The Advocate - May 19, 2010

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

CMYK

spotlight ◆ B section

Exploring the culture: Persons, trends examined sports ◆ C section

A season of intrigue: Some thrive, others falter

VOL. 94, NO. 22

SINCE 1950

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

32 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

Layoffs, retirements ‘unusual’ Staffers

By Holly Pablo

forced into leaving college early

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After being employed with the district since August 1987, Web administrator Roger Polk will find himself without a job at the college, not by choice, but by force.

Effective July 1, Polk is one of 44 staffers across the district whose position was directly affected by the

elimination and reduction of classified staff, unanimously approved by the Governing Board on May 12.

“I don’t understand how my 23 years of seniority was not a determining factor in choosing whose job is going to be terminated in the first wave of layoffs,” Polk said. “This is an unusual circumstance, and we’re all trying to learn as much as we can, as fast as we can.”

Contra Costa College is facing

a $2 million budget deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year, Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said, and with 94 percent of the budget in salaries and benefits, there is no way around affecting people.

As a result, CCC has eliminated three positions— drama instructional assistant, student services instructional support coordinator, and Web administrator— and reduced eight, including an administrative secre-

edit orial

tary, athletic trainer and both equipment managers and the senior electronics technician.

The magnitude of these reductions, however, is greater considering this figure does not represent the number of positions that will be left unfilled as a result of vacancy or retirement.

“We tried to reduce the staffing in a way as to have the least

LYRICS OF FURY

■ SEE LAYOFFS: Page A4

Wrong move

Better alternatives to laying off are abundant.

page A2

Sentence delayed

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MARTINEZ — The sentencing of a Richmond man convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree robbery and possession of a firearm was delayed a week due to the late delivery of probation reports.

During trial at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez on Friday, attorney Daniel Cook Chang said he did not receive the presentence investigation report with sufficient time to peruse the details with his client, 20-year-old Marcellus Lewis Allen.

Allen is facing 25 years to life in prison in the murder case of 24-year-old Jinzhou Chang, a Contra Costa College student and Chinese ■ SEE TRIAL: Page A4

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Let the rhythm hit ‘em — Student rappers Su (left) and Rance Oliver (right) perform at Summer Jam in the Recreation Room Friday. The event was held by the ASU and Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society to unite students.

JAMMING TO COME TOGETHER

Nighttime party aims to unite student body

By Lissette Alvarez STAFF WRITER

A blend of solid promotion, eclectic music selections and well-known performers attracted a large group of students to the college’s Summer Jam. The event was hosted by the Associated Student Union (ASU) and Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society (AGS) in the hopes of bringing Contra Costa College students together on the dance floor, which was held at the Recreation Room Thursday night.

ASU Director of Public Relations

Jasmyn Oliver said that approximately 200 people arrived at the event.

“I was amazed with the amount of people that showed up,” Oliver said. “One hundred forty-eight tickets were sold during pre-sales alone, while the other 50 tickets were purchased on the same night Summer Jam was held.”

She also said the purpose of the dance party was not to make a profit, but to encourage students to support ASU and AGS, while still having a great time.

The majority of the money earned was used to pay Police Services for the event.

“We wanted to have some social interaction, as well as academic, with other students,” Oliver said.

Social networking was one of the main reasons ASU and AGS were able to pull in

so many guests, she said.

Liberal arts major Rance Oliver was one of the few who took the time to e-mail and surf through social networking sites like Facebook to let students know about Summer Jam. “Most of the social networking was done by my brother. A lot of the people who went told me they heard about the event through Rance,” Jasmyn said.

The same day Summer Jam was held, ASU members were out on the quad promoting their event using a microphone, which also attracted more last minute guests, former ASU Vice President Henry Parker said.

A varied music selection was another element that attracted the sizeable number ■ SEE JAM: Page A4

AC Transit downsized Commuter service sees sweeping reductions

By Brent Bainto SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

As a result of service reduction from AC Transit, student commuters at the college are left disenchanted and upset.

Regular passengers dependent on the bus service to get to school and other locations within West Contra Costa County have been affected by the reduced hours, omitted stops and inconsistent arrival times.

Student Juanisha Robinson has experienced the negatives firsthand.

Over the past few months, Robinson said she has seen more regular stops skipped.

Certain buses have also set newer records of “either (being) too late or too early,” causing ■ SEE TRANSIT: Page A4

$8 million cutback imminent ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Recent numbers released by the district anticipate an $8.7 million reduction in districtwide funds for the 2010-11 academic year.

From this, Contra Costa College is expecting a $2 million future cutback to its general budget.

Yet, district and college officials are kept in waiting as the state continues to change reductions in numbers, delaying accurate estimates of any additional reductions to general funds and categorical programs.

“It’s really hard to try to estimate a college budget when you don’t really

tion on me as a student,” communications major Rebecca Yang said.

“There’s not enough focus on students individually.”

Further reductions and modifications may result in students losing the motivation to pursue their majors, Yang said.

“If there are so many barriers, some might say it’s too much,” Middle College High School senior Stephany Pizano said. “The point of community college is to be cheaper, accessible and more free. If it’s not like that, what can they expect from a university?”

To combat the budget cuts for the next academic year, the college is implementing cost-saving measures, such as reducing course offerings, not replacing vacant positions and issuing staff layoffs.

“The access to education is being ■ SEE BUDGET: Page A4

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

By Asia Camagong

know what your final numbers are until the state does its final numbers,” said Kindred Murillo, vice chancellor of districtwide administrative services.

The number of unpredictable cuts threatens the accessibility of education and opportunity for students, faculty and staff, Murillo said.

“We can’t provide all the services we’ve been providing,” she said. “It’s just not possible.”

For 2009-10, CCC shrank its college expenditures by $1.4 million and experienced a total average reduction of 40 percent to categorical programs.

Many students were quick to feel the effects of the cutbacks made in the year, noticing a smaller class schedule, increased tuition fees and fewer student services.

“I feel like there’s not much atten-

Contra Costa College

21.89%

Diablo Valley College

51.40%

$29,742,531

$69,847,170 Los Medanos College

26.71% $36,300,471

Districtwide expenditures Diablo Valley College accounts for more than half of district expenditures. These do not, however, include competitive grants and categorical expenditures.

source: Contra Costa Community College District

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

District continues to address deficit

CMYK

A2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “I firmly and unequivocally believe in freedom of speech; when you take it away, you take away a lot more, and you realize that all the high-minded ideals that we live under, that our teachers espouse, can just become platitudes.”

Philip Ewing co-editor of The Chatterbox 2001 Holly Pablo editor-in-chief Sam Attal associate editor Asia Camagong associate editor Alec Surmani associate editor Cassandra Juniel spotlight editor Diana Reyes Lauren Shiraishi opinion editors Dariush Azmoudeh Malcolm Lastra sports editors Lamar James Alexandra Waite news editors Brent Bainto social media editor Erik Verduzco photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Lissette Alvarez Mairat Assefa Alison Calais Tanisha Frazier Hilberth Diaz Ibarra Cassidy Gooding Marjorie Riformo Staff photographers Kevin Chourarath George Morin Joe Phutiyotin Raul Reyes Ricardo Sanchez Christian Soto Michael Sue Desmond Sylva Roman Young Staff illustrators James Heck Cody McFarland Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS E-mail: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 VOL. 94, NO. 22 ●

Editorial A grim decision

Laying off employees not best way to reduce

L

aying off — or forcing faculty and staff members to retire — in order to save money is like skipping a home-cooked meal for McDonald’s because it’s cheaper.

What seems like a smart trade in the short term carries greater costs in the future than are often foreseeable.

Director of Business Services Manager Mariles Magalong said Contra Costa College needs to slash $2 million from its 2010-11 budget.

These cuts are not the same for every program, she said, and some areas suffer more than others. Categorical programs, for instance, lost 40 percent of their operating funds.

Administrators say that they have tried most everything already, and there is nowhere left to cut. Even if there was some new way to reduce spending, President McKinley Williams said, there would still be objections.

“No matter what you do, you lose.

It’s hard to justify,” he said.

But maybe that’s just it. Perhaps we’re all looking for one target to share the entire load and cry out when we feel the crosshairs directed at us.

Most are against raising tuition fees, even if it’s just a couple bucks.

Yet, this complete intransigence suggests that a college of packed-to-thebrim classes, lower faculty-to-student ratios and reduced course variety charging $26 a unit is preferable to one with improved numbers in all those categories that requires a slightly higher admission fee.

Sure, many already struggle with the current rate. Raising tuition, however, would increase revenue and possibly protect services like financial aid from getting cut, thus fixing the problem of expensive classes.

Coinciding with an action such as this could be the voluntary yet modest, it can even just be a few percent, reduction in salary for those in the district who already make six figures.

Maybe additional massive, repeated fundraisers could be organized and maintained for the benefit of the district and its community.

Perhaps more people in the community can come together in solidarity and petition for new laws for education.

Admittedly, to some extent, some of these proposals are already being suggested or implemented on some scale.

But if we were to combine them and enact reform as a unit, fewer employees who have served at the colleges for more than 20 years would be forced out.

Sure, these decisions would necessitate a certain level of investment.

Though looking out at the deluge of no-think, low-quality restaurants in the surrounding area and the types of lifestyles they yield, do we really want a district modeled after fast food culture?

CODY MCFARLAND / THE ADVOCATE

■ Introspection

Acts of growing up reveal true desires

T

his place has made me push through the inner grimace to find the truth.

Though this may sound like a fancy way of saying “man up,” there’s a difference.

When someone mans up, it’s usually something they don’t want to do because it has little relation to anything they actually want to do.

Thus, the person will likely go about performing the act with eyes and ears closed off to the wisdom gained when processes are approached with maturity, all in an attempt to get it over with as soon as possible.

The Advocate has helped open my senses to this invaluable wisdom.

Sometimes through force akin to Alex in “A Clockwork Orange,” eyelids and earlobes stretched apart with metal prongs, leaving the coddled havens within no option but to recognize my strangeways.

Other times by instilling within me the desire to do something the right way before the guilt finger of a parental figure even has a chance to wag.

Rather than “man up,” being on the paper for four years has forced me to “grow up,” with an impossible-toundervalue emphasis on the growth aspect.

I could be receiving my bachelor’s degree this month.

Instead, I am just now transferring to a four-year college.

But I regret nothing.

Though I am sure I could have managed, if I had enrolled in a university right out of high school, I would

If I cover a seemingly dull on-campus event, for example, it does not have to be just because I was assigned it, or it needs to be covered or we need to fill space.

I can use the opportunity to: understand why that event have missed so much. is held; comprehend why it Staying as late as 5 a.m. should continue to be held; on a Monday night/Tuesday realize how people feel about morning with Justin, Brett it; grasp why the sharing of and Jack, only to come back that event’s story with others in a few hours later and is important; and recognize proofread through eyes and the value of all these actions minds caked with caffeine, for everybody’s present and sugar and sleep deprivation. future.

Working with Shahruz and Every process has at least Isaac on a goofy Soundslides one right way it should be story we came to despise done. And many have many while everyone else played more. charades in a neighboring The key indicator of hotel room at a Sacramento whether or not something is journalism convention. right for me can usually be Feeling the entire staff found in how I feel about it radiate with warmth as after I’ve given an honest try. the man at the podium in Thus, my growth as a Washington D.C. told us being of energy can include we were one of the top five staying four years at a comcommunity college papers in munity college if the relathe nation. tionships and experiences at Contributing to the collec- such a place align with the tive heckling of our adviser kind of person I want to be. and father chipmunk Paul.

And with friends like Colluding with Sam and Asia, Brent, Shahruz, Sam, Brent to make others feel Justin, Brett, Jack, Travis, uncomfortable by perfecting Dan, Francisco, Jon, Jeff, a brinksmanship game of Regina, Lauren, Holly, Alex, sexual references.

Malcolm, Dariush, Ryan D., Surely, no four-year colRyan J., Wryan J., Zilose, lege staff that rarely meets as Cassandra, Cyndy, Adam, a group could yield such an Isaac, James, Cody, George, atmosphere.

Lamar, Diana, Erik, Roman Being surrounded by these and Paul, it’s obvious that people in a setting where we everything I’ve done here must constantly rely on each is what I wanted to do all other as both co-workers and along. friends has helped me realAlec Surmani is an associize the greatest lesson of my young life — everything you ate editor of The Advocate.

Contact him at asurmani. do with the right approach carries immeasurable worth. advocate@gmail.com.

alecsurmani

CampusComment

What are your plans for the summer?

“My plans for summer are to take summer school and work, make a little money and prepare myself for next semester.”

Rance Oliver digital arts

LAMAR JAMES / THE ADVOCATE

“I will be going to summer school.”

“Probably stay out in Berkeley the whole summer.”

Johnathon Caldwell

Lauren Stafford sports medicine

“Work, party and basketball.”

Mike Crandell English

sociology

“I am going to work so that I can save some money, so that when I go to a four-year college I will not be broke.”

Maria Rubio political science

“I am going to work, and get a tan, do my music and play soccer.”

Rene Garcia

language translation

FORUM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2009 l THE ADVOCATE

A3

■ Life choices

Mistakes unmasked as true blessings D

uring high school, nobody thought I would ever attend college.

While my classmates were busy earning top grades, I was busy romanticizing the lifestyle of a hoodlum. School was not a priority because I had “better” things to do.

As I said goodbye to my classmates, I remember feeling a tinge of humiliation, because while I barely had enough credits to graduate, the majority of my friends were leaving for their fancy universities.

When I enrolled at Contra Costa College in 2006, I regretted being that girl who settled for less. I hated the directionless, indecisive and soft-spoken person I had become. She had no future.

For two years, I floated through general education classes and changed my major four times.

It was miserable feeling like I was wasting my time in school. I attended out of obligation to my parents, not of

Monday. Attending college and district governance meetings.

This schedule has been hectic.

It is exhausting to even think about the countless hours I have spent in the my own volition. newsroom, but I am confident How quickly this attitude that each second was well changed when I found myself spent. sitting in first-semester jourWhether working on nalism courses and writing for assignments or homework for the student newspaper, The other classes, playing a game Advocate. It was a complete, of Life with my fellow staffunexpected turnaround. ers or just hanging out, my Since fall of 2008, I have favorite memories will always served as a staff writer, news be linked to AA-215 because editor and currently, the ediof the wonderful people that I tor-in-chief for the 2009-10 have met. academic year. In these four I will miss planning and semesters, the student publica- attending random “Advotion has become the centerevents” out on the town with piece and greatest aspect of the staff, smoke breaks with my life.

Lamar, talking about relationCovering campus and com- ship drama with Lauren, food munity events and on-the-spot runs with Dariush and Erik news. Conducting interviews. and hearing Disney music Writing articles on strict from Asia’s laptop. deadlines. Working with felThe journalism conventions low staff members throughout were the best. the production process every I have never felt more

hollypablo

relaxed than when I was lounging poolside with the 2008-09 staff at the Doubletree in I cannot Sacramento and partyimagine ing on Sixth Street in Austin, anything Texas on Halloween better during nationals. than what Surely, my experience on The I have Advocate would not already have been same experienced the without the presence of here with each and every person on the The newspaper past Advocate. staff and present, and I feel fortunate to belong to this indispensable family-like

network.

With my term as editor ending and my plans of transferring to San Diego State in the fall materializing before my very eyes, I am overwhelmed with feelings of both sadness and happiness.

It is bittersweet because though I am moving on to a larger school, I cannot imagine anything better than what I have already experienced here with The Advocate.

Looking at the wall adorned with photographs of previous editors, I sometimes laugh and wonder how I got here today.

I suppose the mistakes I made in high school were necessary because sometimes the obstacles we face in life are blessings in disguise, ready to unmask themselves when least expected.

Holly Pablo is editorin-chief of The Advocate.

Contact her at hpablo. advocate@gmail.com.

■ Relationships

Staff memories define college O

ne year ago, I wrote what I thought would be my last column for The Advocate.

Several veteran staff members, including two of the good friends who had joined with me in fall 2007, were transferring. Although I was not, I felt that my tenure on staff had also come to a close.

The semester of spring 2008 was the most enjoyable one I had experienced One year thus far, and I was later, I sit doubtful it could be here topped.

While knowing confident that those that this is who were returning would to be the continue to push themlast column selves and improve, I write for I felt as though I had accom- this paper. plished everything Despite the I’d wanted during my four semes- somewhat ters on staff rocky and I was in shape to move on. adjustment, I had become I ultimately one of two opinion do not editors, participated in regional regret my and statewide writ- decision ing competitions and to return. attended conventions in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Kansas City, all memorable experiences.

Despite a half-hearted promise to fellow staffers that I would return the following spring, I was not even sure where I would be when that time came.

Last fall, when the first day of the semester arrived, it was the first time in two years that I was not sitting in one of Paul DeBolt’s classes.

While it was a weight lifted off my shoulders not having to worry about meeting weekly deadlines and stress over what sources I still needed to contact, I realized there was now an unfilled void in my life.

As I checked out articles on the Web site and saw pic-

laurenshiraishi tures from the latest “Advoevents,” I felt as though I might have had unfinished business with the paper after all.

So when the time came to sign up for spring classes, I immediately signed up for my fifth semester of journalism.

But when I walked into the newsroom on the first day of the spring semester, I was in for somewhat of a shock. Not only was there a sea of new names to remember, some of the most familiar faces were missing.

Knowing it was best not to dwell on the past, I tried to throw myself into the present.

Easier said than done.

I discovered that after an eight-month hiatus, writing articles did not come to me as quickly as it had before.

As I stuttered through interviews, struggled to wake up the mornings after production nights and wrote stories regarding inevitable budget cuts, I wondered what had possessed me to even come back.

It took me a month or so to realize what I had been missing.

It was the satisfaction of seeing my work in print, and the feeling of content knowing that I would be spending at least three days out of the week with people I cared about.

Furthermore, had I not returned, I probably would not have met the people I met this semester, or had the opportunity to attend and cover my first student protest.

One year later, I sit here knowing that this is to be the last column I write for this paper.

Despite the somewhat rocky adjustment, I ultimately do not regret my decision to return.

Being a part of The Advocate staff has definitely been the highlight of my community college career, and the memories are something I will always cherish.

Lauren Shiraishi is an opinion editor of The Advocate. Contact her at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com.

JAMES HECK / THE ADVOCATE

■ Dermatology

Forehead preps return A

fter years spent keeping it in hiding, I recently made the decision to reintroduce an old friend of mine to the world.

Its name is My Forehead.

Ranking supreme on my list of insecurities, my skin has been the epitome of embarrassment, Yet, if I were showcasing a to venture selection of scars outside in chronicling years of puberty, such a stress and the fashion, I’d shameless consumpassume tion of unhealthy eyes were foods.

As the 14-yeardrifting old with a forehead straight matching the texture of oatmeal, from my I’ve hiseyes to my torically kept bangs as a basic scarfeature to my look. infested It didn’t matter how many forehead, a times I cleaned constellation my face or what medi- made out of cations I applied. old and new I was stuck and, new zits. as it is written in human nature, wanted

Trying different hairstyles exposing more and more of my forehead than ever before, I am taking small but certain steps toward feeling liberated in various atmospheres other than just at home. nothing more than to relish For anybody, whether it is in instant gratification by under some fringe or other continuing the pattern of cut- hidden avenue of insecurity, ting my hair so that my bangs it is vital to be comfortable in would hang down in the right one’s own skin. spot.

Too often are people The only accurate way troubled by the criticism of to justify such behavior is others poking at their uncersimple: I’ve been too skintainties. timidated.

Should they not want to From the moment I disembrace them, then change covered that bangs could be them. my saving grace, covering It doesn’t happen overthe blemishes I hated myself night and perhaps may not for having, I never wanted to even happen after a month or turn back. two.

The idea, or rather the But I am certain that it privilege, of exposing my does happen, given that the forehead has consistently effort is put into it. presented itself as somewhat As it stands, my forehead of a bad joke. is not even close to perfecThe kind where one says tion. it, laughs, but secretly wishes It does not look as it did it were true. when I was 14, but old habTruthfully, out of the five its are slow to die, as I still years that I’ve been orchesfind myself giving up trying trating and wearing bangs, a new hairstyle and leaving I’ve never felt a greater the house with my forehead liberation than when I’m at covered. home with numerous bobby The change occurred, howpins keeping those bangs out ever, when I decided to at of my face. least try.

Yet, if I were to venture Enduring a handful of outside in such a fashion, years in the shadows, it is I’d assume eyes were drifttime for my forehead to ing straight from my eyes to resurface. my scar-infested forehead, a Don’t call it a comeback. constellation made out of old Asia Camagong is an and new zits. associate editor of The With these thoughts conAdvocate. Contact her at stantly holding me back, and after spending too many acamagong.advocate@gmail. years letting them win, I have com. had enough.

asiacamagong

CAMPUS BEAT accent advocate ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Twitter

Receive breaking news and updates by following The Advocate’s Twitter account, AccentAdvocate.

Newsline ■ CEREMONY

Graduation date nearing The class of 2010 graduation will be held in the Gymnasium on May 28 at 7 p.m. Admission to the ceremony is by graduation ticket only and each graduate is provided tickets from the Admissions and Records Office.

For more information, contact Shondra West at 510-235-7800, ext. 4500.

■ SHOWCASE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Layoffs | 44 employees to feel effects ■ FROM: Page A1

adverse impact on students,” CCC President McKinley Williams said. “We’re walking on pretty thin ice if we cut the operational budget.”

Formal 45-day notifications have been sent, Magalong said, and using options presented at informal meetings between each employee with members from the college administration and union representatives, employees have until Friday to finalize their decision of a pay cut or being laid off.

One option presented to staffers is “bumping.” This allows a senior employee to take or share a similar, occupied position for fewer hours and wages within the district, said Gene Huff, district chief human resources officer.

Polk, for instance, has the choice to use his seniority rights to bump a similar fulltime position at sister school Diablo Valley College, which

would ensure him a part-time job working with that staffer as a result of a shared workload between the two.

He decided that retiring was an advantageous solution, but remains concerned that the impact of these layoffs and reductions will negatively affect students in the way the institution is changing to adapt with the budget woes.

Similarly, video production engineer Barry Benioff took advantage of the district’s second-round retirement incentive program after he was notified that his position was to be eliminated, which made him eligible for retirement even though he was one month short of service requirements.

“It’s hard to not take it personal,” said Benioff, who has worked full-time at CCC for 13 years. “It’s a shame.

There are some very dedicated people who will be leaving.”

Huff said the district depleted reserve funds in the fall as a way to avoid having mid-year layoffs, but it has now reached a place of last-resort.

Those eliminated will receive severance packages continuing their benefits for 90 days or until Sept. 30 and one month’s salary, Huff said. Also, the district will provide job placement services to assist them in looking for employment outside the district.

Yet, Kasmir Zaratkiewics, business agent for Public Employee’s Union Local 1, who took part in the informal meetings with impacted staff, said the layoffs and reductions are especially overwhelming at this time.

Those being reduced, though they will still have a job, will be facing salary reductions as a result of fewer hours in their labor contracts.

“One thing to consider is

that because the economy is doing so poorly, it’s taking effect on people in a more impacting way,” Zaratkiewics said. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy for anyone who’s facing layoff.”

It also brings the fact that with fewer staff members left employed at the college, those remaining are going to be expected to pick up a larger distribution of the work left unassigned as a result of attrition.

The college will find ways to realign the allocation of duties and responsibilities to ensure those tasks will be covered, Williams said, which might mean designing or combining jobs.

If a new position is created that an eliminated employee can fill, he or she owns a 39-month right to be rehired, he said.

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo.advocate@gmail. com.

Parting ways With outstanding deficits at the college and district levels, Contra Costa College was forced to cut or reduce 11 positions: Canceled positions ● Drama instructional assistant ● Student services/ instructional support coordinator ● Web administrator Reduced positions ● Administrative secretary ● Athletic equipment manager II (two positions) ● Athletic trainer ● Computer aided instructional lab coordinator ● Media design specialist ● Senior electronics technician ● Shop equipment assistant

Musicians to prove skill

Trial | Late delivery of reports cause setback

The vocal and piano departments will be hosting a Spring Showcase Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Knox Center.

The program will feature JazzaNova, selected soloists, chamber singers, gospel choir and jazz singers.

Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 general admission.

For more information, contact Stephanie Austin at 510-235-7800, ext. 4361, or e-mail her at saustin@contracosta.edu.

immigrant robbed and killed after sustaining three gunshot wounds to the head, stomach and back the afternoon of July 30, 2007 in El Cerrito.

Having the opportunity to scan the report during recess, Cook said there were “significant issues raised in the report” and a few days were needed to determine prospective objections.

Judge John W. Kennedy approved the reschedule, yet ruled against Cook’s motion for a new trial with reasoning that the defendant was deprived the rights to a fair trial based on the fact that jurors reached verdict before receiving all sched-

■ AFRICAN

Looking back: Chang murder and trial history

Knox Center to host event The African-American studies department and the African-American Staff Association will host the Celebrating Success event honoring all graduating students of African descent in the Knox Center Saturday at 6 p.m.

The celebration is open to the public and will include a keynote speaker and Kente Cloth ceremony. Umoja students will also be recognized at the event.

For more information, contact Carolyn Hodge at 510-235-7800, ext. 4540.

■ PUENTE

Project aims to celebrate The Puente Project will have a Puente Endof-the-Year Celebration in the Student Dining Room Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Students and families are welcome to join the event and honor the Puente students accomplishments.

For more information, contact Norma ValdezJimenez at 510-235-7800, ext. 4341.

■ FROM: Page A1

July 30 Jinzhou Chang, 24, is killed at about 6 p.m. outside an apartment complex on Belmont Avenue and Lassen Street in El Cerrito.

He was robbed by three men then shot three times.

uled testimonies.

This fact was not found to be true, Kennedy said, and sentencing will resume Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Martinez courthouse.

At the hearing last Friday, Deputy District Attorney Mark A. Peterson did not object to the delay in sentencing, but requested that Rebecca Sinton, a friend of the victim’s father, be allowed to present the older Chang’s written statement to the court.

Huiquan Chang, Jinzhou’s father, shed tears as Sinton read the letter, which she translated from Mandarin to English before the trial.

Huiquan moved to the United

Aug. 2 Seventeen-year-old defendants Allen, Christian Latimore and Raymond Richards and Dion Williams, 18, first appear in court, charged as adults of first-degree murder. No pleas are entered.

2007 July 31 Murder suspects Marcellus Lewis Allen and Dion Williams are arrested in Orinda after the Contra Costa County Sheriff Department receive a complaint about three young men — Allen, Williams and acquaintance Sirmonte Bernstine — flagging down cars at approximately 11:30 p.m. A gun was found on Bernstine, which led to the officers finding the gun used in Chang’s murder on Allen.

— Alexandra Waite

as he washed a bucket outside of the complex, Peterson said, and he was shot shortly after they went through his pockets.

“A civilized society would not allow this kind of a crime to exist,” Sinton read from the statement. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to accept the fact that (Jinzhou) was taken from me in this hideous manner.”

Four people were arrested in connection with the crime within a week of the murder, Peterson said.

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo. advocate@gmail.com.

March 1 First-degree murder trial begins in Martinez for Allen, who allegedly shot Chang.

2009

Sept. 26 Williams is charged with firstdegree murder and seconddegree robbery. Latimore, Richards and Allen are charged as adults with first-degree murder and robbery. Allen also has a weapons charge, as the alleged gunman. All plead not guilty.

April 1 A jury convicts Allen of firstdegree murder, second-degree robbery and possession of the assault weapon used in the crime.

2010

Fall Williams makes a plea agreement for lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter in exchange for testimony against Allen.

May 21 Marcellus Lewis Allen faces 25 years to life in prison for the murder and robbery of Chang.

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Budget | Exact numbers still murky Jam ■ FROM: Page A1

CrimeWatch

Wednesday, May 12 A subject was stopped for a traffic violation, and he was determined to have been a previously reported missing endangered adult.

Oct. 23 Latimore, who originally pleaded not guilty during trial, makes a plea agreement for lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter and robbery in exchange for testimony against Allen later that day.

2008

limited by the state funding reductions,” Vice President Carol Maga said.

With staff and faculty facing retirement opportunities and layoffs, the amount of unfilled vacant positions would require remaining workers at the college to adopt more shared responsibilities, Maga said.

The distribution of an employee’s duties may result in tasks taking longer to be completed, she said.

“This is not a good thing to be happening, but it’s the way it is,” Maga said.

Murillo said several districtwide laySaturday, May 1 offs to classified staff were distributed A victim reported his earlier this month. vehicle stolen from Lot 4 on “Those who were left behind are left campus. to do the work,” Director of Business and Services Mariles Magalong said.

Monday, May 3 CCC, with 94 percent of its college A burglary was report- budget composed of employee salaries ed in the Student Activities and benefits, was not exempt from Building.

Wednesday, May 5 A Middle College High School instructor reported the theft of a computer from an unsecured room in the Applied Arts Building.

States from China nine years ago as a single parent dreaming of freedom, democracy and hopes of a better life for himself and his only child.

He raised his son to the best of his abilities and encouraged him to pursue a good education and be a good person. Jinzhou planned to transfer to UC Davis, worked in an afterschool program and often helped his father with rough construction jobs.

Huiquan has doubted his decision to move to America since Jinzhou was murdered, as they renovated an apartment complex together near the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Lassen Street in El Cerrito.

Three robbers confronted Jinzhou

A4

making these reductions, Magalong said.

“No matter what you do, you lose,” President McKinley Williams said. “It’s hard to justify.”

Though approximate numbers have not yet been released, Murillo said additional cuts to categorical programs may not happen, though the services may still need to adjust to the reductions made this year.

“We’re just starting to (experience) the depth of the problem,” Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said.

Categorical programs, which include EOPS, Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) and matriculation, are restricted funds provided by the state.

Counseling department Chairwoman Norma Valdez-Jimenez said counseling, as part of matriculation, has dealt with a budget slash, causing it to reduce opening hours during the summer session.

Typically open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., the upcoming summer counseling hours will be between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., she said.

“We have a lot fewer counselors on staff in the summer than (we have) in the past,” she said.

In addition, the Counseling Office will be closed a week after finals from May 31 through June 4, as the summer schedule was cut of its intersession courses, she said.

Williams said, “The sacrifice is going to probably touch everyone at the college. I don’t think anyone’s going to avoid the pain or anguish.”

Historically serving a population of students “coming unprepared,” Hernandez said offering fewer services would be “turning our backs to our community.”

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong.advocate@gmail.com.

Transit | Service dwindling, shaky ■ FROM: Page A1

her to miss them.

“They’re letting us down,” she said.

Bus drivers have also felt the service change to be startling.

AC Transit driver Joe Dotson said drivers are more pressured to meet the demands of the public, as

well as having to deal with the cut hours in which AC Transit falls out of service and employment.

“We all lose,” Dotson said.

He added that the service reduction impacts students and people in general, especially in metropolitan areas.

According to a marketing

release from the company’s Web site, major changes were imperative in accordance to the reduced state funding, declining sales tax revenue and other economic factors.

The shifts in service, though seemingly abrupt, are allegedly covered by an act of compensation.

Improvements such as schedule and route adjustments, increased frequency on certain lines and an additional 30-minute extension on transfers have already been implemented.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto.advocate@gmail. com.

■ FROM: Page A1

of students, as well as keeping their feet planted on the dance floor, he said.

The genre of music played at the event included reggaeton, hip-hop, rap and classics from the ’80s and ’90s, courtesy of the ASU’s Robin Lopez and Tony Tran.

“I thought the (disc jockeys) had a good mixture of music,” Parker said. “The event was definitely cracking.”

Liberal arts major William Peoples said he liked the music they played, especially some of the newer songs from the radio.

Jasmyn said a bulk of the students were there to see Rance perform.

“I liked seeing my peers dancing with one another,” Peoples said.

Summer Jam’s special guest performers also sparked enthusiasm from the students. The event included performances from Sudan Williams, Jay Anthony, Rance and MicDashE. Jasmyn said the audience went “crazy” over the performances, especially for Anthony and Rance.

Contact Lissette Alvarez at lalvarez. advocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

A5

Cannabis at risk City attempts to shut down dispensaries

By Brent Bainto SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

RICHMOND — The battle of cannabis club legality in the city of Richmond has sparked a heated debate between city council members and club owners for zoning and operation rights.

As of February, each listed dispensary in Richmond received letters of “cease and desist” from the city attorney’s office stating that each center violates Richmond Municipal Codes 7.04.030 (working with the absence of a valid business license), 15.04 (zoning sanction) as well as Business And Professions Code, Section 17200 (unfair business practice).

Assistant city attorney Mary Renfro said the dispensaries were never granted permission within zoning guidelines and that all licenses are to be examined individually, leading to a subsequent shut down.

Though each case is to be examined, dispensary owners such as Rebecca Vasquez assure the authorization of her establishment.

Vasquez, proprietress of the Holistic Healing Collective in Point Richmond, said she has been

working with a private attorney to ensure the protection of her business, verifying that her permits and zoning rights are in accordance to given guidelines of the city.

“I will fight to stay here,” she said.

On the state level, the passing of Proposition 215 in 1996 legalized marijuana for medicinal use, but not all encompassing cities allow the presence of dispensaries due to local crime trends.

“Surrounding areas (of the Richmond community) are impacted (by dispensaries),” Renfro said.

These dispensaries can be “crime magnets,” she said.

A particular case that prompted the deliberation of the Richmond City Council and city attorney’s office was that of the Pacific Alternative Healing Center, also located in Point Richmond.

During a monthly meeting arranged by the Point Richmond Community Center in March, it was called into attention that owner John Clay was, in fact, operating without a business license. Additionally, Clay was reportedly robbed on two separate occasions since opening earlier in the year, Vasquez said.

Despite the Pacific Alternative Healing Center, however, Vasquez does not feel the city should condemn dispensaries as a whole. She hopes that the city council can see that cannabis clubs are a clean operation.

Specific instances such as Clay and his business have reinforced the Richmond City Council to press for a drastic measure to take hold of the matter.

Besides the allegations of heedless functioning, a moratorium was renewed for the city in April, mandating that no further dispensaries are to be opened until formal ordinances are presented after this coming November.

The ban, first initiated in 2005, was not strictly enforced until city council members began to recently address public concerns.

With the embargo, Councilman Thomas Butt hopes that the council will work through various options to cater to medicinal marijuana patients and the public.

So far there have been mixed responses from Butt’s public e-mail forum, but many continue to contest the agenda of the city council.

Richmond resident and former cannabis club member Leonard Rodriguez said a complete prohibition of dispensaries would affect patients of medical marijuana greatly. “(Some patients) would end up getting (marijuana) from the streets,” he said.

Rodriguez reaped the benefits of being a club member after suffering for a year from a stabbing incident in 2007.

Opting for medical mari-

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Up in smoke — Holistic Healing Collective owner Rebecca Vasquez handles a nugget of cannabis for a customer in her dispensary in Richmond Thursday.

The city plans to close down dispensaries like hers. juana was the only viable choice seeing that there was no way to overdose with cannabis, whereas other painkillers potentially cause damage to organs, he said.

As for the future of dis-

pensaries in Richmond, Rodriguez said he hopes the council will give them a chance to air their cases, but also is hoping for the success of the upcoming state ballot measure in November

for the overall legalization of cannabis.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto.advocate@gmail. com.

Witnesses of crimes might have to report Senate Bill aims to change age limit for those who see illegal violent, sexual acts

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

A bill moving forward to make it a crime for a witness to fail to report sexual and violent crimes committed against minors has recently been approved.

Senate Bill 840 was introduced into legislation by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and was prompted as a result of an Oct. 24 incident where a 16year-old girl was gang raped outside of Richmond High School, in front of more than a dozen witnesses.

“The poor girl was beaten, sodomized and robbed in front of people who did not have the heart to try and stop this brutal crime,” said Harriet Salarno, of Crime Victims United.

Because a 1999 state law made it a misdemeanor for witnesses to not report a rape, murder or lewd act on a child under the age of 14 years, SB 840 will change the age limit from 14 years to now 18, according to Yee’s office.

According to reports, individuals ADVERTISEMENT

were arrested, yet because the victim of the gang rape was over the age of 14, prosecutors were not able to charge those who were alleged to witness the attack but did not report it.

According to the unofficial May 3 ballot from the Senate Bill Voting Information, the bill was voted unanimously in favor with 29 “yes” and none opposing.

“We’re really trying to get the message out that we’re trying to participate in helping a child by reporting the act and that everyone has a responsibility to do so,” Yee said in an interview on May 7 with talk show host Belva Davis.

Many feel that it is common sense to report such a crime, without thought.

“Why would we not report it? How are we going to stop crimes if we don’t start reporting them?” Salarno said. “To witness something like this and not report it is an outrage.”

Local residents with families also respond favorably for the bill’s passing.

“If you notice something like this happening, it’s most appropriate to let

authorities know. Why stick around and watch?” Contra Costa College culinary arts major Eric Harris said. “I am against not reporting. I am at the age with sons in high school, and I could not bear to know that they would stand around and watch something like this.”

Similar to Yee’s proposal, a second bill, Assembly Bill 984, known as the Witness Responsibility Act and authored

by Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), does away with the age limit all together.

The vote for this bill, taken on the Assembly Floor and voted on in January, was 64 in favor with four opposing and 10 abstaining, according to California Politics and People.

Those opposed are the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the California Public Defenders Association.

Valerie Navarro, ACLU legislative advocate, said the union opposes Nava’s proposal, saying it would punish those at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Our criminal justice system is

designed to determine wrongdoing and wrongful intent, and this bill does not require either wrongful intent or wrongful act,” Navarro said. “Someone who is at the wrong place at the wrong time would be considered a criminal if they fail to report a crime they witness. This bill does not consider that people may have very good reasons not to report crimes.”

While sides go back and forth to oppose or be in favor, individuals continue to respond due to the nature and newness of the incident of Oct. 24.

“I have a daughter and would not want this to happen to her, much less not wanting to speak up on her behalf,” health and human services major Carey Hardamon said. “I know people want to mind their own business, yet they should speak up anyway.”

SB 840 will now be considered by the Appropriations Committee before it goes to a vote of the full Senate.

Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel.advocate@gmail.com.

Group provides outlet

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It stems from the irresistible urge to move when the right sounds flood the ear, or perhaps dawns from that strike of inspiration that creates a thirst to bring life to an idea.

“Students are really starved for music,” Middle College High School instructor Steve Hoffman said.

This is the craving that the campus Music Club wishes to serve.

Open to MCHS and college students on campus, the Music Club establishes an outlet for members to express, showcase and experience their passion for music.

“When you collaborate with other people, you can make something new out of it,” club President Allan Lee said. “(Music) helps stimulate the mind.”

Lee, who has been playing guitar for three years, said that the club plans to “change directions” this semester, becoming more active in generating more student attention.

More than just a zone for socializing, the Music Club also serves as an area for stress relief.

“It’s the outlet for students to let out their stress,” Lee said. “We’re having more fun (because) music is everywhere on this campus.”

Whether in the form of a student wearing headphones or hearing “freestyle rappers” in the quad, finding the importance of music on campus is not uncommon, he said.

Meeting every Wednesday at 3:30 in AA-213, the club explores the many different genres of music while also encouraging students on campus to present and teach their talents.

With a lack of funding leading to the cancellation of the MCHS jazz band last year, the club began, because there was “no real

outlet” for music on campus, Hoffman, the club’s adviser, said.

Although started by MCHS students, resulting in a majority of high school members, the club has been open to college students and hopes to expand its numbers this semester, club Vice President Chris Clausen said.

Members can find an avenue for music appreciation, as the club caters to the interests of all musicians and fans of music, Clausen said.

As a way of generating more members by becoming more active, the club is working to organize different themes focusing on individual styles, he said.

During its hip-hop week, the club organized its first themed event titled “Freestyle Yourstyle” on April 21, inviting students to participate in rap battles. “(We want to) try to give all students a chance to express and show (their) music abilities,” Clausen said. “(Music) is a way for people to express themselves. (It’s) something they can escape to.”

At the end of the semester, the club will host a concert showcasing the talents of various artists on campus performing music ranging from pop, punk, metal, rap and even breakdancing, he said.

Future plans for the club involve possible fundraisers, the production of a demo CD and club T-shirts, Clausen said.

With the club currently including students that are guitarists, dancers, singers and admirers of music, the “diversity and talent” allows members to “learn from each other through music,” member Anjelica Silva said. “(Music) is a form of relaxation (that allows you) to connect with other people with the same interests,” she said.

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong. advocate@gmail.com.

A6 THE ADVOCATE

SPOTLIG

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

A different time and place — When the college first moved to its San Pablo campus in 1956, it had a much different feel. Now, 54 years later, it continues to thrive in a diverse manner befitting of its location.

60 years of

distinction History of college rich in culture

By Lauren Shiraishi OPINION EDITOR

When West Contra Costa Junior College first opened its doors to the public in 1950, classes were taught in the Richmond shipyards. In addition to taking traditional general education courses, students could also become involved in the college’s trade programs.

Six years later, the college was relocated to its current home in San Pablo. By March 1957, enrollment had quickly shot to 9,187 students, and a year later, the name was officially changed to Contra Costa College.

Rich in diversity, CCC became a hot spot for political activity.

During the 1960s, activists such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Booker T. Anderson and black power advocate Stokely Carmichael spoke on campus.

The college, however, has also seen its share of scandal and tragedy. In December 1997, then-president D. Candy Rose was placed on paid administrative leave and under investigation for mishandling district funds.

In March 1998, Dr. Rose pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of using her position to influence a government decision for her benefit or the benefit of a family member.

Less than a month later, on April 8, the Governing Board announced that Rose had resigned, ending her 13-year tenure as president.

But that was not the worst of the college’s fortune, however.

In September 1996, student Christopher Robinson was shot and killed at 10:20 a.m. as he was sitting on a chair in front of the Student Activities Building in the quad.

And more than 10 years later, student police aide Edgar Rocha was shot just off campus while in pursuit of an alleged car thief in November 2007.

Reporting and covering these major events, as well as smaller events and other information pertaining to CCC’s student population, was the campus newspaper.

What started as the Blue and

Gray Newsletter went through a handful of name changes before being renamed The Advocate in November 1960. “(The Advocate) is a responsible, professional publication year after year,” former political science professor Ted Radke said, as quoted in the March 29 issue of The Advocate in 2000. Radke had been a CCC student in the mid-60s and heard Dr. King speak in the CCC Gymnasium in 1964.

In 1960, the Master Plan for Education was established, promising higher education to all. In accordance with this, tuition was free at the state’s two-year colleges. Student enrollment continued to increase.

To accommodate this growth, more buildings had to be constructed. In the 1960s and ’70s, the college gained seven new buildings, as well as the tennis courts, swimming pool and athletic fields.

Once the facilities were constructed, students had a place to pursue their education and vocational careers.

Along with academics, sports and other programs had begun to flourish on campus.

A number of successful athletes in various sports, including Benny Barnes, Joe “JD” Banks and Eddie Hart are former CCC athletes.

Today, although the college no longer offers some of its original programs, such as welding and appliance repair, others have taken root and become successful.

When McKinley Williams became president of CCC in 2005, he coined the slogan, “the premier community college in your own backyard.”

“We have a number of exemplary programs, and that’s what makes us a premier community college,” he said. “We award more degrees and certificates per full-time equivalent students than our sister colleges.”

Some of these award-winning programs on campus include culinary arts, automotive collision repair, the Center for Science Excellence (CSE), journalism and forensics.

Culinary arts students can gain practical experience through serving at local community events and in the student-run restaurant, the Three Seasons. The CSE program was one of 10 community college programs in the state to receive recognition at

The path and evolution of a college Feb. 14, 1950 West Contra Costa Junior Feb. 6, 1955 A fire College at destroys the Richmond Life Science opens its Building. doors.

May 1955 The baseball team wins what is still the only team state championship in the college’s athletic history.

1950-1959

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Spiritual leadership — Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. sits in the college’s Gymnasium on Feb. 14, 1964 preparing for his speech. An audience of roughly 2,000 people was present. the state Board of Governor’s meeting in January 2010.

Many students said they have been fortunate to have knowledgeable instructors. Williams also praised his staff.

“We have a very passionate faculty and staff working at the college who are dedicated to serving students,” he said.

Instructors agree that their students make their jobs worthwhile.

“It’s enjoyable, and we know we will help students succeed,” said Helen Kalkstein, Communication, Liberal Arts, Skills and Services Division dean.

Over the decades, CCC continued to gain relevance not only among locals, but with foreigners as well.

International students began to flock to community colleges, in hopes of gaining American degrees and transferring to four-year universities.

Kalkstein, who was hired as an ESL instructor in 1990, said, “(The

Feb. 14, 1964 October, 1956 A capacity crowd CCC moves to of 2,000 people its current loca- pack the CCC tion in the hills Gymnasium to hear the Rev. of San Pablo.

Martin Luther King Jr. speak.

college) was growing, and we all worked together. Students came from all over the world, and there was a lot of positive energy.”

That previous fall, Middle College High School made its debut on campus in September 1989.

Twenty years later, it is now the top-ranked high school in the West Contra Costa School District, as well as one of the better schools in the state, Williams said.

Keeping in this tradition, the college is still improving its offerings.

Nearly 40 years after their original construction, some of the older buildings will be replaced with newer ones, transforming the outdated campus into a modern facility.

These changes, combined with its dedicated staff, will continue to ensure the success of students for years to come, Williams said.

Contact Lauren Shiraishi at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com.

January 1967 The college offers its first AfricanAmerican course — History 123: The Negro in U.S. History.

1960-1969

April 11, 1969 The Black Student Union begins informational picketing, which results in special programs on campus.

Heartache — On Sept. 25, 1996, Co Basketball coach Odis Allison console

Jan. 1, 1973 With the installation of the IBM/System 3, CCC’s data processing department enters the mini-computer field, making it one of the most progressive training programs of its kind.

1970-1979

January 1983 Seven CCC stu are among 26 f students indicte charges that th gally received a $77,509 in stud and grants betw 1977 and 1981

OTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Students’ paper a foundational rock Publication mirrors community’s diversity

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Trying to find a singular, defining quality to summarize the history of the college’s journalism program lies somewhere between pointless and missing the point.

If one were to ask a number of current and former professors and staff members who have been closely connected to the San Pablo publication over the course of its 60year run, the answers would nearly exhaust the gamut of extolments.

Some, like faculty adviser Paul DeBolt, say that the support of the college and the work ethic of the students are the main reasons why the department has thrived for so long.

“It’s real simple. We teach hard, they work hard and they’re talented,” DeBolt said.

“There’s no magic potion to it.”

Former Editor-in-Chief Marc Carig, however, thinks that the stable support of having just two people, DeBolt and Alma OberstHolmgren, advise the paper for more than 45 years explains much of its success.

“There are places that change their advisers three times in a semester,” Carig said.

“Having those steady influences, to me, is why (The Advocate) is what it is. And I hope that continues.”

This continuation, this constant motion, also plays a part in the identity of the program and is directly tied into how it has amassed so many characteristic attributes.

Because The Advocate was not always how it is now. In fact, The Advocate was not always even The Advocate.

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

1996, Contra Costa College student Christopher Robinson was shot and killed in the quad. on consoles the victim’s aunt Skylar Robinson after she learns of the incident.

ary 1983 CCC students mong 26 foreign nts indicted on es that they illeeceived a total of 09 in student loans rants between and 1981.

A7

May 20, 1983 For the first time ever, CCC cancels its summer session due to a $1 million deficit.

September 1989 CCC hosts high school freshmen with the opening of the new Middle College High School on campus.

1980-1989

Oct. 17, 1989 The Loma Prieta earthquake rocks the Bay Area, its magnitude measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale.

CCC is closed for two days.

get in the paper,” Jacobson said. “If you’re teaching that principle (of freedom of the press), you have to extend it (to students).”

Along with preventing censorship, he also emphasized a professional approach to journalism, both in the students’ practice and in their treatment as reporters.

“They had to learn responsibility because of the repercussions that could come after the fact,” Jacobson said. “We needed to be responsible ourselves, instead of being led around on a leash.”

Such radical shifts to the program would continue with the hiring of the first full-time journalism professor: Oberst-Holmgren.

Miss O’s big changes Upon her appointment in 1964, OberstHolmgren, or “Miss O” as she was known, immediately began altering the way the program was run.

In addition to solidifying a weekly publication schedule, Miss O started by turning the newsroom, formerly a faculty lounge, into a more suitable environment with a darkroom and adviser’s office.

Though the program still garnered only minimal respect and was transferred between numerous locations during her 16-year tenure, Miss O managed to establish a stronger name for The Advocate by emancipating journalism into its own department and instilling a sense of coverage and consistency among her students.

“A newspaper has to cover its territory and has to be consistent. And if you don’t do it every week, then there’s no point in doing it,” Miss O said.

It was during this time that strong bonds between the staffers, as well as the adviser, became an essential part of the experience.

Some would follow Miss O home after production nights, where she would heat up leftovers for them to eat together.

This focus on camaraderie helped foster an atmosphere that inspired one of her former students to return to serve as her replacement in 1980.

Birth of a paper During the spring of 1950, within the walls of the brand new West Contra Costa Junior College, a number of students agreed to work together and produce a flier to share information with their fellow peers.

Establishing bonds The Blue and Gray Newsletter released After earning the opportunity to continue its first edition, two stapled pages typewrit- his mentor’s work, and eventually receivten in letter size, on March 20 of that year. ing the chance to do so within a Miss ORoyal blue and silver gray had only designed newsroom inside the newly built recently been chosen by the student body Applied Arts Building in 1983, DeBolt set to be the college’s colors, and the students about enacting massive program shifts of working on the flier decided to incorporate his own. the results of the elecWhile this included tion into the name of the switch to broadsheet their project.

“When you’re an format in 1981 and Robert Pence, a propagination in Advocate reporter and computer fessor of English, which 1990, much of DeBolt’s is the department jour- you’re doing what you’re impact came through a nalism was initially on student-based supposed to be doing, focus lumped in with, was learning and teaching. appointed to be the facAlong with graspyou’re doing it for the ulty adviser the following how to interact good of the college. If with sources and tell ing semester.

He said that during you love something, you stories, for instance, his five-year tenure, only his pupils would also a tiny minority of the want to protect it. That’s help each other develop students were interested the responsibility of an skills together without in going into the field of straight dependence on Advocate reporter.” journalism and making an instructor. it a profession. This was “When students are Marc Carig, evidenced by the renamteaching students, the former Advocate editor-in-chief ing of the paper to The learning happens expoDragnet, inspired by the nentially,” DeBolt said. popular crime drama radio and television “Each staff begins a new year on the shoulseries of the time. ders of the previous staff.”

Similarly, Pence said the concept of the Carig and his staff, for example, collabopaper was devised as a “house organ” by and rated during one of his years as editor-infor the administration to support its actions. chief and created the publication’s first Web “In those days, the administration exer- site, www.accessadvocate.com, by working cised a great deal of control,” he said. “It together and applying journalism skills and was censorship really. The administration ideas they acquired in the program. had the power.”

“It was a continuation of a philosophy we Though the name was eventually changed, had in general. We were trying to prepare which Pence was delighted about since he people for careers in journalism,” Carig, considered it an “embarrassment,” problems now a reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger with administrative censorship continued, in New Jersey, said. “Starting a Web site was eventually prompting Pence’s request to be part of that.” transferred out of the department in 1955.

He said that his experience on the paper, practicing its method of education through Spirit of the ’60s experience, not only helped prepare him for In the following years, the program cycled the career-building aspects of being a jourthrough advisers and names for the paper, nalist, but its expected mindset as well. including the West Contra Costan, Comet’s “When you’re an Advocate reporter and Tale and back to Dragnet. you’re doing what you’re supposed to be Keeping in the spirit of the advocacy doing, you’re doing it for the good of the journalism gaining sway during the time college,” Carig said. “If you love something, period, the paper was renamed once again to you want to protect it. That’s the responsibilThe Advocate in 1960, coinciding with the ity of an Advocate reporter.” birth of a decade dedicated to solidarity.

This unifying philosophy can be found Two years later, the 1960s ethos of stand- throughout the history of the college’s jouring up for causes and beliefs began to take nalism program and can be seen as the base greater shape under the guidance of then- for the vast number of forces that comprise adviser David Jacobson. a publication which functions on levels as He pushed for a clear separation from equally diverse as the environment it was administrative interests. designed to cover and advocate.

“I wanted to establish that it would not be appropriate for the administration and peoContact Alec Surmani at asurmani. ple on the sidelines to use unusual pressure advocate@gmail.com. to get their way as far as what did or did not

August 1995 CCC is the first community college to receive a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to establish the Center for Science Excellence.

Sept. 25, 1996 CCC student Christopher Robinson is murdered in a shooting in front of the Bookstore in the quad.

1990-1999

April 9, 1998 Dr. D. Candy Rose, president of CCC, submits her resignation following her “no contest” plea to convictions of funneling college money for family purposes.

April 2004 Chancellor Charles Spence withdraws precautionary pink slips given to 540 academic employees in March.

2000-2009

Nov. 8, 2007 Student police aide Edgar Rocha is shot three times and critically wounded just off campus.

A8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

CAMPUS BEAT

Election nearing County supervisors vie for area’s votes

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

“I think that people are going to realize that after a certain amount of time that he can be a little harsh, but in general, it’s done with the intention of creating not just a better paper, but a better experience within the program,” he said.

Combined with the fact that journalism deals with strict deadlines, Attal’s tendency to be strict when necessary is important to the success of the paper, Surmani said.

Though he is a bit of a “curmudgeon” and looks serious most of the time, faculty adviser Paul DeBolt said, over the course of time spent on the publication, Attal’s interpersonal communication skills have improved.

“He’s focused; he’s got a lot of energy.

He’s gained the respect of the staff,” DeBolt said. “He’s grown to that place where he’s ready to be editor.”

While working on the paper, Attal has also held a part-time job at the college Bookstore and since January, has served as an intern two days a week at KTVU Channel 2 News Station in Oakland, finding file footage alongside editors for stories and assisting other interns in managing scripts.

Before finishing the internship at the end of August, he hopes to venture into the process of converting scripts into news articles to be published on the KTVU Web site.

He hopes to build upon the work that former editors have done, as well as begin focusing on online multimedia content.

As the Contra Costa County primary election draws near, voters will decide whether to elect incumbent John Gioia or challenger Mister Phillips as the next District I supervisor on June 8.

District I represents the cities of Richmond, San Pablo and El Cerrito, as well as the communities of East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Kensington, Montalvin Manor, North Richmond and Rollingwood.

Though both are vying for the same position, Gioia and Phillips differ in methods.

Gioia, elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002 and 2006, has already worked to solve county issues by increasing access to public health and collaborating with the community to promote violence prevention.

Should he be re-elected, Gioia said he will continue to provide solutions to the county through collaborative efforts, including the building of a new health clinic, after-school youth programs and mental health services.

“The focus remains on the county’s ability to partner with community organizations and cities,” Gioia said. “The only way you get improvement is to work together and share responsibilities.”

His challenger, Phillips, works as a civil rights attorney, representing people who have been discriminated against at their jobs and also garners experiences from his time as an intern for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and lieutenant in the Navy Reserve. “(Phillips) seems to be more concerned about the welfare of the community,” said Randall Henderson, president of the Quail Hill Neighborhood Council. “He has more concern for the city of Richmond than I think (Gioia) has shown.”

Phillips has taken an approach in his Five Point Plan for a Better West County, including solutions to issues regarding public safety, unemployment, youth involvement, senior care and the strengthening of families.

“If we were able to make a positive change in these five areas, it would be the difference between night and day in the community,” Phillips said. “I would vote to spend the money in these areas before I would vote to spend them in other areas.”

Gioia has spent his time in office focusing on county issues involving access to health care, violence prevention and employment. “(Gioia) understands the government and knows how to get things done,” Richmond City Council member Nathaniel Bates said, “Phillips is well-intended, but he’s an amateur when you compare him with John Gioia.”

Contact Holly Pablo advocate@gmail.com.

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong. advocate@gmail.com.

ALEC SURMANI / THE ADVOCATE

A stern captain — Associate Editor Sam Attal, 19, was elected to be the editor-in-chief of The Advocate for the 2010-11 academic year. Shown in the newsroom in AA-215 Sunday, Attal will look to include more staffers in the production.

‘CURMUDGEON’ TAKES OVER

19-year-old selected to be paper’s editor

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When Sam Attal joined the student publication during his junior year at Middle College High School in spring 2008, he was unsure if journalism was right for him.

Yet steadily, he submerged himself into the craft and now possesses a sense of direction and a range of skill sets that continue to grow.

It is this willingness to expand his photography, writing, pagination and graphic abilities that resulted in Attal, currently in his fifth semester, being elected as the next editor-in-chief of Contra Costa College’s student newspaper, The Advocate, for the 2010-11 academic year.

The 19-year-old associate editor’s readiness for the position was clear in the way that he took initiative throughout 2009-10, Social Media Editor Brent Bainto said, serving as the main facilitator in the newspaper’s entire production process, especially by ways of artwork and pagination.

“His growth was so exponential, and he’s very definite with what he wants,” Bainto said. “He’ll bring important issues to The Advocate and report what needs to be reported, (including) following up on everything that’s being left for him.”

He has a strong understanding for what

an editor is supposed to be because he has been studying the role by working with veteran staff members and people who have done similar tasks, Associate Editor Alec Surmani said.

Despite praise, Attal remains modest about his skills, because he does not feel he has much experience in certain areas.

“I didn’t get to the level that I wanted to be at as a designer yet,” he said. “I’m still adapting to the tools and learning from other people on staff.”

To some extent, this has presented somewhat of a challenge in venturing into more creative graphics, he said, but he hopes to delve deeper into this category, starting with a potential redesign of the newspaper.

Along with the responsibilities of distributing assignments and maintaining coverage for pre-existing stories, Attal must rebuild the Editorial Board, as several veteran staff members are planning to transfer in the fall.

Though the loss will be difficult, Attal is confident that by encouraging more people to be involved in the production process by offering informational crash courses, for example, a cohesive team with a fair distribution of work can be created.

Surmani agreed that starting fresh with few editors and few designers can prove to be advantageous to the continuing and incoming staffers, as it presents them with the opportunity for newfound responsibilities.

He said that Attal’s biggest problem will be overcoming the fact that he can be viewed as being too stern.

at

hpablo.

Celebration delights Cinco de Mayo event entertains, informs

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

From traditional Aztec dancing to an open microphone for speeches and poems, various forms of entertainment attracted about 70 attendees to the Cinco de Mayo event, hosted by the La Raza studies department and Xicano Student Union in the Recreation Room on May 5.

Though the event intended to promote joy and appreciation for Mexican culture, an undisputed feeling of contempt toward Arizona’s immigration law SB 1070 lingered among students.

The function conveyed many of the students’ thoughts on the Arizona law through its theme: “Celebration, Not Deportation.”

“I think (the event) was pretty phenomenal,” Spanish and ethnic studies major Ligia Barahona said. “It had more people than prior years, and it was very cultural.”

The most popular attraction of the afternoon was the Aztec dancing.

The group Quetzalli, composed of a male drummer and dancers ranging from preadolescent girls to middle-aged women, all donned white costumes colorfully decorated with red, green and blue sequins and performed.

American studies major Joanna GarciaCabral said Quetzalli is a part of Saint Mark’s Church, and they perform at religious events all over the community.

Before handing over the nachos, the servers would ask people “What is Cinco de Mayo?” and inform those who did not know, Barahona said.

La Raza studies department Chairman Agustin Palacios said the event ended up being much better than he hoped, and he enjoyed hearing the students voice their opinion about the Arizona law during the open microphone time.

Before bringing up student speakers, Palacios familiarized eventgoers with the history of Cinco de Mayo, the day the Mexican army unexpectedly defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Barahona presented a persuasive speech against the Arizona law, detailing the number of immigrants in the United States and the type of work they do.

“By building these laws, we build resent-

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Hit, hit, hit — Biological sciences major Courtney Smith strikes a piñata made to resemble the recent Arizona bill on immigration at the Cinco de Mayo event held in the Recreation Room on May 5. ment between races,” she said. “I think it’s important all races unite.”

Later in the event, two piñatas were presented for volunteers to break.

The first piñata resembled the Arizona bill with comments about the law written on it by participants from the crowd.

Many chanted “dale, dale, dale,” translated as “hit, hit, hit,” as others swung, and after each rip of the piñata, people would race to grab droppings of Mexican candy.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

Kennedy-King pays tribute to ‘under-represented’

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

Amidst the search for monetary aid during trying financial times for higher education, eight Contra Costa College students racked up $8,000 scholarships, as the winnings were announced on April 12.

The Kennedy-King Scholarship provides each student with $8,000 after he or she transfers to a four-year college, and the funds will last for a two-year period providing $4,000 a year, or $2,000 a semester.

The scholarship is awarded to 20 students throughout the district, with seven scholarships acquired by Los Medanos College stu-

dents and five scholarships by Diablo Valley College students.

The scholarship recipients from CCC included: Carlos Delao, Joanna GarciaCabral, Kyle McCoy, Eddie Morris, Alma Perez, Sofia Ruiz, Grecia Solis and Latasha Trevillion.

“Kennedy-King is a very prestigious scholarship,” CCC Scholarship Coordinator Jimmy Cox said.

Named after Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship Fund was formed in 1968 as a memorial to the two men who were assassinated that year.

The scholarship is for students considered “under-represented” in the California

college system, such as those of AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, American Indian and Pacific Islander descent, Cox said.

English major Trevillion said that not being able to work and having a daughter makes it difficult to keep up with the cost of education, but the $8,000 will help a great deal.

This district is the only one that receives this scholarship, Cox said.

Biotechnology major Carlos Delao, who plans to transfer to UC Davis in the fall, said these scholarships give students more opportunities, encourage them to learn more, and give them financial support to achieve their goals.

“The Kennedy-King Scholarship is avail-

able in case there is not sufficient financial assistance, and with these fee increases, who doesn’t need help with that?” student Garcia-Cabral said.

Cox said this scholarship is not easily won, because it has a very rigorous application process and students have to pay attention to all the details.

The award ceremony will be held Friday night at the Concord Hilton and individual tickets cost $75. All the funds during the ceremony will raise money for additional scholarships, he said.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Speeches inspire vocal expression Tournament extracts inside confidence

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

Students informed, entertained and enticed spectators through vocal expression at the Intramural Speech Tournament held in the Liberal Arts Building Thursday afternoon.

Open to all Contra Costa College students, the tournament consisted of two rounds for competitors to participate in impromptu, informative, persuasive and oral interpretation of literature speeches.

Instructors, faculty members and experienced students on the Speech and Debate Team judged each round by scoring students based on their performance and writing critiques on individual ballots, speech department Chairwoman Connie Anderson said.

Isis Hao, a student who addressed the adverse effects of capital punishment in her persuasive speech, said that these events raise awareness about different departments.

“It creates a lot of interest, and speech is a good thing to know,” she said.

The speech department hosted the tournament and the culinary arts department served food to competitors and judges.

The event is meant to be more of an end of the semester celebration than a strenuous

competition and is aimed to attract students to join the Speech and Debate Team, Dr. Anderson said.

Registration began at 3 p.m. and the first round started at 3:30 p.m., as students dispersed to give speeches in rooms on both floors of the LA Building.

In the impromptu round, students were provided a strip of paper with three topics listed on it and had a minute to prepare a five-minute speech.

Student Emily Cristales received the Barack Obama quote: “We need to internalize this feeling of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent.” She then utilized it in her speech about each person creating his or her own definition of excellence.

Each category of speech had four winners, all of whom were announced at the end of the tournament in LA-100. Winners in impromptu were Cristales, Margarita Romo-Romo, Deborah Walker and William Maltez.

Early childhood education major Katie Dach said she recited a persuasive speech against police brutality toward the mentally ill, which remains an important issue to her after losing her brother to such an event.

Persuasive speeches help people break out of their shells, research and let others know about topics they feel passionate about, Dach said.

Winners in the persuasive speech competition included Melissa Simon, Ahmad

A9

RICARDO SANCHEZ / THE ADVOCATE

Interpreting the story — Student Kelan Carrizosa performs his captivating first place Oral Interpretation speech at the Intramural Speech Competition held Thursday in the Liberal Arts Building.

Khater, Velma Gonzalez and Christina Rathavongsa.

Speech professor Julie LaBrincha said students brought a lot of positive energy and commitment to their speeches.

Among the oral interpretation speeches during the second round, student Kelan Carrizosa performed a story about a young, gay adult coming to terms with his definition of a “man,” which won him first place.

Other winners in oral interpretation were Alexa Grace Belan and Montario Pierce.

Winners in informative speech were Vanessa Herrera, Khater, Gary Carlstrom and a tie for fourth place between Alex Hale and Luis Castillo.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

Library Book Sale raises more than $1,700

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

In an effort to raise money to make the Library more efficient for students, the Friends of the Library hosted its third annual Book Sale May 11-13.

Books that went up for sale included textbooks, fiction, non-fiction and books donated by professors and community members alike.

“The Book Sale is going pretty well,” retired professor Gloria Gideon said. “We are happy with the turnout and the amount

of books we have sold so far.”

Gideon, who is also a member of the Friends of the Library, said the group is always willing to help the college in any way it can.

“This is a way to bring in more resources for the students and better equip them with the materials they need to become successful individuals,” she said.

This is a way for the Friends of the Library to help, be a part of the learning process and give back to students in a single effort, Gideon said.

Waves of students and community member came to buy books during the three-day

long process.

Library department Chairwoman Ellen Geringer said it was the best sale in the three years that the event has taken place.

She said the Friends of the Library made more than $1,700, and the money will go in its account to help pay for necessities for the Library.

Geringer said the money will also help to pay for some of the databases that students use for research.

“We have to pay for the databases ourselves, and they can range from $4,000 to $5,000 a year,” she said.

Due to the budget crisis, the Library will

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be getting rid of one of its databases, because it can no longer afford it, Geringer said.

“The Library would not be as effective if it did not have the support of the Friends of the Library,” she said. “And the Library is very thankful to have had this partnership with them.”

Middle College High School student Elleanor Pangilinan said the Book Sale is an opportunity for the Library to get new books so that students will not be using outdated versions or old texts.

Contact Lamar James at ljames. advocate@gmail.com.

A10 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

CAMPUS BEAT

Cultural Rally kicks, cheers MCHS diversity at center stage

By Lissette Alvarez STAFF WRITER

The enthusiasm and teamwork implemented by Middle College High School (MCHS) students and teachers helped them successfully execute their third annual Cultural Rally on May 6.

Sponsored by the sophomore class of 2012 and held in the Amphitheatre, the event’s sole purpose was to celebrate the ethnic diversity amongst MCHS students.

This year’s Cultural Rally was more successful than the previous ones because MCHS students were more organized and were completely dedicated to the entire process.

Several teachers who supervised the event were in awe of the students’ tenacity.

Sociology instructor Christina Chacha, who helped coordinate the event, said she was really impressed with the students’ timeliness, especially with the performances.

“The students are getting better at holding rallies,” Chacha said.

Principal Hattie Smith said that what really tied the event together was the students working with their teachers.

“The students were able to make their vision possible with the (watch) of the teachers supervising the event,” Smith said. “They seemed to have been really committed to making it happen.”

Even some of the students felt that without their collaboration with the teachers and parents, the event would not have been successful.

MCHS student Megan Spears, who performed at the event, said everyone including the teachers, parents and students working together made the event possible.

“This was something we couldn’t have done individually,” Spears said.

Layla Martinez was another MCHS student who was in deep gratitude of parents’ and teachers’ helping hands.

“What really pulled the event together was all the sophomores and teachers working together to make it the best event ever,” Martinez said.

Students and teachers hoped the audience walked away with an appreciation of other cultures.

By understanding each other’s culture, people are promoting world peace, Chacha said.

Spears said, “I liked how we got to learn about other cultures, and I hope that our guests walked away with a piece of a different culture.”

The rally had a positive, laid back atmosphere, which was pro-

CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Self-discipline above all — Student James Solis, of Soulistic martial arts, performs Extreme Martial Arts at the Cultural Rally held in the Amphitheatre on May 6. The event, organized by Middle College High School student and teachers, aimed to share diverse cultures. moted by the various array of music and performances by the students.

MCHS students included performances such as the African praise dance, a Cumbia dance done by Los Cenzontles, marital arts, hip-hop and Asian cultural forms.

The event also included rock performances by Foot Long and 50 Caliber Band.

Smith said she really enjoyed the performances at the event.

Spears basked in the glory when she performed the African praise dance with other dancers.

“I liked the attention and feeling where you worked so hard and everyone got to see it,” Spears said.

“I feel that the performances made the event so electric.”

One of the more popular performances was the hip-hop dance

by Martinez and JaShawn Fields.

Martinez said, “I felt a little nervous at first, but once I got out there I just did what I needed to do.”

Attendee Lita Iosua said it was amazing to see how talented the students were.

Contact Lissette Alvarez at lalvarez.advocate@gmail.com.

End-of-year reception honors transfers Room packed for students moving on

By Cassidy Gooding STAFF WRITER

Transfer students and family milled into the Fireside Room Thursday, greeted by a trumpet blaring cheerfully over excited chatter.

The Transfer/Career Center’s 14th annual Transfer Reception began without a hitch at 2:30 p.m., with nearly all the seats provided occupied.

“We’re here to celebrate your accomplishments,” Transfer/Career Center Coordinator Robin Harrison said to the audience, welcoming friends and family as well as the number of Contra Costa College students transferring to fouryear colleges or universities in the fall.

The reception began with a variety of speakers from within CCC’s administration, including President McKinley Williams, Vice President Carol Maga and Transfer/Career Center collaborator Kenyetta Tribble, as well as speak-

ers from admissions offices at different universities in California.

The main theme of their opening remarks were congratulations for the students moving on, as well as an emphasis on perseverance.

“Make sure that you finish what you started here,” Williams, said. “Stay the course.” Maga also drove home the importance of persistence.

“Eighty-five to 95 percent of the game is sticking through it,” Maga said.

“Take that joy you had with us here into your next college experience, but know that CCC is a place you can always call home.”

The messages remained in this vein, light and brief, until Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez approached the podium.

Though he also offered his congratulations to the transfers, he coupled them with a warning.

“Our state and college system is faced with problems the likes of which we’ve never seen,” Hernandez said, alluding to the budget crisis looming “like a black cloud” on the horizon. “We will fight; and you are why we are fighting. You are the proof (of our accomplishments).”

He said the students in the crowd need to survive, to push, to succeed.

“Most of all, you need to come back,” Hernandez said, “to help, to give, in whichever way you can.”

The next round of speakers was doing just that. A handful of CCC alumni who have moved onto four-year universities — UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Stanford, to name a few — each spoke briefly about what a transfer student from CCC can expect once he or she makes the leap.

They shared anecdotes about their first semesters away, dropped tips on how to stay ahead in the system and warned of overwhelming class sizes and reading assignments. “(Transferring) is like coming from elementary school right into college,” CCC alumnus and UC Berkeley student Victoria Chavez-Casias said. “My first semester (at UC Berkeley) was really, really scary. My advice is to do what you have to do to make sure you’re known by your professors and the school.”

CCC alumnus and Cal State-East Bay student Sikia Blue warned that transferring is a big step.

“But a lot of the things

Spring semester Final Exam schedule Final Examination Week at Contra Costa College is May 24 through May 29. All final exams must be given in accordance with the following schedule.

Day classes that meet MWF, MW, WF, MTWTh, Daily Your final exam is on: If your class begins at: Monday, May 24, 8:10 to 10 a.m.

8:10 or 8:40 a.m.

Wednesday, May 26, 9:10 to 11 a.m.

9:10 or 9:40 a.m.

Monday, May 24, 10:10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

10:10 or 10:40 a.m.

Wednesday, May 26, 11:10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

11:10 or 11:40 a.m.

Monday, May 24, 12:10 to 2:00 p.m.

12:10 or 12:40 p.m.

Wednesday, May 26, 1:10 to 3:00 p.m.

1:10 or 1:40 p.m.

Monday, May 24, 2:10 to 4:00 p.m.

2:10 or 2:40 p.m.

Wednesday, May 26, 3:10 to 5:00 p.m.

3:10 or 3:40 p.m.

Day classes that meet TWTh, TWThF or TTh If your class begins at: Your final exam is on: 8:10 or 8:40 a.m.

Tuesday, May 25, 8:10 to 10 a.m.

9:10 or 9:40 a.m.

Thursday, May 27, 9:10 to 11 a.m.

10:10 or 10:40 a.m.

Tuesday, May 25, 10:10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

11:10 or 11:40 a.m.

Thursday, May 27, 11:10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

12:10 or 12:40 p.m.

Tuesday, May 25, 12:10 to 2:00 p.m.

1:10 or 1:40 p.m.

Thursday, May 27, 1:10 to 3:00 p.m.

2:10 or 2:40 p.m.

Tuesday, May 25, 2:10 to 4:00 p.m.

3:10 or 3:40 p.m.

Thursday, May 27, 3:10 to 5:00 p.m.

Night classes All night classes that meet after 4 p.m. will hold final exams during regular class hours.

Saturday and Sunday classes All Saturday classes and Sunday classes will hold final exams on May 29 and May 30.

you learn here help tremendously,” she said. “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

Many of the students in the audience said they believed CCC did a fine job preparing them for their next educational experience.

Each of the students in attendance was called to the podium to receive a certificate of transference, much like a graduation ceremony.

Student Alma Perez was one in particular who said she was excited to move on.

“I’ve been here for three ADVERTISEMENT

years,” Perez said, “but not because I’ve been lazy. I’ve just been taking my time before (making the next step).”

Contact Cassidy Gooding at cgooding. advocate@gmail.com.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

‘I’ll Be There’ pays homage Jackson tribute mesmerizes Knox

By Lissette Alvarez STAFF WRITER

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

A passionate croon — Student performer Dawaun King wails out a tune at “I’ll Be There: A Musical Tribute” in the Knox Center on May 8. The event paid tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, through song and dance.

Manibusan was another cast member in awe of the performances.

“I thought the singing was great considering they had to switch parts a bunch of times just to make the production as great as it can be,” Manibusan said.

The Michael Jackson cast members were touched by their guests’ enthusiasm.

“The reaction from the audience was amazing,” Campbell said.

“Their intense energy made me want to keep singing.”

Behavioral specialist major and “The Wiz” star Dawaun King said the audience had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of the evening.

CCC student Jenae Zappia, one of the dancers from the musical said the audience went “crazy.” “They were screaming and dancing,” Zappia said. “It was just awesome.”

One of the elements that held the event together was the children involved in the process.

In the musical, children were either moving props around or were under the spotlight dancing with the singers.

Football player and cast member James Zeigler said the children made the play more eye-catching.

Also, Manibusan said he thought most of the songs performed on stage sent a strong message to the audience.

“I think Michael would be proud of the production we put together,” Manibusan said.

Michael Jackson’s musical tribute also included a backdrop, which revealed a series of pictures commemorating his life and career.

With its electric music numbers, glitzy costumes and savvy stage setup, “I’ll Be There: A Michael Jackson Musical Tribute” left many fans crying out for more on May 8.

Directed by drama department Chairman Clay David, the Knox Center musical starred the cast of “The Wiz” and the Contra Costa College football team.

In the play, the cast performed some of Michael Jackson’s memorable hits, including “I’ll Be There,” “ABC,” “Remember the Time” and songs from “The Wiz,” while CCC’s football team paid tribute to the King of Pop between takes.

The audience members were so titillated by the booming voices that they could not help but dance and sing to every note.

Audience member Tanzil Waqia said the singing was unbelievable.

“I was surprised how good the singers were, because they had actually volunteered to do this,” Waqia said.

Middle College student Nicole Walker said the singers had spunk.

“They definitely did Michael justice,” Walker said. “It seems like the performers had a lot of respect for Michael and enjoyed the music.”

Cast members were also astounded by how well they performed.

“This is something I really enjoy doing,” Princess Campbell said.

“I’ve been a Michael Jackson fan Contact Lissette Alvarez at lalsince I was small.”

Laney College student Johnny varez.advocate@gmail.com.

Action sequel fills large iron boots The only negative thing about the movie is that Mickey Rourke’s character, Ivan Vanko, also known SPORTS EDITOR as Whiplash, only has his biggest Robert Downey Jr. fills the parts at the beginiron boots perfectly again in “Iron ning and the end of moviereview Man 2” to deliver a blast in thethe film. He spends aters that leaves comic book fans the middle of the amazed through a two-hour ride of film hidden and excitement and action. working on drones “Iron Man 2” A couple of years ago, Marvel for Tony Stark’s ★★★★★ Comics began producing movies rival weapons Starring: Robert of their comic book characters manufacturer Justin Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke with the first “Iron Man” movie.

Hammer.

Directed by: Jon With much higher expectations And the final this time around with the sequel, battle between him Favreau Where: Marvel succeeds in making a great and Iron Man has a Everywhere comic book movie, as well as a bit of an iffy end- Genre: Action stepping stone to assemble the ing, though the world’s mightiest heroes. entire overall fight The movie presents a solid stor- that led to it is great. yline, with great action sequences, An interesting fact is that the characters and visual effects. final form of Whiplash in the

By Dariush Azmoudeh

movie includes an element of another Iron Man villain known as the Crimson Dynamo.

Despite the absence of Whiplash, the action is continued by a fight between Stark in his Iron Man suit against his friend Lt. Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Stark’s Mach II suit, which ends up becoming the War Machine suit.

One noticeable change in the movie is the actor who plays Rhodes.

In the first movie, the part was played by Terrence Howard, but this time Don Cheadle takes over and adds more depth to the character.

Also, Stark faces a whole lot of problems other than Whiplash, such as pressure from the government to turn over his Iron Man

suit, his rivalry with Hammer and his health condition that is deteriorating due to chemical poisoning from his arc reactor.

While fans probably would have liked to see Stark fight his alcohol addiction as he does in the comics, the fact that he is coming close to death due to his poisoning was a workable substitute for this movie.

Also, the biggest Easter egg to “The Avengers” is a scene that is shown after the ending credits finish rolling, which leaves the audience exiting the theater in awe and awaiting Marvel’s next movie, “Thor.”

That makes it a longer wait for May 6, 2011.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Pottery Sale raises money, awareness

By Cassidy Gooding STAFF WRITER

high marks and were time-consuming to craft.

“The entire process (of creating a ceramic piece) takes about a week and a half,” Fujisaka said. “One person does the form itself, and then a senior student does the carvings.”

These carvings run intricately along many of the items.

“That takes a day,” Fujisaka said.

“Then they take days to dry. Then (a day) to glaze them. (Then) two to three days in the kiln.”

Lin said she was slightly shocked that a large quantity of the wares, which had all been very difficult to create, sold for an average price of $2-$8.

The low prices, however, brought business, she said.

Handfuls of students moseyed through the aisles of pottery, many selecting one or two pieces and going to make their purchase.

Fujisaka guessed that profits this semester were good, and that business had been “pretty busy.”

The sale not only ended up raising money, but also awareness for the ceramics classes themselves.

“I want to learn how to do these things,” student Marcos Huerta said while browsing the display.

Fujisaka said that both students and retired professionals are enrolled in the class.

“For anyone who likes hands-on creativity,” Fujisaka said, “it’s perfect.”

Anyone going into or out of the Art Building May 3-7 could not have missed the department’s spring semester Pottery Sale.

Past the neon posters advertising the sale stood rows of tables displaying the wares in the building’s courtyard.

All of the pottery for sale, including figurines, plates, plant holders, bowls, cups and mugs, pots and vases, was handcrafted by students of the ceramics classes offered by Contra Costa College.

“The (proceeds) all go right back to the art department,” ceramics student Grace Lin said. “(Most of) the things we don’t sell go into storage for next time. And some of it we donate to other organizations.”

These organizations vary, and include such destinations as the Transition Program, she said.

Lin said that there is a unique signature on each of the items, carved in or painted on by whichever student crafted it.

“It’s a very therapeutic class,” said Rosslin Fujisaka, a ceramics student who worked as a cashier on a couple of the days of the sale, wrapping and bagging the items students chose to buy.

“Throughout the semester, we make different things that make up our grade CHRISTIAN SOTO / THE ADVOCATE at the end.”

Careful selection — Student Pedro Perez explores the different crafts Contact Cassidy Gooding at cgood- available for purchase at the Pottery Sale in the Art Building on May 6.

She said that many of the items on display were projects that had gotten ing.advocate@gmail.com.

The event was a fundraiser for the art department.

A11

Unleashed

Movies

This week: “Shrek Forever After” (PG) “MacGruber” (R)

DVDs

New releases: “Invictus” (PG-13) “The Spy Next Door” (PG) “Valentine’s Day” (PG-13) “Extraordinary Measures” (PG) “Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The Fifth Year” (NR)

CDs

New releases: Band of Horses: “Infinite Arms” Nas and Damian Marley: “Distant Relatives” Necro: “Die!” Harvey Milk: “Small Turn of Human Kindness” LCD Soundsystem: “This is Happening” Exodus: “Exhibit B: The Human Condition” Macy Gray: “The Sellout”

Games

New releases: “Red Dead Redemption” (PS3/ XBOX360 — M) “Alan Wake” (XBOX360 — T) “Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands” (PS3/ XBOX360/ WII — T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

A12 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

FOCUS

Repeat champion — Sammy Kitwara runs up Haight Street next to Alamo Square in San Francisco Sunday.

Kitwara, last year’s winner, led the seven-mile course from Howard Street in San Francisco to Ocean Beach to win the 99th annual San Francisco Bay To Breakers.

Break

to the

BAY

photos by Erik Verduzco and Christian Soto

Rhythm flow — A group of men and women wearing beach clothes dance down San Francisco’s Haight Street in Bay To Breakers Sunday.

Blockheads — Two men in Lego costumes walk with thousands of people who participated in Bay To Breakers in San Francisco Sunday.

Solidarity — More than 60,000 people participated in the 99th annual Bay to Breakers in San Francisco Sunday. People from around the world took part in the event.

Nothing but sunshine — Two runners dressed up in salmon costumes run against the crowd at Bay to Breakers in San Francisco Sunday.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

B

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

Spotlight Index:

CMYK

SPOTLIGHT

SECTION

Wright remains in hospital Player is left feeling like forgotten man

By Holly Pablo

Retiring staff ready to relax ◆ pages B2-B5

Season’s flicks aim to enthrall Summer movies provide variety pages B6-B7 ◆

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LOS ANGELES — When Wali Wright moved to the Bay Area last June from his hometown of Pasadena, he was excited to start somewhere fresh and provide a better pathway of opportunities for his family by continuing his education.

The 25-year-old enrolled in general education courses for the fall semester and joined the football team at Contra Costa College. He looked forward to being reunited with his fiancée and meeting their then-unborn child.

Lying in a bed at Chalet Hospital in Los Angeles, a ventilator supporting his breathing and a trachea helping him speak, Wright now finds it difficult to see what the future has in store for him.

Nearly nine months ago, the freshman player was hospitalized after incurring lifethreatening injuries during the first play of the seasonopening game at home on Sept. 5.

He does not remember much of what happened.

As the Comet defensive back sprinted at full speed to tackle his target, a Los Medanos College running

HOLLY PABLO / THE ADVOCATE

Road to recovery — Comet defensive back Wali Wright (right) continues his convalescence with fiancee Sara Talamantes and their daughter Tierra Gene Wright at Chalet Hospital in Los Angeles Saturday. back, they collided in an angle that fractured Wright’s neck in two places and sent him landing on his back, CCC athletic trainer Brian Powelson said.

“From that point, he didn’t move. I got there and when I was shouting his name, he wanted to respond.

He was looking straight at me,” Powelson said. “But in a matter of seconds, his eyes rolled back.”

Time came to a standstill, as it was realized that Wright was not breathing, he said, and with the assistance of LMC athletic trainer Annie Martin, they stabilized his head and tried resuscitating him while summoning ambulatory services.

“In situations like that, the seconds are critical,” Powelson said. “The thought crossed all of our minds: ‘Is he gonna die right here on

the field?’”

After being resuscitated

by Powelson and Martin, and treated by paramedics, Wright was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he underwent a tracheotomy and major surgery to secure the fractures in his neck, which still have not completely healed.

He said he remembers waking up from the accident

Burrito trucks revealed, rated ◆ page B8 PHOTOS BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

All together — Performers maneuver collectively during a ballroom dance segment of the Dance Jam event held Friday in the Knox Center. The production thrilled the crowd.

Late Japanese artist profiled page B10 ◆

Dance TO THE Beat Annual

Knox

Center event thrills crowd with mix of flashy moves, smooth

Tilden presents gorgeous views ◆ page B12

■ SEE WRIGHT: Page B2

steps in rhythm

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

Audience members cheered as performers leapt and swayed to music on Friday night during the Dance Jam held in the Knox Center.

The production, also held on Saturday night, showcased the talent of students who are part of dance classes at the college, along with guest schools and dance companies.

“These are talented individuals working hard together, and they have something to say,” African dance and hip-hop professor Latasha Tigner said. “Dancing is a good outlet for students.”

Audience member Chantill Cannon said she liked how there were several different age groups in the production, not just college students and not just younger people.

Among the many types of dances executed were contemporary, Egyptian belly dance, ballroom, Argentine

Facilities assistant named top employee

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

Equilibrium — A member of the Soulistic martial arts group shows off his balance during Dance Jam, held in the Knox Center Friday. tango, hip-hop and traditional African.

“I thought (the performance) was successful and I appreciated the close bond between all the performers,” tango performer Oscar Cañedo-Retamoza said.

He said the crowd was animated and energetic, motivating the performers to do well.

Middle College High School student Richard Ines performed in the Soulistic martial arts group, which was one of the audience’s

favorites of the night.

Diablo Valley College student Nicole Bachu said she liked the action and choreography of Soulistic, including several jumps and fight sequences.

Created four years ago, Soulistic is a youth group that takes art off the street and puts it on stage, student and director of the group James Solis said.

Ines said he had stage fright before going on stage and felt excited, anxious and ■ SEE DANCE JAM: Page B2

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

Regional park offers verdant life

Hospitalization Having blacked out from the impact of the collision, Wright remembers feeling confused when he started gaining consciousness as he slowly awoke in a hospital bed.

As a result of bruising his spinal cord, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Slowly,

Gayton awarded for work, attitude

Mexican cuisine reviewed

Nujabes’ legacy still growing

approximately a week later.

Diligence, willingness and an all-ornothing attitude are just some of the attributes that made campus facilities assistant Monty Gayton the classified staff member of the semester.

After working here for only two years, Gayton has won the respect of many faculty and staff members and students on campus with his cheery and bubbly attitude.

“I try to make people happy. I’m nice to people, and I work hard,” Gayton said. “ I Gayton get to work like it is a After only race and the finish line two years at the college, is my home.”

He does some of the campus everything and there facilities is nothing one can assistant ask that he will not was named do, Custodial Services staff memManager Darlene Poe ber of the said. semester His job goes under for his facility setup and cheery attibreakdown, meaning tude and he moves furniture and work ethic. equipment around for events while doing things under custodial as well, college President McKinley Williams said.

Williams said the classified staff has created an award for employees who it believes have shown willingness to go the extra mile, passion for their job, politeness and love for the college — and Gayton embodies all of those qualities.

The award includes a free lunch at the Three Seasons Restaurant, a plaque and Gayton’s picture hung in the entrance of the restaurant.

“I try to be an example. I want to destroy my task, like Conan the Barbarian,” Gayton said. “When you get tasks, you should just obliterate them.”

■ SEE GAYTON: Page B2

CMYK

Employees look to life after CCC

CMYK

B2 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

SPOTLIGHT

Robertson went ‘beyond call’ Custodian to have more family time

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

For the last eight years, custodian Carolyn Robertson has come to think of Contra Costa College as her second home.

This is not because she tidies up after hours and makes sure that the buildings are clean for students, but because her heart is here.

Although Robertson is dedicated to her work and loves the college, she will be leaving after this semester, not because she wants to retire, but because the job has taken its toll on her.

“She is a very nice, and kind person,” co-worker Noel Muniz said.

“Ever since I have been working here, she has been doing great things. When I started, she was fundraising to raise

money for breast cancer awareness and prevention.”

During her tenure at CCC, Robertson has worked on four buildings, getting acquainted with new faces and accustomed to new things.

“I have really enjoyed my time here,” Robertson said. “Some of my fondest moments have been meeting students and getting told I was doing a wonderful job.”

She said that when people recognized the work that she did, and complimented her on her efforts, it was fulfillment within itself.

Robertson said that after retiring, she has a lot of traveling to do and will begin her journeys when the spring semester is over. She also plans to spend time with family.

“I have 18 grandchildren that I love seeing and being around,” Robertson said. “After I retire I will do my travels, and then spend the rest of the time with them.”

After she retires, Robertson said she

will miss the college immensely, as every evening she looked forward to coming to work.

She said she has some things to catch up on and will devote much of her free time to church events she attends regularly.

“She’s like a second mom to me,” Muniz said. “And she is very devoted to church, and she’s always praying.”

Muniz said Robertson is very easy to get along with and a great person to work with.

“If anyone is working with her, she’s not all uptight if you joke with her,” Muniz said. “She will just get you back with a bigger one.”

Robertson said she will miss her coworkers, the students and the college.

“I have been here eight years and have met a lot of wonderful people.

And the students have just been fascinating,” she said.

Custodial Services Manager Darlene Poe said it has been wonderful working with Robertson.

“She goes beyond the call of duty,” Poe said. “She takes one step forward and really gets the job done.”

She said Robertson gave it her all, and Poe said she has never had an employee like her. “She always puts other people’s feelings first, and she is the peacemaker,” Poe said.

Also, Poe said Robertson is skilled in the kitchen as well.

“She loves to cook,” Poe said. “She makes the best southern-fried chicken.”

Co-worker Michael Thomas said Robertson is very dedicated to her work and has an attitude and work ethic that is heartfelt.

“She very nice and helpful,” Thomas said. “Any time a person needs the help, she is there to help them.”

Poe said everyone on the staff will really miss Robertson, and it will be very different without her.

Contact Lamar James at ljames. advocate@gmail.com.

Robertson

The custodian spent her eight years at Contra Costa College ensuring that everything in her area was clean and conducive to a learning environment for students.

She will retire at the end of the semester to spend time with family.

Gayton | ‘Dedicated’ staffer radiates ‘intense passion’ ■ FROM: Page B1

Poe said she admires Gayton’s personality because of his ability to show people it is always a good day.

She said when you work with someone who shows you they do not mind working, that bubbliness is reflected upon you.

The first thing that comes to mind when custodian Jeryl Landers thinks of Gayton is “energy in a bottle.”

“You just shake (the bottle) up and watch it explode all over you,” said Landers, who works closely with Gayton every day. “You get that Monty juice all over you. He’s a bundle of energy.”

Before working at the college, Gayton worked a number of jobs around the Bay Area, such as positions at several bicycle shops, making false teeth in a laboratory and

a contractor at Home Depot.

He grew up in the Bay Area, but spent most of his early adulthood traveling to places like Egypt, Italy, Germany, Greece and Mexico after joining the Air Force at 18.

“When I used to race bicycles, I would travel to Arizona, Nevada and other parts of California,” Gayton said. “Now I’m trying to focus on money to make my life better.”

As of now, bicycling still remains a large part of Gayton’s life, whether it is doing small marathons or going on joy rides.

“The one beautiful thing about biking is you put your age on your calf,” he said. “You can look down and see how old the person is you’re racing.”

The students at the college are like Gayton’s children, Landers said.

Gayton tells Middle College High School

students he will look forward to seeing them as the next college president or as a famous athlete, Landers said. Gayton wants them to get better and asks questions regarding how they did in a particular class.

“He’s extremely dedicated. You can see him sometimes carrying out duties in a trot,” Williams said.

One thing Gayton also loves is dogs, from German shepherds to Chihuahuas.

He said he has a seven-month old German shepherd that he is in the process of training to run with him as he rides his bike.

Fittingly, Gayton has an intense passion for working out and staying in shape.

“I will be 50 years old in two months,” he said. “I want to be the handsomest, strongest 50 there is.”

Gayton is just a pleasant person to be

“I will be 50 years old in two months. I want to be the handsomest, strongest 50 there is.”

Monty Gayton,

campus facilities assistant

around, a good worker, and there is no limit to what he would do for you or with you, Landers said.

“He has given this campus 110, if not 200, percent,” Poe said.

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

Wright | Discouraged in brief

■ FROM: Page B1

he began regaining feeling in his limbs, he said, but was unable to ✔ Wright move them. was paraFrustrated by being lyzed from unable to speak, his the neck down after only means of communicating with hosa collision pital staff and family in the first play of the was through mouthing words and having season. people read his lips.

“I told them that I ✔ He was wanted to go home, transbut everyone told ported to me that I couldn’t,” John Muir Wright said. “They Medical Center and had me hooked up to underwent too many machines.”

Though doctors a tracheinitially were unsure if otomy. he would ever regain mobility of his limbs, ✔ Now he showed perseverat Chalet ance when he first Hospital achieved the ability to in Los shrug his shoulders, Angeles, shake or nod his head Wright still struggles to and wiggle his toes on breathe on Sept. 20, mother Piola Wright said. his own.

She said that after nearly two months, her son was transferred in late October to Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital in Marin County, where attendants closely monitored his mobility.

He attended physical therapy sessions, in which the assistants helped him stand and support himself against balancing framework, sit upright in a wheelchair and work on his hands with simple extension exercises.

Wright said that occasionally, he tried to walk freely and on treadmill machines, but found that his body was too weak to attempt this task.

As he was able to have visitors at Kentfield, his teammates and the athletic department staff brought him a signed team football and his jersey. At this point, he was able to speak softly, as his lungs began to strengthen, his mother said.

Sophomore linebacker Yanni Iosua said that because the team became close during conditioning and many people consider him a brother, it was good to see and talk to Wright again.

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE For the rest of the season, Iosua Stepping out — Dancers enrolled in the college’s ballroom dancing course execute smooth said, the team wore Wright’s number moves at Friday’s Dance Jam event held in the Knox Center. on their helmets to symbolize the team love and support they feel for their teammate.

One challenge that Wright faces is that he caught pneumonia during this time, Piola Wright said, and performing a contemporary piece.

■ FROM: Page B1 because his immune system is delinervous all at the same time while performing. “(Dancing) gives (students) confidence as per- cate as a result of bed rest, his condiSoulistic is like a second family, he said. formers, which branches off to other areas,” Cañedo- tion fluctuates.

The performance brought the campus and the Retamoza said. “It gives us creative freedom.”

Despite the progress he was makcommunity out to support the college, Tigner said. ing previously, breathing on his own Guest schools included Pinole Valley High Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. for a few weeks at a time, the bouts School’s cheerleading squad and students from DVC advocate@gmail.com. of the sickness are a concern, so

Dance Jam | Gives ‘freedom’

doctors insist that he stay on the ventilator until he fully recovers from it, she said.

In order to be closer to his family, Wright was transported by ambulance to Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles in March, his mother said.

He stayed there for two weeks before being transferred on April 9 to his current location at Chalet Hospital, a rehabilitation facility that is part of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.

“He’s still just like he was when he was at Kentfield, except he’s actually doing a little worse now,” Piola Wright said.

Slow recovery Since relocating to Southern California, Wright said that he worries his chances for a full recovery are slipping away.

He is no longer undergoing the necessary physical therapy, because “I want to the medical walk again insurance he is curand get rently receiving from the better for my state does not daughter. cover these But how I treatments.

“I want to am going walk again to get fully and get better for my daughrecovered ter,” he said. without “But how am I going to get rehab?” fully recovered without Wali Wright, rehab?” student I n s t e a d, with his fiancée Sara Talamantes and their 3month-old daughter Tierra Gene by his side each day, Wright passes his time watching TV and listening to music.

Doctors have told them that from the time of injury, it could take up to two years for his spine to heal, which will make for a more accurate prognosis of whether he will gain full use of his limbs, Talamantes said.

They have sought outside treatment advice from spinal cord specialists, but these facilities refuse to admit him because of his lack of proper insurance, she said.

For now, his only option is to lie down in bed, try to gain the 60 pounds that he has lost, Piola Wright said, and most importantly, regain the ability to breathe on his own.

“I really can’t see my future anymore,” Wright said. “I feel forgotten and discouraged.”

Talamantes and Wright originally planned to get married this month.

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo. advocate@gmail.com.

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

B3

‘Detail-oriented’ Edwards ‘sweet’ Assistant prepares time for travel, family

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

Stepping out of the kitchen and into the next chapter of her life, one of the college’s best prepares for her retirement.

Instructional assistant Joyce Edwards, an employee of the culinary arts department for 12 years, will hang up her uniform for the last time on May 27.

“She has been committed to (Contra Costa College) and brings a tremendous work ethic to our institution by representing her employee groups and culinary arts, over the past years,” President McKinley Williams said. “We appreciate all Joyce has done to make our college better and strengthen the program and say to her, ‘a job well done.’”

Over the past five years, Edwards has coordinated catering events, maintained the catering calendar, product orders and billing repairs and teaches cash handling to students.

As a mentor, friend and fellow worker, Edwards impressed many of her students, one of which is particularly grateful for the impact she contributed.

“If it was not for Joyce, I don’t know how long I would have stayed in the program,” culinary arts major Melody Jackson said. “I have been able to speak to her about everything, and since she is a no-nonsense person, she has provided me with solid advice, encouragement and constructive criticism.”

Edwards is also recognized favorably by many who appreciate her mentorship.

“Joyce is a sweet lady and has been an important element of our establishment. She taught me how to work the cash register,” culinary arts major Antonio Navarro said. “I will miss her a lot.”

Prior to CCC, Edwards worked for International Shipping Corporation where she dealt with Far East pricing and sales.

And beginning her journey at CCC, she worked in business services for five years, custodial services for one year and has been with culinary arts for the past six years.

Edwards said the one factor causing her to grow and develop in culinary arts has been her desire to service the public.

“The knowledge of catering I came in

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

A shining smile — Instructional assistant Joyce Edwards, shown beaming with her usual energy at a retirement banquet at Mira Vista Country Club on April 25, will be retiring at the end of the semester after 12 years at the college. with stems from working conferences and seminars,” Edwards said. “I do enjoy interaction with people that come into the restaurant, those who hire us for catering events, our vendors and those with which we contract with to do our repairs. I like serving

people and making them happy.”

In addition to on-the-job training, Edwards increased her knowledge by returning to school to further education.

“I enrolled in classes at CCC and received an associate of arts in liberal arts in 2004,

remaining on what was then called the ‘President’s List,’” Edwards said.

She did not stop there, however, and decided to enroll in a degree completion program at St. Mary’s College, graduating with honors and receiving a bachelor’s degree in management in 2006.

Significant from her studies at St. Mary’s were the results of her senior project.

“I decided to do my senior project at St. Mary’s on inventory control and management,” Edwards said. “As a result, we were able to use some of the processes at CCC currently being implemented, such as the student handbook, departmental policies and procedures and culinary guidelines.”

Edwards is known for keeping things going and keeping them together in the department to ensure a smooth operation.

“Joyce is the glue that holds the department together administratively,” culinary professor Jacki Rosen said. “Now with her leaving, we may temporarily become unglued. We will miss her terribly but wish her well.”

Culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes said that even though Edwards’ presence will be missed, they will be prepared to work with the changes.

“Definitely our department will miss her. I personally respect her because she has a great work ethic,” Sharkes said. “She is detail-oriented and very good with the customers.”

One key point he stressed about Edwards is something many recognize her for.

“She is a fashionista — always dressed to a ‘tee.’ I will miss that,” Sharkes said.

To smooth into her new role, Edwards shadowed former culinary assistant Rose Helms for a month to learn the details of the instructional assistant position.

She also said that she was not thinking about retiring. But Edwards saw this time as an opportunity to make room for the next generation, however, and for her to spend those 10 hours, normally worked four days a week, on herself.

As a result, she has already developed her plans as a retired person, including travel, family time, yoga at the Lakeview Club, piano lessons at CCC, volunteering as an ambassador with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, sewing and playing with her electronic chess board.

Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel. advocate@gmail.com.

Pastry chef spread baking knowledge

By Holly Pablo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at San Francisco State, chef John Allen washed dishes and began cooking in restaurants to help fund his way through college.

Allen’s experience in the kitchen sparked considerable interest in the culinary arts, so much that he quit the first job he held after graduation, teaching grade school science and math, to continue working in a restaurant.

“I sort of got into cooking by accident,” said Allen, 68, who served Contra Costa College as a pastry instructor for 24 years before retiring on Dec. 31. “The thing that helped me most was that I didn’t know anything about baking.”

Since retiring, Allen has undergone a hip replacement and a knee replacement. He has been enjoying bike rid-

ing, golfing and taking walks with his wife and two dogs along the creek behind their Santa Rosa home.

After selling the house, he plans to move to Indianapolis with his wife, Paula, to be closer to family and will possibly pursue part-time work as a pastry instructor, he said.

A part-time instructor, Claire Legas, was hired to fill the vacant position.

Though Allen is no longer teaching at CCC, student Cassius Green said that not a day passes where his name and specific methods for baking are not mentioned as a model by the students.

“The kitchen can be a hectic place.

He left his students with good work ethics,” Green said. “He had faith in us, and it is because of him that we have the motivation to keep trying.”

Allen earned his culinary certificate from CCC under the leadership of former culinary arts professor Kenneth Wolff in 1974 and was hired as a fulltime instructor at the college in the fall of 1986.

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Using the managerial and communication skills acquired through previous employments, ownership of a bakery and restaurant chain and delivery service, he not only instructed students on how to make bread and desserts, but also recipes for success in the field.

In fact, Allen was asked by his employers at the Belvedere restaurant to help manage and revive an unprofitable bakery. Shortly thereafter, he owned it before even knowing how to bake, which required dedication and patience.

Allen’s extensive background in the industry makes him an exceptional and inspirational teacher, student Elbert Ferguson said. He taught using practical, real world knowledge from first-hand experiences and was open to share his secrets.

“I went from a homemaker to a commercial cook and he made the transition so easy and comfortable,” Ferguson said. “It was great to be

under an instructor who really cared about what he was teaching.”

Allen had a plateful of responsibilities aside from teaching, such as maintaining control of his diabetes, raising three children and caring for his wife when she was diagnosed and being treated for leukemia.

Yet despite life’s troubles and the commute from Santa Rosa, Allen could be found in the kitchen at 6:30 a.m. each day, preparing the mise en place for the day’s cooking with a smile on his face, culinary arts instructional assistant Joyce Edwards said.

“He’s one of the sweetest men alive,” Edwards said.

He kept a watchful eye on his students, allowing them to make mistakes and then taking them step-bystep to find the problem and solution through trial and error, student Steven Scheffers said.

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo. advocate@gmail.com.

Allen

The 68-yearold culinary arts professor was a pastry chef for 24 years at Contra Costa College before he retired on Dec. 31. He has been enjoying a number of activities since then such as bike riding.

Shahabi a ‘gentleman’

By Lauren Shiraishi OPINION EDITOR

After more than 50 years of teaching experience, 27 of which were spent at Contra Costa College, engineering professor Nouri Shahabi has retired.

Before coming to CCC, Dr. Shahabi taught engineering in his native country of Iran.

“All my life, I was a professor,” he said.

Shahabi left Iran in pursuit of higher education in the late 1960s and earned his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Imperial College, a school within the University of London.

After graduating in 1971, he returned to Iran and resumed teaching.

Shahabi then started the Shahab Institute of Science.

His efforts paid off, as it became successful.

“He became really welloff because of his education, which allowed him to make it in business,” engineering department Chairman Chen Tsai said.

Following the Iranian

Revolution, Shahabi closed the institute and moved to the United States with his family in 1980.

Two years later, Shahabi applied for a job at CCC, and was hired as a full-time instructor in January 1982.

“There were plenty of applicants, and it was very fortunate I got the job,” Shahabi said.

For the next two decades, he proceeded to teach engineering courses at CCC. He was also a guest lecturer at Diablo Valley College.

“Shahabi really knows engineering, and he was a very nice, gentle person,” Dr. Tsai said. “Everyone liked him.”

Aside from engineering, Shahabi’s other interests include dancing, and playing tennis and volleyball.

In spite of his active lifestyle, however, Shahabi suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 2000. Yet, eight days later, he was teaching on campus, which exemplified his dedication to his job and students.

“I enjoyed (teaching at CCC) a lot,” he said.

“Everyone was cooperative

and supportive, from the students to staff to management.”

President McKinley Williams recalls that Shahabi paid for a teaching assistant out of his own pocket, another example of his dedication to his students.

“He was extremely gracious — a gentleman and a scholar,” Williams said. “I appreciate that he was a part of this staff.”

In 2008, Shahabi stopped teaching classes shortly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which limited his mobility. He remained on the payroll under the terms of “banked load” and officially retired in December 2009.

Many remember Shahabi as always being “welldressed.”

“He was a very formal man — always kind of dapper in the way he dressed, with a bowler hat and bow tie,” chemistry department Chairman Leverett Smith said.

Contact Lauren Shiraishi at lshiraishi. advocate@gmail.com.

B4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

SPOTLIGHT

Typesetter ‘resilient,’ diligent 35 years of service yield memories

By Lissette Alvarez STAFF WRITER

Known for her mechanical abilities and organizational skills as well as her creativity, Almarie Langston became the right arm for most of the college’s staff and faculty, whether coordinating events or typesetting programs.

After 35 years of typesetting her way to the hearts of Contra Costa College employees, administrative assistant to the dean of instruction Langston finally decided to retire.

While working at the college, she had to deal with the most difficult battle of her life, diabetes, which she struggled with even through her retirement.

It may have been touch-and-go for Langston, but despite it all, she fought her way through the ordeal and is now in good health.

Langston has been a part of CCC since 1974, but did not start her career until 1975.

Reprographics Coordinator Greta Gardner-Minnifield said Langston

served in many classified positions on campus, including a student assistant to health sciences, a production lab technician and typesetter.

Langston’s mechanical skills and diligence, as well as her impeccable attention to detail, got her promoted to administrative assistant to the dean of instruction.

“She was one of the hardest workers at CCC,” Gardner-Minnifield said.

Offset technician Latasha Gardener said Langston was an excellent typesetter and did an amazing job on CCC’s past fliers.

“Almarie is well organized even when she was at her desk. She was still very particular about her work area,” Gardner-Minnifield said.

Besides working behind the desk, Langston was also responsible for some of the schools programs and events on campus. She served as The Advocate’s typesetter for 15 years.

Langston said she prepared the college’s graduation programs and coordinated the activities and events for the African-American Staff Association.

“I did everything that involved typing for the school,” Langston said.

Before becoming part of CCC’s staff, Langston attended the college as a student.

She was enrolled in CCC’s paramedical program, but after seeing blood up close and personal, she realized it was not for her.

Gardner-Minnifield said Langston also successfully made the dean’s list while she was a student at CCC. “I enjoyed working at CCC as an employee and student,” Langston said.

Langston’s strength and perseverance were evident when she suffered a fall caused by her diabetes during her retirement.

Her nephew Justin Langston said, “My aunt is very resilient. A lot of our family members are just as resilient as she is.”

Langston’s diabetes was the main reason she had to retire in July 2009, since it severely affected her ability to work on campus, she said.

“I had blacked out, because I didn’t take my insulin properly,” Langston said.

She said the fall put her in a coma.

Langston then discovered she could not walk after waking up.

Through her long trials at a rehabilitation center, Langston was able to walk again.

“I lost 60 pounds, and the doctor said I no longer have diabetes,” Langston said. “I am currently using

Mentor led with passion

my retirement to focus on getting healthy and spending time with my family.”

Langston may have been seen as an outstanding worker at CCC, but to friends and family, she is a kindhearted and lovable individual.

“She would give you the shirt off her back if she had to,” GardnerMinnifield said.

Gardner-Minnifield said she and Langston used to have a lot of fun together, especially during their many trips to Los Angeles.

“It was never a dull moment with Almarie,” Gardner-Minnifield said.

Friends and family also admired Langston’s creativity, as well as her work ethic.

“Almarie used to make these really nice gift baskets. She was able to come up with different concepts for them,” Gardner-Minnifield said.

She said she admired the graphics Langston designed on various fliers.

Langston’s current interests include reading, listening to music, watching old classic movies, shopping, learning history and spending time with her family.

Contact Lissette Alvarez at lalvarez.advocate@gmail.com.

Langston

Responsible for most all of the typesetting duties on campus, the administrative assistant decided to retire after 35 years of service at Contra Costa College.

Following a fall related to diabetes that left her in a coma for a while, Langston is ready to spend some time healing in a more leisurely life.

A WIDE REACH

Revered instructor, 66, to leave program

By Brent Bainto SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

After more than two decades, engineering department Chairman and Center for Science Excellence (CSE) mentor Chen Tsai will bid farewell to the very college and students he cares so much about.

“Teaching at Contra Costa College for the past 21 years has given me the most rewarding positive growing up experience of my life,” Dr. Tsai said as he formally expressed his gratitude to students and fellow CSE instructors Friday.

With a distinguished grin and humble stature at 66 years old, Tsai will be remembered for the lasting impact he has made on the campus.

Prior to this, however, Tsai built a solid educational foundation that benefitted his students.

Before teaching, Tsai was destined for a career in engineering.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the National Taiwan University and continued to pursue higher education, obtaining his doctorate from Harvard University.

Working as a civil engineer for 16 years, Tsai discovered the potential abject failure that could happen due to a single faulty engineer, so he came to the conclusion that if he were to teach students to be better engineers, a better work force could be generated and the risks of fault lessened.

Tsai decided to shift professions, and since then has not regretted it.

Coming to a community college seemed fitting for Tsai, since he connected most with students who were underprivileged, as opposed to those already in universities.

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Let me show you — Engineering department Chairman Chen Tsai discusses his past as an engineer at the Center for Science Excellence seminar in PS-132 Friday. He has spent the last 21 years of his life teaching many classes, from calculus to engineering, at the college but will be retiring at the end of the semester.

Tsai said he made the right decision to teach and mentor. “(My) contribution to this college is much more than what (I) could’ve done for a university,” he said.

Throughout his time at CCC, Tsai has gone beyond his field of expertise to extend his aid by exhibiting his versatile ability to teach 24 different courses, ranging from math to computer science, in addition to mentoring students.

Tsai is most identified by his direct and informative approach to issues and inquiries, Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Division Dean Terence Elliott said.

With such an extensive background, especially in engineering, Elliott said that it has greatly benefited those he has worked with. “(Tsai) cares about the college and the

students,” he said.

CSE Director Joseph Ledbetter said Tsai has always been a consistent instructor and mentor since the beginning of the CSE and has had a “good colleagueship” with him ever since. “(Tsai) has a reputation of being fair,” Dr. Ledbetter said, “(and) is very appreciative and practical.”

Tsai stressed the importance in learning to understand, rather than just go for a high grade, by being able to internalize concepts.

Student Joseph Reid said Tsai is a testament to what hard work can do for an individual and that being part of Tsai’s mentoring group has helped enrich his college experience. “(I) really appreciate his philosophy,” Reid said.

In addition to teaching, Tsai attributes his

“positive growing experience” to tutoring outside the classroom.

Student Robin Lopez expressed his gratitude of having the opportunity to be mentored by Tsai.

Unsure of a career path, Lopez said Tsai has motivated him to acquire a doctorate in civil engineering as well. “(Tsai) helped me keep my head straight,” Lopez said.

With retirement on the horizon, Tsai plans to maximize the use of his time.

He plans to reconnect with his family in Taiwan, take classes for enjoyment, write his memoirs and travel. Tsai will also still mentor students.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto. advocate@gmail.com.

Anderson personified commitment, energy Professor readies next life chapter

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When Mary Anne Anderson decided to step down as head of the nursing admissions committee several years ago, everyone in the department knew they had a problem.

Though they eventually agreed to split up the duties among other faculty and staff, only when the time came to do so did they fully understand just how much work Anderson had taken on.

“She kept track of an unbelievable amount of detail,” said Dr. Cheri Etheredge, nursing professor who has team-taught Nursing 235 with Anderson for 17 years. “It took nine of us to do what she had been doing by herself. She put in a lot of hours, even outside (teaching the 11-unit course).”

The nursing department, however, will soon face a challenge even greater than this, as Anderson, now 66 years old, will be retiring at the end of the semester after serv-

ing 20 years at the college.

Nursing department Chairwoman Maryanne WernerMcCullough said that in this time, Anderson has displayed an unfailing willingness to do anything for her students.

“Her heart was always in the right spot in terms of helping her students be successful,” WernerMcCullough said. “She was committed to making them the best they could be.”

Some of Anderson’s students said she could foster a better educational experience simply through her energy.

Emile Castanchoa, a former student in Anderson’s Nursing 235 course, said that on his first day assigned to a postpartum room, he felt uncomfortable due to being one of the few men in the womendominated field.

To help him relax and ease into a more personal relationship with the mother and child, Anderson recommended Castanchoa converse with the father as a means of earning the family’s trust.

He said the suggestion boosted his self-esteem and allowed him to calmly approach the situation.

“That advice was just perfect,”

Castanchoa said. “That was my an ardor for nursing, particularly very first day, and it set the tone maternity nursing, was such a part for the rest of that clinical rotation of her life that this passion natuto give me the optimal learning rally emerged in her instruction. environment and made me feel “We know that we are teachvery confident.” ing them for something that is so Much of Anderson’s teaching crucial. Nurses are taking care of style stems from her mantra of per- lives,” Anderson said. “And we as forming actions to the best of one’s the faculty in the nursing departability, in a manner that makes ment, we have the privilege of them enjoyable. helping them lay down their She developed this foundation for their career.” work ethic while growThough not hired full ing up in Fresno. time until 1993, Anderson When she was a started working to improve child, Anderson read a the nursing program in any book titled “Sue Barton and all ways from her first Student Nurse.” This step on campus. novel, along with numerShe became the context ous visits to a long-term Anderson expert for maternity nursing, care facility that housed aided in the production of her grandmother, cemented her the department’s bulletin, develdecision for a career. oped admission procedures with “I knew I wanted to be a nurse admissions and records supervisor in the seventh grade. It wasn’t a Linda Ames and served on the facthought-out, planned decision; it ulty evaluation committee, setting was a heart decision,” Anderson about completing these tasks in a said. “If you’re really in nursing highly detailed manner. for the right reasons, you know it’s “If she did something, you knew a calling in life.” she was going to do it really well,” Thus, after she received her Werner-McCullough said. master’s degree at Holy Names Complementing these efforts, College and was hired at Contra Anderson also introduced a new Costa College part time in 1990, technique to the nursing depart-

ment after spending her sabbatical studying it.

Evidence-based learning emphasized the incorporation of scientific research into instruction and swiftly became a cornerstone of the department’s curriculum, Werner-McCullough said.

Despite all of her previous achievements and future leisure filled with activities such as triathlons, however, Anderson remains connected with the program she so avidly supported throughout her tenure at CCC. Upon being informed that the college would not replace her with another full-time faculty member because of budget restrictions, she lobbied President McKinley Williams and the administration as a whole in an effort to persuade them otherwise. “(Obstetrics) theory is very integrated throughout the semester,” Anderson said. “And if it becomes fragmented, the student’s ability to clinically reason and to apply the theory is weakened markedly, and that costs lives.”

Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani.advocate@gmail.com.

SPOTLIGHT

Director helped build Foundation Scholarship, grant writer now retiring

By Cassandra Juniel SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

As many staff members retire, there is one whose presence will be missed not only by Contra Costa College colleagues, students and friends, but more so by Foundation members and supporters.

Linda Cherry, whose talent, skills and abilities helped make the CCC Foundation what it is today, will say her goodbyes on June 30.

Foundation Board President Eric Zell has worked with Cherry for the past few years and said she has been the driving force and glue that kept the Foundation running and moving forward.

“She has been integral to the success of the Foundation,” he said.

Cherry has been with the college for eight years, hired initially as a grant writer.

She said that it was the first time that funds were made available for a dedicated position at the college.

While working in this position, Cherry was asked by Chancellor Helen Benjamin to serve in an acting role for the Foundation director position.

“I applied for the permanent position while I was working in the acting one, and the rest is history,”

Cherry said.

The nature of that job has changed since then.

From 2004-07, Cherry managed a unit that consisted of graphics and public information, a television studio, community relations and a webmaster. After reorganization, she now focuses mainly on grant writing.

Cherry’s background consisted of freelance consulting for 16 years, as well as health and human services, research and development and grant writing. Yet, her desire to be in higher education drove her to apply for the position at CCC. She said that what the Foundation does benefits the college for the students and for programs.

“For grant writing, I keep abreast of funding needs and opportunities from private and governmental sources (public), as well as work with faculty and student services ensuring proposals fit the needs,” Cherry said.

She was the catalyst behind several grants awarded to the campus, which include the Title III grant for strengthening student services and basic skills.

Also, Cherry works with the board of directors in hosting the major fundraisers, continuing to fundraise in support of CCC. Athletic Director John Wade, who serves on the board for the Foundation, said Cherry manages the athletic account and helped coordinate the annual Hall of Fame event.

“To help raise over $2

million for a community college is unheard of,” Wade said. “She has contributed significantly to this effort and as well, we have never had as many students applying and receiving scholarships. She has done a fabulous job in those capacities.”

In addition to the Hall of Fame event, Cherry helps coordinate the most significant fundraiser, which is an annual event called the Sy Zell Swinging for Scholarships Invitational Golf Tournament.

“The tournament is the most successful golf tournament in the area, where over 15 major sponsors are recognized,” Cherry said.

She is also known to favorably coordinate donor management for scholarships, understanding the intents of the donors and following through with them.

Scholarship Coordinator Jimmy Cox works with Cherry managing the scholarship postings, applications, selection process and ensuring recipients receive the awards.

“It is because of the attention that Linda paid to every donor, whether they were giving a large amount or a small amount, that made each donor feel special and willing to support the CCC Foundation and the college,” Cox said.

Although there has not been a proposed backfill for her position, senior executive assistant to the president Melody Hanson will work with the Foundation to host

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

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PRECIOUS SMILES

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Inspirational love — Senior Foundation Director Linda Cherry spends time with her grandson, Quinn Cherry, after a retirement party in AA-216 Friday. the special events.

In regard to her retirement, however, Cherry said it is now time for a new adventure.

“My real inspiration is

named Quinn. My son and daughter-in-law surprised me on my 60th birthday with a grandson, born in August 2009,” she said. “So when the budget for retirement

matter came up, I decided it was a good time for me.”

Contact Cassandra Juniel at cjuniel. advocate@gmail.com.

O’Hare to tend to home gardening

By Alexandra Waite NEWS EDITOR

After nine years spent teaching and molding the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) program at the college, nursing professor Linda O’Hare will retire after this semester.

O’Hare started teaching at the college in the spring of 2001 as a parttime instructor and was hired as fulltime in 2002.

She took over the CNA/HHA program five years ago and has been the main person in charge of the program since developing its current policies and curriculum, nursing department Chairwoman Maryanne WernerMcCullough said.

Before teaching at CCC, O’Hare worked several jobs as a nurse throughout California, including a position at John Muir Hospital, a director of nurses at a nursing home and a home health nurse, making visits to the homes of patients who left the hospital yet still required care.

O’Hare said she decided to apply for a job as an instructor because teaching was something she loved and had always wanted to do.

“She is a sensitive, warming and caring individual,” skills lab assistant Joan Batiste said. “She is very thorough in making sure students get everything they need to be a nurse.”

Throughout her instruction at the college, O’Hare has been the sole professor for the NURS 202 course, which equates to 12 units.

In Nursing 202, students are taught in a real hospital setting for training, and once signed off by O’Hare, they are on the floor for six hours doing nursing care and utilizing the theory and skills they learn in the first four weeks of the course, Batiste said.

“I work with students throughout the day, supervising and giving handson teaching,” O’Hare said. “Students are able to do work on their own after they become proficient.”

The CNA program was canceled this semester due to budget cuts, which gave O’Hare a valuable amount of time to make adjustments to the program so it may be in good condition when it resumes in the fall.

The course is scheduled to be taught at Creekside Health Care Center in San Pablo during the fall semester.

Aside from working on the CNA program this semester, O’Hare has also spent time teaching a nursing

course, doing clinical rotations for Los Medanos College at Doctor’s Hospital in San Pablo. “(O’Hare) is conscientious. She is dedicated to the students and the program, and she wants to make it the best,” Werner-McCullough said.

Administrative secretary for the nursing department Diana Hall said one thing she felt the most from O’Hare was how much she cared about her students’ education and the extra mile she would go for them.

“When (her students) would take their state exam, she would bring a breakfast buffet to make sure they had their daily nutrition,” Hall said. “She would go beyond what she needed to do to teach.”

O’Hare said she has enjoyed working at the college and hates to leave, but it is her time to become a hospice nurse again and work in her hometown.

As a resident of Grass Valley, she lives roughly two-and-a-half hours away from the college.

In her spare time, she enjoys alpine skiing, either at the North Star or Sugar Bowl Ski Resorts in Lake Tahoe.

Her other hobbies include hiking, gardening, horseback riding and artwork.

“I have a huge garden, and I dedicate a lot of time toward gardening,” O’Hare said.

Among the plants in her garden are peas, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini and herbs.

Traveling is also a passion of hers, having been to England, Norway, Italy, France, Iceland and all across the United States.

“I’m going to Alaska on a cruise this summer. I’ve never been, but always wanted to go,” O’Hare said.

She plans to dedicate more time to her art in the future, which includes drawing, pastel and acrylic painting and pottery.

Batiste said one of the greatest benefits O’Hare has provided students with is that she always stays on top of what is current in the nursing profession, such as clinical studies and new evidence-based practices.

“I will miss working with her so much,” Batiste said. “Working with her colleagues, she is very open to new ideas. She has all the qualities of the teacher the college would want to have.”

Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite. advocate@gmail.com.

O’Hare

The nursing professor, who spent nine years molding the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) program at the college, will retire at the end of the semester.

She plans to spend her retirement time skiing, hiking, gardening and traveling around the world.

Quinn left legacy on campus’ foliage, grounds

By Asia Camagong ASSOCIATE EDITOR

He is in the plants decorated around the Knox Center, welcoming visitors just before every performance.

Or perhaps he can be found in the garden terrace behind the Applied Arts Building, giving way for the college to grow its very own spices.

Wherever one may look, traces of Sam Quinn still remain fixed on campus.

“He was kind of a diplomat for the school,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said of Quinn, who left the college on medical leave after a work-related injury in 2008.

Remembered for his willingness to beautify the campus, Quinn was employed as a grounds worker for 19 years before officially retiring in April 2009 while on medical leave, as his condition inhibited him from performing his normal duties, King said.

While constructing the garden terrace behind the AA Building

in part of a special project for the culinary arts department in August 2008, Quinn began to feel soreness to his neck.

The pain persisted in the following days, and he was placed on temporary disability a week later.

“The extra job, bless his heart, went negative for him,” King said.

Though two years have Quinn passed since the occurrence of the injury, Quinn said he continues to feel daily pain.

He is currently waiting for a response from the qualified medical examiner to determine what type of treatment he needs for his nerves, anticipating possible neck surgery, he said.

“It’s a very slow process that needs to be overhauled,” Quinn said. “I’m just in a waiting game, and it’s been too slow and I’ve been in pain too long.”

Already having undergone two epidural shots in the neck, physical therapy and numerous medications, he said there has been little pain relief, which prevents him from many outside activities.

Yet, Quinn does not think back of his stay at the college with distaste.

“I love what I did, (and) anywhere that there was work, that’s where you could find me,” he said.

Though assigned daily duties to mow the lawn, pick up trash, trim trees and complete other tasks campus maintenance, Quinn also took opportunities to work on various projects.

King said Quinn’s “good heart” kept him volunteering for work that even required him coming in on the weekends.

Senior grounds worker Mike Mayo, who has worked with Quinn since he came to work at Contra Costa College, said he kept an upbeat attitude that made him “an all-around good guy.”

“He had his own way of things,” Mayo said.

Quinn worked to ensure the aesthetics of the campus gave viewers a deserving first impression.

“Before (people) see the classrooms, the teachers or anyone, they see the grounds,” Quinn said.

“They see us.”

As a way of inspiring students to “get their education and do what they want in life,” Quinn sought to have others see what he saw in the value of the college.

“My vision is to picture something and to actually just do it,” he said. “(Grounds workers) are trying to provide a safe structure and environment for the children.”

Ever since he was young, Quinn had a passion for the outdoors.

“It doesn’t matter what type of season it is, I just want to be outside,” he said. “I just like breathing the fresh air.”

Aside from garden work, Quinn also found enjoyment in fishing, baseball and camping and plans to continue these activities after his injury is healed.

Despite this enthusiasm for outdoor activities, Quinn did not initially see himself becoming a gardener, he said.

Born on Oct. 23, 1964 and raised in Vallejo, Quinn graduated from Hogan High School in 1982 and attended Butte Community College in Oroville.

After two semesters, he decided

to be a full-time father when his future wife became pregnant.

Prior to joining the college in 1991, Quinn worked as a custodian for Los Medanos College as a way of supporting his young family, consisting of his future wife and their young daughter, Keayana.

Exposure to the career developed when his father, a civil service supervisor for roads and grounds at Travis Air Force Base, would drive Quinn in his truck at work.

“I got used to work with my dad, and I just wanted to be on the ride line more; and I wanted to see the end result to see an area looking nice,” Quinn said.

In addition to raising his own two biological kids, Quinn and his wife have fostered three other children and are currently in the process of adopting one.

“We love kids, and we want to give back in our own little way,” he said. “I’m very thankful that we did, because they are the ones that keep me going.”

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong.advocate@gmail. com.

B6 THE ADVOCATE

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l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

Warm weathe

Summer movie season yields varied mixture of action, adventure, romance, c

May

July

Title: “Sex and the City 2” Genre: Comedy Release Date: May 28 Rating: R Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis Director: Michael Patrick King

Title: “Toy Story 3” Genre: Family Release Date: June 18 Rating: NR Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack Director: Lee Unkrich

Title: “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” Genre: Fantasy Release Date: June 30 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner Director: David Slade

Synopsis: HBO’s favorite four friends return in this summer’s ultimate sequel “Sex and the City 2.” The four glamorous older women find themselves yet again dealing with the misadventures of love and relationships this time from the Big Apple to the Mediterranean. Though this time their escapades will be accompanied by the struggles of discovering and fighting against the traditional roles of marriage and motherhood.

Synopsis: The franchise that mirrored so many contemporary childhoods and dusted off countless others, and catapulted Pixar to vanguard status among the world’s animators, is back. Only now the band of toys must confront the inevitable problem with childhood — it ends so quickly. Their owner is 18 years old and going to college. And after accidentally being donated to a day care, the toys must find a way home and a permanent place in the owner’s heart.

Synopsis: In the third installment of the popular “Twilight” series, Bella (Kristen Stewart) must choose between her friendship with werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and her love for vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) as a mysterious wave of murders holds neighboring city Seattle in terror. Yet, this already complicated decision carries even wider ramifications, as it holds the potential to trigger the ageless struggle between vampires and werewolves.

Title: “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” Genre: Action Release Date: May 28 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley Director: Mike Newell Synopsis: Fooled by a dying vizier into unleashing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that yields control over the passage time, adopted Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) must rescue and protect the mythical object from an evil nobleman Nizam (Ben Kingsley). Stylized with plenty of sword fights, parkour and action-flickrequisite sex appeal, this video gameinspired film will surely attract flocks of adrenaline junkies.

June Title: “Get Him to the Greek” Genre: Comedy Release Date: June 4 Rating: R Starring: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne Director: Nicholas Stoller

Title: “Jonah Hex” Genre: Action Release Date: June 18 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, John Malkovich Director: Jimmy Hayward

Title: “The Last Airbender” Genre: Action Release Date: July 2 Rating: NR Starring: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone Director: M. Night Shyamalan Synopsis: Aang (Noah Ringer) is the physical embodiment of the world.

The divine. The Avatar. Given his power to control the elements of nature, Aang is thrust into the role of savior, expected to halt the warpath of the Fire nation before it attains complete control over the nations of Air, Water and Earth. With the help of friends Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), Aang might just restore peace to the four elements and find a great adventure along the way.

Synopsis: Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin), a scarred bounty hunter with supernatural powers and warrants out for his arrest, is offered by the U.S. military his freedom in exchange for stopping a terrorist ready to unleash hell on earth.

Synopsis: An aspiring intern at a major record company is faced with the daunting task of picking up the defiant British rock legend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) from London and escorting him to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for a comeback concert in this film by burgeoning director Nicholas Stoller (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”).

Title: “The A-Team” Genre: Action Release Date: June 11 Rating: NR Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel Director: Joe Carnahan Synopsis: A remake of the 1980s television series, “The A-Team” follows four Iraq War veterans turned mercenaries finding themselves framed for a crime that they did not commit. Their mission is to go out and clear their names with the U.S. military. After they escape from military prison, the group sets about mercenary work.

Title: “The Karate Kid” Genre: Action Release Date: June 11 Rating: PG Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson Director: Harald Zwart Synopsis: A new spin has been brought to an old classic. In “The Karate Kid,” a bullied teen is helped out by martial arts expert Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) to defend himself against aggressors. The problems start to occur when Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) is moved to Beijing and faces the difficulties of being bullied in a foreign land. The movie will mirror the earlier plot.

JAMES HECK AND CODY MCFARLAND / THE ADVOCATE

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her, cool flicks

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

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ce, comedy, fantasy, thrillers for when the heat calls for a nice indoor respite Title: “Inception” Genre: Sci-Fi Release Date: July 16 Rating: NR Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Director: Christopher Nolan

Title: “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” Genre: Adventure Release Date: July 16 Rating: NR Starring: Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina Director: Christopher Nolan

Title: “Salt” Genre: Thriller Release Date: July 23 Rating: NR Starring: Phillip Noyce Director: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Title: “Dinner for Schmucks” Genre: Comedy Release Date: July 23 Rating: R Starring: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Jemaine Clement Director: Jay Roach

Synopsis: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief. That is, he can enter a mind and steal its ideas during slumber. Nobody does it better.

But when he is offered the chance to gain back the life he lost due to his unparalleled powers at “extraction,” Dom attempts the unheard of — inception. He must now implant an idea into the mind of another, a process made incalculably more difficult given the mysteriousness of the target.

Synopsis: Loosely based on a segment form the Disney movie “Fantasia,” “The “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” will offer more action and adventure. Master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicholas Cage) is doing whatever he can to protect modern Manhattan from his arch nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina), who has evil plans at heart.

When the job begins to become too much for Blake, he enlists the help of an ordinary guy named Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel). Blake teaches Stutler magic in order to ensure Manhattan will be protected.

Synopsis: Accused of being a Russian spy, CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is on the run while trying to clear her name and protect her husband. Salt avoids capture with her skillfulness and years of experience as a covert operative, but only perpetuates suspicion of her motives by her mentor, Winter (Liev Schreiber), and CIA counter-intelligence officer Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Her loyalty will be called into question and many will doubt the exact location of her actual allegiances fall. As the excavation to uncover the truth behind her identity continues to unfold, one questions remains to be answered: “Just who exactly is supposed CIA officer Evelyn Salt?”

Synopsis: An English adaptation of the French film “Le Diner de Cons,” “Dinner for Schmucks” follows rising executive Tim (Paul Rudd), who must succeed in bringing the “perfect” guest for his boss’ so-called “dinner for idiots,” which will offer certain benefits for those who show up with the biggest idiot. And in Internal Revenue Service employee Barry (Steve Carell), he may have found the perfect candidate.

Title: “Beastly” Genre: Fantasy Release Date: July 30 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary Kate Olsen Director: Daniel Barnes Synopsis: When a New York “prince” of his peers (Alex Pettyfer) is transformed into a disfigured recluse by a Goth classmate (Mary Kate Olsen) that he invites to an environmental bash only to ditch, he is given one year to find someone who will love him for who he is on the inside. A retelling of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story, the film transports the setting to present day and filters it through contemporary details.

August Title: “The Expendables” Genre: Action Release Date: Aug. 11 Rating: R Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li Director: Sylvester Stallone Synopsis: Including a cast of some of the most famous action stars in American cinema, “The Expendables” is about a group of mercenaries who get hired to overthrow a dictator in a South American country. They soon find themselves betrayed, however, and having to fight their way out of the situation.

Title: “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” Genre: Adventure Release Date: Aug. 13 Rating: NR Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin Director: Edgar Wright Synopsis: Sometimes, in order to win the time of day from a gorgeous woman, a man needs to run through a gauntlet of trials to test his physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aptitude. In the case of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), these tests come in the form of seven exes who stand in the way of him winning the attention of Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). If he can break her free of their control, however, she just might rollerblade his way.

Title: “Eat, Pray, Love” Genre: Drama Release Date: Aug. 13 Rating: NR Starring: Julia Roberts.

James Franco, Billy Crudup Director: Ryan Murphy Synopsis: Based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love” chronicles the story of a woman, once consumed with the idea of being the perfect wife and creating a family, who suddenly realizes her flawless objective in life may not be what is best for her. After Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) goes through a difficult divorce, she decides to spend a year of selfdiscovery. Along the way, she finds solace through food in Italy, prayer in India and true love in Bali.

B8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

SPOTLIGHT

Mexico, on the go The Advocate tracks down and reviews the local area’s best taco and burrito trucks La Flor de Jalisco

Los Grullenses

Tacos Rodriguez

Location: 2409 Macdonald Ave., Richmond Distance from the college: 2.9 miles Price range: $1.25-$6.50

Location: 1016 Market Street, San Pablo Distance from the college: 1.3 miles Price range: $2-$6

If you like burritos, then you have to check out La Flor de Jalisco, located at the intersection of 21st and Macdonald Avenue in Richmond. The taco truck is easy and safe to get to get to, just half a block down from the Richmond Police Academy League (PAL).

Regular burritos are put together with tightly wrapped soft flour tortillas stuffed with homelike cooked rice with your choice of meat or chicken. Super burritos are slightly bigger and have cheese and sour cream. The service is great, fast and the people are very friendly. The quality of the food is exceptional, superior to most in the area and is highly recommended.

—Erik Verduzco

Settled outside the parking lot of the Food Barn on the corner of Market Street and Rumrill Boulevard, the bright orange truck does enough to satisfy one’s craving for a simple bite to eat. The spacious parking, fast service, basic menu and cheap prices provide a quick fix to a hungry stomach. To better satisfy customers, the truck includes grilled onions, jalapenos and chips with every order. In terms of quality, however, the food lacks any extraordinary flavor. The super burrito, costing $4.50, could even be depicted as boring in taste. The excitement rests more in the cheap prices than in the actual food.

—Asia Camagong

Location: Appian Way and Santa Rita Road, El Sobrante Distance from the college: 2.7 miles Price range: $4-$6 Service from the truck was swift, and customers were given the choice to take out or to dine in at the tables and relax while enjoying their food. The food was promptly served and accompanied with chips and your choice of salsa. The quality and feel of the food was reputable, including the meat, which was exemplary. The overall atmosphere is well complemented by the friendly family that runs the taco truck and the constant flow of regulars who fill the space around the truck with conversation.

—George Morin

El Tapatio

My Virgencita

Location: 910 23rd Street, Richmond Distance from the college: 2.1 miles Price range: $1-$4

Location: 3363 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante (behind the Texas Gas Station and across the street from Raley’s) Distance from the college: 0.9 miles Price range: $1.25-$8

For those who crave decent Mexican food but have a minimal budget to work with, El Tapatio proves to be an ideal eatery. Fresh spices and vegetables are blended for a taste explosion that compliments the selection of well-marinated meats of both tacos and burritos. Everything on the menu is authentically handmade and is conveniently ready in a matter of minutes after ordering. With a menu that has tacos priced at merely a dollar, and burritos at no more than $4, it’s hard to not come back to satisfy the hankering for this particular cuisine. Located about two miles from the college, this restaurant/taco and burrito truck regularly caters to the hungers of Richmond residents as well as students of both Contra Costa College and Richmond High School. El Tapatio runs 24 hours, so there is no dilemma of catching a closing time.

—Brent Bainto

The truck may be easy to miss because the only sign on the street for it reads “La Fortuna,” which correlates to “My Virgencita.” The service is very prompt and provides sit-down serving for customers wanting to eat at a table and enjoy the view of the hillside. The regular pork burrito included tortilla chips, sauce and a variety of vegetables on the side with a respectable amount of content, such as rice, beans, cilantro and onions. The packaging of the burrito came loosely, which made for an awkward attempt at managing to keep it all together. Thus, one should be prepared to use up a number of napkins while indulging. Yet, aside from the immediate presentation, the actual substance of the burrito was well prepared and flavorful and well worth the price.

—Alexandra Waite

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

B9

A

e r o

perience in just a x e g in fe w n e t il s e as d y, e n i ch f e ea d mani | Associa S ur te c e Ed l A it y o B r

A curious head virgin to the territory rears. Eyes closed, pointing out and low, a deep note triggers the swing open and up. To the left. To the right. To the left. Blinking each time they cross home.

The pendulum’s weight centers the gaze.

One last upward glance upon opportunity before the eyes and neck curl back into the shell of demureness.

A voice questions nascence and conclusions.

Organ mists make opaque the untraceable trumpet calls of adventure, covering them in a dewy sheen just as soon as they push forth. A flugelhorn rumble shakes the adrenal gland.

Bass prods prevent the calm, as the trumpets grow impatient, erupting in collective bursts just shy of needy discordance.

Undulations of guitar push them back.

The same head concedes only to find its appetite whet more by the even emptier mist of organs as they are pulled away by the floating voice.

Without the proper raconteur, the head’s story never happened.

For, without the necessary details, Talk Talk’s “Taphead” is just a song.

Through an eloquent audio setup skilled in the art of sharing anecdotes and experiences, however, the music attains a near unmitigated level of pure art. The kind of art that evokes emotion. Change.

Connectedness.

In order to find the right storyteller, one must consider what kinds of stories in which to be available to or pursue.

If one is perfectly complacent with listening to a highly compressed MP3 of an already exceedingly “hot” mix obtained through download and experienced through default iPod earbuds, then this may not be for that person.

But if he or she is interested in finding the oftenremoved space between music that turns sound into story, then good news — it’s not as hard as it commonly seems.

Maximizing the ones and zeroes Perhaps the first step in improving one’s listening experience is identifying what is often missing, then preventing that loss.

Fittingly, in terms of digital audio, that which contains most of its original data is referred to as “lossless.” This includes FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) among others.

In these file formats, especially when they are accurately “ripped” or copied from their original source, listeners can expect to be treated to more spacious and vibrant sounding digital audio, wherein the recordings are airy, given room to breathe and create a more detailed atmosphere, according to www.diymusic.com.

One of the best ways to obtain these files, if one is simply looking to create high-quality digital versions of albums in a collection, is to use the open source program Exact Audio Copy (EAC). Available for free download at its Web site, www.exactaudiocopy.de, the software reads audio files almost perfectly and will provide a report of any distortions in the process if aberrations occur.

Along with the operation to rip CDs into FLAC, the program also offers other file formats that take up less space, such as Waveform Audio File Format (WAV), but suffer diminished levels of quality depending on the selection, according to www.brightbub.com.

Once the data has been transferred onto the computer, one will need a media manager or player to organize and play the music.

Among the most popular and lauded programs for this purpose

p

ps ste

m

THE PERFECT SOUND is the multimedia framework software known as VideoLan Client (VLC). It allows for playback in nearly all file formats and has a number of different audio modes for tweaking sound.

According to www.cnet.com, VLC provides a more streamlined and direct approach to audio playback than many other widely used similar programs.

After one has set up a way to create and play music, the next dimension to address for better sound is how that information is processed.

Purifying the intake and output Computer sound cards, which facilitate the input and output of sound, are the key elements that transform a bunch of ones and zeroes to the exhilarating vibrations we hear as music.

These cards, according to www.brighthub.com, are essentially responsible for converting analog information into digital data that can be stored on the computer, then later converting that data back into its original analog format capable of being transmitted through headphones or speakers The HT Omega Striker can turn limited two-channel data into 7.1-channel surround sound and conjures up clear audio, an impressive feat for less than $100. Though its brother, the HT Omega Claro Plus, crafts an even more impressive quality, its $175 retail price will deter many.

Once one has molded much of the process before the actual “play” button is pressed to one’s liking, it is time to look at how the music is heard when the vibrations begin.

Extracting the essence No listening experience, with the possible exception of live music, can match the intimate experience of headphones.

As industry vanguards, Grado Labs have an awe-inspiring array of precision headphones, with nearly every model opening a door into a world of clarity rarely even dreamed of at most other companies.

The SR80i may be the best balance of price and quality the company offers, by unfolding a generously roomy atmosphere for roughly $100, according to www.stereophile.com. These headphones are “open,” however, which means that sound leaks both in and out, thus making them less than ideal for environments where others are in earshot.

For such instances, Grado introduced the similarly priced iGi in-ear buds that offer only slightly lower quality with less disturbance for those in the vicinity.

Though if one is in the mood to blast some tunes, and have them actually sound decent, there are two selections that both paint airy canvases without requiring too deep an excavation into the greenback territory.

The PSB Alpha B and Paradigm Atom V5 are both dynamic options for bookshelf speakers that can crank out massive waves of distinct sound without causing much collateral damage to consumers’ wallets, as both retail for about $250 per pair.

Yet, these suggestions are more directional guidelines than explicit steps to be followed without diversion.

Like any emerging audiophile or collector of stories, the best way to find what sounds are right for someone is to experiment and build one’s own experiences, which often provide the best direction to the greatest stories of all — the ones that can be shared.

Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani.advocate@gmail.com.

Analyzing the essentials

For an intimate musical experience, nothing beats a headphone session. With a nearly unbeatable balance of quality and fair pricing, the Grado SR80i stands far and away above the rest of the competition.

PAGE DESIGN BY SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

There are a great many factors that can affect the quality of digital audio.

One of the easiest and most commonly ignored aspects is file format. With sound compressed so much to save room and reduce complexity, listening to MP3 versions of a Beatles song is akin to watching “Casablanca” on an iPod Nano. It just isn’t the same. Thus, if one is trying to extract more from his or her music, Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC), or even Waveform Audio File Format (WAV), is definitely the way to go. They can both still offer the same identification, provided one uses a program like MP3 Tag, yet supply a much brighter and roomy sound with very little data loss.

Sound cards also play a major role in how computers process the vibrations we know as music.

Responsible for the analog-to-digital conversion action when audio data is imported and the digital-to-analog conversion action when that data is exported to sources outside of the computer such as headphones, sound cards are vital to an excellent listening experience. Coming in at less than $100, the HT Omega Striker is one of the best deals on the market when it comes to highquality sound cards.

A powerful, yet clear set of speakers are essential to anyone who’s looking to blast some tunes but actually cares about how they sound. The PSB Alpha B and Paradigm Atom V5 bookshelf speakers are both excellent choices, crafting crisp waves and distinct vibrations at about $250 a pair.

B10 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

SPOTLIGHT

An eternal reflection

JAMES HECK / THE ADVOCATE

Albums

Nujabes’ ethereal art transcends definition

By James Heck STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

Title: “Metaphorical Music” (2003) On his first solo album, Nujabes samples Miles Davis, Baden Powell and Yusef Lateef. Lyrics from Substantial, Cise Star and Shing 02 flow through the rhythms while keeping Nujabes’ positive outlook.

Title: “Modal Soul” (2005) Merging nature with the supernatural, Nujabes’ second solo album often sounds like a garden aquarium adrift in space. Guest vocalists like Terry Callier and Pase Rock also provide solid ground.

Title: “Departure” (2004) The second album showcasing music from the “Samurai Champloo” series is produced by Nujabes and Fat Jon and strips away complexity to emphasize one instrument at a time.

The experience is like no other.

Ambient bass tones continuously humming as if emanating from below the earth, brief piano melodies chiming in and out, flutes resonating through an abstract plane of sound.

Bossa nova guitars seamlessly weave into the marriage of jazz samples and synthesizer effects.

Every element stands out, yet it all blends seamlessly into an approachable composition of extricated sounds.

This is the accent of Japanese hip-hop artist Seba Jun, most known by his artist moniker Nujabes.

Jun was the owner of Tribe Records and Guinness Records in Udagawa, Shibuya, both popular record stores as well as centers of Japanese hip-hop culture.

Unlike American hip-hop, Japan’s urban sub-culture is not greatly influenced by the difficulties of life in inner-city ghettos.

Japanese artists tend to draw more of their influences from humor, poetry and nature.

This is reflected in Nujabes’ first release in 1999, “People Don’t Stray,” from his independent record label Hydeout Productions.

The single effectively blends repeated piano and saxophone samples with record scratching from Monorisick (DJ Deckstream).

Lyrics provided by English rapper Funky DL complement the rhythm, without distracting from the instrumentation.

Nujabes continued to release singles and remixes until his first album, “Metaphorical Music,” was released in 2003 by Shibuyabased studio Dimid Recordings.

This album represents the perfect summarization of Nujabes’ sound.

Characterized by cool jazz influences, due to his use of Miles Davis and Yusef Lateef samples in the songs “Horn in the Middle” and “The Final View,” the album is driving yet serene.

Nujabes’ mixing is seamless, blending elements so closely that the depth of each track is masked.

Only after several attentive listens can his songs be thoroughly appreciated. Yet, the listening process is not laborious.

The beats are never challenging, as each song passes through time effortlessly, waiting patiently for the listener, but never idle.

Despite his exceptional style as a producer, Nujabes’ audience is limited to those in the independent Japanese hip-hop social scene and record store wanderers who stumble upon his music.

In 2006, late-night Cartoon Network programming block Adult Swim began to air the second series from acclaimed anime director and screenwriter Shinichiro Watanabe.

Known for his directorial debut “Cowboy Bebop,” Watanabe had built a reputation for combing normally disassociated themes and creating animated features that stand out for

their originality.

His second series, “Samurai Champloo” blends the historically based Chanbara genre of samurai films with modern hip-hop culture and rhythm.

The unlikely combination of Edo-period feudal Japan with percussion-centric rhythms and newer art forms of graffiti and breakdancing creates a surprisingly cohesive art style.

In the world of “Samurai Champloo,” tense, focused sword duels are offset by the spontaneity of record-scratching, chase scenes are narrated by double-bass infused instrumentals, traditional Japanese music is as common as rap and graffiti coexists with ukiyo-e painting.

The show’s introduction to American broadcast in 2006 set the trend of the hiphop samurai genre of anime. Only two years later, the series “Afro-Samurai” was released, featuring music from RZA and voice work from Samuel L Jackson.

Though “Samurai Champloo” did not just introduce viewers to the hip-hop samurai genre, it also served as a segue to the underexposed world of Nujabes’ production.

The first time I heard Nujabes’ work in the song “Battlecry,” I was hooked.

Visual representation of stylized samurai action coupled by tracks with groups of lowpitch drum patterns, abstracted flutes and reactive piano melodies blew my mind (as an easily impressionable 14-year-old).

And the closing song “Shiki No Uta” is what closed the deal for me.

The rhythm and blues piece features looping bass samples unlike hip-hop songs heard in the U.S. Softened bass guitar samples and piano melodies seem foreign in comparison to jazz-influenced hip-hop in America.

Since that first listen, I haven’t gone more than a month in the past four years without returning to Nujabes’ music.

I soon discovered that I was far from alone.

Since his first album dropped, Nujabes has gained notoriety among bloggers, music junkies and underground hip-hop scenesters alike.

Despite having such a comprehensive position in the underground hip-hop scene, he lived an extremely private life.

Unfortunately, Jun died at the age of 36 in a car crash coming out of the Metropolitan Expressway in Tokyo during the Feb. 26 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Japan.

And though he may not live to produce more music, his production company, Hydeout, will make available his unreleased songs sometime in the near future.

His style is carried on by ambient producers such as Nomak, MICHITA and DJ Nozawa. As an artist, Nujabes leaves a legacy that made a uniquely Japanese sound that communicated messages beyond verbal comprehension.

Though the artist may no longer live to create, his music will continue to connect to listeners.

Contact James Heck advocate@gmail.com.

at

jheck.

Singles and Compilations

Title: “Hydeout Productions: First Collection” (2003) Nujabes’ music label’s first compilation introduces listeners to his unique take on jazz in “Steadfast” while also featuring parts 1 and 2 of the three-part “Luv Sic” series.

Title: “Hydeout Productions: Second Collection” (2007) With tracks like “After Hanabi,” the second compilation from the Nujabes’ label is smooth enough to make marshmallows look like perilous jagged rocks.

Title: “Ain’t No Mystery” (2001) Tones ranging from the firing of ray guns underwater to the dropping of ping pong balls on fields of ice reveal an early Nujabes already capable of transcendence.

SCENE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

DeVeLOPMeNT ARReSTeD

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Family has a knack for clouding and perverting and scratching and pulling at the attempts to follow our passions in life.

Dreams are often deferred by way of infinitesimal detours erected by societies charted through bloodlines and not just regional boundaries.

Environments based on lineage can in many cases exert greater influence than those read off maps and controlled scientific studies. For, how might one go about measuring behavioral effect of a mother’s guilt trip or a father’s disappointment?

Few understand this periodically soul-eroding tendency of family love better than Michael Bluth.

A “limousine liberal” Though in his case, it’s less like being intermitwho revels in preaching tently splashed with a beaker of sulfuric acid and about nature amidst her more like being posiprivileged Prada existioned above dozens tence, Lindsay symboliz- of gallons of the cores much of the cognitive rosive liquid, sitting dissonance present in on an ever-folding so many well-to-do subplank at a dunk tank urbanites of the time.

She professes to believe where a seemingly in causes mostly for the endless queue of relatives take turns hurling a softball at an equal sake of being seen. size target a mere few feet away. And they all have plenty of re-dos.

But as the protagonist of canceled Fox classic “Arrested Development,” played by Jason Bateman with a subtle balance of barely contained amazement and spiritually defeated routine, Michael must interact with and frequently assist these people on a daily basis.

Like we all do.

Admittedly, not all of us were expecting to be named the chief executive officer (CEO) of a company, only to be snubbed and instead expected to establish some sort of order to a beyond dysfunctional family decapitated of its figurehead father, who fittingly now spends his time in prison having love affairs with ice cream sandwiches.

Yet, though only a minute few of us have experienced the affluent Newport Beach atmosphere Often lost in her own defined by complaints and insatiability that surconvoluted attempts rounds Michael, we can relate. at rebellion, Lindsay’s We’ve all had to deal with the same essential daughter Maeby is a problems with different last names. perfect example of

Lindsay

Lost Treasure

Maeby

misguided youth. She expends so much energy trying to confound expectations through varied acts of revolt that there is little left to direct into actually formulating some kind of message.

Lost in childhood Everyone carries an inherent inclination toward neediness. Especially when temptation of the reliance on others is sweetened by common strands of DNA. Unfortunately for Michael, almost none of his relatives has matured past the stage of adolescence, leaving them with the expectation of a world wherein they exclusively skip over the entrées providing true sustenance and growth and head straight for the saccharine desserts of reward with no work.

In this case, the term “work” can be applied both liberally and literally, as next to nil Bluths have any intention of obtaining a job, let alone holding one down for more than a week. Which would explain why they have so much time to ask him for favors.

Michael’s sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) wants to be respected for something other than her looks.

A caricature of “limousine liberals” who berate others for their supposed environmental destruction and ecological ignorance while enjoying decadence viewed by most only through magazines and film, Lindsay struts in ostrich skin boots and a new outfit every day, demanding to be taken seriously.

She exemplifies the modern “Cosmo” girl A smoke-and-mirrors screaming about objectification of women while magician, Gob could secretly thriving on it. scarcely be more of a Given that her mother is a poster child for cogcaricature. He concennitive dissonance, it comes as little surprise that trates on exuding confidence and infallibility, all Lindsay’s daughter, Maeby (Alia Shawkat), personithe while knowing inside fies the confused, yet rebellious state of youth so that he is essentially not bluntly evident in her name.

Like so many of today’s young persons drowning much more than a puppet for his father to exert in their endless loops of supposedly ironic revolt, Maeby devotes much of her time to finding creative power over the family. methods of dissent intended more to confound than communicate a message.

She, just as so many teens and 20-somethings like her, acts on a motivation for attention rather than change.

Picture the already-groundless uprising crafted in “Rebel Without a Cause”-era America and implant the my-opinions-on-anything-and-everything-areinvaluable-treasures mentality of the Internet age and one is left with the awkward combination of shopping sprees at the leather store one day and plans for beauty pageants the next.

This is part of why “Arrested Development” is perhaps the greatest mirror and dissector of the American culture since the Golden Era of “The Simpsons.” It analyzes contemporary issues and behavior patterns by funneling them through the hilarious fallibility of humankind and the relationships therein.

Gob

Buster

The lovable youngest child, Buster proves just how soft and unprepared for even the smoothest of the world’s edges can cut up those with little to no exposure through experience. His sheltered life has left him to learn much about life, despite being in his 30s.

Empathy in folly Creator Mitchell Hurwitz said the idea for the “riches to rags” story of the show arose in light of the various accounting scandals surrounding major companies like Enron and Adelphia.

At the time, many were looking at the somewhat unreal magnitude of avarice exhibited by corporate heads with a level of disbelief surpassing outrage and entering sheer bewilderment. They wondered how greed could so easily deplete even the most basic reserves of human decency.

When a similar world view was seen through the eyes of the Bluths, however, it made more sense.

B11

George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), the family patriarch who clumsily attempts to exert control over the company while in prison, makes a lovable CEO. Despite all the defrauding of investors and cloaked power plays, he comes off no more evil than perhaps a frequently inappropriate, but funny, uncle.

For, no matter how deep into a string of ridiculous or manipulative actions George Sr. often succumbs to, he usually just looks like a victim of outside forces or his own human desire for more.

Empathy grows rapidly when we are able to not only picture ourselves in another’s shoes, but also admit that we just might fall prey to the same pitfalls given the same scenario.

Yet, George Sr. is not the only character to attain identification or pity through incompetence. Most everyone in the show fails repeatedly, particularly at When Michael becomes what they are actually trying to do.

Michael

When failure can be funny Gob (Will Arnett), Michael’s maladroit magician brother, epitomizes the habit of using smoke and mirrors to conceal a self-conscious lack of substance practiced by most all of the characters.

This is why his magic shows tend to forego dutifully orchestrated illusions in favor of bombastic posing with cards and knives while “The Final Countdown” plays in the background, an apt signifier of mysterious build-up with no payoff.

As a way to compensate for his near-complete lack of skill or use, Gob wills himself to be a pawn at the mercy of George Sr. Symbolizing those in the world without direction who resort to letting others tell them what to do, Gob parallels his biblical reference, a faceless vessel for higher powers to prove their point.

Under most circumstances, such a personality would be cause for disgust.

Gob’s uncanny ability to spring back from being the brunt of many a joke and resume his hollow confidence, however, reminds us of the few people we all know who maintain seemingly unflappable self-esteem while in public view.

Baby brother Buster (Tony Hale) is the perfect foil to this.

He has about the same amount of skills and morale, but channels basically no energy into pretending he does.

Like Gob, Buster’s life can largely be identified by a parent’s overbearing influence over it, though in the younger brother’s case the oppressor is the mother.

Lucille (Jessica Walter) so carefully arranged every move Buster has ever made that he has the world experience of an 8-year-old who’s spent much of his existence in a veritable timeout.

A picture of suburban sheltering well within the realm of belief, Buster illustrates the true failure of parenting that bars children from ever having the chance to fail on their own.

Had he not been revealed to be one of the few unselfish and good-natured Bluths, Buster would just be another ignorant, rich, white child in his 30s.

Instead, he is yet another wonderfully shaped cog in the comically awkward machine composed of the show’s various interactions and relationships, which catalyze much of its greatest genius.

One happy family Sexual frustrations, competitive rivalries, manipulative tendencies and numerous other flaws stemming from insecurity are so ingrained within the Bluth name that any scene wherein things are going smoothly is cause for attention. Surely, it must be building up to some large conflict.

If Michael’s son George Michael (Michael Cera) or Lindsay’s husband Tobias (David Cross) is on screen, let’s say, not only will there be some overt attack on their manhood or sexual orientation or both, but those in the vicinity will be thrust into the position of thinking up some sort of clumsy reply.

But the tangled webs of interaction are more than just bases for laughter. They help us understand how we act upon our beliefs.

When George Sr. teaches his children harsh “lessons” about minutiae like leaving a note by having one-armed friend J. Walter Weatherman lose a fake limb in front of them as a result of their mistake, triggering screams and permanent scarring, it points out how disconnected parents often become.

Yet, this destruction of everything modern, coupled with assorted unconventional television techniques like reflexivity, callbacks, narration and foreshadowing, starves the lines dividing us until, emaciated, they fold and collapse into themselves.

Consequently, such removal of classifications and supposed objectivity elevates the show to the 21st century’s most apropos identity: postmodernism.

No escape from the love In a time when the number of reactions to art must surely outweigh the number of (deliberate) actual works of art, postmodernism is inescapable.

By no likely coincidence, this is also the most auspicious or inauspicious (depending on the comfort level of relationships and gatherings), but above all defining, quality of family — its inevitability.

We all have these connections and will continue to be pulled by the force of familial obligations, compelling us to turn back around and address these obligations no matter how much we sometimes wish we could ignore them.

They are family, after all.

Regardless of what happened in the past or what will happen in the future, and barring perhaps only breakfast, family comes first.

Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani.advocate@gmail. com.

the de facto head of the family, it equates less to a blessing of responsibility and more to a designation as the man to see when someone needs something, With enough patience, however, Michael just might be able to keep from going completely insane.

George Michael A picture of the awkward teen inflamed to a wonderfully extreme degree, Michael’s son, George Michael serves as more than a target for emasculation and homosexual undertones.

He also illustrates how good hearts can be tested in the presence of temptation.

George Sr. The father figurehead does not let an indefinite prison sentence for the defrauding of investors stop him from trying to wield his children to his advantage.

Nevertheless, he often comes off as nothing more than a goofy guy who constantly falls deeper down the well.

Lucille With a wit drier than the vodka never too far from her lips, Lucille could easily be seen as the neglectful mother too drunk to care. But a closer look reveals that she often knows more than she lets on and is skilled in using this false perception to her advantage.

B12 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

FOCUS

Finding inspiration — Chris Hodgkinson of El Cerrito gazes out onto the landscape at one of the lookout spots found within the Inspiration Point portion of

Berkeley’s Tilden Park on May 2. Founded in 1936, the regional park offers an endless array of verdant panoramas of the surrounding areas.

Evolve and Inspire

photos by Alec Surmani and Brent Bainto

Rays of light — A climbing cascade of pine trees take on a new identity in the dwindling sunlight of a cloudless spring day at the Inspiration Point area of Berkeley’s Tilden Park on May 2. The myriad of foliage at the park receive new meaning in the brief flash of twilight.

Standing tall — A great conifer provides protective shade for the plant life below at Tilden Park’s Inspiration Point in Berkeley on May 8.

Sprouting forth — One of the numerous flourishing plants thriving at Tilden Park’s Inspiration Point in Berkeley blooms underneath the eminent towers of redwoods on May 8.

Coexist — Aside from the asphalt walking and biking trails, the only glaring man-made technological anomalies within the nature atmosphere at Berkeley’s Inspiration Point section of Tilden Park are power lines. Some, such as the one shown here at sundown on May 8, provide a fair complement.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

SPORTS

CMYK

SECTION

C

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

Sports index:

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Fall squads experience tough time Football finally nabs first win ◆ page C2

Programs revived, begin run

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Soccer, softball start to flow, gel page C3 ◆

Diego Orellana Men’s soccer

Teams fail to meet potential Spring sports miss their goals ◆ page C6

— Complete stories and honorable mentions: Pages C4 and C5 —

Trainer honored for readiness

By Cody McFarland STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

2009-10’s ups, downs on display page C7 ◆

K.K. Martin

Women’s basketball

Leading the charge — Striker Diego Orellana and guard Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin not only stood out as some of the best athletes in the Bay Valley Conference, but also helped lead their Comet teams.

Powelson earns top recognition

Defining moments in photos

&

“From the minute the doors to the training room open in the morning, that’s all you hear — can you help me B? Do this, do that for me B,” Athletic Equipment Manager Benny Barnes said. “Everyone that does athletics knows B. That’s what they call him.”

This “B” is athletic trainer Brian Powelson, a modest man who single-handedly treats the injuries of athletes on campus.

His office is located in the

Training Room of the Men’s Locker Room, where he is usually found taping and icing athletes, helping them stretch and “listening to all their whining,” Barnes said.

He describes Powelson’s position as that of an unsung hero.

It took the saving of a life to draw the rather thankless profession into the spotlight, but the past due respect and appreciation were finally given to Powelson and Los Medanos College athletic trainer Annie Martin last month when they were each awarded Athletic Trainer of the Year.

The two were honored at the Commission on Athletics/ California Community College

Athletic Trainers’ Association (CCCATA) Spring Convention on April 1 in Ontario, Calif. for saving the life of Comet defensive back Wali Wright last September.

During the first play of the fall season opener, Wright, at the time playing free safety, landed on his back after a headon collision with a Los Medanos College running back.

Powelson and Martin were the first two on the field.

Wright was unconscious and unresponsive to either trainer as they called his name.

They checked his vitals and although he was not breathing, he did have a pulse. There was not a second of trepidation.

“Our field of work leaves no

room for panic. We do our jobs very professionally,” Martin said.

Martin held Wright’s head while Powelson removed his facemask to open his airway, then the two stabilized his cervical spine and administered rescue breathing to keep him alive while awaiting the ambulance.

“Knowing the potential seriousness of the injury, we put our education into play and got (Wright) stabilized, which was most important,” Martin said.

Powelson summoned the emergency medical technicians to the field and briefed them on the situation at hand. He also provided them with medi-

old fill

World Cup draws out millions Culture spreads across globe ◆ page C8

classes to exercise hearts, minds

The trainer was honored by the state athletic commission for his actions when Wali Wright was seriously injured.

■ SEE POWELSON: Page C2

Aerobics courses foster healthy, positive outlook Young,

Powelson

Step by step — Student Marcia Oregan stretches during her class held in GA-10 on May 12. The aerobics course aims to build healthy hearts and minds through vigorous exercise and repetition.

workouts focusing on building the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, ASSOCIATE EDITOR stimulating bodies to generate amounts of energy and fitness for students like As a 79-year-old with pre-diabe- Furuta. tes, asthma and high blood pressure, “Every time you exercise, you give most people of his age and condition at yourself an opportunity to be in the this time would often find themselves world the next day,” physical education “unable to get around,” he said. professor Robert Creer said. “(Students Yet, despite the circumstance, Fred are) not exercising for today, but taking Furuta has more heart to exercise toward care of the body for tomorrow.” maintaining a healthier lifestyle than Offered in many forms, such as one would expect. figure control, physical conditioning, Available for students of all ages step aerobics and cardio-kickboxing, and physical endurances, the aerobics the aerobics courses coordinate difcourses on campus direct attention to ■ SEE AEROBICS: Page C2

By Asia Camagong

SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

C2 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

SPORTS

Losing streak exterminated Football squad finishes year 1-9

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR

After finishing the 2008 season with a winless record, the football team did not show much improvement in 2009, as it was only able to muster one victory under first-year head coach Dave Johnson, whose contract expired at the end of the season thus terminating his tenure.

But the Comets (1-9 overall, 0-4 in the Bay Valley Conference) were able to improve from their previous 0-10 season, even though they experienced many of the same struggles.

Contra Costa College entered the first game of the season with high hopes of bouncing back from last season and making a statement in the conference.

The team was rattled, however, after losing defensive back Wali Wright on the opening drive against Los Medanos College when he collided with Mustang running back Thomas Hampton.

Wright sustained two fractures in his neck, a swollen spinal cord and paralysis of his body from the neck down, which ended his season.

Also, CCC was blown out 45-6 by the Mustangs, setting the tone for the remainder of the season.

“The team’s morale simply disappeared after the first game,”

defensive lineman Tevita Feao said.

“A lot of players felt that if nothing was handed to them, they would just give up.”

Despite losing Wright for the season, the Comets continued to play on without him, but faced several struggles throughout the course of the season.

“We knew it was going to be a long year after Wali got hit,” Feao said.

CCC had trouble trying to establish its offense in all of its games, as it averaged only 57 yards rushing and 63 yards passing a game.

Although the lack of offense prevented much progress, the Comets would continue to compete, often scoring in the final quarter of games. The late scores were usually orchestrated by quarterback Don Miguel Tutass, who finished with nine total fourth quarter touchdowns for the season.

The Comets showed promise in their defensive secondary, allowing only 178.1 passing yards a game. Despite usually giving up long receiving touchdowns, they held opposing wide receivers to under 100 yards.

CCC’s rush defense, however, could not match its pass defense, as the team allowed 301.1 yards to opposing running backs. This was evidenced by linebackers and lineman missing assignments and giving up several tackles.

The Comets also displayed hardships protecting the quarterback, scoring in the red zone and committing several penalties.

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Victory shower — Football players drench coach Dave Johnson with water at Comet Stadium after the team’s 20-17 victory over West Valley College on Oct. 10. The win ended an 18-game losing streak started in October 2007 and was the only victory the Comets had this season.

For the season, CCC committed a total of 97 penalties, giving up 893 yards from them.

“We had problems scoring in the red zone,” Johnson said after a 34-16 home loss against Hartnell College. “We made too many turnovers and penalties.”

Some players expressed their frustrations and blamed some of the losses on the coaching staff.

“The attitudes some of the coaches displayed showed that they did not care (about our season),” Feao said. “Some coaches were still around for the players, but some coaches gave up on us.”

Other players blamed the team itself for its unsuccessful season.

“We had talented players but they weren’t focused, gave up too

easily in games and simply it was a team full of (freshmen),” offensive lineman Devin Johnson said. “We never had scrimmages to help the freshmen players out.”

The Comets showed promise though in their only win of the Football season against West Valley College Overall record: 1-9 on Oct. 10, as they rallied from a Conference record: 0-4 17-13 deficit to score the game- Conference finish: Fifth winning touchdown in the final Season summary stat: seconds of the game. This snapped The team was able to snap an 18-game losing streak. an 18-game losing streak “It was a good pick-up win and that began in October 2007. a confidence booster for the team,” Feao said. “It felt good just to get a win under our belt.” coach Alonzo Carter to lead the Due to Dave Johnson being a Comets for next season. temporary head coach, Athletic Director John Wade hired former Contact Malcolm Lastra at Berkeley High School football mlastra.advocate@gmail.com.

ear in Yreview

Fleeting momentum manifests regression Miscues a theme for volleyball

CCC entered the season with son, as it was only able to win four high hopes of changing its lack of sets for the year.

One key reason for the Comets communication, which has been unsuccessful a major problem season was their for the squad in lack of comthe past seasons. munication on With a roster the court, which filled with eight caused players to bright-eyed firstmiss defensive year and two Volleyball assignments and returning playcreated holes in ers, the Comets Overall record: 1-15 were confident in Conference record: 1-15 the defense. making a state- Conference finish: Ninth “We react ment for the vol- Season summary stat: slower (to the leyball program. With hopes of improving on ball) than we They entered last year’s two-win season, should,” freshman outside the season rough, the team earned just one. hitter Christine as they were beaten in all Ambegia told three sets to Napa Valley College The Advocate after the Solano in its BVC opener. game. “We need to act (on the ball) Being shut out in sets became a instead of hesitating on our next habit for CCC throughout the sea- movements (on the court).”

Yreview ear in

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR

A winning season is something that the volleyball team has not encountered since acquiring coach Azure’D Nunley in 2006.

After last season’s disappointing two-win finish, Contra Costa College had high expectations going into the 2009 season.

The Comets could not surpass last season’s win total, however, as they were only able to manage one victory and finished with a 1-15 overall record, going 1-15 in the Bay Valley Conference, which put them in last place for the third time in four years.

CCC displayed competitive flair in its only win against College of Alameda on Oct. 2, winning three out of five sets.

Competitiveness, however, was not consistently present in the young Comets, as they displayed frustration and gave up many matches as early as the first set due to a lack of serving and defense.

“It’s something we have been struggling with all season,” Nunley said to the Advocate. “They have to play strong and keep their composure and not give up.”

Injuries also plagued the onewin season, as CCC suffered a loss of numerous players, forcing the team to play all six of its players in some games, which caused fatigue.

“We had a lot of practices where players did not show up due to injuries,” Nunley told The Advocate

after the Marin game. “It’s hard to build a winning season if you don’t know who is going to play.”

Freshman middle hitter LaShara said that teams would take advantage of this. “(Courtney Kihara’s) injury played a role in our lack of players in the middle of the season.

We didn’t have a strong lineup,” Johnson said. “And when you have a short lineup and people have off days and a lack of communication it weighs to the coach and those who are committed.”

Also, the Comets had trouble maintaining leads, as they allowed opponents to regain their momentum and take control of the game many times in the season.

Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra.advocate@gmail.com.

Powelson | Unsung hero wins appreciation ■ FROM: Page C1

cal and contact information for Wright.

He visited Wright many times to check up on him after the injury, during the time he was being treated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

“The two trainers reacted quickly,” former football coach Dave Johnson said.

“The first steps taken in a situation like that are usually the most imperative, and they followed every step

they needed to keep Wali alive.”

Unanimous among colleagues, Powelson is said to have a sturdy expertise and qualification for his field.

He and Martin have been colleagues for six years under the CCCATA. “He’s a great and easygoing guy, but he also has a strong air of professionalism,” she said.

Johnson said Powelson takes care of business and takes his job very seriously.

“He is the most professional athletic trainer I have worked with,” Johnson said.

Barnes has worked with Powelson for 14 years and said they are a team that works hand-in-hand in the department.

“Where he goes, I go,” he said. “He does everything from taping up and preparing athletes for a game, to cutting the tape off after and babying their bruises.”

Athletic trainers treat sore muscles, broken bones

and provide physical rehabilitation for athletes.

“When I hurt my ankle, he helped fix me up. He always helps whenever I’m hurt,” Comet offensive guard Juan Hernandez said.

Aside from treating athletes, Powelson also treats instructors, coaches and other faculty.

In order to attend the award ceremony, Powelson had to miss softball and baseball games that day, which upset him because he

The ‘B’ file

hates missing games, Barnes said. Taking responsibility for his absence, Powelson arranged for another trainer to fill his position while he received his honor.

“It feels great to be recognized for our work. It’s been very surreal,” Martin said. “We were just doing our job. Fortunately we did it well.”

Contact Cody McFarland at cmcfarland. advocate@gmail.com.

Brian Powelson of Contra Costa College and Annie Martin of Los Medanos College, both athletic trainers, were honored for their quick thinking at the Commission on Athletics/California Community College Athletic Trainers’ Association Spring Convention on April 1 in Ontario, Calif.

Aerobics | Stimulates growth of physical, spiritual lives ■ FROM: Page C1

ferent activities leading to health improvement.

Creer, an instructor for PE 140, 156 and 157, teaches his Figure Control and Physical Conditioning classes by mentally and physically exercising the body, he said.

The courses include stretching and muscle toning, leading to increased flexibility.

Though requiring the same workouts, the classes are based on individual benchmarks allowing students to determine how and when their bodies can adapt to the physical training, Creer said.

“Every student brings a different kind of baggage,” Creer said.

“They establish control over a period (of time).”

Furuta said he has been taking classes taught by Creer for 26 years.

“The main thing is to do it on a consistent basis,” Furuta said.

“It takes a long time to build up

stamina.”

Taught in GA-20, the instruction consists of 20 minutes of stretching followed by a series of crunches and other exercises.

Students, both young and old, can undergo 3,000 crunches on average in one class period, Creer said.

The aerobics courses not only affect the way students feel physically, but also mentally.

Student Daniela Jacques, 20, said that taking the courses has shifted her views on stress and instead focus on pursuing a “positive and healthy living.”

Before enrolling in the class with Creer, Jacques said she paid little attention to her physique.

After joining in May of 2009, however, she not only became motivated to continue exercising to lose weight, but also to become healthier, she said.

“Once you get used to it, it’s not enough,” she said. “You build

endurance little by little.”

During his class, Creer stresses the importance of repetition and maintaining focus while exercising.

Katherine Cannon, 66, has been taking aerobics classes at the college for more than 10 years because they “encourage you to push yourself,” she said.

“I don’t want to live a long time being sick every day,” Cannon said.

“As you age, your body is going to change how healthy you are. Your clock is up to you.”

Physical education professor emeritus Tom Kinnard also teaches the same classes as Creer, but at a less intense pace, as his students are commonly senior citizens, he said.

“Both areas meet the needs of the different type of people wanting to improve their health,” Kinnard said.

Besides teaching aerobics on the floor, the college also offers a

more active approach to acquiring cardiovascular and respiratory fitness in Step Aerobics and Cardiokickboxing.

Shelley Figone, physical education professor, teaches PE 116 and 267 and encourages students to keep their heart rates up by playing a variety of different music in GA-10.

Step Aerobics, PE-116, instructs students to step on and off a platform in a pattern following the beat of music.

Playing a selection of old school, hip-hop, disco and pop music, Figone makes sure to prevent students from feeling “bored,” she said.

Students enjoy the intricate dance patterns that coordinate with the upbeat music, Figone said.

“I try to make (the choreography) intricate (so that students) don’t have time to think (they are) tired because they’re so involved in getting the dance pattern,” she

said.

Student Elizabeth Gonzalez, 20, said she feels taking the Step Aerobics course is a great learning experience that “makes exercising fun.”

The kickboxing course, also including music, consists of a series of kicks, jabs, punches and slides all worked in a specific order to stimulate the heart, Figone said. “(Kickboxing) just keeps the body and organs pumping the right way,” Cardio-kickboxing student Racheal Hawthorne said.

Kinnard said, “The goal of each one of these (courses) is to condition the cardiovascular system, which is the most important fitness that we have.”

PE 116, 140, 156, 157 and 267 will be offered for students to take during the summer session.

Contact Asia Camagong at acamagong.advocate@gmail. com.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 l THE ADVOCATE

Determination yields turnaround Hard work helps redefine identity

Yreview ear in

Softball

By Hilberth Ibarra STAFF WRITER

After years of disappointment, the softball team greatly improved this season, finishing 16-22 overall and 12-12 in the Bay Valley Conference.

In the previous five seasons, the Comets had not won a single game, making 2009-10 a marked improvement.

The squad almost made it to the playoffs, missing a spot by one game.

By doing this, the program was able to change a lot of negative opinions this season, as it was able to perform considerably better than in recent years.

The Contra Costa College team was composed of a group of young, talented athletes who were determined to prove everyone wrong.

“A lot of people didn’t have much expectation in my softball program,” head coach Edward Miller said, “but we proved them wrong.”

Third baseman Krystyna Fisher credits the hard work and dedication by all the players, as well as Miller, for their success.

“We worked a lot, practiced every day,” Fisher said. “(There was) a lot of time dedicated to softball.

“Our coach pushed us really

C3

Overall record: 16-22 Conference record: 12-12 Conference finish: Fourth Season summary stat: After five years without a win, the softball team completely revamped its program.

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Just in time — Comet outfielder Leticia Hernandez makes a diving one-handed catch in a home 3-2 loss against Yuba College on March 11. After having not won a game in five seasons, the Comets ended the streak and went 16-22 overall, finishing fourth in their conference. hard to be better players, mentally and physically,” she said.

Assistant coach Larry Gordon, however, points to the players. “(These) girls didn’t get lucky.

They deserved everything they accomplished,” he said. “They put in the work. They’ve been working all year round.”

Like the old adage goes, Gordon said, “nothing beats hard work.”

“That’s in any occupation and any field,” he said. “You can’t replace hard work, and hard work speaks for itself.”

Miller also credits the sensational pitching.

“The pitching was exceptional this year. (The pitchers) did a fantastic job,” he said.

Pitcher Genevieve Reyna and Fisher agree that it was good to

be part of the team and all of its impressive accomplishments this season.

“It feels good to be part of history,” Fisher said.

As they get ready for next season, the Comets are planning to work on improving their hitting and their defense, particularly in the infield.

“Our defense should have been

a little better,” Miller said. “And also our hitting. Our hitting at times was below average, and those were the two areas that would have made us a high-ranking playoff team.”

With these improvements, the team has high expectations for next year.

“We are going into the league to win it,” Gordon said. “We don’t go into the league to make playoffs.

We are going in to win it.”

Miller said that though there were moments of disappointment at various points throughout the season, and he knew the team could have done better, he was very pleased.

“The girls worked really hard,” Miller said. “Every game they came to play.”

Fisher said that 2009-10 was so much fun that she cannot wait until next season.

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibarra.advocate@gmail.com.

Revived program in for long haul Progress welcome after cancellation

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

Most teams look at a one-win season as a disappointment.

But for a program that was canceled last year and revived for the 2009-10 season, with help from women’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson, it was more than it could have asked for.

“It was good considering where the program was when I started,” Ferguson said. “And the fact that we completed the season. We went through a lot of growing pains, but I feel we grew throughout the course of the season.”

The Comets finished the season with a 1-13 overall record and a 1-9 record in the Bay Valley Conference, in which they tied for last place with College of Marin.

In the two games that the Comets and Mariners played each other, they split a win on each side, which gave each team its only win of the season.

That win for the Comets came on defense.

Ferguson said that a lack of fitness Oct. 22 in a back-and-forth game.

Contra Costa College was trailing affected the team overall.

“I don’t think we were ever (in 1-0 at halftime but was able to turn it great shape) in terms of diet and how around to win 4-2. it affected their overall In the final 10 minfitness,” he said. utes, the Mariners tied The Comets’ star the game 2-2, but the “And the fact that Comets scored twice we completed the player of the season midfielder Daisy more to seal the vicseason. We went was Huizar. tory.

She had the quali“We were all really through a lot of ties of a playmaker with excited to win,” Comet growing pains, impressive dribbling defender Elissa Medina abilities. said. “That’s where we but I feel we Huizar also had a progressed and won the grew throughout total of three goals on game.”

On the field, the the course of the the season, including two in the victory over Comets lacked in both season.”

Marin. offense and defense, “She did a lot for us, with their strongest Nikki Ferguson, from being a leader on point being their midwomen’s soccer coach the field to being danfield play.

The defense left gerous and creating goal gaps opened in the backfield, and at opportunities for our team,” Ferguson times, was unable to hold its opponents said. “She consistently brought a high away from goal. work rate for our team.”

A lack of speed was one of the main Early in the season, however, the factors that prevented the forwards team encountered problems, as some from getting past their opponents’ of the players were not as committed

Yreview ear in

Women’s soccer

Overall record: 1-13 Conference record: 1-9 Conference finish: Tied for fifth Season summary stat: Following a canceled program last year, the team aimed to simply finish a whole season. as the rest.

“We were getting sidetracked,” Comet midfielder Maritza Salizas said.

“Some of the other girls didn’t commit as we wanted them to do.”

She said part of that was due to players who were in their first semester of college and were still adjusting to college soccer and college life.

“I hope next year we’re more committed,” Salizas said.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Ferguson

In his first season as head coach of the women’s soccer team, which was canceled for the 200809 season, Ferguson coached the squad to a win against College of Marin on Oct. 22. He has high hopes for next year, now that he has had time to work with the team.

Improved record just not enough Solid core falls short of potential

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

Yreview ear in

Men’s soccer

Overall record: 10-7-4 Despite having a solid defense Conference record: 6-2-4 and a strong offense, another year Conference finish: Third goes by when the men’s soccer Season summary stat: team was unable to seize a spot in Despite improving its record the playoffs. and goals scored, the team “We didn’t quite reach our entire just missed the playoffs. potential,” coach Rudy Zeller said.

“We showed flashes of a good team, but we couldn’t maintain it.” the team’s most dominating player, By the numbers, the Comets not made great saves and was the leadonly showed improvement in their er of the team, and Orellana was the team’s “major 10-7-4 overall fire power” in record (6-2-4 in “We certainly need terms of goals the Bay Valley C o n f e r e n c e ) , to be more consistent and assists.

The Comets’ but also in the memonumber of goals from game-to-game. most rable win of the scored and goals Many games, we year was a 3-1 allowed.

Last year, played well one half, victory against Rosa their total goals but poorly the other Santa Junior College, scored totaled half.” who ended the 28, compared to season ranked 39 this year, both third in Northern with 21 games Rudy Zeller, men’s soccer coach California. played. More “We were impressive was their goals against, which went united and used teamwork to beat (Santa Rosa),” Comet defender down to 25 this year from 40.

Goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez Alfonso Martinez said. “That and forward Diego Orellana were game was a test for us to see if we key factors to the team’s defense were a playoff team.”

Zeller said he was proud that the and offense, respectively.

Zeller said that Hernandez was team was able to get wins against

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Leaping in joy — Comet midfielder Juan Carlos Vargas jumps in excitement after scoring the team’s last goal in a 4-2 home victory over Merritt College at home on Nov. 6. Contra Costa College finished with a 10-7-4 overall record, just missing qualification for the playoffs. high-ranked teams like Santa Rosa and Modesto Junior College, and the win against Santa Rosa was the team’s high point of the season.

“The game against Santa Rosa was our high point. It was our first victory against the most dominant team in Northern California,” he said.

The victory was the first of four in a row with five games left.

The Comets, however, lost their last game to College of Marin.

Zeller said the team’s performance against Marin was a low point.

“If we’d have won one more game, it would put us over the top in terms of the playoffs,” he said.

That was one of three close losses to Marin, all by a goal.

“We were all upset, but we decided to keep our heads up and try again next year,” Comet defender Juan Acosta said.

To prepare for next season, the

Comets look to improve on being more consistent in their games, which was a problem that affected the team’s momentum.

“We certainly need to be more consistent from game-to-game,” Zeller said. “Many games, we played well one half, but poorly the other half.”

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail. com.

C4 THE ADVOCATE

SPORT

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010

ATHLE

Men’s soccer

DIEGO ORELLANA

OF THE

Unselfish leader remains humble Orellana’s tenacious firepower aids squad

but this year he recognizes the fact that makes him successful is him being a team player,” Zeller said.

Moving from El Salvador at the age of 2, Orellana grew up in Richmond and was not really interesting in playing soccer until

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR he watched his older brothers playing for Richmond High School.

Good strikers are usually hard to come “I started playing (soccer) late; my sport by, and without goals, a soccer team cannot was basketball, “ he said. “I started playing get ahead on the scoreboard. soccer at 12 when I watched my brothers Luckily for the Comets, striker Diego play at Richmond High School. They told Orellana’s 18 goals and five assists for the me to give soccer a try, so I played on a season kept the team in the playoff race youth team. I’m basically following tradiuntil the last game of the season. tion.”

“Diego was certainly a leading inspiraMajoring in sociology, Orellana hopes to tion for our team,” coach Rudy Zeller said. transfer in the fall to Holy Names University “He made some very critical goals in very in Oakland and play for its soccer team. critical games. Seventy percent of our fire“I already tried out for the team, and the power in goals and assists coach is looking forward came from him.” for me to play for them,” This year, Orellana “(Orellana) was one Orellana said. scored for the Comets in of the main players He looks to continue to 11 different games, includplay soccer after college, ing five multi-goal games. of the team. Most of hoping to take it to a proIn addition, he also racked our offense went to fessional level. up two hat tricks in the “I plan on going back season, both against Napa him; he was the main to the country I was born Valley College in a 5-0 in, El Salvador, and try out guy on top.” victory on Sept. 29 and 4there,” Orellana said, “or if 2 win at home on Oct. 16. that doesn’t work then try Jordan Zerbini, “It’s an honor to be out for a (Major League midfielder named Athlete of the Soccer) team.”

Year, because I’m coming Being an avid soccer from a sport that is all about teamwork,” fan, the players he idolizes are Cristiano Orellana said. “I didn’t do this all by myself. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, which he said Teamwork is key in a sport like this.” are great players and possess qualities that Support from the entire team, especially every great player should have. from the captains, played a role on his on“I like how they play,” Orellana said. field performance, Orellana said.

“They know what they’re going to do with “(The team) helped a lot, starting from the ball before they get it. That’s important the defense and even our goalkeeper, for a player to have.” from our captains Tao (Sabella) and Jesse He is also looking forward to the World (Hernandez),” Orellana said. “If I was Cup, which begins in June. doing bad, they’d tell me to step it up. They “I’m really excited for the World Cup,” were a big contribution to my success this he said. “Every World Cup, my brothers past season.” come over, and we watch all the games.”

The sophomore led the Comets in scorOff the field his teammates say he is a ing for the second straight season. In the great guy to be around, while on the field 2008 season, he had 10 goals and five he is the guy they can rely on. assists, putting his Contra Costa College “He came up for us when we needed total at 28 goals and 10 assists. (him),” defender Alfonzo Martinez said.

Despite leading in goals, Orellana said “He was always 100 percent sure that he one of the most memorable moments from was going to score.” the past season was a corner kick where he Zeller said that a great memory he has assisted the game-winning goal to striker of Orellana was a goal he scored against Chris Garcia in the Comets’ 1-0 victory College of Marin, where he had a turnagainst Yuba College on Oct. 30. around shot from 30 yards away, shooting it “(Orellana) was one of the main players into the corner of the goal. of the team. Most of our offense went to Having played his last year on the Comet him; he was the main guy on top,” mid- squad, Orellana said he will miss going to fielder Jordan Zerbini said. “He’s a good practice every day, as well as the coaching guy — very humble and very dedicated to staff and his teammates. the team.”

“I’ve been playing with some of them Maturity played a role in his overall since Richmond High,” he said. “They’ve improvement, as Zeller said Orellana was become my closest friends, and they motiable to maximize his athletic ability by vated me while I was here. becoming more mature and showing a significant change in his performance comContact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoupared to his freshmen year. deh.advocate@gmail.com.

“Last year, he played more individually,

The file: Diego Orellana Position: Striker Class: Sophomore The reasons why: Orellana’s teamwork and goal scoring made him the team’s main weapon on offense. In addition to being the Comets’ leading scorer for the second straight year, he was one of the top scorers in the entire state. His dribbling, shooting and passing skills made him a danger to most opposing defenses and, for others, a nightmare to defend. He had five games where he scored at least two goals, including a couple of hat trick games against Napa Valley College. His assists also proved to be helpful when the Comets were in need of a goal. He was a key factor in the team’s route in achieving a 10-win season.

ATHL E T E S OF THE YEAR

Dynamic duo — Striker Diego Orellana and guard Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin provided lea Orellana scored 18 goals and five assists for 2009-10. Martin averaged 23.9 points, 13.

Honorable mentions

Football

Volleyball

Women’s soccer

Don Miguel Tutass

LaShara Johnson

Daisy Huizar

A quarterback transfer from Diablo Valley College, Tutass made a strong impact in his first year at Contra Costa College. Although the team struggled on offense, Tutass made great contributions with his passing and scrambling ability. He was able to run in the game-winning touchdown against West Valley College to give the Comets their only victory.

The first-year middle hitter established herself as a key member of the volleyball team. The Comets won only one game, but she provided consistently great defensive play. With her blocking ability, she was able to set the tone for the Comet defense. She hopes to continue her strong role on the team for next year.

Being the Comets’ playmaking midfielder, Huizar brought to the team strong dribbling skills as well as touch skills. With that, she was able get past opposing defenders and provide through balls to the forwards. She played an integral part in the Comets’ Oct. 22 victory over College of Marin, their only win of the season, by scoring two goals.

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Women’s basketball

KENYANNA “K.K.” MARTIN

Guard dominates with honed skills Martin established a commanding presence

to establish a presence in the paint.

During the course of the season, the 5foot-7-inch Martin stepped up well to the challenge of playing out of her position, as she registered 10 plus rebounds in 11 games after taking over front court duties.

By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR In one game against the College of San Mateo. she garnered a season high 39 points The term MVP stands for most valuable and 15 rebounds. player. The definition of that is one who In several games this season, Martin separates him- or herself from others being carried her team on her shoulders, as she a leader and contributor for their team. dominated opponents with her abilities to But being the most valuable player is slash to the basket for an acrobatic layup or nothing new for Comet sophomore guard pull up for a turnaround jump shot.

Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin as she was named With her skills, she contributed to a Bay Valley Conference MVP for the second record of 19-10 overall and 11-5 in the year in a row and recogBVC, helping the nized as The Advocate’s Comets gain their first Female Athlete of the “She is a very consistent playoff berth since she Year for the 2009-10 player and always gives arrived at CCC. season, also her second “She carried us all consecutive achieve- it her all in every game. year,” DeBolt said. ment.

She has the ability to “Teams knew what “She is just a model she was capable of and player,” coach Paul easily score 40 points in opponents had a bull’s DeBolt said. “She is a game. However, she eye on her game.” very good at everything Martin displayed her is very unselfish with abilities in an emotional on the court, and she has worked hard to become first round playoff the ball and is always 71-67 a coachable player.” loss to Ohlone College, willing to pass.”

Martin was also as she helped rally the named to the Women’s Comets back from a 13Basketball Coaches point second half defiSavannah Stewart, guard Association State Farm cit. She finished with 28 All-American team, one points and 15 rebounds of 10 players in the country to win the in the match. honor. She was also named to the five-play“She is a very consistent player and er All-State First Team by the California always gives it her all in every game,” Community College Women’s Basketball sophomore guard Savannah Stewart said.

Association.

“She has the ability to easily score 40 points “It felt good getting that award,” Martin a game. said. “Especially coming off rusty my first “However, she is very unselfish with year (playing for CCC), and it felt good to the ball and is always willing to pass,” she put my name and team out there.” said.

For the season, the 21-year-old Martin Off the court, Martin is described by led the Comets in scoring for the second teammates as a cool, calm and collected consecutive season, averaging 23.9 points person who enjoys having fun. per contest and shooting 54 percent from “She is very humble for how talented the field. she is,” Stewart said. “That is what makes She was also able to average 13.5 her a great teammate, because she is not rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 3.3 steals per big-headed. And she is a teammate you game. would love to have.”

After having a rusty season last year After CCC Martin, hopes to further her due to being out of basketball for two play for overseas teams. years prior, Martin endured a tough second “Right now, I’m working on playing season having to play out of her normal overseas,” Martin said. “A lot of colleges shooting guard position to play forward and are interested in me, but I would like to play center positions. overseas.”

This was largely because forward Currently, Martin said she is working Kandice “Kandy” Stewart tore her anterior out negotiations to possibly play in Asia cruciate ligament (ACL) against Solano but is also open to play for either Germany Community College in December and was or Italy. out for the season.

“Hopefully, she can make it into a big “(Once Kandy went down) I knew I time four-year college or overseas playing,” had to take it for the team,” Martin said. Stewart said. “I would definitely like to see “(Playing out of position) is something I’m her go to the next level and possibly play used to doing, and I didn’t complain about pro for the WNBA.” it. I just did what was asked of me.”

DeBolt said that without Martin, the Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra.

Comets would have struggled, since they advocate@gmail.com. were undersized due to a lack of big players

The file: Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin Position: Guard Class: Sophomore

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

ovided leadership through play and attitude in their sophomore seasons for the Comets. oints, 13.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks and was named conference MVP.

The reasons why: Martin once again led her team with a combination of steady play and clutch shots. She averaged 23.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 3.3 steals per game, which netted her the honor of Bay Valley Conference Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. Additionally, she was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association AllAmerican team, one of 10 JC players in the county to be named to the State Farm All-American team. She was also named to the All-State First Team.

Though she possessed great scoring prowess, her teammates still regarded her as an unselfish, team player.

Men’s basketball

Baseball

Softball

DeShaun LeGree

Javan Williams

Genevieve Reyna

The sophomore guard not only led the Comets, but the Bay Valley Conference in scoring, averaging 19.8 points per game. LeGree displayed consistent 3-point shooting for Contra Costa College throughout the season, as he was 41 percent from beyond the arc. He had a game high of 34 points in a 91-84 home win against Mendocino College on Feb. 9.

While his final year on the team did not go as he expected, Williams continued to keep his head high and lead his team. The right fielder led the Comets with a .406 batting average and led the Bay Valley Conference in hits, triples and stolen bases. Through his standout play, he earned a spot on the BVC AllConference Team.

The first-year pitcher and third baseman Reyna contributed to the rebirth of the softball program, ending a five-year winless streak.

Reyna was named First-Team All-Conference for her pitching, as she led the Bay Valley Conference with a 0.97 earned run average. She went 9-6 in her 15 appearances as a starting pitcher.

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SPORTS

Playoffs missed by single game Loss in final match dooms young team

season play, as they reached the championship game in a tournament, notably beating out College of the Sequoias, who made it to the postseason.

Yet, CCC still struggled during conference play, losBy Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR ing both of its games against Solano Community College Fourth-year coach Miguel and Los Medanos College.

Johnson entered the 2009-10 Johnson said that another season with strong hopes of key factor to the Comets improving the men’s basket- early struggles was the lack ball team’s disappointing 4- of a true point guard on the 23 last year finish, which court. placed them seventh in the Hamilton, however, Bay Valley Conference. stepped up to Johnson’s The young Comet squad, challenge of a point guard which consisted of eight leader and established his first-year and four return- role, averaging 7.4 points ing players, and 2.3 assists responded a game. well by “As the seaf inishing son progressed, the seaJustin underson 13-14 Men’s basketball stood his role overall and at the point 8-8 in the Overall record: guard, which Bay Valley 13-14 was one thing Conference, Conference record: we were lackfalling to 8-8 ing,” Johnson fourth place Conference finish: said. and barely Fourth CCC began m i s s i n g Season summary stat: to make a run playoff con- A rough 80-73 loss to for a playoff tention. contention Yuba College in their C o n t r a final game knocked the spot during C o s t a Comets out of postsea- c o n f e r e n c e C o l l e g e son contention. play, going 3opened up 1 following its the season first two conroughly, starting off with a ference losses.

3-9 record, as the team had a The Comets relied on hard time meshing together outside shooting and a solid due to its lack of experience fast break offense to garner that caused inconsistency. a majority of their victories, “We started off pretty something that the team was slow,” freshman guard Justin lacking last season.

Hamilton said. “We were a Sophomore guard young team. However, as the DeShaun LeGree served as season progressed we got a key member for the young better.” squad, as he led the team The Comets displayed in points with 19.5 a game, some growth during pre- shooting 41 percent from 3-

Yreview ear in

GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE

Big air — Guard Justin Hamilton (right) protects the ball with his body during the Comets’ 80-73 loss in their final game of the season against Yuba College on Feb. 19 in the Gymnasium, ending any hopes for the playoffs.

point range.

Both LeGree and Hamilton were named to the First-Team All-Conference.

In some games, the Comets displayed their inexperience, as they were unable to close games, such as a tough 79-72 home loss against Merritt College.

“We had issues with our consistency because of our youth,” Johnson said.

Despite its youth, however, CCC showed strong effort, bouncing back in the second half to take an emotional 68-62 road win against the College of Alameda in which Johnson was absent due to the loss of his mother.

“The team was resilient and my assistants helped out a lot,” Johnson said. “The athletic department also showed support although it has been a difficult year.”

Being one game shy of making it to the postseason, which they have not done since the 2005-06 season, the Comets suffered a disappointing 80-73 final game home loss to Yuba College, which ended their playoff hopes.

“We lost to Yuba twice this year,” LeGree said.

“Those games hurt us, and we needed those games to reach the playoffs.”

Johnson said the team had about three tough losses in crucial games this season to swallow.

“When it comes down to the final game (of the season) and the game is in your hands, it’s tough,” he said.

Contact Malcolm Lastra at mlastra. advocate@gmail.com.

Numerous mistakes deflate high hopes Errors, weak pitching ear in halt plans for growth Yreview

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

Entering the year, baseball coach Marvin Webb said that his simple goal was to get more wins than last season.

That would not seem like a hard task, since the team last year won six games.

This year, however, the team could only match last year with a 6-30 overall record and 3-21 Bay Valley Conference record, winning one conference game by forfeit.

“I thought it was the best they could do.

Sometimes you want more out of them than they could do,” Webb said. “They didn’t quit. Sometimes the other teams were just better.”

The Comets’ first win came against Mission College, 4-3, in a 10-inning game, during which the Comets came back twice, in the ninth and 10th innings. That victory was the first of three straight wins against Mission during a span of two days.

Comet infielder Gerald Drew said that the three-game sweep against Mission was the team’s high point of the season.

But after that series, the team would end up going on a 14-game losing streak before achieving its next win, 8-6, against College of Marin on March 27.

A repeated problem that the Comets faced was beginning a game strong but falling apart in just one inning, which allowed their opponents to score numerous runs.

“I think we didn’t play to the best of our abilities,” Drew said. “When we got through five innings, we’d get one bad inning. That will be the one inning that everything that could go bad, would.”

The Comets’ key player was right fielder Javan Williams. He provided the batting power that the team lacked, leading the BVC in hits, triples and stolen bases with a .406 batting average, earning him a spot on the BVC All-Conference Team.

“He was consistent all year in hitting and ended up hitting .400 in the league,” Webb said.

But throughout the season, the Comets faced many problems on the field, such as pitching, catching, hitting and fielding.

“We made too many errors and stupid mistakes that went to hurt us later in the game,” Drew said.

In total, CCC had 84 errors for the season and was in last place in most of the categories in the BVC, including hits and runs scored. The Comets also had the highest earned run average at 8.55.

Comet infielder Peter Fredzess-Lucas said that in midseason, the team was not

Baseball

Overall record: 6-30 Conference record: 3-21 Conference finish: Eighth Season summary stat: Despite a goal of simply earning more wins than last season, the squad was only able to match its 2008-09 total. mentally in the game.

“I feel like we didn’t play to our full potential. We had the talent but not the discipline,” he said.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Postseason ends abruptly First round 71-67 loss breaks hearts

By Hilberth Ibarra STAFF WRITER

The women’s basketball squad had the most successful season of any team at Contra Costa College, being the only one to make it to the postseason in 2009-10.

CCC only managed to make it to the first round, however, falling to Ohlone College in the last minute of a rough 71-67 loss in Fremont on Feb. 26.

The Comets finished the season 11-5 in the Bay Valley Conference, with a 19-10 record overall.

BVC Most Valuable Player Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin led the team with 694 points and 359 rebounds.

Aleah Bridges, also a guard, came in first on the team with 168 assists.

On defense, Martin led the team with 95 steals.

One of the weaknesses of the team this season was its inability to rebound, however, as coach Paul DeBolt said that though they had excellent speed, they did not have any tall players on their team to establish a dominating presence.

Martin agreed.

“The tallest player on our team is probably (5-feet-8-inches), so height really made a big difference,” she

the court, and it’s really about our said.

Although they were eliminated education,” Martin said. “He wants after their first game in the playoffs, us to grow up.

“It’s not all about basketball. He it was not a disappointing season, really wants us to succeed in life,” DeBolt said.

Bridges believes that, had it she said.

Another key to success was the not lost in the first round, the team could have advanced to the State unity of the team.

The Comet players were able to Tournament. support one another “I just wish we and keep their spirits didn’t get eliminated up. in the first round,” “When my head Bridges said. “I feel was down in games, like we could have they picked it up for gone further and Men’s basketball me,” Martin said. “You won more games and know we are all kind of made it to the cham- Overall record: 19-10 like sisters out there on pionships.”

Even though they Conference record: the court, just one big did not make it to 11-5 family.” the championships, Conference finish: On top of everythe Comets had a Third thing, the players had successful season, Season summary stat: great fun throughout Though they were the the season.

DeBolt said.

“I had a lot of fun.

When players were most successful team asked what was one on campus, the Comets There were a lot of of the keys of their lost in the first round of laughs,” Bridges said.

Martin and guard success this season, the playoffs, 71-67.

Alana Aquino both all of them pointed to agreed.

DeBolt.

Though they did not make it to the “(He is) by far one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Bridges said. championships, the players felt proud DeBolt is not just a good coach of their achievements.

“It was really intense,” Martin on the court, his players said, but he also does not forget the philosophy said. “We all left (our) blood and SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE of student athletics, which is that sweat out there on the court.”

Stop n’ pop — Guard Kenyanna “K.K.” Martin (left) shoots academics come first.

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibar- over Gladiator guard Monica Garcia in the Comets’ 56-51 “Coach Paul is a real good coach.

He pushes us hard in school and on ra.advocate@gmail.com. win over Chabot College on Dec. 5 in the Gymnasium.

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Imperfect — Comet right fielder Javan Williams misses the ball after second baseman Billy Bell slipped and fell trying to recover an overthrown pass to first base in their 9-4 loss to Diablo Valley College at home on March 1.

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Out of reach — Comet middle hitter Rose McGinley-Bradley stares at her teammates as they fail to reach the ball during Friday’s home game against Napa Valley College on Sept. 25.

The Comets lost in straight sets 25-18, 25-6 and 25-5.

Shifting the

MOMENTUM SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE

Drowning in disappointment — Comet sophomore guards Zenaia Hunt (left) and Lakesha Montgomery shed tears after Contra Costa College was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs following a last-minute 71-67 loss to Ohlone College in Fremont on Feb. 26.

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Elation — Football coach Dave Johnson (center) receives a hug from his son, offensive lineman Devin Johnson (72), after the Comets’ 20-17 victory over West Valley College at home on Oct. 10, which ended their 18-game losing streak.

Two squads snap losing streaks while others miss ambitious goals in 09-10

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Success — Comet goalkeeper Marianna Aguilera (left) beams with happiness as she hugs defender Jessica Menjivar after their 4-2 victory against Marin at home on Oct. 22. It was the Comets’ first win since 2006.

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FIFA World Cup: South Africa 2010

By Dariush Azmoudeh SPORTS EDITOR

With time narrowing down, soon the eyes of the world will be set on South Africa as 32 teams fight for the FIFA World Cup, as well as global bragging rights for the next four years.

The World Cup is not merely a soccer tournament, however.

It is a global spectacle that unites fans of all nations to cheer for their country, turning the players in the tournaments into national icons.

And if those players triumph in their quest for the Cup, they will become heroes or even legends in their country.

Countries bloom with the colors of their nations, as fans wear whatever they can to show their patriotism as the tournament draws closer.

Sometimes, the streets are drowned with colors of the flag.

Certain countries even largely cease work on game days, just so their people can get to a television to cheer for their team.

The 2010 World Cup will kick off on June 11 at 7 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when host country South Africa plays against Mexico in Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

Four years ago, the world saw the tournament hosted by Germany, where the home team was one of the favorites to win but fell in the semi-finals to Italy. Italy eventually won the Cup against France in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

This left the Italian team celebrating in the middle of the field as confetti rained down, with captain Fabio Cannavaro clutching the world’s most prestigious trophy in his hands, not only for his team, but also for his country.

The game was one to remember for not only being a nailbiter that went down to penalty kicks, but for one of the most shocking moments in sports history as well.

French attacking midfielder Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest, which escalated when Materazzi insulted Zidane. The action sent off Zidane on a red card during extra time, and it proved costly, as France was left without its captain for the remainder of the defeat.

From Germany to South Africa, this and Pelé, this year Brazil’s greatest strength is its defense.

World Cup will mark the first time With Internazionale’s duo that the tournament is being of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, played in Africa. defender Lucio, and It was only eight Roma’s defender Juan years ago in 2002, playing in the back that the World Cup field, its defense has was held in the conproven to be tough tinent of Asia for during the qualithe first time, with fiers, as it allowed Japan and South Korea taking the only 11 goals in honor of co-host18 games.

Spain is anothing the cup.

The World Cup er team to watch out for. dates back to 1930, when the first tourAfter winning the UEFA EURO 2008, nament was held in Uruguay, where only the Spaniards rose 13 teams participated, to No. 1 in the FIFA and the tournament ranking for 17 out of was won by the host the 22 months since then. country.

Since then, the World In addition, the team swept through qualifiCup has been held every four years, except for the 1942 and cation without losing one game.

1946 editions of the tournaSpain’s offense is led by ment, which were not held due to World War II. David Villa and Fernando A total of 18 World Cup Torres, two forwards who tournaments have been played, know how to get the ball to with the only team to particithe back of the net. pate in every one of them being With Brazil and Spain Brazil. being some of the favorites Brazil’s history at the World to win the World Cup, one Cup has been a glorious one team that cannot be excluded that exemplifies the country’s is the defending champion pride in the sport.

Italy.

In addition to participatOne of the key returning ing in every World Cup held, players to the Italian team is the country holds the record goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. for most championships, five, In 2006, he only allowed and holds many other World only two goals in the entire Cup records. tournament.

Brazil was also the first But one question to win three championremains: Is Italy the ships and thus awarded same team it was in the Jules Rimet Trophy 2006? for being the first team The road to the to accomplish such a World Cup has not task. been easy for many While Brazil has teams, players and always been known for coaches, as many saw its strong offense as well as legendtheir dreams shatter. ary goalscorers such as Ronaldo, Romario More than 200 teams fought for a spot to

get into the World Cup, with qualifications beginning as early as August 2007.

To get to the World Cup, teams need to put their best 11 on the field during qualification or it could cost them.

Being on the same team, players must work as a team while still competing with their teammates for the chance to be in the final 23-man roster that travels to the World Cup. While playing a qualifying match, a team must play as perfectly as it can, because one mistake can be costly. The closer a team gets to qualifying, the tougher it is.

Ireland, for instance, probably had one of the hardest defeats to France during a twoleg playoff for a spot to the World Cup. In the second game, Ireland was able to net the goal to tie the series and send it into extra time.

During extra time, however, French striker Theirry Henry prevented a ball from going out of bounds by using his hand.

He crossed the ball to William Gallas, who headed the ball into the goal, which eventually gave France the win and spot in the World Cup. Right after the goal, the Irish team ran up to the referee to signal him about the handball, which he did not see.

After the game, Henry admitted that he used his hand to handle the ball.

Ireland filed a complaint to FIFA, asking to replay the match and then asking to be allowed to the Cup as the 33rd team, but it was denied both times.

Similarly, many dreams to compete in the World Cup have been shattered due to injuries.

Players such as England’s David Beckham and the United States’ Charlie Davies unfortunately will be sidelined from the tournament.

The World Cup always brings emotion, excitement and passion to players and fans.

But it also brings surprises, where underdogs rise up and surprise millions around the globe, as seen by Turkey and South Korea in 2002.

In the end, no matter who wins, it will surely be a month to remember for fans all over the world.

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com.

Athletes and teams to watch during the tournament

Playing in his first World Cup, Luis Fabiano is Brazil’s go-to guy when a goal is needed. As well as a great goalscorer, he has proven to be clutch when needed. Since being called up to the national team by coach Dunga, he scored 19 goals in 21 games.

The Liverpool striker looks to compete with Spanish teammate David Villa to lead the team in scoring. Torres had knee surgery in April and has missed the rest of the English Premier League, but he looks to bounce back and fight for the scoring title.

The Argentine striker has been shown to be a powerful force while playing for his club team, Barcelona. He not only leads his team, but also the entire Spanish league, in goals scored with 34.

He is the current FIFA World Player of the Year.

Leading the English attack, Rooney is prepared to tackle the 2010 World Cup following a poor performance in 2006. He played on an injured foot and went scoreless in the tournament. He led England during qualification with nine goals in 10 games.

South Africa, being the weakest team in the group, will try to use the advantage of being the home team to lead it through the Cup. While Mexico and Uruguay look to be equally matched, a game between them will define who will go on to the next round. France will face some challenges against the other teams but will likely advance.

Predictions— 1st: France 2nd: Uruguay

Despite a fairly balanced group, Argentina is the team that sticks out as the strongest. With Messi and Tevez on offense, other teams will find it hard to keep Argentina from the goal. Nigeria, South Korea and Greece will battle with one another to get the second spot. South Korea’s experience might be enough to give the edge it needs to get to the next round.

Predictions — 1st: Argentina 2nd: South Korea

Despite England missing David Beckham on its roster due to injury, it still has the fire power to not only get past the first round but to continue strongly. The United States will look to work on the momentum it gained in last summer’s Confederations Cup and a talented roster to take it into the competition’s second round.

Predictions — 1st: England 2nd: United States

Ever since the last World Cup, Australia has shown that it’s a country that is about more than rugby. The team is playing in its second straight World Cup and has shown improvement since 2006. While Germany currently faces problems with inexperienced goalkeeping, its overall experience on the field can provide the power it needs in the tournament.

Predictions — 1st: Germany 2nd: Australia

Passing through all its qualifying matches without losing a game, the Netherlands is poised to lead the group. Second place in the group looks to be a toss-up between the three other teams. On one end, Cameroon’s offense, led by Samuel Eto’o, might have what it takes to continue. But Japan and Denmark’s tactics should not be underestimated.

Predictions — 1st: Netherlands 2nd: Cameroon

Defending champion Italy looks toward its defending and goalkeeping to shut down its opponents’ offense, but it might have a challenge when it faces Paraguay’s attacking power. Slovakia could prove to be a threat on offense as well. While New Zealand looks like a small team, it could be the surprise team in this World Cup. Predictions — 1st: Italy 2nd: Paraguay

This collective is known as this World Cup’s “Group of Death” with Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal. The underdog North Korea looks like it will make an early exit, while Brazil will be the team to qualify in first.

Ivory Coast and Portugal will battle for the second spot in the group, beginning in the decisive opening match when the two teams play each other.

Predictions — 1st: Brazil 2nd: Portugal

One of the favorites to win the tournament, Spain is set to breeze through the first round without much challenge. The other teams, however, will continue to put up a fight for the second spot. Honduras will not have enough fire power to get through, so it will end up being between Chile and Switzerland. And the Swiss defense will likely get it past Chile.

Predictions — 1st: Spain 2nd: Switzerland PAGE DESIGN BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE