Volume 140 Spring 2024 Roundup Issue 5

Rocio

Paez (R) for the play “The River Bride” in the

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Volume 140 - Issue 4

In the article“Media Arts department takes home 18 awards,” it was 20 awards total —17 awards were from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and three were from the California College Media Association.

Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup Honoring transgender voices on March 31

Queer advocates and allies are honoring Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and taking the time to celebrate the lives and triumphs of trans people, while also speaking out against the hate faced by the trans community on a daily basis. With hundreds of antiLGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country in 2024, this day is especially crucial this year.

Pierce College does a strong job of supporting queer students, including by offering several LGBTQ+ support services. The country as a whole has a long way to go, however.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, 479 anti-LGTBQ+ bills have been introduced in more than 30 states in the first three months of this year alone. The aims of some of these bills include banning gender-affirming care for minors, revoking the rights of transgender people from updating their gender on IDs and driver’s licenses and banning transgender people from using bathrooms that match their gender identity, according to USA Today.

These types of bills legitimize transphobia and are the antithesis of what legislators

should focus on. When trans people are alienated, attacked and discriminated against, their lives can be altered or even ended. Just last month, nonbinary teen Nex Benedict died in what was ruled a suicide by the Oklahoma state medical examiner, the Associated Press reported. Benedict had faced bullying at school.

Benedict should still be here today. So should the many other queer young people who have died in recent years.

Even in these difficult times for the queer community, Transgender Day of Visibility is also a day of hope and

celebration of the plethora of contributions trans people have made to society. From Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender activist, to Dr. Rachel Levine, the U.S. assistant secretary of health and the first openly transgender Senate-confirmed federal official, transgender people make significant impacts, and it’s important to recognize them.

Trans people are people. They are students, teachers and Pierce community members. As a college and as a country, we must show trans people the love, support and acceptance that they and all people deserve.

Editorial: From the desk of the Roundup Pierce should offer personal finance workshops

College students have a lot on their minds, such as work, school, family and food. This leaves students with little time to manage their money properly. So Pierce should offer personal finance workshops to improve financial literacy.

Santa Monica College has one-hour workshops in which students learn fundamental financial planning skills, such as budgeting, savings, wise spending, tax planning, credit and debt management and investment. Workshops are also offered via Zoom.

According to innovativeeducators.org, this workshop will guide students through 10 essential money management skills necessary to take a more active role in managing their finances.

Although Pierce offers personal finance classes, students may need more help.

Many students cannot make a semester-long commitment for a financial management class. However, a one- or twoday workshop could offer a substantial amount of advice in a short period of time.

Another option to solve this

dilemma is by offering advice through the Counseling Center.

College students have not learned the basics of financial planning and proper money management. According to investopedia, financial illiteracy is common, with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) attributing it to 66 percent of Americans.

According to mindtreasures. com, financial illiteracy causes broken homes, school dropouts, dependency on predatory lending (payday loans) and government benefits, health issues (stress, depression,

anxiety), bankruptcies, foreclosures, divorces and homelessness.

Some other disadvantages that can happen as a result of this is being overconfident. According to cliftoncorbin.com, overconfidence could lead them to make poor decisions, such as taking on too much debt or investing in high-risk ventures.

Personal finance workshops would greatly benefit college students and would prepare them to independently manage their money in the real world.

A look into the archives: 70 years of the Roundup

On this day 33 years ago, the Roundup News published Volume 74 Number 7.

Pierce College ordered the removal of condom machines from the men’s and women’s bathrooms due to poor maintenance by an external vendor.

A final list of candidates for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees Municipal Primary Election were announced and the Roundup obtained responses from 11 candidates.

Staff writer David Thun wrote about the Electronic Music Lab, where beginner students learn to operate synthesizers and computers, and advanced students learn on the mixing board to modify and edit soundtracks.

The baseball team used an in-house tape created by

Copy

the Music Department in Room 3401 of the Music Building. According to Head Coach Bob Lyons, the tape is used when there is a low turnout, as “it would not be worth it for the band to come and play.”

Taco Bell ran an advertisement for its “New Fiesta Menu,” claiming its “done it again” selling select fast food for 39 cents.

The Valley College Bookstore ran an advertisement about the Macintosh LC.

Staff writer David De Metz wrote about CSUN professor of journalism Michael Emery, who interviewed Jordan’s King Houssein. Emery asked Brahmas “Not to rely on mainstream media, but to seek alternatives,” and listed examples such as Village Voice Newspaper and National Public Radio.

by Christian Castellanos.

A March 20, 1991, archived issue of the Roundup in the newsroom on Dec. 19, 2023. Photo by Raquel G. Frohlich.

Yes: Free education leads to a greater society Should college tuition be free?

By Marcus Nocerino Reporter

College costs in the United States have been rising faster than inflation, and many students have faced financial problems. College should be free for many young students who want or need an education.

Arguments for debt-free education include personal benefits and the fact that education helps to positively impact society. The ability to provide free education has become more possible over time.

The five reasons why college education should be free are because it improves society, widens the workforce, boosts the economy, increases inequality and focuses on their studies.

According to The University of People website, “Arguments against free education include the fact that taxes may increase,

cost of attending private colleges has grown to $50,000 per year, according to The New York Times. Texas and Michigan are experimenting with plans to reduce or eliminate tuition for

free university education to the poorer students who are also entitled to subsidized loans.”

money for school expenses such as books, food, supplies and emergency expenses.

In the past three decades, the

No: Free college is impractical

By Tyler Hale Opinion Editor

Just on principle by itself, free college wouldn’t benefit society, school systems or the students. It’s what the ancient Greeks would call a siren song by politicians asking you for their vote. For those unfamiliar, it refers to “The Odyssey,” in which the hero came across the sirens, fair maidens of the sea who used their beautiful voices to entice sailors to sail their ships into jagged rocks to drown them.

To add credence to Milton Friedman’s saying, “There is no such thing as a free lunch,” the financial burden would instead fall on the taxpayers to pay the expenses. This includes graduating students and their children.

What would be the catastrophic consequences? Students lose the incentive to economize, as would the colleges, as George Leef explained in his article, “Why ‘Free College’ is a Terrible Idea.” Former Harvard University president Derek Bok said his fellow presidents “share a common trait with gambling

addicts and exiled royalty—there is never enough money.”

With no fear of losing students because of high tuition or fees, “the only remaining constraint on their spending would be how much money they can wheedle out of Uncle Sam.” It’s troubling, considering how bleak many Americans feel about the economy.

Half of the states in the U.S. have embraced similar situations, seeking to cover at least some tuition expenses for some students. According to The New York Times in 2022, “Starting in July, New Mexico will go a step further: It will completely cover tuition for all state residents who attend public colleges and

According to authors Gudrun Biffl & Joe Isaac of “Should Higher Education Students Pay Tuition Fees?,” “Countries which charge comparatively high fees make the fees dependent on parent income, thus providing

Some European countries, including England, experimented with free community college for decades and the results do not promise high confidence with the practice. Enrollments soared in the UK, but as government revenues started to strain, schools had to set a cap on the number of students admitted. Other countries saw decreases in

Biffl and Isaac also explained future welfare costs, stating that, “Welfare costs may be expected to increase as a result of industrial restructuring and non-traditional employment contracts and greater instability of families.”

Free college tuition can help society by developing educated, problem-solving members of the community. If more people enter school and focus their studies on booming industries, the population will be better equipped to cope with economic changes.

How much should a 4-year university tuition cost?

“I feel for a four-year tuition for me—I want to go to UCLA—so I say about $37,000 to $40,000 dollars for four years.”

Samuel Reynolds Jr - Sociology major

compared to about 7 percent of millennials. Only 49 percent of millennials were able to own their own home by the age of 35, compared to 62 percent of boomers. This reinforces the latters’ general notoriety as the pampered, everyone-deserves-atrophy generation.

set in 2003. The authors didn’t attribute the decline to changes in significant choices or changes in student composition. Instead, they observed “substantial changes over time in the quantity or manner of human capital production in college campuses.”

“A four-year tuition in my opinion, should cost around, I’d say $30,000. Depending on some students who will be living on the campus for a long time, depending on what they’re majoring in, exactly. And some students will be living in the dorms, so I think the pay just depends on how much they can afford their classes. And what they do in between. I think it’ll be different for each student.”

Kevin Kumbaki - Child development major

California already faces a $58 billion deficit, and more people are voicing their concerns over taxation and bureaucratic regulation. State residents have been leaving in significant droves, enough to cost one seat in Congress. And taxpayers will continue to pay the burden should any proposition for free college be pursued, regardless of how enticing the politicians in

It’s not just an economic problem but a generational one, particularly for millennials. According to a study published in the Hill, researchers have noticed troubling trends in contrast to the baby boom generation. For example, “17 percent of the boomers were able to secure prestigious career paths after graduating from college,”

These troubling trends must worry parents whether college students truly will be able to soar into the real world where selfresponsibility is in short supply.

Multiple programs and grants exist that students can take advantage of if they struggle with their finances, including the California College Promise Program. This program was originally the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, which was passed in 1985 to waive application and enrollment fees for low-income students.

Heritage Foundation’s Mary Clare Amselem proposed one simple solution back in 2019. Instead of selling free college as a throwaway campaign promise, “policymakers should encourage competition and innovation by reducing regulatory burdens for streamlined educational alternatives.”

“I think it should cost around maybe $60,000. Mostly because in these big universities, they come with many accessibilities and materials to use for you to learn to succeed. They live on campus, libraries and many classes that just give many opportunities for majors, as well. So I feel when coming into a four-year university a high price range is needed for students with all those needs that they need in order to succeed or fail.”

Christopher Jacobo Madero - Business marketing major

“I’ll say $12,000 [a year] because I feel they will make you pay for parking, food, dorms, books and stuff. I know all that could cost up to it so I’d say somewhere around there.”

Jayden Roberson - Psychology major

“Well with dorming I think those cost $15,000. Over the course of four years, I would say in addition to dorming with the food and just tuition in general. It really depends where you’re going but for example, I think USC, probably, upwards of $100,000.”

Adrian Crisol - Civil engineering major

Quotes gathered by Alfonso Vargas

Photos by Icy Smith

Academic Senate talks bots, course standards

By Violet Garcia Online Editor

Dystopian robot films where bots blend in with humans are no longer a thing of fiction. Bots have now entered academia, posing as students and infiltrating Canvas courses.

A plan of action to eliminate them was one of the issues discussed in Building 600 on March 11 at the Pierce College Academic Senate meeting.

The bot issue began as false enrollments, which was an easier thing to resolve—professors would simply drop the inactive “students.”

Recently, bots have begun to submit assignments, as well. The submissions are mostly unintelligible nonsense but it has made it harder to weed them out, according to Academic Affairs Senator Wendy Bass.

First Vice President Cara Gillis stated the executive committee acknowledged the presence of bots, both locally and at the district level.

Interim President Ara Aguiar congratulated the Theatre and Media Arts departments. Both departments recently received awards presented by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and

the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

Theater professor Shaheen Vaaz added to the announcement.

“We took close to 30 students, but we had overall winners in both directing and projections,” Vaaz said. “Then, a lot of finalists and a ton of runner-ups.”

The first issue addressed was after Articulation Officer Cristina Rodriguez provided an update on the past scores report.

The new goal is to build common core restrictors that will set a standard for courses to fit UC transfer and CalGETC requirements. These parameters include identical pre-requisite courses, required course topics, course numbers and descriptions.

Rodriguez explained that the committee requested an extension but the latest plan is to roll out three separate phases between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027.

A few professors pushed back due to the delay in implementing these standards.

Faculty Senate Secretary Jennifer Moses said she feels the concept proposed—creating an identical baseline—is valid, but not allowing for regional modifications can create issues.

“The idea is to have common course descriptions, content and numbering so students who are much more mobile now can

News Briefs

Traffic accident by Brahma Drive entrance

Atwo-car traffic accident occurred on Tuesday, March 12, at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Calvert Street, at the Pierce College sign at the end of Brahma Drive.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Isaac Jorge, one of the two people involved in the accident was a student on his way to class.

The accident happened off campus, and the investigation is being done by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Both the student and the driver in the other car were transported to a hospital for further medical evaluation.

According to Jorge, Plant Facilities assessed the Pierce sign, and no damage was inflicted to it by the cars.

At this time, it is unknown who the student was or the name of the other driver.

The drivers were walking and able to respond to questions from the fire department, according to a later email from Jorge. Both drivers were transported to the hospital as a precaution.

know that an apple is an apple and Psych I is Psych I,” Moses said. “It’s so they can take their classes and not worry so much about ‘Is this flavor of this class the same as this one.’ It sounds like a fantastic idea but then you essentially freeze courses in amber, you can’t change them.”

Moses’ main concern is what will happen if teachers aren’t able to adapt their courses for students according to their changing needs.

Other senators repeated similar views.

One of the last issues covered was a student body concern with overlaps in class time slots along with a tentative solution brought to the faculty’s attention by President Margarita Pillado.

“The proposal then is to form a task force with the department chairs, the counselors etc., to figure out the data and maybe try to diversify our in-person schedule,” Pillado said.

CAOT (Computer Applications and Office Technology) Senator Marcus Anderson proposed a student poll.

“A good thing would be for the school to send out a survey to all students,” Anderson said. “For example, ‘What is your major, what times and what classes are interesting face-to-face and online.’”

En español

Accidente de tráfico por la entrada de Brahma Drive

Un accidente involucrando dos carros ocurrió el martes en la intersección de la Avenida Winnetka y la calle Calvert, sobre la entrada de Brahma Drive, resultando en dos conductores con lesiones.

El Diputado del departamento del Los Angeles County Sheriff Isaac Jorge, quien estuvo en la escena del accidente, dijo que uno de los conductores de los carros chocados era un estudiante en camino a su clase.

El accidente fué considerado fuera de las instalaciones de Pierce, y la investigación está llevada a cabo por el Departamento de Policía de Los Ángeles.

Jorge dijo que el estudiante y el conductor del otro carro fueron transportados en ambulancias al hospital para ser evaluados.

Jorge también dijo que representantes de instalaciones de la planta evaluaron el rótulo del colegio, y no reportaron daño.

En este momento, no se sabe quien es el estudiante o el otro conductor del carro.

Los conductores aún podían

Brahma

Crime Log

Campus Incident Report

March 12, 2024 A traffic accident was handled by LAPD.

March 13, 2024 A student was transported from the Student Health Center for a medical emergency to a local hospital for further evaluation.

A two-car traffic accident by the Brahma Drive entrance at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2024.

Fabiola Carrizosa / Roundup News

Off the beaten path

Wild Art

The inside of an abandoned chicken coop by the fenced-off Old Trapper’s Lodge between the Earth Sciences building and the farm at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 7, 2024. Photo by Owen Meza-Vandermeer.

LAPC Theatre previews first production of spring semester

Students perform a romantic drama featuring musical pieces with Brazilian folklore influences

By Violet Garcia Online Editor

Scene partners Angelo Rosales and Rocio Ibarras stood together and rehearsed an argument between their characters. In the moment, as the pair intensely channeled

Helena and Duarte, Rosales began to cry.

“It was so unexpected,” Rosales said. “We were arguing and just got really into it. I was like ‘I don’t know what’s happening. What is going on?’”

Rosales’ and Ibarras’ creative decisions proved powerful enough to genuinely affect each other’s emotions, eventually leading to what Ibarras said was an authentic performance.

LAPC Theatre presents “The River Bride” as the

first Spring 2024 production, directed by Theatre Professor Esdras Toussaint. This romantic drama features musical pieces along with Brazilian folklore influences.

With a cast of six individuals, the play takes the audience through the lives of sisters Helena and Belmira as the pair experience infatuation, jealousy and heartbreak.

Set in a Brazilian fishing town along the Amazon River, the production opens with Helena—portrayed by first-year theatre student Ibarras—feeling apprehensive about Belmira’s wedding.

Although the play has romantic elements sprinkled throughout, at its core, it is about a raw portrayal of complex family dynamics and what moves people, according to

Ibarras.

“There’s pain, there’s love and there’s also fear,” Ibarras said. “Every action we make is either fueled by love or fueled by fear, it’s what drives us [along with] their consequences.”

Another recurring theme is taking risks and the ability to overcome them.

Theatre major Rosales, who portrays Duarte, stated that learning to accept the results is a major point.

“I want the audience to take away that at some point you have to take a risk and it can go either way but to be okay with the outcome, to just know ‘Hey I went for it, it didn’t work out and that’s fine,’” Rosales said.

A combination of roles makes the effects seen in the show possible, from set design to

part of it. I’m asking for blocking situations and he doesn’t tell you, ‘Do this. Do that. Move here.’ He just digs deep into, ‘What is your intention, what would your character do?’” Ibarras said. “He really asks the right questions in order for us to move naturally and authentically.”

“The River Bride” will open at the Dow Arena Theatre on Friday, March 22, and run until Sunday, March 31. Showtimes for Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, and $20 for general

admission.

Free parking is located in Lot 6, next to the Performing Arts Building.

LAPC Theatre’s venues are accessible to those with mobile disabilities and hearing impairments.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, call (818) 719-6488, or visit lapctheatre.org to purchase tickets online.

lighting and music choices.

The stage manager position is especially significant as they are responsible for ensuring the production runs smoothly for all, according to Ibarras and Paez..

“Victoria, the stage manager, and Andrew are all so amazing. They are just so professional,” Ibarras said.

The individual responsible for the show’s creative execution both onstage and offstage is

“There’s pain, there’s love and there’s also fear. Every action we make is either fueled by love or fueled by fear, it’s what drives us [along with] their consequences.”

Rocio Ibarras

First-year theatre student

“Coming from being in film productions before, I came in with no expectations. They care about the story as much as we do and are very mindful of our time.”

Toussaint. The cast members remarked how Toussiant’s directing style is unlike any they have experienced

previously. They were the most familiar with a tyrannical approach, but Toussaint’s loose reins have allowed them to freely express their characters. Ibarras recalls a time when the cast was rehearsing scene work together. Directors typically will “block out” a scene, meaning deciding where the actors will travel onstage, but Toussaint encouraged the actors to explore their characters instead.

“Going back to the freedom

Theater professor Esdras Toussaint oversees the rehearsal of “The River Bride” in the Dow Arena Theatre at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2024.

Myraneli Fabian / Roundup News

(L to R) Angelo Rosales, Jacob Gonzalez, Rocio Ibarra, Emelysse Paez, Pahola Godinez and Trevor Bowens (laying down) rehearse for the play “The River Bride” in the Dow Arena Theatre at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2024.

Myraneli Fabian / Roundup News

Rocio Ibarra (L) rehearses with Trevor Bowens (R) for the play “The River Bride” in the Dow Arena Theatre at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2024.

Myraneli Fabian / Roundup News

How much of it is an act?

French Film Festival opens with a period dark comedy

By Spencer Fuller Reporter

Acrime film with a comedy twist set in the 1930s opened the 2024 French Film Festival at Pierce College on March 12.

The first film of the festival was “The Crime is Mine (Mon crime),” directed by François Ozon. The film follows young actress Madeleine Verdier, played by Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and her rise to fame after being acquitted for murder. Students, staff and faculty attended the event in the Multicultural Center.

“It’s just like a way to get people together, to have fun, French food, and it’s just a lot of fun,” said Bassirat, a business administration major. “Just socially, to get Pierce students in one room, talking and just enjoying being there.”

For student Shereen Saiyed, it was her first time attending the French Film Festival.

“My major is music,” said Saiyed, who is also a student of French professor and coorganizer of the event Denis

before they start working on the post-production—the director and the composer will sit down and watch the whole movie as a rough cut, in what they call a spotting session,” Cross said. “And so they’ll identify each section of the movie that the director feels music needs to be there.”

Cross also offered his perspective on the music score of “Mon crime.”

“It’s about bringing people together, watching a French movie, learning more about the culture.”

One of the guest speakers during the reception was Benoît Labat, the Higher Education and Language Attaché of the Consulate General of France. After the film, attendees participated in a Q&A session led by Commercial Music Professor Mark Cross.

Vice President of the French Club Chloe Bassirat said it was about bringing people together while learning more about the culture.

Chloe Bassirat French Club Vice President

“I love a full orchestral score,” Cross said. “To me, that’s always fine, but I liked how the music would almost punctuate the comedy. When they would say a very comedic line, then you’d hear this ‘bum, bum.’ Well, of course, but it was done very tastefully, and so it always made me smile.”

Center for Academic Success (CAS) Student Success Workshop

The CAS hosts a series of in-person and virtual Student Success workshops, covering research skills, ESL (English as a Second Language) pronounciation, chemistry lab skills, anxiety management and more. In-person workshops this week include ESL Reading + Vocabulary Skills: Short Stories from 11:30-12:30 p.m. on March 20, Editing Skills: Sentence Style and Variety from 1-2 p.m. on March 20 and ESL Pronounciation: Vowels from 2-3 p.m. on March 21, all of which are in LLC 5130.

Pra. “While I’m singing French songs, that’s another reason why I’m here—to learn more about the culture, about the language.”

Music in film and media works best when it is complementing the scene, said Cross in an answer to a question from the audience.

“What happens in music for film—the film is finished but

The French Film Festival will run until Tuesday, March 26. The last film of the event will be on April 18 for Multicultural Day.

French professor Denis Pra (left) and music professor Mark Cross (right) speak during the first event of the French Film Festival in the Multicultural Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 12, 2024.

Fabiola Carrizosa / Roundup News

A packet covering details of “The Writing Process” Workshop in LLC 5130 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Kyle Camacho / Roundup News

English Professor Mary Jane Atkins conducts “The Writing Process” Workshop in LLC 5130 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Kyle Camacho / Roundup News

English Professor Mary Jane Atkins conducts “The Writing Process” Workshop in LLC 5130 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Kyle Camacho / Roundup News

Our home from another perspective

Physics and Planetary Science Department Chair Dale Fields answers questions at the Planetarium Show in the Center for the Sciences Building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 18, 2024.

Veronica Rosas / Roundup News

Celebrating Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez Day, a federal holiday, is observed each year on March 31. Last week in the Multicultural Center, the grandson of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, Eduardo Chavez, screened his feature documentary, “Hailing Cesar,” and led a Q&A session.

The film is about Eduardo Chavez’s journey to understand the legacy and struggle of his grandfather, and the event of a screening followed by a Q&A and discussion has been brought to more than 100 high schools and colleges throughout the country, according to the film’s website.

“It’s good to remember the struggles that people have gone through so that we could have the kinds of freedoms and union and support and social change that the movement resulted into,” Pierce Interim President Ara Aguiar said in a recent interview.

“I do think that it’s important to remember the history so that we can continue to build on it and continue to make social change and get better in terms of fairness and equity.”

Copy by Raquel G. Frohlich. Christian Castellanos contributed to this story.

En español

El día de Cesar Chavez, un día feriado, es reconocido cada año el 31 de marzo. La semana pasada en el Multicultural Center, el nieto del activista de derechos civiles Cesar Chavez, Eduardo

Professor of Communication Studies Barbara Anderson applauds at the end of the documentary “Hailing Cesar” in the Multicultutral Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Chavez, expuso su documental, “Hailing Cesar,” y dirigió una sesión de preguntas y respuestas.

El documental trata del proceso de Eduardo Chavez para entender el legado y lucha de su abuelo. Después de la proyección, sigio una sesión de preguntas y respuestas y una discusión que ha sido llevada a más de 100 escuelas preparatorias y colegios a través del el país, según el sitio web del documental.

“Es bueno recordar los esfuerzos por la gente a pasado

para tener los tipos de libertades y unidad y ayuda y cambio social que resultó del movimiento”, dijo Presidente Provisional de Pierce Ara Aguiar en una entrevista reciente. “Yo si pienso que es importante recordar la historia para que sigamos creciendo y seguir haciendo cambio social y mejorar en respeto a la justicia e igualdad [traducido de inglés a español]”.

Translation by Gerardo Escobar.

Film director Eduardo Chavez speaks to the audience in the Multicultural Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024. Eduardo Chavez is the grandson of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez and his documentary “Hailing Cesar” was screened during the Celebrating Cesar Chavez event.

Sophie Lotterstein / Roundup News

Attendees watch the documentary “Hailing Cesar” in the Multicultural Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Owen Meza-Vandermeer / Roundup News

Sophie Lotterstein / Roundup News

Open house, healthy students

Students may not know where to go when it comes to getting help for their physical health concerns, which can lead to their mental health being affected, as well.

The Student Health Center Open House and Resource Fair on March 14 allowed students to come in and ask questions on topics they weren’t sure of or wanted to learn more about.

The nurse practitioners, medical directors, student health assistants and student workers organized the event so more people are able to know about the services they offer, not only for physical health, but also for mental health.

The Student Health Center wants students to know that they are welcome at any moment. The health fair allowed for students to come in and tour the center and to learn more about its resources, according to Student Health Center Director Houry Tanashian.

En español

Aveces los estudiantes no saben dónde encontrar ayuda para sus problemas de salud físico, lo que también puede afectar su salud mental.

En el evento del Centro de Salud Estudiantil y la Feria de Recursos el 14 de marzo, los estudiantes vinieron y hicieron preguntas sobre temas de los que no estaban seguros o sobre los que querían aprender más.

Las enfermeras practicantes, directores médicos, asistentes de salud estudiantil y trabajadores estudiantiles organizaron este evento para que más personas puedan conocer los servicios que ofrecen, no solo para la salud física, sino también para la salud mental.

Uno de los objetivos del

“Students need to be aware of this wonderful resource on campus because we provide a lot of services that are essential for health and well-being, a lot of the services are at no cost for the students,” Tanashian said.

Medical Director Mitchell Nishimoto explained that education is always important, and everybody is there to learn.

“The more we can educate, the more we can help people feel better and stay in better health,” Nishimoto said. “It helps that whole education process but we always wish we would provide more services whether it is outreach, acute medical or educational stuff. All those things are important so we try to do as best as we can considering the resources we have. We can always do better. We want to keep always trying to challenge ourselves, whether it’s health or knowledge or whatever it might be.”

Copy by Karla Delgado.

evento era que los estudiantes sepan que son bienvenidos al centro cuando quieran. El evento de salud se creó para que los estudiantes vinieran, visitaran el centro y aprendieran más sobre sus recursos, según la directora del Centro de Salud Estudiantil, Houry Tanashian.

“Los estudiantes deben ser conscientes de este recurso maravilloso importante en el campus porque tenemos muchos servicios que son esenciales para la salud y el bienestar, muchos de los servicios son gratuitos para los estudiantes [traducido de inglés a español]”, Tanashian dijo.

El director médico Mitchell Nishimoto dijo que la educación siempre es importante y que todos estaban allí para aprender.

“Cuando educamos a más personas, podemos ayudar a que más personas se sientan mejor y mantengan una mejor salud”, dijo Nishimoto. “Ayuda a todo el proceso educativo, pero siempre deseamos tener más servicios, incluyendo servicios de publicidad, atención médica de emergencia o aspectos educativos. Todas esas cosas son importantes, por eso tratamos de hacerlo lo mejor que podemos considerando los recursos que tenemos. Siempre podemos hacerlo mejor. Queremos seguir siempre intentando desafiarnos a nosotros mismos, ya sea en salud, conocimiento o lo que sea [traducido de inglés a español]”.

Translation by Delilah Brumer.

(L to R) Paula Beaver, office assistant at CalWORKs, and Maria Filip, an administrative assistant, listen attentively as Houry Tanashian, director of the Student Health Center (SHC) and nurse practitioner, explains the mental health services they offer at the SHC and the ability for students to get free therapy sessions during the Student Health Center Open House and Resource Fair at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024.

Karla Delgado / Roundup News

Erika Pariona, a social justice major and EOPS student worker, stops by the display table with items to take home during the Student Health Center Open House and Resource Fair at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 13, 2024. “I stop in sometimes when I need Tylenol or feminine hygiene products or when I need more information about certain things and they are very helpful about it,” Pariona said.

Karla Delgado / Roundup News

Mykhailo Kolbasov, a computer science major and student worker at CalWORKs, scans the QR code to sign up for NARCAN that they can recieve in case of a drug overdose.

Karla Delgado / Roundup News

Brahmas fall short against top-ranked Vikings

A strong defense wasn’t enough for

By Delilah Brumer News Editor

Despite some close sets, Pierce College men’s volleyball couldn’t gain a lead over Long Beach City College, losing 0-3 in a home game on March 15.

The Vikings posed fierce

side,” Arechiga said. “Then, we took care of those smaller things and were able to hang with them. It got away from us at the end, but everyone really bought into it and played every single point.”

For outside hitter Vincent Harris, Pierce’s hustle in the second set was one of highlights of the game.

“We really put it together, even though we didn’t come out with the win. It showed that Pierce volleyball is on the come up.”

Vincent Harris Outside Hitter

competition, heading into Friday’s match with a six game winning streak—and the top rank in the California Community College Athletic Association Western State Conference. The Brahmas’ record entering the South Gym was 1-6, as they looked to turn around a tough start to the season.

“As far as battling, I think we played really well and we showed a lot of heart when we played,” Head Coach Joseph Arechiga said. “I’m really proud of how we played, but I think we have to pick up the pressure at the service line.”

The Vikings’ consistency at the service line posed a challenge for the Brahmas, according to Arechiga. This strength from the Vikings led to a first set score of 14-25.

The second set proved to be a nail-biter, with the Brahmas putting up a persistent defense. The high-intensity set ended in a 23-25 score.

“That second set showed that we were seeing their tendencies and made adjustments on our

“It’s always going to be a challenge playing against [Long Beach],” Harris said. “We really

College outside hitter Luis Penate (#7) goes up for a hit in a game against Long Beach College in the South Gym at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 15, 2024.

Sports Briefs

Pierce students to compete in National Hillel Basketball Tournament

Seven Pierce College students—for the first time—will be participating in the National Hillel Basketball Tournament at the University of Maryland, according to Pierce student and organizer of the team Arshia Kohanteb.

“Hillel is a Jewish organization and they opened their doors to campuses across the nation,” Kohanteb said. “And they invited

men’s

volleyball, losing 0-3 to Long Beach City College

put it together, even though we didn’t come out with the win. It showed that Pierce volleyball is on the come up. We’re getting better and better, every day, every game, every practice.”

The Brahmas lost the final set 18-25, making up some ground at the end of the set after a wide gap at the beginning.

teams made up of Jewish college students to come and compete for fun.”

The seven students include computer science majors Etai Turgeman and Arshia Kohanteb, history majors Daniel Nikravesh, Josh Mahgerefteh, Aharon Sinai and Ben Sinai and business major David Paz.

“I’m just thankful for Hillel for allowing us to participate in this as community college students,” Kohanteb said. “And I’m proud of my team for committing to play—and let’s get the trophy.”

The tournament—which began in 2010—runs March 28-31. The Pierce Team is first scheduled to play in preliminary games against Yeshiva University, the

University of Maryland and Baruch College, according to Kohanteb.

Four Pierce Brahma basketball players honored for their yearlong efforts

With the Pierce basketball season ending after the home game double header Sophomore Night on Feb. 23, four basketball players were recognized for their season-long efforts in the sport.

Chassen Gutierrez, a

“I think this year, our team is really good at defense and it showed,” setter Karl Manolong said. “We’re still working on our offense. We’ve sometimes been beat on our blocks, especially by some of the taller guys.”

The Brahmas’ next game will be at home at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, against

sophomore from Fairfax High School, averaged 14.6 points per game and 18.6 points per 40 minutes. Gutierrez, along with Keshawn Christian, a sophomore from Iowa City High School who averaged 19.3 points per game and 20 points per 40 minutes, made it onto the 1st team all Western State Conference list for men’s and women’s basketball. Isaiah Salim and Tijera Henry were named as honorable mentions.

A win for softball

Softball won its first game of the season against the Ventura College Pirates.

Santa Barbara City College. “There were a lot of highs in this game,” middle blocker Lars Hart said. “For [next week], we’re going to keep the energy up and stay loud.”

The score was 28-22.

The win came with challenges for softball at Pierce College. The team played its first game in four years in 2023 and had to forfeit the 2018 and 2020 season due to not having enough players.

The Brahmas go up against the Cuesta College Cougars Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

(L to R) Copy by Raquel G. Frohlich, Sadie Shields and Christian Castellanos.

Pierce

Abraham Elizalde / Roundup News

Pierce College middle hitter Lars Hart (#3) goes up for a hit in a game against Long Beach College in the South Gym at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 15, 2024. The Brahmas lost 0-3.

Abraham Elizalde / Roundup News

Pierce swim team deals with aquatic adaptations

By Raiden Vazquez Reporter

The pool at Pierce College has been closed since October 2022, but the swim team is still active without it. Lacking a pool of their own, the team practices at other pools such as the indoor one on the Woodcrest School grounds.

This change is not without its issues.

“In the beginning, it really affected our ability to swim,” team member Isabella Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also mentioned the uneven size and shape of the pool was affecting her backstroke.

Head Coach Judy Terhar said the biggest challenge the team has “is the water’s a little bit too hot” because Woodcrest is a preschool.

“They keep the temperature really, really warm for the babies,” Terhar said. “But these guys understand that you can’t let something like that bother you and you just need to work hard and they’re doing that.”

While the conditions aren’t ideal, swim captain Melina Farabolini said their performance

hasn’t dropped.

“I wouldn’t say it has affected me too much,” Farabolini said. “If anything, I think it has helped since the water is warm, so it’s helped my muscles.”

At Pierce, the small pool may be open again by the fall as the college is currently working to approve contracts to fix it, according to Interim President Ara Aguiar. The large pool will remain closed.

“The large pool continues to crumble,” Aguiar said in a recent interview. “A few more pieces of cement fell into it. It would cost so much money to repair.”

Aguiar added it would take three to four years to get permission to repair.

Whenever a swim meet takes place, the team takes advantage of the competitive environment for training.

“When we get to the meets, they’re so energized because the water is a normal temperature,” Terhar said. “We spend an extra hour early at the meet so we can practice.”

The next swim meet will be March 29 at 11 a.m. at LA Valley College.

Baseball loses 12-2 against the Cougars

Megan Arana / Roundup News

BOTTOM: Orion Hahm-Taklender (#21, right) catches the ball while tagging first base to get Nathan Reese (#12, left), earning the second out during the fourth inning.

Megan Arana / Roundup News

A youth soccer league holds games on Pierce College’s fields near Winnetka Avenue and Victory Boulevard in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 17, 2024. The Pierce public campus is used by the community almost daily.

Benjamin Hanson / Roundup News

LEFT: Pitcher Jayden Shim (#31) pitches during the top of the first inning, trying to combat the Santa Ana winds during the baseball game against Cuesta College on the Joe Kelly Field at Pierce College in Woodland Hills Calif., on March 14, 2024.