May 12, 2010

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CERRITOS COLLEGE

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MAY 12, 2010

VOLUME 54, NO. 22

Student body honored for service at banquet Cherelle Tisby

Staff Writer cherelle.tisby@talonmarks.com

The Associated Students of Cerritos College hosted a banquet to honor clubs and provide scholarships to students that have shown great commitment to the college.

ASCC scholarships went to David Aguirre, Brittnee Dennis, Yessenia Cortez, Oscar Franco, Pritika Hirani, Jiyeon Hong, Areal Hughes, Briana Koeppe, Luis Ong, and Marco Tolento.

The Man & Women of the Year award went to ASCC Vice President Felipe Grimaldo, 2009 Homecoming Queen Evelia Mendoza, and ASCC Chief Justice Suzanne Grijalva.

Grimaldo was awarded The ASCC President Gavel in addition to receiving the President’s Award

presented by Dr. Linda Lacy with honor calling him “an outstanding young man.”

Grimaldo said “I am very happy to be recognized for my participation throughout the year. I am happy to share the title of Man & Woman of the year with Grijalva and Mendoza. They both deserve it for their great leadership commitment, and I know they care about our school, and have good intentions.”

Service and Leadership certificates also recognized outstanding Student Advisers, along with recognizing all the clubs that participated in the Hoe Down Days.

The International Club was recognized for having the most school spirit.

The ASCC also distributed Athletes of the Year Awards to Luis Gonzalez and Hillary Perez-Ashley.

Terrell Berry, former President of Black Student Union, received the Gold Falcon award for excel student services, and participation in school programs, in addition with the Frantone’s scholarship worth $1500.

He also received an award for outstanding student, that came with a scholarship. “With this being my last year I am pleased to be honored for my involvement with school activities. I feel that being involved in these clubs will enhance my skills in school and work.”

Special Interest awards went to Denise Marshall, and Dean Ackland.

A new type of scholarship, the iFalcon Scholarships went to students Alejandro Nunez, and Daniel Murillo, among others.

Steve Kim/TM

Who da man?: Suzanne Grijalva and Evie Mendoza tied for Woman of the Year while Felipe Grimaldo won Man of the Year.

Falcons soar to Ackland: commencement Coordinator this weekend of 24 years retires This year’s graduation will be held at Falcon Stadium on Saturday Marquisha Hames

Staff Writer marquisha.hames@talonmarks.com

Gigi Cervantes/TM

Done with Cerritos: Coordinator of Student Activities Dean Ackland will retire this semester. He began the In-N-Out truck tradition here at Cerritos his first year on the job. He hopes people will remember that he always cared about the students and that all the little things he did behind the scenes was for them.

‘Man behind the curtain’ retires Elieth Koulzons

Editor-in-Chief editor@talonmarks.com

It’s the spring semester of 1986 and in walks a tall and slender male with a sport coat and tie into the Student Activities office as the new Coordinator of Student Activities.

Twenty four years later, that tall and slender male that walked into that office that day as his first day on the job not really knowing what to do, has become a beloved and adored member of the Cerritos College faculty and is now retiring.

Coordinator of Student Activities Dean Ackland will no longer be a faculty member of the college by the end of this semester.

His retirement has come as a surprise to many faculty members and students.

Psychology major Andrew Munoz said, “I couldn’t believe (Ackland) was retiring. I saw the post that Talon Marks put on its Facebook page before his retirement was approved by the Board of Trustees and all I could think to myself was ‘Please don’t approve it, please don’t approve it, please don’t approve it.’ I was shocked and to be a honest quite sad.”

Though some are left in awe, Ackland’s re-

tirement has been an issue him and his wife have been discussing for some time now.

“It wasn’t like one day I just got up and said ‘I’m going to retire soon.’ It’s something that my wife and I have discussed for a while now.

I’m old enough to retire and there comes a point where you just know when you’re ready,” he said.

Art major Marisela Moreno thought that maybe his retirement had to do with the economic state that our state and country is in.

See DEAN Page 3

Cerritos College will hosts its 53rd Annual Commencement Ceremony to honor graduating students this Saturday at 5 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.

The stadium doors will open for students and their guests at 3 p.m.

Tickets are required for entrance to the ceremony and the gates are located on both the northeast and northwest sides of Falcon Stadium.

However, absolutely no strollers will be allowed in the stadium.

Students who are participating in this year’s graduation were required to take the following steps in order to be a part of the ceremony: 1. Must have completed a Petition for Association in Art Degree/ Certificate of Achievement forms.

However, if a student did not fill this form, he may still participate, but will not have his name printed in the Commencement Ceremony Program.

2. If a student did complete this form, he received an information packet between April 19 and April 23 that explained the procedures that will be followed during the commencement ceremony.

3. If a student did not receive anything in regard to the Com-

mencement Ceremony in the mail, contact or visit the Student Activities Center as soon as possible. You may also call it at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2471.

4. If a student has more questions that need to be answered about the ceremony, please contact or visit the Admissions and Recording office or the Counseling office.

After the Commencement Ceremony is over the graduates will receive a letter from the Admissions and Records office advising them when their diplomas will be ready for pick up.

Liberal Arts Major Ana Fletes said, “I feel good and happy that I am graduating with honors in the Commencement Ceremony. I feel that all my hard work has paid off.

My plans are to transfer to either Cal State Long Beach or Fullerton University.”

This year’s guest speaker will be Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

Knabe was first elected to the board in November of 1996 and reelected in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

He was also elected to the Cerritos City Council in 1980 and served as a councilman for eight years.

Knabe earned his bachelor’s degree in business and administration from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

Recently he provided a funding of $100,000 to the college toward its new Automotive Partnership Building.

Students are stressed for finals week’s arrival Esmeralda Infante

Staff Writer esmeralda.infante@talonmarks.com

Billy Turner/TM

Ahh finals!: International business major Regina Lewis studies in the library for countless hours as finals week approaches.

Stress, panic, and frustration are common symptoms of those facing finals as their semester comes to an end. The dreadful all-nighter is one used among college students everywhere, and for some it works, but others aren’t quite as lucky.

Fortunately, there is a cure for this and Cerritos College students share their tips that could be beneficial to those stuck in a rut.

“I feel a little stress, but nothing to go crazy

about. I think finding time to study is probably my biggest worry,” said Rudi Maravilla, English major.

Finals at Cerritos begin May 17 and go throughout the week. Each class is allowed two hours for its students to finish their final. Finals begin as early as 6:30 a.m. with the latest ending at 10 p.m.

With students preparing for their finals sometimes tips and suggestions might come in handy.

It could relieve some of the stress and help them better prepare.

“The biggest advice I can give anyone in get-

ting through their finals with good grades, is not to procrastinate,” Maravilla said.

Procrastination is a vicious habit to acquire.

According to a study done at the University of South Florida, approximately 95 percent of the college students experience procrastination. This leads to students failing on exams and homework which could result in failing the class.

Maravilla also stated that managing his time wisely is of great importance and not to leave the studying for the final until the night before.

See FINALS Page 2

2 - NEWS

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

GMB raise funds to aid Honduras’ medically deprived Andrea Mora Opinion Editor opinion@talonmarks.com

Cerritos College Global Medical Brigades Club will be hosting a fundraiser on Monday at BJ’s restaurant, in Cerritos, to raise money to travel to Honduras to give medical aid to medical deprived residents.

For those interested in participating in the fundraiser the GMB Club will be handing out flyers that you have to present once you arrive at the restaurant.

BJ’s will donate 15 percent of the profits toward helping the GMB Club attain their goal.

GMB is a subdivision of the Global Brigades, a student led organization. Global Brigades work with various universities as well as professional doctors to bring medical assistance to poverty stricken countries.

Cerritos College GMB Club has partnered up with UCI’s GMB Club to send a team of students to Honduras so that they can provide medical care to the native people.

The trip is planned to take place in the summer, June 14-21.

President of GMB Club Nicole Zambolla, pre-med major, said, “ We’re raising money so we can go to Honduras to distribute medication, shadow doctors in Honduras at the mobile medical clinics, and help as much as we can.”

In order for students to travel abroad they must each raise $1,300 and get vaccinated for malaria and typhoid fever. The costs for the vaccinations are about $200.

Students must also attain a passport that runs at about $100; other ex-

penses include costs like food, room, and security.

An additional $1,000 was raised by club members to specifically pay for medication that they will be taking with them to Honduras.

The GMB Club has raised all of it’s money by fundraising.

Some types of fundraisers the club has done include door-to-door donations, pancake breakfast/grilled cheese sandwiches sold at the hill, tamales sales, and family/friends donations.

Jorge Sanchez, biology major, expects to get experience by working side-by-side with doctors and said, “We might get some hands on experience with the patients.”

He also mentioned that he is excited to go, “I’ve personally seen the poverty in Honduras, it’s very bad.

“There are many isolated villages in Honduras that don’t receive any medical attention because hospitals are scarce.”

The team will be moving from village to village providing medical care as well as dental care by the means of a mobile clinic.

The mobile clinic consists of five different stations: Intake (recording patient’s information), Triage (collecting main complaints and vitals), Consultations (shadowing the doctors while the patients are treated and diagnosed), Pharmacy (filling prescriptions) and Education (teaching patients on preventive healthcare).

Zambolla hopes that by embarking on this medical journey the club members experience hands on training, with the guidance of physicians, while “having impacts on those in need in rural Honduras.”

Vivian Aguirre

C

Staff Writer vivian.aguirre@talonmarks.com

erritos College students wore sombreros to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, in the Falcon Square Amphitheater, May 5.

With the collaboration of the History Department and the Sociedad de Profesores Hispanos the event was put together, aiming to educate and preserve the Chicano/Hispanic culture.

The Battle of Puebla fiesta included a crash course history lesson given by professor Walter Fernandez of the History Department summarizing the historic battle and the reason why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated.

Fernandez said, “Cinco de Mayo also known as The Battle of Puebla, commemorates the battle fought in the city of Puebla’ one of Mexico’s largest cities.

“The battle was fought in 1862, by the invading French army whose excuse was coming to collect the debt.”

Valerie Gomez, president of the speech and de-

Tri-Triathlon off to a rolling start Tiffini Thigpen

Staff Writer tiffini.thigpen@talonmarks.com

The second annual Tri-Triathlon will be held on Cerritos College campus June 5 at 7 am and doors open at 5:30 a.m.

Department Chairperson of The Health Physical Education of Athletics Division Dr. Ni Bueno said, “Our purpose is to increase wellness of health.”

The triathlon will consist of a 2-mile run, 7-mile bike and 400-meter swim and gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division.

“It’s a wonderful idea because it’s a perfect time to get fit,” Kathren Goldman, culinary arts major said.

You must be 8 years or older to participate in the event.

Cost to partake is Cerritos College students $20, collegiate $40, age groups $50, relay $90 plus a USAT fee of $10.

Because the event is run volun-

tarily, the proceeds will be donated to the Cerritos College Triathlon and Challenged Athletes Foundation.

The CAF organization is a foundation that helps buy equipment for athletes with special needs such as paraplegics and prosthetic arms and legs.

Jennifer Penate, psychology major said, “It’s very nice were doing this for students who are disabled that we can buy equipment for them and to raise awareness.”

The Norwalk High School track team, Lions Club, and Boy Scout Troop 549 will be volunteering.

It’s a great idea we are doing something positive for our community.

Kevin Hwang Hospitality Major

Bueno mentioned that volunteers are always welcomed and needed.

Passing out water and directing athletics are a few of the responsibilities.

“It’s a great idea we’re doing something really positive for our community,” said Kevin Hwang, hospitality major.

“I would love to be a part of something like this,” he added.

The event was sponsored in part

by Norwalk Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce member Mary Jae McIntosh, members of the Norwalk Coordinate Council and Tri-Zone.

There will be festivities and live music by DJ Charles LaMantia, and food for participants.

Participants can pick up their race number and all the free merchandise (t-shirts and goody bags) at the Cerritos College Physical Education office between 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

For more information contact Dr. Ni Bueno at NiBueno@cerritos. edu or (562) 860-2451 Ext. 2874.

Finals: Stress filled days and sleepless nights Continued from Page 1: Hannah Flanagan, sociology major, is a mother as well as a student, and suggests that studying well in advance is of great help.

With resources like iFalcon available to students, they can read articles on how to improve their study habits, and how to get help if they are struggling to study on their own.

Students also pitched in their ideas on what the college can do to improve its help during finals week.

“I would love it if there were online practice tests that we could take prior to our finals,” Flanagan said.

Maravilla commented that if the library hours were not extended then the college should definitely get on top of that.

Professors as well as students have helpful words of advice to those in need of a little help.

“The obvious stuff is found at iFalcon, but don’t procrastinate. Understanding is more important than rote memorization,” said Janet McLarty-Schroeder, professor of Astronomy and Physics.

Professors are of great help when it comes to finals

Billy Turner/TM

Cerritos celebrates 5 de Mayo

History lesson: Professor Walter Fernandez explains why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated every year on the fifth of May.

at times.

They are there to teach, but also to assist their students.

“Don’t be scared to ask your professor what material you should focus on. Most professors are very happy to help you with what you need to know for the final,” Maravilla suggested.

Flanagan said she would appreciate if the teachers would include answers along with their study guides to make it a bit easier to study the material.

Some students find it helpful to visit the Academic Support Center for help from many of the tutors employed there.

“I think tutoring is a great way to get some last minute help before crunch time really starts,” said undecided major Joana Calzada.

“It definitely wouldn’t hurt to get some extra help every now and then.”

Web sites like www.studygs.net are designed to help those in academic need. It ranges from everything to effective study habits to tips on how to take tests.

bate team, said, “I think that it is very important that we know what Cinco de Mayo actually means, it’s not just about taking tequila shots, we should learn about its actual meaning.”

Those who attended the event were seen enjoying the festivity with music, poetry readings and food.

A poetry session kicked off the fiesta, students took the stage and read their poems written both in Spanish and in English to the crowd.

Oscar Franco, ASCC president was one of the few who read their poem to the crowd. “I wasn’t prepared to read the poem, but I’m glad that I did, words are powerful.

“Reading the poem and its significance, motivated me and inspired me to keep going as an immigrant,” Franco said.

Throughout the event, the band Grupo Sabor made the crowd dance with its Latin-flavored music. Songs like “La Bamba” kept the students on their feet.

Linda Guandique, Teacher TRAC student program, said, “I think that the event is a great way of showing us another culture’s customs, and will

allow us to preserve Hispanic traditions.”

Carne asada burritos, chips, churros, and traditional Mexican horchata drink were some of the items on the menu that were sold by the members of the Puente Club .

Natasha Majano, co-president of the Puente Club, said, “We are selling burritos and horchata as a form of fundraiser for our members.

“The Puente Club is dedicated to help minority groups transferring to the UCs and CSUs of their choice, we had the support of professor Fernandez, to be part of this event,” Majano said.

A guest speaker of Chicano rights was invited to the event. With his guitar in hand, he was able to deliver his message and made the crowd laugh with his entertaining remarks.

Roberto Tijerina Cantú, author, musician and poet, said, “In my performance I talked about the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs, and all of the historical contributions these ancient, beautiful people were a part of.

“The idea of coming out is to embrace being part of the Hispanic culture and educate those who are not familiar with our traditions.”

NEWS - 3

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Dean: Retires after 17 years Continued from Page 1: However, Ackland clarified that he is not retiring because of financial need or anything to do financially.

He began his career here at Cerritos as both the Coordinator of Student Activities and the Assistant Basketball Coach to the men’s basketball team, aiding the head coach at the time who was Holly Bogdanovich’s dad.

Bogdanovich, Director of Student Activities, basically grew up with Ackland and now not only works with him in the Student Activities office but also lives across the highway from him.

She is also saddened that he is leaving and said “he was so many things to so many people.”

Judicial Affairs Assistant Nikki Jones and Program Assistant Nancy Bonilla, who also work with him in Student Activities, will miss him very much.

Jones said with her eyes welling up with tears, “I’m going to miss him. He always brighten up my day.”

Bonilla described Ackland as the “glue that hold the Student Activities office together.”

They all feel that office will not be the same without him and that they will hate to see him go.

Out of all the things that he will miss the most, he said the faculty, staff, and students will be at the top of his list.

He said he hopes that people will remember his sense of humor, his levity, as well as his ability to care.

He also said he will miss the best-looking black secretary

(Jones) and the best looking hispanic secretary (Bonilla) as well as the tall woman who has a lot of energy and no where to burn it (Bogdanovich).

Ackland’s wife Denise Ackland knows that as much as he wants to retire, he would also really love to stay.

“He loves Cerritos College,” she said, “I knew right from the beginning that this job was going to be a big commitment and although I’ve wanted him to be home at times, I’ve supported him this entire time because I knew he loved what he was doing. He is going to miss the kids so much.”

Ackland said that had it not been for his wife who has been a strong and solid woman throughout his teaching career, he probably would not have done as good as a job and would have been constantly worried about the raising of his children as well as the maintenance of his home.

He said, “I owe that woman a lot. I couldn’t not have done this without her.”

If there is one thing that Ackland wishes to leave Cerritos College with it is with the thought that he has always cared and will always care about Cerritos College.

“I care about everybody no matter who you are or what you do,” he said, “whatever I could do to help you I’ll do it and I hope I have done so at my time here at Cerritos.”

Steve Kim/TM

Psyched Up :Rudy Medina and Yareli Rivas carefully review as Howard Lee enters data. The psychology majors collected data from experiments that took place.

Searching for guinea pigs Cerritos psychology students conduct their own research experiments and receive hands-on experience Tiffini Thigpen Staff Writer tiffini.thigpen@talonmarks.com

Students majoring in psychology conducted a free 15-minute experiment on Cerritos College students April 19 to 26.

“Students get the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a psychological scientist,” Dr. Kimberley Duff said.

Self-esteem and body image, racial stereotypes and music lyrics, the effect of self-esteem

on the stereotyping of unattractive women, and the stigma of the homeless were among the research topics conducted by the students.

Students are allowed to come up with their own research design, and it’s a two-week process collecting and analyzing the data.

Howard Lee, psychology major, said, “It was a good learning experience and very hands on.

“It was extremely hard, but with research and planning it was very productive and helped me with my learning experience and will help me when I transfer out.”

Duff, creator of the Psychology 220 course, mentioned students who have taken the course and participated in the study have benefited from the experiment in academic ways, such as getting their tuition fully paid for by other institutions.

“Many students who have done really well on the experiment end up going to graduate

school and getting their masters and PhD in psychology,” Duff said.

When students complete the course with a passing grade of C or better, they can submit their data to an honor society entitled Psi Beta.

Students’ work is then sent to The American Psychological Association, and if their work is accepted, they will have the opportunity to attend the San Diego APA Conference in August to present their study.

“Most Intro to Research Method students don’t even do this at Cal States or UCs, so they’re getting a preview of something that many of them will do later, and an understanding of it that is way beyond anything that most people at their stage of education will get,” Professor Karen Beck said.

To receive more information on the studies that students researched, go to Cerritos.edu/ kduff/MAP

Falcons gather for Relay for Life Esmeralda Infante Staff Writer esmeralda.infante@talonmarks.com

June 12 marks the day of an event whose mission is to gather the community and fight to eliminate cancer.

The Relay for Life of Norwalk supports the mission of the American Cancer Society which is to help find a cure for cancer.

“The Relay for Life is a fun-filled, overnight (24-hour) experience that brings together friends, family members, businesses, hospitals, schools, places of worship,people of all walks of life. This event celebrates survivors, remembers loved ones and raises money to support the mission of the American Cancer

Society,” said Toni Grijalva, Coordinator of Community Relations.

Organized by the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce this event works with the business within the chamber to spread the word to the community.

Grijalva mentioned that she has put the word out to Cerritos via the Daily Falcon.

Cerritos College has organized a team (Falcon Flyers) which is mostly composed of the Public Affairs department, but everyone who wishes to register can be part of the team.

The Relay for Life of Norwalk began two years ago on campus.

Last year was the first year Cerritos College organized the team the Falcon Flyers which raised $500.

“As a team member we ask that you raise funds for this event and participate in the event on June 12 beginning at 9 a.m. through 9 a.m. on June 13 at the Old Soccer Field (also called the Utility Field) behind the Weight Room. You do not have to participate the entire 24 hours!

There is no fee to register for our Falcon Flyer team,” Grijalva said.

If students or other participants want to create their own team there is a team registration of $150. Volunteers for the event are highly welcomed as well, but registration is also a requirement.

The Relay for Life is not only a battle against cancer, but it’s an event that strengthens family bonds. As Grijalva stated that this event is family-orientated. Full of food, entertainment and an entire community there to cheer the participants on as the walk laps for this worthwhile event.

“I believe all those who are participating realize the importance of raising cancer awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society.

Some individuals are cancer survivors or have loved ones who are battling cancer or have won the battle against cancer,” Grijalva said.

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4 - OPINION

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Editorials express the views of the Executive Editorial Board.

Other opinions express the view of the author and are not to be considered opinions of the publication’s staff, the Editorial Board, the advisers, the Cerritos College Associated Students, the college administration or the Board of Trustees.

Production and printing of Talon Marks is partially funded by the Associated Students of of Cerritos College.

Facilities and academic supervision are provided by the Journalism Program.

Newsroom offices are located in the Fine Arts Building, Room FA42.

Cerritos College is located at 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 Telephone numbers: (562) 860-2451, ext. 2617 FAX (562) 467-5044 Vol. 54 © 2010 Talon Marks

Spring 2010 STAFF

•EDITORIAL•

Letter to Dean’s replacement You have some big shoes to fill! Dean Ackland

News Editor Joey Berumen Arts Editor Megan Winters Opinion Editor Andrea Mora Samantha Robinson

and its students. As the Coordinator of Student Activities, Ackland coordinated Hoe Down Days, pre-game receptions, and introduced the beloved He did all of the little things, often gone unnowas the life and the glue of the Student Activities

WPMD Editor Tito Benavides Staff Vivian Aguirre Ivonne Burciaga Gigi Cervantes Victor Diaz

As his replacement, you need to be on your be near impossible, than Ackland was. You have to faculty to walk in.

Student Activities office, you need to be able to take

Joshua Kaanaana Steven Kim Moses Lopez Andrew Perez Vania Pineda Steven Quintana Wendy Solorio Tiffini Thigpen Cherelle Tisby Billy Turner Rebeca Vega Scott Watkins

• Dividing the nation

apart people’s names and illustrate them. For instance, Holly would be a picture of holly.

Guest Editorials

Ackland was always smiling and brought happiness and sunshine into the gloomiest room. Everyone that has ever come into contact with him

Read these opinions from other college papers at talonmarks.com

has only good words to say about him.

We commend you for even attempting to re-

• Code vs. free speech Diablo Valley, The Inquirer

place him. Because, as easy as you may think it will be, it won’t be easy.

Good luck!

~Talon Marks

Illustration by Moses Lopez/TM

• Media gives girls bad advice College of Marin, The Echo Times

Letters to the editor are welcome. They may be submitted both online and in person. In all cases, letters must be signed with real names before they will be considered for publication, either online or in print. Campus-related issues are given priority. Letters may be edited for length, though online versions tend to include full content, as long as it is not libelous or in poor taste. You may deliver letters to FA 42 or contact the editor by e-mail at editor@talonmarks.com.

Broadcasting your business in the lavatory The diva of daytime television, Oprah Winfrey, has declared war on distracted drivers who use cell phones while driving, but the ultimate No Phone Zone should be the restroom, especially a public one.

This includes photographing yourself in the rest-

Rebeca Vega

telephones in private bathrooms, giving the impres-

wonder: What was the last guy doing when he used this phone?

Is that a smudge on the handle?

Telephones are not a vital feature in restroom design for one reason: No one wants to hear your business, while you’re taking care of business.

Even if public restroom visitors follow other rules of etiquette while using the facilities, such as flushing when done, or “in between when necessary,” it is

super bowl.”

Online Poll

Vote online at talonmarks.com What will you miss about Dean Ackland?

room and using a potty glamour shot as your profile

Staff Writer rebeca.vega@talonmarks.com

picture on social networking Web sites.

Texting should also be conducted as a post-game

Granted that many hotels provide guests with

to the activities involved in “taking the browns to the

Esmeralda Infante

• SB 1070 will go into effect July 28

And at the request of one of the ladies in the

still rude and awkward to add a phone conversation

Gregory Horsey Jr.

• Cerritos a violent campus?

have your door always open for students and even

Christopher Gian Marquisha Hames

• Arizona bill encourages racism

game. Either be just as good or better, which would

Orlando Dominguez Frank Gonzalez

Share your comments online

walked through the building.

for some reason be combined, visitors are still left to

Ashley Aguirre

Most Commented

office according to everyone who worked or even

sion that phone conversations and toilet time should

Multimedia Editor

• Diet soda is just as bad

ticed by students, that needed to be done. Ackland

Sports Editor

Mark Murray

• Arizona bill encourages racism

In-n-Out lunches.

Daniel Sandoval Copy Editor

• Don’t depend on technology for phonebooks, albums

population. He has done so much for this campus

Elieth Koulzons

Rick Gomez

Read stories online

is a well-respected member of the Cerritos College

Editor-in-Chief

Online Editor

Most Popular

Dear Dean’s Replacement,

TALON MARKS

Talon Marks is a First Amendment publication.

activity.

Not only is listening to someone’s private conversation distracting to the 17 million Americans who experience Paruresis, otherwise known as “shy bladder syndrome,” it is equally traumatizing to the person on the other line.

Imagine receiving a call from your significant other and hearing the familiar whoosh of the porcelain throne right as you’re about to say “I love you, babe.”

Love, especially early on in a relationship, has its limits—an arm length’s reach to a roll of toilet paper.

Ladies, no matter how much perfume you doused yourself in or how curly your lashes are, there is nothing your man will find cute about you calling him to send kisses while your bottom kisses the bowl.

Remember: men are visual creatures by nature.

Provide them with an image that doesn’t involve you thinking, “Gee, hope no one heard that.”

While toilet seats actually happen to be one of

• His humor.

• His thoughtfulness.

• His dependablility.

• Everything!

the more sanitary surfaces in public restrooms, several other areas, especially wet ones, carry millions of disease-causing germs, according to the American Society of Microbiology.

It is still believed by the medical community that STDs are not contracted through simple contact with a toilet seat, but the thought of clicking away on a miniature keyboard as someone else’s Chlamydia pathogens dance around one’s fingers is revolting, no matter how miniscule the probability of infection.

In other words, you’re advised to wash your hands after “dropping a load” for a reason.

Unless your local loo provides visitors with cell phone sanitizing wipes, or you’ve fallen and you can’t

Last Week’s Poll

Vote online at talonmarks.com Should California be a watch-dog for other states’ legislation?

Yes, no one else will 36% No, we need to mind our business 45% What’s a watch-dog 9% As long as it doesn’t affect me, I don’t care what other states do 9%

get up, leave the toilet talk to bad comedians and politicians.

“Provide them with an image that doesn’t involve you thinking, ‘Gee, hope no one heard that.’”

FREE SPEECH ZONE What will you miss most about Dean Ackland?

Compiled by: Samantha Robinson Photos by: Andrea Mora

Justin Witron Faculty Adviser Rich Cameron Instructional Aide Alicia Edquist JACC Pacesetter Award 2009-2010

Doreen Pagano

Holly Bogdanovich

Karen Welliver

Nancy Bonilla

Nikki Jones

“I will definitely miss his sense of humor. He was such a positive guy.”

“I will miss his posters. For birthdays or graduations he would write funny sayings.

He cared for everyone.”

“I will miss his positive outlook. He always cared about his students. I consider him the face of Cerritos.”

“I will miss his sense of humor most. He was the glue of (the student activities office). ”

“I will miss his sense of humor. I love how he always makes me laugh and how he brightens my day.”

Financial Aid Clerk Student Activities

Director of Student Activities

Women’s Basketball Coach

Program Assistant

Judicial Affairs Assistant

Toni Grijalva

Coordinator of Community Relations

“I will miss his thoughtfulness. He was always there to count on. His door was always open to students.”

ARTS - 5

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Ska band ‘skanks’ its way to the top of the charts fornia, and have even gone as far as Tijuana to perform for fans.

As far as what it wants for the band and its music is concerned, Of all the musical genres mak- SCS also share a common goal and ing waves in Los Angeles, Ska is have a vision for the future. probably one of the smallest.

“I’d like to see the band tour Although this style of music around the world,” Quintanilla said, does have a following in this city, “I also want to be able to share our very few bands have been able uncommon style of music without to make their selling out.” rounds at loT h e cal clubs to get d r u m m e r, themselves nowho bandI’d like to see the band mates refer ticed. to as simThe South tour around the world. ply “Bubba” Central Skankalso feels the ers, however, are I also want to be able to same. proving that ska share our uncommon “ M o s t music also has a style of music without people in Los place in the L.A. Angeles don’t music scene. selling out. really know The band, what ska is,” formed in 2002, Josie Quintanilla he said, “It’s consists of nine hard to ‘make Trombone player members, The it’ with ska only female of music.

But the group and we’d like to trombone player show people Josie Quintanilla, what we’re about. We’re not just a public administration and social looking to be famous.” work major at Cerritos College.

The group’s latest album, enAlong with Quintanilla are titled “Welcome to Lost Angeles,” Miguel Rodriguez (vocals/guitar), has already gotten attention thanks Adam Tamayo (bass), Francisco to websites like Amazon.com and “Bubba” Rodriguez (drums), Omar iTunes.

Cruz (trombone), Danny Perez The album features fast-paced (trumpet), Lalo Cruz and Jose Ji- songs both in English and Spanish. menez (saxophone) and Esteban Songs like the “Welcome to Lost Flores (keyboard).

Angeles” and “Pase Lo Que Pase” Formed in Los Angeles, SCS give insight to the band’s rebellious describes its style as a third wave/ and outspoken vibe. The band will Mexican wave Ska band. be touring its album this upcoming They have toured all over Cali- summer.

Wendy Solorio

Staff Writer wendy.solorio@talonmarks.com

Photo taken by Daniel Quintanilla

Skankin’:With a statewide tour under its belt, “South Central Skankers” work hard to succeed in the music world.

Justin Witron/TM

Student Art Showcase: Jose Moreno’s “Guadalajara” painting features the artist’s depiction of his home town with paintings of tequila, a church, and his hometown soccer team.

Art show excites students Justin Witron & Rebeca Vega Staff Writers arts@talonmarks.com

Students from the Artists Society showed off their unique works on Thursday, and featured live music by Robert and Alan.

The event started with the music of “Love is all,” off of the album “Magical Mystery Tour,” by The Beatles.

Nelson Leal, a member of the club, painted a series consisting of three canvases, showing the different angles of the world and universe.

There was a large alien on the center canvas with a small figure featured on the left canvas and a floating man in the sky on the right canvas.

The middle painting showed a figure that Leal refers to as an “alien” with a snout-like gas mask.

“These paintings are my way of expressing my theory of evolution, and these pieces are my prediction of what man is going to become,” Leal said.

“Loss of hair, enlargement of the head and eyes— I try to incorporate that in the painting,” he adds.

The overall message for his painting was to have conscience to what we do to the Earth and think twice before harming our environment.

The painting to the left is another “alien” that is standing in the desert with a deteriorating building in the background showing that in our evolution many of the buildings are going to be standing after millions of years, like the Egyptian pyramids and how the Mayan temples that are still surviving.

Every piece had a message to the people who

came to view it.

Joel Nunez painted himself in a rollercoaster cart, riding away from a dark figure in the background.

Patricia Banderas, nursing major, said, “Everything is getting sucked in away from madness and chaos.”

Banderas later added, “To me, it represents anger through the image of a rollercoaster and yourself. I can see that the man in the rollercoaster cart is just going along for the ride.”

Among the paintings there was a band by the name of Robert and Alan, using an art form combining a piano for the background music, while Robert and Alan switched off painting and playing single notes of the piano.

“It sounds like space music!” John Relova laughed.

Robert, one of the performers, said, “I just wanted to bring two different view points— from my mind and Alan’s mind. I wanted a point of view from someone else’s mind. This was just random. It came out the way I thought it would.”

Alan added, “It’s pretty crazy, because I’m not used to playing random notes and not practicing.

It was amazing because we showed ‘Sound and Emotion’ through this type of art form. But we won’t do this again (at another show), we might do something else.”

There were two self portraits, which included one catching the essence of being left behind while the artist’s classmates went out into the world and he was left behind to paint himself.

“I painted this portrait of me, because I came late to class and class was empty, they had left

on a field trip, so I just went into the backroom, grabbed the mirror and began painting myself (on the canvas),” John Relova explained.

The other self portrait was Jose Moreno’s work entitled “Auto Portrait.”

This piece was created with oil paint on canvas.

The piece represented himself in a wheelchair in front of a light background.

The other painting represented his childhood, entitled “Guadalajara,” which showed the town in Mexico that he was born in.

There are four corners that represented the outskirts of the town. The middle was the focal point, which was the church.

On one corner is Aguas Calientes, a historic city of Mexico, where the temperature is very moderate.

On the top-left corner was Tequila, Jalisco, a refinery. A Virgin Mary was painted outside of the church, because Moreno says it’s “huge, bigger than the room.

“On the other corner, there is a parque (park) where I used to go on the train and ride when I was a child,” he explained.

He also says, “This is a portrait of my childhood. I know that now everything is advanced and back then it was like this.”

If you would like to see additional pictures of the event, go to talonmarks.com and see a slide show of the event.

‘Iron Man 2’ is an excellent sequel Movie Review Iron Man 2 Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke Director: Jon Favreau Rating: HHHHH Victor Diaz Staff Writer victor.diaz@talonmarks.com

Every year, a movie is released that is anticipated by fans worldwide since rumors of its production swirled around the internet universe.

This year did not disappoint.

On May 7 at 12:01 am, “Iron Man 2” was released in theaters around the United States, overcrowding theaters across the country, and it most certainly met the expectations of moviegoers and comic book fans alike.

The movie, starring Robert Downey, Jr., shows the continuation of Tony Stark in his adventures, and sometimes even misadventures, as Iron Man.

“Iron Man 2” also starred Don Cheadle, who played the role of James Rhodes, Tony’s at-times sidekick. Cheadle delivered a much better portrayal of Rhodes than his predecessor from the first movie, Terrence Howard.

When comparing the differences between Cheadle’s and Howard’s portrayal of Rhodes, Cheadle stands out as the far more convincing character. With the requirement to be the voice of reason for Tony, Cheadle provides that persona much better than Howard.

Another new character we see is Whiplash, played by Mickey Rourke. An interesting choice to play Whiplash, Rourke fell into his character quite nicely, displaying a very convincing Russian accent.

The special effects that were used in the movie were another reason that this movie is a must-see.

The frequent fighting scenes and the use of weapons that appear to be something from the future make you want to leave the theater, go home and start building your very own Iron Man

suit.

The combination of action, suspense and comedy make the amount of time that is spent in the theater seem like short

moments.

Downey Jr.’s dry, satirical portrayal of Tony Stark provided the right characteristics that would befit a multi-millionaire playboy that describes Downey Jr.’s character.

“Iron Man 2” is an amazing display of special effects, storylines and all the bells and whistles that are now standard for an action blockbuster.

With $133.6 million in the bank on opening weekend to prove it, “Iron Man 2” can very well be the best movie to be released in quite a while.

Courtesy of MCT

6 - ARTS

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Radio show blends breakfast with rock Cerritos College’s rock radio show provides its listeners with a new sound and a brand-new concept to enjoy Victor Diaz Staff Writer victor.diaz@talonmarks.com

For the past six months, two longtime friends have provided Cerritos College with a concentrated dose of punk music.

Shawn Adams and Jason Tyler are the hosts of “Pancakes and Punk,” a radio show on WPMD.org that plays mainly punk music, as well as other genres of hard rock and heavy metal.

Adams and Tyler have worked together on past shows, which makes the operation of “Pancakes and Punk” all that easier for them to manage.

Adams and Tyler, both veterans at the station, decided to create the show out of their modern-day interests.

They decided to do a show together during their time broadcasting football games for Cerritos, and from then on, Adams took the reins to think of a concept for it.

“I wanted to do something that I loved and really enjoyed, which was metal and punk rock,” Adams said, “Once you turn 30, there’s only one thing you like in the morning, and that’s breakfast, so what’s better than pancakes and punk?”

Tyler states that at first, they did not have much music to work with for their show.

“The punk section is very limited here at the college. The music library here at the station has really grown over the years,” Tyler said.

However, Tyler also credited the increase of availability when he said, “The hard rock section, which was metal, was almost nonexistent, and now it’s about six shelves full of records.”

Victor Diaz/TM

Punk revisited: “Pancakes and Punk” co-host Shawn Adams (right) helps set up a live performance from Eaton & Lomax with guitarist Ely Eaton (left).

“Pancakes and Punk’s” music library has increased due to contributions from several record labels such as Relapse Records, Prosthetic Records, as well as Century Media and Metalblade.

These connections have given Adams and Tyler the opportunity to bring many signed bands to their show.

Bands like All That Remains, Lacuna Coil and Cannibal Corpse are some names that have appeared on “Pancakes and Punk.”

Adams also mentions that he had the

chance to interview Bill Ward, drummer from famed heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

Tyler’s other endeavors include pursuing higher academic interests.

Tyler is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Communications-Entertainment and Radio-TV Films. He is currently planning on working on his Master’s degree in Film and Television Production at Loyola Marymount University.

Tyler is also the host of “Transgression Overthrown,” another show on WPMD that has been going for 11 years, according to Tyler.

Tyler is also the lead singer for All Gods Kill, a metal band that is set to open for Exodus at the Key Club on June 11 to celebrate the band’s CD release.

Adams also has his own show, entitled “2 Bums and a Mic,” which airs on Fridays from 1-2 pm.

“Pancakes and Punk” has also had the

opportunity to feature live performances from local bands.

In their last live broadcast, they welcomed local bands Ass and Eaton & Lomax to their show to perform acoustic sets, or as Eaton & Lomax’s guitarist Ely Eaton described it, “using grandpa’s guitars.”

During the band’s performance on the show, Eaton noted that in preparation for the day’s performance, the band had trekked into the wilderness with all their instruments in order to practice in total silence.

Songs that the band played in their set included the original songs “Slide” and “Ooh Baby.”

Regarding the opportunity to have live bands on their show, Adams said, “We want to blow the roof off of this place.

“The exposure we’ve given to the studio is just great.”

Adams and Tyler have gained notoriety for their show by promoting concerts at venues such as Ferns Punk Bar in Long Beach, where they featured several rock bands.

When it comes to their experience working on the show, Adams describes it as “unbelievable.”

“I have lived on a natural high for the last six months and every day that we do the show, we literally come up to each other and we say, ‘That was the best show ever,’” Adams said.

Tyler also talked about his experience on the show when he said, “I enjoy my metal show in the afternoons, but this show tops it because of the chemistry that Shawn and I have and the response we’ve had from the public.”

Tyler later said, “We’ll finish a show that goes really well, and our goal is to top that show week after week, and somehow, that happens.”

“Pancakes and Punk” can be heard on Fridays from 9-11 am on WPMD.org. They can also be reached at www.myspace.com/ pancakesandpunk and their facebook page under the “Pancakes and Punk” name.

SPORTS - 7

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Softball fails in Super Regional Daniel Sandoval Sports Editor sports@talonmarks.com

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Outfield and on the plate: Freshman outfielder Samantha Garcia was named the state’s Co-Player of the Year and South Coast Conference Player of the Year.

The Cerritos softball team suffered their first hosted loss of the year followed by their second shortly thereafter to pull the Falcons out of the state title run during the Super Regional softball play-offs last Saturday.

Despite having a dominating season the Falcons will not be in the running for this years state title.

Their first loss was to Fullerton College, 4-1, and shortly thereafter they lost to Mt. San Antonio College, 6-5.

During the regular season it swept No.4 seeded Mt. SAC in three games while also beating No.5 seeded Fullerton both times they faced them in the regular season.

The team was also undefeated at home throughout the season but suffered both play-off losses hosting the games.

They defeated Grossmont College, 5-3, at the start of the Super Regional in what head coach Kodee Murray called the most important game of the weekend.

However, Saturday proved to be much more important as it destroyed any chance of the team continuing to the state championship.

Going into Saturday with a 17 game win streak, their longest of the season, it was hard to envision the team suffering this pair of losses consecutively to teams they previously beat.

The team left too many runners on base and lacked the clinch hitting that helped bring them so far into the season.

Pitching also failed to come through as multiple runs were scored during late innings creating deficits that the Falcons could not rebound from.

The team ends with a 17-1 conference record and an overall record of 39-6.

The play-off route in the post season has proved to be a hurdle too tall for the Falcons to leap 2 years in a row.

The end of the season in 2009 was similar for Cerritos as the women also lost in the Super Regional second round play-offs. They lost to Sierra College, 3-2, and Santa Ana College, 8-1.

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Repeat: Sophomore Hillary Perez-Ashley was named the conference’s Pitcher of the year the state’s Co-Pitcher of the Year for the second year in a row.

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Most Improved: Sophomore shortstop Cassandra Godoy was named to the First Team All-SCC.

Strong Coaching: Head coach Kodee Murray was named the state’s Co-Coach of the Year and the South Coast Conference Coach of the Year.

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Power Hitter: Sophomore catcher Samantha Vaaulu was named to the First Team All-SCC.

Mike Diaz invited to try out for Browns NFL team Steven Quintana

Staff Writer steven.quintana@talonmarks.com

A former Cerritos College football player has been invited to try out for the Cleveland Browns NFL team.

Cerritos College alum, and former offensive tackle Mike Diaz has been practicing with several professional football teams with hopes of getting drafted and playing professionally.

“He’s a really good athlete,” head football coach

Frank Mazzotta said. “He’s a real NFL type of (player).

In the end, Diaz is looking for any way to play the sport.

Diaz has even stayed in contact with his high school assistant coach Victor Salazar for support.

“Right now, he just wants to continue playing football,” Salazar commented in a previous interview with the Whittier Daily News. “He even told me that he was going to try out for a Canadian Football League.”

Diaz has currently been practicing with several NFL teams such as the Cleveland Browns.

He has also worked with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL, another professional league.

“The Locomotives held their training camp here on

TALON MARKS

Diaz played for Cerritos until 2007, he looks to go pro soon

Sunday,” Mazzotta said. “He attended and practiced.”

At 6-5 and 320 pounds Diaz managed to transfer from Cerritos College and play for the Arizona Wildcat for the past two years. Before heading for Arizona, Diaz left his mark in his native Montebello, California.

His sophomore and junior years at Schurr High School in Montebello went well. Diaz earned AllLeague honors on both offense and defense. As a junior, he was a Second Team All-CIF selection on defense.

His senior season, Diaz was named to the 1st team AllAlmont League on offense.

At Schurr, Diaz also played basketball for three years and averaged 11 points a game in his senior basketball season.

At Cerritos, Diaz earned 1st team All-Conference honors as a sophomore tackle and 1st team All-Mission Conference Northern Division in 2006.

Diaz was a mid-year enrollee to Arizona in 2008 and suffered a knee injury after getting hurt during spring training.

In 2009, Diaz was an option for starting left guard or left tackle but was left in the reserve. But in game four of that season, center Blake Kerley was injured and gave Diaz a chance to start.

Diaz took that opportunity and ran with it as he started nine games, the one being the upset win against USC, which gave them a second place in the PAC-10 and a berth in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

Workout tip of the week: kettlebells

O

Miguel Salas Staff Writer miguel.salas@talonmarks.com

ne of the most effective forms of exercise that I have used for weight loss has definitely got to be kettlebells.

A kettlebell is a traditional Russian cast-iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle at the top. Kettlebells combine strength training, flexibility, cardio and core conditioning. They will burn fat, get your muscles toned, increase your grip and strengthen tendons and ligaments. Also, the off centered weight of a kettlebell will force you to use more stabilizer muscles and work the targeted muscles through a longer range of motion. Best of all, you will be doing all of the above every time you use kettlebells regardless of what workout you choose to do. Only difference is some workouts are more specific for certain goals.

It may seem rather expensive for being a single piece of equipment, but it is a great investment. Many people find no reason to go to the gym when on a kettlebell workout plan because of it’s effectiveness. A single kettlebell ranging from 10-50 pounds is more than enough for an effective weight loss kettlebell program.

You would choose your kettlebell based off of your strength level. This would cost from $30-$80, depending on what weight you choose. The benefits are well worth the price

since it is only one piece of equipment for complete full body workouts.

Prior to personally trying them, I had decided to take a break from any kind of working out, sort of a personal vacation you can say.

As you can imagine, my endurance and overall fitness level had greatly decreased. Before long, I couldn’t do any vigorous exercise for more than five minutes without beginning to feel “gassed out.” With my final wrestling season in high school coming up, I needed to get back in shape and start losing fat to get down to my weight class as well as strengthen up and regain flexibility. That’s when I stumbled across kettle bells.

A

fter the first two weeks I saw my stamina and muscle endurance shoot up very quickly, as well as faster weight loss than any other thing I’ve done aside from being in wrestling season itself. Results do not come immediately, but they do tend to come much faster than traditional weight loss methods. It is pretty challenging, but it gets easier as you go.

Here is the fat loss workout for those who are already familiar with kettlebells. The workout is simple, do the following consecutively: 25 v-ups, 50 snatches, 25 push-ups, 50 swings, 50 burpees, 50 clean & press, 50 mountain climbers.

When you first start off, you will probably take longer than what you expect, but do not feel discouraged; this is part of the process.

Make sure you go through the entire workout, regardless of how long it takes you. As days go on, your time will shorten. Your goal to work for will be to finish in 10-15 minutes. It may take several weeks of working out every other day to achieve this goal.

T

here is a learning curve on kettle bells, as they feel unconventional compared to any other gym equipment because the range of motion is entirely different. Due to this, it is also much easier to perform the exercises incorrectly without even knowing it.

If you are new to kettlebells, and are interested in learning what these workouts look like, how to do them properly, or where you can buy one; email me and I will do my best to provide this information.

Daniel Sandoval/TM

Kettlebell: Weight that looks like a canon ball.

8 - SPORTS

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 • www.talonmarks.com

Road to the state championship Steven Quintana Staff Writer steven.quintana@!talonmarks.com

With two weeks left in the post season, Torion Bailey is looking toward the Southern California State championship along with 14 fellow runners from The Cerritos men’s track team.

The men’s track team managed to send a total of 21 of it’s athletes to the state competition that excelled in the regular season.

Bailey, out of Mayfair High School, looks to lead the team to a successful state performance.

“He’s been doing good so far,” track team coordinator, Doug Wells, said about Bailey.

“I think he’s improved, he’s running slightly faster than last year.”

Though Wells thinks Bailey has “slightly” improved his times, Bailey’s former times were apparently impressive as he managed to help the team capture second place in the South Coast Conference.

He also set two school records this past year. He posted the fifth best time in school history for the 800m at 1:52.38. And with the help of Juan Tapia, Kevin Avery, and LaRon Taylor, they set the sixth best time for the 1600m relay with the time of 3:11.86.

Last year Bailey managed to accomplish something no Cerritos track runner had done.

He won the state championship in the 800m race his freshman year.

Bailey is also on the Cross Country team at Cerritos. Bailey was only the third Falcon to finish the state championship race in Cross Country with a time of 21:42.

In high school, Bailey was named the schools athlete of the year as a senior and was selected to the schools Hall of Fame.

In track he won the Suburban League championship in the 400m as a junior and a senior.

He won the league championship in the 800m as a senior and was a state qualifier in the 800m as a junior.

He earned the title of MVP of the league his junior year and was also a 1st team All-State and CIF selection.

“I think the season went pretty good,” Bailey said. “I think there is still room for improvement.”

He hopes to improve for the Southern California State championship, which takes place this Saturday. “I hope to run 53 or 54 seconds in the first lap [of the 800m] and to finish strong the last 400m.”

The Southern California Championships will take place this Saturday at Antelope Valley.

Steven Quintana/TM

State Champ: Torion Bailey won the state championship in the 800m with a record-breaking time of 1:53.49 and became the first Cerritos men’s track athlete in school history to win that event.