The Advocate 11-14

WEDNESDAY l 11.14.18 OUR 69TH YEAR

CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

SEARCH DISCONTINUED Campus concerns spur decision to suspend candidate selections

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

In the midst of the #MeToo inspired backlash from the campus community, Contra Costa College President Katrina VanderWoude announced her decision Friday to discontinue the search for a vice president of student services.

The cancellation comes after the nationwide hunt for vice president of student services exposed flaws in the district’s hiring

process.

Along with terminating the search for VP of student services, VanderWoude also canceled the search for VP of student affairs.

Both searches were VanderWoude being done simultaneously.

“This is not an easy decision as these are critical positions for a campus that has experienced significant changes in leadership over the past few years,” Dr. VanderWoude said in an email sent out to faculty and staff Friday evening.

The email read in part, “With respect to the process, what I can say is that our district’s current processes were followed —

even with additional advertising to assure a diverse candidate pool.”

The process, which consists primarily of application and resume screenings, turned up five finalists of which two carried with them backgrounds of domestic violence and sexual harassment.

“Both searches garnered a diverse pool of qualified candidates and both search committees worked tirelessly to screen and interview applicants,” VanderWoude said via email. “With that said, there is always room for continuous improvement for any process.”

Once the five finalists’ names were released, it wasn’t long before faculty, staff and students took to Google and discovered the shocking backgrounds of Dr. Howard Irvin and Dr. LeRodrick Terry.

n “This is not an easy deci-

sion as these are critical positions for a campus that has experienced significant changes in leadership over the past few years.”

— Dr. Katrina VanderWoude, CCC president

However, due to the confidentiality agreement surrounding the hiring process, this second-hand information only penetrated the campus community.

SEE VICE PRESIDENTIAL HIRINGS, PAGE 3

Vice presidential search timeline Nov. 9

In a Friday campuswide email, President Katrina VanderWoude announces she is discontinuing the search for VP of student services.

Nov. 8

Associated Student Union President Alexander Walker-Griffin pens a letter on behalf of concerns felt by the CCC student body.

Oct. 30

Oct. 23-26

Oct. 22

Dr. Howard Irvin, current Los Angeles Southwest vice president of student services, was added a week after the initial four finalists were announced.

Finalists hold public forums including LeRodrick Terry, whose background includes allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Four finalists are invited to Contra Costa College to hold individual public forums after a nationwide hiring search for the VP of student services post.

Nov. 5

Information about two of the selected finalists sexual harassment and domestic violence backgrounds raises concerns over hiring process.

Oct. 20

Oct. 15

Candidates are chosen through a confidential paper screening process which focuses primarily on resume and applications.

A nationwide search begins for the vice president of student services position, the first ever such position at Contra Costa College.

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE, SOURCE: CCCADVOCATE

Day celebrates veterans

VICTIMS FACE GUNCARRYING ROBBERS

USS Hornet Museum honors WWI soldiers on board battle ship

By Efrain Valdez sports editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Armed assailants steal near campus

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Two students were robbed at gunpoint by two unknown male assailants on Nov. 6 at 8:30 p.m. near the corner of Shane and Loyola drives across from Lot 10, a block off campus.

“It appears, at this time, to be isolated. I don’t think the suspects have been identified, so I assume they are still at large,” Police Services Lt. Tom Holt said. “We advised Richmond Police Department that night and did do an initial investigation on possible leads — but turned Lt. Holt up nothing.”

Holt said the two students were walking down Shane Drive toward Loyola Drive before suddenly being approached by two suspects with a handgun.

The assailants took backpacks and SEE ARMED ROBBERY, PAGE 3

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PAGE 7

ALAMEDA — On the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the USS Hornet here played host to a range of veterans who spanned generations during the Veterans Day celebration on Sunday.

The free event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featured special presentations and ceremonies that included hosting former crew members of the USS Hornet.

They also honored the veterans were attended the ceremonies Sunday with a special presentation from authors Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic.

Contra Costa College Veterans’ Club members also participated in the celebrations on the naval aircraft carrier.

They enlightened attendees with The Walking Ghosts of Black History: AfricanAmerican Military History, Education, and Culture Re-Enactment Group.

“We’re out here just trying to spread the word on some things that are not so widely known in military history,” mechanical engineering major and active duty Marine reserve Joseph Conway said.

“A lot of military history is romanticized, but then there are things that we don’t know about, like the Port Chicago disaster,” he said.

Educating people about those kind of events shows the value of having a day that celebrates veterans.

It also finds ways to help those veterans

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DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

USS Hornet Museum tour guide Sydney Kennedy gives a tour of the flight deck to a group on Veterans Day Sunday. The USS Hornet Museum celebrated the 100th year since the Armistice Treaty ending WWI was signed.

who are in need.

CCC student, and founder of The Walking Ghosts of Black History, Leon Watkins said, “With my organization, even though we do dispense African-American military history, we still deal with the outreach programs that support veterans with their health. We also help with school or whatever that veteran

PAGE 4

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needs.”

He said that they try to focus on helping any veteran who is in need of assistance, regardless of their background.

“As a fellow service member, I am always happy to help my brothers and sisters out — SEE USS HORNET, PAGE 3

ROCK LEGEND ALIVE THROUGH FILM ‘BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY’ YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

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Quotable “Mankind will endure when the world appreciates the logic of diversity.”

Indira Gandhi prime minister of India 1976 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 Jackson Stephens news editors Andrew Weedon Jose Arebalo scene editors Efrain Valdez Joel Umanzor Alex Kwasniza sports editors Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Chris Alfred Issac Benavides Kyle Grant Dan Hardin Luis Lopez Joshua Poole 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 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, NOV. 14, 2018 VOL. 107, NO. 9

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL

REASONABLE RESPONSE

Search halted after process exposes district hiring flaws

I

n a move to ease mounting pressure and defuse the reaction to what would be another acrimonious appointment to an administrative position at Contra Costa College, President Katrina VanderWoude has discontinued the searches for both the vice president of student services and the vice president of academic affairs positions.

The decision, which was announced in a campuswide email sent just before 9:30 p.m.

Friday night, came as a shock as a growing number of people in the campus community opposed the finalist status of two vice presidential candidates.

Halting the search, no matter its stage, was completely the right move for the president to make.

In Friday’s email, written to members of the campus community, Dr. VanderWoude reminded them she had said she would halt the search “at any time I felt we could not find the right candidate, either because I was not confident about the pool or if there were problems with the recruitment.”

In this case, the president could have found fault in both areas.

It’s true that two of the five finalists for vice president of student services, regardless of resumé or recommendation, were flawed as they had credible accounts of sexual assault leveled against them.

Also, the process that allowed these defective candidates to make it into the final five must be deemed faulty.

However, in her email, none of the problems that led to this halt of the process seems to be up for evaluation. To the contrary, the president said all of the Contra Costa Community College District protocols were followed. She even exalted everyone involved.

VanderWoude wrote, “Both searches garnered a diverse pool of qualified candidates and both search committees worked tirelessly to screen and interview applicants. Both committees did a stellar job and I want to personally thank them for their work.”

What part of offering the college vice presidential finalists who have sexually harassed and assaulted their co-workers could be labeled anything close to stellar?

Nevertheless, America is the land of second chances and if this fiasco has any silver lining, it’s that now there is a more clear understanding of who should and should not be considered for employment on this campus.

One day before VanderWoude’s email was sent, Associated Students Union President Alexander Walker Griffin posted, on his Instagram account, a letter he wrote to the VanderWoude questioning the background of two of the finalists.

He wrote, “Given Dr. LeRodrick Terry’s sexual harassment allegations and Dr. Howard Irvin’s previous criminal convictions, I do not believe students would feel comfortable with either gentlemen leading our great establishment.”

In her Friday email VanderWoude said she will follow-up with the college community to discuss how she plans to handle the recruitment for these two positions moving forward.

However, in the same way students are kept in the dark about the process that delivered these flawed candidates, no details were given as to how these “follow-ups” will be conducted.

One thing is clear: Contra Costa College students must remain vigilant and hold their administrators accountable when they decide to open new positions, when they convene committees to fill those positions and when those who would fill those positions show up on campus to discuss their qualifications.

Because their futures depends on it.

ISSAC BENAVIDES / THE ADVOCATE

■ LIFESTYLE

Yoga strengthens the mind, body and soul A ll too often life moves so quickly we rarely take a moment to reflect on our experiences.

Whenever stress begins to accumulate, having a reprieve through yoga creates time to relax.

It can be difficult to see the value in a few moments of silent focus.

Those moments, however, can be the difference between a healthy or horrible state of emotional health.

Practicing yoga is a powerful tool that everyone should try at least once.

For those looking to find an outlet of self-reflection or who have never considered that they needed one, yoga can be a rewarding experience.

A few years ago, my life took a downward spiral.

I’d lost grip on my sense of self and was ruminating in denial with deep depression and anxiety.

For months I tried to continue as if nothing was wrong. But soon it became obvious I had changed and no longer recognized who I had become.

The idea of communicating vulnerably and honestly with anyone became foreign to me. After spending much time feeling hopeless, Initially, taking self-improvement seriously can be scary. And while I knew therapy was part of my plan, I needed more to handle the day-to-day fight against depression.

After looking into ways

concerns and anxieties, suddenly clearing my mind.

Each time negativity sneaks into my consciousness, it’s an opportunity for me to actively change my state of mind and because of how centered these practices make me, to better my emotional Mindfulness in a yoga health, I decided to try flow does not mean being yoga. Suddenly, reading in full control, but rather stories of self-development being fully aware. and mental health became Changing how we feel is a daily routine. a long, painful journey that Within weeks, my body requires analyzing one’s was able own common thought Practicing to flow process. Yoga provides an into each outlet during which this movement yoga is a kind of analyzing becomes with ease. second nature. powerful There’s a Whenever anxiety and calming tool that negativity invades a flow, sense of question why and how it how med- everyone happened. itation can A few months ago, I saw should try take over no way to regain any sense an entire of contentedness. at least moment.

In an effort to quiet the Letting all rumbling anxieties in my my weight once. head, I started to look for drop and more peace in life. Yoga centering creates those moments of balance peace. within my equilibrium let The most difficult part me experience peaceful of the process is realizing moments, like no other the journey is a life-long experience. struggle. Each step forward I focus on being present, in reclaiming a healthy closing my eyes, listening mindset is accompanied by to my breaths, letting my uncomfortable and negabody flow and stretch into tive feelings. each movement. Suddenly, Yoga has become an my worries, anxieties and outlet when, for just a never ending ruminations few moments each day, I come to a standstill. feel completely in control Air fills my body as I again. focus on stretching and relaxing each muscle in my Jose Arebalo is a scene body. editor for The Advocate.

This process takes me Contact him at jarebalo. out of my daily cycle of theadvocate@gmail.com.

josearebalo

CAMPUS COMMENT

What’s the best family dish you’ve had at a Thanksgiving gathering?

”The turkey is the best part to me, with all the flavors it has.”

“My mom’s stuffing is a hit every year. I look forward to her stuffing.”

Michelle Gomez

Mariah Martinez

undecided

undecided

“I would have to say almost everything, but the turkey with the gravy has to be the best.”

Ibrahima Agne biology

JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

“My mom’s potato salad is so good. That has to be the best to me.”

Hawi Abraham liberal arts

“The chicken sandwiches my family makes are so good. It’s a Salvadorian tradition.”

“The way my family cooks the ham, that’s what I look forward to because it’s so good.”

Kenia Aguilar

Quinten Reed

nursing

business

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.14.18 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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NEWSLINE VICE PRESIDENTIAL HIRINGS | President halts search EVENT

SEMINAR EXPLORES HISTORY OF EGYPT “Southern Origin of Classical African Civilization” is a seminar on ancient civilizations from the historic region of ancient Egypt.

The presentation is set to be held in GE-225 on Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m.

History, anthropology and geography department Chairperson and Manu Ampim will be presenting his newest research.

Students are invited to come learn about the ancient Nile Valley civilizations Kush and Nubia.

Professor Ampim’s research findings will be focusing on his findings collected through extensive field research in places such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.

For more information reach out to 510-215-4133 or mampim@contracosta.edu

ENTERTAINMENT

DRAMA PRODUCTION CLOSING WEEKEND The drama department’s second play of the semester, “Water by the Spoonful,” closes this weekend with three shows: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Knox Center.

“Water by the Spoonful” follows Elliot, a veteran returning home from Iraq and his complicated relationship with his family.

The play also follows members of an online addiction forum as they attempt to stay clean through mutual support.

The play contains adult language and mature themes.

Tickets are $10 if purchased online at watertheatrelive. eventbrite. com or $15 at the door.

For more information visit facebook.com/ccctheatrelive.

COMMUNITY

LOCAL SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS ART Local filmmaker Hector Ortiz and the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission are presenting an evening of short films centered around the theme of “The Upstanding Immigrant” on Nov. 16 at Bridge Storage and Artspace on 22 Maine Avenue in Richmond.

After the selection of films, there will be a panel discussion with Ortiz and members of RACC. Tickets are free and attendees can RSVP on Eventbrite.

For more information call 510233-3348 or email info@bridgestorage.com.

Continued from Page 1 The discovery drew questions of transparency among faculty, staff and students because it was seemingly not taken into consideration by the President’s Office.

VanderWoude wrote, “Honestly, of particular concern is the extensive public misinformation and attempts to inappropriately influence the process, well before any decisions were made, which has compromised these recruitments.”

CCC United Faculty Vice President Jeffrey Michels said, “I think that some faculty were disappointed that the email seemed to suggest that the searches were canceled because a lot of misinformation was shared,” he said.

“I’m not sure whether that’s the whole story, but more importantly, I think it was unclear to faculty what was misinformation — so it was a little bit frustrating.”

He hopes the administration will have a dialogue with faculty and staff members who were most concerned with the outcome of the vice president of student services search.

“The sensitivity to the issues is obviously why there was a big public outcry,” Michels said. “I very much hope that there will be more dialogue about the process and very specifically, if the president feels that was some misinformation being spread, I hope she will address that more with individuals.”

Michels, who is also a CCC English professor, said he doesn’t know the details of either candidates’ backgrounds and was only made aware of the terminated VP searches via VanderWoude’s email.

“I think people’s concerns were quite legitimate and I wish that there was a better process for airing those concerns out,” Michels said.

“As we communicated to the district, I do think that it does make sense in our process to do some kind of background check before we invite candidates to public forums.”

Currently, a candidate can be chosen for the position even before a criminal background check is conducted.

Michels said if a situation like this comes up, people should ask questions before the finalists

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Contra Costa College President Katrina VanderWoude speaks in her office earlier this year. VanderWoude began her presidency at CCC promising transparent leadership.

n “I think people’s concerns were quite legitimate and I wish that there was a better process for airing those concerns out.

— Jeffery Michels, UF vice president

are invited to the college.

And before people learn something by Googling, which creates a strange public situation.

“Katrina (VanderWoude) kind of said background checks are a future step,” he said. “But once you make someone’s name public, it’s easy for anyone who wants to do a background check of sorts, to do so.”

After all that’s transpired, faculty and staff still have questions about the process. Michels said some healing may be necessary.

CCC Associated Student Union President Alexander Walker-Griffin said knowing that the background of two VP finalists were littered with sexual and domestic abuse just didn’t sit well with him.

“I kept hearing the same concerns around

campus from students and considering the climate we are in with the #MeToo movement, I don’t want students to be afraid while at Contra Costa,” Walker-Griffin said.

After a brief meeting with students Thursday afternoon, Walker-Griffin wrote a letter to VanderWoude, which he slipped under the door of the executive offices in the Student And Administration Building.

“I have heard the concerns of my constituents, which is why I strongly urge that the college does not select either gentleman to be second in command here at Contra Costa,” Walker-Griffin said in the letter. “I would not want the many women and the student body as a whole here on campus to feel unsafe.”

Walker-Griffin said search committees should be more diligent while screening applicants, digging into their backgrounds.

In the campuswide email, VanderWoude said that she would follow up with the college community to discuss how she planned to handle the recruitment of these two positions moving forward, which may include taking a longer pause and/or bringing interim leadership on board.

USS HORNET | Remembering 100 years since WWI Continued from Page 1 especially as a Marine,” CCC Veteran’s Club member Zachary Frappier said.

Frappier, who served in Okinawa from 2009 to 2013, said that it’s important for military members of all branches to help

each other out.

Celebrations like this one offer a unique opportunity for current military members and veterans to interact with each other and help each other.

“Being second generation and coming from a military family on both my mother’s and father’s side,

it’s an honor to be a part of this — especially on Armistice Day,” Watkins said. “I felt like I’ve always been destined to do this.”

While civilians interacted with veterans and current military members, a military band played while museum tour guides showed people around the historic aircraft

carrier.

The event allowed visitors to walk freely around three levels of the carrier and to embrace the Apollo mission landing-crafts.

People were also given the opportunity to see vintage military planes and the spectacular views of the Bay Area.

Military uniforms worn by student Veterans on the Hornet

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Nov. 5 A student’s vehicle was damaged while parked in Lot 1 near the Tennis Courts on Mission Bell Drive. The incident occurred sometime between 2:30 4 p.m.

At 1:39 a.m., an alarm sounded in the Student Service Center on campus. No more information was provided.

Tuesday, Nov. 6 A robbery involving a firearm occurred a block off campus toward Shane Drive at 10 p.m. No other details of the incident were provided.

There was a report of the Gymnasium alarm going off at 6:10 p.m.

An alarm went off at 12:43 a.m. in the General Education Building.

No other information was provided.

— 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.

PHOTOS BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Joseph Conway wears a short sleeved summer class C uniform worn in Vietnam.

On the top left of his chest, Conway has aviator wings. Under that he has ribbons that display his accomplishments.

Zac Frappier wears a summer class B uniform worn in Vietnam. The uniform can be deemed formal if worn to special events, especially if worn with a tie. Without it, the uniform is considered casual.

Leon Watkins wears a replica jungle uniform that would have been worn during Vietnam. The uniform is made out of lightweight material and is the basis for many others that came after it.

Larry Thompson wears a U.S. Navy camouflage uniform commissioned after Vietnam. The uniform was issued in 1982 and 1983 and was the standard until the 90s.

Luis Vasquez wears a World War II sailor’s uniform worn by a petty soldier who is above a seaman and below a petty officer second class.

It is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer.

Kyla Long wears a class C Charlie’s dress uniform worn from the late 50s to the 70s in Vietnam.

The uniform was featured in “Gomer Pyle,” a spinoff the classic show, Andy Griffith.”

ARMED ROBBERY | Police Services sends out warning Continued from Page 1 iPhone before fleeing southbound on Shane Drive in a dark colored vehicle.

“We put out a timely warning to advise the campus community of the crime,” Lt. Holt said.

A mass emergency message was sent out via email and text around 9:50 a.m. on Nov. 7 to inform students, faculty and staff of the robbery.

According to the message, the suspects are described as African-American males 6-foottall, thin, in their 20s, wearing dark shoes and clothes with an Adidas logo on their sweatpants.

Holt said, “The college has done a great job of improving lighting conditions with new LED lights and we have increased patrols with extra officers. However, we encourage people to park on campus because we do not patrol off campus.”

This off-campus area includes the surrounding neighborhoods where students often park to save the $40 it costs for a semester-long parking permit and to avoid parking congestion in the patrolled lots.

Holt said there have been robberies in areas surrounding the college in the more distant past, and that it is safer for students to park on campus.

Since the CCC campus lies between the cities of Richmond and San Pablo, the streets on either side of campus are patrolled by police from both departments.

The college has recently purchased the Campus Shield app, which students can download free of charge, Holt said. He said the app is so far under-utilized.

“We are always trying to hire more (police) aides and I have recently hired an hourly parking officer to work primarily at night. As always, we can provide on-campus escorts for staff and students who request it.”

CCC music major Elias Jimenez said he received the Nov. 7 text message warning him of the robbery.

“I think it’s a great idea that police are making sure students and professors are aware of what’s going on around them, but I didn’t get the message until the next day,” Jimenez said.

“I’m glad no one was hurt. I think a quicker system to get the information out faster would be beneficial to students.”

Jimenez, who primarily takes classes during the evening, said it’s never crossed his mind that he could be robbed on campus.

“Because I don’t hear about it happening so often, I never really thought about it,” he said. “I guess now I’ll think twice about my surroundings — especially when I leave my evening classes.”

The search for the two suspects is ongoing.

Holt urges anyone with any information to call the Richmond Police Department at 510233-1214.

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.14.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

n two i d e t e p m ds in as co r h a w m a a l e a t u h d ndivi i e m The speec o ce h a l g p n i d k n a t o , c s e t on s w m a e tournamen t e h und t o , r n a o t m k o c r o f t s ollege c each. In S r a e y o g tw n o m a l l a r ove ast. o C t s e W e th

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Growing team succeeds Consistent tournament victories drive squad

By Alex Kwasniza sports editor

akwasniza.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Contra Costa College speech team placed second among junior colleges in the Mustang Invitational forensics tournament at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton on Nov. 2.

The tournament ran all day and consisted of multiple forensic debate categories and featured 15 colleges from multiple states including Texas, Oregon and Nevada.

CCC’s speech team continues its tear on tournaments and was awarded second overall because of its strong individual placing in several category. Six out of the seven students for the team ended up making a finals appearance in at least one event.

Throughout the tournament, the team competed in nine different events.

“All of those finals breaks were at least top five. It was huge,” speech team Coach Randy Carver said.

Team captain and Middle College High School student Shreejal Luitel said, “It makes me feel really good because I remember starting off with the team last year.

In the first couple of tournaments, we only had one or two breaks, Luitel but now it’s like six people break through and this is just our second tournament of the season. That’s incredible.”

Luitel performed well at the Mustang Invitational and placed first in Open Persuasion and earned second place in Open Informative.

Luitel said he’s excited for how well he performed, but still wants to improve and do better next tournament.

“Last time that I competed in Open Informative I came in fourth place and this

time I came in second. Hopefully next time around the rate of change can be a little steeper and I can come in first.”

Competitor and journalism major Xavier Johnson competed in the open division for the first time and placed fourth in the Dramatic Interpretation event.

“Open is hard. The competitors’ speeches and technique are cleaner. They just have a certain experience level to them that is a little intimidating,” Johnson said. “It was fun competing against them because I got to see how good everyone else is. I thought to myself, I need to step my game up.”

Thanks to their stellar performances in the past two tournaments, Luitel, Johnson and computer science and business major Aman Butt have all qualified for the national forensics tournament.

But attending this tournament will probably be unlikely for the CCC team due to a lack of financing, Carver said.

Solano Community College took first place in the tournament, while Diablo Valley College placed just behind CCC in third.

Preparation for the tournament included

“a ton of practice,” Carver said. “There is a lot of research, writing, drafting and a whole lot of memorization. All of that falls on the shoulders of the competitors. I’m just here to facilitate that.”

Competitor and speech team member Sydnie Alex said, “You need to put a lot of energy into it, but it feels really good when you’re done.”

The CCC speech team, as a whole, has seen a dramatic growth in numbers over the past few semesters.

Johnson said when he joined the team a few months ago there were very few members but, since his arrival, the club membership number has sprouted to 10 and is still growing.

“We’ve been trying to promote more on campus and we’ve had other faculty members promoting it as well,” Carver said.

He also said the biggest reason why the team is growing is because of the team recruiting friends. Also, being at events such as Club Rush and the Speech Night, which took place two weeks ago, helps spread the word about the club.

FREE BREAKFAST SEES STUDENT INCREASE

By Cindy Pantoja opinion editor

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

With classes in full swing and food insecurities on the rise, the demand for the Free Breakfast Program at Contra Costa College has increased 40 percent this fall.

The Free Breakfast Program was launched by the Associated Students Union (ASU) on Feb. 28. Its purpose is to provide a free hot breakfast to students on campus MondayThursday from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

“Basically, this program was built out of necessity, trying to address the need that students have here on campus,” ASU President Alex Walker-Griffin said. “A lot of students come here early, and they usually skip breakfast, the most important meal of the day.”

Students on campus struggle to get a meal for different reasons, he said. It could be because they don’t have enough money to buy it, or it could be because they have to work and they didn’t have enough time to

WORKSHOP PROVIDES FINANCIAL AID HELP

Students assisted with applications, information

By Luis Lopez advocate staff

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

For many students, struggling to pay for college has become a difficult obstacle to overcome.

The Cash for College workshop is designed to help students by assisting them during their financial aid application process.

The workshop was held in the Transfer Center Nov. 7 and provided students with professional assistance filling out financial aid applications.

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said, “The goal of the workshop is to help students start their financial aid applications and provide answers to any questions they might have about the pro-

cook the night before.

No matter what their reasons, any student can take advantage of the Free Breakfast Program, where they are never interrogated about their motives.

“It is really helpful to have a free breakfast every day,” undecided major Juan Reyes said.

The program works on a ticket basis, where students are issued a ticket after they sign in with their student ID number on a computer located at the Student Life Office in SA-109. This ticket can be exchanged for a hot breakfast at Pronto.

“I love the free breakfast because it is convenient to get it between my morning classes,” student Emily Cardoza said. “I have an 8 a.m. class so I get my breakfast at around 9 a.m.

The content of the breakfasts depends on what the culinary arts department prepared that morning. The options range from an egg burrito to potatoes with eggs. If students want a pastry, coffee, or juice to pair with

cess.”

The Cash for College workshop is part of a statewide campaign that visits high schools and colleges with pop-up labs.

This is the third year the workshop was held on campus with about 30 students showing up. Although the event was last Wednesday, students can receive help with their financial aid application year-round at the Career/Transfer Center in SA-227.

Students are encouraged to visit the center whenever they have any questions about financial aid.

The Cash for College workshop is exponentially helpful to students when filling out their financial aid application for the first time. It also helps students who have already filled it out in years prior and have questions about it.

Second-year kinesiology major Javonne Johnson said he filled out the financial aid application on his own in previous years, but showed up to this year’s workshop to get some help.

“I normally fill out the application on my own, but a few things have changed on my application since last year. I had some questions, which they were able to help me out with.”

This wasn’t the first time he got help from the workshop.

Johnson said, “The first time I ever filled out my financial aid application back in high school it was with the help of the Cash for College workshop. The workshop was held in my school when I was a senior.”

Johnson said it would have been really hard without the workshop. It is great for everyone, but especially students filling out their financial aid application for the first time.

their meal, they have to cover the difference with their own money.

Calleen Lawrence said, “I eat the free breakfast four times a week. I like it because I come to school and I don’t have to worry about cooking before getting here.”

Originally, the Free Breakfast Program was intended to serve 100 hot breakfasts a day with the help of the culinary arts department, but the demand has consisWalker-Griffin tently increased this fall.

“We are working every morning with a culinary student force of five people, including myself,” culinary arts instructional assistant Angel Chau said. “We are serving about 140 breakfasts a day.”

Walker-Griffin said when students are

not worried about where their next meal will come from, they can focus on school work.

That is why the ASU is doing everything possible to reduce the food insecurities of students on campus.

ASU Director of Public Relations Preston Akubow Onwvemeka said, “Budget-wise, we are not concerned about the increase in demand. In fact, we are trying to get the word out. The goal is to serve about 200 breakfasts a day next year.”

SparkPoint offers help to student who struggle financially, providing them with guidance to navigate the governmental programs to receive assistance. It offers workshops that teach students to manage their money provide care packages with toiletries for students in need.

“We help students evaluate how they might be eligible for other kinds of public benefits such CalWORKs or any number of the dozens of programs available out there,” SparkPoint coordinator Bill Bankhead said.

LUIS LOPEZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez (right) helps a student fill out an application for financial aid during the Cash for College workshop at the Career/Transfer Center.

The workshop has CCC alumni on its staff and they spoke about the significance of the workshop on this campus.

Financial aid assistant Alfredo Cardona was a student at CCC and was around before the workshop was on campus.

“This is great because for students like myself, we didn’t find out about financial aid until university. I’ve been with the program for a year now and we have visited all the major high schools in the area and have built a good relationship with students,” Cardona said.

“Sometimes students end up coming here and they already know some of the people in

the Career/Transfer Center. They remember the staff that visited their school with the Cash for College workshop.”

Without the help of Cash for College, some students wouldn’t be able to completely fill out their financial aid applications.

Liberal arts major Katherin Phan said, “It would have been hard for me to fill this out on my own. I’m glad there are people that can help us fill out these applications.”

“I also thought there’d be a lot more people attending the workshop. People should take advantage of the help provided by a service like this.”

campus beat

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LEFT: Health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles (middle) and early childhood education department Chairperson Sandra Moore (to Mickles’ left) take a look at the items and souvenirs on display at a Veterans Day celebration on campus Nov. 7.

LUIS LOPEZ / THE ADVOCATE

BUFFALO SOLDIERS SHARE PAST

Civil War era history upholds black power

By Dan Hardin staff writer

dhardin.theadvocate@gmail.com

A pre-Veterans Day celebration honoring the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers was hosted by the Veterans Club in Fireside Hall Nov. 7.

Members of the Northern California Buffalo Soldier Troopers of the 10th Cavalry Company G chapter, out of Sacramento, talked and answered questions on the history of the all-black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments that served after the Civil War. They were dressed in full Civil War apparel that included hat, handkerchief, shirt, pants, boots, belt and buckle.

The name Buffalo Soldier was given to them by the Native Americans they encountered, and although the reason why they got the name may be controversial, the name

stuck.

Retired United States Air Force veteran Charles Munroe said he became a member of this chapter in 1999.

“We are a living history group that keeps the pioneering, African-American military legacy alive,” he said.

Some of the duties of these black soldiers were to control the Native Americans of the plains, assist in capturing cattle rustlers and returning rustled cattle, and to be on the look out for stagecoach bandits and thieves.

They also protected settlers, wagon trains, railroad crews and trains along the western frontier.

Munroe said, “At first there was talk in (Congress) of paying the black soldier $16 per month, which was double that of the regular soldier.

“Then it was suggested that the black soldier should only receive $3 per month due to his position in life, which was that of meager existence, because most were ex-slaves and owned very little except for the clothes on their backs and maybe a horse.

“Finally it was decided that they would

n “At first there was talk in

(Congress) of paying the black soldier $16 per month, which was double that of the regular soldier.”

— Charles Munroe, Air Force veteran

be given $8 a month, the same as the white soldiers.”

Jamel Daniels, while walking down K Street in Sacramento one day, said he was approached by a soldier in full uniform.

The soldier asked him if he knew anything about the Buffalo Soldiers.

Daniels replied, “You mean Bob Marley?” referencing a song written by Marley and N. G. Williams entitled “Buffalo Soldier.”

The soldier preceded to inform him of the African-American contribution of the legendary, all-black regiments created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act following the Civil War. “I thought it to be important that the

history of the black soldier should live on in dissertation and reenactment,” Daniels said.

“I have been a part of this organization for the past 27 years.”

Mary Dean said she became a member of the Sacramento chapter due to an event at a memorial park in Sacramento. She was introduced to the amazing history of the “Soldiers” and the story of Cathy Williams.

She was so moved by this new found knowledge that she decided to join the organization and portray Cathy Williams, the first black female Buffalo Soldier.

Dean said that for Williams to become a soldier she had to become a man.

She changed her name to William Cathy, cut her hair and wore loose fitting clothing.

Dean said that Williams worked as a paymaster and a cook and was also a fierce fighter.

She served secretly for years as a man, until she had an occasion to become ill and required medical attention, which exposed her gender.

“The story of Cathy Williams is well-documented,” Dean said.

Scholarship grants abound

By Cindy Pantoja opinion editor

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

The 2019-20 scholarship application season has started and with more than $180,000 in funding available in scholarships through the Contra Costa College Foundation, students should already be filling out their applications.

Any money is good money when trying to pay for college and scholarships offer students free money — usually awarded on a competitive basis.

Recipients have to demonstrate hard work, volunteerism, leadership and community service in order to be selected.

“Students are at the center of this scholarship process,” Foundation Development Officer Sara Marcellino said. “This is money donated from people who want our students to get an education.”

At CCC, there are three ways to get a scholarship — through the Contra Costa College Sara Foundation, the Marcellino Kennedy-King Scholarship Contra and external Costa (off-campus) College scholarships.

Foundation According developto the campus ment officer website, CCC Foundation Scholarships are a financial resource provided to students by the generosity of local businesses, community groups, alumni and a variety of other private donors.

Currently, the Foundation offers 70 scholarships for students who want to study at CCC and for students who plan to transfer to a four-year university.

The Foundation scholarship

n “Students are at the

center of this scholarship process. This money was donated from people who want our students to get an education.”

— Sara Marcellino, college Foundation

application process begins Nov. 1 and closes Feb. 18.

Students have to fill out one online application at contracosta. edu/scholarships and the system will match them with the right scholarships.

Only students who submit a complete application will be considered candidates for Foundation scholarships.

Contracosta.academicworks. com lists the Bernard Osher as one of the scholarships offered by the Foundation and awards one student $1,100. The recipient must be enrolled at least half-time (six or more units) and have completed 24 or more units at CCC. The Kennedy-King Scholarship is a fund that awards recipients with an annual $5,000 scholarship.

It is for students who will transfer to a four-year accredited U.S. college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Students can download an application at kennedyking.org and have until Feb. 18 for submittal.

“I don’t know about scholarships, but I would like to know more because I’m about to transfer,” business management major Frenchie Lee said.

External scholarships are a financial resource offered by organizations outside of the CCC Foundation. These scholarships may be offered to students at the local, regional, statewide or even nationwide level.

The Horatio Alger Association Scholarship is listed on contracosta.edu as a trusted external schol-

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Josielyn Bustamante (left) receives a scholarship certificate from Foundation Secretary William Van Dyk during the Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the Knox Center in May 2016.

arship.

It awards $10,000 to a student who will graduate from a high school in California in 2019 with a minimum 2.0 GPA and can demonstrate financial hardships.

This past May, The Advocate reported about a malfunction in the system which granted scholarships with specific criteria to the wrong candidates.

It left students, such as those in the nursing department, without the opportunity to get specific scholarships.

A new requirement criterion was added to the selection system last term and the website is expected to work as it should this term.

“We are constantly working on the website trying to make it user-friendly. Over the summer, we were able to address and fix

previous problems,” Marcellino said.

Scholarships come to those who apply early and take the time to fulfill all the requirements. It is a task that requires time and effort.

Many on campus know that students struggle with this process and workshops are available to help.

English department assistant professor Maritez Apigo said, “In our workshops, English professors help students with any stage of writing the UC personal insight questions.

During the spring semester, we will be offering the same services to students on their scholarship essays.”

The workshops are held in the Library and Learning Resource Center.

Students need to be registered in English 875N-2854, which is free, in order to use the services offered in LLRC-121.

Students often get caught up in the application process and it is estimated that filling out an application takes about two hours.

However, there are other requirements such two letters of recommendation, college transcripts and proof of community service work that would take more time to acquire.

Apigo said, “Don’t procrastinate. Let your true self and personality come out in your responses.

The universities want to get to know you in a personal way. It’s something they can’t do from your transcripts and other parts of your application.”

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AB705 mandates that a first-year student complete transfer-level English and math first.

AB705 requires all California community colleges to be compliant by fall 2019.

AB 705

Intermediate algebra

Elementary algebra

English 142B

English 142B INFOGRAPHIC BY ANDREW WEEDON / THE ADVOCATE

Remedial courses axed Transfer-level English and math requirements change through AB705

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Sweeping changes are coming to English and math departments in an attempt to drive students toward completing transfer-level courses within their first year of college.

Signed into law on Oct. 17, 2017, Assembly Bill 705 mandates that colleges will “maximize the probability” that students seeking a degree will complete transfer-level English and math in their first year and English as a Second Language (ESL) students within three years.

Colleges must be compliant by fall 2019.

According to the bill, failure to comply with the bill will affect eligibility for both College Promise and Guided Pathways funding.

English department co-Chairperson Elvia Ornelas-Garcia said one of the reasons for the legislation is that researchers looking at retention and persistence rates noticed when students start in developmental courses, they are less likely to complete the transfer course.

The first way to address this issue was implementing multiple measures and replacing the older method standardized assessments used to place students into courses.

Multiple measures use high school GPA to determine the appropriate English or math course for students to take first.

“Students were taking an assessment test that was telling them to take a course two levels below English 1A. However, when you look at their GPA, you see they were doing quite well in English in high school,” Ornelas-Garcia said.

According to the AB705 implementation memo, the data estimates that placement directly into transfer-level courses using

multiple measures boosts students’ completion of those courses.

For students with a GPA above 2.6, their success rate of completing transfer-level courses within one year jumped to 80 percent from 40 percent.

According to the Student Success Scorecard, 40 percent of students go on to receive a degree or certificate in six years compared to 70 percent for students who enroll directly in transferable courses. For students coming into college on the lowest end of the spectrum, with a GPA of 1.9 or lower, their success, with additional co-requisite academic support, increased from 12 percent to 43 percent.

With students entering college and taking more advanced coursework, additional academic support will be required.

This will be especially important for students who previously would be taking lower level courses like English 142B or Math 118.

Both the Contra Costa College English and math departments are developing curricula to address the need for additional support. For English, a major change is the addition of English 1AX. The 5- unit course will be an option for students to take instead of the standard 4-unit English 1A. “1AX is the same course, but there will be more in-class support and the teachers will receive training on strategies to help students that are struggling such as Just in time remediation,” Ornelas-Garcia said.

Just in time remediation is a method of introducing developmental course material before they are needed during a high-level course — instead of a multi-semester approach.

An additional method of support that is being considered is using embedded tutors in English 1AX for students that need that help.

They also hope working with other departments will limit barriers to students’ success.

English department co-Chairperson Ben Jahn said the department also will need to

n “Students not passing is less

about course material. Sometimes life just happens. Eliminate the barrier to taking transfer courses, because when life happens it’s better to have to retake a transferable course than a non-transferable course.”

— Ben Jahn, English department co-chairperson

work with counseling, Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), and English as a Second Language (ESL) to make sure students access the right support.

“Students not passing is less about course material. Sometimes life just happens. Eliminate the barrier to taking transfer courses, because when life happens, it’s better to have to retake a transferable course than a non-transferable course,” Jahn said.

The math department is developing co-requisite courses to offer math content in a support role while students are taking Intermediate Algebra.

Additional changes to make students comfortable with college mathematics is adjusting the way a curriculum is presented.

Math department Chairperson Terrill Mead said, “A lot of what we are doing is contextualizing the course to give some Jahn concrete basis to the math they’re learning so it has more meaning to them.

Part of our challenge is to bring it from being so abstract to making it more real.”

Alongside co-requisite courses, Mead said the department is looking at using embedded tutors and building a lab hour into some courses.

The implementation of AB705 has been

met with uncertainty from the English and math department chairpersons due to the logistics of providing support to the increased number of students who will need it.

Ornelas-Garcia said, “I’m worried that we may not be able to serve all students. We will do our very best, but the department and college as a whole we need to create some safety nets for those students.”

She said she is concerned because CCC’s English department is the smallest in the district so accommodating the boost in students that need academic support will stretch the already understaffed department.

Jahn said, “The new bill might make a lot of sense. It allows students into English 1A and the data suggests that it’s fair and just.

Will it play out that way? That will be determined on a college-by-college basis.”

The math department also is presented with the challenge of giving support to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students.

Mead said, “Most of our non-STEM students just want to get through their stats class. With STEM students, we need to make sure they are prepared for all their STEM coursework. So, we’re a little worried about how we’re going to make sure everyone knows it all.”

Mead and Ornelas-Garcia, both with 20 years of teaching experience, said they have seen the “pendulum” swing for and against developmental courses and this current move is in the right direction. However, the pendulum may have swung too far.

Ornelas-Garcia said she understands the need for a mandate because many students were not being assessed in a way that provided an accurate view of their skill sets. With full implementation not happening until fall 2019, it is unsure whether the mandate will help students.

Mead said, “We may be excluding the people who need to take lower level courses.

We’re taking away that option. I’m worried we won’t have the support for them. As a statistics person I do see the argument.”

Civil engineer discusses STEM

By Jose Arebalo scene editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors gathered in GE-225 on Friday afternoon to listen to an informational seminar from civil engineer Tawfic Halaby.

Halaby has 17 years of experience as a civil engineer and is currently the senior civil engineer for the city of Richmond.

“It’s important to be open to everything that life has to offer. Try to always keep an open mind,” Halaby said.

The seminar was organized to provide insight to the day-to-day career that a civil engineer experiences.

Halaby has been volunteering his time with Contra Costa College’s Center for Science Excellence for about the past Halaby four years, program director Seti Sidharta said.

She said that they met through mutual colleagues and Halaby was eager to give some of his time to help engineering students.

“He has been able to help get students internships and hired now for a while,” Sidharta said.

The program is designed to support students through what Sidharta calls an “intimidating” career choice.

His presentation dealt with the day-today operations of working in that career field.

He said his duties include learning to work in large teams with multiple personalities, providing updates on projects and answering to the public. There are quite a few directions that engineering students can take, but Halaby’s work focuses on infrastructure and municipal

n “It’s important to be open to everything that life has to offer.

Try to always keep an open mind.”

— Tawfic Halaby, Richmond civil engineer

engineering.

Projects vary from rerouting water canals to designing and constructing street intersections. Through his work, he “never expected to be in charge of multi-million dollar projects,” yet he is conscious of his position as a public servant.

Halaby shared how grateful he is to work in a such a rewarding position that allows him to contribute to impactful projects.

Halaby majored in chemical engineering at Purdue University for his undergrad work, but felt he needed to make a bigger impact with his career.

He went on to get his graduate degree in water treatment.

Halaby spent two years on his thesis, then spent a few years working as a consultant before finding himself working as a civil engineer.

He shared his story to assure students that the road to success isn’t as clear as it may seem.

After graduate school he earned his dream job, but in two short years he was fired for underperforming.

“I did what I thought I had to do, but it wasn’t for me,” Halaby said.

After being unemployed for a year, he found a career path in civil engineering, saying he “had to fail in order to succeed.”

With such a large focus on career goals, it was his wife telling Halaby to “get a life” that led to him exploring service outside of his work. Halaby started volunteering on educational service trips through the organization, Learning for the Empowerment and Advancement of

Palestinians.

His efforts to give back led him to helping the campus community as well.

Students who might need support are helped tremendously by the guidance provided by program mentors.

Part of the job for civil engineers includes participating as a civil servant as well. That includes making sure that the public is aware of project progress.

“The public definitely cares. A lot of people come out to these meetings,” Halaby said.

Public interaction is an important part of the job, he said.

As the seminar ended, students were invited to have drinks and refreshments with Halaby, while assistant physics professor Chao Liu began to direct students to Halaby for questions.

“This is a great program to motivate students toward their career. They are able to ask for advice from professionals,” Liu said. “The program often brings back alumni from the program to share their experiences as young professionals as well.”

Students in the program also gain real industry experience by participating in intercollegiate competitions.

Liu hopes these activities will inspire young students.

Civil engineering student Yu Joon quickly joined the line to speak with Halaby.

“It was really cool to learn about these municipal projects,” Joon said.

Joon attended the seminar to gain industry knowledge and pursue internship opportunities.

She was happy to learn about the importance of her field’s professional work.

“I used to see some messed up streets in my area and it was actually Halaby working on those projects and fixing the roads.” Joon said.

GRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

sports

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Comets end season with loss Comet right hitter Rosa Olivar spikes a ball over the net during a game against Napa Valley College earlier this season.

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

49ERS

3

COMETS

0

In front of a packed crowd for Sophomore Night, the volleyball team lost its last game of the season in straight sets to Yuba College (1011 overall and 9-5 in the Bay Valley Conference) in the Gymnasium Nov. 7.

Middle blocker Makaya Thomas, libero Delaine Baca, outside hitter Victoria Matue, right side hitter Rosa Olivar and middle blocker Marissa Kitchen were the sophomore players honored before the game.

“This is the best team we’ve had in my years of coaching,” coach Christy Tianero said. “Even though the team’s record was bad, the way they played and how hard they practiced is why I love this team.”

Baca and Matue both said the team’s chemistry was significantly improved from last season.

The Comets finished the season with a 2-19 record with the only two victories coming in conference play against winless, last place, Napa Valley College.

Contra Costa College finished seventh in the BVC. Coming into the final game, the Comets were on a six-game losing streak and were looking to finish the season with a spirited performance. In front of a big crowd, in large part to sociology department Chairperson Vern Cromartie who gave extra credit to students attending the game, the volleyball team struggled to maintain focus in the unusually raucous environment.

Kitchen said, “It was nerve wracking because of all the people.

I was hoping we’d play our best against Yuba, but the big crowd scared us a little.”

At one point, the Comets were

down 12-1 giving up points off errors and low-effort play. Any efforts to rally were moot as Yuba easily took the first set, 25-14.

In a make-or-break moment after the team’s early struggles, the Comets managed to stabilize going into set two.

“We kept telling ourselves this is our last game and all these people came to watch us,” Thomas said.

Matue, in particular, stepped up her play in set two after a poor start. The sophomore defensive anchor said nerves got the best of her which contributed to her lack of energy on the court.

“Victoria “I wasn’t is a really ready to play,” said. good defen- Matue After some sive player. m o t i v a t i o n

by Tianero, Against Matue’s play, Solano, she like the rest held her own of the team, in against the improved set two.

Thomas top ranked and freshman hitter in the outside hitconference.” ter Maleah Christy Tianero, Maddox gave the team an volleyball coach offensive spark toward keeping the second set close.

Thomas finished the game with 15 kills on 44 attempts. Maddox had six kills on 14 attempts.

Despite improvement by the Comets, Yuba was able to win set two, 25-21.

Set three was similar with the Comets holding their own but ultimately losing 25-18.

Wednesday marked the end of the season but practice continues for Thomas, Matue and

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Baca as they are competing in the Sophomore Showcase at Solano Community College on Dec. 2.

The showcase is where the top volleyball players in the state go to play in front of college scouts in hopes of getting an offer to a fouryear college.

CCC hasn’t sent players to the showcase at all during Tianero’s tenure as coach and the honor was a rarity when Tianero attended CCC in 2006.

“We didn’t know anything about the Sophomore Showcase.

We haven’t sent any players, but this year all three of them are good enough to go,” Tianero said.

Baca finished the season ranked second in the BVC in total digs with 312 and second in digs per set with 4.52. Thomas’ 0.72 blocks per set ranked her third in the conference and she was ninth in kills per set.

Matue didn’t stand out in any statistical categories, but Tianero said she is one of their best players.

The sophomore struggled due

to playing out of position most of the season.

Matue’s prime position is as a defensive specialist or libero, however, she was better utilized as an outside hitter for the Comets.

“Victoria is a really good defensive player. Against Solano, she held her own against the top ranked hitter in the conference,” Tianero said.

In that game Matue had 16 digs.

In preparation for the showcase, Tianero has been working with players individually on their weaknesses and adjustments for playing outside of CCC. Tianero said Baca is working on lining up on the left side as a libero instead of her current position in the middle back.

Thomas has been working on improving her approach, which is the way a player gathers and prepares to make a play.

Matue has been focusing on making quicker decisions as a defensive specialist.

Comet libero Delaine Baca snarls during a Bay Valley Conference game earlier this season.

FIRE, SMOKE JEOPARDIZE SHOT AT BVC CHAMPIONSHIP

By Efrain Valdez sports editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Under the floodlights and the haze of lingering smoke, the men’s soccer team was denied the opportunity to compete for a Bay Valley Conference championship Monday night at the Soccer Field.

The Comets (7-7-4 overall and 3-2-2 in the Bay Valley Conference), began conference play Sept. 28 in sluggish form with a 1-1-2 record, which left little opportunity for the team to make it into postseason play.

Now, at the end of a tumultuous conference season, the team found itself with a last-ditch opportunity to win the BVC. Needing an inundation of positive results to even entertain the thought of competing for the championship, the Comets found themselves at the mercy of conference rivals and reigning BVC champion Napa Valley College (7-8-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the BVC).

In its last two matches, the Storm managed to beat conference leaders Merritt College (8-4-6 overall and 4-1-2 in the BVC) and Mendocino College (10-6-3 overall and 4-3-1 in the BVC) to set up the Comets for a chance to take the top spot in the conference with a win over Merritt on Monday.

However, about 20 minutes prior to kick off at the Soccer Field Monday, league officials called off the potential championship clincher due to the poor air quality due to the Camp Fire some 200 miles away in Paradise, California.

Originally, the game was scheduled to be played Friday, but it was pushed to Monday

in hopes of avoiding the smoky air that has blanketed the area since late Thursday.

As of press time Tuesday, the BVC is left without an official conference champion because of the cancellations. This leaves the decision up to the regional playoffs seeding meeting on Tuesday morning to decide if the game should to be rescheduled and played.

That would allow the BVC to crown a definitive champion(s). However, Napa would leapfrog three teams to earn the unofficial championship if the game is not rescheduled. Napa would end up as conference champion because it holds the tiebreaker over Merritt.

Contra Costa College coach Nikki Ferguson, who is the coaches’ representative for the BVC at the seeding meetings, said Monday, “All games were supposed to be done by Saturday, but obviously with the fires, the games kept getting pushed back further and further. The seeding meeting is (Tuesday) and that’s when we set the brackets for the playoffs.”

Comet defender Raul Garcia said, “This is my last season playing. So, if we don’t get to play another game this season, it would be a bad memory that I would always carry with me.”

Friday’s cancellation came after college administrators consulted with the California Community College Athletic Trainers Association about the risks of playing in those conditions.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) airnow.gov website, the air quality on Friday was better than the air quality Monday at game time.

n “About 20 minutes before kick

off the refs called the game. If you’re going to let us warm up for that long you might as well let us play.”

— Raul Garcia, Comet defender For Friday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the range of 101-150 signifying the general public is not at risk of the particles in the air.

On Monday, however, the AQI was much higher in the range of 151-200, which is considered unhealthy for everyone.

“We warmed up as we would for any game,” Garcia said. “About 20 minutes before kickoff, the refs called the game. If you’re going to let us warm up for that long you might as well let us play,” Ferguson said it is frustrating because he thought the conditions on Friday were good enough to play.

“The reason I say it was good enough for us to play is because we had other programs playing in worse conditions that day,” he said.

Considering 24 of the 32 games were in action around the state on Friday brings into question why the game was canceled, he said. Especially when air quality prediction models last week showed that the air quality would continue to worsen over the coming week.

BVC Commissioner Shirley Baskin said Monday, “It’s a major tragedy with what’s going on with the fires and unfortunately the air quality was not cooperating with today’s

game.”

She said that they (California Community College Athletic Association) take this seriously and want to protect the players if there are unsafe playing conditions.

The CCCAA bylaw 9.7.2 states that the host team’s athletic trainer must “note unsafe environment using real-time readings measured on site.”

Then the trainer must notify their athletic director of the unsafe environment conditions and work together to determine the appropriate action.

“If the officials determined that the playing conditions were not good, then it’s pretty clear that the game could not be played,” Baskin said.

The game’s cancellation could have huge implications for the number of BVC teams that get playoff spots. The scenario could also leave the BVC with just one automatic playoff berth.

“It would be unfair if we don’t play this game. We really want it,” Garcia said.

“It’s not only huge for us, it is huge for our conference,” Ferguson said. “There’s potential for us (BVC) to get three or four bids because of the language in the championship handbook. It says every conference champion gets an automatic bid.”

The Comets are now at the mercy of whatever is decided at the seeding meeting on Tuesday. CCC is looking to make the state playoffs after missing out last year following a defeat to Napa.

“I’m afraid (this year a) decision will be made off the field rather than on the field,” Ferguson said.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 11.14.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

LEFT: Yaz, played by Melissa Velasquez, and Elliot, played by Diego Loza, throw the ashes of their deceased mother into a waterfall during a scene in “Water by the Spoonful” in the Knox Center on Thursday.

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Tale of recovery conveys wide range of intense emotions Lives affected by addiction find relief through community

By Gabriel Quiroz news editor

gquiroz.theadvocate@gmail.com

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ost-Traumatic Stress Syndrome is a major issue that plagues veterans and can sometimes lead to addiction and problems for which many don’t seek help.

“Water by The Spoonful,” directed

by Angelina LaBarre, captures these mental health issues with a unique perspective that gives audiences a glimpse inside the mind and the internet.

The play centers around a veteran soldier who serves in Iraq and comes back with severe PTSD and a bad leg injury, which heavily plagues his daily life.

The play also showcases a group of ex-crack cocaine addicts who populate a chat room and talk about their addictions with sarcastic and comical retorts.

They help each other during times of weakness, when they want to use.

Each serves as support for one another as most of them have lost family ties during their hardest times.

The play bounces back and forth between the two scenarios, sometimes blending together to form a flurry of different emotions that keep viewers

struggling with what to focus on in hopes of not missing a moment.

Propped upon stacks of pixel-like cubes, the group of addicts entertains with a witty back and forth dialogue using the tone of a group of friends who have known each other for many years.

They express PLAY themselves with REVIEW intense emotion, “Water by the losing viewers in Spoonful” their stories. ★★★★★ Their candid Venue: Knox openness leaves audience members Center Directed by: wanting to know Angelina LaBarre more about their Continues: individual lives as Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the play goes on.

Sunday at 3 p.m.

Chat room member CHUTES& LADDERS, played

by Umi Grant, showcases a tremendous range of emotion with witty comment delivery, including anger and biting humor.

The most powerful moment is during a chat with fellow ex-addict ORANGUTAN, played by Anne Yumi

Kobori.

She shares a very strong connection that carries much of the humor in the play, whether it be self-deprecating or against other members of the chat.

Kobori and Grant had a back and forth that grew more and more realistic as the play went on. Their dialogue often left attendees with a cliffhanger as scenes would end.

Not to be outdone

by ORANGUTAN and CHUTES&LADDERS, HAIKUMOM, played by Silvia Sobal, serves as moderator to the chat room.

Appearing motherly and kind, but carrying a stern attitude toward the rest of the group, she gives the group a familial feel.

She is around to tame the group when things get out of hand or when other members get too serious with their personal attacks.

HAIKUMOM’s range is diverse and captivating.

In the chat room she is a motherly figure who helps others cope with her kind words However, offline she is much more in need of help herself.

Rounding out the group of addicts

and most recent to join in the chat group, is FOUNTAINHEAD, played by Heriberto Barber Lopez.

Although not as lively as the other members of the chat, Lopez finishes strong in his last scene by showing that there is a softer side to his character.

Combat veteran Elliot Ortiz, played

by Diego Loza, deals with numerous conflicts in the play — not only physically but mentally. He suffers far more than most of the characters and often sees a ghost due to his PTSD. Ortiz’s denial eats away at him and he receives little help from his family. He is brought closer to one of his cousins, Yazmin Ortiz, played by Meli Valesquez.

Loza and Valesquez lack the energy of their fellow cast mates, but have redeeming scenes with other members of the performance.

Joshua Saephan fills many shoes acting out four roles in the play. He plays Professor Aman, a florist, a policeman and the ghost that haunts Ortiz.

The play is captivating and, although it runs almost two hours, it leaves viewers wanting more. It continues at the Knox Center Friday,

MALEK SHINES AS MERCURY, OTHER ASPECTS LACK DEPTH

By Gabriel Quiroz news editor

gquiroz.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

he extravagant and eccentric rock star story has been told many times over the years and often protagonists go through the same struggles of sex, addiction and heartbreak.

As a film, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is not entirely different from these stories, but it is not quite in that category.

Queen, musically or culturally, can’t be put in a category with anyone else.

The band changed what music could be and transcended genres with operatic sections and a unique singing style. Queen was a band that constantly challenged themselves.

Band front-man Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek, is the driving force throughout the film.

However, despite the title’s indication that the story is going to be about the band as a whole, there are not many in-depth stories about the other three band members of Queen.

The film is fast-paced, often not delving too much into detail when important moments arise. But it does just enough that viewers get the main point of what is going on.

Audience members journey through the formation and rise of the band past their first year into headlining an American tour.

Malek’s portrayal of Mercury captures scenes as his wit and ego flow through naturally, while his movements and on-stage antics capture Mercury’s vibe completely.

Malek is able to deliver a genuine and authentic performance of Mercury and his eccentric style.

However, one of Mercury’s love interests does not share this authenticity. Mary Austin, played by Lucy Boynton, lacks strong emotion in comparison to Malek and many of the other characters in the film.

She often seems to have the same facial expression, except for a few choice scenes when she confronts Mercury. Even then, it just shows how much she mailed-in her performance in other scenes.

Brian May, played by Gwilym Lee, Roger Taylor, acted by Ben Hard, and John Deacon as Joseph Mazzello together with Mercury formed the eccentric

and uncompromisingly talented band Queen.

Mercury’s theft of screen-time leads to the film’s band members suddenly becoming married without notice and having kids with no indication of time or age — other than which album the band was working on.

Their arguments with Freddie also do not seem to be as impactful as they should have been because after multiple years of not speaking to each other, making up seemed simple for them.

Because of its PG-13 rating, the film does not go into much detail in scenes dealing with Mercury’s sexuality.

MOVIE A quick glance at a men’s room REVIEW door, a naked man on a couch and “Bohemian leather is as far as the movie dares Rhapsody” go. ★★★★★ Paul Prenter, who portrays Starring: Rami Allen Leech, another one of Malek Freddie’s love interests, serves as Directed by: Bryan Singer a believable antagonist in the film Genre: Biopic and a character audience members love to hate.

The Prenter-Mercury relationship seems to appear out of nowhere with no indication of interest before their first kiss.

The two seem to merge into one during the film but there is no gradual interaction — it’s a sudden movement into a one-sided, destructive relationship.

Mercury’s family, however important in the beginning of the film, receives little screen time as the film progresses. The movie gives little explanation of their estrangement other than Mercury not following his family’s traditional values and becoming a rock star.

Malek’s portrayal of Mercury’s performance style is the film’s high point. He replicates movement after movement just like Mercury, offering chills to moviegoers as if they were at an actual Queen concert.

A first-time viewer with no previous knowledge of the band may be entranced by the film and its main protagonist.

However, after watching in greater detail, “Bohemian Rhapsody” leaves viewers wanting a more in-depth look at this huge band’s legacy.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Rami Malek portrays Queen front-man Freddy Mercury during his renown performance at Live Aid in 1985 in the new film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Live Aid was a benefit concert organized to raise funds for relief of the Ethiopian famine.