The Advocate 10-28 by The Advocate

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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WEDNESDAY l 10.28.15 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Latinos exalt ancient cultural roots Celebratory month seeks to dissect historical struggles, achievements

ith this specialty coverage, The Advocate delves into our local community comprised of dozens of unique cultures to examine racial and economic struggles that many people face after immigrating to the United States. In other articles we also trace the political achievements of those who protested the unfair treatment of Spanish speakers, and what the fastest growing group in California needs to do moving forward. Latinos originate from 19 different countries in Central and South America, and their influence in the U.S. reverberates through the Chicano rights movement’s strides during the 1960s to incite equal access and

treatment in education. The way that Latinos were treated before, during and after the civil rights movement is an unknown history for many first generation college students because their families were not Chicanos or Chicanas striving for social equality amid the politically volatile landscape fueled by the Vietnam War. To exalt their indigenous ancestors from Central and South America, the Latino population seeks political unification under umbrella terms of Hispanic or Latino to describe people from various countries and cultures. The Advocate dissects these struggles and the efforts at Contra Costa College to mold their future.

Political conquests lost The Advocate examines the umbrella terms Hispanic and Latino and their origins within the U.S. political system. PAGE 8

Term preserves racial hate The Advocate rejects the term Hispanic due to it being a symbol of racial hate and 500 years of European subjugation. PAGE 9

Learning a second language The Advocate examines struggles the English as a second language department faces with low enrollment numbers, and steps taken to reverse downward trend. PAGE 11 ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

“

ASU GRANT PROGRAM GARNERS REQUESTS

He has a real knack for asking insightful and tactful questions.” — Katherine Krolikowski, biotechnology program coordinator

Finance Committee reviews applications for executive vote BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

‘Insightful’ mind pursues scientific curiosity major shares ‘winning’ attitude, empircal ‘knack’

BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Young passionate scientists work to bring progress to this world, and one 28-year-old student hopes to capture that passion, through his unique point of view. Ray Serafin is a biotechnology major with a passion for photography. “I really love photographing scientific procedures,” Serafin said,”I feel like it’s something a lot of people don’t get to see.” Serafin said coming out of high school he was always interested in biotechnology at a basic level. But beyond that he could never see himself becoming involved in the field of science. He said he always loved science, but never nurtured the interest. Now he is able to commit to it.

This is Serafin’s third semester and he is once again a full-time student. He said he attended Contra Costa College on and off for a three-year period and didn’t come back until he was 27. During that time he did a lot of in-home care. “I owe coming back to working a dead-end job,” Serafin said. “If I’m going to be somewhere every day I want to do something rewarding.” When he was away from school science took a back seat. Losing touch with it made him want to return. Upon his return he gravitated toward biotechnology. “I really like how early on into genetics we are. I feel like we have tapped into something really big and are just coming to the door. It’s an exciting aspect to me,” Serafin said. SEE SERAFIN, PAGE 4

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Biotech

ABOVE: Biotechnology major Ray Serafin takes a photo of a bioreactor that cultivates algae in B-18 on Monday. Serafin is interested in capturing scientific procedures and enjoys displaying his photos for the public.

SEE GRANT, PAGE 4

STRIDING TOWARD CURE FOR CANCER PAGE 16

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CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

The Associated Student Union received 19 Grant for Support applications from various clubs and departments on campus that submitted the paperwork before the Oct. 16 deadline. For the first time since 2013 spring semester, the Grant for Support is offering up to 10 applicants additional funding of up to $2,500 for campus events or purchases that will benefit a large percentage of Contra Costa College students. ASU Vice President of Club Affairs and Internal Finance Committee member Safi Ward-Davis said all the appli-

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Quotable “Power corrupts, and there is nothing more corrupting than power exercised in secret.” Daniel Schorr news analyst, NPR 1997 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Jared Amdahl opinion editor Robert Clinton sports editor Mike Thomas scene editor Jose Jimenez spotlight editor Cody Casares photo editor Marci Suela editorial cartoonist Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Asma Alkrizy Benjamin Bassham Joseph Bennett Keno Greene Xavier Johnson Magali Mercado Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Larry Wickett Staff photographers Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 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 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, OCT. 28, 2015 VOL. 103, NO. 8

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EDITORIAL GRANT NEEDS PUBLIC EYE ASU Board to allocate student activity fee through vote

s the Associated Student Union is undertaking the Grant for Support program, it is especially important its members be held responsible to ensure that the $5 student activity fee, which funds the program, is not wasted by keeping communication clear. There are 19 departments and clubs who have submitted their applications for the grant and are seeking up to $2,500 each to pay for expenses that are not covered by the college budget. At the start of every semester, students are charged a $5 student activity fee and a portion of it is funneled into the Grant for Support. This semester, however, the ASU board can only approve up to 10 requests. The board will have a discussion with its first set of applicants at its meetings Nov. 4 at 2:15 p.m. in LA-204. They will not be giving their vote until the follow-up meeting, but The Advocate urges that students, faculty and staff go to these meetings to scrutinize the requests from the different groups. Former ASU president Antone Agnitsch said the last time Grant For Support was active, it ended in failure. The program has remained inactive since the spring of 2013 because Agnitsch said the wording was too vague and only a select group of departments were taking advantage of the program. Under former ASU president Ysreal Condori, who served for the 2013-14 year, the ASU created a $20,000 debt with the college, Business Services Supervisor Nick Dimitri said in the Oct. 1, 2014 issue of The Advocate. “I talked to Student Life and I talked to (Dean of Student Services Vicki) Ferguson, but it (ASU payment information) never came,” Dimitri said then. Support grants ought to be given to clubs and departments that seek to make purchases that will benefit a large percent of the student population. Students’ money should be the last resort for organizations on campus that are seeking extra funding to buy food for events, or materials and resources for students. The $25,000 reserve that the ASU board will be allocating this semester needs to benefit a majority of the students on campus, but it is going to be difficult considering that its board this year is relatively new, and the requests are many. Many times this semester the board has been unable to meet a quorum because half of its members attend Middle College High School and often have to leave meetings early to go to class. Imagine if these students have to leave in the middle of a presentation of one of the applicants for the Grant for Support? They would not have been there to ask questions and really consider if the applicant’s request will benefit a large number of students on campus. And these ASU board members must ensure that lines of communication between the board and the applicants are clear and informative to avoid another financial mishap.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ READING

Endless wonders discovered in books

eading for pleasure doesn’t seem very common among most people anymore. It seems like more and more people willingly admit that they simply don’t like reading, let alone doing it for fun. People “Books seem to not give reading can a good book really reflect a chance anymore. how a I’ve encountered person a few people who talk feels or about reading as if it’s what the most disgusting thing a person in the world. I think might people just don’t really be going give books a chance to see through. how great and benefi- I know cial they can that be to read. Finding there are the right book is key. books There are many genres of books that that can be quite sincerely interesting. Anywhere touched me from romance, and now horror, mystery hold a thrillers and autobiogra- special phies just to name a few. place And there is bound to in be one that’s interesting. my heart.” Books can really be beneficial. They

scenes that films simply fail to show. With books I can imagine characters and places the way I want. I like to think of reading books as a movie playing in my head. The best part of getting books is that they can cost little to nothing. Grab can help in more ways than a library card and with one might realize. Reading that there is an unlimited can be a stress reliever, getamount of books that can be ting lost in the pages, readchecked out. ing about characters from Or local bookstores another world, another life. sometimes either give away It’s easy to forget about the real world for a bit and that books or sell them for really cheap prices. It’s good doesn’t sound like such a bad idea when life can get a affordable entertainment. Books can really reflect bit overwhelming. When reading books the how a person feels or what a person might be going brain is filled with knowlthrough. edge — little details filling They open up worlds to the brain about thoughts the reader, allowing them to and ideas, which lead to a more creative mind and ever travel away from the problems of the world they live expanding vocabulary. Reading can help improve in and escape to any destination imaginable. writing skills and expand I know there are books one’s vocabulary. It can also that sincerely touched me help people analyze and and now hold a special think critically. place in my heart. There are Exposing people to new things is just a natural effect authors that simply get what people are going through books carry with them. and can make readers feel They can bring new inforless alone with their words. mation about topics people If more people took a tend to shy away from. chance in finding the right Books can give lessons on life, give advice and help book for them, then maybe people through tough times. they too can read something They can strengthen people. that might change their outlook on life or simply receive A lot of TV shows and amusement. movies nowadays are actuReading is important ally based off of books, but and part of everyday life, personally I think reading so why not get a little more the books is better. enjoyment from it? I think “The Hunger Games,” it’s worth it and people won’t “Game of Thrones,” “Gone regret it. Girl,” “The Help,” “The Notebook” and many more Magali Mercado is a staff are some of the popular books that have recently writer for The Advocate. been made into movies and Contact her at mmercado. shows. The books are filled theadvocate@gmail.com. with much more detail and

magalimercado

CAMPUS COMMENT

Which department should apply for the Grant for Support Money and what should they do with it?

“Early childhood development because that’s my department.”

“They shouldn’t use it at all unless it directly helps students. Maybe use it to lower fees.”

“I don’t know. I just come to class and leave to be honest.”

Patty Prado

Macina Taylor

Karla Lucel

early childhood development

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

undecided

business administration

“Health and human services so that we can bring awareness to what it is we do, which is helping others.” Lashawna Ledee health and human services

“The music department. Maybe they could use it to do social events. People just come here and leave.” Ezzy Medina business management

“Early childhood development because there aren’t many classes offered.” Ian Chao undecided

forum

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■ LEGAL SYSTEM

markwassberg SUPREME COURT RULING TRAMPLES CONSTITUTION, BIBLE

n June 26. 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex marriage and passed it into law. But what right did the court have when the laws of marriage are enforced by states? The argument was that the state and local governments in California and throughout the nation violated gay people’s constitutional right to marry. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that gives the people a right to marry. There has always been some type of moral-filled piece of legislation that stops people from marrying their family numbers, close-blood relatives and having two or three wives or husbands. It is called polygamy and people do go to jail for that. It won’t surprise me at all to soon see marriage between family memMarriage bers, relatives marrying relais a tives or people having two or religious three wives or husbands at a act time. In some U.S. between states it’s still against the law a male to marry your cousin and a first because of physifemale. genetic, cal and mental deformities that can occur. During biblical times there was marriage between family members. Kings and queens in Egypt and throughout the world did marry family members to keep the royal bloodline pure, but most their offspring died from severe genetic disorders. America was founded under Christianity. That is why we have churches on just about every street corner. Marriage is a religious institution, but whatever happened to the separation of church and state? Congress opens up with a prayer before every session. On the dollar bill it reads, ”In God We Trust” and what about “one nation under god.” It was the Mormon Church and many other churches that help pass Proposition 8 banning same sex marriages in California, because of biblical teachings that forbid these types of activities and only supporting marriage between a man and a woman. Did it ever occur to you why people get married in the first place? Marriage is a religious act between a male and female. Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, was jailed when she refused to issue a marriage license to same sex couples violating a federal court order. It was her religious belief that convicted her not to issue these licenses and she stood by her religion, even though being prosecuted. Even Pope Francis supported her stand. The first recorded marriage in history was between Adam and Eve and there are other reasons to marry in the book of Corinthians. Many years ago if you got your lover pregnant you married her for the sake of that child, so they could have a proper upbringing.

HIGHLIGHTING

disabled activism’s incubator Global program changes world, begins in Bay Area

he incubator of the disability activism and services movement was a small staff office on the sunny south side of the top floor of the Alameda County Administration Building in Oakland, California. My primary job description was community services liaison of the County Administrator’s Office. This included identification of individuals, groups and public service agencies in the county with unmet needs and to initiate funding recommendations to establish program services. Specifically, my position responsibilities included interviews, research and evaluation of proposals submitted for funding, technical assistance and writing proposals, if, and when, necessary. My position title on the CAO organization chart was county revenue sharing coordinator. One balmy spring Saturday morning in 1971 I was strolling through People’s Park in Berkeley. It is located four blocks south of the UC Berkeley campus. An emaciated, dark-haired 30-something-year-old Caucasian man with a pronounced limp attracted my attention. He was attempting to navigate his way across the park with a great deal of difficulty. The uneven garbage-covered terrain was not remotely conducive to pleasant pedestrian passage. I caught his left arm before he fell. He was obviously in need of assistance. He spoke slowly with a great deal of difficulty. He said, “I’m near-sighted, have epilepsy and peripheral neuropathy. We need some damn sidewalks in this park. I’m in a world of hurt trying to travel my butt around Berkeley. “Last night I dreamed there was a local community-based agency that will provide comprehensive social and health services advocacy for handicapped folks like me. Can you believe that, bro?” I asked for his contact information, with the mindset of making his dream come true. The gentleman suggested meeting at my office. The following Tuesday two uniquely-challenged Caucasian men arrived at my office 15 minutes early. One was in a manually operated wheelchair. He had an obvious physical challenge involving lack of saliva control, which caused excessive drooling. This gentleman preferred not to disclose his name. The man I had met in People’s Park calmly introduced himself as Larry Biscamp. He did all the speaking for the pair and represented the disabled community. I listened intently, asked several questions and took a bunch of notes to clarify his comments and concerned questions. Our congenial meeting lasted one hour. We only took one break to get some water and Kleenex for Biscamp’s co-conspirator. During the break Larry informed me that his anonymous friend, who for all intensive purposes of this piece I shall call Mr. X, had ADHD, multiple sclerosis and chronic depression diagnoses. I asked Biscamp if it would be OK to use our meeting notes to write a proposal draft to bring him for review and evaluation on Friday. He was thrilled with my timely response offer. We all shook hands sincerely and escorted them to the elevator. Mr. X shared a pleasant parting smile and mimed, “Thank you,” as the elevator doors slowly closed. He may have had several challenging life issues, but as far as I was concerned, he was definitely playing center field in the reality ball park. When I returned to my office, one of my insensitive, crude, culturally

guestcommentary Manning Peterson deprived male colleagues rushed in the door without knocking. He shouted, “Don’t ever have those people come in here again. That guy in the wheelchair spit all over our rugs and made us uncomfortable.” Disgusted by his words I reminded him their taxes pay our salaries. “This is their office plus we have a custodial staff to clean up every night. That means whatever saliva deposits dropped will be history in the morning,” I said. “And, if you or others choose to allow any of our uniquely challenged county citizens to make you uncomfortable, I will inform you in advance if, and when, they are returning so you can vacate these hallowed halls and not have your fragile feelings flummoxed. End of discussion. And next time, if there is one, please knock before you are asked to enter my office. It’s a respect thing, bro!” The funding proposal was then researched and crafted. The final draft was brought to the two disabled-community representatives for approval. They were absolutely thrilled. The word was given to forward the proposal to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for consideration. Per Biscamp’s request, a copy of the proposal was passed on to a supervisor of Tom Bates’ staff liaison. We needed to get two more votes to make the proposal a reality. Fred Cooper is on board per his word and we need another vote. Joe Bort is our best bet. I placed a copy of the CIL (Center for Independent Living) proposal on his desk before absconding back to my office. The proposal was voted on at the next board meeting. Bates introduced it, Cooper gave a second and Bort added his affirmation. The three votes signified the CIL proposal was accepted for funding. A call was made to Biscamp. He was surprised and overwhelmed in that order before he began crying. Biscamp said,“I can’t explain how great I feel because I don’t have dreams come true every day.” He was told a county official will contact him in the near future to explain how and when the money will become available. It would be extremely prudent to contact several other local disability activism advocates and experienced, trustworthy community services folks to initiate and complete the following tasks: A) Organize a board of directors to select and formally endorse an official agency name. His idea of Center for Independent Living (CIL) sounds perfect and very responsible. B) Locate a pro-bono lawyer, if possible, to file the necessary documents for 501 C-3 non-profit agency status with the state of California. C) Design a written program services delivery system organizational chart. The county staff (that’s me) will provide technical assistance if your task force wishes. D) Identify and sign the papers with a bank or financial entity such as the Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union to organize and coor-

dinate all CIL monetary matters such as payroll, taxes, accounts payable and receivable. Suddenly, it was 1962 and Ed Roberts came riding in his iron lung to create an educational earthquake on the UC Berkeley campus. Roberts enthusiastically encouraged the Cal admissions staff to create academic accommodations for him and his iron horse. Roberts pioneered, planned and organized the first Disabled Students Program and Services Center (DSPS) at Cal. He was the influential instrumental mover and shaker in the organization of the CIL program services delivery system before he humbly accepted the position as the first executive director of CIL. CIL received its first funding in 1974 and officially opened for business. The rest is history. Berkeley should be most well-known and recognized as the cradle and home of disability rights activism. Biscamp’s dream is now a reality. Who said dreams don’t come true. The documented historical reality is (what) CIL had created (was) a unique innovative organization to initially challenge and change the Alameda County comprehensive human services delivery system. Future CIL planning strategies required quiet and occasionally noisy protests and picketing demonstrations for invited TV reporters and cameras. These persuasive politically astute planning actions eased the disabled community into the mainstream of the national academic, legal, social, political and health services pool. Today, in October 2015, a majority of the most essential needs of the disabled community have been addressed via federal, state, county and local legal system reform. CIL has been an influential change for disability rights and activism. There is supposed to be an active functioning DSPS unit on every college campus which receives any amount of federal financial support. All buildings, classrooms, labs, dining facilities and bathrooms are now allegedly accessible for all, per federal legal mandate. The wonderful winds of change blew and now the booming buzz words are cultural and gender diversity. Eric Appel is another former CIL staff member and disability rights advocate. He is now at Contra Costa College as the computer aided instruction lab coordinator. “The Contra Costa College Disabled Student Program Services Office (DSPS) manages and coordinates this lab center’s full range of services that are available to all students. This includes tutor assistance,” he said. Appel passed on this classic vignette. “There was a big stink made in Berkeley in the early 1970s about putting in curb cuts. About 2 a.m. one 1972 summer morning some friendly folks dug up one corner of Center and Shattuck, built and installed the first wheelchair accessibility curb cut in Berkeley,” Appel said. “Ironically, it made pedestrian access and travel more enjoyable for all. It was a win-win wonder. And, quiet as it has been kept, we have had curb cuts in America since the invention and production of the automobile. They were called “driveways.”

Mark Wassberg is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at mwassberg. theadvocate@gmail.com. ASMA ALKRIZY / THE ADVOCATE

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Accreditation evaluations ensue BY Christian Urrutia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

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Newsline CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP HELPS TRANSFER STUDENTS There will be transfer application assistance workshop on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a personal statement assistant workshop on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Contra Costa College Assessment Center. Students have the chance to receive one-on-one help from experienced faculty with filling out their college applications and writing personal statements on the second day of the series. For more information contact the Assessment Center at 510-2153896

VISIT

REPRESENTATIVES TO HOLD SEMINARS Transfer representatives from Samuel Merritt University will visit Contra Costa College today and Nov. 11 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. to assist students. Students have the opportunity to schedule an appointment with a four-year transfer representative to receive assistance with questions regarding the transferring process. For further information or to RSVP to workshops students can visit the Welcome/Transfer Center or contact them at 510-215-4110 or the Counseling Office at 510215-3936.

CrimeWatch Monday, Oct. 19: A student backed his vehicle into a patrol vehicle. Minor damage was done to the patrol vehicle. The student was cited on the scene. Tuesday, Oct. 20: An officer responded to a report of a Gateway to College student possibly under the influence of drugs. Wednesday, Oct. 20: An officer received a report of a theft that occurred in the Gym. Wednesday, Oct. 21: An officer responded to a suspicious person report. Officer made contact with the person and asked him to leave. — Roxana Amparo

A visit from the external evaluation team that approved the campus for accreditation earlier this year is set to take place on Nov. 4 and 5 to follow up on recommendations given by the accrediting commission. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, accredited Contra Costa College in February but listed five recommendations in areas the campus should improve on, including one district wide recommendation. A follow up report, drafted by the college, was due on Oct. 15 to the ACCJC detailing responses to the recommendations. The planning committee and the visiting team are to get together on Nov.

4 and 5 to discuss what the college is doing to address the recommendations, Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd said. “Hopefully we do not have to do a follow up report to the follow up report and just focus on the midterm report in 2017,” Floyd said. Governing Board Trustee John Marquez said he was particularly satisfied with the effectiveness and speed in which the draft was done and ultimately the final submitted report from the people involved at CCC. “We passed accreditation for all three campuses with flying colors and the staff(s) should be lauded for their work. That is what made it go (so) smoothly and by doing the necessary paperwork,” Marquez said. Sylvia Thomas, ACCJC external evaluation team chairperson, said via email the team is looking forward to the return visit to CCC and the district.

The visit will consist of two parts: a visit to the District Office on Nov. 4 and a visit to the college on both days. The purpose of the visit will be to verify that the district and the college have addressed the five recommendations and evaluate their visit by speaking with individuals identified with the appropriate responses. Thomas said, “During the actual visit, we hope to verify our initial findings regarding the college’s efforts to address each recommendation.” The first recommendation, which is also the districtwide recommendation, requires faculty evaluation reports to include student learning outcomes (SLOs) as part of the evaluation process. District Executive Vice Chancellor Eugene Huff said SLOs were better integrated into faculty evaluation reports through the new contract agreement between United Faculty

Marquez

and the dist r ic t in a response to the d i s trictwide recommenda-

tion. In response to the second recommendation, which focuses on how effective the institution is for students and their education, the college created the strategic plan for 20152020, “Vision 2020: Equity & Access, Engagement & Achievement, Excellence & Accountability,” mapping out long-term goals for the college. Recommendation three requires the college to establish institution-set standards for student learning and achievement and plan improvement to programs and services to increase overall student performance. Floyd said the response to this recommendation

lays out a plan involving four key indicators: ❖ Increase the persistence rate of first-time students. ❖ Increase the success rate in basic skills courses each year. ❖ Increase the percentage of students who complete a degree or certificate and/or who are transfer ready. ❖ Increase the overall successful course completion rate of students. Floyd said the intent is looking at how students perform against these set standards and what could help them to succeed in order increase those who are transfer ready. The response to recommendation four includes developing a distance education plan as part of the strategic plan to address the need for, and growth of, distance education, training for faculty and providing an orientation and learning support services, Floyd said.

GRANT | Board to determine usage of student fees Continued from Page 1 cants combined are asking for a total of $39,678. A $5 student activity fee and a $1 representation fee that students are charged at the beginning of each semester, unless students waive the cost by filling out an application at the Admissions and Records Office, funds the Grant for Support program. “We need everyone to realize that this is student activity fee money,” Ward-Davis said. “The ASU will only review reasonable requests, and even then we may approve or deny — but we will make sure the process is clear on both ends.” ASU Internal Finance Committee Chairperson Jun Chen said applications are to be reviewed and presented to the ASU board by the order in which suits the timeline’s of each applicant’s event or purchase — not by time of submittal. “The Finance Committee will look at applicant requests and give recommendations,” Chen said. “But the final verdict if they get the money or not is up to the (ASU) board as a whole — the Finance Committee cannot make a decision.” The Finance Committee is comprised of Ward-Davis, Chen and interim Dean of Students Administrative Assistant and ASU Director of Training and Recruitment Luanna Waters. “The process is not as lengthy as it seems,” Ward-Davis said. The ASU presently has nine members after adding senators Elijiah Fisher and Francis Sanson, who completed their four weeks of petitioning. Five members hold executive positions. The ASU meets weekly on Wednesdays in LA-204 at 2:15 p.m., but Student Life Coordinator Erica Greene said today’s meeting is canceled because its senators will be busy organizing the ASU’s biannual Club Rush and annual Fall Festival campus events. Ward-Davis said if the request makes it out of the Finance Committee, further departments and clubs are to be contacted to present their reasons for funding to the ASU Board from Nov. 4 to Dec. 16. Chen said the first applicants who will present their cases to the board have been invited to next

week’s ASU meeting, which is open to the public. Ward-Davis said the board will only be listening to different clubs’ and departments’ requests and answer any of the board’s questions, but it will not make a decision until its following meeting. “Because of the new process, the Finance Committee will contact the applicants within 10 days of the decision,” she said. “We do not want to rush through the process. (The ASU board) has to be meticulous and meet the finance code.” Greene said she sent out emails to clubs and departments that submitted applications with questions that they should expect to answer when they present their reasons for funding in front of the ASU board. Ward-Davis said nine of the applicants asked for the full amount of funding, but as of press time Tuesday the Finance Committee has so far reached out to seven applicants with upcoming events after it reviewed requests. Greene said, “If you ask for the full $2,500 it does not mean that you are guaranteed to get that much. Any applicant has to bring proof that the ASU is not the first place they came to ask for more funding.” Ward-Davis agrees with Greene when she said because the money comes from students, applying for the Grant for Support should be a program, club or department’s “last option” after fundraising and using institutional funds. Chen said the departments and clubs that the Finance Committee has reached out to via email include tutoring, human services, library and research, law academy, Community Organizing Political Action club (COPA), the Per Ankh academy and veterans counseling. “We got a lot of requests for events or purchases for the spring semester,” she said. “To these (clubs and departments) we will send out an email inviting them to reapply for the grant for support for the spring semester.”

“We need everyone to realize that this is student activity fee money.” —

, ASU vice president of club affairs

like we intended,” she said, “not just certain departments. “Last year (the Grant for Support) was not open because former (ASU) president Antone (Agnitsch) wanted to re-word the applications because certain departments were utilizing the funds and the rest were unclear with the process.” She said the budget this year is $10,000 less than what was offered the last time the ASU had the Grant for Support operational. Chen said most of the applicants who are asking for money are seeking to pay for costs that are not covered by equity funds that are provided by the college. “(Clubs and departments) hosting events need money to pay for food and drinks, gas cards or any other incentives that attract students,” she said. The counseling department put in an application to pay for food for its “pop up” tutoring, office assistant Jordan Miller said. “(Pop up tutoring) happens once a month at different locations on campus for students to get free tutoring without having to sign up,” Miller said. “We want to also provide free food and games with prizes, but it is not covered by our budget. “We want to get students interested in the resources that are available to help them with their classes.” Retention specialist Tracy Nunley said it would help attract more students if they see that there is free food and contests from 1 to 3 p.m. Other requests, like drama professor Linda Jackson’s, are not seeking Grant for Support funding for food but for purchases like stage props and costumes for an upcoming play that are not cov ered by institutional costs because it is a class project. Ward-Davis said unlike the Jackson said after speaking last time the ASU oversaw the with the administration at Helms Grant for Support program, it has Middle School, they have agreed received applications from a vari- to bring 300 students to the Knox ety of people on campus. Center for a “Katrina Project, Hell “We reached across campus and High Water” play that her

Drama 230 class is putting together. “We want to get donations to send to an agency that helps the rebuilding of New Orleans, postHurricane Katrina,” Jackson said. “It is not a subject of study in history class and is a period of time that we should not forget because thousands of lives were changed.” Music department programs Jazzanova and Jazzology have also put in an application for the Grant for Support to help fund a trip to attend a Jazzfest at Cuesta College for Nov. 5 and 6. Music major Laurena Alm and Joseph Saeteurn said it is difficult for the 20 students in the program to afford the $500 cost of registration to attend the statewide conference. “Last year a lot of us were close to not being able to go because we could not meet the cost,” Alm said. “Some students fundraised and others asked for donations at church or from family members — it was a lot of work.” Another request that is being reviewed is the Library and Learning Resource Center’s books on reserve that are limited to only one copy and are being damaged because students cannot afford to pay for print cards. “Students here have no budget to buy books and ask me for 12 cents to print out a scan of the page,” Library and Resource Circulation Desk Secretary Tadelech Yoseph said. “Sometimes when I do not have extra print cards, and they cannot afford it, students rip out the pages.” Yoseph said the Library is asking for the full amount to purchase $100 worth of extra print cards and buy two more copies of expensive and necessary textbooks to be kept on reserve. Culinary professor Nader Sharkes applied for two Grants for Support to pay for materials and uniforms for students. “Our students resorted to financial aid, but because their checks have not arrived yet they (are short money),” Sharkes said. He said each of these students has to pay about $500 for a knife kit, trousers, jacket and aprons, and the textbook. Chen said applications will continue to be reviewed into December, but the Grant for Support has to benefit a “large pool of students.”

SERAFIN | Science fuels student’s ‘desire to work’ Continued from Page 1 View us online on your mobile device. — 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.

Serafin returned to CCC and found his passion for science rekindled in biotechnology program coordinator Katherine Krolikowski’s biology class. He said Dr. Krolikowski played a big role in starting him on his new path. In addition to his mother always urging him to go back to college, it would seem he found a match on his return. He took it as a sign. Krolikowski is also Serafin’s mentor through the Center for Science Excellence. “He has a real knack for asking insightful and tactful questions,” Krolikowski said, “He arrives into class with a winning attitude and a smile.” Serafin spends a lot of his time being ensconced in a scientific environment. He vol-

unteers in the biology department. He helps get glassware cleaned and sterilized as well as preparing equipment for classes. Physics and astronomy department Chairperson Jon Celesia said Serafin made an impression on him. He said Serafin was always a positive and inquisitive student. Celesia said he has the feeling Serafin will go somewhere in his life with his work ethic. Serafin interned last summer at the United States Department of Agriculture. He worked under Dr. Jennifer Lewis preparing model organisms. The organisms were infected with a virus in order to identify proteins used to defend themselves. Krolikowski said he was a total professional during the process and was able to apply the hard work he put in at CCC.

Being a biotechnology major necessitates a lot of time and dedication. Serafin spends a typical day in his precalculus, biological science and chemistry classes. “It is a little stressful but I thrive with having a lot to do,” he said. He said biology is his focus right now. When he is doing science, time seems to fly by. Serafin said he gets his love for hard work from his parents. His father came to the United States from Mexico at the age of 16 and had Serafin at 19. By the time Serafin was 7 years old his father owned his own business. His mother was a college educated woman with a degree in tourism and economics. “They were very hardworking. I attribute my desire to work hard to what I saw growing up,” Serafin said.

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Culinary arts creates new unity Club plans to pass torch to future members

BY Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

After a three-year hiatus, culinary arts students have formed a new club called Foodies Unite. However, this time they want all Contra Costa College students to be involved in the program. Four culinary arts students decided to start the club up again while at the beginning of the semester meeting for the department. It was Foodies Unite President Audrey Borreni, who started the paper work to revive the club. It was also culinary arts major and secretary of the club Lauren Patrick who relayed the message during the meeting. “During our meeting, me and my friend made an announcement during class,” Patrick said. “We found out that Audrey and Mayra were already doing the paperwork for the club.” The last culinary arts club came to an end in 2012 because a lot of the members transferred to four-year universities. Last spring semester, Associated Student Union Vice President of Club

Affairs Safi Ward-Davis reached out to culinary arts professor Elisabeth Schwarz about starting back up a culinary club. The club filled out the packet on Sept. 18 and seemed really excited to get it the club started, Ward-Davis said. “They always wanted to start the club, so I went to Schwarz about activating the club again,” she said. One of Foodies Unite’s main objective is to get members who love food, and who are not just culinary art students. Borreni said she is not excluding anybody from the club, but she is looking for members who love the culture of it and like to try new things. “Foodies Unite is about bringing everyone who’s a foodie together, but it’s not just for the culinary students,” she said. “I want the whole campus to be involved in the group.” The group plans on going to restaurants and bars to review them and hang out. They also want to experiment with doing demos on how to cook. So far they have 30 signatures of people wanting to join the club, Borreni said. “We have eight active members in

“Foodies Unite is about bringing everyone who’s a foodie together, but it’s not just for the culinary students.” — Audrey Borreni, foodies unite club president

the club,” she said. “We want to go to restaurants and write reviews on them, like having our own little Yelp.” The club is looking forward to reaching out to everyone during Club Rush this week. They will have some samples and food at its booth, and a chance to get to meet the members of the club. “We are planning to do street tacos and nachos at Club Rush,” Foodies Unite Vice President Mayra Hernandez said. “We are definitely going to have a table for that, and we’re hoping to have some fun there.” Foodies Unite has its own Facebook and Instagram. You can add them with Foodies Unite and follow them on @ FoodieUnite. It would be a good place to check out

what foods or restaurants they gone to. “We’ve actually started our own Instagram and Facebook page, so people can actually go up and post picture of the food we tried,” Borreni said. The club is also a place network with other people. A lot of the culinary students have jobs in the food business. It also gives people an idea of what the culinary art department does. “We want to think about people who want to go in to the food industry,” Borreni said. “It would be nice for some of us to open doors for job opportunities for other people.” At Club Rush the culinary arts students will push to get more non-culinary arts students in the club. They are working on ways to make them feel this is anybody’s club. “We won’t be in our chef jackets at Club Rush,” Hernandez said. “We don’t want to make people feel isolated by making them feel this is only for culinary.” The club will meet every first Tuesday of each month, but students can find out more information about the group at Club Rush this week.

Technical programs give DEPARTURE students work experience DISRUPTS ASU RECRUITMENT, STRUCTURE BY Magali Mercado STAFF WRITER

mmercado.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Career Technical Education (CTE) programs can help students find jobs after their time at Contra Costa College. CTE, which is a national title, is used to describe programs, are normally known as vocational programs, meaning they are quick degree programs that can offer students jobs after they finish the program. Students can receive an associate degree, certificate of achievement, certificate of accomplishment or associate degree for transfer in 18 programs at CCC. These programs of study include administration of justice, automotive services, biotechnology, business administration, business office technology, certified nursing assistant, computer and communications technology, computer information systems, computer science, culinary arts, early childhood education, emergency medical services, health and human services, journalism, media digital film production, medical assisting and office technician, nursing, pre-allied health and real estate. Developing a new marketing strategy Kelly R. Schelin, director of economic and workforce development said, “I made the new pamphlet because we needed fresh marketing materials for our CTE programs. The older materials were outdated. This new strategy provides comprehensive inventory of all of the CTE programs on campus. The pamphlet will give students important information concerning types of degrees and certificates that are available and the average hourly wages that they might earn in associated occupations.” CTE can properly help students prepare for the workforce, Schelin said. She said, “We work with a lot of our employer partners and community partners to find out what skills are most needed for students to be successful when they enter the workforce. We make sure our programs teach those skills.” A lot of the programs have been offered for years at CCC. Automotive services department professor Peter Lock said the program had been around for over 50 years. Usually if students complete the (automotive services) program and graduate then they are assured a job. CTE allows students to get handson training in these programs. Making their experience more credible. In the early childhood education program, students can work hands on with children. Professor and early childhood education department Chairperson Intisar Shareef said, “We are hands on with our work. The Early Learning Center is our laboratory. We collaborate with the center to make sure we put our theories in practice.” Each program is different and can benefit students in multiple ways in their

“Just typing an essay isn’t going to help in the workforce.”

— Pamela Rudy, computer

information systems professor

future careers. Biotechnology program coordinator Katherine Krolikowski said, “It (biotechnology program) combines real world training and skills combines with foundations for building skills to become a biology major. It’s a special program because this program leads to a transfer degree. Not all CTE programs do that.” The business office technology program can help students prepare for all types of office jobs. Computer information systems professor Pamela Rudy said technology is constantly changing and the program can help students learn to work more efficiently in computer office programs like Word and Excel, which she said people will always need to know if they want to work in an office environment. “Just typing an essay isn’t going to help in the workforce,” Rudy said. Each program makes sure the curriculum is up to date and is the best options for students. Schelin said, “Each program has an advisory committee, which is a group of employers who work together with CCC. If an employer says they need a candidate to have a certain skill that we don’t teach, we plan and add those skills and training to the programs. Which is wonderful for our students so they can get jobs.” Some of the CTE programs are unique in their curriculum and are highly recognized. “We (early childhood education program) are one of the few in schools that has a degree or certificate in Montessori Teacher Education, which is very rare,” Shareef said. The national association recognizes the program for the Education of Young Children, which is the highest form of recognition. The Early Learning Center is one of their module sites, Shareef said. CTE programs don’t take long to complete, culinary arts professor Elizabeth Schwarz said. The culinary arts program normally takes about two to three years to complete. Then students can leave prepared and find a satisfying career. The amount of time to complete each program varies and depends on the kind of certificate or degree the student wants to achieve. It can take students anywhere from one to two years to complete a program, but more so it depends on how the student works and what they want. The CTE programs are constantly evolving and adding new certificates to their programs. Many programs are in the works for new certificates and such. Schelin said, “Programs like the automotive services department has a new hybrid technician certificate. There’s a new emergency medical technician’s achievement certificate. The media digital film program is looking at a gaming certificate as well as a graphic design certificate.” Students can see the CTE pamphlet and talk to a counselor about the programs and discuss which program would be the best fit for them, Schelin said. Krolikowski said, “It’s all about helping students finding that first job,” which can be said for all the CTE programs. CTE is an access for students to find a career; to find job opportunities that students couldn’t get access to before joining the programs, Schelin said.

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The ASU will be without the full time support of its director of training and recruitment that has been its “face” on campus since 2012. Luanna Waters accepted a paid interim position as Contra Costa College Dean of Student Waters Services administrative assistant on Oct. 19. “(Waters) has been the face of the ASU,” Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson said. “A lot of students, faculty, adminisFormer ASU trators and people at the district training and know (Waters) because she is recruitment direcsuch a team player who is willing tor took a paid to lend a helping hand — and she interim position has the knowledge of the campus as an administranot many people have.” tive assistant on Student Life Coordinator Oct. 19. Erika Greene, who works closely The ASU split with the ASU, said while she is Waters’ responhappy for Waters and her new sibility into two position, she is sad to see her leave as she has been a vital part separate posiof preparing new ASU senators tions. Greene and Dahal are sharing for years. “People have to live their the role. Waters will lives,” Greene said. “I am sad to see her leave, but I will be continue to taking over her role as train- support while er while the director of public the ASU reviews relations (Richa Dahal) will han- 19 applications dle recruitment through social for the Grant for media.” Support program. Waters, however, said she plans to continue to help out whenever she can as the ASU is currently reviewing 19 applications for its Grant for Support program. The Grant for Support program will award up to 10 departments and clubs up to $2,500 to fund events or purchases that will benefit a large number of students on campus. “It is different being in an administrative position,” Waters said. “I am transitioning, but I can’t just drop and leave our ASU hanging. I will still be giving guidance to senators who are reviewing applications for the Grant for Support.” Ferguson said the position in her division became vacant when Yolanda Mendoza went on sick leave for an undisclosed illness. She said when a position becomes open, the Local One union sends out an internal job opening online for up to five days, and if no one responds then a post is put out on Craigslist and the Contra Costa College website. “No one responded to Local One’s post,” she said. “We had a couple resumes through Craigslist and the district, but none were as qualified for the position as (Waters). The administrative secretary is the glue for the division.” Ferguson said while the position is only temporary, Waters will be responsible for instructional procedures within the division such as ensuring classes have instructors, checking in on counselors, filing time cards, course forms or speaking to people who come into the office in the Student Services Center while Ferguson is in meetings. Waters said even though she will be taking on more responsibilities with her new position, she plans to recruit potential senators for ASU through the administrative side instead. She said she will also be working more closely with the college webmaster Ellen Seidler to get ASU advertisements on the college website. “I like helping people,” Waters said. “It is what I do.”

in brief

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“

This is wonderful. It’s the 11th community college I’ve worked at and this is the best culinary department by far. This is phenomenal, the music, food and ambiance — it’s all incredible.” Jane Harmon, Interim Vice President

ANNUAL WALK STRIVES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HOMELESS Event crosses religious boundaries, changes lives BY Denis Perez STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

El Cerrito resident Renate Valencia (middle) walks through the gauntlet of food during the Chocolate Champagne event in the Three Seasons Restaurant on Sunday. The event raises funds for culinary arts scholarships.

Chocolate, spirits embrace spotlight at culinary event Delectable sweet confections keep smiles, patrons returning

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Succulent treats and bubbly delights highlighted an afternoon of indulgence as the culinary arts department hosted its annual Chocolate and Champagne event Sunday in the Three Seasons Restaurant. The sold out event raises funds for the culinary arts scholarships with a portion going to the musical arts department, which provided musical entertainment. Patrons packed the dining area and patio to capacity roughly an hour after the noon start time. Diners were treated to a sensory extravaganza of sounds and aromas upon entering the restaurant. Salty was married with sweet with a simple selection of chocolate covered, applewood smoked bacon, the same smoky sweet bacon used for the burgers served at lunch in the Three Seasons. “It’s addicting and I knew it would have people coming back for more,” second-year culinary arts student Theresa Powell said, describing why she chose to slather the bite size bacon pieces with chocolate. People also opted for the traditional chocolate fountain with pineapple and strawberries readily available to be dipped. Second-year student Audrey Borreand impressed the “ooh la la” crowd with her champagne pastry cream bouche with passion fruit

caviar. Served in its edible chocolate cup, the dish featured a subtly flavored fruit caviar prepared through a method known as molecular gastronomy, in which fruit juice is cooked with a plant based thickener (agar agar). Juice is dropped individually into the thickening agent and the balls solidify into flavorful caviar sized bursts. CCC culinary events customarily feature vendors from around the Bay Area. Sunday was no exception, as two local wineries Monticello Vineyards of Napa and Rosenblum Cellars of Oakland , along with long time culinary department partner Purity Organic, were on hand to offer samples. “We love to be the only non-alcoholic beverage at an event. We get a lot of attention,” Purity Organic sales manager Mike Anderson said. “We have a great partnership with the school. We sell 30 cases of juice per month here.” The vendors all experience an uptick in business following charity events at CCC, Arlene Passini, wholesale sales for Monticello Vineyards said. “A lot of people order our products after events because we aren’t sold in stores,” she said. A sunny Sunday afternoon with fruit and organic mimosas bring big names to campus events. Interim Vice President Jane Harmon was in attendance for her first culinary

event at CCC. “This is wonderful. It’s the 11th community college I’ve worked at and this is the best culinary Sharkes department by far,” Dr. Harmon said. “This is phenomenal, the music, food and ambiance — it’s all incredible.” Culinary student Mayra Hernandez put her own spin on incredible, soaking robust red strawberries in champagne until they were pale, then she gave them a hard chocolate shell designed with a squiggle of white chocolate. The result was a fruity, chocolaty champagne fueled explosion that refreshed and titillated at the same time. Culinary arts students Allison Jackson and Shirley Sanders went spicy with cayenne pepper infused chocolate bites, located just steps away from Lisa Rice and her frozen hot chocolate. Sharing the space matched the two items beautifully. The treat resembled a chocolate smoothie and was a pleasant departure from all of the various but similarly categorized treats. Everyone was happy and, as alcohol events usually go, the smiles got larger toward the end. The one question on the lips of patrons in attendance — when is the next event?

A non-profit organization united 41 congregations of different faiths seeking to change the lives of the forgotten citizens of Richmond, California. The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) will host its 29th Annual Harmony Walk/ Run event to end homelessness on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held at Nichol Park in Richmond, the event crosses historic religious boundaries to combat poverty by uniting faiths across multiple denominations including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Mormons. It also unites the business owners, families, teachers and local officials who come together in the name of human dignity and social injustice. This year’s event marks the first time in decades the event will be held on All Hallows Eve. Danielle Franklin, event coordinator for GRIP, said that this is a great opportunity to give back to the community and also to come together to unite on a festive day. There is an expectancy of 500 people to attend with a goal of raising $150,000. The money raised will go to help fund the work GRIP does. They do work like feeding the homeless and poor through a soup kitchen. GRIP serves 50,000 meals a year to the needy. They get their food from food banks and from donations made by members of community church congregations. GRIP also shelters many of the over 8,000 homeless people in Contra Costa County. They have a family shelter located in the Iron Triangle in Richmond that houses 70 people or about 20 families. GRIP also has resource centers where one can come in off the street and get basic necessities such as a shower and a hot meal. They take even bigger steps to further help the well being of the homeless by helping them have a more permanent living space. GRIP work with landlords in the area to provide housing with low rental prices. GRIP is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the County yet Alex Thompson, who sleeps on the sidewalk of 2033 Center Street, has heard of GRIP but has never benefited from their services. She doesn’t expect the event to impact her because doesn’t live in Richmond. Even if she lived in Richmond she would never go to a homeless shelter. She says she has personal reasons for not trusting them. There are approximately 574,000 homeless people in the U.S. and 114,000 of them reside in California, according to the 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. About 3,000 of those 114,000 are the ones this race will benefit. The money raised from the event will help all these programs and resources remain available to those who use them. The residents of the homeless shelter will be putting in their part to contribute too, whether it be through running or volunteering to help at the event bright and early at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Seminar details trek of women in STEM sectors Local engineer inspires the minds of science, technology students

BY Asma Alkrizy STAFF WRITER

aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Center for Science Excellence invited a seminar speaker on Friday in PS-132 to explain her role in managing the new campus center project and share her personal journey through her career as a structural engineer. CSE program Director Seti Sidharta introduced CCC students to Shalilah Reynolds, assistant construction manager for Critical Solution, who helped manage the project of demolishing the three buildings to rebuild the new campus center. On the opening panel, Reynolds gave a brief overview about how she manages construction of the new campus center project, a three building project expected to be completed by August 2016. “We manage the overall process of the (new campus center) project,” Reynolds said. “As construction managers, we make sure the project is delivered in time and done properly. Worker’s safety is also important.” She said construction managers deal with live loads, which are movable forces, such people and furniture. Dead loads, on the other hand, include roofs and walls, things permanently attached to a building. The contractor’s responsibility is to identify problems, she said, while the

construction managers develop mechanisms to resolve them. Reynolds recounted her college experiences that fostered her passion for constructional engineering. “I always liked math and science,” she said. “This is probably what sparked my interest in engineering discipline.” Reynolds said in high school she took advanced classes, such as chemistry and physics, that prepared her for college level classes. She also had a great interest in building things with her hands. She said she enjoyed taking pieces of electronics and attaching them together. “When thinking about exploring your career and passion, think about the bigger picture,” she said. “Choose a career where you’ll find fulfillment. Don’t let salaries drive you to your career. No one wants to be stuck in a career they don’t like. For me, when I entered college, I already knew what I wanted to be. I found my strength in engineering.” Reynolds said she grew up in Oakland and saw the Bay Area a diverse shock. Coming from an AfricanAmerican background, she said she loved the feeling of living in a diverse environment, surrounded by people of color. She said she first attended California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo because she wanted to be

close to her home, but found out that “African-Americans were very scarce in that campus.” After staying two years at Cal Poly, she transferred to a historically black university, (HBCU) Clark University in Atlanta. “It was a beautiful environment and a great engineering college,” she said. “I made a lot of friends. It was lovely to learn engineering from an AfricanAmerican professor. I felt like I could become a successful engineer too.” Toward the end of the event, Reynolds reinforced the importance of internships and professional organizations, which give students an opportunity to develop in their field of interest and explore career options. Reynolds said during her college years, she joined the National Society of Black Engineers organization and did an internship in an architecture company, which developed her professionally. “You have to go after (internships),” she said. “I had to make my own way, got internships that gave me great insight about my career. They make you well-rounded.” She said scholarships are also crucial for students facing economic and educational disadvantage. “There’s so much free money out there,” she said. “Don’t let writing a personal statement hold you back.” After the panel, Carolyn Hodge,

chairperson of the African-American studies department, said bringing Reynolds was a chance for students to look up to her as an African-American woman. She said students grow up in neighborhoods or environments with role models in their lives, and it’s essential for students, especially minority students, to feel motivated. “It’s good that we live in a diverse environment (Bay Area), but we still see whites at the top,” she said. “People of color and also women need to seek possibilities that’ll open up higher education and jobs for them so everyone gets the opportunity to be at the top.” Reynold’s invitation kindled the interest of engineering major students, as students asked her multiple questions after the panel discussion. “I bring seminar representatives to CSE events so students can feel motivated,” Dr. Sidharta said. “So I decided today to bring an engineering seminar speaker. I want students to get the opportunities I didn’t get — to apply to scholarships and internships.” Mahmoud Al-dabbas, an environmental engineer, said the seminar discussion was beneficial. “The (seminar) was helpful, because you can connect to the speaker. It’s motivating to have a speaker from our community.”

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Walk raises awareness, dividends Santa Clara resident Jimmy Ramirez completes his eighth walk during the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Charity event draws numbers, research funding BY Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

SAN FRANCISCO — With Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming to a close, the American Cancer Association held its Making Strides against Breast Cancer Event at Golden Gate Park Saturday. Attendees either walk or run to bring awareness for the most common cancer diagnosed in United States, breast cancer. The walk-a-thon is a national event held all over the U.S. The walk gives the survivors inspiration and raises funds for research while providing mental support from family and friends. Making Strides for Breast Cancer Community Manager Sophie Croen planned the San Francisco event. “With the support of a lot of volunteer and sponsors, I was able to manage this event,” Croen said. “It happens every year around this time and we get about 15,000 people who come here — for example (cancer) survivors, family, caregivers and friends.” People enjoy live music, refreshments and booths. All the participants were dressed in pink, or were giving support to families who survived a scare or are still fighting cancer. Tonisha Wells, a teacher at Skyline High School, was there supporting her mother who survived breast cancer twice. She also participated in the walk-a-thon with her mom. “It’s a fun event to meet other survivors of breast cancer and people who are still fighting it,” Wells said. “This is also an event where my family and I can share a bond with my mom.” In 2001 Wells’ mom won her fight against breast cancer, Wells said. She heard about her the event through her church and since then she’s been actively participating in this event. “This will be our third year actively participating in the walk, and we definitely plan to come back next year,” Wells said. “We want people to be aware of cancer.” Volunteers played a huge part in making this event go smoothly. They facilitated registration and set up all the booths and pathways for the walk. They also gave out information about breast cancer and the event itself. Making Strides volunteer Diane Singleton has been taking part in the event for years and knows the history behind it. “I’m a second generation volunteer with the American Cancer Society,” Singleton said. “My parents and aunt volunteer cancer events in different areas.” Singleton lost a grandmother to breast cancer, but her sister-in–law survived it. However, she has lost many other relatives to other types of cancer, which motivates her to keep volunteering at cancer events.

State office provides free online program, opportunity to adjust BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office is offering its campuses a chance to transition from other online learning platforms to Canvas for free through its Online Education Initiative (OEI). Vice Chancellor for Communications Paul Feist said OEI is providing Canvas’s online services at no cost to its 113 colleges that sign up before the January deadline until the 2018-19 academic year. After 2019, Feist said the state plans to absorb approximately two-thirds of the cost for colleges that have adopted Canvas as the state’s primary platform for online learning. “The later years will be more expensive,” he said. “running from $2 million to $7.5 million (annually) depending on the number of colleges involved (with OEI).” OEI Statewide Program Director Steve Klein said this statewide push is only possible because of Gov. Jerry Brown’s special education initiative that granted $56.9 million this year to increase student’s ability to complete educational goals through an online platform that is easy to use and accessible on mobile devices. “Students want mobile access (to online learning platforms). If institutions are unable to respond to the need of students then what are they doing to support the success of their students?” In support of the statewide push, the Contra Costa College Academic Senate unanimously

endorsed that the district Governing Board vote to join OEI on Oct. 19. Currently, all three campuses in the Contra Costa College Community District use Desire 2 Learn as their online education platform — but the Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College academic senates have yet to give their endorsement. College Interim President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said the endorsement comes only three years after the district contracted D2L to be its online education platform. District Director of Financial Services Jonah Nicolas said the district paid $365,000 this last fiscal year on D2L. “We all hate the way email works with D2L,” LAVA Division representative on the Academic Senate Rick Ramos said. “The (Canvas) grader notifies you what assignment you have not graded because sometimes you get tired while grating and miss a couple. CCC also struggles with FTES (state funding per 15 units). But OEI course exchange give us the opportunity to teach courses to students from across the state and bring in needed revenue — And (Canvas) is a lot easier to use than D2L.” CCC’s Academic Senate gave its recommendation during its meeting on Oct. 19 in AA-207 after district Distance Education Committee Co-Chairperson Judy Flum presented the results of an online learning management survey that 40 professors answered. Before the meeting, DDEC organized demonstrations to inform people about the state’s offer on Oct. 12 and 13 at all three of the Contra Costa Community College District’s

campuses — CCC’s Academic Senate is the first to support OEI and an 18-month long migration from D2L to Canvas. Klein said the Chancellor’s Office offering Canvas for free is part of OEI’s push to unify its college campuses using a common course management system that will provide students with 24-7 technical support, tutoring, resource tools and a course exchange program. Klein said Canvas, developed by the software company Instructure, was selected to be the common course management system for the state through a request for proposal process that began in October of last year. “After rounding it down to three applicants, Canvas, Blackboard and Moodle, checks were conducted of each vendor by visiting two colleges that use each of these systems,” he said. “We met with faculty, students, business offices, student services, staff, DSPS staff and IT directors — We basically spent half a day at each college learning if everything written in their requests for proposal was true.” District Director of Communication Tim Leong said before the Governing Board can make a decision, it must speak with its Consultation Council that is comprised of college presidents, distance education chairpersons and academic senate presidents from LMC, DVC and CCC. Mehdizadeh and Leong said the Governing Board is scheduled to meet with the Consultation Council on Nov. 10. Discussions continue to develop leading up the district decision on Dec. 9 if it aims to meet the January deadline.

SEMINAR TO AVERT CRISIS, CASUALTIES Active shooters, quick thinking highlight forum BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Following a decade of increasing school shootings, the Contra Costa Community College District Police Services held a workshop to enlighten students and faculty about the proper actions to take in an active shooter scenario. The Student Together Awareness Response Safe (STARS) seminar was narrated by Officer Charles Hankins, he relayed statistics gathered by law enforcement about the severity and frequency of school shootings. From 2000-2013 there were 160 shooting incidents, nearly one per month (11.4 per year). In those shootings there were 1,043 casualties with 486 killed and 557 wounded. Hankins opened the hourlong seminar with a game that featured split-second decision-

making similar to the speed needed when making split-second life or death decisions. The ABC game gave the 31 people in attendance an opportunity to say what they would do when faced with an assailant but the player must use the letter of the alphabet determined by his/her place in the order. After stumbling through the game, the run, hide, fight concept was explained to the group. Listeners were urged to recognize escape routes and be prepared to leave belongings behind in order to leave swiftly. Keeping hands visible and obeying orders by police was also stressed as the intensity of an active situation causes tunnel vision for police which can lead to deadly mistakes. Health and human services major Kristin Lobos listened intently to the presentation and found the information applicable to daily life. “I found the situational awareness information interesting,” she said. “Knowing exit points. I plan on applying this immediately.” The hide portion featured officers teaching attendees how to use items in the room or in one’s

possession to barricade doors or windows. The information states a shooter is looking for the easiest targets and slowing the process by simply blocking the door and remaining hidden can save lives. CCC has experience with deadly shootings. Roughly 20 years ago there was a murder on campus. Campus security has shifted to an approach that integrates more community outreach in combating a potential tragedy. Hankins said, “Police aides take a more personal approach in building relations with the campus community, in addition to a larger well-armed police presence. Officials hope to head off potential attacks through information sharing enhanced public relations.” The same can not be said for all of the campus’ in the Contra Costa Community College District. At the Los Medanos College Brentwood campus, Police Services parking enforcement officer Juliana Salas is usually the only officer on duty at the campus. “They haven’t put the parking officers through active shooter training yet,” she said. “It worries me. I’m parking enforcement, not a sworn officer. I don’t even have a gun.”

For Salas, “I found her best option the sitis the same as the rest of the uational general public’s. awareness She should call 911 if a threat is information present. interesting. Third in the process is fight. Knowing Used as a last who is resort, it was explained that around everyone can and the fight (although some better exit points, than others) I plan on and at times applying can be the last strand of sur- this.” vival. — Kristen Office mates were instructed Lobos, health and to band togethhuman services er to minimize major casualties and provide a united front in the face of danger. Also they should find a way to use all the items in the room that can potentially be used as a weapon. The police did not promote vigilantism, only the natural instinct to protect ourselves and each other in dangerous situations.

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Celebrating Latino multiculturalism By Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

irst-generation Latino college students, the sons and daughters of immigrants from countries in Central and South America, have strong familial ties to their cultural heritage. But many of these first generation Contra Costa College students, and others in Richmond and San Pablo, tend to associate themselves with their countries of origin, instead of using the umbrella terms of Latino — or Hispanic. “There is no correct term,” CCC counselor Norma Jimenez-Valdez said. “It depends on the individual, but most people who identify themselves as Latino or Hispanic do so in relation to their national origin.” La Raza studies adjunct professor Edgar Mojica-Villegas agrees with Jimenez-Valdez. He said Latino is often used interchangeably with Hispanic, a term used by the Census Bureau in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan’s

administration, without completely understanding the political origins of those terms in the U.S. “Something very interesting happens when (Central and South Americans) cross the U.S. border because people south of the border do not embrace one term to identify themselves,” he said. “But when they do cross, immediately their nationality takes second place and are forced to adopt pan-ethnic identity (of Hispanic or Latino).” Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board Trustee John Marquez said unless they are a third or fourth generation Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban-American, then the struggles that Spanish speakers endured to attain political power in this country would be unknown to them. La Raza professor Agustin Palacios said before the 1980s, these were the three ethnic groups that immigrated to the U.S., mainly California, seeking employment in fields in the Central Valley or factories in the Bay Area. “People from Central and South America tend to be very nationalistic,”

Marquez said. “Being connected to our country (of origin) is OK but we (Latinos) are here now and have to make the best out of our situation as a unit. We need to put nationalism aside because Latinos together have a greater political influence.” History professor Manu Ampim said both terms emerged between the 1970s and 80s and replaced the political term of Chicano/Chicana after the civil rights movement lost momentum. Dr. Palacios said Mexican- American youth and political activists adopted the Chicano or Chicana identity to promote equal access and fair treatment of Spanish speakers in education during the 1960s and early 70s amid the Vietnam War. Marquez said he is a first generation college student who grew up during this time. He said while growing up in Richmond during the 1960s speaking Spanish at school was a punishable offense. “In my generation, the 1960s, people of Mexican descent or (people of color) who spoke Spanish were not allowed to

speak the language at school,” Marquez said. “It was considered a dirty language by our white teachers.” Because of this unequal treatment, Marquez said he and CCC counselor Al Zuniga, both students at CCC, helped organize a Chicano studies department in 1969. This was in a time period when the majority of professors and administrators were either AfricanAmerican or Caucasian, with only a handful of Latinos. And 45 years later, according to The Advocate’s language diversity survey of 200 students in March, about 48 percent of students said they are the first in their families to go to college, and about 32 percent speak Spanish. While it is no longer called the Chicano studies department, the La Raza and African American studies department has a long history of organizing cultural events and rallies like Dia de Los Muertos, Mexican Independence Day and Cinco De Mayo. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Vice President Christian Talavera speaks to potential members during their club meeting in the Planetarium on Feb. 20, 2015.

INFLUENTIAL CLUB SEEKS TO RECRUIT ENGINEERS SHPE serves as base for STEM awareness BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After a successful first year on campus, the Society of Hispanic Professionals Engineers (SHPE) plans to remain one of the most active clubs, expanding its outreach and influence while improving the academic goals of its members. Founded in the mid-70s in Los Angeles by a group of city engineers, its aim was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models to the Hispanic community. Since then, the group has changed lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awareness. Its vision is a world where Hispanics are recognized for the influential scientists and innovators that so many of them are. After only one year on campus, SHPE is already one of the more active clubs on campus. “Last year, (former President) Valeria Avila orga-

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

nized a lot of college seminars and resume building workshops with SHPE chapters from other universities,” current SHPE President Alejandro Romero said. “She got so much done, but we have a lot of things planned for this year.” Other clubs on campus are still in limbo. Some have yet to solidify leadership positions or hold any meetings. Romero is already working with other clubs to hold STEM Day workshops to assist physics, chemistry and computer science students. SHPE also continues to raise money to send members to the SHPE national conference, held this year at Oregon State University. “At the Inter-Club Council (ICC) meetings I try to encourage smaller clubs to collaborate with the more active clubs on campus,” Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene said. “Some clubs don’t have national leadership even though they may have chapters on

different campuses that doesn’t always mean they have objectives and mission statements to guide them.” SHPE makes the most of its national image and uses the platform to promote STEM education at the highest levels. According to whitehouse.gov, President Obama announced that over $240 million will be allocated for new STEM commitments at the 2015 White House Science Fair. The money includes $90 million for the “Let Everyone Dream” campaign. It is designed to expand STEM opportunities to underprivileged youth. SHPE employs a four-point strategic plan in its chapters in order to unify its positions. First is economic and technological with the idea that the United States economic and technological positions will be improved with more Hispanics entering to and graduating from SHPE degree programs. It also looks to attract influential membership to advance the communities impact

on STEM fields. Third is increased graduation rates. Lastly, the group aims to mirror the demographics of the United States population in STEM related fields, in corporate America, government and academia. According to the United States Census Bureau there are 50.5 million Hispanics in the U.S. Also, between 2000 and 2010 the Hispanic population grew by 43 percent, 10 times the growth of the total population. Hispanics make up 16 percent of the U.S. population yet only account for 7 percent of the national STEM workforce. At CCC, the scope and expectations the club has for itself may give other clubs a distorted sense of how organizing works. “I don’t want the new clubs to overextend themselves and fizzle out,” Vice President of Club Affairs Safi Ward-Davis said. “I don’t pinpoint successful clubs like Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) or Puente or SHPE to try to get them to match fundraising or participation. I point to them as something to strive to be.”

Puente program instills educational foundation Peer led

BY Christian Urrutia

tutoring

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

adds to success of classes, workshops

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Replicating the Puente Project’s ideals, the Puente chapter on campus and Puente club strive for bettering the lives of educationally underserved students. The mission statement of Puente is to increase the number of underserved first-generation students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, therefore earning degrees and returning to the community as leaders and mentors. Counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez said three components make up the Puente model — counseling, writing and mentoring. Valdez-Jimenez, who also serves as the Puente club’s adviser, said the model provides a learning community for Puentistas, a one-year intensive curriculum followed by program support until the Puentista transfers. She said Latinos are definitely attracted to the program, but it is open to anyone. The graduating cohort from last spring semester had 27 students transfer, the highest number yet, she said. The Puente club highlights local

“More importantly these mentors represent their family in a viable way, where students can come to them for help.” — Elvia Ornelas-Garcia, English department co-Chairperson

community involvement and field trips to different universities as part of its activities. Health and human services major Ariana Saechao said the club helped her to learn to develop time management skills and provided opportunities for visiting different campuses in mind for transferring around the bay area. “We’ve visited elementary schools as well to see which ones we could volunteer at to clean up debris,” Saechao said. The club performs a semesterly cleanup of Rheem Creek which runs through the arboretum on campus. Since its inception at Contra Costa College in 2002, the administration has been committed to keeping Puente chapter alive although the program has been limited in the capacity of students

it can serve due to a small dedicated staff. The model contains two semesters of English and personal development courses, one-on-one mentoring and counseling and field trips to four-year colleges and universities. The Puente English class outline features a rigorous two-course sequence, teaches students to benefit from peer writing response groups and integrates Latino literature with emphasis on issues relevant to Latinos in the U.S. Mentoring offers students support from professionals who understand the process of higher education, models of success from within the community and opportunities for critical assessment of career and life choices. Elvia Ornelas-Garcia, English, philosophy and humanities department chairperson, said most first-generation college students do not have models of success and that mentors having gone through the educational experience, fills that void. “More importantly these mentors represent their family in a viable way, where students can come to them for help,” Ornelas-Garcia said. She also said students within the

Puente program end up feeling challenged academically whereas they had not experienced one before. “What more can you ask for as teacher when you see the progress (made) and the appreciation for the challenge even though it is hard work but the end result benefits their academic and personal goals,” she said. CCC alum and Puente mentor John Moreno said the values instilled in him by Puente kept him on a steady course throughout college and helped in discovering what his career path was. “I found my calling in helping people and having that one Puente (mentor) helped me out (enormously) and taught me you just need one person to do that for you. “Puente has given so much to me. I want to give back to fulfill the mission statement, which is to transfer and to come back as a mentor,” Moreno said.

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“

She is a very knowledgeable and warm person. She is a spectacular person having that ability and that’s not just talent, it’s hard work.” — Wayne Organ, music department chairperson

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

All for the love of linguistics European roots span global boundaries for joy of language

BY Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

When the Berlin wall was torn down on Nov. 9, 1989, citizens in European countries were granted their freedom to travel anywhere and were released from social and political communism. People from all European countries were finally free to roam other countries without repercussions. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Contra Costa College foreign languages department (professor and) Chairperson Irena Stefanova emigrated from Bulgaria to Vancouver, Canada. While in Burnaby, Vancouver she earned her master’s degree in Latin American studies at Simon Frasier University in 1994. Learning to speak six different languages, she moved to California in 2001 and started teaching at City College of San Francisco and other community colleges until 2008 when she was hired full time at CCC. “I’ve always been fascinated by (Latin) culture and the way people live in those countries,” Stefanova said. “My main focus is on bilingual and border culture and at that time it was the border between

“I’ve always been fascinated by (Latin) culture and the way people live in those countries.” — Irena Stefanova , foreign languages department chairperson her

Argentina and Brazil.” Stefanova, 50, was born in Bulgaria on March 7, 1965. She has influenced many students and faculty at CCC with her warm personality. She is the mother of a 20-yearold daughter who is attending Santa Clara University and is also a respected professor on campus who always puts her students before anything else. Music department Chairperson Wayne Organ’s office is right across the hall from her Spanish night class on Mondays. “(Stefanova) is a very knowledgeable and warm person. She is a spectacular person having that ability and that’s just not talent, it’s also hard work,” Organ said. “Every time I walk by her class, the students seem interested and engaged with in the class.”

Organ also knows her from working on the Academic Senate with her. Stefanova is also quick to help faculty members feel welcome at the college. Adjunct professor Akemi Uchima-Decena has been teaching Japanese at CCC since 2012 and she was not familiar with the area. But Stefanova was the first person to make her feel welcome. “When I first came (to CCC), I didn’t know much about the school,” Uchima-Decena said. “She spent a lot of time with me showing me how this college works.” The last time Stefanova went back to her birth origins was in 2014. Even though she feels homesick because her parents still live in Bulgaria, she said she now feels like a tourist in her own country. She has become detached from her childhood friends from Bulgaria. “I miss home, but now I feel like a foreigner there,” Stefanova said about visiting Bulgaria. “My friends and most of the people of my generation have already moved away from the country, so I have nobody but my parents there now.” According to her students, her lectures are engaging and helpful. In her class she encourages the students to interact with each other, and

encourages them to hold a conversation in the language that she is teaching. “She teaches very well and she interacts with everyone in the class,” fire science major Michael Murray said. “She is extremely patient with her students and makes sure they understand her lecture.” She challenges her students, but rewards them also. That helps them to learn and comprehend the new language. It helps them become better at speaking and engaging with Spanish, undecided major Doug Taylor said. “I’ve known a little Spanish. But the way (Stefanova) teaches it, it sticks to my brain and makes it easier to use Spanish outside the classroom.” Stefanova continues teaching Spanish and other foreign language classes at CCC. Her students and colleagues recommend taking a class with her.

ABOVE: Foreign languages department Chairperson Irena Stefanova, was born in Bulgaria but teaches Spanish here on campus. Stefanova is fluent in six langauges.

EDITORIAL EXPOSING HISTORICAL HIJACKING, INTEGRITY

he United States Census Bureau gives people who have cultural ties to Central and South American countries the option of filing as either Hispanic or Latino. It seems that many federal and state institutions, including the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, consider these umbrella terms that are interchangeable, but they are not. According to the Chancellor’s Office online DataMart, Hispanics made up about 39 percent of Contra Costa College’s student ethnic demographic during the 2014-15 academic year. And out of the 2.4 million students statewide, 40 percent of these students filed as Hispanic, but only because they were not given the option to identify themselves as Latino. The Advocate denounces the umbrella term Hispanic because of the derogatory implications to the Chicanos and Chicanas who battled for access and fair treatment in education

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and early 70s. Further, it is appalling that the Chancellor’s Office only gives its students, who have cultural ties to Central and South American countries, enrolling into its 113 campuses, the option to file only under Hispanic. Latino is a more acceptable term, as it was developed to categorize the pan-ethnic populous of immigrants from South America to the United States in the 1980s, an influx sparked by various civil wars fueled by the War on Drugs under the Ronald Reagan administration. While the categorization of people ranging across dozens of different

cultures under the term Hispanic was developed as a political tool that would give Republican candidates more votes as Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican populations increased in the early 20th century, the term is more offensive than Latino because of its ties to European conquistadors who eradicated cultures indiscriminately. The origin of the umbrella term Hispanic dates back to 1492, when Christopher Columbus landed near the Americas with the intent to conquer and enslave. While Columbus never reached the continents of North or South America, his arrival in the Caribbean doomed the indigenous people throughout the

Western Hemisphere and set the foundations for 500 years of subjugation and racial violence. He planted the first seed of racialism in the island he would come to govern by force — Hispaniola. This legacy of hate, greed and xenophobia lives on within the word Hispanic. The Advocate realizes there needs to be an umbrella term to describe such an eclectic group of cultures in the political scape in the U.S. But unless institutions take steps to eliminate the word Hispanic, then they are perpetuating the lingering legacy of racial hate that Columbus instilled into the modern world.

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Dia de Los Muertos venerates life Mexican holiday transcends family, culture, religion BY Magali Mercado STAFF WRITER

mmercado.theadvocate@gmail.com

La Raza Club embraces its culture for the Dia de los Muertos holiday, as club members got together Thursday to set up an altar in the Library to honor the dead. Dia de los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead in Spanish, is observed Nov. 1 and 2. It is a holiday that is celebrated to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. La Raza Vice President Alejandro Gonzalez said, “Besides Mexico other South and Central American countries celebrate the holiday as well.” The holiday brings a lot of cultural awareness, Gonzalez said, “Every year we make an altar for the holiday. It’s a matter of maintaining the tradition and cultural life. So we want to honor those who have passed away.” This year the club wants to bring more awareness social justice issues that are currently happening. Club President Maria Lara said, “I want to highlight people who have died from police brutality, people who have died crossing the border, people who have been racially profiled.” The altar will bring awareness to those who have passed away due to those issues. “You will see kids who were part of the shooting in Oregon, people part of the Black Lives Matter movement that were killed like Oscar Grant and people subject to violence in the transgender community. Recently two transgender men were killed and I really want to highlight that,” Lara said. Lara said the Day of the Dead is a happy day and many people get that confused. It’s not bad because it celebrates the life of the people. Apart from being about tradition and culture, this is also a very religious holiday. It is a part of the Catholic religion. In Mexico people go to the cemetery to pray and there is also a mass there as well, club participant Maria Camacho said. “People take different kinds of food and flowers and decorate the altars of their loved ones, which is what we are doing here today. It is also important we put (up) a picture of the person who has passed away,” Camacho said. The altar is located in one of the display cases in the Library here on campus. It is decorated with brightly colored flowers, sugar skulls and fruit. There are also pictures of those who were affected by police brutality, acts of violence in the transgender community, victims of being racially profiled and people crossing the border. The club will be making a bigger altar on Tuesday.

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Computer engineering major Ogheneyengbame Akpojiyoubui paints a paper maché skull for La Raza Club’s planned Day of the Dead event during its meeting on Oct. 16 2014.

La Raza seeks to empower diversified ‘communidad’ Growing Latino presence reflects ‘identity struggle’ BY Cody Casares PHOTO EDITOR

ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com

La Raza Student Union has a long history at Contra Costa College dating back decades. Nationwide student protests during the 1960s and 1970s paved the way to forge La Raza studies and the La Raza Student Union, LRSU adviser Edgar Mojica said. He said, “The goals of the protests were to establish an awareness of who we are, our history, social issues, dreams and visions and to respond to those needs.” La Raza studies professor Augustine Palacios said, also as a result of student protests, 10 sections of La Raza studies were offered at CCC in 1970 with an enrollment of 400 Latino students. “The long history of Latino culture is not reflected on the college website. We’re working on changing that,” Palacios said. Maria Lara, the LRSU president, said that the core mission statement and even some issues covered by the LRSU have remained

similar over the years. “Our goal is to bring awareness of Latino culture and what they’re going through right now,” she said. “The struggle of our generation is to find our own identity. Students feel that LRSU is only for Mexican students. It’s not, it’s for any Latino students who wants to be involved as well as being open to everyone and I encourage people to come. The more people we have the easier it is to identify issues.” Another challenge faced by the LRSU is the environment of the community college itself. Students come to CCC and do what they have to do and get out (transfer) making it hard to maintain structure, Mojica said. Despite the challenge of transferring and departing students, LRSU has managed to maintain a presence on campus by staying active with events and community-service projects as well as receiving support from the college administration, Mojica said. “Every event is an attempt to keep traditions alive,” Mojica said. “(LRSU) brings focus to the stu-

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

La Raza studies professor Augustin Palacios elaborates on disinformation about Cinco de Mayo, during the Cinco de Mayo celebration in the Three Seasons Restaurant on May 5, 2015.

dent population through community service, (bridging) the community with the college and make the college more prominent.” The LRSU plans to target healthy eating habits of Latino children in San Pablo as their community outreach event this year. Lara said she read an article stating that high numbers of Latino children in the San Pablo area were categorized as being obese and was inspired to change those numbers. For Hispanic Heritage month,

which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the LRSU did not participate with an event on or off campus. “We don’t identify as much with that term, so instead of celebrating Columbus Day we celebrated our heritage with Indigenous Peoples Day that was held in the Library and Learning Resource Center (on Oct. 12),” Lara said. “From what we’ve learned Hispanic is a term that was imposed by the U.S. government and it generalizes Latinos as being all the same,” she said.

ADELANTE FOSTERS STEM MAJORS, SCIENCE INTERESTS Academy program outlines pathways for success in math

BY Christian Urrutia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can have their curiosity cultivated within the Adelante with STEM Academy on campus. Ysrael Condori, HSI STEM staff member, said the academy focuses on STEM exploration with comprehensive student support integrated through counseling and weekly tutoring. “The academy started in the fall 2012 semester as the Adelante program. From the start, we strived to increase STEM involvement and personal development while keeping tutoring and academic success our focus as a community and program,” Condori said. HSI STEM Grant and METAS Program Manager Mayra Padilla said the Adelante program is designed for students curious about science and to foster a sense of what STEM majors’ can study and apply for. Students are able to join Adelante first by joining and completing a Math Jam session. Math Jams are typically eight-day math preparation summer programs

with this past semester featuring three math courses, Math 118, 120 and 171. Participants are given the respective math book for their course once the program begins and can continue to use it once enrolled in Adelante STEM Academy during the following semester. Going into the fall semester, students enrolled in Adelante STEM Academy must also have a qualifying math course and be enrolled in a counseling course such as Psychology 103A, Course Success, or Psychology 103B, Transfer Success. From there, the yearly cohorts take the next math course needed in the next spring semester and concurrent psychology class. Kelly Ramos, minority retention specialist and programs coordinator for Adelante STEM Academy, said Math Jam creates a bond between students and they are able to view each other as a helping resource that builds a strong community.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

HSI STEM Grant and METAS Program Manager Mayra Padilla concludes the end of Math Jam 2015 with a ceremony recognizing those who completed the program in LA-100 on Aug. 12.

“They all come out as friends and are motivated to continue as STEM majors and possibly join other resources around here like Center for Science Excellence, once they’re done (with Adelante STEM Academy).” Condori said weekly STEM tutoring has been the biggest impact for most students.

“The community feeling and peer led tutoring leader sessions have provided motives for students to keep going and then that incentive is tied to their continuation within the program,” Condori said. Padilla agrees that the community aspect make students want to come back and mentor those in similar footsteps.

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“

(The ESL) courses are more rigorous and students are coming out of them fairly strong.”

— Elisabeth Xiezopolski, English as a second language department chairperson

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

ESL faces low enrollment, aims to ‘redefine success’ Full-time faculty work to increase diversity, struggle to raise numbers

BY Roxana Amparo ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

In the middle of a transitional period to redefine success for students of non-English tongues, English as a second language department faculty are working to establish value in learning a second language. “We want parents, uncles and aunts to take ESL classes, not only the fresh-outta-high-school generation,” English as a second language department Chairperson (and professor) Elisabeth Xiezopolski said. “You can be 30, 35, 40 and still transfer.” The ESL program helps students whose first language is not English improve their reading, writing and grammar as they work toward a certificate of accomplishment in one of three categories. “We Current full-time faculwant stuty are working dents to to increase the feel like number and diversity of ESL they have students, all achieved while the former something, chairperson is on sabbatical. to feel When the recession hit the proud.” U.S. in 2008-09, — Gabriela Contra Costa Segade , English College’s ESL department as a second lansuffered several guage professor cuts, shrinking the program, English as a second language professor Gabriela Segade said. “We can’t get back the numbers

that we lost,” Segade s a i d . “C l a s s e s w e r e cut and, from 52 s e c t i on s we went down to 28. We are now at 36. “But we are trying to see how to redefine success in the ESL program.” ESL assistant professor Shelley Ruby said one of the difficulties they face is getting the word out because everyone, including some faculty, think of the myths and misconceptions of the ESL. “They think students aren’t as qualified,” she said. Segade said, “The state doesn’t really count students as a success unless they go through ESL and move on to regular classes,” even though ESL 192, Introduction to Essay Writing, is equivalent to English 142A, and ESL 195, Advanced Reading and Composition, is equivalent to English 142B (one level below English 1A) at CCC. Although they are set on similar platforms as regular English courses, most ESL courses count as electives and only a few are transferable, she said. Students have the opportunity to take the regular English 1A course if they feel comfortable and up for the challenge upon completing ESL 195, Segade said. But often times ESL students find themselves easing through the regular English courses due to the rigor the ESL

courses provide, Segade said. Part of the lessons include basic essay format and composition, while incorporating “content-based ESL” books richer in context and that teach syntax to the students, she said. “(The ESL) courses are more rigorous and students are coming out of them fairly strong,” Xiezopolski said. Ruby said, “We want people to understand that the ESL program is not a remedial program.” This past spring 2014 they began providing certificates of completion for students who completed the required low-intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced ESL courses with a C or better, she said. There are three types of certificates for the different levels, Xiezopolski said. The first is the low-intermediate ESL certificate of completion for students who successfully completed all level 2 areas, which include reading 2, speaking 2, listening/speaking 2 and grammar 2. Students must be registered in a minimum of four units in ESL and must have completed a minimum of 12 units in the program. The second is the high-intermediate ESL certificate of completion for students who successfully completed all level 3 skills area, which include reading 3, writing 3, speaking 3 and grammar 3. And the third is the Advanced ESL certificate of completion for students who have successfully completed all level 4 areas, which include reading 4, writing 4, speaking 4 and grammar 4. “We want students to feel like

they have achieved something, to feel proud,” Segade said. The ESL 108 in-person orientation course was created for ESL students, which is compliant with the online course Counseling 108 for non-ESL students. Segade said, “We do an orientation and we also meet individually with each student to interview them about their goals, double check that their placements are correct and help them select courses that best match their levels and goals.” During the orientation there are three ESL instructors present while students go through the same orientation that Counseling 108 covers online, and then go on a campus tour, she said. The outreach continues in order to increase numbers, but working with only four full-time faculty is difficult to organize, Ruby said. “We are stretched out thin,” Segade said. Ruby started full time at the beginning of this semester as former ESL Chairperson Anoosheh Borhan went on sabbatical. Although receiving funding for tutoring from the Equity Fund, there is not enough “people power,” Xiezopolski said. She said if there was more funding invested in recruiting more students or providing more classes, there would be a higher number of students and full-time faculty in the department. Segade said the forms of advertisements they have undertaken include visiting local high schools, community organizations and posting fliers with ESL course information at area stores.

ABOVE: (Left) Nadia Shamil, from Afghanistan, collaborates with Amy Chen, from China, on a group assignment during an ESL 126 class in LA-106 on Monday.

Street serves as artery to heart of the city Richmond roadway offers glimpse into culture, community

ne of the most notorious streets in California runs right through the heart of a city known for its gangs, diversity and The Iron Triangle. It’s 23rd Street, located in the heart of Richmond, California, and it is the vein that connects the city and basically splits it in half. The street begins at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue, right before Road 20. Where it begins, a U.S. Postal Service’s office is located right across from a Grocery Outlet and the infamous five dollar pizzas from Little Caesar’s — probably the only “American” business on the street. But 23rd Street is fueled by all the different types of food available. If you want to eat pizza, then Fina’s Pizza Restaurant, located at 1890 23rd Street, is the spot.

countries. People come together on 23rd Street by panaderia (bakery) stores, taco truck stands and basically anything that involves food: pupusas, tamales, ceviche, caldos (soups), Cuban style tortas (sandwiches) and a mean ass Agua Chile. Agua Chile are thai chiles thinThe thick crust tastes as good as ly sliced into a lemon and lime it looks with generous New York squeezed broth covering cucumstyle slices of pizza. bers, red onions and raw shrimp, After the post office and and can be found at Mariscos La the pizza joint are a bunch of Playita, at 2037 23rd Street. Hispanic-owned businesses that Essentially, people can stroll all showcase the diverse cultures of up and down 23rd Street and find the Latino population in West all types of food — from the exotic County. And if it is one thing the type, like tongue tacos from Los Spanish culture knows, it is how Primos, at 550 23rd Street, to the to party. traditional Mexican burrito. The vibe on 23rd Street is of And if tradition is pertinent, a tight community because most then Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant, people are emigrants who left located in the heart of the strip at Mexico or other Latin American 1087 23rd Street, is where people

josejimenez

have been going for generations. You can find a McDonald’s on 23rd right at Macdonald Avenue, but then you would only be cheating yourself. And if driving and you reach what appears to be the end of the street, it will “detour” and merge onto 22nd Street, only to merge back on 23rd Street, connecting to South Richmond. So 23rd Street opens up quiet and boring at first, making it convenient to spend time driving or walking through. But a little further along, getting lost in the beautiful, colorful maze of vendors, from sidewalk-to-sidewalk, can be easy and a good way to find some great grub. Jose Jimenez is a spotlight editor for The Advocate. Contact him at jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

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Unleashed

The “Paranormal Activity” series continues with its latest entry, “Paranormal Activity 6: The Ghost Dimension,” adding another similar and redundant plotline to the series’ saga.

MOVIES

This week: “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” (PG-13) “Burnt” (R) “Our Brand is Crisis” (NR) “The Wonders” (R)

BLU-RAYS SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

‘Paranormal’ predictable New releases: “Pixels” (PG-13) “SouthPaw” (R) “The Gift” (R) “Max” (PG)

MUSIC

New releases: Roots Manuva: “Bleeds” Escape the Fate: “Hate Me” Joanna Newson: “Divers” Carrie Underwood: “Story Teller”

GAMES

Film fails to live up to former fright fest By Roxana Amparo ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

he Paranormal Activity film series introduces yet another horror story to its eagerly awaiting fan base, this time told through a different lens, exposing an apocalyptic confrontation in “Paranormal Activity 6: Ghost Dimension,” released last Friday. Having a similar plot throughout the six films added to its predictability. It was not a surprise that this installment received a 4.5/10 IMDB rating, which is passable, but lousy for its hype and big screen unveiling. The film stars husband Ryan Fleege (Chris J. Murray), his wife Emily (Brit Shaw) and their 7-year-old daughter Leila (Ivy George) as they move into their new home in Santa Rosa, California. Upon setting up Christmas decorations they discover an oldschool home video camera and mysterious VHS tapes inside one of the boxes.

Creole flavors, vibe fill Richmond eatery STAFF WRITER

kgreene.theadvocate@gmail.com

“Lords of the Fallen” (M) “Rodea the Sky Soldier” (E) “Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers” (T) Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week. — Mike Thomas

the ties that binds his family to the creepy history of his new home. There is usually someone playing the role of denying the possibility of paranormal oddities. In this case it was the family matriarch Emily. But after almost an hour of suggested demonic encounters, the disbelievers finally accept the obvious realiMOVIE ty that there is REVIEW something out “Paranormal of the ordinary Activity 6: occurring, which The Ghost inevitably leads Dimension” to the installation of cameras all Director: Gregory Plotkin around the house. Genre: Horror This is where Release Date: the expected Oct. 23 angle and filming techniques used in horror films come through, all while trying to keep the thrill and the audience engaged. Once zoomed into a particular section of the screen, the stillness takes over and what is expected happens: twitches from the audience and occasional screams. An interesting aspect has to be the giant hole behind Leila’s bed as the possession has almost come to

completion. The hole in the wall connects the two dimensions, which led to the house at the end of “Paranormal 3.” Having converted the all-feared entity into a solid being it is able to be destroyed. The once concealed imagined idea that has existed through the years since the first “Paranormal Activity” release in 2007 is finally destroyed. Or is it? At the end of the film, Leila helps complete the ritual that brought Toby into existence with the help of her own blood. Her parents, Emily and Ryan are murdered by Toby. Leila shows no signs of emotion as Toby snaps her mother’s neck. The little girl holds the demon’s hand, unfrightened by his new devilish-human hybrid form, as the two walk into the abyss. The audience is left to wonder what will happen next and whether the next family will suffer the same fate. The hope for this “Paranormal Activity” film was to connect the pieces and wrap up the series. But all points to a coming “Paranormal Activity 7.”

Cafe brings soulful cuisine, seafood to locals with love By Keno Greene

New releases: “Need For Speed” (T)

Now would be the time to stop reading if watching “Ghost Dimension” is part of your agenda this weekend. But despite expecting all of our questions to be answered after going back and forth over the years, viewers are left with more questions once the credits began to roll. Throughout the film the family gets into a rut because its youngest child (Leila) has a seemingly imaginary friend who needs her blood to exit a paranormal realm. It was not until “Ghost Dimension” that Toby, the demonic entity from “Paranormal Activity 3,” was exposed. He appears less like a demonic entity and more like a mummy mid-decomposition, and the blood from the living girl allows the spirit to re-take his human form. While little Leila begins to talk to her imaginary friend Toby, she begins to disconnect from reality, including her parents. This foreshadows her later possession by the spirit she unwittingly befriends. As Toby becomes more present in the family’s life, moving and throwing things, Ryan discovers

reole cuisine at Lily’s New Orleans Café in Southside Richmond on a sunny Sunday delights a soulful appetite. The eatery at 1305 Carlson Blvd. in Richmond, bordering El Cerrito, celebrated its first year of bringing food to its community on Oct. 8. “My journey as an entrepreneur has been a lifelong journey,” establishment owner Chef Rock said. He attended Contra Costa College and studied culinary arts. Rock recalls his mother, at 95 years old, standing on the porch of their home on Santa Clara Street, looking at the then, Wings n Things location, and saying, “That’s going to be our family restaurant in your grandmother’s honor.” This mere vision has now come into existence and the restaurant offers a menu of seafood gumbo, jambalaya, camellia red beans and a host of sides. Rock said, “The main ingredient is love.” The warmth of tender love and care used to make the food on the menu is immediately felt as one walks through the door of the

Southside Richmond location of the Creole family’s restaurant on a Sunday. Entering the narrow aisles patrons are presented with the menu tacked slightly above eye level. As we entered, Chef Kev asked, “Have you guys been here VENUE before?” As it was REVIEW our first time in “Lily’s New the eatery he said, Orleans Cafe” “Lil cuz hook ’em up with the line.” Owner: Chef This was followed Rock Cuisine: Soul with a line of eight Food sample side dishes Location: 1305 offered on the menu Carlson Blvd., to make certain we Richmond selected food to rightfully delight our desired meal. We decided on a shrimp Po Boy, basa fish and shrimp two-way platter with a side of yams and string beans paired with the specialized swamp juice we had a mini-feast. The Po Boy was served on a sweet roll with crispy, butter-battered shrimp. While it came with the option to add jalapeños, I opted out for the sweet cardamom and nutmeg offered on the circular-sliced yams. The large basa was battered to perfection with the tartar-type sauce that keeps you feedCHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE ing your face with each taste. Chef Kev of Lily’s New Orleans Cafe prepares a shrimp Po Boy A well-seasoned cuisine and sersandwich with “swap juice” added on for extra flavor at its vice to satisfy the natives and newbies Richmond location on Sunday. profoundly serves the community.

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By Benjamin Bassham STAFF WRITER

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

e’s 6 feet 9 inches tall, wears a black duster coat and wields the primal forces of the universe against the darkest creatures of ancient mythology. He carries a rune-carved staff and a gun and his car just broke down. His name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. The Dresden Files series follows Harry Dresden, a private investigator and wizard in modern day Chicago. The author, Jim Butcher, said the concept of the Dresden Files was about taking the archetypical, classic PI and blending him with the archetypical, classic wizard. “Storm Front” was released in 2000, and Butcher is writing what will be the 16th book, “Peace Talks.” The series has been clever, humorous, dark and dramatic all the way through. “Harry is intended to be as much Sherlock Holmes as Gandalf, as much Columbo as Merlin,” Butcher said. Butcher’s characters all have a rich uniqueness to them. All characters who merit a name

have a distinctive feel to their personalities, even the few who are never mentioned again. Mac, the eponymous owner of McAnally’s pub, has been a consistent character since the first book — always quiet, always bald, and never the focus of the story, even when the action tries to draw him in. He sits behind the bar, brews the best beer in town and helps Harry when it suits him. Even objects like Harry’s barely functional car or locations like Mac’s pub or Harry’s apartment and basement lab become familiar characters. Butcher also writes side stories that flesh out the world but aren’t part of the main plot. Most are mini-adventures similar to the books, others are written from perspectives of other characters. It’s implied that the books are actually Harry’s case notes, so books adhere to Harry’s perspective. If Harry doesn’t notice something then the reader doesn’t hear about it. Reading about Harry in another character’s words lends new dimensions to the world. Some are collected in the anthology “Side Jobs,” the others are less available. The series spawned some

spin-offs, like the short-lived TV series on the SyFy channel “The Dresden Files” and the tabletop “Dresden Files Roleplaying Game.” The TV series languished through 12 episodes before being canceled. Changes were made to accommodate TV filming, like changing the iconic Blue Beetle into a jeep for easier camerawork. Further it was decided to ignore the story of the books. Fans of the books were alienated by the arbitrary changes to beloved characters, and the series failed to entice new viewers. The role playing game and the graphic novels have been successful, and the publicity of the TV series raised sales of the books, which escaped the TV series unscathed. People like a heroic character who, to quote Butcher, “is willing to confront those who clearly outclass him —whether they be towering, flamewrapped demons or cynical agents of the FBI.”

“Skin Game” (2014) The novel opens with Harry Dresden still living on the island of Demonreach, unable to reach his allies and plagued by increasing headaches. Queen Mab offers him a job, in return for her aid in the headaches.

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CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE

“Cold Days” (2012) As the story begins, Harry is in Arctis Tor where he is nursed back to health by Sarissa, a member of the Winter Court and a servant of Mab, the Winter Queen.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

‘Classical wizard’ cop quells archaic brutes

“Ghost Story” (2011) Immediately following the events of “Changes,” Harry finds himself between life and the afterlife, where he is informed that there has been an “irregularity” with his death and is given the option to return to Chicago as a spirit and find his killer.

‘Horror Story’ given vampiric lens, hotel setting Dark show horrifies its audience with brutal murders By Mike Thomas SCENE EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

ome and enjoy a night at the Hotel Cortez, where treachery lies in every room. The fifth season of the TV series “American Horror Story” is based in a hotel full of vampires and psychopathic killers. For the past few seasons, it would take “AHS” a few episodes before the story started to make sense. However, this season the first two episodes are really good. The cast is stellar with some new and returning members, including Lady Gaga. She is somewhat of a replacement for one of the main stars, Jessica Lange, who was in all four of the previous seasons. Lady Gaga plays the owner of Hotel Cortez, and is a vampire that’s been alive since 1904. Her character is a cool, calm and collective vampire, but is still sadistic in the mind. The way Lady Gaga portrays Elizabeth is how she would act in real life. Her chill personality fits perfectly in her role. The vampires don’t have fangs, but they do drink blood when they either stab or slit the throats of their victims. There is also a lot more sexual content this season. Sarah Paulsen and Evan Peters return and both are just as sick and twisted ever. This is really the first time Paulsen’s role (Sally) is a serial killer in the series, and she plays a solid junkie. Peters plays the former owner of the hotel, James Patrick March, but this time his character is sicker than Tate. He is a self-taught

architect, who enjoys killing his workers and guests just for fun. Then we have the protagonist, Detective John Lowe (Wes Bentley), who lost his little son at a beach fair. Now his little boy is roaming through the cracks of Hotel Cortez. We can suspect that the little boy has been turned into a vampire because he has stayed the same age since his disappearFor the ance. Even though Lowe looks innopast few cent, we can suspect seasons, it that he is not. In “AHS” no one is an would take angel. Each surviv- ‘AHS’ a few ing character has a episodes dark past. The scenery and before the the background of story started the Hotel Cortez is to make dark and creepy, but sense. at the same time it However, displays beautiful architecture. The this season background has the first two a nice old school design to it. It looks episodes are like an updated really good. 1920s hotel. Hotel Cortez is really a food bank for the vampires and killers. The normal people who work at the hotel do what they can to get the guests to stay there. One of the best parts of the first episode is getting to hear a nostalgic song from the band She Wants Revenge — “Tear You Apart.” It was good to see the back story with some of the murderers who live in the hotel and brings light to how they became the killers they are in the present time. It is going to be exciting to see how this story hit its climax and the development of these characters. Let’s just hope we did not see the best of season five too early.

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Districtwide plan treats trauma Protocol intends to thwart long-term brain injuries

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

With information regarding concussions becoming more abundant than ever before, the Contra Costa Community College District has implemented a new districtwide concussion protocol that spans across all sports. The electronic test establishes a baseline of cognitive brain function before the season begins. If a concussion occurs, the player is re-tested and the results are compared to the previous test, Contra Costa College Athletic Trainer Mikel Jackson said. Testing is timed and includes sections on memory function, pattern recognition and problem solving. The purpose of the test is to determine the severity of a concussion injury and monitor recovery. It is designed to take the guesswork out of return-toplay decisions, Jackson said. The Journal of Sports medicine lists football as the sport with the most concussions for high school athletes, with 64 athletes suffering concussions per 100,000 games. Surprisingly, women’s soccer was fifth on the list, following ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse, with 34. “Concussions will be a reality until people stop doing things that crash the brain into the skull,” Jackson said. According to information provided by the Mt. Diablo Memory Center, as many as 20 percent of athletes involved

COMETS SNAP 49ERS STREAK, SHARE CONTROL IN CONFERENCE Men’s soccer team ruins Yuba’s unbeaten conference record COMETS

2 1

49ERS

in contact sports will sustain a concussion during their careers. Only 10 percent result in loss of consciousness. A concussion causes a wide array of symptoms and may include loss of memory, dizziness, confusion, headaches and nausea. Each student-athlete in the CCCCD receives an information packet from the Center for Disease Control which explains why reporting potential concussions is so important. The information states, unlike with some other injuries, playing or practicing with concussion is dangerous and can lead to a longer recovery and a delay in an athlete’s return to play. It also details the importance of reporting concussions and the dangers involved with ignoring symptoms. A concussion can affect a student-athlete’s ability to do schoolwork and other activities. For student-athletes, the time it takes to recover from a concussion can ruin an entire semester. Comet baseball player Geo Argenal suffered a concussion last spring after being inadvertently hit in the head with a ball during practice. “I couldn’t go to school and I had constant headaches. It went on for three to four months,” he said. “There were also behavioral changes. Everything irritated me, lights bothered me, just people talking — everything.” The stress does not end with the medical symptoms. Student-athletes

“

“Concussions will be a reality until people stop doing things to crash their brain into their skull.” — Mikel Jackson, CCC athletic trainer

have to petition to get an academic and athletic year back with a medical exemption. Since its implementation at the start of the fall, the program has seen many athletes complete the process from testing to doctor visits to eventually returning to action, Jackson said. Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) is first given to athletes suffering from concussion symptoms. It asks for injury characteristics, cause and if there was loss of consciousness. Jackson said students are then asked to fill out a symptom checklist which identifies 25 ailments ranging from physical, cognitive, emotional and sleep disruption. Risk factors are weighed checking concussion history, developmental and psychiatric history. Last is a list of red flag symptoms for emergency hospitalization like seizures or repeated vomiting. The program requires a player to go through multiple stages of recovery before returning to the field of play. Five days of running, workouts and

non-contact practice must be completed without exhibiting symptoms, followed by a final physician’s OK, are required before an athlete may return to the Jackson field, Jackson said. Advances in technology make concussion detection more accurate, but instituting those technologies take funding. “If this were the Southeastern Conference (SEC), we’d have monitors in the players’ helmets that measure impact and send real time information to the trainers,” Jackson said. “Follow the money. It’s about how much you can afford to pay for preventative care.” Even with the help of modern technology, trainers agree there is something to be said about building personal relationships with the athletes and understanding when they might not be able to play. “Holding a player out solely because they didn’t pass a computer test is questionable,” Los Medanos College Athletic Trainer Brian Powelson said. “I’m more interested in the personal aspect than a computer variation.” Testing provides another tool to keep athletes safe, so Powelson embraces the plan. It being compatible with the student-athlete’s insurance program and part of the coverage package makes it a must, he said.

All together I thought it was a gutsy performance and a solid win to propel us in our quest for a playoff run.” — Benjamin Reiter, Comet wing back

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

MARYSVILLE — Despite Yuba College trailing by one goal at the outset of the second half, the men’s soccer team’s early first half brace was enough to snap the 49er undefeated streak — and topple their supremacy of the Bay Valley Conference. As a result of Friday’s 2-1 win, Contra Costa College (9-5-2 overall, 5-1-1 in the BVC, 16 points) extended its undefeated conference game streak to six and now shares first place with Yuba (9-5-1 overall, 5-1-1 in the BVC, 16 points) as of press time Tuesday. Yuba coach Imed Dossey said his team “The was unable to match the Comets’ high Comets tempo offensive at came into the start of the game and it took going this game down two goals at gunning minutes 6 and 12 for our first for Yuba to find its place spot. rhythm. “(Yuba) was too They are confident since they not a better were on an undefeated streak and probateam than bly thought we were an easy opponent,” us. They midfielder had a better Comet Jorge Avina said, game plan “But we started with we had.” and execut- everything By the end of the ed it well.” game, the Comets — Imed outshot the 49ers 12-7. Dossey, Yuba Avina’s penalty kick and left wing coach back Benjamin Reiter’s volley provided a brace to defend against a panicked 49er offense that sought to add onto center midfielder Arron Chag’s goal, scored at 37 minutes, during the dying minutes of the game. “This was the biggest game of the season so far,” Reiter said. “All together I thought it was a gutsy performance and a solid win to propel us in our quest for a playoff run.” At the five minute mark, Reiter was slammed to the turf by a mistimed 49er tackle on the left side of the penalty area. The Comets were awarded a penalty kick that Avina scored, and at 12 minutes he finished midfielder Jesus Villgrana’s cross from a corner kick with a short volley past goalkeeper Colby Campbell. “(The Comets) came into this game gunning for our first place spot,” Dossy said. “They are not a better team than

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet forward Missael Hernandez attempts to kick the ball past 49er goalkeeper Colby Campbell during Contra Costa College’s 2-1 win against Yuba College in Marysville on Friday, breaking the 49ers’ undefeated streak.

us. They had a better game plan and executed it well.” Depending how well the 49ers fare when they travel to Ukiah to play Mendocino College and CCC’s performance against Napa Valley College on Tuesday, Friday’s home game against the College of Marin may be a chance for the team to solidify its spot at the top of the conference. The BVC champion is assured a playoff berth. “This result was huge,” Comet coach Nikki Ferguson said. “We could not afford to lose (against Yuba) because at this point we needed these three points if we expect to get into the playoffs for a second year in a row. “Going forward we have to run with this win, we need to get all 15 points over the next five games remaining in the season — we need to max out.” Ferguson said if the team is able to remain healthy and play like it did against Yuba then he is “absolutely” confident they will not drop any points going forward. Comet goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla, six saves, and Avina agreed the team dominated possession for the first 20 minutes of the game, but after scoring two goals in six minutes they became too “relaxed” defensively and ceded a goal before the second half. In the second half, Avina and Reiter said the team did well to fall back and defend during the frequent 49er counter attacks caused by their offense’s inability to finish off scoring opportunities. “We had a few opportunities,” 49er defensive back Antonio Montes said. “But overall our play was lazy and (CCC) capitalized on our slow tempo. “It was huge for us to win this game,”

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet center back Jesus Villagrana (right) grimaces in pain after a collision with 49er midfielder Castulo Carvajal during Contra Costa College’s 2-1 win against Yuba College in Marysville on Friday.

Montes said. “Now, (CCC) caught up to us in first place because they came out here and handled business — they came into the game hungry for a win.” Center defensive midfielder Calros Munoz and Villagrana were vital in stopping runs and intercepting passes in the midfield to limit the 49ers’ counter attacks before the ball could be supplied to their three strikers pushed high up the field. Ferguson said at the start of the season the team’s mission was not to be BVC champion but to make it into the playoffs through the power point ranking system like last season. At this point in the season, however, he said the team must do “whatever it takes to get into the playoffs, and if that means being (BVC) champions then that’s what we have to do,” consider-

ing that they lost against high-ranking teams in non-conference play. Ferguson said while the Comets have reason to be proud of this win against a “quality” team, they need to remain focused and take the rest of the season “one game at a time”. “Our players are excited,” he said. “But games are going to get tougher moving forward.” Last season three teams from the BVC were seeded into the 14-team Northern California Regional Playoffs for men’s soccer. The Comets, who finished in second place in the BVC in 2014 were slotted as the 12 seed, while champion Mendocino College and third place College of Marin were seeded 9th and 14th respectively.

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Comet quarterback Cameron Burston hurdles over Corsair defensive back Jacob Pluta and into the end zone for a touchdown during his team’s 44-34 victory against the College of the Redwoods on Saturday at Comet Stadium.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Team wins despite exposing flaws Penalties, mistakes mar otherwise impressive Comet victory

COMETS

44 34 CORSAIRS

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The football team let an opportunity to dominate slip through its grasp, instead settling for a mere 10-point win, 44-34, against the College of the Redwoods (2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Pac 7) Saturday at Comet Stadium. Highlight quality plays that define why Contra Costa College (7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Pac 7) remains unbeaten happened early and often for the squad. They were only overshadowed by the number of bonehead penalties that left officials no option but to litter the field with flags from the beginning to the end of the contest. The Comets committed more penalties for more yards than in any game this season (19 for 258 yards). Despite CCC receiver Sterling Taylor (two receptions for 20 yards and one touchdown) setting the tone for the afternoon by making an implausible interception-saving touchdown grab on the team’s first drive, the Comets had a hard time getting out of their own way. Taylor said, “The defender had both hands on the ball so I jumped and reached over his head and took the ball out of his hands. By the time I landed I had already turned around and was heading to the end zone.” The touchdown was the first of the day for Comet quarterback Cameron Burston who finished 12-20 for 260 yards and four touchdowns. He also added two rushing TDs. CCC expected to get a healthy dose of Corsair running back Ra’quan Dickens, ranked first in the Pac 7 in rushing touchdowns with nine. Following the Taylor touchdown, it was Dickens who got the first crack at the CCC defense. But that crack was ultimately delivered by Comet linebacker Ted Noble who also came away with the ball after a Dickens’ fumble.

“When we get ahead, sometimes we lose focus and teams take advantage of that.” — Cameron Burston, CCC quarterback

Despite big plays the squad still sputtered. Mental errors allowed the Corsairs more chances to remain in the game. A 73-yard Redwood touchdown on a catch and run to Dickens on fourth down gave the visiting team life and also tied the score at 7-7. The drive was kept alive by a CCC penalty that virtually opened the floodgates for inopportune, game-altering infractions. “I need ballplayers. I need one unit. I need heart,” CCC coach Alonzo Carter said. “It can’t be measured by statistics either. You have it or you don’t.” Burston answered on the following drive by completing a 92-yard touchdown connection to his most reliable target, Frank Stephens, giving the Comets a 14-7 lead. Defensively the Comets held their own as evidenced by the high tackle totals for linebackers (25) on the day. The visitors needed only to follow the flags on their longest drive of the half — a 13-play, 75-yard, penalty-aided trek that ended in a 1-yard rushing touchdown. With the game knotted at 14 after the first quarter it was the CCC defense that looked to take control of the contest. Big tackles for Corsair losses by brothers Chima and Chibu Onyeukwu were no match for internal mistakes. Even a Comet interception by safety Rodney Washington, returned 85 yards for a touchdown, was no match for the Comets’ ability to make mistakes. That score was waived off following a Comet penalty and the drive eventu-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet linebacker Ted Noble tackles Corsair Theron Anderson during the game against the College of the Redwoods on Saturday at Comet Stadium.

ally ended in a punt. Despite CCC making plays all over the field, the game was still tied at 14 midway through the second quarter. Not until a 1-yard Burston touchdown run did the Comets seem to get on track. Leading 21-14, CCC mistakes overshadowed its talent once again. A 5-yard sack by linebacker Justin Mills was no match for a penalty that eventually led to another Dickens score, tying the game at 21 with 2:53 left in the half. The Comets answered with Burston scampering down the right sideline spinning around defenders and hurdling a would-be tackler at the goal line to give CCC the go-ahead score before halftime. At the half the Comets led 28-21. For CCC, its only third quarter scores came on touchdown passes to tight ends Jaelen Collins and Xavier Nelson.

The defense played lights out in the third quarter, blanking the Corsairs. The team ended the third quarter with a 41-21 lead. “When we get ahead, sometimes we lose focus and teams take advantage of that,” Burston said. With play unbecoming of a championship caliber team, the Comets allowed two Redwoods touchdowns in the fourth quarter and earned no trips to the end zone for themselves, tightening the score at 41-34. A late Comet field goal ended the scoring. Comet coaches and players agree that the number of mental errors and the frequency in which they occur is alarming, especially this late in the season. The first place Comets return to the field Saturday at 6 p.m. to face the Pac 7’s second place team, Shasta College (5-2 overall, 2-1 in the Pac 7), in Redding.

COMMUNICATION DEFICIENCY STILL IMPEDES OPPORTUNITY FOR WINS EAGLES DEFEAT COMETS

25-12, 25-7, 25-17

BY Xavier Johnson STAFF WRITER

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The winless volleyball team showed signs of improvement but failed to fully apply those improvements made in practice to a game and lost again to visiting Mendocino College (4-8 overall, 4-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) on Friday. Contra Costa College (0-9 overall, 0-9 in the BVC) came into the game facing an Eagle team that was winless on the road. CCC will get another chance to measure its progress against third place Los Medanos College tonight at 6 p.m. in Pittsburg. The Comets started the first set playing well, keeping the score close early in the set. Mendocino was able to pull away and domi-

“They spot served. It was really smart. They knew where to serve to get to our weak spots.” — Chrisy Tianero, Comet coach

nate the end of the first set to finish with a score of 25-12. “They spot served. It was really smart. They knew where to serve to get to our weak spots,” Comet coach Christy Tianero Said. CCC came out firing in the second set but Mendocino scored four unanswered points to take the lead at 6-2. The Comets responded with four unanswered points of their own to knot the set again at 6-6. Mendocino quickly took control, stringing together aces and drop shots to regain the lead at 14-7. Tianero was forced to call her first timeout of the set.

Tianero said she called the timeout to talk to her team and get them ready to finish the set strong. But the decision had the opposite effect as Mendocino maintained control and scored 11 unanswered points. CCC had little answer for the serving of Mendocino led by defensive specialist Gabby Baker. Struggling to receive serves and a lack of communication overall for the Comets allowed Mendocino to win the second set 25-7. The third set started off as a near replay of set two with the score even at 2-2. Mendocino jumped out in front early scoring eight unanswered points. CCC played a better offensive game in the third set moving the ball around and putting pressure on the Mendocino defense. Communication issues put the brakes on any momentum the Comets gained throughout the set. Toward the end of the third

CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE

Eagle outside hitter Jamie Mertle tips the ball over the net and Comet middle blocker Mariah Marinho (left) during the game against Mendocino College on Friday in the Gymnasium.

set CCC was down 20-11. Middle blocker Alejandra Galvez (seven kills, three digs) helped give the offense energy with two kills late in the set. Poor defensive communication allowed Mendocino to win the set 25-17 and the match 3-0. Despite the loss, Galvez said she was happy with how the team played and is improving. She said

the team communicates much better in practice and they just need to better apply how they play in practice to the game. Right side hitter Amy Palomares (two assists, four digs) was also happy with how the team played. “It was a good game. We’re still learning our rotations and still learning each other. We are getting better.”

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 10.28.2015 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Making strides for a cure

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Photos by: Cody Casares FOR

ABOVE: Antioch resident Eu Robinson celebrates as she completes her first walk during the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday.

MORE PHOTOS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

LEFT: Berkeley resident Jose Franco (left), San Leandro resident Celia Castilo (middle) and Oakland resident Yana Paulova carry a banner in honor of Cindy Franco during the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday. Cindy Franco died from cancer in 2012.

RIGHT: Naimah ThomsonGrant marches the final section of the walk during the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday.

ABOVE: Meena Mistry of Team Mistry picks up a banana after finishing her walk at the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday.