The Advocate 2-6

WEDNESDAY l 2.6.19 OUR 69TH YEAR

CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

INTERIM TAKEOVER Seasoned educators establish new dual VP structure

editorial

Clean slate After last year’s turbulent end, a fresh start paves the way for a new semester and year.

PAGE 2

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Two interims will occupy the roles of vice president of student services and vice president of academic affairs following last semester’s discontinued search to permanently fill both positions.

Retired Monterey Peninsula College vice president of student services Carsbia Anderson and retired Modesto Junior College vice president of instruction Susan Kincade took the helm mid-January as the first dual VPs in Contra

Costa College history.

“It’s significantly important that not only are they here to cover, but to help move our college forward. Also, to prepare and set up these two new divisions,” CCC President Katrina VanderWoude said. “At this point we will likely have our interims with us well into November, which allows us to conduct a search in mid to late summer. That’s the plan at this time.”

Like many other community colleges around the state have already done, CCC is moving from a one vice president to a dual-vice

president structure.

Kincade will temporarily fill the role as VP of student affairs, while Anderson heads up student services.

“We didn’t bring them here just to sit in those seats. These are vice presidents who have come in dayone, engaged with faculty and staff and reached out to our students,” Dr. VanderWoude said. “Both have experience at more than one college. They seem like a fit and seem like they will contribute. Honestly,

ABOVE: Interim vice presidential hires Susan Kincade (left) and Carsbia Anderson begin their Contra Costa College journey.

SEE INTERIMS, PAGE 3

DOROTHY Harris runs for president WENDT: AN UNMATCHED PIONEER Local politician begins presidential campaign in Oakland

By Jose Arebalo scene editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Former women’s basketball and softball coach Dorothy Wendt, commonly known as “Dottie,” was not just a pioneer for he two sports at Contra Costa College, but the entire athletic program on campus.

As a coach in the pre-Title IX era, Wendt worked hard to give her student-athletes an opportunity to compete and grow as athletes. She was one of the 10 original inductees to the college Hall of Fame.

But Wendt’s encourag- Wendt ing nature and desire to help people grow went far beyond coaching and extended to her physical education students, co-workers and family members.

SEE WENDT, PAGE 3

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE LOOMS NEAR, MANY AVAILABLE

OAKLAND — Community leaders and local musical acts spoke on the importance of unity in support of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris as the candidate most qualified to bring Americans together.

Harris, the Democratic senator from California, gave a rousing speech on Jan. 27, focused on unifying the country as she kicked off her presidential campaign at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.

Clear skies set the stage at 12:45 p.m., which saw the streets of Oakland roar with support and excitement.

“The rally was well attended and very successful. Senator Harris clearly brings a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of important background to the race,” California State Assembly member Richard Bloom said.

Bay Area residents came out in droves with roughly 20,000 people in attendance, according to event organizers. The general admission line wrapped around nine Oakland city blocks from Broadway down 14th to 19th Street.

The crowd was packed with excited families who wanted to join the intimate space in front of Oakland City Hall, hopeful to witness history in the making.

After an invocation from Pastor Demetrius Edwards and an introduction from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff, the main event began.

With a joyous and yet serious tone, Harris gave a speech focused on fighting for community, collective prosperity and freedom for all.

PINOLE’S FIRST MUSICAL OF THE YEAR DRAWS CROWD PAGE 6

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DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

U.S. Senator Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd of around 20,000 people during the kick-off rally in Downtown Oakland, California on Jan. 17. Harris hopes to make history by becoming the first black female president in the 2020 election.

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

“People are having trouble keeping up with bills, people are drowning in America,” Harris said. She opened her speech showing the public she is aware of the issues they currently face.

“As children growing up here in the East Bay, we were raised by a community with a deep belief in the promise of our country and a deep understanding of the parts of that promise that still remain SEE HARRIS, PAGE 3

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Quotable “The need to protect what we detest is the reason freedom of the mind both exists and remains under siege.”

Robert Peck constitutional scholar 1997 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 editors 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 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, FEB. 6, 2019 VOL. 108, NO. 11

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL

FRESH START FOR EVERYONE

Spring semester begins clean slate for administration

F

or students and members of the Contra Costa College campus community, the fresh start that accompanies the beginning of a semester is a welcomed opportunity to re-write the wrongs of semesters past.

If the saying is true, that each beginning comes at the expense of some prior beginning’s end, then the rocky start and subsequent turbulent ending that defined the fall 2018 semester can be seen as teachable moments rather than a harbinger of things to come.

Though some of the more prevalent problems that marred the previous semester were self-inflicted, much of the uncertainty that accompanied the term was out of anyone’s control.

With a semester-long Liberal Arts Building demolition project as a backdrop and the dust and deafening noise that accompanied it, CCC’s fourth president in as many years, Dr. Katrina VanderWoude, was tasked with managing the college’s structural and administrative makeover.

More importantly, she was charged with reaffirming the Contra Costa Community College District path forward would serve not only state funding metrics, but everyone in the campus community — an idea many had increasingly been losing faith in.

However, with the Camp Fire, the most deadly wildfire in state history, prompting a 10-day campus closure Nov. 15-25 and multiple weeks of unsafe breathing conditions, maintaining any sense of campus continuity would be an exercise in futility.

The fire, which raged from Nov. 8-25, blanketed the campus in smoke and suffocated much of the new breath-of-life earned through the presidential hire.

Dr. VanderWoude’s task of correcting past mistakes committed by others is hard, however, trying to do so through a natural disaster, construction inconveniences and a justifiable skepticism toward district-backed initiatives is next to impossible without problems.

Alone, any of the circumstances would be manageable, but handling them concurrently would be a monumental task for anyone.

Tension, driven by administrative uncertainty and a poorly defined district plan to correct it, was already nearing its peak prior to the beginning of last semester.

The strain was exacerbated by the questionable process that yielded sub-standard candidates for two administrative positions on campus.

Consequently, hiring for both positions was removed from consideration and the process to find more suitable applicants was delayed.

Until a decision is solidified, two interim selections have been named to fill the open positions.

“At this point we will likely have our interims well into November, which allows us to conduct a search in mid to late summer. That’s the plan at this time,” VanderWoude said.

In life, change is inevitable and as Contra Costa College transforms its 1950s era shell into a modern college campus, a unified idea of how best to support the community it serves is still attainable.

Still, because the campus community has been let down in the past, one of the most important foundations in the rebuilding process will be trust.

With the hiccups and hurdles of last year in the past, hopefully our collective focus can return to seeing the college veer back toward a path of moral, fiscal and academic prosperity.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

■ ENTERTAINMENT

Indigenous beauty tests society’s view W hile most people who watched the movie “Roma” agree that director Alfonso Cuarón transformed a simple storyline into a masterpiece, many of them won’t hesitate to add “but” into headliner Yalitza Aparicio’s success.

Even though Aparicio managed to execute an award-winning performance without any previous acting experience, the world is seemingly not ready to welcome her indigenous roots into society.

After news outlets made her nominations public, the actress had to face the backlash of Mexican women who felt unrepresented by her short height and dark skin.

One only has to read the mix of reactions on social media, especially those about her looks, after Aparicio appeared on the covers of both Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines.

Most people agree that her mestizo beauty is astounding, but she seems “off ” when held to the standards of the creators of designer garments. While dark skin and black hair are characteristics that resemble most Mexicans, tall, skinny and blond women are considered the standard for beauty in Mexican society.

Nobody seems to have an issue if Aparicio wears a pleated apron over a modest dress, but if she wears a $3,000 gown, she has to endure comments such as “Aunque la mona se vista

“For example, 43 percent of indigenous people live in poverty (surviving on less than $4 a day) while only 21 percent of non-indigenous survive on the same meager earnings in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru.” de seda, mona se queda” The lack of guarantees (Although monkeys are for the indigenous popudressed in silk, monkeys lation in Mexico creates a remain). It is not a coinci- hostile environment where dence that Dior garments indigenous women are easy don’t accentuate her curves targets for slavery. because fashion designOften, they are hired by ers don’t take her body middle class families and type into end up working without account pay or health insurance.

The fact when they Mexican people comproduce that we plain about the discrimithe latest nation they have to endure trends. don’t from other ethnicities, The in contrast, they don’t understand but makeup respect their own ethnic industry groups. They enslaved their doesn’t them, denied many the consider most basic rights and they indigenous beauty slash their moral if they Mexican dare to thrive outside their doesn’t women native communities. important mean that We as society are not enough to prepared to see indigenous add a color they’re not Mexican women outside palette the kitchen, however, beautiful designed Yalitza Aparicio is paving according the way for women from to their other minority groups. skin tone because indigeThe fact that we don’t nous people are often poor. understand their beauty They can’t generate the doesn’t mean that they are revenue that would attract not beautiful. designers’ attention.

If they are managing According to an article to thrive with the little published in 2016 on gloresources that we give balamericans.org, “Latin them, let’s not make their America’s indigenous lives any harder. peoples lag behind their non-indigenous counterCindy Pantoja is the opinparts regarding poverty, ion editor for The Advocate. health care and access to Contact her at cpantoja. justice. theadvocate@gmail.com

cindypantoja

CAMPUS COMMENT

What is the most frustrating thing you have encountered during the first week of the semester?

“I am really tired, so it’s been hard for me to get up early in the morning.”

“I guess I wasn’t enrolled for classes so it made it hectic for me this week to get that handled.”

Lenny Pham nursing

Sopure Chuuwu computer science

JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

“I haven’t gotten my financial aid and now I have to wait in a long line to get assistance.”

“Figuring out all my classes. I wasn’t able to get into the math class I wanted.”

“It was actually a very smooth first week for me.”

“My time management has been messed up during the first week.”

Iris Henriquez

Alex Kwasniza

psychology

Yolanda Jimenez

Kallah West

early childhood development

English

nursing

campus beat

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NEWSLINE INTERIMS | Temporary solution to VP vacancies TAX SEASON

TAX PREP OFFERED FOR COMMUNITY With tax season in full swing, SparkPoint Contra Costa will be offering free assistance with preparing and filing of California and federal income taxes for households with under $64,000 of income.

IRS-certified tax preparers will help students, faculty, staff, and the nearby community members as part of SparkPoint Contra Costa Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) program.

Appointments can be made now for Friday afternoons on Feb. 8 and 22, March 8 and 22 and April 5.

For more information or to make an appointment contact Bill Bankhead by phone at 510-2156873, by email at bbankhead@ contracosta.edu or visit www.sparkpointcenters.org.

CULINARY ARTS

IRON CHEF BATTLE TESTS APPETIZERS The culinary arts department will host its bi-annual Iron Chef Battle on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Aqua Terra Grill.

Appetizers are the theme, as culinary students vie for votes with classic finger foods such deviled eggs, chicken fingers, chili con queso and bruschette.

Tickets are $7 per entry and includes a taste of each teams appetizer, a complementary choice of tea, water or coffee, and a good time.

For more information contact the culinary arts department at 510215-3878 or by email at culinaryarts@contracosta.edu

EDUCATION

WORKSHOP READIES FOR STUDY ABROAD Contra Costa College’s study abroad program will be holding a workshop on Thursday from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. at Diablo Valley College in H-108 for students interested in applying for the London fall 2020 trip.

Deadline for applications to participate in the 2020 London study abroad program are due Feb. 19.

For more information contact Diablo Valley College humanities professor Ruth Miller at 925-9692497.

Continued from Page 1 they will contribute. Honestly, they were fun people to be around.”

The decision to call off the vice presidential searches and move to select interims came after the nationwide hunt exposed flaws in the district’s hiring process.

VanderWoude said she reached out to executive search firm PPL Incorporated and explained the situation.

“I described that we closed both searches and that my original goal was to have these positioned filled before January,” she said.

“They assured me that they had well qualified and experienced candidates for consideration.”

PPL shared a number of candidates for review and after doing phone interviews, VanderWoude narrowed it down to two.

Susan Kincade, who has over 30 years in higher education said she visited the college even before she was hired.

“I went down to the cafeteria and just sat there as different students would come and go at my table and I would introduce myself. It was fun because I get to hear first-hand what

students are doing,” Kincade said.

“These are the kind of conversations that I love. Hearing about others and what students are doing and how we can help them.”

Kincade began her career at Fresno City College, where she worked in leadership positions with the University Lecture Series, distance education and the Academic Innovation Center.

“I went from the lecture series, where everyone wanted to see me, to something where no one wanted to talk to me. Distance education was so new and faculty had not bought into it,” she said.

“But building those VanderWoude programs saw the immediate effect of more students achieving degrees. Having built those programs and being a champion of distance education is really a moment I am very proud of.”

Anderson, who has worked in various student services positions for over 17 years, said

he’s been busy since arriving at CCC a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m trying to be engaged with all the programs that are in student services around campus, just taking a look and offering any support I can. I’m not here to change anything.

If anything I’m just observing,” Anderson said.

“What I hope to bring is what I think that folks in student services try to bring all the time and that’s a supportive attitude and caring attitude for students.”

Along with working as director of EOPS at Monterey Peninsula College, Anderson also served as an interim vice president of student services at Skyline and Cabrillo colleges.

He also provided consulting services for several community colleges including City College of San Francisco.

“Being here, I have noticed very positive things like the team of student service personnel who work very hard at what they do,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to bringing student services to a better place than when I got here,” he said.

HARRIS | Candidate brings communities together Continued from Page 1 unfulfilled,” she said.

Communities are struggling just to make ends meet. Currently, 78 percent of U.S. workers are living paycheck-to-paycheck according to a study from Careerbuilder.com.

Many factors led to the reality that Americans face today, but Harris says this campaign is focusing on solutions.

The crowd rallied with massive cheers as the senator touted her support for progressive programs such as Medicare for all, debt free college, reproductive rights and comprehensive immigration reform.

She showed off her political experience with perfect cadence as she listed off big ticket items before confidently waiting for applause breaks each time.

“The fight for justice is everyone’s responsibility,” she said. “This is no longer a time for us to look for separation between each other.”

One of the more common themes of her rally was the idea that communities need to start moving forward and realize that we will either “rise together or fall together.”

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff gave some background on what Harris has done to bring communities together.

“It’s great to have Oakland blood starting their presidential campaign here,” Schaff said.

She recalls meeting Harris proposing a new mentorship program between the San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art and the

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

A kid sits on someone’s shoulders as he holds a sign reading “Kamala Harris for the People,” referring to the U.S. senator’s 2020 presidential run during her kick-off rally in Downtown Oakland, California on Jan. 27.

West Oakland Unified School District.

Harris often made references back to her earlier work during her tenure as an attorney general.

She reminded the crowd of the $25 billion foreclosure settlement in which she helped thousands of Californians avoid foreclosure.

“I can remember my first day as a district attorney, only steps away from here where I swore an oath. Since that day I’ve only had one client — the people,” Harris said.

“I am lucky to have been raised in a community full of people who can see the world beyond their own,” Harris said.

Harris changed her tone, losing the cheerful smile that delivered most of her speech.

“Who are we?” she asked.

“Locking children in cages is not protecting our border it’s a human rights violation.”

America has lost its position as lead of the international community, Harris said.

She went on to tackle the seri-

ous issues in this presidential race.

The crowd fell silent as she touched on the opioid epidemic attacking the country.

“We don’t need another war on drugs, rather we need to declare a national health crisis,” she said.

Harris shifted her focus to security to close out her address.

“If given the chance I will defend the White House, the presidency and nation at a time when foreign parties are infecting the White House like malware.”

WENDT | Hall of Fame legacy remembered fondly Continued from Page 1

CRIMEWATCH Monday, Jan. 28 Police Services provided an escort and gave a citation to an unknown suspect at the Gym Annex at 9:01 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 29 An unknown suspect broke the plastic Apple Pay cover off of a permit machine at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 30 A vehicle theft was reported near the bus stop roundabout on Mission Bell Drive at 1:06 p.m. No other information was given.

An alarm was reported going off in the Student Service Center at 5:56 p.m.

— 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.

Her legacy today, directly or indirectly, affects all CCC students.

Wendt died suddenly in Berkeley on Dec. 31, 2018 at the age of 87. No cause of death was given.

Born in Berwyn, Illinois on April 16, 1931, athletics always played an active role in her life whether it was basketball, baseball or swimming. She spent her summers teaching physical education at a girl’s camp while pursuing her education at Morton College in Cicero, Illinois. Later, she transferred to Murray State then Indiana University. She went on to attend UC Berkeley for grad school.

Wendt’s cousin Diane Smith and her husband Phil Smith said when talking to her former players at a memorial service at La Strada Restaurant in San Pablo Jan. 13, they all spoke about how influential Wendt was as a coach and teacher. “(Diane and I) are both retired teachers and there’s nothing a teacher would rather hear.

Not necessarily the praise but the effect her (Wendt) teaching had on her former students.

There was plenty of that at the service,” Phil Smith said.

When Wendt started coaching basketball, her operational budget was $50 with no pay for her time coaching. The coach managed the team herself and dedicated her time to coaching, maintaining equipment and scheduling games for the women’s squad.

Wendt coached from 1968 to 1980.

Phil Smith said Wendt’s dedication to CCC exemplified her belief in the community college system and its students.

“I think she had a philosophical belief in the junior college system, her education started in junior college. Her commitment to that is worth mentioning because I believe that was an integral part of her decision to teach at Contra Costa College,” Smith said.

Wendt wasn’t just a coach on campus. She was the primary aquatics teacher for 25 years

ABOVE: Basketball coach Dorothy Wendt (right) talks to one of her players. Wendt coached from 1968 to 1980.

BELOW: Aquatics teacher Dorothy Wendt (left) lays poolside while teaching her two students swimming techniques.

PHOTOGRAPHS ARCHIVE / THE ADVOCATE

ABOVE: Aquatics teacher Dorothy Wendt demonstrates a movement to her class. Wendt was the college’s swim instructor for 25 years

and also taught tennis.

Former athletic director Ed Greene said Wendt always made time for her students by taking extra time to meet up with students to play tennis or provide extra time for students to swim.

In contrast to how willing she was to help

and elevate others, Wendt was modest about her substantial Hall of Fame contributions.

“She was modest, honest and positive.

Before the Hall of Fame dinner, we never heard anything about her achievements or that she was such a pioneer for women’s sports before Title IX,” Diane Smith said.

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STUDENT GRANTS AVAILABLE HERE

By Jose Arebalo scene editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Each year billions of dollars in grants and scholarships are awarded to hard-working students, but some communities still have less access to those resources.

The Kennedy-King Scholarship honors the memories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy and awards students with $5,000 to help their academic career.

The award was founded in 1969 and is geared toward supporting students from underrepresented groups.

“The Kennedy-King Scholarship is an annual external scholarship that is offered at each of our Contra Costa College campuses,” scholarship coordinator Mia HendersonBonilla said.

The deadline to submit an application for the scholarship is fast approaching on Friday, Henderson-Bonilla said.

Students from all three community colleges in the district are encouraged to apply.

Since the first two scholarships given in 1969, the Kennedy-King Scholarship has been an integral part of the community. The fund is a direct result of ever-increasing support from residents and businesses.

The fund’s goal is to support equal opportunity in all aspects of education and is an all-volunteer effort. Some 816 scholarships worth almost $4.8 million have been awarded, according to the group’s history page.

Multiple opportunities are waiting for students to apply on campus. The Contra Costa College Foundation is a nonprofit organization that fundraises scholarships for students at CCC specifically.

Sara Marcellino, the Foundation development officer, coordinates support for the program.

“The process is easy now, students just need to go to contracosta.edu/scholarships,” Marcellino said. On the page students have access to the Kennedy-King Scholarship, the Foundation scholarships and other exter-

nal scholarships.

Marcellino said the website has been redesigned to ease student effort when applying.

“This year there is $185,000 via 85 scholarships,” she said.

There were 52 scholarships offered totaling $90,000 available in the 2018-19 season.

Less than 10 scholarships were missed out on last year, Marcellino said.

Hopefully more students take advantage of the larger cash pool this year, she said.

The boost in funding is always welcome as an opportunity for students to gain more financial support.

More importantly, applications for one scholarship from the CCC Foundation now apply toward all scholarships available to students at once.

Any funds that were not awarded are rolled over into the following school year.

The Foundation is supported by the generosity of tax-deductible gifts. Between the Kennedy-King Scholarship, the Foundation scholarships and external scholarships, students have multiple streams of support waiting for them.

“The (Kennedy-King) scholarship is a great resource that all students should know about,” speech team captain Shreejal Lytel said.

He had never heard of that scholarship before but has confidence that the college is trying to spread the word.

“I’ve been here for two years and have seen the campus improve over time,” Lytel said. “Programs like these would entice students to consider a future here.”

As the campus community grows, such resources may attract even more people.

“I think it’s important that all students know what resources are available to them,” Lytel said. Scholarship fliers have been posted around campus on bulletin boards on campus.

The college could do more to ensure that students know about all their opportunities, he said.

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Departmental scholarships Application deadline: Feb. 18, 2019 Economics Program Scholarship, $1,000.

Applicants must major in economics, be enrolled full-time and have completed 12 units in the district. Must have passed one economics class with a B and plan to return full-time in fall semester.

Automotive Technology Department Scholarship, $1,000. Applicants must be an automotive technology major and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Must also be enrolled full time when applying or be a DSPS student in at least 6 units.

Biological Science Department Scholarship, $1,000.

Includes 4 units of BioSci 145, BioSci147 or BioSci 110 with a GPA of 3.0 and a B or higher. Applicants need to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units for the current semester.

Business Department Scholarship, $1,000.

Applicants must be business majors and have completed at least 15 units with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must plan on returning to CCC as a full-time student next semester and planning transfer to a four-year institution.

Chemistry Department Scholarship, $1,000.

Applicants need at least 12 completed units with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Must be enrolled in at least 9 units at the time of application or 6 units for DSPS students. Must have completed two chemistry courses by the end of the current semester.

Geography Program Scholarship, $1,000.

Applicants must major in geography and be currently enrolled full time.

Need to have completed at least 12 units with at least a B grade in one geography course. Applicants need to be returning full time in the upcoming semester.

Students can access more information on scholarships offered and resources at https://www.contracosta.edu/admissions/pay-for-college/ scholarships/ or in person at SSC-102.

INFOGRAPHIC BY JOSE AREBALO, DENIS PEREZ, GABRIEL QUIROZ / THE ADVOCATE

campus beat

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San Pablo resident Mia Korey reads a book in the San Pablo Library on Monday.

LUIS LOPEZ / THE ADVOCATE

Library forgives fees Waiver erases previous debts owed to Contra Costa County libraries

By Luis Lopez staff writer

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

As of Jan. 1 of this year, any past fees owed to any of the 26 branches of the Contra Costa County public library system have been waived.

This means that any money that was previously owed for past due, lost books or DVDs will no longer be collected.

Contra Costa County is the largest county in the state to follow this strategy and to great effect. San Pablo Community Library Manager Gia Paolini says she has seen an increase in the number of library guests since the fees have been waived.

Past due fees were waived to give the community easier access to library resourc-

es and everything they have to offer. It also aims to eliminate any barrier between community members and access to reliable information.

Although the overdue ledger has been scrubbed, this does not mean there will no longer be late fees on library items.

The removal is solely for past due fees.

The county is following a strategy that libraries across the country have been implementing to strengthen ties between local residents and information.

“There have definitely been more people coming in and checking their standings with the library since the fee waiver was implemented,” Paolini said.

The library is definitely fulfilling its goal of providing the community easier access to its resources and more people are coming in than ever, Paolini said.

As it relates to overdue money, past due fees only made up about 2 percent of the library’s total budgeted revenue. Getting rid of past due fees to provide better access to

n “There has definitely been

library’s past fee waiver and believed it could have been promoted a little better.

“I think we, as students, can do a better job of letting everyone on campus know about this. This is something that anyone on campus can benefit from,” he said.

— Gia Paolini, “This is something I’ll definitely bring Contra Costa County Library manager up at the next Associated Students Union meeting.” the community makes sense.

Political science major Charles Smith The library does not expect the elimina- says the new fee waiver is something he just tion of past fees to impact its daily operation recently found out about, but is glad it has as there has also been a decline in revenue happened. from fines over the past several years.

He said it allows him the opportunity to In order to let everyone know about the return to the library. overdue fee waiver, an email was sent out to “This is great. I didn’t know about this, library cardholders detailing the fees to be but I think even if you don’t have a past fee removed. owed. This is something that will want to Students at Contra Costa College said make you go to the library,” Smith said. this was the first time they were hearing “I didn’t receive the email, but I think if about this cleaning of the slate when asked we put something up at school about this, about the county’s new proposal. we can let everyone know about it. I think Angel Gudinez, who has yet to decide everyone could find that information useon a major, says he had not heard about the ful.”

more people coming in and checking their standings with the library.”

Late adds get digital makeover

By Gabriel Quiroz news editor

gquiroz.theadvocate@gmail.com

Beginning this semester, students familiar with collecting late add codes from instructors and waiting in line to have them validated will have a much easier process to navigate when adding classes.

Instead of paper slips, now the process to add classes is completed by the professor through InSite Portal, all but eliminating the legwork of years past.

Senior Dean of Instruction Tish Young said, “I think this new system will help the faculty manage who they allow in their classes. It will make faculty Young and students have to pay more attention to the subject they are taking or teaching and who is in the class.”

Young said late registration starts the first day of each class and the last day to add full term classes is Friday.

Generally, at Contra Costa College, enrollment peaks sometime in December, shortly after registration for the spring semester begins in mid-November.

In December, 62 percent of CCC’s full-time students had already registered for classes. After the first day back on Jan. 28, the registration rate rose 7.7 percent, Young said.

For Sydney Smith, who has yet to decide on a major, her second semester at CCC came with some confusion while trying to add some of the classes she needed.

“I feel the way they can improve this new system is to add more visuals in the directory and resource options to better help show the students where exactly to go and what to do when adding classes late,” Smith said.

Smith liked how the new way to add classes shows a calendar schedule of what you’ve signed up for.

“This system is still better than the old way to add classes even with the kinks,” Smith said.

Social science professor Kirsten Olson said, “This new system was sprung on me last minute. I had to

n “This system is still

better than the old way to add classes, even with the kinks.”

— Sydney Smith, undecided

help another professor with figuring it out. I just hope there is transparency for the students, so they know what is going on.”

Olson would also like to know what the reasoning is for the abrupt change.

The change can be beneficial to the college and students, if administration and the college make clear to students and faculty the reasoning behind it, she said.

This district-piloted system was proposed at the end of the fall semester and started in the cybersession in January, Young said.

This new way to late add classes is a push for more web-based communication with the students and faculty.

Young said, “With the hiccups and improvements needed for the system there have been some issues with faculty trying to add students or not really knowing their way around the system. Other than that, it has been going pretty smooth for students and faculty.”

She said this new system will make adding classes late easier on students.

“The old way to add late classes seemed to confuse students a lot more than this new way. Previous semesters, I would get about 20 or more students in my office having problems with add codes or confused on how to add classes,” Young said.

Smith suggests more ways to improve the system would be if InSite Portal and the education plan listed for students highlighted classes left to complete to get a degree, “Like a credit tracker.”

If a certain class requires a prerequisite, it should identify which one and then direct students to the class you need to register for.

“I would like to see more hand holding, more help resources for students,” Smith said.

A A: After students talk to their professor about adding a class late, they will receive an alert on their InSite portal.

B: Students must click on the alert icon to access their late add code.

B C: After clicking on the alert for their late class, a link will appear to allow the student to register from their educational plan.

C

D

D: The class section will show as full, however the instructor has given an add code to allow for registration. The student just has to select the register option available.

E

E: After selecting to register for the course, the student should see a confirmation under the class section.

Then the student will get an email showing they have registered for the class. The class they have enrolled in with the late-add process will now show up on their schedule on InSite Portal.

DENIS PEREZ, GABRIEL QUIROZ, JOSE AREBALO / THE ADVOCATE

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LEFT: Annabel Glick (right), played by Maria Calderazzo, writes on a notepad as Harry Whiterspoon, played by Phillip Leyva, makes a facial expression during the production of “Lucky Stiff” at the Pinole Community Players.

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Quirky musical brings laughs on opening weekend

By Efrain Valdez sports editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

P

INOLE — In the first musical of the calendar year at the Pinole Community Players, opening night of the “Lucky Stiff ” drew a crowd of enthusiastic theater fanatics ready to be entertained.

The play, which runs through Feb. 23, is hard to get accustomed too if you’re new to musical theater, but the plot is universal enough that anyone can understand it.

This performance lasted about two and a half hours, which is considered the regular run-time for a musical.

The performance was witty, quirky and funny at times, which entertained the crowd of mostly senior audience members with a sprinkle of younger people scattered throughout the theater.

This comedy follows Harry Witherspoon (played by Phillip Leyva), an average white shoe salesman from

London, who learns about the death of his American uncle.

The salesman learns he is about to gain an inheritance from his late Uncle Tony, whose final request was to vacation in Monte Carlo.

To cash in, he has to wheel his lifeless uncle around the city of Monaco.

PLAY In his venture to REVIEW the southern coast of France, Harry is met “Lucky Stiff” by many obstacles that ★★★★★ Venue: Pinole are brought on by Rita Playhouse LaPorta (Christina Directed by: G.A. Boothman) Tony’s Klein Continues: widowed girlfriend and Friday, Saturday Annabel Glick (Maria at 8:00 p.m., Calderazzo) from the universal dog home of Brooklyn.

Though Calderazzo and Leyva do a formidable job of playing their roles, attendees didn’t fall in love with Harry or Annabel.

However, this play relies on the spec-

tacular performance of Boothman as Rita and other good performances from smaller roles.

Boothman was able to make herself like Rita like no other.

If this play was made into a good film (not like the one from 2015), Boothman would be the only person I would want to see in the role of Rita — yea, move over Amy Schumer.

The smaller roles are what helps my theater-virgin eyes get through the musical.

Ensemble cast member Dean Starnes is witty and hilarious for the limited roles that he got.

Audience members were lucky they were spread out through the two acts.

Shauna Shoptaw, who played Dominique de Monaco, stole the show with her flamboyant performance.

It was impressive what Shoptaw could do with her role when only having the “Speaking French” scene in Act I. Surprisingly, the scene was about 90 percent of her screen time — she should

have been given more.

What allows this cast to flourish in the small-time musical, is the amount of talent throughout the roster.

Having a more diverse cast would have been awesome to see, especially since we live in one of the most diverse areas in the country.

I don’t know if the script of this play was designed to make Rita the prominent personality, or it was just the great acting of Boothman.

It is possible that Harry and Annabel were just meant to be characters that you don’t necessarily end up remembering after curtain call. Or, all of this comes from an underwhelming performance by the pair (Leyva and Calderazzo).

I can’t completely say they were bad actors because I’m not an everyday fan of the art.

I can tell you for a fact, this was entertaining enough of a performance to keep my interest throughout and possibly sit through more.

DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE LANDS FLAT TO HYPE

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

Cast members of Fox’s “Rent” live raise their fists in solidarity for those dying from AIDS during the musical number “La Vie Boheme.”

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

I

t wasn’t until the first commercial interlude that the cast of Fox’s live production of “Rent” announced, well, that it wasn’t actually live.

Due to an unfortunate, yet ironic “break,” Brennin Hunt, who played Roger, broke his foot while scaling the iconic scaffolding set during the final act of the previous night’s dress rehearsal.

Aside from the last 15 minutes of the Jan. 27 premiere, the taped dress rehearsal would ultimately air in place of the promised live performance.

For me, a die hard RENThead, this was only a minor blow to what I thought would be a television experience of theatrical proportions.

After all, “Rent,” along with its more mature content, did stray away from the monotonous family-friendly musicals such as “Grease” and “A Sound of Music” that Fox and NBC produced over the years.

But while watching Fox’s watered down production of Jonathan Larson’s gritty 1996 Pulitzer Prize winning musical, I began to realize that even without the unforeseen circumstance or poor decision not to invest in understudies, a live performance could not have saved this mediocre adaption from stage to small screen.

Larson’s groundbreaking rock MUSICAL REVIEW musical, set in New York City during the height of the AIDS epidemic of “Rent” ★★★★★ the early 90s, follows a group of artist Starring: Tinashe, struggling with disease, poverty, love Mario, Jordan and death.

Fisher “Rent” broke barriers in the sense Directed by: Michael Greif, that it featured a large minority cast Alex Rudzinski dealing with problems that arise in Genre: Musical the LGBTQ community.

It tackled both drug addiction, as well as homelessness and gentrification.

Although Fox stayed true to character identity, casting RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Valentina as the beloved Angel and R&B singer Tinashe as Mimi, it’s not clear if they took vocal chops into consideration.

It does feel slightly unfair to form an opinion based on a dress rehearsal that the actors had no idea would be aired as the final product, but there is no excuse for being flat in every song.

Major issues with the quality of sound didn’t make

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things any better as hundreds of screaming fans made lyrics and lines almost inaudible.

Valentina seemed disconnected from the character Angel, who is normally portrayed as vibrant, passionate and sassy, singing “Today 4 U” — one of the most popular songs from the show.

His subdued performance, whether it were nerves or inexperience, fell short in comparison to theater veteran Brandon Victor Dixon’s heart tugging portrayal of lover Collins.

Dixon’s rendition of “I’ll Cover You: Reprise” is one of the few highlights that made the two and a half hour spectacle worthwhile.

Vanessa Hudgens’ portrayal of Maureen and Kiersey Clemons’ portrayal of Johanne were also standouts as the constantly quarreling lesbian lovers.

It was their onstage chemistry and powerhouse vocals during “Take Me or Leave Me” that broke the fourth wall and really brought the production alive.

As a whole, however, Fox’s partially live production of “Rent” lacked the energy and edginess that is required to make it memorable.

If anything, “Rent” is meant to be a full-throttle experience packed with rambunctious songs, daring storytelling and character connections — dress rehearsal or not.

From the opening number, “Rent,” a drum infused

rock anthem performed by Hunt and Jordan Fisher as Mark was nothing short of a let down.

A song that is supposed to set the tone, seemed more like an overture, used to usher in dull performance after another dull performance.

Fisher’s portrayal of filmmaker Mark, who is the narrator of sort, was reasonable enough to keep the performance moving.

His stand out moment was, of course, during the legendary song “La Vie Boheme” where he takes lead to dance and sing along with the ensemble.

R&B singer Mario’s portrayal of Benny was too soft, I mean, I need passion and commitment — he didn’t give any of that.

At the end of the day, Fox’s “Rent” live-ish, could be chalked up to a learning experience, but it goes beyond that.

Even without the hodgepodge of issues, the true essence of “Rent” was sanitized for a television audience.

Let’s face it, live or not, “Rent” is not a made-for-TV musical.

Although it’s relevance today is mirrored in continuing struggles, its internal foundation of community and hope that’s embedded in each song and character, is only made for the stage.

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COMETS DROP FIFTH STRAIGHT IN CLOSE LOSS

“basketball, for me, has been a constant safe haven...”

By Joel Umanzor sports editor

-

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

evan thompson, guard

Pivotal role increases guard morale, output Basketball drives passion for life on and off the court

By Joel Umanzor sports editor

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

As the Comets practice intensified, Evan Thompson got his turn doing a full court dribbling drill.

After gliding past the initial two defenders, Thompson was contested strongly at the basket but was able to go up strong to score on his teammate.

He let out a yell that rang throughout the Gym and hurled the ball up into the air in satisfaction while running back to the other end where the Comets were lined up.

For Thompson, basketball is not just a hobby and passion, but an intensity that drives his life on and off the court.

And his coaches see it.

Coach Miguel Johnson has stated multiple times during this basketball campaign that Thompson and fellow guard Isaiah Attles have been constants for the Comets, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

Early in the season, before conference play began, Thompson and Attles were in Johnson’s offensive game plan as not only leaders on the court, but in practice and in the locker room.

Johnson said, “When our guards get out in space and we dictate the pace of the game with Evan (Thompson) and Isaiah (Attles) we can go on runs and get ahead.

These guys who have been here know what we want and know how to lead by example for those who are newer on the team.”

Thompson, who attended Berkeley High School, has seen his role grow within the Comet basketball program from redshirting his first year due to injury, to making an impact on the floor now in his second season.

Thompson is second in the Bay Valley Conference in points per game and is leading the Comets in scoring this season. His success on the court has often been the common denominator for the team during CCC’s early BVC winning streak.

That early run led the team to a 5-1 record.

Assistant coach Jason Maples said, “He understands what we want and he can communicate that to his teammates to show them how to focus on the task at hand. That’s part of his leadership role on the team.”

That has come in handy as of late with the current rough patch for the Comets. The team has dropped five straight conference games to fall to 5-6.

Thompson said it (losing) has been tough for the team, but keeping the focus on basketball is what motivates him.

stats nThompson leads the Comets in points per game with an average of 18. nHe leads the squad in minutes played per game at 33.7 minutes. nHis free throw percentage, 83.8, is the highest on the Comets. nThompson has started 22 out of 23 total games that have been played.

It provides the intensity and security he needs not only on but off the court in his long-term goals.

“Basketball, for me, has been a constant safe haven and I know there is stuff off the court that could get me in trouble. But being here, I am in the place I’m supposed to be with the support system I need to succeed.”

Thompson sees Contra Costa College as a template for what he is looking for in a program when it’s his time to move on to the next level.

“I want to be part of a program that wants me as well,” Thompson said. “I hope to have that opportunity when it comes knocking, but I appreciate the coaching staff here.”

Thompson’s intensity continues to drive him and although basketball may seem like a game to some people, it’s a way of life for him that motivates the sophomore to always attack life in the same manner he attacks the rim.

After trailing by five at halftime and tying the game after regulation to force overtime, the men’s basketball team (9-14 overall and 5-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) lost 83-79 to the College of Marin Friday in the Gymnasium.

The loss added to the longest losing streak of the season and put the Comets post season playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

Coach Miguel Johnson said the team was down players, specifically, Elijah Canales, who has emerged as an intricate piece for the Comets this season.

However, Johnson also attributed the five-game losing streak to a lack of size, depth and offensive execution.

“We knew that (Marin) definitely had more size on us and it would Johnson be difficult on the offensive glass.

They basically beat us on the glass four to one,” he said.

“We’re just sputtering, we can’t get things going offensively.”

Johnson said although Marin (12-10 overall and 8-3 in the BVC) played well, every aspect of getting better at basketball that the coaching staff has been harping on this season has come back to bite the Comets during the losing streak.

The Comets have a chance to bounce back tonight at 6 p.m. at the College of Alameda (6-16, 2-8 in the BVC).

CCC fell behind early in Friday’s contest and pulled to within five points at the half.

COMETS Even after beginning the second half with an enthusiastic offensive push, the Mariners stalled whatever tempo the Comets had established and took control of the pace MARINERS of the game.

The closest the CCC came to tying the game in the second half came at the 12-minute mark when they cut the deficit to four points.

That slow-down in pace affected the Comet players who were trying to establish an up-tempo push.

Throughout the season, that style of play has been a tactic the team uses to close the gap.

Guard Evan Thompson, the Comets’ leading scorer with 21 points, felt the Mariners didn’t stop the Comets as much as the Comets stopped themselves.

“We came out wanting to be aggressive and get to how we play, but I think we just away from that,” Thompson said. “I don’t think Marin made us do that so much as I feel that it was on us.”

Stylistically, the Comets have gotten out of their normal offensive rhythm. That rhythm propelled the team to a hot 5-1 start in the BVC. Offensive inconsistency has cost CCC whatever cushion the team’s early in-conference winning streak provided. It has also been the common denominator during the five-game streak.

Comet guard Isaiah Attles said, “I just think that our inconsistencies in the first half kept us from going on a full run and winning the game.

“Right now we really need to be paying attention to every little detail in each game. Teams haven’t necessarily been better than us, often times it comes down to late game execution.

“We have to do a better job closing games out on both sides of the court,” he said.

79 83

TEAM FALLS SHORT IN CONFERENCE MATCH

By Kyle Grant

advocate staff

kgrant.theadvocate@gmail.com

Despite a questionable late game call and what can be best described as lackadaisical defense by both teams, the Contra Costa College women’s basketball team fell to Merritt College 62-60 in a nail biter Jan. 30 in the Gymnasium.

The Comets, who came into the match up with a 3-18 record (1-4 in the Bay Valley Conference), hoped to bounce back from a tough loss to Solano Community College earlier in the week, as well as finish a difficult five-game stretch on a high note.

CCC quickly set the tone early in the first quarter, surging to a lead behind the play of Victoria Lopez, who took charge by netting nine points.

However, the T-birds never let the Comets find a true rhythm and kept the game close.

The teams ending the first quarter by Shaw trading baskets, and the home team up by one point, 17-16.

As the second quarter began, the Comets did their best to adjust to the T-Birds’ aggressive play style.

For the Comets, the second quarter was the best quarter of basketball in the game on both ends of the floor.

The team pushed its lead to five points with only two minutes remaining in the half.

However, just as quickly as the Comets seemed to be hitting on all cylinders, a season-long theme reared its ugly head on the defensive end of the court.

In fact, it was contagious as both teams saw their offenses sputter as the half neared its end.

While the Comets shot the ball well early on, the team had problems setting up on defense on each Merritt possession.

The Comets will try to rebound from this loss tonight when they will play against Laney College in Oakland at 6 p.m.

Against Merritt, COMETS the T-Birds were able to take advantage of their opponent’s lapses, finding cracks in the Comet defense, THUNDERBIRDS while exploiting the block on possession after possession.

CCC held their ground and closed the first half clinging to a five-point lead at 36-31.

At halftime, Comet Coach Vincent Shaw made it clear that defense would play a key role in the outcome.

He implored his squad to crash the boards.

60 62

Despite a clear height advantage in the post, the Comets were losing the rebounding battle.

Play early in the second half mirrored that of the end of the first half, and CCC was never able to extend their lead to more than a six-point advantage.

Merritt eventually was able to expose CCC’s Achilles heel, exploiting the Comets defense as well as their inability to consistently rebound the ball.

The T-Birds capitalized on a handful of mistakes and turnovers by the Comets and took a two-point, 49-47 lead into the fourth quarter.

Shaw could be seen visibly imploring his team to rebound the ball, as Merritt was able to stretch its lead to 5 points with less than 6 minutes to play in the contest.

To the delight of their coach, the Comets finally put together a couple of key defensive stops to get back in the game.

Following a huge 3-point basket by Kristyle King, the Comets found themselves within a single point at 57-56.

The teams traded baskets and in the waning seconds, the Comets still trailed, 61-60, with possession of the ball.

The Comets, however, were unable to take advantage of Merritt miscues.

Importantly, what was initially called a shooting foul in favor of the Comets, was changed to a dead ball foul.

CCC’s last opportunity for victory was lost and the T-Birds escaped with a 62-60 win.

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Comet guard Sicaly Sorrell drives down the lane in last week’s 62-60 defeat against Merritt College in the Gymnasium.

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Oakland native runs for president

focus More than 20,000 people showed up to support presidential hopeful U.S. Senator Kamala Harris at her campaign kickoff rally in her hometown of Oakland, California on Jan. 27.

Photos by: Denis Perez For

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

A young girl sits atop a relative’s shoulders and claps during U.S. Senator Kamala Harris’ speech at her campaign kickoff rally in her hometown of Oakland, California on Jan. 27. Harris is running for the Democratic Party’s nomination promising legislation for Medicare-for-all, reform in the justice and immigration systems.

U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (above) hopes to be the first female president elected in United States history. Her campaign is endorsed by many Democratic leaders like Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, even though her record on criminal justice during her time as attorney general of California has sparked criticism.

A man chants “Kamala Harris” during the presidential candidate’s speech at her campaign kickoff rally in her hometown of Oakland, California on Jan. 27.