Volume 138 Spring 2023 Roundup Issue 9

San Fernando Valley comes together

JENNIFER TANZIL Reporter

Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel was joined by Mayor Karen Bass, local representatives and volunteers of various ages at the second annual Day of Service on Sunday to work on projects to help the San Fernando Valley.

Volunteers from different parts of the Valley met at Pierce College before reporting to their designated stations, either on campus or off-site.

Gabriel started the event in 2022 to get people working together again after the pandemic. He expected around 150 volunteers. He got 700.

“Today is really about bringing people together, about celebrating the beautiful diversity of our community and about making a difference,” Gabriel said. This year, the number of volunteers who signed up went up to over 1,000.

Along with different organizations and led by elected leaders such as Senator Caroline Menjivar, volunteers spread across the Valley to clean nearby neighborhoods, pick up trash at the Sepulveda Basin and sort items at the SOVA food pantry.

On-campus projects at Pierce College included a blood drive, packing outreach kits and gardening.

Gabriel said change requires everyone in the community to come out and get together. The “amazing” turnout was exactly what Gabriel was hoping would come out of the event.

“There is so much negativity on social media,” Gabriel said.

“What I know from being out in the community is we actually live in an incredibly kind, generous and vibrant community.”

Gabriel thanked more than 40 different community partners at the event, including the West Valley Food Pantry, Moms Demand Action and Women’s

Association- Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a self-proclaimed “former Valley girl”, spoke about how proud she was to be at the event.

“One thing I always like to do is lift up the work that goes on in this city from all the community organizations, because if you think about the problems we have in the city, the only way to resolve them is for all of us to get involved,” Bass said. “That’s the way we built the Los Angeles that we all know we can have.”

Bass recently declared a state of emergency regarding the homeless crisis in the city, highlighting the need for community and lawmaker support in aiding with the growing situation.

L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said that efforts such as the Day of Service event give an opportunity for community members, community leaders as well as local politicians to work together

D.C. rep visits Pierce

to help the most vulnerable people in our neighborhoods.

“It is a new day in Los Angeles,” Horvath said. “We know the Valley has shown up, but now you have partners in the region who are also showing up with and for you. You inspired the leadership to see that change is happening right now in our communities.”

Likewise, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo said the event will help reach those in need due to the efforts of volunteers.

“This is a time we need to come together as a community and really support others around us and make sure that they have the resources they need,” Schiavo said. “Your work today will do that.”

West Hills resident Jennifer Silva and her friends spent the morning packing outreach kits for people who are unhoused and living on the streets. Kits included toiletries such as razors, shampoo, shaving cream and

feminine hygiene products.

“I think everybody should have the right to be clean and have access to things like sanitary pads,” Silva said. “It’s especially hard to obtain when you’re out on the streets. It’s not like periods stop just because you’re homeless.”

The project was made possible by L.A. Family Housing, a nonprofit that provides homeless support services.

Bass said these packages will help those on the streets, as well as those who are transitioning from the streets into housing but may still need assistance.

Amber Fulenbach from OneGeneration, a senior services organization, encouraged volunteers to write letters to senior citizens, one of the many projects planned for volunteers to partake in on campus.

OneGeneration delivers meals to homebound senior citizens during the weekdays, at no cost.

“The letters will go with their

on the biotechnology revolution," Prabhakar said.

meals,” Fulenbach said. “It’s just to let the seniors know that someone in their community is thinking of them and they’re not alone.”

Canoga Park resident Ayslin Ramirez shared how she found joy in volunteer work through her participation with the Boys and Girls Club.

“I like being able to know that I’m part of my community and I can hopefully help someone feel better,” Ramirez said, as she wrote several letters to the senior citizens of OneGeneration, Pierre Arreola, co-founder of Gr818ers, a local organization promoting youth development through hip-hop, was glad to see such a huge turnout of people lending a hand to help their community.

“This is the San Fernando Valley, this is what we’re about–being a community and being of service to others,” Arreola said.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director and Science Adviser to the President Arati Prabhakar visited Pierce College’s science and automotive departments on Tuesday, May 2.

LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez and Interim President Ara Aguiar led the group.

Prabhakar visited the Biotech Lab in the Center for Sciences, the Advanced Automotive Building, and the Plant Science Lab in Earth Sciences. During each stop of the tour, she chatted with many students.

"It's just so much fun to get to meet the students, to see them stepping into careers, working on electric vehicles and working

In April, Congressman Brad Sherman announced a new fouryear program in biomanufacturing and biotechnology for Pierce students.

"This is what makes it work," Prabhakar said. "It's the students that can step into these jobs. It's about changing people's lives because of the opportunities that a place like Pierce College opens up for them."

In September, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14081 “to coordinate a wholeof-government approach to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing towards innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security,” according to the White House.

In March, the White House OSTP released an outline showing how biotech and biomanufacturing can achieve the goals listed in the Executive Order.

"President Biden is working every single day to get this country back doing big things," Prabhakar said. "That means revitalizing manufacturing. It means dealing with the climate crisis."

Rodriguez said the district invited Prabhakar to visit one of the LACCD campuses during a visit to Washington, D.C., in February.

"She graciously accepted our invitation so she could see the excellence at Pierce College and our facilities, our faculty, our people, our purpose, but mostly our students," Rodriguez said.

[see WHITEHOUSE on pg. 3]

Photo by Owen Meza

2023.

Photo by Kyanna Hojati

Senator Caroline Menjivar, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, Los Angeles County Supervisor of the 3rd District Lindsey P. Horvath, Mayor Karen Bass and Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel clap at the Day of Service at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 30, 2023

BENJAMIN HANSON

The Bull magazine Editor-in-chief

WHAT IS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?

“Idoalotofbackgroundactingfor movies, TV shows and commercials.

Imostlydothatasasidejobfor money so I can pursue an acting andsingingcareer.It’sgoodtomake connections for the entertainment industry.”

-MarcusNocerino,JournalismMajor

EDITORIAL: From the desk of the Roundup

Showing art builds community

With more than 20,000 students enrolled at Pierce College, we must be swimming with talent of different kinds.

It would be great if Pierce could find a way to highlight that talent.

How about a Student Art Fair on the Mall for one or two days out of the semester?

Students, faculty and staff could come together and participate in whatever way

they see fit.

College of the Desert in Palm Springs is celebrating its 40th year of hosting something similar. It’s called “The Street Fair.”

According to their website, they offer “merchandise and services for all ages and any budget, the Street Fair offers over a thousand items for sale from artisans, home goods, fashion, furniture, vintage cars, a farmer’s market, live

entertainment, gourmet food and much more.”

Sales from this longstanding event not only support local artists, but it’s also linked to helping raise money for the college as well.

“All funds raised from merchant space rentals provide annual funding and support for students attending the College of the Desert. By supporting The Street Fair merchants, you are also supporting students!”

Members of the Pierce community would be welcome to participate and sell their artistic pieces or just set up a booth to highlight their works.

There could be food trucks present, as well as some form of artistic entertainment to entice people, including musicians, jugglers and comedians.

This is an event that could be hosted by the Associated Student Organization (ASO), and it could be open to the

public to attract people to the campus. Pierce has a sprawling campus. We should use the space we have to have fun and build our community.

“Beingalifeguardismysidehustle. Iworkatpools,beaches,country clubs,whoeverneedsalifeguard. I’mbasicallygettingpaidtowatcha poolandtan,sothat’snice.”

-ChloeHendrix,JusticeMajor

Work for your goals

BY REUBEN SANTOS Reporter

The idea of grinding every hour to achieve one’s dreams is no walk in the park.

“I’mpartofayouthpoet organizationcalledGetLit.I basicallygetpaidtodopoetry performances.Mybiggestone recentlywasatagalathathadpretty well-knownpeoplelikeH.E.R.and J.Ivy.”

-AbbyErazo,CreativeWriting

Major

However, for those who are eager to become as successful as CEO of Twitter Elon Musk or American entrepreneur Gary Varynerchuk, hustle culture is a work ethic that can pay off in the long run.

An article from Forbes magazine by Jason Saltzman titled “The Pros And Cons Of Hustle Culture: How To Work Hard Without Burning Out” explained that the Hustle Culture mindset can inspire and motivate people to push past their limits and achieve higher standards for themselves.

“Mysidehustleismusic.I’man upcomingartist.Igointothestudio givingitmyalltomycraftandhope thatitgetsmesomewhereIcanmake agoodnameformyself.”

-ConnorHarris,FilmMajor

“Hustle culture promotes the idea of working hard and pushing oneself to achieve more,” the article said. “Which can result in productivity and the ability to accomplish more tasks and goals. We spend most of our lives at work anywaywhy not make them count?”

Saltzman said that hustle culture allows individuals to take responsibility and ownership for their craft.

“Because hustle culture enables individuals to achieve their goals and advance in their careers, it promotes the idea of taking ownership over one’s fate and responsibility for one’s own personal trajectory,” Saltzman said.

An article from Medium digital publication by Umair UI-Haq titled “Hustle Culture-Helpful or Toxic?” explained that hustle culture almost guarantees success.

“IdobackgroundonTVshows. Sometimesyou’llworka14-hour daybutyougetagoodchunkof money.Typicallyyougetfreefood too.”-GhadaMorad,Psychology

Major

Quotes & photos gathered by Jennifer Tanzil

from your mistakes,” Umair UI-Haq said. “This is why we hustle, or want to hustle; to succeed and achieve our goals. Think about it, the harder you work, the quicker you’re going to see success. You can retire early and live the life that you want in the long run.”

An article from CyberCoders by John Ternieden titled “The Pros and Cons of Hustle Culture” said that career success stems from practice.

“In many ways, hustle culture is an application of the ten-thousand-hour rule. It has been said that to master a skill, you must spend ten thousand hours practicing it,” Ternieden said.

Tenieden’s final words revolve around the overall benefits of inheriting a hustle culture lifestyle.

“Hustle Culture helps grow your discipline, mental toughness, and overall confidence,” Tenieden said.

Hustle culture requires many sacrifices, especially any chance of having a social life. However, if you are one of those people that has a passion for something that fills you with enthusiasm, hustle culture is for you.

If you want something, you need to go out to chase it and let it be the number one thing on your mind. After all, if today was your last day on earth, would you feel complete?

Avoid early burnout

BY MARJAN SHARIFI Reporter

It’s hard to defend hustle culture when we see so many people get burned out and sit on the sidelines after working and pushing themselves to the limit.

Hustle culture is a phrase coined to illustrate the modern work environment that puts hard work and constant achievement on a pedestal.

Hustle culture has become widespread and popular as companies continue to ask their employees to work harder and longer hours for better productivity.

According to the Forbes article “The Pros And Cons Of Hustle Culture: How To Work Hard Without Burning Out,” burnout is far too often the reason why hustle culture just does not seem to work for people. The continuous pressure of working and pressure to succeed wears down on one’s physical health.

The mental health of an individual is also affected, although that part can be overlooked. The article also points out that for many people, pulling all-nighters stay in the college days because their bodies just can’t keep up.

When people are constantly grinding, they can’t find balance in their life. This means that the balance for work and a personal life is non-existent.

so many people that are opposed to the concept of hustle culture.

The TalkSpace article, “Hustle Culture: The Toxic Impact on Mental Health — Talkspace” makes the argument that the hustle culture work environment can be linked to toxic productivity. Toxic productivity refers to the phenomenon that believes that in order to succeed it is necessary to always and constantly be productive. Unfortunately, this type of venture affects the long term well being of a person.

CNET’s article, “Hustle culture' is facing an existential crisis with millennials - CNET” tells us that managers from the millennial generation are 42% likely to feel that they are burned out, more than any other generation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many productive and driven people began to see that they did not have to commute to work and school in order to be productive. Some even saw that they could be more productive if they just stayed home and worked.

There are also the options and opportunities that modern technology has opened up for us: people can start their own online businesses through places like Etsy or working part-time with companies like Uber.

“If you keep working hard, non-stop, even after experiencing failures, eventually you’re going to get to where you want to be,” Umair UI-Haq said.

UI-Haq emphasized the importance of persistence and how it will pay off in the long run.

“The key to being successful with anything is persistence as well as learning

If people constantly work, people can’t find time for other important aspects of their life, such as personal relationships, health and self-care. This can cause people to get burned out because they can essentially be burning both ends of the candle.

People underestimate how much anxiety and stress can come from hustle culture and its stressful environment. They may feel that they continuously have to achieve and work and keep on achieving. It may feel like a vicious cycle that can never be escaped, which is why there are

These options and new avenues have awakened people to the fact that they don’t have to hustle as hard in order to be productive- or successful. This has led people to find a new realm of existence outside the hustle culture, and this way of thinking is beginning to pick up with more and more people.

Although many may sing the praises of working hard and pushing themselves to the limit, there are many who push for balance and longevity. In the end, our health, relationships and quality of life has to take precedence over everything else.

msharifi.roundupnews@gmail.com

Photographers:

Ashley Shellmire

Hunter Hammerot

Wyatt Sanchez

Owen Meza

Jay Abril

Audrinna Meza

Lauren Bulchand

Icy Smith

Photos by Rachael Rosenberg

From left, Roundup photographer and pool cleaner Wyatt Sanchez, The Bull Editor-in-Chief and Wallgreens shift lead Benjamin Hanson, Roundup Photo Editor and Cinemark team member Daniela Raymundo and The Bull Reporter and Pollos El Brasero restaurant worker Drew Hokama sport their side hustle attire and equipment.

Auto-Tech student Rey David Chimecatl was one of the students that Prabhakar approached.

Chimecatl said he was worried about shaking her hand because his hands were dirty from working on cars, but he felt a lot of energy from meeting a White House representative.

“It was actually pretty scary,” Chimecatl said. “I didn't want to even go up to her. She recognized who I was. That was pretty cool."

Aguiar said she thought the visit was important for Prabhakar and the students to engage and to have someone from the White House see how federal support helps Pierce.

"It's a perfect way to demonstrate the kind of work that the college is doing, engage with the students and see their successes," Aguiar said. "The students can share their career goals with the director."

Rodriguez said he believes the tour was successful.

"We wanted to demonstrate the excellence that is Pierce College and I think she's very impressed,” Rodriguez said.

“I’m pretty happy today.”

Prabhakar said the highlight of the walk-through was speaking to students and asking each of them, “Where are you from?”

"Many of them said Woodland Hills," Prabhakar said. "But I almost feel like Pierce College opens the door for them to go do anything, right? I think that's the magic of the kind of education that they're getting here."

Active shooter training scheduled this month

Campus deputy explains ways to prioritize the safety of students and staff

The safety of students and faculty members at Pierce College continues to be a high priority for the Sheriff’s Department.

Held on Zoom Thursday afternoon, the Pierce College Council discussed active shooter training, a key event that is coming up next week..

Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher mentioned that although space is limited, this won’t be the last training of its kind.

“There are only so many spots available the first time,” Schleicher said. “We're trying to get a couple of key individuals, by a couple I mean over 40 people that are going to be twofold, building monitors and then

triage runners for earthquakes, things of that nature, with backpacks and all other equipment they need to have.”

By hosting training sessions like this, Pierce will promote better safety measures while educating people on what to do in certain dangerous instances. This is why the event will happen again in the future.

“When it comes to active shooter training, we’d really like to get those folks in there,” Schleicher said. “They're going to get first slotting and then we'll have about 75 slots in total the first time around. The rest will probably go primarily this time to faculty and students.”

The first active shooter training event will take place on May 11 at 2 p.m. in Building 600.

Deputy Isaac Jorge from the

Sheriff’s Department reported an increase in crime on campus.

“We got hit for a catalytic converter in lot seven,” Jorge said. “Plain day, five o'clock, in the staff parking lot. It was a quick in and out. From our experience, which we hate to say when they hit a place, they usually come and hit it back.”

Jorge said that if anybody sees a car hood open, or someone jacking up a car, they should call the Sheriff right away.

We actually have active patrol right now,” Jorge said. “The car that got hit was a Prius which is the number one stolen car right now, so we have our eyes on those especially. If you see something, please call us. Lock your doors, lock your car. Don't leave your laptop, don’t leave backpacks because

those are crime opportunities that we're just trying to avoid.”

Industrial Tech Instructor Alex Villalta expressed his gratitude toward the Sheriff's Department for their continuous support and protection on campus.

“I would like to thank the Sheriff's office,” Villalta said. “When we were preparing for today's event, the fire alarm went off. We thought that the Fire Department was going to show up but they didn't. The Sheriff's did show up within seconds and they were able to take control of the situation. Thank you for your support, thank you for being here and for your extra patrolling.”

The next Pierce College Council meeting will take place on May 25 at 2 p.m.

Bailey (1944-2023), Pierce College Media Arts

Julie Dawn Bailey held many roles over the course of her career at Pierce College, from an aspiring journalism student, to type setter, ad manager, department office manager and, perhaps most importantly, a mentor.

Bailey died on March 14 in the hospital due to medical complications. Her only child and daughter Sonya Bailey was by her side.

Former journalism student Gil Riego recounted his first impression of Bailey.

“I remember walking into the classroom and thinking, look at this eccentric British lady,” Riego said.

Riego mentioned how Bailey would be present for students, intuitively knowing when they were in need of guidance. Her comforting demeanor allowed for them to have a built-in support system on campus.

“She was a rock, the biggest constant for the newsroom,” Riego said. “Her words of encouragement always carried on. She always believed in the

students, department and faculty, giving us the push to keep going.”

Adjunct professor of photography Sean

McDonald remembers his time working with Bailey.

“She was the glue that held the department together for a long time,” McDonald said.

Bailey was born at the tail end of WWII in England to Royal Air Force Officer Albert Bailey and his wife Ann Bailey. She was an only child.

Bailey made the decision to move to the United States

in the 1960s at 19-years-old. Deciding to settle in California, a huge cultural shift from the UK, Bailey was enticed by the prospect of new opportunities.

Bailey worked many jobs, before deciding to focus on her role as mother to her daughter Sonya.

“She moved around a lot. In terms of ventures and education and business, she tried a lot of things,” Sonya Bailey said.

Bailey pursued higher education and enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College. She studied journalism and

worked on the school paper. After attaining her associate degree from Valley College, she followed in the footsteps of her former professor Rob O’Neil, leading to her more than two-decade position at Pierce College from 1993 to 2015.

O'Neil praised Bailey's ability to be on top of tasks.

“She became a type setter, office manager and a confidant to dozens of aspiring student journalists,” O’Neil said. “She was just all things to everybody, a great business person,

efficient in advertising, she looked after everything. She really was a jack-of-all-trades.”

O’Neil depicted Bailey’s character as someone who was capable of the most intense tasks.

“In short, she was a fixer, a person who completed the job no matter what it took. There just wasn't anything she couldn't do,” O’Neil said.

Bailey took great pride in her Catholic faith.

“She used to be a hardcore atheist, and it was almost a little miracle that she was baptized as

a Catholic. No one really saw that coming,” Sonya Bailey said. Sonya Bailey admired her mother's creativity and intelligence.

“She began exploring a wide variety of mediums over the years, such as painting, drawing, sketching, stained glass, crocheting, woodworking sculptures and garden landscaping,” Sonya Bailey said.

Her daughter remembers her mother's patience and lighthearted attitude.

“She would spend hours by my side as a child helping me with homework,” Sonya Bailey said. “She was somebody who could take things in strides, and see the humor in it. I think what was most important to her was her relationships, her connections to people that she made throughout her life.”

For those wishing to honor her memory, her daughter requested donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Saint Vincent Meals on Wheels or an animal charity.

Screenshots by Alec Bennett Industrial Tech Instructor Alex Villalta at the PCC Meeting on zoom in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 27, 2023

Photo by Benjamin Hanson LEFT: Biotech Major Chantel De la Cruz meets OSTP Director and Science Adviser to the President Arati Prabhakar during a tour of the Center for the Sciences in Woodland Hills, Calif., May 2, 2023.

Photo courtesy of Sonya Bailey

Julie Bailey (bottom center) poses with students and faculty from the Pierce College Media Arts Department. \

NICOLE KHAIT Reporter

KYANNA HOJATI Reporter

Photo by Benjamin Hanson ABOVE: From left, LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, OSTP Director and Science Adviser to the President Arati Prabhakar and Interim President Ara Aguiar meet students during a tour of the Center for the Sciences in Woodland Hills, Calif., May 2, 2023.

Life

Attire as awareness

Denim Day and Clothesline Project recognizes survivors sexual assault

Pierce College

Associated Student Organization held a Denim Day and Clothesline Project event for students and staff members to raise awareness for the violence, abuse and assault that continues to happen within our communities.

Denim Day has been a Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign for the last 24 years and occurs on the last Wednesday of April.

With a visual display of historical shirts from previous years, people were able to walk around the clothesline of T-shirts with survivor’s stories written on them. There were also new T-shirts that people could write on and hang up

on this year’s clothesline. The colors of the T-shirts represented different meanings and gave students the chance to choose which one embodied their experience.

Red, pink and orange represented survivors of rape and sexual assault. Yellow represented battered or assaulted people. Blue and green represented survivors of incest and sexual abuse. Purple represented those attacked because of their sexual orientation and white represented those who died because of violence.

Psychology major Bekah Ford voiced their power by writing their experience on a pink T-shirt.

“I am a survivor of both rape and sexual abuse in an abusive relationship,” Ford said. “This day means a lot to me because I have experienced a lot of victim blaming perpetrated by so-

called friends that are no longer in my life. I think this campaign helps change our society by just overall awareness of the problem of sexual assault, its prevalence of it in our society and how it affects everyone.”

Ford shared the emotions they felt when participating in an event like Denim Day, as well as the pride they felt in surviving the trauma they endured.

“I did feel empowered, but I also felt a little bit of pride,” Ford said. “I wrote on my shirt the fact that I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor and a warrior. I pride myself in the fact that I have survived multiple traumatic experiences and I'm a better person as a result of it.”

Student Engagement Coordinator Lara Conrady Wong organized this year’s Denim Day to ensure the campus honored victims and survivors and provided them with extra resources if needed.

“This is a very visual event,” Conrady Wong said. “A lot of students come by to check out the historical shirts as students have written on in the past. Some want to write, some have a story to share so we have the Health Center here just in case students or staff members need extra support.”

ASO Peer Mentor Keke Gbewonyo helped to set up the Denim Day event, and she acknowledged how valuable it was for students to see the support they have around them.

“Denim Day is really important for sexual assault survivors and awareness,” Gbewonyo said. “Having the

No day but today

Some of the themes throughout the musical touch on pennilessness, drug abuse, HIV/ AIDS, social tension, and political unrest, among other hardships.

“Rent” marks Van Slyke’s first appearance in a musical. He explained that he turned down an outside, professional role to star in this Pierce production because of the musical’s acclaim.

“The thing with this show in particular that I noticed is that everybody is just so gungho,” Van Slyke said about the cast. “Everybody working on it is in love with the material. Everybody is jumping in headfirst and giving it their all.”

Theater major and first-time actor Emelysse Paez plays the role of Mimi Marquez, a flamboyant stripper living with AIDS in the peak of the AIDS epidemic.

Paez said she feels a big level of responsibility when playing the role of a person living with AIDS. She wants to portray the character in the most respectful and accurate way possible.

clothesline with people's stories and taking back their power and what happened to them is really important to showcase around campus as a huge sign of support.”

Conrady Wong spoke about the variety of ways to participate in an event like Denim Day

and the importance of creating a safe place for it on campus.

“I really commend students for participating in an event like this,” Conrady Wong said.

“Whether you're a survivor or you know someone that’s a survivor or maybe you know someone

Techno

Tafur, one of the members of the ensemble, said “Rent” is his first official musical.

“This is a show where the ensemble plays such a key role, especially vocally. It is quite a bit of work,” Tafur said.

Tafur said Rent is a very human story, and that it is a beautiful story.

“I would say come with tissues because this play is heartbreaking. You follow the characters on a ride. Their losses are your losses. Be ready for tears of grief but also tears of joy,” Tafur said. “Come in with an open mind and an open heart to connect with these characters because it is an extremely diverse group of people.”

According to Van Slyke, the writing is top-notch and it's what drew him and the other actors into this musical.

who didn’t make it, there's a variety of ways that people can participate in honoring each other and having a safe place on our campus to be creative about sharing their experience.”

nkhait.roundupnews@gmail.com

Horror

opens dialogue about isolation

"Pulse"

Pierce College’s next theater production, the Broadway musical “Rent,” opens on May 5 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.

“Rent” is a two-act musical set in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that guides the audience through the story of a group of friends residing in Manhattan’s East Village as they work to build the lives of their dreams.

Dale Van Slyke plays the role of

Mark Cohen, the narrator. Mark is a struggling documentary filmmaker who has recently broken up with another character in the show, Maureen. Mark serves as the connecting tissue between the roles in this musical.

According to Van Slyke, the themes that run throughout the musical, which are based on people’s constant struggle to follow their dreams and find what really matters most in life, are still relevant today.

“It takes place in the ‘80s and ‘90s. It is a period piece almost now,” Van Slyke said.

“But it’s like a lot of this stuff is coming back around with everything that is going on.”

“One of the more difficult things was being able to be open with my body in different ways with the movements that a stripper has to do,” Paez said.

The big mantra of “Rent” is “No day but today.” It is spoken often throughout the play.

“A lot of the characters in the show have been dealing with loss and grief and pain and feeling like there is nothing to look forward to,” Paez said. “I think with that message, ‘No day but today’, they are carrying this openness to take an opportunity in life and be in the moment. I think it is very important to push this message to do what you can and live in the moment, to take in every day like it is your last.”

Theater major Andrew

“‘Rent’ is really well-written. The more you jump into the script, the more you notice these small details that are in there,” Van Slyke said. “Each word of the lyrics is put down so meticulously. It is really amazing. It is so rich to jump in as an actor.”

Performances will be held on May 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. Performance times are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. This is a twoact musical with an intermission.

Tickets are priced at $15 for students, $20 for seniors and $25 for general admission. Parking is free in Lot #6. LAPC Theatre’s venues are fully accessible to those with mobile disabilities and hearing impairments.

The Pierce College Film Club presented its firstsemester screening as part of the “AIsolation Film Series” at the Multicultural Center on Thursday.

The 2001 Japanese technohorror film is about ghosts invading the world of the living through the internet.

“The film is a very relevant look at how the internet can be such a powerful tool that can both bring us together and divide us," said Film major Devora Porter, who shared her take on the significance of "Pulse."

"It may feel like a human connection when we're using it and utilizing it. But ultimately, it's something that we have to experience by ourselves, and that can really negatively affect people who are going through several mental health issues.”

Photo by Hunter Hammerot

NICOLE KHAIT Reporter

TRISH ALASKEY

Managing Editor

Catherine Andres looks at shirts with stories of sexual assault victims at the Pierce College Denim Day event in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 26, 2023.

Photo by Rachael Rosenberg

Photo by Rachael Rosenberg Emelysse Paez (top), who portrays Mimi Marquez, and Dale Van Slyke (bottom), who portrays Mark Cohen, perform a scene from the musical "Rent" during Pierce College's Multicultural Day in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 20, 2023.

A yellow shirt that represents survivors of rape and sexual assaults reads, "I never 'asked for it.'" At the Pierce College Denim Day event in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 26, 2023.

Photo by Rachael Rosenberg

Quote provided by Clemente Pasillas

Photo by Rachael Rosenberg

2nd ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE

More than 1,000 members of the commu-

nity gathered April 30 at Pierce College to support seniors and people experiencing homelessness.

Notable guests speakers included LA Mayor Karen Bass and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel speaks to a crowd of voulnteers before kicking off the 2nd annual Day of Service at Pierce College in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on April 30, 2023.

(L to R) Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel hugs Jewish Family Service LA Senior Director Nancy Volpert during the 2nd annual Day of Service at Pierce College in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on April 30, 2023.

Volunteers look to clean up during the 2nd annual Day of Service at Pierce College in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on April 30, 2023.

Volunteers walk the Mall on the 2nd annual Day of Service at Pierce College in Woodland HIlls, Calif., on April 30, 2023.

Photos by Benjamin Hanson

Bern-ing for progress

Pierce student joins the political, progressive movement

NATHALIE MIRANDA Reporter

Logan Fisher watched his friends struggle with mental health, including losing one who was unable to access proper healthcare.

He knew that he wanted to bring change.

Fisher is a political science major at CSUN and Pierce who recently won the Feel the Bern San Fernando Valley Activist of the Year 2022 award. Feel the Bern is a Democratic club, and every year they honor activists in the community.

Fisher has won the last two years after joining the club in 2021.

Fisher’s activism centers around universal healthcare, which is a personal issue for him. Having known people who have struggled with mental health, and who have lost their lives due to not having proper mental healthcare readily available, is what makes him so passionate about the issue.

“In 2021, three different friends who started going through mental health crises reached out to me, and it was really hard getting them the care they needed,” Fisher said. “And then one week, I got news that one of my friends who did not reach out to me took his own life. That was the moment that made me realize this was not a problem that one person alone could fix. That’s why universal healthcare in particular is a policy I’m so passionate about.”

Fisher joined Feel the Bern in 2021 when he started getting more involved in the community and organizing events to promote universal healthcare. He won the award in 2021 after the bill for

universal healthcare in California was polled, which was something he and other activists in the club had been working hard for.

“I was really honored and shocked the first time I was nominated for the award just because I was relatively brand new to the club, and I had just started doing that work in the community,” Fisher said. “After all the hard work it kind of just felt like a consolation prize. But this year was different.”

The latest issue that Fisher was successful in bringing attention to was healthcare for adjunct faculty in the Los Angeles Community College district, another personal issue for Fisher. In 2022, he was actively advocating for adjunct faculty healthcare with the organization he’s currently interning for, AFT 1521 which represents the faculty in the LACC district and the hard work paid off.

“Last year in 2022, we achieved a lot,” Fisher said. “We just got adjunct faculty healthcare passed for all Los Angeles Community College adjunct faculty and my dad is adjunct faculty. So it was really amazing to be able to go out there and advocate for change and then see it actually happen.”

Kayson Verne, a friend of Fisher’s who is also part of Feel the Bern has become good friends with Fisher. They have grown to become close friends and Verne has had the chance to advocate alongside Fisher.

“Throughout these last three years, we’ve built this very close friendship,” Verne said. “He’s a very nice person. He shows an example of being a great role model. I see a lot of greatness in his future.”

Juan Carlos Vasquez is the lead coordinator for the student internship program at AFT 1521

and has known Fisher since last year. Vasquez has been able to see how Fisher advocates and leads these efforts to incite change.

“I think Logan could be a union leader or even become a politician, either at the local, state and even national level,” Vasquez said. “He’s very passionate and empathetic. He’s engaged with the community, he understands the issues and he’s in the fight. We need more leaders like him.”

Fisher did hold a political office in the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council briefly last year. It was exhausting work since he was a student at Pierce and had just gotten accepted at CSUN. Fisher ended up resigning from the position.

Most recently he has tried running as an ADEM delegate, delegates who get to go to the California Party Convention. He ran and unfortunately did not win but California Senator Henry Stern appointed Fisher as a delegate so he could go to the convention.

Despite this, Fisher still isn’t sure if a political position is in his future, though it’s not completely off the table for him. Whether or not it’s where he ends up, both Verne and Vasquez have faith that he will go on to do great things.

“We need more leaders like Logan in our communities and doing the work that he's doing,” Vasquez said. “I look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a professional and as a leader.”

nm.miranda.roundupnews@gmail.com

Baseball:

Brahmas drop final home game

JOEL ROBLES

Sports Editor

On Thursday, Pierce baseball was blown out of the water by 9 against Oxnard, with a score of 20-11.

The Brahmas managed to get 14 hits, but gave up 19 hits to the Condors in the loss.

Pierce gave up 14 runs in only 5 innings while only scoring 1 run.

Brahmas managed to get on the board in the 6th inning, scoring 5 runs, but that didn’t stop Oxnard from scoring 6 more runs in the 7th.

Brahmas went on a run in the final 2 innings, scoring 5 runs, but it wasn’t enough.

The Brahmas never got going in the pitching department. Six pitchers were used while Oxnard only played four.

Pitchers used were Joe Metcalf, Jean-Luc Hounanian, Charlie Zazueta, Micahel Axley, Gio Del Toro, and Ivan Castillo.

The Brahmas walked 10 batters while the Condors walked 7.

The Brahmas also had 4 errors to the Condors 3.

First baseman Max Lyons had 3 RBI’s and Outfielder Sebaszian Depalma had 3 BBs.

Pierce has ended their season with an overall record of 13-27 & division record of 6-18.

Pierce ended 4th in the Western State Conference, and will look now onto the offseason.

Photo by Ashley Shellmire

Political science law, government major and active student intern for union AFT 1521 Logan Fisher has been awarded the Bernie Sanders activist of the year for 2021 and 2022 stands outside of 600 bulding at Pierce College on April 26, 2023.

Photo by Owen Meza

Pitcher Joe Metcalf prepares to throw a pitch at Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 26, 2023.

Photo by Owen Meza

Center fielder Sebaszian Depalma swings at a pitch at Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 27, 2023.