Advocate 8-30

WEDNESDAY l 8.30.17 OUR 68TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

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LEFT: Oakland resident Richard Alvarado raises his fist as a group of anti-Trump counter protesters chant, “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” during the “Say No to Marxism” rally at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley on Sunday.

I want my children to know how important it is to speak up for what is right.” ­— Karl Cousineau, Fremont resident

Protesters, organizers revolt for freedom of speech DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Thousands gather in Berkeley during counter protest against ‘alt-right’ supporters

By Rob Clinton opinion editor

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Violent protests erupted here following a clash between protesters staging a “Rally Against Hate” after a canceled anti-Marxist gathering Sunday in Berkeley.

Masked marchers chanted, “We will avenge Charlottesville,” and physically removed anyone who harbored opposing views and was bold enough to express them.

Two weeks following the deadly “Unite the Right” gathering in Charlottesville Virginia (Aug. 11) that resulted in the death of counter protester Heather Heyer and left 19 others injured, many white nationalist groups planned similar actions in Boston (Aug. 19), San Francisco (Saturday) and Berkeley (Sunday).

Following the capitulation by the National Park Service on Aug. 23, the Saturday “Patriot Prayer” rally in San Francisco was scheduled to be held on Crissy Field, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, before Joey Gibson, founder of the conservative group Patriot Prayer, canceled the event.

Gibson said he feared the police could not provide his group adequate protection.

Upon hearing that the group’s

FOODIES SELECT WINNERS PAGE 4

“I came to show people that all right wingers are not white supremacists. I’m black, so I can’t be a white nationalist.”

Sam Hyde,

Sacramento resident

organizers wanted to hold a press conference to formally announce the cancellation, area residents mobilized and forced the cancellation of the press conference that organizers planned to hold at Alamo Square park in San Francisco.

People of all races and ages came out to show the white supremacists that their views were not welcomed in their community.

The gathering morphed into an impromptu march leading hundreds toward the intersection of 24th and Mission streets.

“I want my children to know how important it is to speak up for what’s right,” Fremont resident Karl Cousineau said. “My children are brown and I just moved here from the South. I know why I’m here. I’m well aware of what’s going on.”

Cousineau is in an interracial marriage and although he is white, his wife and children are black.

Guided pathways gives educational flexibility associate editor

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

PAGE 6

The guided pathways program has been implemented at Contra Costa College to ensure all students are equally supported in swiftly reaching their educational goals.

Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Kelly Schelin said, “What we mean by guided pathways is basically a way of making it uber clear to students what classes they should take and in what order — to help them reach their career and educational goals.”

The program will focus on increasing the number of students who earn a certificate of achievement or degree at a community college.

Schelin said the goal is to have a few programs completed this year and by next month determine which programs will pilot guided pathways.

GUIDED PATHWAYS, PAGE 3

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SEE PROTEST, PAGE 3

TIMELINE Charlottesville: -Violent protests -One dead and many injured -“Unite the Right” gathering

Boston: -Thousands of counter protesters -Canceled “Free Speech Rally” -33 arrests

San Francisco: -Hundreds march -Peaceful protest against “Patriot Prayer”

Berkeley: -Violent clashes between “antifa” and “alt-right” - Over a dozen arrests

CURRICULUM SUPPORTS ACADEMIC SPECIFICITY

By Roxana Amparo

Food, water, cannabis aid homeless

Defeated in San Francisco, the white supremacists took to social media where the groups vowed to regroup in Berkeley the following day.

Self-proclaimed “Alt Knight” Kyle Chapman took to Facebook to rally his brethren for another rally in the Bay Area, this time at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley.

Chapman gained notoriety for fighting counter protesters during a pro-Trump rally March 4, also in Berkeley.

“I’ve repeatedly put my life and freedom on the line,” Chapman posted to his Facebook page. “It’s time to return the favor. I need all warriors to suit up and boot up this weekend.”

MLK Park in Berkeley had a completely different vibe than the event just 24 hours earlier across the bay.

As many as 4,000 people descended on the park, located kitty corner to the Berkeley Police station on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, for the “No to Marxism in America” event that was canceled by event organizer Amber Cummings -- also for safety concerns.

Despite her public plea for her supporters to remain away, roughly 100 conservatives chose to attend the event.

The counter protesters were part of the “Bay Area Rally Against Hate.”

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LOUIS CANO / THE ADVOCATE

EXPERIENCED DEAN CULTIVATES FACILITIES

By Michael Santone associate editor

msantone.advocate@gmail.com

After serving sister school Diablo Valley College for 18 years, Dr. Tish Young brings her experience and dedication for student success to Contra Costa College as the new senior dean of instruction.

Dr. Young was offered the position back in July after former senior dean of instruction Donna Floyd retired in December 2016.

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

“It’s been a great transition,” Young said as she sipped a cup of coffee in her office. “I like change and being involved in conversation. I’m looking forward to helping create some systems and processes that will result in better organizing and more clarity.”

As senior dean of instruction, Young will be involved with preparing course schedules, staffing and learning facility selection.

ABOVE: Senior Dean of Instruction Tish Young joined Contra Costa College in July. Dr. Young’s office is located in the Student and Administration Building.

YOUNG, PAGE 3

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SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

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Quotable “Speech and silence. We feel safer with a madman who talks than with one who cannot open his mouth.”

E.M Cioran, French philosopher, 1969 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 Glenn Acosta Leamsi Amaya Sean Austin Louis Cano Carina Castrillo Maxwell Craig Alondra Gallardo Ryan Geller Tony Gojilde Dan Hardin Gabriel Quiroz 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

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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, AUG. 30, 2017 VOL. 105, NO. 2

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL YOU’RE RIGHT, THAT’S WRONG We should stop trying to rewrite First Amendment

T

he reasons to protect freedom of speech are numerous and practical.

Censorship is exclusively the domain of oppressors. You can’t silence someone if you don’t have power over them, and every ruling class feels justified subduing their moral inferiors, by any means necessary.

The words, “By any means necessary,” makes people picture gas chambers and gulags.

Morally, it does not matter who is being censored. The ethics are the same, and so are the consequences.

George R. R. Martin was right when he said, “When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar; you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”

When a powerful group begins to attack a marginalized group it always makes the “victimized” group looks justified.

And in their minds it gives them license to start to fight back.

Self described “white advocate” and so-called “alt-right” thought leader Jared Taylor said, “The Democrats, the lefties, the black bloc are behaving exactly as we would wish — in ways that will just drive people into our arms.”

There isn’t an exact number of how many supremacists or fascists lash out against leftist ideology. At a Boston rally held earlier their month the number appeared to be zero.

No one asks, “How can you tell they’re Nazis if they’re not permitted to speak?”

Extremists are always a small percentage of the population, but even if they’re only one percent that’s still three million of them in the U.S. Also, extremists are always the loudest voices, so any group containing just a few seems like a horde.

People keep crediting Nazis as the people “antifa” are attacking, which steals the support from any non-extremist right-wing or centrist movement.

The actual Nazis aren’t silenced. They are barely inconvenienced and the hate mobs, personified by “antifa,” have given them an enormous audience.

For the first time in decades, white supremacists and neo-Nazis have an enemy so foul they seem palatable by comparison.

It’s damn embarrassing that our current political climate has made Nazis look like underdogs.

The violent “antifa” thugs are the villains of this historical moment, but that doesn’t mean anyone sane wants their opposites to win either.

Societies built by political extremists suck.

Maybe you don’t care. Our trusted self-appointed moral guardians say the people they’re censoring are Nazis and deserve it.

But what are you going to do when they call you a Nazi? They don’t care about reality, they care about ideological purity. If you aren’t one of them, you are dangerous and to be silenced by any means necessary.

The weapons they test on your enemies today will be used to crush you tomorrow.

The extremist left is declaring anyone who isn’t like them to be “far right Nazis.”

If they murder the political center, there’ll be no one but the extremist left and right.

It shouldn’t get so bad moderate left-wingers are willing to put aside their differences with fascists to fight the greater evil. That was how Nazi Germany happened.

Words are not violence, by definition, and should be countered with better words.

MAYRA GARCIA / THE ADVOCATE

■ MORALITY

Progress stunted by extreme perspectives I n the wake of this month’s events in Charlottesville many government officials and average citizens have made a point to denounce acts of violence spurned by racism and white supremacy.

However, denunciation is a very low bar to meet.

We all saw the repercussions of unchecked, unabashed violence as James Fields Jr. plowed his car through a crowd of sign carrying peaceful counter-protesters killing Heather Heyer and injuring many more in the process.

Sadly, despite years of black people railing about the intermingling of violence, oppression and systemic white supremacy, it took Heyer, a white woman, to die fighting the same flaws in our unjust system for people to lend a sympathetic ear.

Maintaining a successful system of white supremacy means getting rid of one thing — brown people.

Meaning, the American Dream is more of a living nightmare for those of us bold enough to fight back.

Condemning extraordinary acts of white supremacist violence rings hollow, because by definition its rarity makes these atrocities uncommon.

Violence is the iron fist of white supremacy and is no match for the viciousness that comes from governmental strategy, implemented through unjust laws.

Sure, in this incident we see white supremacy as complicit in a murder, but generally it is institutionalized white supremacy that ruins lives every day.

robclinton

If you vote for tough on crime candidates, with total disregard for the disproportionate numbers of black people unjustly in the prison system, you may be complicit in white supremacy.

Whenever you support candidates who work to cut health care or reproductive services to millions of underserved people in hopes of receiving a lower health care premium, you might need to examine your proximity to white supremacy.

If you support removing transgender veterans from the ranks of the military or favor rampant anti-immigration laws that destroy lives and rip families apart, you probably hold white supremacist views.

When shifts in education work to whitewash history and erase the learned culture of hyphenated Americans and it doesn’t bother you at all, you might sympathize with white supremacy.

It’s time for white people to do their part.

Where are the revolutionary white thinkers, the modern versions of the abolitionist John Brown?

Lead your people to the moral high ground. Allow our collective progress to be a product of your sacrifice.

Dare to speak the truth to your friends and family.

It is not the words of our enemies that we will remember throughout all of this­— it is the silence of our so-called “allies.”

These aren’t Southern rebels or local yokels. These are politicians, students and top law enforcement officials who enact race-based policies aimed at slowing racial progress.

In fact, earlier this year in February Trump began Maintaining action to a successful change the Obama era system “Countering of white Violent Extremism,” supremacy program means or CVE, which put violent white getting rid of supremacists one thing, like Dylan Roof under brown its jurisdicpeople. tion as a homegrown terrorist.

One of Trump’s first silent actions was to propose removal of groups like white supremacists from homegrown terror-watch lists. This cozying up to white supremacy is part of the reason “Unite the Right” marchers in Charlottesville felt emboldened enough to leave their hoods at home.

Unlocking your own complicity in systemic white supremacist oppression Robert Clinton is the opinmeans closely examining ion editor for The Advocate. yourself, your privilege and Contact him at rclinton. the interaction between the theadvocate@gmail.com. two.

CAMPUS COMMENT

What made you enroll in classes at Contra Costa College?

“I came here because of my friends, sports and to further my education.”

Cody Tarantino

liberal arts/social behavior

“I was in the culinary academy at Hercules High and chef Nadar helped with the academy so that is why I came here.”

Gregory Seraphin culinary

JESSICA SUICO AND RYAN GELLER /THE ADVOCATE

“My GPA is why I came here.”

Brianna Puckett English

“I am a returning student. I left in 2011.

Now I have three more semesters left until I get my teaching certificate.”

“I want to transfer to a UC so I can be able to support my family.”

Jerome Barquis computer science

“I am finishing up my culinary major (courses).

I want to enhance my abilities in the culinary and restaurant businesses.”

Misha Hardy

early childhood development

Robin Christian culinary

campus beat NEWSLINE n CAREER

WORKSHOP TO HELP GENERATE RESUME Resumé building and writing cover letters will be the focus of the first of six fall semester career services workshops at 2 p.m. today in the Career & Transfer Center in SA-227.

The workshop will help students write a resumé, cover letter and tailor a resumé to an industry.

n MEMORIAL DAY

OAKLAND FESTIVAL HONORS CULTURE The City of Oakland partners with rap group Hieroglyphics for the 6th annual Hiero Day Festival on Monday.

The yearly event celebrates music, art and cultures past and present. Hiero Day will be celebrated at 3rd and Chestnut streets in Oakland.

n COMMUNITY

ADVENTURE CLUB TO HOST FUN OUTING The Outdoor Adventure Club caters to students interested in outdoor activities.

Club meetings are every second Wednesday of the month from 3-4 p.m. at the lawn across Lot 9.

For more information, contact club presidents Julissa Martin at jmartin295@insite.4cd.edu.

n MEETING

CLUB TO SHED LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH The Health and Human Services Club will host its first meeting of the semester on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. in the SA-107.

For more information, contact club President Denise Mills atmillsd2014@gmail.com.

n FESTIVAL

ANNUAL STROLL BRINGS FAMILY FUN The 24th annual El Sobrante Stroll is scheduled for Sept. 17 this year with a parade, marching bands and a car show. The stroll will take place on San Pablo Dam Road from El Portal Drive to Appian Way Gates open for the car show at 9:30 a.m.

CRIMEWATCH Wednesday, Aug. 16: A Gateway to College student reported being harassed by her ex-boyfriend on campus.

A student was caught stealing from the campus Bookstore.

Thursday, Aug. 17: A Gateway to College staff member reported a suspicious circumstance among several students.

Friday, Aug. 18: A student reported her child’s father took her vehicle. The vehicle was returned without prosecution.

Monday, Aug. 21: Officers responded to a report that a vehicle had rolled into two parked vehicles.

A student reported that there were unknown charges placed on their debit card account by someone on campus.

— Anthony Kinney

— 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.

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.30.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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PROTEST | Bay Area protesters clash over rights

Continued from Page 1 Police controlled access to the park and prohibited water bottles, masks, pipes, poles and anything else that could be used as an instrument of terror.

The first three arrests all occurred before noon and were the result of two people wearing bandanas and one person filming with a selfie stick.

Conservatives stood far outnumbered by counter protesters, however, early on they spoke their mind and engaged in debate with anyone who would listen.

Tensions reached their peak when hundreds of masked protesters in black arrived with shields reading no hate. They quickly overran the police line and infiltrated the park, blended with the rest of the people and continued to clear the area of alleged “fascists.”

Fisticuffs were rare, yet intense, and in one case gas was deployed by Berkeley police to disburse a crowd surrounding a conservative being assaulted by a group of counter protesters in the intersection outside of the park.

PHOTOS BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE Tempers rose as quickly as the summer temperatures and debates devolved into dust Portland resident Sean Eougan holds a scarf that reads “No one is illegal” during the ups with 13 people arrested before the protests “Patriot Prayer” counter protest rally at Alamo Park in San Francisco on Saturday. were over, according to Berkeley Police.

LEFT: Like Saturday, people traveled from far Police hold reaches of Northern California to ensure a a line on the front row seat to the epicenter of free speech. west side Sam Hyde, who also answered to Matt, is a of Martin young black Republican who took the train in Luther King from Sacramento.

Jr. Civic Park “I bought a train ticket and then heard the in Berkeley event was canceled but still decided to make where “antithe trip down,” Hyde said. “I came to show fa” showed people that all right wingers are not white up en masse supremacists. I’m black so I can’t be a white during the nationalist. Color doesn’t define me — I’m an “Say No to American.”

Hyde, like many other far-right sympathizMarxism” ers sprinkled throughout the park, was systemrally on atically run from the premises.

Some retreated quickly, others were doused with paint or urine, others were violently removed and some were removed by police for their own protection.

An hour after the masked group’s arrival, they led a contingent of supporters north up Martin Luther King Jr. Way to Ohlone Park where they chanted, shared water and eventually dissolved onto separate streets throughout Berkeley.

GUIDED PATHWAYS | Easing achievement of degree Continued from Page 1 Guided pathways information packets will be given to students for their respective majors so that they know what classes will help them graduate.

If they have a specific career goal, transfer goal or educational goal, it will outline which classes are most likely to help them reach those goals, Schelin said.

Academic Senate President Beth Goehring said each guided pathway has to be appropriate for the students and where they want to transfer.

As part of guided pathways, meta-majors will be created to help students narrow their choice of which education plan best suits their specific goals while at community college.

Goehring said a meta-major is a packet of courses for majors that have a similar focus such as nursing and physician assistant both under the health science meta-major.

“It’s more like we are taking a lot of similar majors and we are grouping them together like clusters and letting people decide what they want to take.”

Regular majors will remain an option for those who decide to continue their educational path without using a guided pathway, but having meta-majors available for students will help start an educational plan as they begin taking

n “They (guided path-

ways) are meant to illuminate the way for students to reach completion of their goals.”

— Dennis Franco, dean of student enrollment services

courses.

Schelin said, “Typically, students who face the most barriers to success are, say, first-generation college students. First-generation college students are less likely to come to college knowing exactly what he or she wants to be because they probably haven’t been having those conversations about what they want to do in college.”

Guided pathways will help prepare students that come from all backgrounds.

“Research shows that students of color, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and first-generation college students take more courses they don’t really need, so by making it clear, guided pathways will help those populations more and the will contribute to having more equitable access to education,” Schelin said.

The Council on Access and Retention (CAR) is a group of college administration and faculty who are helping design the pathways and decide how to implement them at a college.

Goehring said, “We are a twoyear institution, which means students should be completing their degrees in two years, but for a lot of students that just doesn’t happen.”

Based on district research, it takes up to six years for a student to graduate from a community college because often times, while going to community college, students have other responsibilities like tending to their families or work.

CCC’s guided pathways model is similar to The Foundation of California Community Colleges’ California Guided Pathway Project, which selected 20 community colleges in California to design and implement structured academic and career pathways for students by 2019.

Schelin said, “We are looking at the same research as the state Chancellor’s Office and research shows that students are more likely to be successful if it is very clear to them what courses they have to take.”

Dean of Enrollment Dennis Franco said, “They (guided pathways) are meant to illuminate the way for students to reach completion of their goals.”

Franco said guided pathways helps students identify actions they need to take throughout their college experience in order to be successful.

Goehring said, “When you

do a guided pathway, in my vision, you are not only arranging the students two years of work and general Goehring requirements.”

Students will also be able to set up counseling appointments, apply for scholarships and transfer.

As of now, it has yet to be decided if the program will focus on freshmen or if it will be for every CCC student.

“This program is trying to give all the services that are needed to help everybody succeed at the same level,” Goehring said. “The traditional way we’ve done things is we let students come in and then they bounce around with their classes. These guided pathways will help students focus. It is going to have an impact.”

Shelin said at this stage of the planning it is hard to know the budget for the program, but most of the infrastructure counselors and retention specialists necessary for guided pathways are already in place.

Schelin said counselors will be involved in designing the pathways because they know which courses transfer into institutions.

“Funding is not an issue. A lack of funds is not going to hold us back,” Shelin said,

YOUNG | Former DVC professor to build structure Continued from Page 1 “I’m responsible for having successful (class) schedules, which all come through my office,” she said. “I’ve been talking with faculty and staff. It’s synergy with large goals and what the next level looks like.”

Before joining the CCC family, Young worked as a chemistry professor at DVC for 13 years.

She was then promoted to dean of Biological and Health Sciences, Physical Science Division at DVC where she spent five years dealing with the technical and educational side of academics.

DVC biological sciences department Chairperson John Freytag said as an instructor and department dean Young provided excellent support and leadership.

“Knowing her as I did, she was always able to keep students’ success in mind,” he said.

“Contra Costa College is exceptionally lucky to

have Tish because of her experience as a faculty member and with students.”

Young grew up in Pennsylvania where she attended Bucks County Community College and studied chemistry.

She then transferred to Arizona State University where she received a bachelor of science degree and her doctorate in chemistry.

“For me, if it weren’t for community college I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. “I am the first generation and first women (in my family) to graduate from college.”

After college, Young spent some time working in biotechnology at Laney College in Oakland, as well as Berlex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Richmond before it closed.

It was in the sciences that Young found her interest.

“I was very much interested in chemistry and was really good in labs,” she said.

Young said once she began working in the trenches with students they became her pas-

sion and excitement.

“I decided to be a part-time adjunct professor,” she said. “I left my heart for my heart.”

CCC Dean of Enrollment Services Dennis Franco said Young will bring a sharp eye to help make CCC’s schedule work better for students.

“In helping craft the schedule more strategically, hopefully our schedule will work better for students, which in turn will drive an increase in our enrollment,” Franco said. “I think she’ll fit in quite well. She is interested in what is best for students and that is the ethos of CCC.” With differences between CCC and DVC in terms of size, demographics and curriculum, Young said she is still working on adjusting to the changes.

“I have a great background for this job, but it gives me an opportunity to learn and grow,” she said. “I feel like I fit right in, but I’m still observing and listening.”

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 8.30.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts major Marlene Echeveste Torres reacts to Chef Nader Sharkes announcing Fanglish, her team, as the winner of the Taste of Italy competition in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

Team cook-off features Italian flavors, cuisine

By Drew Thomas advocate staff

dthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

Team Fanglish won first place in Contra Costa College’s Taste of Italy Iron Chef competition for its chicken vegetable cannelloni with ranch and a bacon garnish at the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

The competition showcases cooking skills of aspiring culinary chefs. The winning team won prizes that include gift cards and drinking glasses — enough to share among each other.

The students were able to pick their team name and decide the entree that best suits the Italian theme event.

The team members included Marlene Echeveste Torres, Andrew Maynard, Michelle Media, Enrique Espinoza and Michelle Bynum.

The team name (Fanglish) symbolizes the Spanish, Filipino, and English cultures.

Echeveste Torres said the dish started off as a failure, but the team’s dedication turned the setback into a win.

Culinary major Enrique Espinoza said,

n “The event teaches chefs

about timing, preparation and how to work with other culinary chefs.”

—Nader Sharkes, culinary department chairperson

“Competition doesn’t matter as long as the customer is happy.”

People paid $5 at the door to sample the entrees. After finishing their meal, event attendees voted for their favorite dish, dropping a ticket in a cup next to a team’s dish.

Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said, “The event teaches chefs about timing, preparation and how to work with other culinary chefs.”

According to culinary arts instructor Elizabeth Schwartz, the success of the event exceeded expectations, taught chefs how to prioritize and gave students a better understanding of what people want.

She said the culinary students made an

incredible effort to work with a new team and execute a delicious dish.

Familiar faces filled the restaurant including former West Contra Costa Unified School District employee Linda Sharkes Jackson who shared her favorite dish. Jackson said she voted for the chicken cacciatore because of the flavorful savory cream sauce prepared by team Baps.

Aspiring chef Elizabeth Rozzo didn’t compete in the competition, but that didn’t stop her grandfather from showing his support.

Her grandfather, Wayne LeBlance’s favorite dish was the fettuccine that consisted of mushrooms and sausage made by team Baps.

He said the experience is great for the chefs to build their skills in the cooking business.

SparkPoint Coordinator Bill Bankhead placed his vote for a chicken caprese with

garlic mash potatoes made by team Wolfpack.

He said the chicken was well done, mush- n Team Fanglish rooms were delicious, won the Taste and the glaze was the of Italy Iron Chef perfect counterpart. competition on Team Cheesy Bite Thursday. prepared various dishes for people to taste, such n Its dish of as the smoked Italian chicken vegetable pork, spicy Italian ham cannelloni with and cheese cup and the ranch and bacon spicy Italian cheese cup. won first place.

Another group, We n Five teams, Dem Boys, prepared a each comprised lemon vinaigrette salad, of culinary arts arugula salad with majors, competed. yogurt dressing and n There was a Italian pork kabobs with $5 entry fee for Garlic Sauce, which gave public. people a mix of different dishes to judge.

Team Nutri-Bullies dish was a funghi risotto and pesto ricotta calzones with their version of tomato sauce.

in brief

FOUNDATION TO FURNISH ONE-TIME SCHOLARSHIPS

By Andrew Weedon advocate staff

aweedon.theadvocate@gmail.com

An emergency fund, intended for students in need of immediate financial assistance, has recently become available with the help of the Contra Costa College Foundation.

The Wrap-around Fund, which went live Aug. 22, works by using money donated to the CCC Foundation to provide a one-time scholarship of up to $500.

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez,said the fund is intended to wrap around existing financial aid, like scholarships and loans and fill the gaps left by those options.

This money can be used for anything from books, living expenses and even unexpected life events.

While the Foundation doesn’t require students to pay back any of the money, they do ask that they write a thank you letter

“It will be a good safety net for those who really need help.”

Chris Miller, undecided major

and tell how this fund has helped them as a student.

The college lacked this type of program until now, contributing to a higher number of students dropping out due to financial reasons.

Qualifying students must be enrolled in at least 6 units and have a faculty member to vouch for their need.

After meeting these minimal requirements, the student will be invited to fill out a very short application online.

The application, said to take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, asks the students some basic questions as well as a reason for requesting the money.

With this information, the Financial Aid

Office will then decide the student’s eligibility for the scholarship.

Students accepted by the fund will receive a check in the requested amount in seven to 10 business days.

Foundation Development Officer Sara Marcellino said she has been working since last year with other college staff to get this program started.

With such a program available, there is of course a concern that students could take advantage of it.

That is where the application comes in.

With the application asking students why they want this money, the Financial Aid Office will be able to deny those who intend to abuse the system.

Much of the work that has been done in the last year is perfecting the application screening process to prevent such abuse.

“It will be a good safety net for those who really need help,” Chris Miller, undecided major, said. “It will be helpful if it is well controlled by a gatekeeper.”

While the fund is available to any student at any time of the year, it will only be available if the CCC Foundation can continue to provide money from donations.

Rodriguez This shouldn’t be a problem because the Foundation already supports a large amount of scholarships.

Despite creation of the program, Marcellino says that regular scholarships are still the main focus of the Foundation.

Since this is such a new program, there are no stats on how it is helping students, however, Marcellino expects it to help many students with financial difficulties.

While no applications have been filed, it is expected that there will be a surge in the number of applications at the beginning of the semester before leveling out as the program continues.

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT CHANGES HOURS FOR ACCESSIBILITY

By Jessica Suico advocate staff

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Counseling Center has changed its hours of operation. It will open every weekday at 8 a.m. and close on Mondays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Counselors will usually stop taking students 30 minutes before closing.

Previously, the center’s hours of operation were 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

Dean of Enrollment Services Dennis Franco said, “The reason for the change in hours is to help make it less confusing for students and make it easier for them to get help and get things done.”

Franco said that toward the end of the spring semester, there was an internal discussion between faculty members about making new hours for counseling services. The change was announced in an email to staff and students the first week of school, Franco said.

Liberal arts major Janet Polk said, “I don’t like the hours they have right now because they are not convenient for me.”

Polk said she wants to see a change in hours and she would like the Disabled Students and Programs and Services (DSPS) and the Counseling Department to open earlier and stay open later. “I wish the wait to see a counselor wasn’t so long. I do wish to see some change with that too. It would be very helpful,” Polk said.

“If the Student Services Center departments could stay

open as long as the Library — that would make more sense.”

Early childhood development major Roxana Quintanilla said, “The hours now don’t bother me because the time I have classes everything is open, but for students that are either on campus really early or late, I could see how it could be inconvenient.”

Kinesiology major LJ Salvador said, “I didn’t even know they were changing the hours. Did they make an announcement or post something on the website?”

Salvador said, “I was never confused with the previous hours, they were just inconvenient.”

This change of hours sounds like a good idea and seems things will start being more convenient in the SSC, Salvador said.

campus beat

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5

PATH TO GREENER LIVING ON CAMPUS Recycling bins create eco-friendly environment

By Jessica Suico advocate staff

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

TONY GOJILDE / THE ADVOCATE

Kinesiology major Antonio Scott receives a financial aid informational handout from a booth worker during the bi-annual Financial Aid Awareness Day on Aug. 23.

Awareness day offers recommendations, aid

By Glenn Acosta advocate staff

gacosta.theadvocate@gmail.com

The 3rd annual Financial Aid Awareness Day event was held on Aug. 23 in the Campus Center Plaza.

Each semester, Contra Costa College holds this event to provide students with more information about their financial aid options.

Also, it is used as a tool for students enrolling late to get the chance to sign up for clubs and social groups on campus.

Each semester, the CCC staff comes up with ways to appeal to students by listening to the feedback given from the students that participated in prior events.

Student Services and Instructional Support Coordinator Charles Ramirez, who headed the event for this semester, said students wanted to see job opportunities.

In the past, this event has been successful in getting 46 percent of students qualified for financial aid.

The goal is to increase 5 percent during the

enrollment period each semester, Financial Aid Assistant Patricia Herrera said.

The campus was visited by a number of external partners and recruiters like CalFresh, Bank Of America and Securitas.

All were on campus with the same interest in mind, to provide financial opportunities for students.

Britnee Valentine, the financial center operations manager at Bank of America at Hilltop-Richmond said setting up a student account with BOA is completely free until the person reaches the age of 24.

This means a student does not have to maintain an account minimum.

CCC’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) department was one of the booths set up outside as well.

The EOPS program has been around since 1976 helping students.

EOPS provides students who qualify for financial assistance to buy books, parking passes.

EOPS can assist students in transitioning into the heavy financial demand of college.

At CCC, students can register for the online Job Board.

For more information, students can visit collegecentral.com/contracosta to see all listings and apply.

They should ask about campus positions that may be available.

If students want a job but don’t know where to start or who to talk to, they can contact Natasha DeAlmeida, the Career Service coordinator, located in SA-207.

Her team can assist students by providing services like resume/cover letter reviews, interview practice, career workshops and more.

Students really enjoyed this event.

It gave them a place in between classes to hang out and find out what is going on around campus.

The event aimed to help students take advantage of the services offered on campus.

Students were able to collect pens, fliers and other sources of information from the event.

Plot blooms, produces healthy options

Wholesome variety grows through culinary arts’ self-sustainable garden

By Dan Hardin advocate staff

dhardin.theadvocate@gmail.com

The garden maintained by the culinary arts department and volunteers exemplifies the self-sustainability that the department emphasizes.

Culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said he gets help from Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King, student volunteers and culinary arts students.

The garden produces vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumber, jalapeños, squash, peas, cabbage, onions, corn, carrots, collards and habaneros.

There are also herbs like basil, thyme, mint and oregano, and apple, pear and plum trees.

All of the garden options provide a healthy bounty Sharkes for Pronto and the Aqua Terra Grill.

The fruits and vegetables are used to prepare food to serve to Contra Costa College students.

The Culinary Garden is northeast of the old Three Seasons Restaurant near the Applied Arts Building, nestled on a hillside that borders Campus Drive and occupies approximately forty-five hundred square feet of land.

The garden has been terraced off into four sections, one above the other

n “The food the garden produces is picked, consumed and any waste is returned to the garden through composting.”

— Debby Fisher, culinary arts major

with two sets of wooden stairs, resembling railroad ties, between them.

Sharkes said since he started the garden seven years ago in 2010 it has grown in size.

He said he plans to continue developing the garden despite it being much further from Aqua Terra than it was from the Three Seasons Restaurant.

Fisher said, “The food the garden produces is picked, consumed and any waste is returned to the garden through composting.”

The waste food is mixed with manure and other decomposing matter to be used as fertilizer and to condition the soil at the garden, making the garden’s work an ecologically friendly cycle.

King said his department distributes the tools to the volunteers, but the garden is the product of Sharkes’ vision and foresight.

King and his staff are also responsiDENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE ble for maintaining the irrigation drip A Hass avocado tree is planted in the Culinary system that distributes water into the Culinary Garden with minimum waste. Garden. The garden also includes other fruits like apples, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The garden has been growing ever since its creation in 2010.

The Sustainability Committee, Richmond Sanitary Service and Republic Services West County Recycling Center are collaborating with Buildings and Grounds to have more recycling bins around campus.

Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, “The Sustainability Committee installed recycling bins in the cafeteria this week. There have been more bins purchased, so there will be 50 gallon recycling bins outside every building on campus.”

There is not a problem with people leaving their trash or recycling laying around on campus, but the issue is trash and recycling gets mixed together because people throw recycling in the trash King said.

R e p u b l i c King Services West County Recycling Center works with more than 100 mills and manufactures, recycling materials to become new products and saving valuable natural resources.

Gateway to College student Kaylin Andrews said, “There aren’t enough recycling bins on campus. I’ve only seen one and that is by Admissions and Records. If there are more I don’t see them.”

Andrews said there should be more bins around campus, maybe more people would start recycling if there was better access to recycling bins According to Republic Services, recycling is a vital process for turning used materials into new products and diverting waste from final disposal options that prevent further recovery or reuse.

Andrews said, “I sometimes throw away recycling in the garbage when there is no recycling bin close by but I try not to do it.”

King said, “There are 30 recycling bins lined up behind the AA Building ready to move. The Sustainability Committee’s meeting next Thursday will cover where the bins will be placed.”

Richmond Sanitary Service will be giving every class on campus a recycling bin, King said.

Gateway to College student Jacqueline Chavez said, “I throw my recycling in the garbage all the time, but if there were recycling bins next to all the garbage cans I would probably use them.”

“We would have a cleaner campus if there were more recycling bins on campus,” Chavez said.

According to www.republicservices.com there are more than 60 recycling centers nationwide, 100 plus partnerships and 200 pounds of recycling processed per second.

Chavez said, “Maybe enforcing recycling on campus may help with people who don’t recycle to start.”

“Signs could be helpful but people still may not pay attention to them so, I don’t think they will help,” Andrews said.

King said the main goal the Sustainability Committee, Building and Grounds, and custodians have is to be proactive with this situation.

“Recycling makes a difference because it’s a good example for citizens, the school, and community, we should all recycle to better our environment,” King said.

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spotlight

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Founders

“They want to live off the grid and away from society. It really gives you a different perspective on life.”

“It’s really about feeding these people. That comes first. As long as we keep feeding, the cannabis isn’t important.”

Kevin Del Rosario,

Miguel Domine,

business major

kinesiology

DENIS PEREZ THE ADVOCATE

Berkeley resident Rebecca Fisher exhales after smoking a cannabis pre-rolled joint from the Munchie Movement while holding her dog under the University Avenue exit in Berkeley on Friday.

Group provides care, generosity

Munchie Movement aids homeless with cannabis DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Miguel Domine (left), Francis Chua (middle) and Kevin Del Rosario (right) prepare grilled cheese sandwiches.

Preparation The Munchie Movement check list: Pre-roll cannabis joints of OG Kush shake n Prepare over 50 grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips n Gather two cases of water bottles, pears and apples n

Process BELOW: With the remaining food and water, Munchie Movement volunteers head to People’s Park in Berkeley.

ABOVE: Munchie Movement volunteers began their decent into the homeless tent community along the University Avenue bridge exit Friday.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Kevin Del Rosario (left) and Miguel Domine (right) walk into a homeless tent community at University Avenue in Berkeley on Friday.

End goal

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Ras, who wouldn’t give his last name, eats a grilled cheese sandwich provided by Munchie Movement volunteers at People’s Park in Berkeley on Friday.

Munchie Movement members head out to the University Avenue bridge exit where a community of homeless live under the bustling Interstate 80 freeway.

Before entering the dirt and dust of the tent community, Domine announces the Munchie Movement’s

By Michael Santone presence. associate editor “We have food and water,” Domine says as tent msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com doors slowly slide open and heads and arms poke out Within society there are stigmas attached to the into the sunshine. misconception of the daily lives of the homeless “It was $7 for four loaves of bread and cheese,” community.

Domine said while handing out the foil wrapped From the subconscious judgment created when sandwiches to those who trust enough to accept. “The faced with a plea scribbled on an old piece of card- giving part is different when you see these people out board, to the disconnected notion of erect tent cities here starving.” scattered along the sides of freeway exits.

Anyone could go out and do it, he says. “It’s a serBut for two Contra Costa College students, their vice to our brothers and sisters.”

Thirty-four-year-old Josh “Tater-Tot” Doherty’s disposition toward the homeless goes beyond that of stigmatic judgment and into acts that provide heal- tent sits in the middle of what seems like a desert of ing for a despondent community which seems to be empty food containers, old kitchen appliances and boxes of clothes. sliding deeper into the shadows.

“Door-to-door magazine sales brought me out here The Munchie Movement, founded in February by business major Kevin Del Rosario and kinesiol- from Texas eight years ago,” he says. “I stay out here ogy major Miguel Domine, is a self-funded move- because I don’t want to be miserable and live a life that ment which supplies food, water and pre-rolled society wants me to.”

Doherty says there aren’t requirements to his life cannabis to homeless communities across the San and the freedoms are what make him most happy.

Francisco Bay Area.

“It’s awesome that they (Munchie Movement) come “We started in the spring semester and would go out after class and feed the homeless,” Domine said out and brought all this stuff, man,” Doherty says as he as he placed a piece of yellow cheese between two takes the final puff of his pre-roll. “Normally I sit here pieces of white bread and squeezed it between five with my sign that says ‘Mama tried’.”

As Munchie Movement volunteers continue farther other sandwiches on the grill. under the bridge, the homeless community seems to “We were on fire,” he said.

Domine said the cannabis pre-rolls come second- be warming up to its visitors.

“Sometimes it’s by choice that they live this way,” ary to the food and water they hand out.

“The marijuana helps the homeless with insom- Del Rosario says while he carries the box of apples and nia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from pears to the next set of tents.

“They want to live off the grid and away from socisleeping outside under harsh conditions,” Domine ety,” he says. “It really gives you a different perspective said.

“It’s really about feeding these people. That on life.”

Once the volcomes first. As long unteers get into the as we keep feeding, center of the tent the cannabis isn’t community, the important.” energy and gratitude The idea for the can be felt among all movement was conwho have made the ceived during a CCC University Avenue statistics class with bridge exit their professor John Hsu. home.

Both Del Rosario Fiona Rothschild, and Domine had who has been on the experience volunstreets since she was teering for the home14, is now 64 years less in the past and old and has moved their energies met from city-to-city with a like-minded around the Bay Area. thought.

When she spots “We want to the group of voladdress issues with unteers, she almost our government stumbles as she when it comes to DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE homelessness,” Del Berkeley resident Alen Malik smokes a pre-rolled joint of sprints toward the Rosario said, while OG Kush shake cannabis from the Munchie Movement in grilled cheese sandwiches and water. sorting out fruit People’s Park in Berkeley on Aug. 25.

“It feels wonderand chips into sepful because I haven’t eaten in two days,” she says. “With arate boxes.

“With the cost of living going up, anyone could having this food, it means I don’t have to starve.”

As the afternoon sun begins to slip lower into the be homeless. We want to get millennials involved,” sky, those who have already received a sandwich and Del Rosario said.

So far Munchie Movement volunteers have gone pre-roll are coming back for seconds.

“When they ask for seconds for their friends or sigout over 30 times, as they try to go out every week to nificant others, I know that chances are it’s for them,” serve homeless communities.

They have served homeless communities on Fish Del Rosario said. “But for the most part we give them Street in San Francisco, People’s Park in Berkeley, another sandwich or water because we don’t want to and the “tent town” under the University Avenue pass judgments” Former Crockett resident Tina Carlson, 51, says it’s bridge exit in Berkeley, where they will be heading refreshing to be thought about and not just pointed at for their next mission.

Del Rosario said, “Within the five to six months and called names. “It’s a surprise, but it feels amazing the Munchie Movement has gone out, we have given to know that people actually care about us,” she says as (away) 374 sandwiches, 434 water bottles and 162 she and her dog Buddy greet members of the Munchie Movement. pre-rolls.”

“Over the years I’ve worked at trying to get back on The movement also provides dog food and treats my feet and find a job, but with not having a permafor pets of the homeless.

“Many of these people have dogs and refuse to nent place to shower and sleep, it gets very difficult,” leave them for a shelter. They would much rather Carlson says.

Carlson, who seems more than thankful, has tears sleep with their dogs outside,” Del Rosario said.

As of now, everything is bought between Del forming in her eyes. “I just can’t leave my dog I’ve had Rosario and Domine, but work is being done in for over three years to go to one of these shelters,” she hopes of becoming a non-profit and receiving dona- says. “If anything, I will go out with my sign and make about $20 to $25.” tions.

Taking the last couple of sandwiches and waters, “We were blessed to be (given) four boxes of chips and bread from the Emeryville Citizen Assistant the Munchie Movement volunteers head up the hill Program,” Del Rosario said. “Once we file the 503 to hand them out at Berkeley’s People’s Park near UC 1C and become a nonprofit we will have larger feeds Berkeley.

“The hardest part is when we run out food,” Del with better food.”

With everything packed and ready to go, the Rosario says. “We don’t have enough for everyone.”

sports

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Comets draw in opener

7

By Efrain Valdez

social media editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Revamped offense fails to convert its chances

The men’s soccer team (0-0-1) opened its season Friday on the Soccer Field and played to a goalless draw against Evergreen Valley College (0-01).

The game was highlighted by a Comet offense that played a fluid, fastpaced game but could not convert some clear opportunities.

“This was a game we should have won. We had a ton of opportunities we weren’t able to put them away. The longer the game went, the more confident the opponents became,” CCC coach Nikki Ferguson said.

Comet forward James Sibrian said, “We missed many opportunities. Some of those misses were unlucky and we have to be able to keep our composure in front of goal.”

The Comets were especially aggressive in the final third of the field during the first half, but having so many numbers up left the team vulnerable in the back.

“We had most of our chances in the last 15, 20 minutes as they pushed on,” Hawks coach Simon Cook said. “I. for sure, think they (the Comets) were the aggressors. They had more shots on goal, and we expected that. We are a fairly new team.”

Cook said that CCC pushed on more than they did but that his team was happy to sit back and go away with the draw and the clean sheet.

The Hawks did sit back for most of HAWKS the game because of the Comets’ constant pressure and only attacked when they felt comfortable enough COMETS to push a quick counter attack.

Ferguson said as the game went on CCC was stretched as a team, which left a lot of open spaces.

Comet midfielder Juvenal Pena said that the team played well in the first half because they were able to keep possession and creating chances up front.

“In the second half we got tired as

0 0

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Evergreen Valley College center Edson Mendoza dribbles past Comet captain Juvenal Pena during a home soccer game on the Soccer Field Friday.

n “We missed many oppor-

tunities, some of those misses were unlucky.

— James Sibrian, Comet forward

a team. When a team gets tired the play goes down (in quality), so we were playing wild instead of trying to control the ball,” he said.

In the final 20 minutes of the game the teams traded counter attacks but fatigue played a big factor when the teams were in transition and in front of goal.

“We connected passes and we possessed the ball well and created some chances, but, at the end of the day, we didn’t get the ball in the back of the net,” Ferguson said.

“Coach (Ferguson) has allowed us the freedom on the attacking end to be creative,” Sibrian said. CCC constantly had the wing backs running up the sideline getting involved in the attack, which led to the center backs being left alone at times.

“I think we have to improve in that area (defense), I mean I thought we had our moments when we did OK on that side,” Ferguson said. “We have to do a better job of compacting spaces and picking up players in punts and in the air.”

The Comets lost most of the 50/50 balls in the second half which shows the high physical intensity of the game in the first half.

Ferguson said that the team will have to improve its defense because some of the mistakes it committed during the game against EVC will cost it against more offensive teams.

“We just plan on getting back on the field and keep practicing to improve,” Pena said.

Putting the ball in the back of the net and tightening up the defense will be the focus of the next few training sessions for the team.

Sibrian said that the team has to get at it harder to so they can accomplish what they expect to do on the field next time. CCC will try to continue its 10-game regular season unbeaten streak from last year. The last game the Comets lost in non-postseason play was on Sept. 30, 2016, a 2-1 loss against Mendocino College.

The defending Bay Valley Conference champions tried to get their first goal and victory of the season against San Joaquin Delta College on Tuesday after press time.

Friday the Comets will host Santa Rosa Junior College at 4 p.m.

CHEER SQUAD HOLDS TRYOUTS TO BRING ENTHUSIASM

By Rob Clinton sports editor

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After about a decade without a cheer team, tryouts are underway in the athletic department to bring spirit to Comet sporting events and give students another competitive outlet at the college.

Contra Costa College lags behind sister colleges Diablo Valley and Los Medanos, which already have squads that support their teams.

Tryouts are being held in the dance studio in GA-10 from 4-6 p.m. until Aug. 31.

The squad isn’t only open to women and students who fall under all gender preferences are invited to join.

Athletic Administrative Secretary Leketa Lambert said, “Student Life Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks and Athletic Director John Wade felt we were in need of more spir-

“We needed a cheer team because sometimes the games can be kind of dead. It’s not just sports. It’s about getting people motivated on campus.”

Imani Pruitt

African-American studies major

it — a way to make things exciting so more people will want to come to the games.”

She said there are 10 people (so far) who want to participate, but the tryout process is still ongoing.

Lambert said she got involved with Comet cheer because they needed someone to help get the project off the ground.

“I used to cheer back in the days,” she said.

Nickelson-Shanks said, “When students come in with a need, I try to make sure those needs are addressed.”

With Wade, Nickelson-Shanks, Lambert and cheerleading team adviser Maryam Lucia Attai all on board, it seems the vision may be coming to fruition.

Even though participation rates for women’s sports have waned at CCC and in the Bay Valley Conference in general, the cheer team is not slated to be a replacement for any of the women’s sports already on campus.

“We needed a cheer team because sometimes the games can be kind of dead. It’s not just sports. It’s about getting people motivated on campus,” African-American studies major Imani Pruitt said. Events on campus or messages exclusively from adults makes things feel boring, she said.

Sociology major Josiah White has been with the team since the first day of practice.

White said he has dancing experience dating back to his youth.

“I helped start the team to help motivate the fans and our sports teams,” White said. “I’m Nickelsonnot worried about performing in front of Shanks crowds.”

With the team slated to practice four days per week at two hours per session, the activity will take up more time than many of the classes that the students have on their fall class schedules.

“I’ve always wanted to cheer since I was younger,” African-American studies major Kamarianna Thomas-Jefferson said.

“It will get me in better shape. Dancing gives me an escape so cheering and dancing can help put my mind on a better plane.”

Team searches for identity

By Drew Thomas advocate staff

dthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

TONY GOJILDE/ THE ADVOCATE

A Comet running back heads down field during a scrimmage against Los Medanos College on Aug. 23 at Comet Stadium.

The Comet football team saw its first live action of the season with a new coach, a freshman-heavy roster and a hunger to avenge is disappointing first season in the National Bay 6 Conference.

Entering the Aug. 23 scrimmage against Los Medanos College, many players knew they would get the opportunity to earn playing time in front of first-year coach Pat Henderson.

“I’m very pleased with the team’s effort and I’m impressed with how the team is buying into the program,” Henderson said.

“They were showing teamwork and I feel anytime you have things you can learn from it’s a good situation.”

Henderson said all his players are underdogs which gives them more fuel and allows them to play with a collective chip on their shoulder.

The Mustangs offense gained yards against Contra Costa College, but communication between Comet coaches and players showed on the field, especially when the Comets needed defensive stops.

In the scrimmage, play was largely scripted and, because of the

format, neither team was able to develop any rhythm or continuity.

So it was important for each player to maximize their effort on every play.

First-year player Aaron Taylor said the scrimmage was a learning experience that brought the team closer together.

Freshman quarterbacks Rudy Norwood and Davin Lemon Rodriguez are still competing for the starting job.

Both players started off kind of jittery, but after running more plays, each player began getting into his respective groove.

Last year the Comets didn’t have a kicker until late in the season, which may have changed the outcome of some games. This season, Comet kicker Alex Galvan has been proficient. His presence alone could make a difference in this program’s culture moving forward.

This game was a great way to display the team’s talents, but unfortunately, an ankle injury to Comet defensive player Tyell Bell effectively ended his season before it actually began.

Both teams showed respect for Bell by taking a knee when he was stabilized and taken off of the field.

The injury galvanized the team and fortified the budding camaraderie binding the players together.

First-year Comet Steven

Harvey Jr. did “I’m very not reveal his personal goals, pleased but more of the with the collective goals team’s of the team.

“The team’s effort goal is to make the playoffs, and I’m win the Bay 6 impressed Conference and to win together,” with how Harvey said. the team is C o a c h buying into Henderson and the coaching the staff preach the program.” ideals of elevating your fellow — Pat teammates and Henderson, to develop a to coach dominate mentality that players apply on the field and in life.

This season hasn’t just brought the team new players, but also new coaches to help make adjustments for the young team.

Coach Henderson brought in NaDerris Ward, a former University of Georgia and University of Oregon football standout, who is bringing the team a new culture as he easily relates to the players.

The coaches are re-emphasizing the importance of the team actually believing in each other.

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focus

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RIGHT: A protester (right), who refused to give his name, yells at “Say No To Marxism” rally organizer Juan Cadavid (left), denouncing the idea that black people are less intelligent than white people during a rally at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley on Sunday.

Political Exchange Photos by: Denis Perez For

more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com

RIGHT: Hooded and masked “antifa” protesters arrive en masse at the “Say No to Marxism” at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley on Sunday.

Their task was to provide security for progressive counter protesters against the few members of far right groups in attendance.

Compton resident Esperanza Lopez (right), with tears in her eyes, screams “Nazis go home” at a group of Trump supporters, including a woman (left), during the “Say No to Marxism” rally in Berkeley on Sunday.

RIGHT: A man wearing a Knights Templar shirt is detained

by Berkeley police after yelling insults at an antiTrump protester at a rally in Berkeley on Sunday.

Knights Templar is a far right Christian organization.

A Berkeley police officer, carrying a type of non-lethal riot gun, screams at people to disperse after they gathered for a confrontation between “antifa” counter protesters and a Trump supporter during the “Say No to Marxism Rally” at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley on Sunday.