WEDNESDAY l 11.8.17 OUR 68TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.
NURTURING MENTOR DIES
Early childhood education leader leaves everlasting impact on campus By Anthony Kinney associate editor
akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com
Intisar Shareef, chairperson of the early childhood education department at Contra Costa College, died of cancer on Saturday while away on medical leave. She was 71. Dr. Shareef dedicated her life to childhood education and the amelioration of the lives of children around the world using her strong desire for child activism as fuel for her lifetime journey. Her peers describe her as a phenomenal role model who possessed a leader’s aura of strength and compassion that touched the soul of anyone who crossed paths with her. In her memory, family and friends will come together to lay her to rest today at 2:15 p.m. at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Drive in Richmond. Shareef earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of New Jersey, formerly known as Trenton State College. She obtained her master’s in early childhood education from Newark State College. She continued her education and received her doctoral degree in early childhood education from Nova Southwest University. Shareef spent over 30 years at CCC as a professor in the Early Learning Center. Over the past 15 years, the educator continued to impact the lives of children as she worked as a faculty member for the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) on campus. She co-authored the publication “Practice on Building Bridges, a companion resource to Diversity in Early Care and
Education,” 5th edition. Shareef ’s influence didn’t just impact local families in the community, her unconditional passion to help children led her to work on the behalf of children overseas as well. She worked as a consultant for the organization The Whole Child International, a program striving to improve the quality of orphanages around the world. In her time with the organization, she presented training courses in countries such as Nicaragua and El Salvador on the group’s behalf. Early childhood education instructor Michell Naidoo met Shareef in class, as one the professor’s students, in the 1990s. Upon Naidoo’s graduation, they developed a friendship that grew even stronger once the two became colleagues at CCC’s Early Learning Center. She said Shareef ’s impact in the department will never be forgotten by the entire early childhood education staff and the countless children she helped nurture over the years. Naidoo said Shareef was remarkably cultivated in the early childhood education field but even more knowledgeable in “life” and was a mentor to her and many other professors and students who came to her for guidance. Early childhood education professor Gail Benson said Shareef made a profound impression on her life and that she will always admire her. “At a time when things were going bad in my life she came into it and helped me get back on the right track,” Benson said. “She was like my angel. I feel FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE such a void now that she’s gone.” Early childhood educa- Intisar Shareef died on Saturday after being on medical leave since the spring semester. She spent over 30 years as an early childhood education professor in the Early Learning Center at Contra Costa College.
SEE SHAREEF, PAGE 3
WINTER CLASSES SPEED UP TRANSFER
Midterm Accreditation 2017 Report
Online courses offer three units in four weeks
Fears, joy come alive in fun house PAGE 6
By Michael Santone associate editor
msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com
SOURCE: 2017MIDTERM ACCREDITATION REPORT/
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Report sets goals, aids accreditation By Roxana Amparo associate editor
ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com
To ensure an institution continuously meets its standards while resolving its deficiencies, a midterm accreditation report is a vital piece of the evaluation process. Accreditation is a self-regulated system that evaluates the overall quality of an institution and encourages continuous improvement, music department FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate
Chairperson Wayne Organ said. “Given that so many of our students are given federal aid, not to be accredited would be the end of the college. “The state of California invests a lot of money in us and we have to show we are good stewards of those resources — but we were a lot less efficient before,” Organ, who served as Academic Senate president and was part of the 2014 Accreditation Committee, said. When a college is accredited, INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate
it validates the worth of degree earned at the institution. To regulate the process, a college receives an accreditation visit every five years. Contra Costa College’s midterm accreditation report was submitted Sept. 30, 2017 to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC) for a SEE REPORT, PAGE 3
TWITTER: @accentadvocate
A four-week online cybersession will be offered to Contra Costa College students beginning Dec. 11 and ending Jan. 10. Meeting core general education requirements, Young the seven courses include Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Appreciation of Art, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Theater, Law and Democracy, Education for Healthful Living and Introduction to Ethics. With an increase in popularity and demand since the 2016 winter cybersession, all courses have a waitlist except Law and Democracy. “The cybersession is an extension of the fall semester and not a true winter intersession,” Senior Dean of Instruction Tish Young said. “Faculty and staff knew we SEE CYBERSESSION, PAGE 3
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Halloween spurs campus festivities PAGE 8 SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate
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Quotable “All real freedom springs from necessity.” Anna C. Brackett author 1892 Denis Perez editor-in-chief Roxana Amparo Anthony Kinney Michael Santone associate editors Mayra Garcia art director Benjamin Bassham news editor Robert Clinton sports editor opinion editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Dylan Collier assistant scene editor Efrain Valdez social media editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate Staff Leamsi Amaya Sean Austin Louis Cano Carina Castrillo Maxwell Craig Alondra Gallardo Ryan Geller Tony Gojilde Dan Hardin Julian Robinson Jessica Suico Desmond Sylva Drew Thomas Demond Washington Andrew Weedon Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 Member
Associated Collegiate Press
California Newspaper Publishers Association
Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accentadvocate@ 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
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8, 2017 VOL. 105, NO. 9
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM
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EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATIVE DEFICIENCIES Diversity, inclusivity lacks complete presence on campus
A
t Contra Costa College, a diverse student body dominates the cultural atmosphere, amplifying dialogue and unity within the college administra-
tion. During the 2017 fall semester this collective embrace of the adversities faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning as well as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students and underrepresented students writ large has overwhelmed the campus with understanding and support. Events and workshops which are put on by campus clubs such as the Alphabe+ Club and departments like counseling have magnified issues while providing resources and solace. Faculty and staff have even become more involved by sharing their own coming out stories during an on-campus pride event. Others have offered their time and knowledge to help with Assembly Bill 540 that helps undocumented students receive financial aid. Just two weeks ago, on Oct. 28, many of the college staff and administration members went to Comet Stadium to watch the football team play its homecoming game. This show of support by college President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh and Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson, among others, is a welcomed sign — but the same support should be shown for all campus events. Students are often admonished for not taking a more proactive approach to issues that involve their progress and well-being on campus. Event organizers often scoff at lackluster turnouts for campus events and celebrations that are usually populated by students receiving extra credit points for attending. With streamlined educational paths being a premium educational goal for campus administrators, many students have more time for work, or extra tutoring, leaving them little time to immerse themselves in student life. Because of this, it is incumbent for administrators to overexpose themselves at campus events, large and small, to signify the importance of joining a campus community that is working to fill social voids and provide a complete community college experience. Homecoming, Super Saturday or the Food and Wine event should be no more important of an event to attend than a SparkPoint workshop or Coffee with a Cop. Even now on the college website, contracosta.edu, all of the events listed are department sponsored events — none of the events hosted by clubs on campus are promoted. Even Club Rush, which serves solely as a promotion method to boost club participation receives administrative attendance — more than other notable events. Many events, like those that focus on helping the most marginalized students that populate the campus, are generally attended by administrators with direct ties to those issues. As a low bar, that’s all students can ask for. However, for a campus that sees itself as a beacon of inclusivity — visibility is imperative. If the purpose of a community college is to serve as a pipeline to employment and not a place for students of all backgrounds to grow socially as well as academically then relegating unifying events to mere blips on the community radar is just fine.
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
■ GENDER
Machismo culture honors men, demeans women
A
s a Latina, I will not forget the day I sat in the doctor’s office with my adult guardian and the doctor telling me I am due for my Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPV) Vaccine — a shot recommended for young adults that helps prevent HPV. My guardian quickly responded by saying, no, she is not to be sexually active. Instead, she asked if it was offered for boys and implied my 13-year-old brother may need it in the future. Her response left me furious because it isn’t fair that my brother and I are being raised and treated differently just because of one simple difference — our gender. Often, in Latino culture, a person’s trajectory in life is decided by society’s idea of what is possible or unimaginable based on gender. Gender roles in Latino culture suffocate and degrade both men and women allowing them to be negatively stereotyped. Latinas are expected to remain uneducated, dependent versions of indentured servants while Latino men are expected to fill the role of “el machiste,” the Latino version of a male chauvinist. For the most part, in Latino culture, men are the providers for the family and embody the “el machiste” motif. They are the ones who go out to work and provide the financial needs for the family while women are expected to stay home, raise children and do all of the domestic chores such as
role of “marianismo” — the female version of machismo. They must be pure and have moral strength. According to the free dictionary, “marianismo” is defined as a strong exaggerated sense of traditional femininity, especially in some Latin American culcleaning and cooking. tures, placing great value on Ideas have been instilled forbearance, self-sacrifice, in Latina women that they nurturing and the limiting should dress with modesty of sex to marriage. because if they dress any Even in modern society, other way they are seeking if a Latin woman is not unflattering attention. “pure” then she is jettisoned If not dressed with mod- into the category of whore. esty, they are Many Latino families portrayed as raise their daughters bound selling them- Ideas have by the constraints of reliselves like gious beliefs. prostitutes, been The restrictions usually or “asking lead to stringent rules about instilled in for it.” being modest and pure and Rather Latina many believe if rules are not than teachexplicitly followed — they ing men to women that will go to hell. keep their While daughters are male parts to they should under strict surveillance, the themselves, dress with men get to sleep with anywomen are one and not be bashed for it. taught to be modesty Instead, they’re congratulatashamed of ed for it. who they are because if Men expect to marry a and to hide they dress woman who is pure yet, themselves ironically, they are the ones under their any other doing the exact opposite and clothes. not being admonished for it. way they are The only If it was not for the stedifference seeking reotypical culture norms between that people have developed women and unflattering over the years these molds men’s chests and expectations each genattention. is the level of der is supposed to fulfill estrogen that would not exist. women have, If humans created it, then causing the tissue to enlarge, it can be changed. leading to breast development. Alondra Gallardo is a Latina women are porstaff writer for The Advocate. trayed as hyper-sexual. If Contact her at agallardo. not, they are considered theadvocate@gmail.com. prudes. They are to follow the
alondragallardo
CAMPUS COMMENT Would you be wiling to take courses during winter break? Why or why not?
“Personally no. After the semester I really enjoy that break to relax and celebrate the holidays with family.”
“Yes, I am taking winter classes. I need to transfer as quickly as I can.”
Anastasia Klimko
Caesar Cruz
undecided
nursing
JESSICA SUICO AND LOUIS CANO /THE ADVOCATE
“No. I am a nursing student, so I barley get breaks or time to myself. I really need that break to sleep and relax.” Chris Salavao nursing
“No, I want to chill over break.”
“No. Class is stressful, so I need that break to relax and prepare for spring semester.”
“I have no need for it. I need relaxing. Nursing is a lot to handle, so that break helps.”
Christian Nasalga
Kamarianna Thomas
Lalina Jones
kinesiology
African-American studies
nursing
campusbeat
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.8.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
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SHAREEF Compassionate soul exhibited strength | NEWSLINE Continued from Page 1
n TRANSFER
TOUR SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY FOR FREE A free transfer college and university tour of San Francisco State University will be offered on Dec. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. hosted by the Career/Transfer Center. To register for the tour online, log onto contracosta.edu/transfer or visit SA-227. For more information call: 510215-3936
n CALCULUS
INSTRUCTOR OFFERS MATH PREPARATION A second review session for Calculus I – Math 190 will be led by professor Chris Nagel in AA-211 at 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday.
n STEM
WINTER PROGRAM AIDS MATH ABILITIES
Math Jam instructs students in key mathematical concepts along with skill-building sessions during the intermission period before the spring semester. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in Math 118, 120, 122, 164, 171 or 190 and be enrolled in Math 875, a non-credit course. Prospective students must also have completed a Math Jam enrollment application and a student profile. To enroll, log onto cccstem.com/ enroll or visit PS-109. For more information email the STEM Center at mathjam@contracosta.edu.
CRIMEWATCH Monday, Oct. 9: A pedestrian stop was conducted in the Student Center Plaza. Thursday, Oct. 26 : Vandalism was reported outside of the Police Services Building. Wednesday, Nov. 1: An incident of theft was reported in the Applied Arts Building. — Denis Perez
CORRECTION In the Oct. 25 issue of The Advocate on page A7, in the story titled “Serendipitous wildlife encounters,” the story lists the animal in the lower bottom photo as a swan. This is incorrect. The animal is an egret. The Advocate regrets this error. In the Oct. 25 issue of The Advocate on page B1, in the photo illustration titled “Timeline of body image standards at different points in history,” the graphic lists artist Michaelangelo painting God and Eve. This is incorrect. The correct information is Michelangelo and he painted God and Adam. In the Oct. 25 issue of The Advocate on page B7, in the story titled “Elevated intensity, discipline fuel team” the photo caption lists the women’s basketball coach as David Shaw. This is incorrect. The women’s basketball coach is Vince Shaw. The Advocate regrets this error. — The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.
tion major Tina Giles said she will remember Shareef as an astounding professor who was always willing to go the extra mile for her students and their educational goals. “She was a tough teacher who expected a lot from her students, but it was always out of love. She was a mentor to me and I’m devastated she’s not here anymore to see me graduate.” Naidoo said Dr. Shareef was a distinctive teacher that didn’t hesitate to engage her students. She used captivating examples of personal life experiences and infused them into her curriculum to bring an “out-of-the-box” approach to childhood education. Dr. Shareef was known for her heartwarming smile and stylish wardrobe. Draped in gold earrings, rings and bangles, her presence always provided an influential and caring ambiance for those around her. “The children in the program got to experience wonderful memories and moments with her that will shape the rest of their lives. Her
“When I reflect on professor Shareef, I am reminded of intelligence, her ability to always speak her mind in a respectful manner – even when expressing an opposing stance. Also, her incredibly big heart,” Mehdizadeh said. “I am grateful for the advice and counsel she’s provided me through the years.” In the final days before her death, Shareef was working toward developing a demonstration model of “Anji Play” in San Francisco in Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, hopes of pushing the educational philosophy Contra Costa College president further into the mainstream. “She always went above and beyond for her philosophy of simply being kind and caring students and will definitely be missed by many,” human beings to one another will live on Giles said. through them.” “Professor Shareef was a huge part of my Naidoo said every professor in the depart- education and I can’t wait to graduate to make ment adopted some type of teaching technique her proud of what she helped build.” from Shareef ’s extensive expertise in the early Dr. Shareef was a passionate mother, prochildhood education field and that she was an fessor, author and prominent leader in the inspiration to everyone around her. early childhood education community. She is CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said survived by three sons and a daughter. she has been working with Shareef since her Mehdizadeh said a scholarship fund in Dr. time at the District Office and has always seen Shareef ’s name is currently being planned. her as someone she looked up to.
“When I reflect on professor Shareef, I am reminded of intelligence — her ability to always speak her mind in a respectful manner — even when expressing an opposing stance.”
CYBERSESSION | General education classes offered Continued from Page 1 were moving to a compressed calendar (in fall 2018) so this is like a foot in the door.” Encompassing winter recess, the cybersession will end just a week shy of the commencement of the 2018 spring semester. Faculty who are experienced with teaching online courses and willing to spend their winter break on campus were sought out Young said. “These faculty members were given the opportunity to submit a course. We didn’t want to offer too many options,” she said. “This didn’t drive what classes to offer and since we had success last year, we followed similar schedule and course offerings.” The winter cybersession is more compact than that of a fall or spring semester and even shorter than a summer session which runs about five weeks. “The cybersession is four times faster in four weeks,” Young said. “These courses are designed for students to focus on just one class.” With such a positive response to the courses offered during the 2016 winter cybersession, faculty stuck with diverse class selections that still focused on core general education requirements. In 2016, one course, however, did not respond well and suffered from a lack of enrollment. Young said that the department was given the option to submit a different course, which may yield a higher enrollment. “The cybersession last year was successful and had success rates similar to that of a full term class.” Counseling department Chairperson Sarah Boland said faculty and staff undergo tons of training that prepares them for teaching online courses. “We had a training once a month for a semester back in 2014 where three of the professors teaching in the cybersession were involved,” Boland said. “We aren’t just jumping right in. There is some preparation that goes into planning a cybersession.” Courses offered over winter break can be difficult to fill because of the personal and social aspects of the holiday, Boland said. “They are going fast. All but one is waitlisted,” she said. “I would tell students to put themselves on the waitlist. We find that even with the summer sessions, the waitlist moves more quickly because of the time of the year.” Boland said she encourages students to take the needed “brain break” that the winter break offers, but she also informs them on what to expect with a cybersession and how it can benefit them. “I think students see it as a really great way to complete transfer units,” she said. “It allows them to do it in a time that works for them.” Contra Costa College biology major Luis Gonzalez said he is looking to satisfy his Math 164 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics) transfer requirement that is offered during the cybersession. “I want to get it over with and since it’s online I don’t have to come to school,” he said. “However, I am worried that if I take it I will miss out on my winter break.” Gonzalez said that the compressed format can be intense, but it’s similar to the summer session.
Winter cybersession Dec. 11, 2017 - Jan. 10, 2018 ADJUS 135-1602 3 units
Law and Democracy
Waitlist
ART 117-1596 3 units
Appreciation of Art
Waitlist
DRAMA 101-1589 3 units
Introduction to Theater
Waitlist
HED 120-1584 3 units
Education for Healthful Living
Waitlist
PHILO 120-1599 3 units
Introduction to Ethics
Waitlist
SPCH 128-1581 3 units
Interpersonal Communication
Waitlist
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Waitlist
MATH 164-1582 3 units
INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: INSITEPORTAL
REPORT | Midterm accreditation shows progress Continued from Page 1 review and a follow-up report after its October 2014 accreditation. Although no recommendations were given to the college from the external team during the last accreditation report in 2014, a self-evaluation report was created by CCC faculty and staff to meet to measure growth and set campus expectations. Organ said each institution evaluates itself and sets goals to reach for the following ACCJC visit. “You do it as a way to get better. To me, there is too much work involved in doing an accreditation report to not take it as an opportunity to improve yourself.” Organ said coming up with goals is a collaborative process that happens in committee discussions and surveys on things that the college needs to work on improving. According to the Statement of Report Preparation from the midterm accreditation report, the College Council provided final approval of the Midterm Report on April 13, 2017. It was finalized by the Governing Board on June 28, 2017.
“It’s about accountability and transparency. It is incredibly important that, in the end, we serve our students. We have to be held accountable.” Vicki Gordon
Governing Board president
Governing Board President Vicki Gordon said each college president from Contra Costa, Los Medanos and Diablo Valley colleges will report back during the next board meeting today. “It’s about accountability and transparency. It is incredibly important that, in the end, we serve our students. We have to be held accountable,” Gordon said. Gordon said accreditation is important for every institution and even for her and her fellow board members to be held accountable for their actions and expectations. Organ said keeping students in mind was a priority and they were working to simplify the process of accreditation to help students reach their dreams while attending CCC.
Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson said they accomplished the Actionable Improvement Plan, which was to develop a process for working with emotionally distressed students. Teaming up with counselors, Police Services, various academic departments and former CCC vice president Tammeil Gilkerson, the needs for this population, resources and professional training were discussed. Ferguson said the conversation resulted in the formation of the Behavioral Assessment Team (BAT) and a manual for faculty and staff to work with emotionally distressed students. The BAT manual was created after the last visit from the accreditation team in October of 2014 and is item IIB3c. in the Accreditation Midterm Report. Ferguson said the Behavioral Assessment Team is receiving training from the state Chancellor’s Office Mental Health Initiative and developing the Assisting the Emotionally Distressed Student Manual for staff, faculty and administrative use. “Although the district offers Confidential Services to students who need mental health services, we realized it was not enough,” Ferguson said.
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campusbeat
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.8.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE
RENOVATION PROJECT BEGINS Construction for $55 million project begins at Applied Arts Building, alters access
Project Timeline:
By Ryan Geller
n
Applied Arts Building Renovations begin fall 2017 n
Applied Arts Building Renovations completed, move-in and occupancy summer 2018
Advocate Staff
rgeller.theadvocate@gmail.com
Construction barriers are now in place for the Applied Arts Building renovation leaving teachers and students with no second-floor entrance and only one men’s restroom. The second-floor entrance to the AA Building is blocked from the outside with chain link fencing and the second-floor hallway by the elevator is walled off with plywood just before you reach the old reception area at the upper level entrance. The elevator is still accessible and functioning and is now the only way to reach the second floor if you are unable to take the stairs. The hallway at the northeast corner by the Gateway to College rooms and offices is also barricaded with plywood along with the only men’s restroom on the second-floor. The remodeling of the AA Building is part of a $55 million Science Complex project that was funded by the passage of Contra Costa County Measure E over three and a half years ago, according to Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King. Construction crews are starting with the AA Building because the Health Sciences and the Liberal Arts buildings will be torn down to make room for the new science complex. The plan is for the nursing department to vacate the Health Sciences Building, moving temporarily to the old location of the culinary department and the Three Seasons Restaurant, which is now Bruce King being remodeled, said King. Construction on the Science Complex is slated to begin in fall Contra Costa 2019 with completion dates projected for fall 2021. College When the building is completed, Buildings the nursing department will have a and permanent home in the new Science Grounds manager Building and the remodeled space in the AA Building will be used for a variety of auxiliary functions. Although King said that email
Science Building construction begins fall 2019 n
Science Building construction completed, move-in and occupancy fall 2021 n
notifications went out about the construction start dates, teachers and students were still surprised to see the barriers in place early in the morning on Oct. 30. Math professor Sherry Sharufa, whose classes are held in rooms adjacent to and below the construction zone, realized early that morning that she has to “go up (to her office) to go down to (her classroom)” rather than using the second-floor entrance as she normally does. “It was a bit annoying because I gave an exam and there was this knocking all through the exam. That can be kind of distracting when you are trying to take a test. I was like ‘OK, how do I stop this,’ my students were looking up at me from their exams,” Sharufa said. Mike Barns, the superintendent of the AA Building remodeling project, said, “It’s unfortunate we cannot occupy an entire building, I’m afraid there will be a little pain before you get to enjoy a remodeled building and better conditions.” The construction schedule was designed to minimize interference with classes going on in the building, King said. With this start date, most of the construction will be completed over the winter break. The workers also begin early in the morning, so they can get most of the noisy work out of the way before classes start. “What we have told folks is if the noise is interfering with classes they can contact us, and we can speak to the contractor to see if we can work something out, but this is construction and at the end of the day this work is for the benefit of students,” King said Kerry Bledsoe is a resource specialist at Gateway to College and her office is about 20 feet from the construction project. She was also surprised by the barriers when she came to work on the morning of
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Oct 30, but said she was also pleasantly surprised by how helpful the construction workers were. They offered to help her put signs up to direct her students to the alternate entrance and when she notified the workers about a problem with the hallway they responded right away, Bledsoe said. “The construction is inconvenient; we lost a rest room, we lost our upstairs entrance, but they have a really good crew of construction workers, especially being a high school it is important to me that the workers are respectful,” Bledsoe said.
ABOVE: Construction worker Armando Garcia demolishes the floor of what used to be the Three Seasons Restaurant.
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P L E A S A N TO N
LEFT: Sociology major Alfred Machacon scans a fibromyalgia book on Thursday with the free scanner available for student use in the Library. TONY GIOJILDE / THE ADVOCATE
Library advances technologically, installs scanner By Dylan Collier assistant scene editor
dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com
LEARN TODAY. CHANGE TOMORROW. Programs in Management | Nursing
925.867.2711 | usfca.edu/pleasanton 6120 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Ste. 150, Pleasanton, CA CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE
In a move to make the Library more compatible with learning in the digital age, a free, user-friendly scanner has been installed, which gives students options to convert paper text into digital information. The Knowledge Imaging Center (KIC) Scanner offers a multitude of benefits that outweigh the previous option of using the old photocopy machine, a device which used excessive amounts of paper and costs students 12 cents per page. “It’s really nice that it’s paperless. That really cuts costs,” technology systems assistant Mark Williams said. What’s also nice, Williams said, is that students can send information to themselves in Cloud format after a book or document has been scanned. KIC can even convert a written document into an audio file, to put onto a flash drive. This option makes interpreting paperwork more convenient for visually impaired students who are able to put books into a format they can utilize quickly for impromptu library study sessions. Psychology major Latifah Mills, who was in the Library when the scanner was installed over the summer, said she didn’t have a
need to use it over the summer, but that she’s known how to operate it ever since July. Mills said her favorite feature of the scanner is the fact that it’s free to students, which is better than the photocopy machine. She also said she enjoys its speed and efficiency. “It has been extremely useful to me, because I have used the scanner to give notes to the students that I tutor this fall,” Mills said. Another added benefit of using the digital scanner is that text can be trimmed off the page. Whenever users scan a document, it displays it on the computer screen just to the right of the scanner so students can select only the precise text that they desire. “You can send things to yourself by email. It’s also fully accessible, because you have the option of sending things through an audio file, JPEG, Quick PDF, Searchable PDF, and much more,” librarian Amanda Joy said. Although the scanner sends information to students using a wireless connection through email, addresses are not stored in the machine to deter data-breaches and to ensure user security. The scanner also allows for someone to send faxes, which has always been an issue for students on campus.
Machine saves paper, money through conversion of paper into digital files
campus beat
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LGBTQ+ student statistics
Bullying by peers is part of the
LGBTQ students also experience
Overall, the most common form of
LGBTQ community. 48.6 percent of
homophobic slurs brought on by
abuse toward LGBTQ students
LGBTQ students have experienced
teachers and school staff members.
comes from the words peers use.
bullying through the internet, most
63.5 percent of LGBTQ students
85.2 percent of LGBTQ students
often referred to as cyberbullying.
report incidents like these.
report verbal abuse on campus. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ, LOUIS CANO / THE ADVOCATE
LGBTQ stories provide insight
Students share their
coming out stories, traumatic effects
By Alondra Gallardo advocate staff
agallardo.theadvocate@gmail.com
Alphabe+ Club member Miguel Alvarez remembers when he was ridiculed by his peers in elementary school and was made fun of and accused of being gay. “I was scared because I grew up in a Catholic home. I would pray to God and think I could just pray it away,” Alvarez said to the group during the Aphabe+ Club’s coming out event Oct. 30 in Fireside Hall. Alvarez said he did not come out until he was 19 years old. Club members shared the struggles they have faced while deciding to come out and how, every day, young adults are abandoned by their families and friends because of their sexual orientation. Two YouTube videos were presented at the beginning of the event. Both videos showed young adults being left living on the streets and having difficulty surviving after not being accepted for who they are. Alvarez said it was not until arriving at community college, that he felt like
he finally had the power to come out, that he stopped depriving himself and faced reality. “I first came out to my mom and she did not talk to me for a month. “Six months later I told my dad and told him if he wanted a relationship with me then he has to accept me for who I am,” Alvarez said. “I recently told my grandparents and they said, ‘You’re not our grandson and you cannot associate with us’.” Alvarez said psychological wounds will always be a part of dealing with coming out and not having family support makes it difficult to deal with them. “We have been socialized to think that being gay is wrong,” he said. Alphabe+ club member Susan Mireles shared her story and said, “For the longest time I suffered with my sexual orientation and gender identity.” Mireles said she thought she was bisexual, but she was not attracted to (either gender) sexually. “I found out I was asexual. I was not comfortable being a girl, so I thought I had fluid identity. It took years for me to figure out who I am and to tell my family that I was asexual, but they never
n “I recently told my grand-
parents and they said, ‘You’re not our grandson and you cannot associate with us’.” — Miguel Alvarez, Alphabe+ Club member
believed me.” Mireles said she was so confused because her parents did not accept her for who she was. They would just laugh and tell her she is going to find a husband and have kids. “It is hard, having the people who are supposed to love you not accept you,” she said. Alphabe+ Club President Mauricio Enrique Duarte shared his story with the group. “Growing up, I remember being different. I always knew I liked guys and I was always hanging out with girls.” Duarte said in elementary school he told one of his girlfriends he thought a boy was cute and when that boy found out he called him a “joto” or “maricon (derogatory terms for a gay male).” Duarte said from that point on he
experienced bullying from his peers. “I never wanted to go to the bathroom with boys because they would bully me. In my head, I thought if I fought back then they’d think I was gay and I didn’t want that,” Duarte said. “I was 17 years old when I came out to my dad. We were arguing and I kind of just blurted it out like, ‘Yeah, your son is a maricon and I just felt everything drop.” Duarte said his father reacted like the typical machista and said, “I only have sons not daughters.” Duarte said he gathered his stuff and left his house. “My dad had no problem opening the door for me,” he said Duarte also shared a part of his story that he had never shared before. He was living on the streets, and in friends’ garages. “I dropped out of high school,” he said. He said he remembers enrolling at CCC and having to take a shower at a Chevron gas station before class. “I want to make sure no little kid gets called a faggot before they can even know who they are. That is why I started the Alphabe+ Club,” Duarte said.
Ancestors, family remembered with song, food La Raza Student Union honors death, life By Drew Thomas advocate staff
dthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
Every year holidays are celebrated, but for a holiday like Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) some people are unaware of what it’s all about. The La Raza Student Union hoped to give students a better understanding of Dia de Los Muertos when it held a celebration on Thursday, with the opportunity for students to enjoy cultural activities, prizes, food and live music. LRSU member Luis Huire said a lot of students, including students with a Mexican background, don’t know much about the Day of the Dead. “It’s to celebrate our ancestors and show them respect for the things they’ve done,” Huire said. LRSU President Ricardo Sanchez said, “Music brings a different environment. We wanted to focus more on the activities.” The activities at LRSU’s Dia
de Los Muertos event included Loteria, a game like bingo where a person wins by filling their playing card with the characters that have been called out. Attendees also celebrated by paying respects to the ofrenda, which is an offering to the deceased, getting their faces painted and painting a skull to remind them that their time is going to come as well. “Day of the Dead is for people to have a fun day, to celebrate life and that we are alive,” Sanchez said. Some people celebrate Dia de Los Muertos by paying their respects to the dead at a cemetery with flowers, but LRSU chose to celebrate this day differently. Club member Nestor Guzman said the LRSU wanted to “give people an understanding of what this event means. To give an understanding that it’s not a bad thing. We’re not grieving. We’re celebrating the dead.” The LRSU also prepared prizes that included a parking permit for next semester for winning first place. Students could also win a gift basket which contained a $25 movie gift card. To be eligible to win the parking permit, students were urged to take a picture of
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
La Raza Student Union members set up an altar where they placed decorations, food and pictures of deceased loved ones during the Dia De Lost Muertos event on Thursday.
themselves at the event and tag the shot on the LRSU’s Instagram site. “The event made a strong impression on students,” event attendee Jordan Flechero said. “I wanted to see what it’s all about, so I stopped to check it out.” The prizes were well thought out by the LRSU as it helped students get involved and check out Dia de Los Muertos for themselves. “A lot of cultures have customs that die out,” Huire said. “We’re just trying to show that it’s part of our culture.” The club’s primary purpose for
hosting Dia de Los Muertos was to prevent any confusion about what the event stands for and to share Hispanic culture with all Contra Costa College students. “The Day of the Dead can be misinterpreted at times,” Guzman said. “Were open to letting people know that we don’t want to show negativity We want to show positivity.” Students didn’t just learn about Dia de Los Muertos, they also learned just how passionate these students are about sharing their Hispanic culture.
“There are all types of people in the Bay Area and in school, so we want to show we’re about everybody,” LSRU Vice President Cesar Martinez said. LRSU offers students a safe environment and is a club that is known to be all about culture, second year member Minerva Arebalo said. The club meets on Tuesdays and is hopeful students will be encouraged to join after seeing the effort they put in celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. “We want people to be encouraged to join us,” Guzman said.
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scene
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LEFT: A student screams as she runs past a scare spot and into another scare spot during the free carnival scream house in the Knox Center on Oct. 31.
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Fear, joy fill Knox Center Carnival scare house erected to frighten willing students
By Xavier Johnson scene editor
xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
A
s night fell on Halloween, a carnival scare house in the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts administered a healthy dose of screams and thrills for the first time in a decade. It took about two minutes to traverse the maze of clown-filled, carnival-themed horrors such as a cannibalistic butcher, gleeful executioner and imprisoned demented clowns. Knox Center lighting technician Cody Poehnelt said he heard Liberal Arts Division Dean Jason Berner talk about his fear of clowns which inspired the haunted house’s theme, along with the timely nature of the recent reboot of the horror movie “It” in theaters. More than 120 students, faculty and community members went through the Associated Student Union’s sponsored haunted house. As each group of five entered the haunted house their reactions while coming out varied, like Comet volleyball coach Christy Tianero, who came out gasping for breath out of fear. “I just closed my eyes and ran through, I didn’t want to be in front,” she said. Other people like Richmond High School student Monika Raygoza said the haunted house was “all right” but not as scary as others she has attended.
Her friend Lucero Rio, also a Richmond High School student, said the haunted house was her first ever. “I was screaming the entire time,” Rio said. Poehnelt said he wanted to bring back the haunted house to enhance campus culture. “We do a lot of cultural and other important events. I want the campus to have more leisure activities for the community,” he said. Psychology major Kira Harrison said the haunted house was “dope” and she went through two times. She said what scared her the most was the clown that trailed behind the group leading them from room-to-room. Poehnelt said his theater background contributed to how the scare house was planned. “Everything is planned for a reason. It wasn’t just about one area but how they flow from one to the next,” Poehnelt said. The different areas displayed a different horror trope with a carnival twist. The grotesque scenes were depicted using body horror, jump scares and seamlessly manufactured rising tension. The entire set was built with about 72 hours of work, with a lot of it being created and finalized on Halloween, the day of the event. Poehnelt said planning the haunted house was a lot like his experience planning a theater pro-
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Political science major Chris Miller (right) and student JoJuan Johnson (left) dance during the dance party intermission of the free carnival scream house in the Knox Center on Tuesday.
duction. He said he starts with a plan then as it becomes a reality he discards the unobtainable goals and focuses on the realistic, evolving aspects of the process. “We looked at our time frame and made it the best we could with what we were given. With more people and artists, we can make it even bigger and better in future years,” Poehnelt said. Middle College High School student Melissa Madriz was declared the most scared by her group of five friends. She said her fears were intensified by her spike in adrenaline
while waiting in line. During the intermission, that lasted approximately an hour, the scares and screams transformed into music and dance in the Knox Center lobby. There were refreshments and snacks like cupcakes and fruit available for guests to consume while in line. Poehnelt said he wants the haunted house to grow as an annual event with more performers and designers to pull of more ambitious plans with increased participation.
Rapping, music unifies four teenagers Department performs first hip-hop production By Xavier Johnson scene editor
xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
A hip-hop theater production telling a coming of age story of three teens with the integration of hip-hop’s deep history opens this weekend to continue the drama department’s theater season. “How We Got On” opens Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. with other show times Nov. 17-18 at 7:30, and Sunday and Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. in the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts. Hip-hop theater is a sub-genre of theater that grew in the early 90s, creating its own niche in theater with “How We Got On” being a play that sits comfortably in the genre. Director Angelina LaBarre said “How We Got On” tells a story set in 1988 about three teenagers who come from “the city” and move into the suburbs, called “The Hill,” with each sharing a common thread with each other being hip-hop. “We all have had that thing when we were teenagers that we
identified and we loved, and for the characters that thing is hip hop,” she said. The lack of a definite location for the action lends to the play’s relatability toward a large audience with diverse backgrounds. The show is infused with the spirit of hip-hop culture through rapping, slang and the overall hopeful spirit brought to the world during the birth of hip-hop. Umi Grant, who plays Hank, said the musical elements of the show are a contributor to the play being relatable. “Music is a huge driving force in life. When people are sad they listen to sad songs or listen to something happy to pull themselves out of the funk, music goes with emotions,” Grant said. LaBarre said, “It’s not telling a story and throwing hip-hop on it. It’s telling the story through hiphop. We want this show to feel like it’s real people and this is how they express themselves.” Drama major Oz HerreraSobol, who plays Julian in the production, said he absolutely relates to his character. Julian is a self-centered character dealing with insecurities and a skilled performer lacking the ability to create hip-hop. Herrera-Sobol said he is similar because he is a good rapper and
XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE
Hank, played by Umi Grant, (left), speaks with Julian, played by Oz Herrera-Sobol, during a scene in the play “How We Got On” during a rehearsal at the Knox Center.
performer but struggles to write anything. He said one of the struggles was rapping other people’s rhymes but with a unique personal style. Grant said, “This story is about how all these teenagers come to find themselves while all being connected by a common thread. Much of the dialogue is rapped, or at least spoken in a rhythm, and the script provides no information
on what flow to use when rapping. LaBarre said the actors were able to work out the rhythms on their own. This is the first hip-hop theater play Contra Costa College has performed. LaBarre said she thinks hip-hop is on the same level that people hold Shakespeare up to. “It’s heightened language,” she said. “If we can tell stories that represent our student body through heightened language, then that’s a
one-two punch,” LaBarre said. Hank, as a character, is someone trying to come into their own while dealing with a father that doesn’t understand his dreams. Grant said Hank is a character that knows what he wants but lacks his own voice. LaBarre said, “Both (hip-hop and Shakespeare) are elevating the language and challenging our ideas of what language can do.”
sports
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Team fails to beat Napa in a three set shutout By Xavier Johnson scene editor
xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
The volleyball team failed to secure consecutive wins for the fifth time this season after a three set defeat at the hands of Napa Valley College (6-16 overall and 6-7 in the Bay Valley Conference) Friday in Napa. The struggling Comets (5-14 overall and 3-11 in the BVC) traveled to Napa Valley College coming off a home victory against last place Laney STORM College on Wednesday, breaking a four-game losing streak. The opening set turned out to be the most competitive of the game with neither team able to gain the two COMETS point lead needed in order to win the set. With both teams making solid plays, and only giving away points due to errors, the set lasted until the Storm was able to pull away and win the set by a score of 33-31. “The first set was really crazy, but at the end of the set, we were messing up so it was our fault,” Comet outside hitter Victoria Matue said. “I feel like we could have won the set if we cut down on errors.” Freshman libero Delaine Baca said the intensity of the first set was the kind of play that the team thrives on. After the competitive first set, for the third game in a row, the Comets had their worst set of the game in set two. CCC dropped the second set 25-7. In their previous three contests against Laney College and Yuba College, set two was the only set in which the Comets failed to score double-digit points. Coach Christy Tianero said over the course of the season the Comets tend to wilt after playing a quality, hard set. “I kind of had an idea they (CCC) were gonna play bad once they play a really good set,” Tianero said. “The next set is always like, ‘Whatever, we gave it our all, now we’re tired.’ It happens every single time. It’s just what they do,” Middle hitter Makaya Thomas said the team was excited. However, after that excitement left, the team’s level of play went downhill for the second set. The Comets started the set struggling to mount an offense. After falling behind 9-1,Tianero called her first time out of the set to settle her team down. “We didn’t start off strong with serves. A bad start happens and we think that’s just how it needs to be. We lose that mentality to fight really hard,” Baca said. Tianero said rather than receiving errors which has been an issue this season, the second set was marred by hitting and service errors, which isn’t typically the case. After losing the second set, the Comets were able to bounce back to make for a competitive set three. Thomas said during set three they minimized mistakes but couldn’t capture the same energy from the first set. The Comets lost the third set 25-21. Tianero said the Comets need more of a “player’s mentality” to close out games. “After a good set they feel like they need to chill,” she said. Two contests remain in the 2017 campaign for the volleyball squad, with two games scheduled in two days against the top two teams in the BVC. Tonight the Comets face first place Solano Community College (19-5 overall, 14-0 in the BVC) in an away game. The Comets return home Thursday to close out the season against second place Los Medanos College (16-8 overall, 11-3 in the BVC) in the Gymnasium at 6 p.m.
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Comet defender Ashley Portillo (right) battles for possession of the ball against Falcon defender Michaela Napata on Friday at the Soccer Field. DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
Comets thrashed at home by unbeaten conference leaders By Drew Thomas advocate staff
dthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
Despite the dreary weather and a sloppy field, the women’s soccer team (0-8 in the Bay Valley Conference) found a way to complete a game resulting in a 12-0 blowout loss to Solano Community College Friday. The young Comet squad struggled to defend against the Falcon offense in the first half while learning to play in a wet environment. “Solano (10-6 overall and 10-0 in the BVC) used the weather as an advantage and used harder kicks,” Comet coach Manish Doshi said. “It’s our first time playing in the rain and they’re (Falcons) taking longer steps.” The Comets weren’t able to react quickly enough to stop Solano’s power kicks because they’re a new team that still lacks the experience of playing college level soccer. In the first half, CCC couldn’t match the Falcons’ intensity and didn’t look mentally ready to fend off Solano’s attackers. “We were not prepared to play in the rain,” Comet freshman Maxine Avarado said. While the Comets had to juggle playing in bad weather and defending against
Solano’s offense, they still found ways to discover growth out of an unfamiliar situation. Comet defender Shirley Correa said the weather was awesome, created great vibes and felt refreshing. “We got comfortable communicating within the game,” she said. For the majority of the contest, CCC was unable to stop Solano’s offensive onslaught as the Falcons had 22 shot attempts and ended the first half with a 7-0 COMETS advantage. “We had to just keep going mentality,” Avarado said. As the rain subsidFALCONS ed in the second half, the Comets’ motivation increased and the team brought a renewed sense of intensity to the field and to Solano’s defenders. In an attempt to spur his team on, Doshi told his young Comet team to “play with great spirit, work together and pass the ball.” CCC started the second half strong, matching the Falcon’s offense with good defense by controlling Solano’s shot attempts, which the Comets used as fuel for offense.
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“We switched up the way we play defensively and instead put more emphasis into our offense,” Correa said. CCC increased its offensive attack and forced the Falcons to go on the defensive. The team managed two quick scoring attempts early in the second half. The Comet offensive attack was led by Avarado and Alava as they both displayed great teamwork in moving the ball down-field. The pair looked for opportunities to score goals and didn’t let the scoreboard dictate their effort. “When you get down, you just wanna get one back,” coach Doshi said. “It’s small steps, everything things bits, and pieces. We gotta build on it.” CCC’s effort proved not to be enough as Solano got their offensive rhythm back when Falcon player Kaelyn Morimoto scored a goal that was the catalyst for the Falcons offensive run. Comet goalie Yojaira Celso said it feels like our defense needs to improve and we need to get better at communicating. Coach Doshi said this is an improving squad that’s looking is build up their experience. The women’s soccer team is scheduled to play its next game against Los Medanos College Thursday at 3 p.m. in Pittsburg.
Vikings offensive onslaught overpowers Comets Comets fail to capitalize on first quarter lead
By Robert Clinton sports editor
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
Hosting its only night game of the season, the Comet football team (0-8 overall and 0-3 in the National Bay 6 Conference) soared to an early lead in the contest, but were eventually grounded by district rival Diablo Valley College 44-16 Saturday at Comet Stadium. After leading for most of last week’s Homecoming Game against winless De Anza College before falling 15-12, the team hosted the families of its sophomore players for sophomore night and took the field with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose against VIKINGS DVC. From the opening kickoff, it was clear that both teams COMETS recognized this game as an intra-district rivalry. “We don’t quit. We’re going to finish the whole season,” coach Pat Henderson said. “There will be tough times regardless of what you
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do in life or in relationships — you don’t quit, you fight to the end.” Comet sophomore receiver Semaj Mitchell put his team in scoring position with a 24-yard kick return following a Viking safety. Then sophomore Davin Lemon-Rodriguez led a fiveplay, 57-yard drive culminated by a 5-yard Lemon-Rodriguez to Cassius Banks completion for Contra Costa College’s first touchdown of the night. However, for the Comets, a 9-0 first quarter lead and ownership of the contest’s momentum was welcomed — yet extremely short lived. DVC’s running back Miles Harrison took a sweep 80 yards up the Comet sideline to give the Vikings its first score. CCC was prepared for the Viking onslaught and quickly regained the lead just 10 seconds into the second quarter on a 9-yard Lemon-Rodriguez to Mitchell scoring strike to give the Comets a 16-14 advantage. “It takes time. Every play isn’t going to be successful, as long as we are getting better every week,” CCC offensive lineman Malik Davis said. “It’s just about maintaining continuous growth.”
A Viking defender tackles Comet quarterback Davin LemonRodriguez during a scramble on Saturday night at Comet Stadium.
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
After being admonished by coaches on the sideline for not hitting the hole fast enough, Juarez began to inflict damage on Viking defenders forcing would-be tacklers into pairing up to take down the Comet hammer. “I have a habit of jumping into the hole and my coaches saw me hesitate and they told me to be prepared to hit and run right through the contact, and that’s what I did,” Juarez said.
CCC yielded two more scores to DVC in the second quarter, and at the break, the Comets trailed the Vikings 28-16. It was not the pick-six just before halftime that seemed to doom the Comet chances, it was the team’s first possession after the break that eventually sealed its fate. By the second half, many of the fans still in attendance were buried under blankets or embedded inside of tightly-drawn hoods.
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Halloween celebrations entertain
focus Political science major Chris Miller purchases a meal at Brix while wearing a skeleton costume on Oct. 31.
Photos by: Denis Perez, Andrew Weedon For
more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com
The first scare spot of the carnival scream house was a greeting desk manned by a killer clown with a knife in the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 31.
Early childhood education major Mia Inocencio holds her puppy Marty during a Halloween costume contest at Aqua Terra Grill on Oct. 31.
The baseball team held a Halloween costume practice to celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31.