaches I’ve had,” Soto said. “Hearing that he won’t coach the men’s team next year was very heartbreaking because we all got close to him and he teaches you extremely well especially since he’s a former player with so much knowledge and experience on how he played with his teams in the past.”

According to Zhou, a coach for the men’s program will be announced at the end of the semester.

Screenshot by Nikki Kober

Second Vice President and Curriculum Chair Margarita Pillado leading the Academic Senate meeting via Zoom on April 11, 2022.

JOEL ROBLES Reporter

File photo by Kevin Lendido

(Right) Transfer mentor Alexis Smith assists Psychology student Jax Febles in getting information to connect with professional psychologists so Febles can get an idea of the career path he’s taking at Pierce College Student Services building, in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2020.

Being prepared for hostile situations

School shootings remain a threat to public safety, requiring first responders to have the skills to successfully deescalate dangerous situations.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department carried out an active shooter exercise at Pierce College on April 7 during spring break. This was the first extensive in-person training in two years because of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The simulation was designed to accurately imitate an active shooter emergency event. It was focused on the Library challenging the team to rescue hostages and victims.

K-9s and helicopters were used to examine the perimeter and potential dangers.

The second wave of first responders head their way into the Library to surround the active shooter at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 7, 2022. Photo by Michael Moreno.

Of the few activities held at the training, one included a simulation of an active shooter on school grounds at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Apr. 7, 2022. The act included a hostage situation and SWAT clearing out the Library. Photo by Michael Moreno.

Middle right: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department coordinates an active shooter simulation at Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 7, 2022. The training aims to ensure that the first responders are well prepared to handle threats and violent incidents.

Photo by Rozie Tadevosyan.

Left: Jake Montez leads a trained police dog to search the perimeter during an “active shooter” exercise held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 7, 2022. Photo by Rozie Tadevosyan.

Right: KTLA’s Ellina Abovian holds a microphone while covering the active shooter training at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 7, 2022.

Photo by Michael Moreno.

Copy by Rozie Tadevosyan

Concert showcases Ben Rosenblum’s Jazz Trio Medley

The crowd in the mainstage of the Pierce College Performing Arts Center had no idea what music Ben Rosenblum would perform. He managed to capture the

crowd with his optimism as he moved his fingers across the piano and on the accordion.

Bass player Eduardo Belo said that Rosenblum is a professional when it comes to captivating listeners.

“He’s very eclectic,” Belo said. “He knows how to set up a repertoire and a set list that really involves the audience.”

Roseblum played a variety of songs, some including Harold Arlen’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” his own original composition, “Center of a Ripple,” some Brazilian folk music and duo performances with bass instructor Jake Leckie and Belo.

The musician has been a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Stern-Perelman Auditorium and

a part of venues including the Appel Room in Lincoln Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Ravinia, Himawari-No-Sato Concert Hall in Yokohama, Bird’s Eye in Basel and the Library of Congress. Leckie said that while he used to play ensembles with Rosenblum in New York, hearing his solo music was something new to him.

“It was really nice to hear him play

solo,” Rosenblum said. “He covers so much ground stylistically.”

Rosenblum said that while it was a different experience, he still enjoyed it.

“Most of our shows on the road are a trio,” Rosenblum said. “It’s a different challenge. You’re responsible for a lot more, but it also has certain freedoms. I get to make a lot of spur-of-the-moment

Singing in her dreams

decisions and take a lot of risks.”

The next LAPC Music event is a Voice Master Class with the Pierce Applied Music Program on Tuesday, April 26.

Music student wins VASTA award scholarship

MARIAH BRITT Reporter

Laura Lyles has been dreaming about singing for a long time.

She said she realized singing was her passion when she watched the 2006 musical drama “Dreamgirls.” She loved to follow along with the songs, especially “Listen” by Beyonce.

Lyles, a 21 year-old Pierce College theater major, won the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) award in January at the Kennedy American Center College. The award included a $500 scholarship and a year’s membership to the organization.

“I felt like singing was something that was a part of me,” Lyles said. “It expressed everything that I was feeling on the inside that I was probably afraid to say on the outside. It was a way to show myself who I was. Despite being shy, singing brought out the confidence in me.”

Lyles added that her first performances in the seventh grade made it clear that music was a path she wanted to pursue.

“I sang ‘Ain’t it Good’ from ‘Children of Eden,’” Lyles said. “I was completely nervous, but after I was finished singing, the audience was roaring.”

After the feedback that she got, she believed that singing was something that she should

be focusing on because she saw it as a gift she had received.

Lyles said she wants to embody her favorite artists’ technique and vocal training to make hers that much stronger.

“I grew up listening to Christina Aguilera and I wanted to imitate her voice, but still make it my own,” Lyles said. “I’m currently taking singing lessons with a new instructor at Pierce named Marisa Bradfield through the Applied Music Program, which I have been involved in since the beginning of this semester.”

In January 2022, at the Kennedy American Center College, she was nominated for her performance in “Eight Nights.”

She participated in the voice articulation category performing a monologue from ‘Fairview’ by Jackie Sibblies Drury.

“I saw this monologue as a monumental moment for me,” Lyles said. “I was able to take a stand, be strong in my voice, and be completely confident. To be second place in the overall live competition and to win the vocal articulation award was very honoring and exciting.”

Before the competition, Lyles said she spoke words of encouragement to herself.

“God, if this is for me, then this will be for me,” Lyles recalled.

Whitney Evans, who won Best Partner at the competition said Lyles is bold and is a big fan of hers.

“When she hits the stage, she

lights it up,” Evans said. “It’s exciting to witness and it’s evident that she’s a star. I’m proud of her consistency and loyalty to her gift. She’s always taking the necessary steps to sharpen her craft. I see her reaching for the stars in the future.”

She said she wants her own journey to inspire people.

“My mission really is to uplift people and showcase my personal story—the way that I found God,” Lyles said. “I really want to give people hope. I don’t care about being famous.”

Lyles’ friend Tiffani Richardson said she effortlessly has a captivating presence.

“I’m proud of her ability to get along with anyone,” Richardson said. “In the next few years, I see Laura involved in musical theater or acting in television shows.”

“I want to gear more towards acting for the camera and being in the film and TV industry. I want to find a talent manager and be able to write some more songs.”

Vanessa Hanish performed alongside Lyles in “Eight Nights” said her strength is how expressive her interpretations of roles are.

“You can see every emotion on her face,” Hanish said. “I’m proud of the growth that she has made as a performer. I can see her booking a musical tour. She’s got all the goods.”

PAMELA KALIDASAN Features Editor

Photo by Rozie Tadevosyan

Award-winning New York City jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum (left) and bass instructor Jake Leckie perform at an Associated Student Organization concert in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 12, 2022.

Photo by Nancy Corona Laura Lyles poses in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 28, 2022.

Men's Volleyball Baseball Swim

BY MICHAEL SMITHLIN Reporter

Despite a struggling season, the men’s volleyball team progressed from the start with their skill and communication. While bidding their coach farewell after his reduced responsibilities, the team remains hopeful and looks forward to improving their individual skills while having a successful recruitment process in the off-season.

Following their last match, the men’s volleyball team concluded their first season since the pandemic started.

Coach Edison Zhou said they were able to play this year despite going through many obstacles.

“One month before the season we didn’t have enough guys to play the season, so we tried to cancel the season,” Zhou said. “But some of the guys showed up late and helped the program and season, and I really appreciate them for allowing us to play this year.”

Despite the team making the cut for the amount of players required to participate this season, it was a struggle to gather and keep players because of fear of COVID-19.

“This is the first year of the pandemic opening back school and sports,” Zhou said. “Some of the parents were worried about COVID-19, and thus it was a challenge for even recruiting players.”

Zhou attempted to revitalize the program with new players and while the team lost all of their games this season, they continued to make progress as the season went on.

“From the first day of the season to

Records

the last day, they all progressed a lot in their skills and especially in jump topspin serves and passing,” Zhou said. “They all worked and fought as a team, and I really appreciate the guys and everything they’ve done for the team, program, and themselves.

Despite struggling throughout the season as a team, many players were happy that sports had returned to Pierce College.

“Ongoing with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hard at first but you get used to it and get tested every week, and so on,” outside hitter Julian Soto said. “I’m just glad we had a team, because I know some people didn’t have seasons last year

Women's basketball Men's Basketball

returns to the court

after

teammates and for each other.”

Jimenez shared the belief that the team progressed as the season went on, and that despite losing, the team collectively bonded over the year.

“I thought we naturally progressed as a team as the season went on,” Jimenez said. “Playing and working out with each other every day led to us knowing each other more and playing better together.”

Despite losing every game this season, the men’s volleyball team remains optimistic that next season will bring better success due to more new and returning players than this year’s team.

“I look forward to getting better

loc kdown

every day and recruiting new players and continuing to know each other more in the off-season,” Jimenez said.

While Coach Zhou won’t coach the men’s volleyball team next season, he still holds a leadership position as coach of the women’s volleyball team.

“I know some players that are coming in next year so I’m really happy about that and it will be pretty fun to play with former friends,” Soto said. “Individually, I’m excited to improve more and I want to be one of the top players, so that’s what I’m going to strive for.”

and couldn’t play due to limitations around the pandemic and so on.”

Players continued to play hard regardless of the limitations provided by having a relatively small roster.

“This season was kind of hard on us because we didn’t have all of the players we needed, since most of our team was short and we had to adjust to that and play smarter,” Soto said. “Overall, I think we did pretty well with the team we had, and I think going off into next year we’ll do amazing.”

Soto and outside hitter Jhair Jimenez played well and were second and third on the team’s average point per set this season.

“All of us improved, whether from being libero, outside hitter, or our setter,” Soto said. “I’m a quick learner usually, so improve pretty quickly and especially with our teammates sometimes we get in each other’s heads a lot, so we’ve done a lot better in calming down.”

Soto added, “There wasn’t really a specific turning point, it just starts getting better progressively, In the first game we didn’t do much with each other, but going on through the next games we started getting closer and learning each other as teammates and friends, and overall most of us really changed our individual games to better our

File photo by Joshua Manes

Sato swims the butterfly at practice at the Steven E. Schofield Aquatic

in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2019

Photo by Nancy Corona El Camino College’s Andrew White goes for the kill against the Brahmas at Pierce College in Woodland Hills,

March

2022.

File Photo by Ben Hanson

Elias Ybarra catches his breath during a game against the Long Beach City College Vikings on Ken Stanley Court in Woodland HIlls, Ca lif., on March 6, 2020.