The Telescope 65.15

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the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper Vol. 65, No. 15 • Monday, April. 9, 2012 1140 W. Mission Rd, San Marcos, Calif.

Vista judge dismisses suit filed against college

STUDENT SUCCESS TASK FORCE

REWRITING THE RULES

Task force will change how students make their educational plan GIO NIETO & IAN HANNER THE TELESCOPE

A new bill will force students to finish coursework at Palomar or face penalties for lagging behind.

PUSHED Last year, CaliTO SUCCEED fornia legislators Part 1: hoping to push stuFrom the Top dents through the state’s 100 community colleges passed the Student Success Task Force (SSTF) bill. Drafters said the legislation was crafted to lessen strain on a system that sees many students stay long past the two-year mark.

The exact mark SSTF will make on Palomar’s sprawling 30,000-stu-

dent district in still unclear.

At Palomar, a Student Success Task Force Committee was put together to revise school policy and make transitioning to the new requirements easier. Despite confusion among some staff and most students about the bill’s measures, college administrators believe they have a firm grasp on possible changes.

“The implementation of all the recommendations would require that every student see a counselor and create an education plan, among other things,” Vice President of Student Services Mark Vernoy wrote in an email. “We would then need to significantly increase the number of counselors and counseling appointments to meet this demand.”

According to Vernoy, the bill would call for over 14,000 Palomar students to be assessed each year.

Palomar employs 16 full-time counselors.

According to SSTF drafters, the plan should increase by 50 percent the number of students who receive college degrees in California each year.

Over 70 percent of undergraduates enrolled in California public schools are at community colleges, according to the text of SSTF. Only 24 percent of degree-seeking students complete a certificate or associate degree or transfer to a four-year college or university within six years, the bill says.

TURN TO TASK FORCE, PAGE 4

CONSTRUCTION

IAN HANNER THE TELESCOPE

A Vista Superior Court judge ruled last month that Palomar’s Governing Board needs to deal with its own rift between students and administrators before the courts get involved.

Last semester, a campus activist organization called the Coalition for a Democratic Education submitted a proposal to the Associated Student Government that would break it off from Palomar’s administration and have it stand alone as a sovereign body.

When Coalition members said they felt their legal rights to submit an initiative to a vote was ignored by the ASG, and then brushed off by the Palomar Governing Board, they filed suit in court.

Judge Earl Maas III ruled March 9 that the Coalition had not gone through the proper channels to file the suit by not having the Governing Board take the matter to a vote. He dismissed the case without prejudice.

This effectively meant that, according to the court, the Palomar Governing Board does have the ability to compel the ASG to put the initiative to an open student vote. The Governing Board members had previously said they didn’t have the right to weigh in.

Daniel Finkenthal, a Palomar professor and faculty adviser to the Coalition, called the ruling a victory.

“All the governing board has to do is have a review, have a meeting and vote to change the location of the ASG in the college,” Finkenthal said. “They can do it.

They can do it with the stroke of a pen.”

A Palomar spokeswoman said Palomar’s policy is to not comment publicly on legal matters.

According to the Coalition, the goal of the lawsuit was not to have the court pass the initiative themselves, but rather compel the ASG to put the initiative to an open student body vote, which they say is their obligation under the ASG bylaws.

According to Finkenthal, if the Governing Board were to put the matter to a vote and rule against the Coalition, students would file suit once again for what they believe would be further violation of their rights under the bylaws.

“Seeing such a crooked system, you couldn’t—or I couldn’t at least—just keep on going like this and pretend for the next two years that I’m okay with it,” said Nestor Venegas, one of the founding student members of the Coalition. “So I decided to do something.”

With the ruling, the Coalition members said they now plan to return to the Governing Board on Tuesday, April 10 to state their case at the board’s meeting.

IHANNER@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @IAN_HANNER

WHAT’S INSIDE

2

OCCUPY PALOMAR

A view of rush hour traffic looking west at Highway 78 in San Marcos. Kristen Campbell/Telescope

Construction on Highway 78 to ease hectic traffic for rush hour commute County preps for muchneeded updates to major highway, named worst in San Diego by the U-T EMMA MALISZEWSKI THE TELESCOPE

Traffic on Highway 78 has inspired a kick start to the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.

The plan includes auxiliary lanes on both sides of the Nordahl exit.

They are currently under construction and are expected to be complete by 2013.

Project Manager David Sebbin

NEWS / A group of students and faculity came together and protested the tuition increases.

6

said, “for the past few years we’ve noticed a lot of congestion on the 78 due to new housing developments.

We had plans to expand the 78 but we advanced them because of how bad the traffic was.”

Palomar student John Ess said, “the 78 is terrible, I spend about an hour and 45 minutes a day stuck in traffic on my way to work and school.”

According to CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt, “the 78 corridor is the busiest in all of San Diego County.”

“The three lanes can’t handle the amount of traffic the corridor is experiencing,” Bettencourt said.

Sebbin agreed saying, “the bottleneck at Nordahl is the worst.”

“There are many problems we need to fix on the 78 and we are, just in the first step. Once we fix one is-

BOOK REVIEW

LIFE / The book ‘White Girl Problems’ filled with hilarious tales of a spoiled rich girl.

8

sue, the grid-lock will move to another area,” Sebbin said.

Sebbin is also managing the construction of a bridge replacement at Nordahl that will connect the 78 to the 15, and will ease traffic entering and exiting the freeway. The bridge is expected to be completed by 2020.

According to SANDAG, The San Diego Association of Governments, the new structure will have dedicated left-turn lanes that are meant to minimize vehicles stacking up and blocking thru lanes at the exit.

“It’s hard to predict the traffic impact of the new lanes, but any expansion would help increase the flow of traffic which is what we want,” Bettencourt said.

TURN TO FREEWAY, PAGE 4

SOFTBALL FEATURE

SPORTS / Pitcher Samantha Avii quit playing, but couldn’t stay away from the game.

2 • NEWS OCCUPY AT PALOMAR

Monday, April 9, 2012 BOEHM GALLERY

‘LOOKING GLASS’ EXHIBIT SHOWING NOW Aden Webster/Telescope

PROTESTING EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS EMMA MALISZEWSKI & ADEN WEBSTER THE TELESCOPE

Traveling all the way from Wall Street, the Occupy movement found its way to Palomar College March 29.

Organized by Occupy protestor and activist photographer Johnny Nguyen, the event sought to draw in as many Palomar students as possible to protest education budget cuts and tuition hikes. While the event did not garner the turnout the organizers had hoped for, Nguyen said he still considered it a success.

Palomar theater teacher Michael Mufson said he agreed.

“It’s very hard to spread the word on this campus,” Mufson said. Out of over 30,000 students at Palomar, 12 showed up for the assembly.

Students and faculty assembled in front of the Student Union to discuss the economic and social injustices that they believe college students and the “99 percent” face. Colleges statewide have been the target of repeated budget cuts that have made a substantial impact on students, according to the protesters. Classes have been repeatedly cut in recent years with 600 class section cuts at Palomar in 2011.

“Today is just to organize and to find like-minded people so in the future we can come together to make change,” Nguyen said.

The group plans to meet again on May 1 for May Day, an international holiday regarded outside of the U.S. as a worker’s celebration. The Occupy movement, which claims to represent the 99 percent of the population that don’t qualify as “super rich”, has claimed unity with the proletariat since its inception.

“The Occupy movement wants to reclaim May Day to let the country know we are still here,” Mufson said.

“The physical occupation is not the main concern,” Nguyen said. “It’s [a matter of] occupying the mind and understanding that we have to educate ourselves and empower ourselves in that process. We need to understand what’s wrong so we can work together to make it right.” emaliszewski@the-telescope.com awebster@the-telescope.com

PALOMAR NEWS IN BRIEF

Emma Maliszewski THE TELESCOPE

Palomar’s Boehm Gallery’s next exhibit, “Looking Glass,” will run March 14 to April 14, Gallery Director Ingram Ober said. The solo show will feature Los Angelesbased artist Steve Shoffner.

The show promises to be an unique experience for audiences, and spawns from Shoffner’s interest in technology, Ober said.

In an email, Shoffner described his futuristic video art series as, “interactive installations that combine performance and video to create illusions that manipulate the perceptions and expectations of his audience. The work aims to reenact humorous scenarios where technology leaves us bewildered and disconnected.”

Shoffner said he, “is inspired by the peculiarities that surround us, that are often overlooked.”

Ober describes Shoffner’s work as “highly based on new media, processes and genres to create a discussion between viewer and participant.”

While the exact details of the show are withheld to maintain an air of artistic mystery, Ober revealed that Shoffner will use hidden surveillance cameras to capture audience reactions, and will replay those reactions throughout the exhibit.

“The show will digitally display illusions created with closed circuit technology and video projection.”

Shoffner disguises the use of his body with closed circuit technology and video projection to create an other-worldly experience for viewers, Ober said.

Shoffner’s work is a combination of performance, video and installation. It is meant to not only entertain audiences, but to leave viewers questioning whether or not they were a part of the piece.

Shoffner displayed his work in various public settings and traditional galleries. For six years Shoffner taught art courses at various community colleges in the Los Angeles area. He is founder of fefifolios, a design lab creating online portfolios for artists and galleries.

According to Shoffner, outside of his design work, he creates art in the studio as well as collaboratively with The League of Imaginary Scientists, a group of artists and scientists who engineer hybrid art works in the cross-section of their fields.

“The League’s projects span the globe, with their current endeavor taking them to Ireland, as they study the Mars Rovers’ findings on Mars to learn more about Ireland’s changing climate,” Shoffner said. emaliszewski@the-telescope.com

Native California Indian, artist and keynote speaker L. Frank discussed ethnic diversity from a personal perspective during the “Deconstructing Dominance” event held in the Student Union on March 29. • Allyson Watson/Telescope

DIVERSITY

TRANSFER CENTER

EXPERTS DISCUSS ROLE OF DOMINANCE AT DIVERSITY DAYS EVENT

CSUSM, USC AND UCSD REPRESENTATIVES TO VISIT CAMPUS

A panel of experts discussed the role of dominance in an advancing society at Palomar’s Diversity Day on March 29.

The panel was put together by the Palomar Diversity Committee to foster an informed discussion on the importance of creating a socioeconomically diverse society. “[This] is one of my very favorite events that we do during the year,” said Palomar President Robert Deegan.

“The system now is broken. It’s in serious need of repair. The promise of being able to attend and leave in two years may not be there in the near future.”

The panel was made up of Palomar staffers Lynda Halttunen, José-Rodolfo Jacobo, Krishna Toolsie, and Jerry Rafiki Jenkins. Joining them were students Rocky Brady and Johnny Nguyen.

“The great thing, I think, about our society: it can be fixed,” said Brady, a military veteran who now serves as an ASG senator.

Brady’s sentiment reflected the overall tone of discussions, which included race, economic standing and politics to the central theme of dominance.

“This is a wonderful event and we celebrate our diversity every year with this event,” Deegan said after the event concluded. “And (we) deal with some important issues, timely topics that are important to our students and to the college and to the community at large.”

University representatives will be visiting the Palomar campus this month to speak with any students looking to transfer.

On April 19, a representative from California State University San Marcos will be on campus from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

For any students unable to meet with a representative, another visit will be held on May 9, from noon- 4 p.m. Students hoping to speak with a CSUSM representative must call the Transfer Center to make an appointment.

On April 26, a representative from University of Southern California will be visiting Palomar from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Students must call the Transfer Center to make an appointment. Any students interested in transferring to the University of California San Diego will have the opportunity to speak with a representative when they visit Palomar on April 3, from 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

There will be a special event named “Super Transfer Day” held in the Student Union Quad April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives from private universities will offer assistance to students with questions. On-the-spot evaluations and admissions will be provided for students who bring their transcripts.

To make an appointment or get any questions answered, contact the Transfer Center at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2552.

IAN HANNER

LEXY PEREZ

NEWS • 3

the telescope DIVERSITY DAYS

Chavez event encourages diversity

Courtesy of www.readthespirit.com

Lexy perez the telescope

Cesar Chavez.

This name has been recognized throughout the country and on March 29, the Associated Student Government hosted an event on the Palomar Student Union quad to celebrate the well-known Latino civil rights activist and spread his message of equality to students.

“He was an activist and an important, influential leader. It’s important to celebrate him and what he did, because we can all look back at his actions and move forward,” said Associated Student Government Public Relations Officer Natalia Jepsen.

On hand at the event to spread knowledge of Chavez’s movement and importance was Palomar’s M.E.CH.A. Club, a campus latino activist club.

“We are still following those same ideas of equality. We’re not talking about brown, black, etc.

We’re talking about everyone in general,” said M.E.CH.A. member Jose Cruz. “Farm workers were many different ethnicities. It’s not a racial thing. It’s an American thing.”

Chavez is often called the Martin Luther King Jr. for Latinos.

Cruz urged students to consider his legacy, whatever their race.

“Students shouldn’t think it’s just a Mexican thing. It’s an everybody thing. It’s not just a Mexican event. We should all admire his voice. He wasn’t scared to speak up, even if many said it was wrong to,” Cruz said.

Growing up in a MexicanAmerican family, Chavez witnessed the unfairness among agricultural workers, as stated in a Chavez biography on ufw.org.

After seeing discriminations for

Mexican-Americans during his time in the Navy, Chavez decided to take a stand.

He became an organizer for a Latino civil rights group titled the Community Service Organization and later co-founded the United Farm Workers with fellow labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, with hopes of spreading the message of equality.

Using Gandhi and St. Francis as his role models, Chavez vowed to refrain from violence because he believed non-violence could be an active force for positive change, the biography said.

Jepsen said Chavez’s manner of civil disobedience made him a historically significant figure.

“I admire how he protested peacefully. There was no violence or uprising. It was all peaceful for him,” he added.

Aside from celebrating Chavez’s movement for equality,

the event promoted the overall idea of diversity as well.

“We’re thankful for this event, because as small as it is, it actually offers so much diversity within the college,” said Max Disposti, Executive Director of the North County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender and Questioning Resource Center.

“I think creating a safe space like this allows them to not worry about being discriminated against and instead concentrate on who they are as human beings,” Disposti said.

Sharing a similar perspective, Cruz said he hopes students could understand the importance of diversity through Chavez’s efforts of working with others to fight for equality for all.

“Diversity is the ability to help everyone out. We feed off of other people’s strengths. The most important thing about di-

versity is the ability to learn from each other and living together,” Cruz said.

Whatever race or sexual orientation a student is, the event aimed to allow students to gain the idea of hope, a strong sense of family and equality.

“His ability to speak, lead, and touch the lives of many people indirectly is the most amazing effect,” Cruz said. “ I like to think of it as a snowball effect.

Good will come out of good.”

Cruz said he believes that Chavez brought a message to the world of never giving up.

“Even though it can seem hard at times, life is not that bad. As long as you have a meal in your stomach, hopes in your pockets, and ideas in your head, I think we can all move forward to do something better.” aperez@the-telescope.com

STUDENT FATIGUE

Tips and tools to avoid giving up as we hit the halfway mark APRIL TESTERMAN THE TELESCOPE

The middle of the semester is near and students are beginning to feel the inevitable weariness that comes with it.

The mid-semester crunch felt by many Palomar attendees can make it hard to slog through the day-to-day and finish up classwork and duties at home. However, a few enterprising companies have dreamed up products billed as attention enhancers -- just the thing an overworked academic could need to keep going.

It’s now rare to stroll through Palomar’s windy walkways without spying a person or two sporting a shiny can of pure energy.

But not everyone indulges.

Don’t like the taste of Arabica beans? Most convenience stores stock rows upon rows of energy drinks and supplements like Red Bull and 5-hour Energy.

Caffeine is one of the most commonly consumed substances.

The handy compound, commonly

consumed in a morning cup of coffee, provides drinkers with a small boost of energy and promotes mental clarity.

Palomar student Savannah Sevy said she chooses to take classes earlier in the day, because she thinks clearer in the morning.

“I do my school work in the morning or afternoon, because I’m not as tired then,” she said. She also claims not to use any stimulants.

School isn’t easy; if you’re a full-time student it’s even harder.

There are going to be certain sacrifices you need to be willing to take. Figure out when you feel the most alert and the most tired, and schedule your classes and plan to do your homework around those times.

“It’s all about time management. I will take away my video game time to get my work done,” said Palomar student Chris Lambatan.

As college students it may be harder to get a full eight hours of sleep, especially if one wants to maintain a social life.

Palomar student Tim Trevinio catches up on missed sleep in between classes at Palomar College on March 5. • Brian Korec/Telescope

That’s where food comes in, luckily there are several foods that can boost your energy level.

“When I get tired, I just eat fruit for the sugars,” said student Shelby Jones.

Other foods WebMd suggests are: fruit and yogurt, whole-grain toast with peanut butter, eggs with toast and fruit, and a whole grain bagel with cheese.

According to WebMd, breakfast is the “forgotten meal.”

“Research shows breakfast improves alertness and concentration,” presents the website.

Many don’t feel hungry in the morning or are just in a rush to get

out of the house. However breakfast is arguably one of the most important meals of the day.

Cereal may be quick and easy, but cereals such as “Froot Loops” and “Lucky Charms” give us that sugar rush type of energy and tends to wear off rather quickly.

Instead of choosing a sugary breakfast, try a fibrous alternative like oatmeal, Palomar Health Center’s Doctor Hubert Mast suggested.

IPalomar’s Health Center officials said they see a handful of cases related to fatigue, each having a unique cause. Causes include, but are not limited to: metabolic

disease, neurological disease, and anemia. More common causes include stress, depression, and just an overall lack of sleep.

According to Mast, the center recommends a healthy diet and exercise.

“Aerobic exercise is nature’s antidepressant,” Mast said.

“Natural diets are digested slowly, providing a more steady supply of energy and nutrition,” he explained.

Along with a full night’s rest, Mast said he recommends stress reduction. atesterman@the-telescope.com

4 • NEWS

Monday, April 9, 2012

Freeway

TASK FORCE

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Ess is hopeful that the “expansion will help, eventually.”

The use for the developing auxiliary lanes is still up for discussion as SANDAG and Caltrans conduct a 78 Corridor Study to examine alternatives for improving traffic on the 78.

Both alternatives include the addition of a new lane. The options are to make the new auxiliary lanes into HOV lanes for carpools and transit vehicles or to make them into toll roads.

According to SANDAG the study is meant to examine the use of express lanes for mobility and the potential revenues that could be collected by toll lanes.

In March, SANDAG set up workshops to discuss the upcoming improvements and to hear the public’s input on possible outcomes for the 78 Corridor Study.

The study is anticipated to be complete by May. emaliszewski@the-telescope.com

LOCAL ECONOMY

SAN DIEGO AMONG PRICIEST PLACES TO LIVE IN U.S. Local cost of living expenses rise by 3%, report says APRIL TESTERMAN THE TELESCOPE

Despite hopes of a recovering economy, the cost of living in San Diego has increased considerably in the last year.

According to the National University System Institute for Policy Research, the cost of living increased three percent in 2011.

The March report stated that this rise is due to an increase in energy and fuel costs.

It takes energy and fuel to produce goods, and it takes energy and fuel to transport these goods, explained Economics professor Jonathan Smith.

The main factors in the cost of living include: shelter, transportation, insurance and pensions.

Arguably, the most important expenditure is shelter. Americans reportedly spent an average of 29.4 percent on any given form of shelter in 2009-2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In this economy, there are more people with poor credit or no credit at all and therefore turning to renting housing units rather than buying. “It starts with the credit markets, people can’t get loans now,” Smith said.

Palomar student Garrett Rutz and his wife just moved into their first house in March. Due to not having built up his credit yet, he was unable to buy a house, and is

now renting.

“We’re not in a monetary position to buy right now, and we don’t know where our lives will take us,” he said.

Right now, low-skilled workers are struggling the most in San Diego (and other urbanized cities), Smith noted.

While the cost of living is disturbingly high, those getting paid minimum wage, or just above minimum wage, are having to make certain sacrifices and changes to survive. Sacrifices include not having a car, or sharing an apartment or house with several others.

Cherokee Page-Roca is a full-time student at Palomar, she makes minimum wage and relies heavily on the tips she receives.

“There are five people living in the house, including myself, and we have a dog... I never consider the money I need for rent to be my money, it comes off the top,” she explained. “I make sure I have what I need and try to spend as little as possible.”

In urban cities such as San Diego, New York and San Francisco, there is a high demand for space, but not so much supply. Whereas in Texas, for example, there isn’t that same demand, but there is much more supply, explained Smith.

This leads to a higher cost of living in these urban areas, and a lower cost of living in the more rural areas.

Under the SB 1143, each college must time in their classes. Students will be presestablish a task force like Palomar’s to help sured to decide what they want to do or implement the laws. While the general con- forced out of the school. tours are covered under the bill itself, cerSSTF also mandates statewide standardtain details are left up to each school. ized testing to gauge students’ progress For instance, every student will be re- toward meeting curriculum requirements. quired to have an education plan, but it is Under the plan, student test scores will left up to the schools to decide how they be shared with other community colleges want to accomplish that, be it through the throughout the state. counseling department, online or school Palomar student government President owned software.

Evelyn Lucero said Palomar students using “Under the leaderthe Board of Governors ship of the Palomar’s waiver to pay for classes Faculty Senate, we will will feel the most heat unbe convening a comder the task force’s plan. mittee work group to Those students will be plan for the the various asked to meet grade re...many of the students required activities from quirements or lose their the Student Success that come here to college financial aid.

Task Force initiative,” “If students don’t have don’t yet know where they an education plan by their Vice President for Instruction Berta Cuaron semester, they are want to go to, and that is third said. “Once Palomar’s not going to get the BOG,” committee working said. “That is one not enough time to decide. Lucero group starts to meet of the recommendations more formally, we exEVELYN LUCERO • ASG PRESIDENT they are proposing. That pect that the group doesn’t help because will seek college-wide many of the students that input and make recomcome here to college don’t mendations as to how yet know where they we will move forward.” want to go to, and that is not enough time According to bill proponents, high school to decide.” students will have to know their education The SSTF is a broad, sprawling set of proplans before enrolling in a two-year school posals with deep implications at Palomar in order for the task force plan to increase and throughout the state. The Telescope the transfer rates at community colleges. will focus on individual mandates in the bill Students entering college will be required over the next few weeks to better explain its to participate in a diagnostic assessment to implications. develop an education plan. Those students lacking in “readiness” will be required to gnieto@the-telescope.com participate in support resources. ihanner@the-telescope.com In short, students will no longer be al- @gio_nieto lowed to slip through the cracks and waste @ian_hanner

PCTV

PALOMAR TV TAKES FIRST IN BIG CONTEST JESSICA BROOKS THE TELESCOPE

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Palomar’s student-run television station recently won first place in a major competition, signifying them as the year’s best campus station.

Palomar College Television beat out over 900 competitors at the 2012 Broadcast Education Association Convention, winning it a spot above other 4-year and Ivy League schools.

“It is very exciting to be recognized by a national organization and to win over major four-year schools. I was extremely confident we could hold our own against the major universities,” radio and television department head Pat Hahn said.

Palomar College RTV student Westin Eehn was selected as the BEA national twoyear scholarship winner and will receive the honor at the convention. Attending with him will be Serena Reid, the student who won first place in audio documentary for her work at the campus radio station.

Palomar’s students produced a total of 13 newscasts that were submitted to the BEA panel made up of professors and professional journalists. Palomar instructors chose seven of these newscasts that best exemplified Palomar students’ capabilities and were entered into the competition.

The RTV Department at Palomar submitted videos of its newscasts in September 2011, but didn’t find out about the win until early 2012. Student contestants combined busy class schedules with the average 20 hours a week of work that they put in.

Those who win the BEA award received special recognition at the Broadcast Education Association national convention held in Las Vegas on April 16.

Defined as an international professional association for professors, industry professionals and graduate students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises, the BEA is well-respected amongst communication and media scholars, as stated on the organization’s website BEA.org.

The BEA wins are not the first time Palomar’s media teams have won . Palomar students have received 40 awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Pacific Southwest Region Emmy awards during the past two decades, according to The San Diego Clipper.

“The success of our students is directly related to our philosophy of providing students with real-world hands-on training and the amazing work ethic our students have,” Hahn said. jbrooks@the-telescope.com

OPINION • 5

the telescope

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HEALTH

the telescope Focused On Palomar Monday, April 9, 2012 Vol. 65, No. 15 Palomar College, San Marcos, CA

MATTHEW SLAGLE EDITOR IN CHIEF & PAGE DESIGNER KAITY BERGQUIST MANAGING EDITOR & PAGE DESIGNER IAN HANNER NEWS EDITOR JOEL RAMOS NEWS EDITOR GIO NIETO OPINION EDITOR KELLI MILLER LIFE EDITOR COLLEEN PETERS SPORTS EDITOR & COPY EDITOR NATALIE SOLDOFF PAGE DESIGNER DEB HELLMAN PHOTO EDITOR BRIAN KOREC ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR DAVID LEONARD INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT ERIN HIRO ADVISER KIIGAN SNAER BUSINESS MANAGER

AMERICANS SHOULD CONTROL RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES KELLI MILLER THE TELESCOPE

Diabetes is taking over America.

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are at least 25.8 million men, women and children suffering from type one or two diabetes in the U.S., and another seven million Americans who are undiagnosed.

With over 8 percent of our country’s total population being affected by diabetes, there is no better time than now to put a stop to the type that is avoidable.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. According to the California Department of Public Health, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body does not produce insulin.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and is where America’s concern needs to be.

Type 2 or adult-onset diabetes, described by the California Department of Public Health is a “metabolic disease in which the body does not make enough insulin or use it effectively.” Type 2 can be delayed or prevented by sustaining a healthy body weight and regular exercise.

Both types of diabetes come with horrifying health issues.

They have been linked to multiple cancers, kidney and heart diseases, blindness, stroke, amputations and death.

“In 2007, diabetes was listed as the underlying cause on 71,382

ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / MD-228 WEBSITE/ THE-TELESCOPE.COM EMAIL / EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM AD EMAIL / ADS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM THE TELESCOPE WELCOMES ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. LETTERS MUST BE TYPEWRITTEN, UNDER 300 WORDS AND INCLUDE THE AUTHOR’S FIRST AND LAST NAMES, MAJOR AND PHONE NUMBER. PHONE NUMBERS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. LETTERS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM. THE TELESCOPE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EDIT LETTERS FOR SPACE AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS AND NOT TO PRINT LEWD OR LIBELOUS LETTERS. LETTERS MUST BE RECEIEVED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE NEWSPAPER’S PUBLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION. THE TELESCOPE IS PUBLISHED 11 TIMES PER SEMESTER. OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE NEWSPAPER ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WRITERS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF THE ENTIRE NEWSPAPER STAFF, PALOMAR FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS OR THE GOVERNING BOARD TRUSTEES. ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS

CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER’S ASSOCIATION

shocking with America’s multimillion dollar fast food restaurants conveniently placed on every free square inch of pavement.

But the readily available cheap food is a major contributing factor to America’s obesity problem, which leads to type 2 diabetes.

The most important thing with preventing type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight.

Meaning Americans need to completely change and their eating habits. We need to cut out fatty, sodium-loaded foods and exchange them for fresh, nutrient rich foods.

Eating healthier will not lower chances of Type 2 diabetes alone.

Exercise needs to be incorporated into the mix.

With the growing popularity of Facebook and video games, outdoor activities have taken a backseat for America’s youth.

More and more children and young adults are living more sedentary lives, putting them at a higher risk of being overweight, and raising their risk of type 2 diabetes.

According the American Diabetes Association, it doesn’t take much. They suggest losing only seven percent of your body weight could lower the risk of diabetes.

This is America’s wake-up call to get off the couch and get active to lower their chances of being affected by this awful, yet easily prevented disease.

KMILLER@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

VOICES OF REASON

STAFF WRITERS APRIL TESTERMAN, CYNDI LUNDEBERG, DANIELLE TAYLOR, EMMA MALISZEWSKI, JESSICA BROOKS, JACQUELINE COBLE, LEXY PEREZ, MICHAEL ASTORINO, MIKE PETERSON, PETER BEHR, SHAUN KAHMANN & STEPHEN KECK PHOTOGRAPHERS CHARLES LUGTU, ALLYSON WATSON, ADEN WEBSTER, DAN CHAMBERS, EBONY AVERY, KRISTEN CAMPBELL,PHYLLIS CELMER, RUSSELL WHITE, SERGIO SOARES

death certificates and was listed as a contributing factor on an additional 160,022 death certificates. This means that diabetes contributed to a total of 231,404 deaths,” according to the American Diabetes Association.

There have been an alarming number of young Americans and children diagnosed with the disease in recent years.

In 2010, 1.9 million Americans were newly diagnosed with diabetes and from that, 1.5 million people were under the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s obvious this disease is spinning out of control, affecting younger generations and more people. What is disturbing is that Americans are aware of the disease and still aren’t doing much to prevent it, and instead becoming another statistic.

It’s long overdue for Americans to get their heads out of the sand and get serious about a disease that could potentially affect their long-term health.

Genetics play a huge role and aren’t in a person’s capability to change, but lifestyle choices and preventative measures are.

It’s no secret that America as a country is overweight.

“More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. And approximately 17 percent or 12.5 million children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These numbers aren’t exactly

BY KAITY BERGQUIST & COLLEEN PETERS

YOU ARE NOT AS AWESOME AS YOU THINK YOU ARE You’re awesome. But, we’re sure you knew that already.

There has been a growing epidemic of people thinking that they are the best at everything they do. Due to that, people are becoming less able to accept responsibility for their actions.

Michael Laitman, founder of the Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education and Research Institute, wrote, “Irresponsibility stems from our natural egoism, which does not let us consider others over profit, power or fame.”

From an early age, parents are telling their children they are the best and can do anything. Children do need positive reinforcement. It isn’t beneficial to the child to be told that they are terrible at everything they do.

At some age, shouldn’t children know when they aren’t good at something? People only need praise when they deserve it, not for simply waking up in the morning.

Think about it, every participant in Little League, every dancer in the competition, and every poet who enters the competition receives a trophy or something simply for participating. A re-

ward for showing up (and sometimes not even that much)? It sounds great, but what about the people who showed up, worked hard and succeeded? They get the same as the others.

By rewarding everyone, the winners are not rewarded for their good work and effort. The praise comes across the same. It might even mean less.

In his article for Psychology Today, Dr. Jim Taylor said to stop telling children, “Good job!” for everything they do. The the purpose of praise is “to encourage children to continue to engage in positive behaviors that produce positive outcomes.”

The phrase “Good job!” he says “lacks specificity.” Children need to know what they did well and, in turn, that they should repeat it.

In turn, we aren’t learning how to fail. When people do fail, they never claim to be at fault.

They blame the teacher when they fail the class and they blame the police when they get arrested.

Not taking responsibility of your own actions will decrease that self-esteem that was sup-

posed to be built up by all of the praise.

In his article on netplaces. com, Dr. Robert M. Sherfield said, “You cannot think well of yourself if you refuse to take responsibility for your actions.

“Further, if you refuse to take responsibility for your mistakes, errors, and misjudgments, you cannot rightfully take responsibility for your triumphs.”

Not all praise is bad. It’s the type of praise the person receives.

Dr. Taylor wrote, “You should direct your praise to areas over which your children have control-effort, attitude, responsibility, commitment, discipline, focus,” etc.

We fully believe that when a person is praised for what they can control, it could change the mindset that is becoming more apparent, and even more annoying.

You aren’t awesome, but it’s your actions that can be.

KBERGQUIST@THE-TELESCOPE.COM CPETERS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @KAITYBERGQUIST @COLLEEN_TERESA

OUR VIEWPOINT

CALIF. NEEDS A LONG TERM FIX WHAT WE THINK Gov. Brown’s proposal to tax millionares is a good short-term solution to the state’s money problems.

The Telescope supports Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax proposal, but we think the initiative is only a temporary fix for the larger funding problem plaguing the educational system in California; it doesn’t address the root issue.

If voters approve the initiative, it will raise California’s sales tax from 7.25 percent to 7.5 percent for four years. It will also increase the income tax on those making more than $250,000 for seven years. Lastly, it will tax those making $1 million or more at a 13.3 percent rate rather than the current 10.3 percent, dubbed “The Millionaire’s Tax.” Estimates of the revenue increases go from $6.8 billion to $9 billion for 2012-13 and from $5.4 billion to $7.6 billion on average in the following five years.

If the proposed .25 percent sales tax increase and the income tax boost for the anyone making over $250,000 fails, it will potentially crush our already tight budget. With an ailing educational budget, this initiative will not provide an abundance in revenue; rather, it will provide just enough to prevent the impending class cuts that are being faced statewide.

The Telescope has been following the state’s long decline into near bankruptcy. We acknowledge that if this proposal is passed, it will do almost nothing to treat the cause of California’s economic woes. It will however ensure that for the time being, the state’s schools will not be forced to cut more classes, taking them to the point where it will no longer be a realistic possibility for a person to receive higher education in California.

It is reported on the proposal’s official summary that it will allocate 89 percent of the temporary tax revenues to K-12 schools and 11 percent to community colleges, leaving the school governing board to decide how funds are to be spent.

The wealthy will object, be upset and say this initiative is unfair. They may even move away from California, causing less revenue to be brought into the state’s coffers. But, this initiative will not only bring us out-- if slightly-- of this hole we are in, it is the only real attempt to try to balance the economy in California that we are discussing right now.

Students need to ban together and demand complete reform of the educational budget or face more crushing budget cuts in the near future.

6 • LIFE

Monday, April 9, 2012 BOOK REVIEW

LIFE, LOVE & LIP GLOSS

BY KELLI MILLER

Surviving ‘White Girl Problems’ BOOK REVIEW What: White Girl Problems by Babe Walker

Kick a nasty hangover to the curb I’m sure by now you’ve all caught on to the fact that I love anything and everything girly.

Lip gloss, glitter and ruffles are truly my best friends, so I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I prefer my drinks the same way.

Yes, I am that girl at the bar who orders the pink, bikinitinni martini with a candy-coated rim. As much as I love the sugary taste of my pretty cocktails, the hangovers associated with them are quickly making me regret the prior night’s drink choice.

Most people have their own tricks up their sleeves when it comes to hangover remedies.

Some prefer that “hair of the dog” thing and sip on Bloody Marys or devour some greasy, thousandcalorie burger.

I haven’t quite found my hangover groove yet, so I enlisted some help from Giuliana Rancic and her team at fabfitfun.com to see what they suggest.

Coconut Water

Having more electrolytes than Gatorade, coconut water is a naturally sweet way to replenish and rehydrate the body. And the best part is that it’s low-cal and fatfree; can’t beat that!

Mercy

It might be too good to be true, but this lightly carbonated drink is supposed to prevent hangovers before they happen. Mercy, a.k.a the miracle in a can, is filled with amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins to help keep your body hydrated. FitFabFun suggests “drink Mercy in between cocktails or use it as a mixer.

Banana Smoothie

Banana Smoothies are a tasty, healthy way to curb a hangover.

Bananas tend to be a natural stomach calmer, and the potassium from the fruit will help replenish the nutrients lost in the body from the night before. Try adding a crushed up aspirin to the mix for a little extra pick-me-up.

Drinkwel

Drinkwel is a new pill created by two UC Berkeley graduates and doctors made specifically to curb nasty hangovers. The multivitamin’s blend of ingredients is supposed to “replenish nutrients, support healthy liver function, and help your body process alcoholinduced toxins.” This I just have to try.

Have any hangover remedies you want to share? Email me at kmiller@the-telescope.com

Why read: Follow the laugh out loud exhibitions of Babe Walker, a spoiled rich girl who ends up in rehab after a shopping spree that costs as much as most homes Rating: éééé Where to buy: The eBook costs $8 for Kindle or $10 for Nook. Get the hard copy for $11 on Amazon.com

COLLEEN PETERS THE TELESCOPE

At 18, Barbara Walker’s biggest problem was that her dad wouldn’t allow her to get labiaplasty.

In her memoir, published in 2012 “White Girl Problems,” Barbara (Babe) Walker hilariously laments over the numerous challenges that face her every day.

Though most of the book is wildly inappropriate (a movie would most likely receive at least an “R” rating if it were a movie), it is an easy and entertaining read that enables the reader to escape reality and dive into problems that are not typical.

The thing is, Babe thinks her problems are real. And some of them actually are.

Babe grew up knowing that her mother didn’t want a child, and she left Babe and her father

The eBook version of “White Girl Problems” on a Kindle.• Deb Hellman/ Telescope

to survive on their own. Her father wasn’t quite the poor singleparent that comes to mind. They lived in Bel Air and had multiple chefs and maids. Babe grew up with a nanny named Mabinty who she repeatedly refers to as her “nanny/maid/BFF/party planner/project manager.”

The world revolves around Babe, or so she thinks. She is rude, demanding, bossy and has no sense of the world around her. Despite it all, she manages to have an endearing persona.

Sometimes Babe’s problems are real, even if they are lacking in depth. She obsesses over an exboyfriend that she scared away by morphing into Babette, a version of Babe that comes out when she is in love. Ultimately Babette scares away every man. She stalks this particular ex until he changes his number and moves.

She never did recover from

the breakup.

And sometimes her problems stem from unordinary, and mostly bizarre, situations. Shortly into the book, Babe breaks her back while riding a horse. It’s not as tragic as it sounds.

“We were all on a ton of mushrooms, so everything we were doing seemed like a great idea at the time,” Babe said while she described the incident in the book.

She ends up spending the summer in bed at her father’s ranch in Montecito, Calif. and uses a lot of her time writing poetry and thinking about life. Most readers will be able to empathize with Babe’s inner torment, but not her actual problems.

When she spends $246,000 in one afternoon at Barney’s and sends herself to rehab, the scene is both pathetic and hilarious.

Picture a drug addict desperate for another hit, but replace the

meth with designer labels.

“I wrapped my arms around the entire rack of clothing, squeezed everything together into one big bunch, and lifted the entire collection off of the rack...”

This was just the beginning of her shopping trip meltdown, it becomes more and more pathetic as the day wears on.

A large portion of the book deals with inappropriate subjects from Babe’s virginity to her desire for labiaplasty. She is inappropriate, insane and completely self-centered. All of which plays into the hilarity of the book. If the reader takes the book too seriously, the point will be missed.

It is the perfect read for a presummer day spent reading by the pool, just don’t expect to be intellectually challenged.

CPETERS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @COLLEEN_TERESA

SIP OF THE WEEK

April Showers Cocktail DANIELLE TAYLOR THE TELESCOPE

Usually April showers bring May flowers, but this month we have something different in mind.

The April Showers cocktail is a smooth spring treat that may not help grow flowers but it will get you in the mood for the warmer days ahead.

The April Showers cocktail is a simple concoction that blends the fruity taste of oranges with an herbal aftertaste of Chartreuse. Not too sweet, but just sweet enough. It is prepared with only three ingredients; one ounce of brandy, ¼ ounce of yellow Chartreuse, and one ounce of orange juice. Shake the ingredients in a martini shaker and strain into a chilled cocktail glass for a great afternoon pick-me-up.

The beautiful blend of the sunshine and apricot colors creates a drink that is sure to brighten any drab table or mood.

For all of you looking for a springtime treat with a little less kick, try the non alcoholic version of the April Showers by simply mixing 2 ounces of Club Soda, 2 ounces of orange juice, and 2 ounces of green tea in a glass over ice.

The taste of this drink makes up for the lack of brilliant colors in a scrumptious way, and the light caffeine from the green tea is sure to improve your outlook on those gloomy rain drops.

If the real April showers are putting a damper on your mood, add a little something special to this drink or its virgin counterpart by making ice cubes out of lemon juice and sugar.

This adds a sour twist to the already toothsome drink and gives your glass an undeniable glimmer.

DTAYLOR@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

INGREDIENTS 1 oz brandy 1/4 oz yellow Chartreuse 1 oz orange juice

EASY AS 1-2-3 Photo illustration

by Allyson Watson/ Telescope

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake, shake, shake.

3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, enjoy!

LIFE • 7

the telescope MUSIC

Palomar orchestra tours local schools Director Ellen Weller aimed to reach a younger audience, recruit from community through performance EMMA MALISZEWSKI THE TELESCOPE

Palomar’s orchestra hit the road recently as part of an outreach program to find broader audiences and recruit potential artists by performing with local middle and high school students.

The performance was called, “Inside the Orchestra” and, according to the orchestra’s director, Ellen Weller, “it was a chance for Palomar to reach a younger audience demographic.”

According to Weller, the jointorchestra is made up of high school students, community members, music majors and professional musicians.

The three-part concert series took place at high schools and targeted those who are not familiar with Palomar’s symphony orchestra.

“This is the brainchild of Ellen Weller and it’s unusual for us to do,” said Randy Hoffman, the publicity coordinator for Palomar’s Performing Arts department. He described the concert series as, “a collective effort to reach new audiences.”

The series began on March 3 at Poway High School, where the Poway Middle school musicians opened for the Palomar orchestra.

Young students were exposed to the excitement of a large college orchestra.

“Many kids are inspired to play an instrument after they see us perform,” Palomar student and violinist Dalia Miguel said.

Weller also said she hopes that the performances will inspire young musicians to continue to play and join Palomar’s orchestra someday.

Vista high school student Nick Smith plays in the brass section for Palomar and called the outreach series, “a great program because it shows our fellow high school students what we do.”

Smith said he plans to attend Palomar when he graduates and continue to play in the brass ensemble.

Another Vista high school student Philip Espinoza agreed with Smith adding, “it’s also fun to play with new people.”

Last month, the orchestra played at Mission Hills High School with a performance featuring the Palomar chamber singers.

The series of shows ended March 6, when the orchestra played at Fallbrook High School with the Fallbrook Chamber Orchestra, a local community group.

While each location had its own special guest performer, the Palomar orchestra featured the same seven songs for each concert.

Narrated by Kenneth Bell, the principal french horn player, the performance was designed as a “Tour of the Orchestra,” and it demonstrated the various string, woodwind, brass, and percussion components and gave insight into the inner workings, variations, and history of each musical family.

Bell also introduced each musical number, offered background

information and provided his own moments of light-hearted comic relief.

Each musical piece was inspired by a story. The first titled, “Overture to Rusian and Ludmila” was described as a love story that featured the strings. The second piece also featured the strings and was titled “Variations on a Theme”

by Tchaikovsky, during this number the audience was suggested to imagine changing colors as the music progressed.

The next piece “Octoot” was inspired by the sounds of nature and featured the woodwind instruments.

The entire Palomar brass ensemble including the Director Paul Kurokawa was featured next.

They played the beginning of an opera titled, “Fanfare La Peri.”

The percussion section was featured during the performance of “Up to Eight from Three Quartets.”

Finally, the entire symphony came together during what Bell described as a, “family reunion,” to play the final two numbers. Another love story titled, “Peer Gynt Suit No.1” and a Star Wars tribute for the finale.

The principal percussionist, Diego Gutierrez, a second-year Palomar student, said the performance was, “really fun. We’ve been working on this for a while, and I plan on playing in an orchestra for the rest of my life.”

EMALISZEWSKI@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @EMMAHHHH

Principle violin player Ulli Reiner performs with the Palomar Symphony Orchestra at Mission Hills High School on March 4. • Brian Korec/Telescope

DANCE CLUB

Students teach Latin dance styles on campus JACQUELINE COBLE THE TELESCOPE

Get your hips shaking, feet moving and adrenaline pumping at Palomar’s newest on-campus dance club “Club Ritmo Latino,” which translates as Latin Rhythm Club.

The club’s members encourage people of diverse experience levels to come learn various styles of Latin-based dance and have fun doing it. These dances include Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Quebradita, Zapateados, Corridos, Ranchers and Regeaton.

“We love to dance and we want to give people on campus the opportunity to share our love for it,” Club President Juan Lopez said.

The new club already has 20 members who come to practice regularly.

“Most of the people in the club right now are students who have taken Latin social dance courses here at Palomar,” student Sophia Prospero said.

“We picked up the steps and

learned it, but there just was not enough time in the semester to really practice it.”

Prospero said the club has given students the time that they wanted and needed in order to continue to learn what they couldn’t in a semester about Latin culture and dancing.

“It’s unique in that we have peers teaching peers,” Lopez said. “It makes for a more comfortable and fun experience, especially for those who may not have any experience in Latin dance or dance period.”

The dance club concentrates on taking the time to teach people and to help members learn steps they may not get, while also promoting friendships and involvement in school activities.

Lopez stressed since the start of the club all of its members have helped out at a number of leadership workshops, participated in club workshops and even provided services for the campus such as the painting of the Palomar P on the hill behind the school.

For the future, Lopez said he

plans for the club to continue to stay involved in school happenings such as ASG events, and host fundraising events such as dances and dance-a-thons.

The club hosted two events last fall to raise money. Eventually, the club members also hope to have field trips to dance conventions in San Diego, Los Angeles or Las Vegas to see firsthand the different styles of Latin dance.

“Because of the success of our first two fundraisers, we now can offer two scholarships open to any Palomar students active for Spring 2012 with a 2.5 grade point average or better,” Lopez said. “It feels good to be able to promote something fun, but also give back to our school.”

Club Ritmo Latino meets 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday in SU-18. For further inquiries about the club or becoming a member, you can contact the club president Lopez at jlopez2935@student.palomar.edu.

JCOBLE@THE-TELESCOPE.COM

Photo illustration of a couple performing the salsa.

• Deb Hellman/ Telescope

8 • SPORTS

Monday, April 9, 2012

SOFTBALL

STAR PITCHER IS BACK FOR MORE Sophomore slinger treks from Imperial Beach to lead Comets from the mound KAITY BERGQUIST THE TELESCOPE

Palomar pitcher Samantha Avii said that her high school softball experience was so bad that she wanted to quit playing.

So she did, taking a year off right out of high school. But the SOFTBALL love of the game 15-8 overall brought her 7-3 conference back, and she has found her place as one of the leaders of Palomar’s 2012 squad.

An exodus of 2011’s sophomore players, plus a strong recruiting season, leaves Avii as one of four sophomores on a team full of freshman.

“She is a competitive ball player that always has her game face on,” softball manager Lacey Craft said through email. “She is very serious during games and likes to compete; her teammates recognize that in her.”

Avii has been playing softball and pitching since the age of 4. Her older sister, Jamee, also played at Palomar and was one of Avii’s biggest influences as she pursued the game.

“It was a sister rivalry kind of thing,” Avii said. “She was an amazing player. I wanted to be exactly like her. She was just really good, plus she had natural talent.”

In 2005, her freshman year at Palomar, Jamee had a batting average of .664. She also won the CCCFCA Most Valuable Player award and was named the Player of the Year for the All-Pacific Coast Conference Team. In that season, Palomar’s softball team went 35-4 overall, 15-0 in conference.

“My dad always kind of compared us,” Avii said. “He wasn’t doing it to say ‘she’s better than you,’ he was saying it to push me to work harder. I didn’t understand that until college.”

Avii’s experience at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach was very negative.

She didn’t play freshman year, but made varsity in her sophomore year. She said that the school wasn’t very big on athletics and that her teammates and coaches didn’t really care about doing well. That negative attitude rubbed off on her.

“High school made me hate softball,” Avii said.

In the gap year, Avii didn’t even train. She was completely done with softball. Or so she thought.

But then she started missing it, enough to be ready to start playing again.

“It was hard for me to get back into it, because I didn’t do anything for that whole year,” Avii said.

Used to the apathy of her high

SPORTS ON DECK

Palomar softball player Samantha Avii pitches the final innings during game two against College of the Canyons during a double header March 3 at Palomar. • Deb Hellman/Telescope

school team and struggling to get back into softball, Avii found it hard to put forth effort with her new team.

“When I first came here I wasn’t starting, so I didn’t really care,” Avii said. “My dad kind of talked me into caring. I started staying after practice and doing my own thing to get better.”

Things didn’t go the way she had planned as she made her comeback though. Her sister Jamee was offered a scholarship out of Palomar to Arizona State University, which she turned down because of commitments to work.

But Jamee still had a year of playing time left, so when Samantha was ready to play again, they decided to go to Palomar and play together. In the end, Jamee didn’t go to Palomar, leaving Samantha there by herself.

In her first season with Palomar, she had a record of 4-3, and an ERA of 3.28. She pitched 59.2 innings and allowed 34 runs.

The 2011 team had a record of 24-10 in the regular season, 13-2 in conference play. That year, the team made it to the Southern California Community College playoffs, and defeated Long Beach CC in three games. The team then moved on to the Mt. SAC Super Regional, where they were eliminated by Cerritos in the third game.

“It was nice because the team actually cared and showed effort,” Avii said. “It was nice to

Tues., April 10 Baseball

Southwestern 2 p.m.

Myers Field

SAMANTHA AVII Age: 20

She is learning to trust her spins and let the ball do some of the work. She has matured a lot over the last season.

Year: Sophomore Position: Pitcher 2011 2012 G 6 18 GS

3

10

ERA

0.30

2.65

W/L

3/0

6/3

BB

6

17

SO

21

51

CG

2

1

Samantha Avii takes a break during practice on April 2. • Deb Hellman/Telescope

ShO

3

2

experience,” Craft said.

Avii also works as a cashier at the gift shop at SeaWorld. She can only work weekends because of her schedule. She said that if she ever has any spare time, it’s spent doing homework or sleeping.

“It’s so tiring,” she said.

Avii plans to graduate in the spring and pursue a career in criminal justice so she can be a homicide detective.

“I want to be the first woman in my family to get a degree,” Avii said. “That’s what’s keeping me in school.”

She said she’s hoping to go to any school in California that will

give her a good offer. Though she is having some trouble with her knee, she hopes that she will be able to continue to play softball at the next level.

“She has already caught the eye of a couple colleges that want her to play for them next season,” Craft said.

“I actually love this program because the coaches are so great,” Avii said. “If I had gone to a fouryear school I don’t think the coaches would have been as great. They really take the time and care.”

LACEY CRAFT • SOFTBALL MANAGER

have that again.”

As of April 1, Avii had a record of 5-2 on the season.

“I feel like our defense is really strong when she’s pitching,” sophomore teammate Katie Wilford said. “She helps a lot.”

Craft said that she foresees Avii being able to have more command on her pitching as the season goes on.

“She is learning to trust her spins and let the ball do some of the work,” Craft said. “She has matured a lot over the last season.”

Avii still lives in Imperial Beach and makes the hour-long drive to Palomar every day. Her daily schedule includes going to the gym, class and practice while trying to keep up with her 20.5 units.

“I respect that she makes a sacrifice to play for us because she wants to get the most out of her

SOURCE: PALOMAR ATHLETICS WEBSITE

KBERGQUIST@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @KATIYBERGQUIST

Wed., April 11

Wed., April 11

Sat., April 14

Golden West 6 p.m.

The Dome

San Diego Mesa 2 p.m.

TBA

Southwestern Noon Myers Field

Men’s Volleyball

Softball

Baseball