The Advocate 4-17

WEDNESDAY l 4.17.19 OUR 69TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Student trustee candidates announced

By Denis Perez

creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

At the state level of the community college system, the voices of Contra Costa College students can become muted by politics, indifference or simply because of a lack of communication by administrators.

The opportunity to serve as student trustee on the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board delivers power to enact direct, positive change in the lives of students in this district and statewide.

Every year, the role of student trustee is rotated between students from Contra Costa College, Los Medanos College or Diablo Valley College.

This year, CCC will be electing one of its own as the District Student Trustee.

CCC Muslim Student Association President Hasna Alawdi and speech team member Shreejal Luitel are the candidates who applied for the student trustee position.

Villalobos Voting will occur online on the InSite Current Portal website at 4cd.edu from May 13-15 student on the district website CCC Outreach trustee Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks said.

The candidates will have to do their own campaigning and cannot be assisted by the Student Life Office, he said.

The Student Life Office and the district will work together to have information on the candidates placed on the website and easy access to the voting site, he said.

Shreejal Luitel,

Speech team member Hopes to start his term by addressing two questions once elected to the district’s student trustee position.

The first is how can the district measurably maximize its investments in academic programs. The second is how can the three district’s campus departments merge their resources to breed applied learning throughout the district.

Hasna Alawdi,

Muslim Student Association president

She hopes to bring a voice to underrepresented students and raise concerns these communities have at the district and state levels.

Her experience at Contra Costa College has given her a desire to represent her fellow students, not only from her campus, but also from CCC’s sister colleges as well.

She has visited all three campuses during her time enrolled at CCC.

INFOGRAPH BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

SEE STUDENT TRUSTEE, PAGE 3

ASU shuffles positions Board to meet, discuss upcoming shift in student leadership

By Cindy Pantoja

n “I’m running for ASU president because

opinion editor

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Associated Student Union (ASU) is rearranging its board while it gets ready for its next election where students at Contra Costa College will be able to select student representatives.

The ASU is the student government that represents the interests of students at CCC. Currently, no date has been set for campus elections this semester.

The ASU funds student-based projects, and also organizes free events on campus.

Student Life Coordinator Charles Ramirez said the current ASU Board has a diverse group of college, Middle College High School and Gateway to College students.

“We have a lot more college students on the board.

People who’ve been involved in clubs. They were organizing activities on campus before they Ramirez even thought about (joining the) ASU. They know a little bit about how the campus works,” Ramirez said.

Section 7.01 (B) of the ASU Bylaws states that a General Election shall be held in the ninth week of the spring semester. Candidacies must be submitted on or before the sixth week of the spring semester.

Upon requesting further information about the 2019 election process, ASU President Rebecca Her nande z was not avail- ILLUSTRATION BY JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE able for comment.

Generally, there are five executive positions required to be up for election every year. President, executive vice president, president of clubs, secretary and treasurer are

STEREOTYPES INSPIRE PLAY, DRIVE HUMOR

I can relate and represent both the high school and college populations on campus.

— Preston Akubuo-Onwuemeka, director of public relations

the available seats.

“This board probably has the best relationship with the administration that we’ve had,” Ramirez said. “As an adviser, you have a great relationship with the administration, but students sometimes get lost in the process.

“As far as knowing and having those conversations with managers and deans, this is probably the most involved (ASU Board) I’ve ever seen.”

The bylaws also list all the requirements of an ASU Board member, unless overridden by the ASU Constitution or ASU Bylaws.

Executive senators must have a GPA of 2.0 or better and cannot hold more than one ASU executive position. Also, they are restricted from serving as president of any campus club.

Senators vying for executive positions must have held elected office for one year.

Candidates must go through the petition process before the General Election and have been nominated by a member of the ASU Board.

ASU Director of Public Relations Preston AkubuoOnwuemeka was nominated by Aaron Watson for the ASU presidency during an ASU meeting on March 19.

Akubuo-Onwuemeka said he wants to continue the work that ASU has done so far.

He wants CCC to feel like a second home for students, not just us a place where students complete their classes.

“I’m running for ASU president because I can relate and represent both the high school and college population on the campus,” he said. “Within the two and a half years I’ve been on the board, I’ve observed that our past and current, ASU presidents have done a phenomenal job in governing the Associated Student Union of Contra Costa SEE ASU ELECTION, PAGE 3

PAGE 4

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

POLICE SERVICES MOVES INTO NEW HOME

Transition finalized after fire panel fixed

By Daniel Hernandez advocate staff

dhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

After decades of doing work from a portable and months of construction and delays, Police Services finally moved into the new Campus Safety Center this past Friday.

Police Services staff were on schedule to move over spring break (April 1-5) with the building still powered by a temporary generator. However, the fire equipment that was expected to be installed delayed the moving date once more.

Police Lt. Thomas Holt said, “The people who are installing the fire alarm system did not get it finished in time, so we had to reschedule the move.”

Holt The move could not be completed without the fire alarm control panel in place.

He said while Siemens, the company contracted to install the equipment, finished its portion of the project, services were not completely operational.

Monitoring the fire alarms and the Public Safety Assistance buttons are crucial components the Police Services had to have in place when they settled in to SEE POLICE SERVICES, PAGE 3

CLUB RUSH OFFERS GAMES, INFORMATION

ENGINEERS PRESENT RESEARCH

PAGE 6

FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

Applicants for Student Trustee

PAGE 8

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

2

Quotable “If it’s big and struts through the door, hit it hard.”

Tom Darcy editorial cartoonist 2000 Michael Santone editor-in-chief Robert Clinton associate editor Xavier Johnson web editor Denis Perez creative director Cindy Pantoja opinion editor Jessica Suico Gabriel Quiroz news editors Jose Arebalo scene editor Efrain Valdez Joel Umanzor sports editors Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Issac Benavides Fatima Carrasco Luis Cortes Nijzel Dotson Kyle Grant Daniel Hernandez Janet Lira Gonzalez Luis Lopez De’Jon Sylvain Marshique West Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 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, 2018, 2019 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: accent.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 17, 2019 VOL. 108, NO. 18

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL

LEADING THE CHARGE

Student-led political landscape sees lack of energy, participation

M

odern politics have become a combination of popular catch-phrases punctuated by empty promises that rarely seem to be accounted for after all ballots have been counted.

That dynamic does not define the student-led political landscape at Contra Costa College.

To the contrary, it’s the exact opposite.

In recent years, there has been no need for Associated Student Union senators to campaign for the positions they’ve held due in large part to a lack of opposition. But even if they did, would anyone really listen?

Most of the students on campus have no clue they are represented by an ASU, no clue who their representatives are or what the process is that allows them to serve in those positions.

This is not a reflection of some flaw in student leadership, it speaks more to a student body that is too apathetic to engage and still brazen enough to complain when things don’t go their way.

The ASU is a student-led legislative body on campus that determines events, how funding will be disbursed and represents student interests in meetings at the campus, state and district levels.

The lack of process participation is not unique to millennials at CCC. Statewide numbers projecting California’s likely voters age 18-24 reflect students’ lukewarm electoral interests on campus.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, only 18 percent of eligible voters in that demographic said they would be voting in upcoming statewide and national elections.

Make no mistake, this in no call for students to increase their civic engagement because, as we know, many students on campus aren’t allowed to cast ballots in general elections because of their age or other restrictions.

However, although these aren’t state or national elections, they still have consequences.

Students on this campus revel in being the aggrieved party. Many are quick to voice their outrage when rights are infringed upon, but when asked to participate in shaping policy through candidate selection, their silence is deafening.

At CCC, the ASU sets up voting computers in well-defined areas only to have them ignored by the vast majority of students like a panhandler would be at midnight in a dimly lit alley.

These student senators control the purse strings with regard to the $5 Student Activity Fee, dictate which events are scheduled on campus and serve as the representative voice for all students on campus.

However, because of a general lack of interest from students, candidates are in no way pressured to express their views on pertinent issues and, more importantly, have no urgency to publicize what their intentions are and allegiances may be.

We literally have no idea who the people that represent us are. Nobody even cares to ask them why they run.

Are they actually committed to making sure students from this community aren’t taken advantage of, or are they running because it looks good on a four-year college application?

Their failures as candidates are a reflection of our failures as constituents.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

■ LIFESTYLE

Mental health checked by grounded mindset H ow do conversations around the family table usually go? You might ask your parents how their day went or tell your roommate about a good joke you heard. But when do we ask each other how we really feel inside?

How often do we really see the emotional weight that each of our souls carries, or the balance that binds each of our daily experiences?

Moments like these happen few and far between, but it’s our duty to foster those exchanges. Now, more than ever, mental health has become a hot button issue — one that most people probably feel better completely avoiding.

Most communities are filled with caretakers who look after the well-being of others, but how often do we return the favor by checking in on them.

Conversations about mental health don’t have to be the duty of just a few people. Everyone can engage in meaningful and caring discussion.

If we can take the time to look out for each other’s physical conditions, why then are we scared to engage in vulnerable discussions surrounding personal emotional health.

Mental health is a tough topic to breach, but that initial trepidation is worth trekking through.

Talking about mental health problems can be difficult and sometimes the people who need help

bit too heavy to jump into immediately, take baby steps instead. First, seriously consider if you are attuned to the needs your own emotional compass guides you toward.

Begin by asking yourself how the day felt, not through a superficial lens, the most are afraid to open but really try to read into up about them. your sense of integrity.

The more those awkHow did the day resoward conversations occur, nate with your values, your the more normalized it sense of self? becomes for those who Communicating how need help to reach out for we feel is a skill that is not it. only necessary, but imperNow, more Also, ative to living a healthy bringSure, body lanthan ever, ing these lifestyle. guage can help others read to into our moods, but if we mental topics the table can’t accurately describe allows for health more dis- how we feel about our lives to those around us, how is a hot cussions can anyone understand about pre- what issues lie beneath the button ventative surface? care.

Too often, bad habits issue. Instead are mislabeled as pieces of of wonsomeone’s identity instead dering after a crisis, “Why of symptoms of a serious didn’t they reach out for mental disconnect. help,” we should be graceTime should be taken ful in considering how out of our days to properly much support was or was represent our emotional not available. well-being. Reconnecting If you notice a glimmer with our values to carve of a frown creaking at the out a life we want should edge of a friend’s face, a be the goal of each our sigh given to themselves or communities. plans being constantly canIf we provide each celed — reach out. other with a helping hand, Ask them, “Hey is hopefully small talk on everything OK? You can mental health can become talk to me about anything. a communal hug we can all I’m here for you.” share.

It’s a hefty change to make but questioning each Jose Arebalo is scene ediother about emotional tor of The Advocate. Contact him at jarebalo.theadvostability should be a daily cate@gmail.com. routine. If the task feels a

josearebalo

CAMPUS COMMENT

What stores do you shop at to find name-brand clothing at lower prices?

“I like Nordstrom Rack.

They always have a lot of designer things for lower prices, like cosmetics and hygiene.”

“I go to Ross for namebrand shoes like Nike, and T.J. Maxx for my make-up”

“Depop. It’s an app like a thrift store with a lot of reasonable prices.

Whatever I get always fits me.”

“I like Target because there is a lot of variety and you can find namebrand things there for lower prices. ”

“I go to Zumiez. I love that store because you can find name-brand clothes there for lower prices.”

“I go to Ross for cheap prices, but mostly shop at Sun Valley Mall.”

Diana Lopez

Katie Calderon

Kiana Reed

Harver Bal

Zion Solano

Suwas Kuikel

nursing

JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

biology

nursing

Middle College High School

undecided

biology

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

3

NEWSLINE STUDENT TRUSTEE | Applicants to campaign, debate CEREMONY

2019 GRADUATION PLANNED FOR MAY Contra Costa College will hold its graduation ceremony at the Richmond Auditorium at 6 p.m. on May 24.

Students are instructed to arrive at the auditorium at 4 p.m. for a short rehearsal, followed by a reception for the graduates.

For students participating in the graduation ceremony a cap and gown form is available in the Bookstore and is due no later than May 22.

For more information, contact Vice President of Student Services Carsbia Anderson by email at canderson@contracosta.edu or contact Nick Dunn by email at ndunn@ contracosta.edu.

Continued from Page 1 Leading the MSA, Alawdi said she interacts with the diverse student body at CCC and has worked alongside college administrators to create events and provide resources to students.

Alawdi said she sees the need for minority women to become leaders at the college and on the district level to better represent students like her.

Like Alawdi, Luitel, a Middle College High School student, is heavily involved in student life at CCC. Luitel recently competed in a national speech and debate tournament alongside other speech team members. He also co-founded a non-profit organization that helps young people learn to code — Richmondcodes.org.

Currently, Los Medanos College student Jocelyn Villalobos holds the trustee position.

“This changed my life, my career goal and my outlook on how I see the district and the California community college system,”

“The Hispanick Zone,” a comedy extravaganza, is a series of sketches about Latinx in the United States. The drama department’s production opens Friday at the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts.

Including a telenovela spoof, a Mr. Hispanic contest, a Condoleezza-like Latina mother and even a Spanish lesson for lovers, the play speaks with irony and humor about the everyday nuisance of being part of the complex Latinx community.

The play will run to the end of April on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 if purchased online and $15 at the door.

For more information, contact “The Hispanick Zone” director Carlos-Manuel Chavarria by email at cchavarria@contracosta.edu.

EDUCATION

SHORT TERM COURSE HELPS TRANSFERS

CORRECTION In the March 27 issue of The Advocate on page 5 in the story titled “$9 million at risk due to new funding formula,” it is incorrectly reported that CCC will lose $9.5 million in 2022. CCC could lose up to $2.5 million.

The Advocate regrets the error.

CRIMEWATCH Wednesday, March. 27 A hit and run accident was reported in Lot 10 near the Tennis Courts at 5:40 p.m.

No further details were given.

Wednesday, April. 3 Vandalism was reported to a partition wall inside of the Veterans’ Center by an unknown suspect at 10:40 a.m.

No further details were given.

— 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.

— Jocelyn Villalobos, student trustee

Villalobos said.

Since last year until now, she said she has gained a deep understanding of how the district operates. She said developing a grasp on district processes has motivated her to speak up more often.

In February, Villalobos enlightened attendees at the 2019 Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington D.C. about living conditions some LMC students face.

“I didn’t want to just talk. I wanted to show them,” Villalobos said.

Taking out her phone, she pulled up a video

Because three or fewer candidates applied, there will be no primary election. Instead the process jumps straight to a districtwide election.

May 1 Campaigning for election begins at 5:01 p.m.

May 2-14 Debates at CCC, DVC and LMC will be coordinated

May 13

May 15

May 17

May 18

May 20

Online voting polls open at 9 a.m. on the district website

Online voting polls close at 5 p.m.

Candidate expense report and violation report due

All candidate publicity should be removed

Election results are announced and posted in SA-105

ASU ELECTION | Board hopes to sustain momentum Continued from Page 1

Current ASU Vice President Laciee Brown said “We’re still figCollege.” uring out exactly who’s going to be The board has other positions a fit for what positions. We don’t such as director of public rela- want to just nominate people just tions, director of shared gover- to nominate them. nance, director of external affairs, “We want the proper people parliamentarian and student rep- who are a fit for the positions to resentative. be in those positions. We’ve had These positions will either be a few people stepping down and vacant or open for re-election. switching positions.”

POLICE SERVICES Continued from Page 1 ensure that there is no loss of security on campus.

In the meantime, other improvements were taken care of such as setting up internet and telephone connections and placing trash bins in each of the rooms.

Custodial services also went in to clean the floors and have the area ready for moving day.

Critical Solutions consultant Pablo Raguero is the point person working to get the department moved in to the new building on time.

Raguero works for the district to manage the construction projects on campus but declined to comment on the timeline for finalization of the fire panel electrical work.

With moving day approaching, Police Services worked together putting all the department’s files into boxes.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, “It will be a smooth move” and the entire process was projected to be completed in one day — Friday.

Nor Cal Moving Services arrived at the Campus Safety Center early on Friday as scheduled to complete the relocation.

Carmen Infante, who “It’s an led the moving crew, to speak with ideal place waited Raguero before getting for them to underway to finalize the be because move.

They were uncerthe building tain of how many trips is brand new would have to be made, the old buildand will bet- between ing and the new buildter suit their ing.

“I’m not sure. Maybe needs.” until 4 or 5 p.m.” Infante — Bruce King, said. buildings and At 10 a.m. at the new grounds Campus Safety Center, movers were rushing in and out with wagons of boxes behind the building directed by police aides who stacked boxes on top of each other.

In each of the rooms, printed numbers and schematics were taped onto the walls explaining where the furniture should be placed along with the boxes.

Brand new televisions were mounted onto the walls ready for use along with the telephones and computer systems.

By 10:30, the movers were packing up the moving equipment as they completed the entire process in one trip.

Police Services is now officially situated into their new location near the center of the campus, next to the Gymnasium.

“It’s an ideal place for them to be. The building is brand new and will better suit their needs,” King said.

One of the vacant positions for next semester is vice president of club affairs.

“The next ASU VP of club affairs needs to successfully organize Club Rush, attend a majority of the ICC meetings and adhere to the concerns of the clubs on campus,” Akubuo-Onwuemeka said.

Brown said during the Meet your Senators Day event held April

10, the ASU successfully promoted and distributed applications for student senators and gained new applicants as well.

“We want to be sure that whoever becomes president or any other executive officer position, has knowledge of what the campus needs and what the students need. “

ADVERTISEMENT

University of San Francisco

P L E A S A N TO N

Want a jump start on your college transfer process? Enroll in the short summer session Counseling 103B, which begins on May 28 and ends June 13.

The course focuses on college admission to UC, CSU, HBCU and private colleges and universities throughout the country.

Learn about admission requirements, general education requirements, major preparations and explore personal and academic goals including creating your Contra Costa College educational plan.

For more information, contact counselor Andrea Phillips by phone at 510-215-3914 or by email at aphillips@contracosta.edu.

career goal and my outlook on how I see the District and the California Community College system.”

circulating on Instagram that documented an LMC student sleeping in their car.

She said, “They (congressional members) don’t usually interact with students and a lot of students are struggling.”

Villalobos said, as student trustee, it is her job to close the gap between a student’s reality and what administrators perceive students go through.

Alawdi and Luitel will begin campaigning on May 1 starting at 5:01 p.m. Prior to that specific time, students are not allowed to campaign for the position.

The candidates will also debate at CCC, LMC and DVC on dates coordinated by each campuses’ Associated Student Union.

Nickelson-Shanks said, “I am confident both candidates have the following and resources they can tap into to earn votes.”

He said both of their backgrounds make them strong candidates who can spur the attention of the campus and influence the student body to participate in this election.

Student Trustee Election Timeline

ENTERTAINMENT

COMEDY EXPLORES LATINX EXPERIENCE

n “This changed my life, my

n

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

4

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

campusbeat

Engineers present projects Symposium spotlights STEM projects

By Luis Cortes advocate staff

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students who are enrolled in Engineering 298 will have the chance to show off their projects in the third annual Student Research Symposium on May 9 in Fireside Hall from 5-9 p.m.

The event is open to everyone and has been broken down into three activity periods. The first period is a networking session from 5-7 p.m., where participating students and attendees have the chance to talk to former participants, scholars and community organizers.

Light refreshments will also be available for those in attendance.

Liu The second period is an hour-long oral presentation from 7-8 p.m., where participating students will have the chance to explain what it is they have actually built.

The final activity period is the poster presentation from 8-9 p.m. where students have the opportunity to show the results they uncovered with their projects.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) student Coordinator Manal Ayyad said 20 students will be participating and there will be several STEM faculty who attend the symposiums.

The projects range from a solar boat to an electric skateboard, Ayyad said.

“We want people and community organizations around San Pablo to come,” Ayyad said.

The symposium is free to everyone, not just STEM students, she said.

n “We chose these materials

because they are unique. It’s very rare for a person to come across a boar like ours” — Nyalah Payne, mechanical engineering major

Ayyad believes the more people attend, the better understanding they get about Contra Costa College STEM. Also, it’s a step closer to uniting the community through STEM. She said former students, who participated in the symposium have transferred to four-year colleges, will also attend.

Ayyad said all the projects are produced solely by students, but they do have professors designated to oversee the projects.

One of the advisers in charge of overseeing a project is Dr. Chao Liu. Liu said the designated professor has to help the students while giving them design ideas and modifying the products they create.

Students from the Engineering 298 class do most of the work themselves, Liu said, but he guides them suggesting things they

may need such as adjustments in the design.

“We give them ideas to see if they are interested,” Liu said.

That is one of their duties if students don’t have an idea of what to build.

Nyalah Payne, who is majoring in mechanical engineering, is the leader of the Stardust Crusader, a team that built a solar-powered boat named the Milky Way. It is comprised of polyethylene foam (a strong, resilient closed-cell foam with excellent buoyancy) and PVC pipes.

“We chose these materials because they are unique. It’s very rare for a person to come across a boat like ours,” Payne said.

Payne said STEM competitions help students learn how to execute the engineering design process and improve teamwork, organization, time management and other skills.

On May 4, Payne will be competing with

ILLUSTRATION BY JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE

her solar-powered boat at the Solar Regatta in Herald, California, south of Elk Grove.

Liu said some of the projects students are working on include rockets, a solar-powered suitcase and electric skateboard.

The professor also said the symposium is a great event because it gives his students the confidence to believe they have the capability to be an engineer.

“The research symposium is a great opportunity for students to show what they can do and that they are capable of presenting professional work,” Liu said.

Food, wine fundraiser expects large crowd

By Luis Lopez advocate staff

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Local restaurants, bakeries, breweries and wineries from all across the Bay Area will be participating in an event that unites the community while expanding opportunities for local students.

The Contra Costa College culinary arts department will hold its 12th annual Food and Wine fundraiser event April 28 in Fireside Hall from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and will fund 10 culinary students on a three-week trip to Italy this summer.

“This is the 12th year in a row we are doing this event and every year it has been a

success. Many wineries and vendors return for the event,” culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes said.

“The trip to Italy makes an impact in students’ lives. Some of them have never left Richmond. This fundraiser helps us provide them with the opportunity to visit culinary arts institutes in Italy.”

Financially, the event always lives up to expectations.

Culinary arts instructional assistant Angel Chau said, “Last year we made $59,000 from the event.”

The Food and Wine event is one of the more popular events at CCC with high attendance every year.

“Last year we had more than 800 people attend the event and this year we expect to have even more,” Chau said Along with the delicious food and drinks, guests can expect live music, raffles and more. Each attendee will also receive a souvenir wine glass.

Instructional aide Erika Marks said, “For $5 guests can buy a key and have a chance to try to open a liquor cabinet. If their key opens the door, they win all the bottles inside.”

Some familiar faces will also be at the event including KTVU-Channel 2 news anchor Frank Mallicoat, who will be providing coverage of the event for the station.

“He has been here the past few years and helps provide coverage for the event and even emcees some of the raffles,” Marks said.

During the event, guests will be allowed to try delicious food, wine and beers provided by vendors such as Lagunitas Brewery, Peets Coffee, Bear Claw Bakery, Nothin’ Bundt Cakes, Up and Under Pub and Grill, Los Moles and other companies.

Culinary arts student Christine Sanok said, “At first you are kind of nervous, but when you talk to them, restaurants love the idea of being part of the event — or at least donating items for the event. Once a restaurant is part of the event, they love helping out.”

INFLATABLE PILLOW SPARKS INTERACTIVE TAKE ON ART

By Daniel Hernandez advocate staff

dhernandez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Art can come in all kinds of arrangements and configurations and people give depth to art with their interpretations.

However, one class takes the extra step when it comes to interpreting art by physically interacting with it.

Adjunct art professor Catherine Cowen teaches her Art 102 (3D Foundations) class about making art and working with it in a new dimension by getting creative and thinking outside of the box.

“It’s about getting students who have mostly never worked in sculpture to develop three-dimensional thinking. Hopefully it gets them to think about their conceptual content and how engaging their view is,” Cowen said.

She tries to incorporate a variety of materials to stimulate their minds when it comes to creating new ways to make sculptures.

Art major Ervine Nhan said, “Most art that we do is two-dimensional, it’s flat. We’re getting an understanding of space and working in the real-world structure.”

They are putting together an inflatable as a part of their next art piece which will be the third project the class works on.

In the past they have done individual pieces, but for many students this will be a first time doing a major art presentation.

Before, students worked with conventional sculpture materials such as clay and cardboard, but working with an inflatable will bring its own new approach in putting it together.

They had two days of preparation to do the measurements and cutting.

“Plastic material with duct tape and measuring stuff, that’s literally it,” Nhan said.

They will use an air blower to inflate the art once it’s ready.

PHOTOS BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

ABOVE: Art 102 class practiced 3D installation principles by taping plastic sheets together, inflating it inside and cutting a hole on one side to go inside outside the Art Building on April 10.

ABOVE RIGHT: Art major Ervine Nhan enters the inflated pillow during the Art 102’s 3D class project outside the Art Building on April 10.

The students were broken up into two groups. One group focused on building the main structure, while the other put together the tunnel where the air blower will feed into the structure.

Azarea Joas is a student who is studying interior architecture and worked on the tunnel team. “We were cutting and taping, making sure the measurements were right,” Joas said.

The tunnel was an important component to the entire piece. Everything had to be attached properly so that the presentation wouldn’t lapse.

By late afternoon, the class joined the two pieces together and carried out the inflatable to the open area north of the Art Building.

Shortly after, the air blower was attached and within a minute the inflatable took its shape into a gigantic pillow. A student used

a blade cutter to make a vertical slit so that 10 students could wiggle though the plastic.

Once inside, the students sat down and took in the light breeze for the next 10 minutes.

Art major Fred McElroy described it as “being inside of a (bouncy house), only the bottom part was flat and it was nice. It was relaxing. We got a cool breeze coming in.

The setting helped too with it being sunny.”

He said it felt as though all the hard work paid off. However the piece was only a demo for what’s next to come. The class will divide into three groups that will put together their own creative inflatable pieces.

“They’ll be using the same materials, but they will also focus on some things like paint, sound and maybe music projections,” Cowen said.

The students will be presenting their inflatables on April 24.

Adjunct art professor Catherine Cowen tapes materials together during an Art 102 class project on April 10.

5

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Club Rush struggles to gain momentum Food, games bring student body together

By De’Jon Sylvain advocate staff

dsylvain.theadvocate@gmail.com

With the multiple community-building entities Contra Costa College offers for its students on full display, coupled with a lack of student involvement, the bi-annual Club Rush event did not measure up to last semester’s gathering, yet still promoted the importance of togetherness.

Preparations for the event began as early as 9 a.m., with CCC staff placing tables outside of Fireside Hall on April 9 for the festivities.

By noon, the sparsely populated event was in session.

The Associated Student Union organized the event to invite students to join the clubs at CCC. Currently, there are more than 15 clubs that are active on campus.

Some of the clubs present at the event included the Black Student Union (BSU), Christians on Campus, the Gaming Guild Club, Health and Human Services Club (HHS), and the International Students Club, among others.

Kristin Lobos, president of the Health and Human Services Club,

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

said the event offers students an opportunity to get involved and educates students on “advocacy and policy.”

“The event showcases all of our clubs on campus,” Lobos said. “But also lets our students know about our government and that we have a voice.”

Lobos said the HHS Club provides service to the community and helps students to become more aware of their health and wellness.

According to the health and human services brochure, the program and club “help people cope with life’s challenges — comfort people in crisis.”

Nicole Robinson, vice president of the Health and Human Services Club, believes the event invites students to become more aware of what’s going on in their

community.

“We have a lot of diversity,” Robinson said. “The event pulls everybody together.”

BSU President Armond Crowshawn used the event to promote the importance of the black community as well as some upcoming projects the club has prepared for the rest of the spring semester.

“The event gives people the opportunity to know what clubs are on campus,” Crowshawn said.

The BSU’s focus is to empower the black students on campus, Crowshawn said. “Not only on campus, but in the community as well.”

BSU members have partnered with GRIP Family Housing Program in Richmond in an effort to help those who need access to

food or shelter.

The Veterans Resource Center members and advisers also acknowledged the event does a lot to provide a form of “unity” and “togetherness.”

According to the Veteran Resource Guide, “The mission of the Contra Costa College Veteran Services is to assist America’s veterans in obtaining all the federal and state educational benefits and entitlements they have earned by serving in the United States military, and to provide guidance and support services that will aid veterans in their transition to academic and civilian life.”

The VRC Club will be holding an exercise event on May 3 at CCC, where students will be given a chance to win a $100 prize.

ABOVE: Chicano studies major Nicholas Kimmons is served a bowl of nachos during Club Rush on Thursday.

Comet Day aims to recruit local seniors

By Nijzel Dotson advocate staff

ndotson.theadvocate@gmail.com

As a way to introduce future students to the campus and all it has to offer, Contra Costa College Comet Day will be held Thursday, complete with attractions, tours and presentations from various departments.

Roughly 250-300 local high school seniors who have RSVP’d for the event will arrive on buses just before 9:30 a.m. for the events’ opening session.

The meeting will be hosted by members of the Associated Student Union (ASU) and will include student-led informative panels.

There will also be an address

by Contra Costa College President

Katrina VanderWoude.

After the opening session concludes, visiting students will be given tours of the campus with the option of participating in workshops in their various departments of interest.

The annual event, formerly known as “Super Saturday,” has been moved to the midweek in order to draw in more students.

Organizers also believe the change increases the impact of the event.

Outreach Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks is responsible for bringing the event together.

“The goal is to highlight the programs and unique opportunities that CCC has to offer its students,” Nickelson-Shanks said.

For the student panel,

Nickelson-Shanks made sure to select a group of students who represent the diversity of the school and believes that great diversity is one of CCC’s strengths.

Mayra Martinez, one of the students on the panel, also sees the value in having students from different backgrounds speaking to future students.

“The people on the panel are the students who are going to be helping them in the future and it will be good for them to see that they’re properly represented,” Martinez said.

Martinez, who is a STEM major, is excited to talk to the visiting students about campus life as well as the many resources CCC provides to support its students.

Those resources include the

Adelante STEM Academy, which provides internships, free counseling and a book loan program.

“I want to show that Contra Costa College is more than a commuter school,” Martinez said.

Nickelson-Shanks said the visiting students are from local West Contra Costa Unified School District high schools who have shown interest in the college, but are not yet registered because registration for fall classes will not be open until May 15.

CCC outreach staffers reached out to students from every high school in the district to find those ready for a preview of the campus experience.

The outreach efforts included an application process and a student poll that helped place students

into groups based on the subjects in which they are most interested.

There are more than 30 workshops that will be offered at Comet Day in order to fit the needs of every student.

Minerva Arebalo, a CCC student ambassador, helped with both the recruiting and the planning process for the event by visiting different schools and trying to get students registered to attend.

She said, “There is a negative stigma (in the local high schools) about CCC that I detest. We have so many programs and opportunities that help students transfer and graduate.

“Also, (we have) things that make life easier for students like the Food Pantry and free therapy sessions.”

Scholarship fundraiser provides bowls of soup

By Janet Lira advocate staff

jlira.theadvocate@gmail.com

The culinary arts and fine and media arts departments, joined by volunteers from the Bay Area Rescue Mission, raised about $2,000 to help fight hunger and support the mission’s programs on Friday.

The Empty Bowls event took place inside the Aqua Terra Grill from 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m.

Bowls were sold for $10 each and, following purchase, a variety of soups were offered in the kitchen with free refills.

Empty Bowls is held every year to support the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s needs to provide for less fortunate people in the West Contra Costa County community.

Faith-based programs are offered through the mission to give people a chance to restart their lives, making a brighter path.

Those enrolled in the mission’s program also have the opportunity to take classes in the culinary arts department and can volunteer during its events.

“Volunteers from the mission like being a part of the culinary department because they can build a career from here,” rescue mission volunteer Joe Quinteros said.

This year the event took place in the spring instead of the fall semester, which organizers said made for a better outcome with more money donated to the mission.

n “I’m glad we had the event in

the spring semester, because we can use the money to hold summer events and have more food to give out.”

— Jonathan Russell, Bay Area Rescue Mission

“I’m glad we had the event in the spring semester because we can use the money to hold summer events and have more food to give out,” mission Vice President of Programs Jonathan Russell said.

“The outcome is always better than I expect it to be. I’m very pleased with what everyone has done today.”

Russell said one improvement he believes should be made in order for the next empty bowl event to be better would be more advertising about the event in the West County community.

A vegan option created by culinary students, using limited food supply choices, was served at the event to cater to guests’ food preferences and needs. Pozole, clam chowder and Thai noodle soup were some of the other soups served at the event.

All culinary students who took part in Empty Bowls had to be in the kitchen prepping at 7 a.m. to have all the soups ready — about 15 pounds of each soup was prepared.

JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE

Culinary arts major Pei Niee Chuah prepares a bowl of vegan sweet potato soup with coconut milk and decorates it with cilantro, corn and broccoli during the Empty Bowls event on Friday.

At the event, culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes and Russell gave short speeches thanking all the guests and volunteers. Sharkes said he was happy that so many people came out to support this event.

Everyone who came out to support us today is contributing to the community, Sharkes said. He also used the time to highlight how well the culinary students are performing in the department.

Many students take classes at CCC, then put in hours working at the rescue mission.

Contributing hours to helping people builds experience in the service industry while fostering connections within the community.,

Sharkes said.

Russell also applauded the effort of students and mission workers and said, “It is a beautiful thing when the community comes together to support each other.”

Culinary student Debby Fisher said, “I’ve been doing this for three years and every year it gets better.” Fisher served soup at the event and helped guide first-year students through the correct way to serve guests.

Second-year culinary student Pei Niee Chuah said, “We have students working today with different levels of experience, so it is good to help each other and learn. It is a learning day or us too.”

scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

6

LEFT: Joshua Saephan (second from left), who plays Fidel Castro, is questioned by Sydney Smith (left), Jelaine Maestas (second from right) and Melissa Velasquez (right) in a skit during a dress rehearsal of “The Hispanick Zone” on Monday.

LUIS CORTES / THE ADVOCATE

Play depicts Latinx lifestyle Comedy offers satirical look through a variety of Hispanic experiences

By Luis Cortes advocate staff

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

he Contra Costa College drama department will take on the Latinx lifestyle and the stereotypes faced by that community in the new production, “The Hispanick Zone, a Comedy Extravaganza.”

“The Hispanick Zone” will run for two weekends, beginning this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts. The performances will conclude next weekend, April 26-28.

Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees begin at 3 p.m.

Drama department Chairperson Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, who is also directing the play, said “The Hispanick Zone” is a satirical

play that emphasizes Latinx stereotypes.

He said the play consists of a variety of comedic skits that are connected through a line of stereotypes.

“Think Latinx ‘Saturday Night Live,’” Chavarria said.

The play has a cast that includes many characters, all with different relatable traits. A group of 11 students, including Chavarria, will play more than two characters each with some even playing three or four different characters, Chavarria said.

He said the reason the department is producing a play on the Latinx community is because the campus is an official Hispanic Serving Institution with most of the students being Latinx, he said.

“In the last five years, we have greater success with Latinx-themed plays. The

department is making an effort to offer a Latinx-themed play at least once a year,” Chavarria said.

Although the play is primarily about the Latinx community, Chavarria said that theater is universal regardless of racial classification.

“While the Latinx audience may find a personal and direct connection with the themes of the play overall, the non-Latinx audience will still enjoy the production and will be able to identify with the issues presented in the play,” he said.

Fine and media arts major Gregory Lee will play a total of three characters, with the first being an unusual role. It is described as a kid who is coming out as a Jewish young man in the first scene.

The second, El Bello, depicts a handsome hotshot who is popular in the Telenovela scene. The last character Lee is playing is Mr. Panama, a loud character that appears in the last act.

pop supergroup underwhelms Labrinth, Sia and Diplo release freshman album

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

S

upergroups have an interesting history in music. Sometimes these collections of prolific musicians can produce stellar projects as in the case of rock supergroup Audioslave.

However, getting three or four accomplished musicians together leads to supergroups struggling with focus.

Each member brings a plethora of divergent ideas to the table which are diluted in an effort to fit them all in.

Newly formed pop supergroup LSD brings Australian singer/songwriter Sia, English singer-songwriter Labrinth and DJ and producer Diplo together in their new 30-minute electronic album “Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD.” It’s been a while, about a year, since the group released its first single “Genius,” which came as a shock to music aficionados.

In this current project, the building strings and nice

bounce to Diplo’s beat works perfectly with Labrinth’s soulful voice and Sia’s trademark sound. The two singers trade verses and choruses and come together for tight harmonies that just sound right — especially at the end of the tracks.

“Genius” is a promising introductory project for the supergroup, but a year of pushbacks and delays saw them drop off the map.

With their new album release Friday, it’s a shame they lost so much momentum.

It’s a pretty

fun album despite the common issues that supergroups have of trying to do too much.

The opening track, “Welcome to the Wonderful World Of,” puts the group’s best and worst qualities up front.

Sia and Labrinth start off with some gorgeous a capella harmonies before the song transitions into a hip-hop styled track with nasty bass supporting a guitar driven psychedelic rock section straight out of a 70s rock epic.

This all happens in about a minute — it’s a lot.

Individually, each

n “While the Latinx audi-

Day at a Time” on Netflix helped Lee a great deal while preparing.

“It’s very over-the-top, sweet, deep and it hits hard while still being fun,” Lee said.

“I want to bring the same energy to the show,” he said.

Sydney Smith, who has yet to decide a major, is acting in the upcoming production and describes the show as a big comedy satire of Hispanic culture from a Hispanic point of view.

Smith said, “The comedy is greatly exaggerated, cheesy and not too serious.”

Smith will have a total of five leading roles in the production, with the first being Boy 1. He is a child who wants to be a manly man and feel like the greatest hero in the world.

The second character is an elderly housewife who lives by gender roles and is driven by dishing out gossip. The third is a racist and shallow boss character who runs a factory and only hires immigrant workers.

ence may find a very personal and direct connection with the themes and play overall, the non-Latinx audience will still enjoy the production and will be able to identify with issues presented in the play.”

— Carlos-Manuel Chavarria, drama department chairperson

“I think people should come and watch because is it educational, has very powerful humor and it’s entertaining.

You’ll be laughing,” Lee said.

To prepare to play multiple characters, Lee said he had to separate each character and associate personality traits from other things such as TV shows, movies or any form of media. He perfects this by walking, talking and carrying himself as the character would carry itself.

Watching the sitcom “One idea is absolutely intriguing but neither gets a real time to shine.

The rest of the tracks on the album each have a distinct sound to them.

ALBUM “Angel in REVIEW Your Eyes” “LSD” captures a ★★★★★ smooth tropArtists: Labrinth, Sia, Diplo ical feel with Genre: Pop its dance hall Label: Records/ rhythm that Columbia Release Date: primarily uses April 12 Sia’s chopped up vocals for its main melody.

However, there are songs like “Thunderclouds” and “Heaven Can Wait” which showcase LSD as a group at their best. These electronic and rock-hybrid songs allow Labrinth and Sia to use their full vocal range over Diplo’s dynamic, clean

and bombastic production.

The group’s talent as songwriters is also prominently featured because each song has an undeniably catchy chorus, particularly “Heaven Can Wait.”

“No New Friends” is a pop song made for the stages of Coachella and “It’s Time” is a beautiful piano ballad where Labrinth and Sia show their vocal chops.

Each track highlights distinct personalities, which is a great trait, especially because the album is so short.

Sometimes the tracks struggle with having a little too much going on, however, it’s clear Diplo and Labrinth had fun with the production.

There are a lot of interesting vocal samples and instrumental transitional quirks throughout each of the approximately three-minute tracks.

But having so many elements going on in a song causes conflict, which leaves interesting ideas to end up taking away from one another.

Simplicity is what makes “It’s Time” and “Mountains” two of the best songs on the album.

Ultimately, it’s much better for a group to clearly experiment with ideas through a collaborative effort than playing it safe.

There is clear effort from LSD to create interesting electronic music.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

7

■ OFF THE RECORD

efrainvaldez ATHLETICS FAIL TO PROMOTE TEAM, FILL COLISEUM

U

pgrades to the ballpark and good play have not been enough to lure fans from the East Bay to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Oakland Athletics baseball.

Disappointing, small crowds plagued the first homestand of the season even when marquee players and the reigning champions came into town.

Mike Trout and the Red Sox (who are the reigning champions) could not draw a respectable crowd except on Sunday against the Angels.

When you have top teams and players in town, clubs must find a way to hype up these match ups.

The season-opening homestand was an absolute embarrassment.

Team President Dave Kaval, and the rest of the organization, should be embarrassed.

To not draw at least 30,000 fans to the stadium is an absolute failure for the organization.

The team has two Gold Glove winners on the corners (Matt Chapman and Matt Olson) and the best slugger in the league in Khris Davis. The organization has the players to market, they haven’t found an acceptable way to do it.

If the San Francisco Giants can draw people to their stadium by marketing Pablo Sandoval “Panda” hats in 2019, the A’s should be able to market their stars.

The new upgrades to the stadium, like the new Kids Zone on Mount Davis, the revved up selection of food and beer, plus the amazing play on the field should have been enough to draw bigger crowds.

The Coliseum is not Oracle Park by any means, however the upgrades make it a hidden East Bay gem.

On of the problems is that the organization has not put effort toward promoting all the upgrades at the stadium.

Sure, you can see the new A’s access pass advertisements on Twitter and Instagram and it’s great that they’re advertising to younger crowds on social media.

But, let’s be real. Young adults cannot be trusted to fill up seats night after night. The team has to redirect its effort toward drawing families into the games.

The misconception that all sporting events are not affordable for families is a joke (thanks to Oracle Park prices).

The A’s have one of the most affordable season ticket plans in all of the major sports in America.

They should plaster that on every media outlet possible. Kaval has to go sit in with every local news outlet during the 6 o’clock news and tell people that A’s games are affordable and that the stadium is a fun place to be — people don’t know that.

The occasional roadside billboard or tweet about $20 tickets is not enough.

I thought things had changed dramatically when Kaval took over as president.

Some things have changed for the better but the organization has to show people the fruits of its labor.

If this does not change, the A’s will remain as one of the laughing stocks of professional sports in the Bay Area.

Efrain Valdez is a sports editor of The Advocate.

Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Coach Taylor Harris (middle) has adjusted the way the softball team is coached because of the level the team is at. Harris has coached a seasoned team before, and now takes up the challenge to start off with an inexperienced squad.

inexperience leads to growth Team manages to evolve as unit despite short season

By Luis Cortes advocate staff

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Generally, the start of something new brings with it unique challenges.

The adjustment time to accommodate a changing situation offers the opportunity to grow and adjust to better fit new circumstances.

This is the case with the Contra Costa College softball team.

After years of not having a team, the college fielded a squad this year and has played five games up to this point.

However, how does a team primarily comprised of players new to the sport affect the surrounding environment?

Coach Taylor Harris said she adjusted and changed her coaching style because of some of the

players’ inexperience.

Harris said her coaching has toned down a little because she went from coaching players who had 10 or more years of playing, to players who have played less than half of that time or were utterly new to the sport.

Harris said it wouldn’t be fair if she yelled at one of her players because they truly may not know what to do.

She also said her aggressiveness has toned down as well. “I have to put myself in their shoes,” the coach said.

Overall, Harris is happy with the growth of her team and says her players are beginning to love the game. She is pleased to see their excitement after they make a play and when they do something productive.

The first year Comet coach said her players are excited about accomplishing some of their set goals and applauds the atmosphere they have created surrounding the team on campus because they finally have a legitimate team again.

The willingness to understand that mistakes will be made, along with patience and setting realistic goals are instrumental in the growth and development of a team and players, Harris said.

Athletic Director John Wade said he is happy with the growth the team has made over the season and said the group seems willing to practice and participate.

Wade believes the team has worked hard to improve every day and said he has seen that progress first hand.

“I see steady improvement,” Wade said.

He used a moment from the Comets’ first home series, when Larissa Carvalho came on to pitch for the Comets, to highlight the improvements.

“She (Carvalho) did a great job considering she had never pitched before. She (Carvalho) had good poise because she knew there were plays that weren’t made and stayed with it,” Wade said.

The team had momentum after the first couple of series into the season, but the rain and spring

break slowed the team’s momentum, Wade said.

Wade sees this season as a stepping stone for the future of CCC softball.

“Moving forward we’ll have a team that’s able to compete,” Wade said.

For catcher Ariana Rhodes, this is her last year playing softball and might be the last time she ever plays the sport.

“I’m excited that we have a season this year,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes understands that most players are new to the sport and is happy that her teammates are learning quickly. The catcher is also enthused that they are having fun out on the field.

Everyone is playing hard and having fun, Rhodes said.

Most of the team has small goals in mind this year, but Rhodes doesn’t have a specific goal she wants to reach.

“I don’t have a specific goal, but to have fun, so I’m doing that.

But since this is my last season playing, I’m reaching the goal of enjoying it,” Rhodes said.

Rain delay helps squad with needed rest

By Joel Umanzor sports editor

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

Everybody loves a day off.

The Comets (5-27 overall and 5-13 in the Bay Valley Conference) found themselves in the midst of one due to rain on Monday after rescheduling a non-conference makeup game with Cañada College (14-17-2 overall and 7-8 in the Coast Pacific Conference).

For coach Brian Guinn, it’s an opportunity for the Comet baseball team to catch its collective breath before approaching the final stretch of their 2019 campaign.

Guinn said, “I think the kids need a day off. We played four games last week. I think another day off with practice might help them.

“The rain might be in our favor,” he said.

The Comets resume conference play Thursday against Mendocino College (13-15 overall, 8-9 BVC) in Ukiah.

Monday’s day off follows a week in which the Comets played four games in five days and split the contests 2-2. The team fell 13-2 against Santa Rosa Junior College (26-8 overall, 13-5 Big 8 Conference) on Friday but earned their first consecutive wins in BVC play since the first week of March. The Comets took back-to-back wins against Napa Valley College (7-17 overall, 6-11 BVC) 8-6 and 13-5.

Outfielder Darius Foster said the day off after a busy week on the diamond benefits everyone on the squad.

Foster said, “Honestly, we played four games last week. It’s not just me, but the whole

team was really tired after the Saturday game following our week back from Spring break.”

The Comets took the first two games of the series in dominating fashion outscoring the Storm 21-11 and racking up 27 hits for their biggest offensive output in a series this season.

Looking for the series sweep against Napa on Saturday, the Comets fell behind 7-2 before scoring two runs each in the seventh and ninth innings in hopes of completing a comeback.

The deficit was due to a six-run fifth inning by the Storm in which starting CCC pitcher Dean Jones (0-7, 11.95 ERA) gave up four runs before being pulled for reliever Karon Casey (0-0, 14.54 ERA).

Casey gave up two more runs before escaping the inning.

The damage was done, but the Comets fought back from the batters box.

Led by the offensive production of outfielders Mychael Jamison and Darius Foster, who were a combined 4 for 10 with 3 RBIs in the game, the Comets came back from a 5-run hole.

Foster was especially successful at the plate in previous games against the Storm and totaled an average of .384 against Napa Valley pitching.

The duo was able to put three of the four runs on the board in the later innings and breathed life into a CCC team fighting to come back.

However, the Comets fell one run short losing to the Storm 7-6 in the series finale.

According to Foster, the Comets weren’t looking to do too much individually, but rather focused on situations.

Foster said, “Honestly just staying with our approach not trying to do too much. All last week we were focused on situations and it translates over to the game.”

At this point in the Comet season, some players have sought ways to work on their craft on offense while creating competition among themselves.

Jamison said, “I have 30 hits right now (on the season), and he (Foster) has 26.”

“It’s me, Darius (Foster), Perez (infielder Brian Perez) and Shaw (infielder Andruw Shaw) right now for who’s going to end up with the most hits.”

The friendly competition is an aspect of team sports that coach Guinn says can be the driving force during the dog days late in a season.

Guinn said, “It (team competition) is something that goes on in every team — guys competing among each other, which keeps them motivated throughout the year.”

The Comets see it as a way to keep themselves on top of each other in a way that creates accountability among teammates.

Foster said, “The competition definitely does keep us a lot more competitive.

“It even just keeps us working because when you see one guy get a hit you say, ‘I have to step it up too.’”

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

8

focus

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 4.17.2019 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Club Rush sparks fun with games, food, treats Photos by: Denis Perez and Cindy Pantoja For

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

ABOVE: Health and human services major Cindy Beardsley (left) and HHS treasurer Athena Diamond (right) hula hoop during Club Rush on Thursday.

LEFT: Henna artist Rania Muhammad (right) draws a temporary henna tattoo on MCHS student Marisa Davis during Club Rush on Thursday.

An international student club member pours milk into a cup of boba thai tea being sold to raise money for the club during Club Rush on Thursday.

Sociology major Bill Mayfield tries a vanilla flavored cupcake from Susie Cakes during Club Rush on Thursday.

LEFT: A gaming truck parked in Campus Center Plaza set up a temporary arcade for student to play games like Mario Kart, FIFA and Halo on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 1 platforms during Club Rush on Thursday.