The Advocate 3-15

WEDNESDAY l 3.15.17 OUR 65TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

SHOOTING DEVASTATES FAMILY Suspects mistake target, victim dies from gunshot wounds after heroic act

BY Efrain Valdez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

RICHMOND — Former Contra Costa College student Demarcus Doss, 24, was shot three times on eastbound Interstate 80 between the Macdonald and San Pablo avenue exits here on Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

He died at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek around 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Doss, who was enrolled at Cal State-East Bay as a criminal justice major, was driving a gray Honda Odyssey and his friend, who has been identified as “Jo” — a 24-year-old female from San Pablo — was his passenger.

Doss’ sister, Shanyla Robinson, said her brother was taken off life support on Friday because he showed no signs of brain activity. But “Jo” sustained only a gunshot wound to her hand and was listed in stable condition.

Doss, 24 According to Robinson, “Jo” said Doss and she were stuck in Former traffic on I-80 and the suspects CCC stu- in the lane next to them opened dent was fire. enrolled at Doss told “Jo” to duck as he Cal State- shielded her with his body. He East Bay was shot three times, with one as a bullet striking him in the front criminal of his head.

Three suspects in the shootjustice major. ing were apprehended by Richmond police in the Iron Triangle area of the city roughly 30 minutes after the shooting.

A CHP press release stated that an off-duty officer provided information about the suspects’ vehicle.

The three suspects are 24-year-old Elliot Johnhenry Johnson, of Richmond, and two 17-year-olds whose identities cannot be released because they are minors.

Murder charges have been recommended to the District Attorney’s Office by authorities, according to the CHP press release.

CHP officer John Francen said, “The two juveniles are being held at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez.”

The CHP press release also said Johnson was a parolee and has a history of gun charges and

San Pablo Avenue exit DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Authorities block the I-80 eastbound lanes between the Macdonald and San Pablo avenue exits after former CCC student Demarcus Doss was shot.

timeline of events Macdonald Avenue exit

Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Demarcus Doss was shot three times on I-80.

The suspects were arrested about 30 minutes after the shooting in the Iron Triangle neighborhood of Richmond.

At 3:30 p.m. Friday, Doss was declared brain dead.

Around 6:30 p.m. Friday, Doss’ body was requested by the Coroner’s Office.

CITY OF RICHMOND

SEE DOSS, PAGE 3

Wolverine gets closer to gritty origins in last film of trilogy PAGE 6

CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION SEES BOOST State allots funding to develop workforce

BY Anthony Kinney NEWS EDITOR

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

needs of undocumented students and employees, how they will be met and how to acquire resources.

“We are indicating this is what we believe. How do we show we can actually abide by what we are articulating in our resolution?” Mehdizadeh said.

Mehdizadeh said the padhoc committee, a committee created over winter break to draft the sanctuary resolution,

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) is incentivizing workforce boards to provide better support and more workforce opportunities for students in Career Technical Education programs through the “Strong Workforce” program.

The funding for the Strong Workforce program was created with the passing of Assembly Bill 1602, signed into effect by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016.

The bill appropriated an annual investment of $200 million to boost the number of skilled workers produced by community colleges statewide.

CTE programs offer courses that help alleviate the lack of skilled workers in certain fast growing job sectors like construction, energy, health services and information technol- Rainey ogy.

California Workforce Development Board Executive Director Tim Rainey said community colleges and workforce boards are endowed with their own “strong and particular expertise” used to serve the community.”

“With the two working together, they complement each other’s strengths and

SEE SANCTUARY, PAGE 3

SEE CTE, PAGE 3

HSI STEM Manager Mayra Padilla displays signs, during the College Council meeting in GE-225 on Thursday, that will be posted on campus in support of undocumented students.

Council delineates plan to safeguard sanctuary

College hails vice president with farewell reception Former Contra Costa College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson begins position as Laney College president.

PAGE 4 FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

Faculty prepares to resist federal orders, nips fear

BY Roxana Amparo

“We are indicating this is what we believe. How do we show we can actually abide by what we are articulating in our resolution?”

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, college president

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

The college and district’s stance on sanctuary status was discussed by the Contra Costa College’s College Council, a committee made up of classified staff, faculty, management and students in GE-225 on Thursday.

President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “We are very clear about reaffirming our support for these populations.”

The uncertainty of President Donald Trump’s executive INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

orders has left marginalized communities in a panic and wondering what will come next.

Calming the fears and worries of undocumented students and other marginalized communities has been a priority of the Contra Costa Community College District since the passing of sanctuary status in January.

During the College Council meeting, Mehdizadeh introduced an “activity form” document, created to examine the

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Quotable “Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to conceive.”

Nicolas Malebranche, French philosopher, 1674 Roxana Amparo editor-in-chief Marci Suela art director Lorenzo Morotti Michael Santone associate editors Benjamin Bassham Anthony Kinney news editors Robert Clinton sports editor opinion editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Dylan Collier assistant scene editor Reggie Santini spotlight editor Denis Perez Cody Casares photo editors Efrain Valdez Yesenia Melara social media editors Tashi Wangchuck multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate Staff Sean Austin Madison Burfield Jose Chavez Dahn Bey Karla Juarez Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Valeria Garcia Jshania Owens Kyle Pierce-Turley Gabriel Quiroz Isaac Resendiz Matthew Robinson Allison Sniath Jessica Suico Carlos Suarez Desmond Sylva Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 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: accentadvocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 VOL. 104, NO. 17

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL LOSING FOCUS ON REALITY

Facile media coverage spurs misguided public reaction

D

eath is a reality that we all must face, but coping with how and when death arrives is not as simple — especially when a loved one is ripped away and no one can answer the only question that matters — “why?”

Former Contra Costa College student Demarcus Doss, 24, was shot and killed while driving with his friend on Interstate 80 between the Macdonald and San Pablo avenue exits on Thursday around 3:30 p.m.

Family members and friends said Doss was not the target of the shooting but a victim of mistaken identity.

In reality, Doss’ death is an example of what it’s like to be black in America.

Someone can be viciously killed on a major freeway, but people take to social media to talk about their delayed commutes instead of asking which family lost their son, brother and friend to senseless violence.

His older sister, Shanyla Robinson, who played two years on the CCC women’s basketball team, said because one of the three shots that struck Doss hit the front of his head, the doctors at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek could not perform surgery.

She said Doss sacrificed himself serving as a human shield to protect his female passenger from the hail of bullets.

He died a hero.

“My brother didn’t think twice about protecting his friend — that’s just the kind of person he was,” Robinson said.

She said because her brother showed no signs of brain activity, Doss died when his family removed him from life support 24 hours after he was shot.

According to California Highway Patrol Lt. Jason Reardon, the family was forced to remove Doss from life support when the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office took his body to conduct an autopsy.

Because of the severe damage to his brain Doss was taken off of life support three hours into the six-hour period the family was given to say their final goodbyes.

Robinson said, “His own dad didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Demarcus while he was still alive.”

Doss’ brother, Kellis Love, said Doss graduated from Pinole Valley High School in 2011, was on the basketball team there, is a CCC alumnus and was enrolled at Cal StateEast Bay as a criminal justice major.

Demarcus is survived by his parents Eddie Doss and Macletus Doss, brothers Marquelle Doss, Kellis Love and sisters Shanyla Robinson, Shanay Doss and Leta Doss.

Local news groups, KTVU, FOX and ABC covered the where, when and how. But to answer the lingering “why?” would make people uncomfortable — it would make people think about how being black in America increases the chance of unexpected death.

Mainstream media organizations will bring on family members to fill their primetime broadcasts to talk about their loss.

While this is good, they won’t be asked questions about how our underfunded educational system and the decrease of entry-level jobs has created a vacuum of opportunity in impoverished communities.

Doss’ death was fueled by greed and misinformation, not hate.

Our society, which claims to be just and fair, has not only failed the misguided perpetrators of this and other similar acts, but more importantly — the families of victims like Doss.

REST IN PEACE DEMARCUS DOSS

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ POLITICS

Trump’s immigration policies hurt America P

resident Donald Trump continues to disgust working Americans with the policies he’s trying to pass, especially his threats to repeal any rights that undocumented individuals deserve.

Deferred Aciton for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an example. There are criteria all applicants must meet. Applicants must have been younger than 31 as of 2012 and had moved to the U.S. before their 16th birthday. Applicants also must have been living in the U.S. from June 15, 2007 to the present.

Candidates should be currently enrolled in school, have graduated from high school or obtained a GED, are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces in the U.S. and haven’t been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor.

Most importantly, applicants must not pose a threat to national security or public safety.

For me, making the decision to be an educator of higher learning means that immigrant students keep me employed. From my perspective, education is what opens the door to higher paying jobs and the American Dream for all people whether you are white, African-American, Asian, Latino or Muslim.

DACA is a good program because it provides immigrants with a work permit to compete in a country that is supposed to provide better opportunities than their home countries.

Although people come to America for many different

of Conrad Weiser, a German who migrated to the United States and became a peacemaker and negotiator with the Native American Indian Mohawk tribe.

He lived with Quaynant, a Mohawk chief in the Schoharie Valley in New York and eventually settled reasons, a large portion of in Pennsylvania in 1729. immigrants come here to More of the ancestors in liberate themselves from my genealogy moved from stagnant economies, wideWales and Ireland to the spread drug use, political U.S. during the great Irish corruption and high levels Potato Famine. of crime.

They were seeking a betWhat Trump fails to realize is that running a country ter environment to improve is more than hosting a real- their lives, just like the ity TV show or a popularity immigrants of today.

I invite Trump to think contest to about what his life would satisfy his Running a be like if he didn’t marry egotistical his Yugoslavian-immigrant personal- country is wife Melania and back ity. down from his hypocritical It is about uniting philosophy that we need about to “deport all immigrants,” uniting bonds with when his own wife is an bonds immigrant. He’s living a pipe with other other dream if he thinks that he countries, can deny citizenship rights rather countries to the children of undocuthan mented immigrants, because rather than dividing last time I checked the 14th families.

Amendment says that, “all dividing After persons born in the U.S. are the execucitizens of the U.S.” families. tive order We live in a land built by travel ban immigrants. was signed on Jan. 27, many While the Contra Costa Middle-Eastern people with family and friends traveling Community College District outside of the country found passed a resolution saying themselves unjustly separat- they won’t cooperate with the harsh Trump adminised from each other. tration’s policies, there is still During Obama’s presimuch work to be done in dency airports used to be order to truly live up to our a place of reunions and jubilation. However, during name as a “United” nation.

Trump’s presidency they are Dylan Collier is the assisslowly becoming a place for tant scene editor of The unnecessary detainment as Advocate.

Contact him at students and workers were dcollier.theadvocate@gmail. being barred from entering. com.

I am a direct descendant

dylancollier

CAMPUS COMMENT

How would you like to see the ASU spend the $5 student activity fee?

“To fix walkways that aren’t that safe or the parking lots that aren’t convenient for people.”

“They need to discuss more activity options with students.”

“They should spend more on all the clubs on campus. That’s what it is for.”

Kimyatta Newby

William Eichen

Paulina Vinegas

Middle College High School

undecided

JESSICA SUICO AND MADISON BURFIELD/THE ADVOCATE

nursing

“Creativity on campus with art and clubs would help them stand out and possibly interest more people to join a club.”

“There should be more events, possibly more movie events.”

“I don’t want it. I honestly think it’s a waste of time and money because I only really see events at the beginning of the semesters.”

Blanca Lopez

Danny Espleta

Javier Pulido

Middle College High School

undecided

automotive technology

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 3.15.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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NEWSLINE DOSS | Life cut short on freeway, another saved FAKE NEWS

DISCUSSION SEEKS TRUTH IN AGE OF LIES The “Beware Fake News” workshop will take place on Tuesday in LLRC-107 from 2-4 p.m.

Library department Chairperson Judy Flum will host the discussion on how to evaluate information and fact check sources.

Attendees will learn about information bubbles, fake news, disinformation, alternative facts and propaganda.

For more details, contact library department Chairperson Judy Flum at jflum@contracosta.edu or 510215-4996.

FUNDRAISER

CRAB FEED RAISES FUNDS FOR ATHLETES The athletic department’s annual All You Can Eat Crab Feed will take place on March 25 in the Gymnasium.

Tickets cost $40 per person and food will be served at 7 p.m.

Funds will be used to defer costs for supplies, travel and entry fees for the athletic department.

Guests will have the opportunity to win prizes through a raffle drawing.

For more information, contact Administrative Secretary Shawna Belfield at sbelfield@contracosta. edu or 510-215-4801.

ASU

‘MURDER MYSTERY’ OFFERS GRAND PRIZE The Associated Student Union will host a campuswide “Murder Mystery” event that begins at the Fireside Hall on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants will try to uncover the fictional murderer of ASU Vice President of Club Affairs Jose Arebalo by going to a series of tables with pieces of evidence at different locations on campus.

Whoever solves the fictional death of Arebalo will win a Kindle e-reader and the four runner-ups will be given gift cards.

Food and drinks are provided to students who complete their “passport” by visiting each table in the series.

For more information, contact the ASU Office at 510-215-4796.

RESEARCH

SEMINAR TO TEACH WEB SEARCH SKILLS The Web Search Skills Workshop will take place on March 28 from 3-4:30 p.m. in LLRC-107.

Librar y department Chairperson Andrew Kuo will show students who attend the workshop how to effectively use different search engines, develop time management skills and evaluate websites for credibility.

This is a free workshop.

For more information, contact the Reference Desk at 510-2154897.

CRIMEWATCH Tuesday, Feb. 28: A student reported a backpack was stolen. A student witness reported seeing the suspect in the area.

The backpack was later located in the suspect’s vehicle.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 A student requested an ambulance after tripping in the Music Building.

Friday, March 3: A female student reported she was harassed by another student.

— Anthony Kinney and Reggie Santini — 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.

Continued from Page 1 violent crime.

He is being held at the Contra Costa County Detention Center in Richmond, according to the CHP. “The investigation is still on going,” Francen said. “The police reports will be available once the District Attorney’s Office files the charges.”

There have been six reported shootings on I-80 and I-580 in the last two years, but Doss is the first victim of gun violence on the Richmond section of the freeways.

Act of heroism Robinson said Doss is a hero.

“My brother didn’t think twice about protecting his friend. That’s just the kind of person he was,” Robinson said.

After Doss was taken via medevac helicopter to John Muir, the doctors told the family that they could not operate because the bullet entered through the front of the skull.

Robinson said doctors pronounced him brain dead Friday morning, and told the family they had six hours left with him to say their goodbyes before they shut off the life-support machine.

“Three hours into that time the (Contra Costa County) Coroner’s Office came and requested his body immediately,” Robinson said.

“We asked them for 30 more minutes, but they only gave us 15.”

CHP Lt. Jason Reardon said, “Once a doctor tells us a person is dead, the body is legally considered a piece of evidence and at that time the only person that can be with the body is the coroner.

“Look, 15 minutes was better than no minutes,” Reardon said. “I know it was tough for the family because they expressed that to us,

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

The I-80 freeway was closed during the crime investigation of Demarcus Doss’ murder between the San Pablo and Macdonald Avenue exits in Richmond on Thursday.

“His dad didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Demarcus while he was still alive.”

— Kellis Love, Doss’ brother

but that’s just how things go in these kinds of investigations.”

Doss’ brother Kellis Love said the Coroner’s Office taking the body before the six hours were up was the only issue they had with the authorities investigating the death of his younger brother.

“His dad didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Demarcus while he was still alive,” Love said.

“Demarcus and I were really close because we shared a room together until I was 21 years old.

“I knew he was going to mature at a young age because he would ask me how to improve our family or ask what a real man would do in

certain situations.”

Love said Doss was planning to graduate from Cal State-East Bay and that he loved going to the gym to work out.

Doss’ friend since 2010, Malcolm Lastra, said, “I got to know him well during my senior year when I was managing the (Pinole Valley High School) varsity basketball team and Demarcus was playing on the team.

“He was quiet, respectful, religious, and just a great guy,” Lastra said. “(Doss) was not the kind of person to be looking for problems.

It was for sure mistaken identity.”

Love said Doss volunteered often at the Greater Love Ministry in El Sobrante. He said Doss would feed the homeless on Saturday mornings at the ministry at least once a month.

Robinson said, “The police are always going to call it a “gangrelated shooting” because it’s Richmond. They don’t want to say

that it was an innocent person who was killed.

“But the (Richmond) police were really effective,” she said.

“They caught the suspects about 30 minutes after the shooting.

People were pulling over to help my brother and someone wrote down the license plate number of the suspects’ car.”

Robinson said the family and community are organizing a basketball game in memory of Doss and already have a GoFundMe account to raise enough money to fund a memorial service for Doss.

Doss is survived by parents Eddie and Macletus Doss, brothers Marquelle Doss and Kellis Love and sisters Shanyla Robinson, Shanay Doss and Leta Doss.

“Remembering him by the way he died is sad,” Love said. “But I know he’s looking down on us smiling. He wouldn’t want us to be sad. That’s why we have to remember him by the life he lived.”

SANCTUARY| District sets committee to guard rights

Continued from Page 1

went through each of the “be it resolved” parts of the sanctuary resolution to determine what steps to take next.

Mehdizadeh said district Chancellor Fred Wood wants to ensure the ad-hoc committee continues to help serve and guide the district’s three colleges, potentially at the district level.

During the March 2 meeting, the ad-hoc committee, Dr. Wood, the three college presidents, Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Huff, CCC HSI STEM Manager Mayra Padilla and Carney came up with a “forum of resolution 1-S” form.

The form states, “4CD police (Police Services) will not detain, question or arrest any individual solely on the basis of undocumented immigration status, whether actual or suspected.”

Mehdizadeh said the police department is drafting its procedure, which will articulate what the district police will do in the event of questions around immigration status.

“I think we are really lucky that our police force really represent our thought process for how we really value our students and our employees. We will see much more well articulated documentation from them,” she said.

The January resolution already protects Contra Costa, Los Medanos and Diablo Valley College students and employees’ from

“I’m from Iran. I could easily go away. Realistically, that can happen.”

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, president

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while giving them the chance to feel at ease while on campus.

Mehdizadeh said the ad-hoc committee is working on creating ways to share information to CCC’s community and the other campuses.

She said one of the things the ad-hoc committee recommended for anyone, if confronted with ICE agents, is to not to provide any information about a student or employee.

“Should anything occur, we do not provide any level of assistance or response. We immediately ensure that the chancellor’s office is aware and he (Wood) is going to provide specific guidelines,” Mehdizadeh said.

A concern for professors is not knowing what to do to protect their students in case ICE agents come to campus.

Ethics professor Asad Kabir asked, “What is our plan? What can we do?”

Mehdizadeh said, “If ICE comes knocking on this door, realistically I mean, we can say ‘we don’t want you in here.’ Legally I don’t think we can (stop them). They can barge in.

“I’m from Iran. I could go away. Realistically,

that can happen,” she said.

Senior Executive Assistant Michael Peterson asked Mehdizadeh, “What happens if they (agents) have subpoenas?”

Mehdizadeh said there is a process on how to respond Mehdizadeh to subpoenas.

“You should give them nothing. You should not talk to ICE,” Mehdizadeh said.

Academic Senate Vice President Rick Ramos said, “I think it’s a really good idea to have the district policy.” He said telling an ICE agent there is a district policy in place to follow would ease the situation.

“If someone has a warrant signed by a judge, just get out of the way. Because what is going to happen is it’ll take you along with everyone else, but that is hard to do and judges are very sensitive to educational institutions right now,” Ramos said.

Padilla said having policies and procedures set for the college and district to follow in case of an ICE entry to the campuses would ensure everyone is prepared to stand up for students.

Padilla said an idea that came up during the district meeting on March 2 is creating a “know your rights” card for students and employees.

The card would give information for students on the front and for employees on the back, she said.

CTE | State gives $200 million to bolster economy Continued from Page 1 fill each other’s gaps.”

The Assembly bill’s goal is to create one million more middle-skill workers over 10 years by encouraging community colleges, like Contra Costa College, to create partnerships with local workforce development boards.

CCC currently offers 24 degrees and 56 certificates across 18 CTE program areas.

The list includes an array of high demand jobs in fields like business administration, computer and communications technology, early childhood education, nursing and emergency medical services.

According to the powerpoint on CCCCO’s website, the Strong Workforce program is designed to focus on data-driven outcomes in seven core areas. These areas include student success, curriculum, career pathways, CTE faculty, workforce data and outcomes and regional coordination and funding.

The “Strong Workforce” program aims to also establish new certificate programs and associate degrees while providing quality training and new career pathways to gainful employment.

“With the two working together, they complement each other’s strengths and fill each other’s gaps.”

— Kelly Schelin, CCC director of economic workforce development

CCC’s Director of Economic Workforce Development Kelly Schelin said with a strong workforce program, students who graduate from CTE programs will see an increase in employment opportunities and support under the recently passed bill.

“It is easier to get hired by partnered businesses in the regional community,” Schelin said. “The bill is a way of emphasizing partnerships between community colleges and workforce boards to maximize educational and employment opportunities for students.”

She said CTE programs offer both certificate of achievements and associate degrees in which these “stackable” certificates and degrees can be earned then utilized to enter the workforce.

Students could then come back to school and build upon these certificates and degrees furthering their education while working.

According to the bill, com-

munity colleges districts are expected to use funds to increase the quantity of CTE courses while improv- Schelin ing the quality of its curricula to meet state standards.

Workforce development boards and business employers in the consortium are expected to work with colleges to outline a specific curriculum that fit the needs of employers in certain fields, as well as supply a livable wage of employment for students upon graduating from a CTE program.

CCCCO Deputy Chancellor Erik Skinner said, “This budget invests $200 million to improve and streamline workforce training throughout our system, which will yield tremendous benefits for students and employers.”

According to the CCCCO’s website, the ongoing funding is structured for 60 percent of funds to be allotted to community college districts to invest in CTE on their campuses, while the remaining 40 percent goes to regional consortia in which colleges and employers can work together to help identify strategies to address unique needs in their region’s economy.

Being comprised of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students a year, the community colleges of California are the largest system of higher education in the nation according to the Chancellor’s Office.

Schelin said California residents are a logical market that will benefit from a program like “Strong Workforce” and help lift low-wage workers and impoverished students into higher paying jobs.

Along with creating programs to ensure that California students are provided with the best workforce strategy possible, California voters also approved Assembly Bill 1892.

This bill grants more financial aid funding for CTE students, making completion more attainable for financially burdened students.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, an independent nonprofit organization, is known for lobbying for public policy in areas like health and human services.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, only 39 percent of California’s residents starting in the bottom half of the nation’s earning average move up 10 or more percentiles in economic status over 10 years.

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 3.15.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Former Contra Costa College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson smiles as staff, faculty and students clap for her during her farewell reception in Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday.

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

‘Family’ bids farewell, honors Gilkerson’s legacy

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Friendly faces of faculty and management gathered in the Aqua Terra Grill on Thursday to wish Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson farewell as she leaves to be the president of Laney College in Oakland.

President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “I want to cry.”

But she said she is excited for Gilkerson to take on her next leadership position.

“I am thrilled for her. This really is the next move for her. I think she is extraordinary. I want to say, Laney is so lucky they are getting her as a leader.”

Gilkerson said, “I am so honored, really, to have worked with you all.”

“My goal is to do a good job at Laney so you all can be proud,” Gilkerson said.

The more than 30 in attendance gathered around Gilkerson to see a video made by faculty and classified staffers who made a series of challenges in the video after she leaves the college and takes the Laney presidency.

The video had challenges from students, faculty and staff performing them for Gilkerson to imitate.

In the video, men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson challenged Gilkerson to touch the ceiling.

To send Gilkerson off, prepared for work at Laney, Mehdizadeh and others put together a package of presents for her office.

Among the gifts were flowers, a journal, phone charger, pillow and

“My goal is to do a good job at Laney so you all can be proud.”

— Tammeil Gilkerson, CCC former vice president

vodka to ease the stress.

HSI STEM Manager Mayra Padilla said she shares Gilkerson’s “passion” for spicy tequila margaritas.

Dr. Padilla said Gilkerson embodies what the license plate on her car says — “show love.”

She said Gilkerson’s colleagues will miss her leadership.

“She was amazing at organizing things,” Padilla said.

Dean of Enrollment Services Dennis Franco said he appreciat-

ed her ability to have a vision for the college and the direction it is headed.

“She was always three to four steps ahead of us,” he said.

Franco said he had the chance to see Gilkerson outside of her work environment during a conference in April 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.

“It was great to get to know her outside of work. It was a lot of fun,” he said.

Padilla said whoever is the college’s next vice president has “big shoes” to fill.

Mehdizadeh said the first time she met Gilkerson was when she was one of the representatives on the hiring committee that selected the vice president for CCC. When Gilkerson completed

her interview for the position, Mehdizadeh said it left her saying “wow.”

“This is someone who is extraordinary and well-put-together,” Mehdizadeh said. “She is a genuine, kind person.”

Mehdizadeh said Gilkerson is well organized and understands that it’s about the students.

Business Services Director Mariles Magalong said she knew Gilkerson before she came to CCC as vice president.

“She is a great leader,” she said, “as well as a great motivator.”

Padilla said Gilkerson will be missed, but is glad she has the chance to take on the presidency at Laney College.

Gilkerson will begin her tenure at Laney at the end of this month.

RENT CONTROL ISSUE GARNERS PUBLIC ATTENTION

BY Denis Perez PHOTO EDITOR

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

RICHMOND — Community members and leaders rallied to express their opinions about the implementation of Measure L and the nominations to the required rent control board during a City Council meeting in the Civic Center Plaza here on March 7.

Measure L, passed by Richmond voters in November 2016, establishes a need for “just cause” to evict tenants, creates a rent board to monitor evictions and limits how much landlords can increase rent for their tenants.

Richmond Mayor Tom Butt decided to retract his nominations for the rent control board after the City Council was bombarded with comments about rent control during the public comment session of the meeting.

At the meeting, Richmond resident Tim Laidman said the California Apartment Association (CAA) has tried hard to overturn this measure, but through major efforts of activists from local community organizations, specifically the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), voters supported the local measure.

“There is a communication issue between the mayor and the people,” Laidman said as he held the floor during the public comment. “The mayor easily hears the voice of the money front.

He listens to the CAA over the people.

“Richmond City Butt Council passed the rent ordinance and the CAA used money and lies to try and overturn the ordinance.”

He said people in the community organized such a successful petition campaign that Butt must appoint people to the rent control board who will uphold the will of the people.

Butt said it is the sole responsibility of the mayor to place the nominees into the agenda.

“It is up to the council to approve them, but without a compromise between the people, the RPA and the mayor then nothing will happen,” he said.

Butt added the RPA is continuing to use their community organizing tactics to

“There needs to be a group of people on the rent board who will explore all possibilities to create better housing for Richmond and not settle for a short-term fix.”

— Scott Anderson, Richmond resident

exploit the fear residents have when it comes to high rent so they show up at City Council meetings to complain about the lack of a rent board.

“The people must realize that the lack of a rent board is not the core of the problem,” he said.

Butt placed five nominees to the rent board on Tuesday’s agenda and said he “was willing to let the City Council go through them one by one and approve or reject each one, just to try and get the process started.”

To keep the meeting short, Butt asked the community members in attendance to keep questions about rent control to a minimum during the public comment section.

Butt said they could address this issue at another time.

When more and more community members spoke about rent control matters while holding the floor, Butt said he would withdraw his nominations.

Richmond resident Scott Anderson said he was notified that he was a the nominee for the rent board a week prior to the council meeting and partially agrees with Butt.

At the meeting, Anderson said, “The voters passed it (Measure L) with majority approval. That speaks to the relief that people need.”

Anderson said while he understands there is a need to help Richmond residents by keeping their housing costs affordable, Measure L does not protect every renter.

“Me and my mom are struggling with rent, but because we live in a single family home, Measure L will not (protect us).”

Anderson said while studying economics at San Jose State University, he learned that rent control is a short term fix that could cause long term financial damage to the city.

“Rent control has been implemented in other cities and countries but it has not solved high rent prices,” he said. “The solution is to have a group of people who are

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Community organizer Edith Pestrano translates for pro-rent control speakers during the Richmond Council meeting in Richmond, Calif. on March 7.

non-biased and willing to see the situation as it really is.”

He said problems within Measure L that need to be taken into consideration are: Landlords will have to cover additional fees, but they will have to get the money from somewhere else to pay them.

Landlords with a rent control units and market rate unit will put their market rate units as a priority.

Putting rent control units on “low priority” could create unfair living conditions for tenants.

Landlords could allow their property to “rot” and tear it down and not be eligible for rent control unit rates.

“The problem starts all over after that,” Anderson said. “There needs to be a group of people on the rent board who will explore all possibilities to create better housing for Richmond and not settle for a short-term fix.”

Alliance for California Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action Organizer Edith Pestrano said since 65 percent of

Richmond voters called for rent control, she expects a rent board that will uphold the rent control law.

At the March 7 meeting, members of ACCE and the RPA organized a group of people from minority communities who will benefit from rent control to speak to council members.

Pestrano helped translate for many non-English speakers as they were called up during the public forum to address the council members.

She said they are making sure the voices of the local community are heard by city officials.

Richmond resident Ana Gonzalez said, “I am here because I want to ask those who I know have the power to make decisions to have rent control.

“The officials have to select people onto the rent board who are supportive of rent control and who want to build something long term,” Gonzalez said. “The law has already passed and it is time to support it.”

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PROGRAM OFFERS ACCESSIBILITY Office promotes success, access with DSPS programs

BY Jessica Suico ADVOCATE STAFF

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Disabled Students Program and Services Office at Contra Costa College is committed to helping students with learning, physical or psychological disabilities by working to increase their access to educational programs and opportunities.

“If I need something for class they will help translate it for me in audio form because I’m blind and it makes it easier on me to listen to my work,” DSPS student and communications major Christopher Lucero said.

Lucero has worked with DSPS for two semesters and sees himself continuing with the program as long as he’s a CCC student.

According to California Community College Chancellor’s Office online database, DataMart, as of fall 2016 there are 373 students with disabilities enrolled at CCC. Some 117 of those students have “learning disabilities” and 32 have issues with mobility.

To access the available services, students need to apply by completing the following steps. Students must first fill out a DSPS intake packet and provide verification of their disability, (if available) followed by a meeting with a counselor or LD (learning disability) specialist.

The DSPS Office, located in SSC-109, is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We do not have anything new planned for the program,” DSPS instructional assistant Richard Stollings said. “We offer students instructional services and accommodation services.”

Priority registration, equipment loans, referral to support services, testing accommodations, adaptive computer technology, mobility assistance, wireless microphone transmitter, sign language interpreter, academic and vocational counseling are all services available through the DSPS Office.

According to the DSPS’ online page at www. contracosta.edu, the program helps students with mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, acquired brain injury developmentally delayed learner, psychological disability and other impairments.

Services are tailored to the specific needs of the

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Student Marquis Brown uses a room in the Student Services Center to take a test as part of a service provided by the Disabled Student Program Service on March 2.

“If I need something for class they will help translate it for me in audio because I’m blind and it makes it easier on me to listen to my work.”

— Christopher Lucero, communications major

individual and are arranged following the student’s consultation with a counselor.

“I definitely think if I were a part of the DSPS program that the services would help me. It’s really hard for me to stand in long lines and priority registration would really help me out,” communications major Alexis Bennett said.

“I believe there should be more signs and information around campus about DSPS,” Bennett said.

She said with the expansion of the campus it has been difficult to get around and the mobility assistance offered by police aides has been a problem for her.

“I’ve been having a lot of trouble getting around lately. The other day there was only one student aide worker on duty so I had to walk to my class and it was on the other side of the campus,” she said. “It was really hard on me.”

Bennett said students ask her if she needs help and that it is always nice to know that people do care about a person with a disability.

“I also wish that the seats in the new General Education Building accommodated everyone. I can’t sit in those chairs,” Bennett said.

DSPS students are welcome to join the Ability Club, which offers leadership opportunities and social events for students with a disability.

Public donations pay tuition

BY Matthew Robinson ADVOCATE STAFF

mrobinson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The high cost of tuition has made students in higher education turn to online crowdfunding to help pay for costs not covered by financial aid.

Students can go to websites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo or GoFundMe to crowdfund and will frequently find support.

Crowdfunding is a way to raise money, primarily through the Internet, from family, friends and complete strangers.

Crowdfunding can be used for a variety of things. It can support projects and ideas or help out those who are having financial trouble.

Student Breanne Edwards said, “We are expected to pay tremendous amounts of money directly out of high school.

“Financial aid is helpful, but I was in a sit-

uation where my mom was at a point where she just got a job,” she said.

“But we were struggling and I didn’t qualify for financial aid, so we had to pay out of pocket and it led to more stress.”

Edwards had to entirely miss out on the spring semester to go to work.

“The debt is ridiculous. That was just for community college, not even a university,” she said.

Anyone can start a crowdfund request, but not everyone can be successful in reaching their goal.

It’s about effort.

Someone who puts a description of their goals and background is more likely to get donations rather than someone who puts minimal effort or care into their pledge.

Edwards said, “Crowdfunding does sound like a good idea, but it’s probably for schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton and

“Financial aid is helpful, but I was in a situation where my mom was at a point where she just got a job but we were struggling and I didn’t qualify for financial aid.”

Breanee Edwards student

so on.

“If it’s community college, where the drop rate is high, I don’t think it would raise as much money.”

When people give money to crowdfund they aren’t expecting anything in return, except the satisfaction of having helped.

Unlike Kickstarter, where there are predetermined rewards for donating set amount of money for projects like games, gadgets

and clothing, GoFundMe just focuses on helping other people.

Donations primarily go for medical bills, accident recovery and also student tuitions.

GoFundMe claims that students have raised over $8 million dollars since 2014.

“Tuition does suck,” undecided major Alysia Viergutz said.

“I qualified as an out-of-state student, so classes were over $800 each for me. Luckily, I did qualify for financial aid.”

Viergutz, who had originally moved away from home in Minnesota, said, “Crowdfunding doesn’t seem like a bad idea, but it feels like you need to know a lot of people to raise enough (money).”

Student Kyle Huang, said “I would only crowdfund if I can give (the money) back. I wouldn’t ask for money if it was a matter of self interest.”

Film warns of U.S. health care system failures

BY Jessica Suico ADVOCATE STAFF

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Community Organizing Political Action (COPA) Club at Contra Costa College hosted a screening of the documentary “Now is the Time: Healthcare for Everybody,” and an open forum with the creators after the film on Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Fireside Hall.

After the film, the documentary’s producers Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg answered questions the audience had about different health care systems, deadlines and the possibility that healthcare will become even more privatized.

Sociology major Tiana McKneely said while students are able find information on their own, getting questions answered by experts is necessary for some people.

“I would love to see more events on campus like this because not everyone knows how to get information and having informational events like this is helpful,” McKneely said.

“It was positive because it encouraged me that it is possible to get affordable health care for everyone. Standing up and using your voice could get you there.”

The documentary explained how implementing a single-payer

health care system would provide an affordable option for millions of Americans.

According to the documentary, there are 28.6 million without health care in the U.S. and if former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act is repealed 30 million individuals would lose coverage.

Simons and Sterrenberg said a single payer system would have the government subsidize the cost of medical insurance through taxes instead of the current system that allows companies to monopolize the industry.

The documentary also highlighted hybrid systems, like the Affordable Care Act, that offer people coverage with private and public insurance.

COPA President Alex WalkerGriffin said discussions like these are important because Donald Trump has promised to remove the Affordable Care Act and millions of individuals could lose health insurance.

“We could see unfortunate services (regarding) people’s healthcare plans and increases in deaths,” Walker-Griffin said.

“The elderly, children and poverty-stricken areas will get sicker and possibly start dying off because of no help.”

He said health care resources should be available for people

“It would be terrible if millions lost their health insurance. There would be a lot of hardship and patients would be shipped around to different doctors because of overcrowding.”

— Denise Mills, health and human services club president

that don’t have health insurance because health is a natural right.

“It takes people standing up and showing they have a voice to be heard,” Griffin said.

Health and Human Services Club President Denise Mills said, “It would be terrible if millions lost their health insurance. There would be a lot of hardship and patients would be shipped around to different doctors because of overcrowding.”

Mills said there should definitely be more resources for people who do not understand health care because they don’t have health insurance.

She said a lot of people don’t take care of their health because of the costs associated, but if it was affordable maybe people would start caring more for their health.

“I pray our country makes health care affordable for everyone

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Filmmakers Tyler Sterrenberg (left) and Laurie Simons introduce the film “Now is the Time: Healthcare for Everybody” during a screening in Fireside Hall on Thursday.

because we do have the resources and money to do so,” Mills said.

Simons grew up in Canada and Sterrenberg, her husband, grew up in the United States.

Simons said when she and her husband moved from Canada to the United States they were blindsided by the complex healthcare system.

She said that is the reason why they produced, “The Healthcare” movie. Simons admitted that learning enough about the United

States health care system to be able to make a feature length documentary “was very confusing to me at first.”

“When I lived in Canada I never had a thought bubble with money in it when I needed medical care,” she said.

When they came to the United States, they said they suddenly had to start worrying about medical bills and dealing with insurance companies.

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‘Logan’ sheds PG-13 rating, dazzles Franchise sates fans, ends trilogy with brutal film

By Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

‘L

ogan” is a dark, thrilling and emotional film. It is a huge departure from the other films in the “X-Men” franchise.

“Logan” is more of a western character drama than a standard superhero action flick.

Director James Mangold delivers a version of the Wolverine character fans have wished to see since the start of the “X-Men” film franchise.

The title of the film, “Logan,” is an immediate clue that the movie is more personal than audiences are used to. Logan is what those close to Wolverine call him.

MOVIE The film’s REVIEW plot is loosely “Logan” based on the “Old Man Starring: Hugh Logan” comic Jackman, Patrick series creatStewart Directed by: ed by Steve James Mangold McNiven. The Genre: Drama, movie opens action as an aged Wolverine offers his services as a bodyguard and limo driver. Wolverine eventually accepts a job from a woman who remembers his days as one of the X-Men. She asks Wolverine to transport a child, Laura, to a place in North Dakota known as Eden. By accepting this job Wolverine draws the ire of a military group that is after the girl. Wolverine, Laura and the elderly former leader of the X-Men, Charles Xavier, flee and begin their journey to Eden.

This movie boils down to a road trip full of curse words, blood, violence and grumpy old men who are sick and tired of the lives they live. The R rat-

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan in the last film of the “X-Men: Origins” trilogy. The film is directed by James Mangold and also stars Patrick Stewart as professor Charles Xavier the former leader of the X-Men.

ing is definitely earned. There’s a heavy dose of blood, guts and severed limbs in each fight scene.

Hugh Jackman returns for his final appearance as Wolverine. Jackman has played Wolverine since the original film in the franchise, “X-Men” directed by Bryan Singer, in 2000. In Jackman’s 17 years as Wolverine he has never been so good. When actors portray the same roles, their growing boredom and complacency can lead to stale performances.

Jackman avoids this issue and delivers an unforgettable performance as Wolverine.

Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine in “Logan” is haunting and heartbreaking. The once invincible mutant now

struggles to draw out his claws as he faces the difficulties of old age and the tumultuous life he led. This role shows Jackson’s experience, understanding and love of the character.

Newcomer to the “X-Men” franchise, Dafne Keen, does a fantastic job as Laura.

Mangold’s casting of Keen is on par with Steven Spielberg’s renown ability to cast child actors. Even though her character doesn’t have many lines, she steals scenes with her quiet mix of innocence and brutality.

Keen is fantastic at matching the tone of emotional moments while holding her own fighting alongside Wolverine. Her ability to portray the innocence of a child that just happens to be able to cut her enemies into

tiny pieces is something.

Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Charles Xavier, one of the most powerful mutants to ever exist. Xavier is always depicted as the serious and wise mentor to the younger X-Men. Xavier’s advanced age in “Logan” made him change from a serious leader to being dependent on Wolverine.

This makes for some heartbreaking and funny moments in this somber film. Similar to Jackman, Stewart has been playing Xavier for many years and is well accustomed to role.

Stewart handles the balance of comedy, seriousness and wisdom as only he can. His onscreen chemistry with Jackman is palpable. The actors clearly have a strong bond and trust in

each other.

Mangold also directed “The Wolverine” in 2013. However, the films feel vastly different from one another. Mangold focused “Logan” on the characters and the hardships both young and aging mutants face.

Marco Beltrami compiled the soundtrack. His use of Johnny Cash songs sets the western vibe. The soundtrack emphasizes and complements the emotional impact of the situation the characters are placed in.

Fans of superhero movies, dramas, action movies and the “X-Men” franchise will all find something they enjoy. This is a stand-alone film with a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Atlanta rapper returns to roots Second straight release strikes unique sonic tone

In their third collaboration, it’s clear The Weeknd and Future are a match made in trap heaven. There’s hen an artist with a huge something about The Weeknd’s fan base releases two new verse that makes the track impossifull-length projects in ble to skip. consecutive weeks with little proThe Weeknd is never a disapmotion, there could be some under- pointment when it comes to fealying message he’s trying to send. tures. Although Future’s singing Future’s sixth studio album, isn’t the best, it fits the song.

“HNDRXX,” was released one week Rihanna comes through on after his self-titled album “Future” “Selfish,” harmonizing with Future in February. “Future” is full of high in a glorious duet. This is their secenergy, boastful bangers while ond one since “Loveeeeeee Song” “HNDRXX” is a wonderful collecback in 2012 and hopefully this is tion of 17 moody, low-tempo songs. not their last.

“HNDRXX” is the revival of his The last two songs strike a early mix tape years as he returns depressing tone in “Solo” and an to his roots. This is his most honest epic tone in album to date.

“Sorry.” Both ALBUM He seems so far from those REVIEW are unlike what’s hard-hitting tracks in “Future.” It’s usually heard “HNDRXX” unlikely to find a hype song to get from Future.

Artist: Future the club going wild in “HNDRXX.” It’s not a Genre: Hip-Hop Future does something interesting bad thing. He Label: Epic by blending the two albums togethhas progressed Records er.

Release Date: musically and it February 24 The album “Future” is closed shows. by “Feds Did a Sweep,” a great “Sorry” is the track about police officers raiding longest song on his house. It’s the final chapter for the album clock“Future” and leads into the opening ing in at 7:31. of “HNDRXX.” Future can’t get The song features a dreary piano any better than he’s already done in backing up his signature flow and these two albums. melody.

If there’s one thing to take from It’s safe to say eerie synth patthis album is Future’s flow, or ability terns sound good on him. to deliver his raps on beat. This was A more classic and raw side of evident in the track “Turn on Me.” Future is heard throughout the This song is one of the highlights album. on the album, especially with quesAs good as he sounds singing tionable lyrics that could be about about his usual topics of drugs and his personal drama surrounding money, it’s nice to hear the other Ciara, his ex-fiancé. Future delivers side of Future as he musically steps lyrics like, “I seen a good girl turn out of his comfort zone. on me.”

While a message connected to Future comes out firing on all albums is not present, it’s good to cylinders with “Comin Out Strong.” have him back.

By Jshania Owens ADVOCATE STAFF

jowens.theadvocate@gmail.com

W

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Hip-hop artist Future released his latest album titled “HNDRXX” on Feb. 24 under Epic Records featuring the track “Selfish.”

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We just had to get our jitters out of the way. When my defense made plays behind me, that built up my confidence.” — Jayson Summers, Comet pitcher

Comet infielder Elijah Smith awaits teammate John Velasco (right) as he steps on home plate during CCC’s 6-0 win against the Yuba College 49ers at the Baseball Field on Saturday.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

COMETS BEAT YUBA IN SHUTOUT Pitching, defense fuel team’s winning effort COMETS

6 0

49ERS

By Dylan Collier ASSISTANT SCENE EDITOR

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

Although the Comets’ (5-13) record is beneath the team’s expectations, they began to show some improvement by claiming a 6-0 win over Yuba College (5-11) on Saturday on the Baseball Field.

CCC starting pitcher Jayson Summers only allowed one base runner in the first three innings of play and that came on a walk to 49er third baseman Alec Garret.

In the contest, Summers pitched six innings allowing two hits with four strikeouts.

The freshman allowed three batters to reach base on walks.

“We just keep working hard to get better,” coach Brian Guinn said. “This win gives us a little momentum going into (Bay Valley) conference play. It’s a confidence boost.”

The Comets get a chance to build on their success, Thursday at 2:30 p.m. when they open BVC play against the College of Marin in Kentfield.

CCC scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning on hits by sophomores John Velasco and Eric Whitfield followed by a two-RBI single by freshman Elijah Smith.

Smith’s no-out RBI single scored center fielder Jonathan Dunn and left fielder Wesley Galloway. Galloway reached first on a lead off walk and advanced to second when Dunn was advanced to first on a fielder’s choice.

Errors were a big concern for the 49ers in the contest.

Comet batters took advantage of Yuba’s sloppy play, scoring runs in both of the innings that Yuba committed

“We just keep working hard to get better. The win gives us a little momentum going into conference play. It’s a confidence boost.”

— Brian Guinn, Comet coach

errors.

After scoring four runs in the first inning, CCC scored two runs in the eighth.

“Our first four runs were in the first inning. We had a dry spell through six and then came back later,” Chris Brue said.

After the four-run outburst in the first inning, both teams exchanged six innings of shutout ball.

Yuba’s starting pitcher Darrell Doll was pulled after the third inning after surrendering four runs on five hits.

Reliever Kevin Baranowski didn’t fair much better. He surrendered five hits in five innings on the mound, allowing two runs to score for the Comets in the process.

Starter Summers said, “We just had to get our jitters out of the way. When my defense made plays behind me, that built up my confidence.”

After seven innings, the Comets led the 49ers 4-0.

It was a dominant performance on the mound for Comet pitchers.

The staff only allowed three hits in the game.

Summers threw for six innings, followed by Justin Nehring, Justin Tonge, Brandon Owens.

Nehring made his impact defensive-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet pitcher Jayson Summers throws a pitch during CCC’s 6-0 win against Yuba College on Saturday at the Baseball Field. Summers logged four strikeouts during the game.

ly for the Comets in the bottom of the seventh inning, after allowing a base-hit single to Yuba second baseman Eddy Cruz.

The Comets responded with defense, with Nehring picking off a 49er runner attempting to steal second, for the second out of the inning.

The pitcher forced the following batter to pop out to end the inning.

Tonge started the ninth inning for CCC. After giving up a walk and a pop fly, Guinn made the decision to substitute Owens for Tonge, who continued the nine inning shutout.

Guinn gave his team extra incentive to build on the squad’s improved play

over the last three games.

In many games this season pitching and defense has doomed CCC’s chances of building on any of the opportunities that the team had for success.

In the team’s previous two matchups against Napa Valley and Mendocino colleges, the Comets held both teams to five or fewer runs before finally posting the 6-0 shutout against Yuba on Saturday.

“Before the game, our coach put up a goal. He said that if we pitched a shutout, he would buy us all food and then the pitchers would get to hit during batting practice on the field,” Summers said.

Squad readies for league changes Team develops chemistry, talent during off season

By Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Bay Valley Conference has condensed its schedule to allow its four remaining teams, including Contra Costa College, to begin play this week.

The BVC nearly lost its season due to the number of colleges in the conference that were not able to field softball teams with at least nine players.

The nine-game schedule, designed to minimize travel, has each team making a trip to all four schools.

Only the Comets have to visit Mendocino College twice.

In previous years, each BVC team had two home and away games at each colleges in the conference.

CCC is the closest to Mendocino College of the teams

in conference at 113 miles, that is 8 miles closer than Yuba College (121 miles) and 12 miles closer than Los Medanos Gubbine College (135 miles).

“These are the teams left playing softball in our league,” CCC Athletic Director John Wade said.

“They (women) just don’t want to play. Solano (College) has been good for years and they just can’t get a team this year.”

Last year, there were seven teams in the BVC. The 2016 BVC champion Solano Community College and second place Napa Valley College were each unable to gather the players needed to field teams this season.

Players that were afraid they would lose a precious year of eligibility if they were to participate in such a fragile conference were given assurances that they would not lose the year were it to fold.

“The women would get the year of eligibility back if it didn’t work,” Wade said. “That came

from the state.”

Scheduling non-conference opponents to bolster the schedules of the four-team conference is difficult because other conferences have been playing for months.

DVC played its first game of the season Jan. 31 against Ohlone College.

“We could have hosted (games against teams in other) leagues if we would have known that we would be in this situation,” Wade said.

“Now we can’t host out-of-conference teams because other conference schedules are already made.”

With opening day scheduled for this week, Comet players are more than ready for the season to begin.

“I just want to play,” CCC sophomore second baseman Nancy Bernal said.

“We see the same teams often, so we will be able to feel them out and hopefully exploit their weaknesses.”

Bernal says this year’s Comet team has already begun to gel and have more chemistry than in years past.

“We share information,” Bernal

“It’s not that women don’t want to go to school. They have the numbers. Sixty percent of the student body here is women.”

John Wade, athletic director

said. “We don’t mind learning from each other. They don’t mind hearing things from me and I don’t mind learning things from them.”

CCC softball coach Carolyn Gubbine believes the freshman-heavy team has an opportunity to vastly improve on the 0-22 record that the team posted last year.

“I’m still dealing with a few last minute things, but if we go out and have fun then we can do well,” Gubbine said. “I’m most concerned about pitching. We have a first-year pitcher and she’s never been through this. It’s no fun out there on the mound if things go bad.”

Over the past two seasons, numbers in women’s athletics in the BVC have suffered.

Many teams, including the women’s soccer team at CCC, have failed to field teams and were forced to forfeit their seasons.

In order to gauge what may be causing the disinterest in posthigh school athletics, Wade plans to implement his own fact-finding mission.

He plans to send a letter to all of the women who participate in athletics at high schools in the Comet service area.

The aim of the letter is to find out why more do not continue their athletic endeavors after high school graduation.

“It’s not that women don’t want to go to school. They have the numbers. Sixty percent of the student body here is women,” Wade said. “It’s scary — they just don’t want to play.”

According to the 2015-16 High School Athletics Participation Survey, conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, 366,685 high school girls played softball in the U.S. last year and 381,529 played soccer.

This year, the Comet softball team only has 10 players and the women’s soccer team failed to field a team last season.

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Stage ignites “ actor’s drive Actress finds emotional outlet through stage performances, tutoring

BY Xavier Johnson SCENE EDITOR

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

The greatest strength an actor can have is the ability to empathize with the character they portray.

Acting is not simply saying the memorized lines but becoming the character and truly connecting to how a character would feel and react in certain situations.

Contra Costa College student Brittany Turner, 22, is a Richmond native who can harness this necessary empathy to drive her acting, other artistic pursuits and her newfound desire to teach and inspire.

Turner earned the role of Lady in Blue in the 2015 drama department’s production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

She said this role was a challenging because it took her through a lot of intense emotions.

“The moment you run out on stage you are no longer yourself — you embark on that journey,” Turner said. She said she learned a valuable lesson about acting while working on the play from adjunct drama professor and director Terrance Ivory.

Ivory said to achieve their roles students need to become the characters they play.

However, it is important to “leave it all on the stage.” He said actors should not let the emotions felt by the character’s seep into daily lives.

Turner grew up in the church, attending Market Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oakland. She said she was a part of several programs as a child that helped Oakland’s homeless population.

“I participated in this program where we distributed food we packed to the homeless and families in need.” As a part of the church when she was 14, she went on a mission trip to Jamaica.

“The opportunity to experience another culture and help others made me come out of my shell at home,” Turner said.

Turner enrolled at CCC in 2013 as a drama major.

She had her first play at the college as Helena in the drama department’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Midsummer’s Night Dream.” After “For Colored Girls”

The opportunity to experience another culture and help others made me come out of my shell at home.”

— Brittany Turner, drama major

“I’m sure almost every black woman’s story is finding that confidence. I didn’t wear my natural hair and I tried to fit in. When I’m on TV, I plan to rock my hair natural.”

Brittany Turner, drama major

she stayed involved with the drama classes by taking courses as well as helping CCC drama major Sean Teal.

Turner said she decided to tutor Teal and help him develop his acting through.

Specifically, Teal needed help writing character analysis for the monologues performed in class. Turner said since she began helping Teal she is determined to eventually teach drama at a college level.

“I like helping people become enthusiastic about learning and watching them grow,” she said. “I want to give people room to succeed on their own.”

Teal said Turner’s best strength in her teaching is her ability to be patient with him.

“I sometimes have trouble putting my words together but she sticks through it with me.”

Teal said, “I could go and get any other tutor but I connect with her more than any other. We’re a dynamic duo.”

Acting is not the only artistic outlet for Turner. She also writes and performs poetry.

She said performing her poetry at open mic nights is empowering because it is a more personal experience.

“I’m able to contribute my own original art to the art around the world.”

Turner said poetry helps her express her emotions through rough times and gain confidence. She said that she struggled to develop confidence as a teenager.

“I’m sure almost every black woman’s story is finding that confidence,” she said, “I didn’t like to wear my hair natural and I tried to fit in.”

She said she needed to gain that confidence in herself if she wanted to truly help others. “When I’m on TV I plan to rock my hair natural.” The poetry touches on a variety of topics like self-love, healing and world peace.

She said titles of her poems include “My Body, My Temple” and “This is the Black Woman.”

Turner’s most recent performance was

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Drama major Brittany Turner has been accepted into San Francisco State for the fall semester to continue her artistic education as an actor.

during the fall of 2016 as one of three guest actors for “Project Panther” a performance

by Dimensions Dance Theater in Oakland.

Turner played the only woman among the actors and represented the role of women in the Black Panther Party.

One of the aspirations for Turner is to use her acting to inspire young black girls.

Turner said she feel like there aren’t enough black women as superheroes.

“I want to be that powerful dark-skinned

superhero woman,” Turner said. “The Avengers are bad ass. They are powerful and dynamic. I want to be that kind of superhero and show black women in that light.”

She said she wants to dig back into past comic book characters to highlight forgotten black superheroes, or create her own.

Turner said black women in America are often thought to be weak or dependent.

“I want to show that we can do different things.”

Women’s Day aims for gender equality Event highlights women’s effort as a call to action

“It’s important to support women’s rights. Especially right now. It’s time to unite.”

BY Michael Santone

Alejandra Gil,

Middle College High School student

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

On International Women’s Day, Contra Costa College faculty, staff and students brought a call to action to campus with an informative celebration on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Scattered tables covered in red tablecloths in the Campus Center Plaza were piled with information focused on the different issues women face.

These tables featured information about the lack of women in STEM-related fields, how students should write letters to Congress, and social equity and justice.

With music from Beyoncé swirling through the warm breeze and echoing throughout the plaza, attendees were attired in vibrant shades of red in support of women’s rights as they mingled under the sun.

The array of topics opened up a dialog of solidarity on a historic day, setting a mood that could be felt in the air.

At the Associated Students Union table, Student Life Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks toyed with a button maker, creating buttons with phrases like ‘CCC loves women’ and adorning them with pictures of Rosie The Riveter.

“Today is about how important women are on campus and how much we appreciate them,” he said, “It’s all about uplifting women today.”

As discussions intertwined, lit-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

HSI STEM Coordinator Kelly Ramos (left) explains a course syllabus to political science major Antonia Phillips (right) during the International Women’s Day event in the Campus Center Plaza on March 8.

tered with concerns for the current political climate, students observed with curiosity as they slowly drifted to and from class.

This sometimes left an almost empty plaza, but the spirit of the celebration held strong.

The lemonade table, inspired by Beyoncé’s album of the same name, seemed to draw the biggest crowds.

HSI STEM Coordinator Kelly Ramos, who was stationed at the table, discussed the importance of adversities spanning generations to students who were enthralled by the detailed memorabilia.

“This is such a great way to connect with students,” Ramos said, “It’s about taking topics that aren’t

really brought up and having serious discussions.”

Drinking ice-cold lemonade, students were given a brief history of the Lemonade Syllabus, a collection of works celebrating black womanhood. Students had the opportunity to look through literature mentioned in it.

Middle College High School student Alejandra Gil, who was observing Ramos’ discussion at the lemonade table, had a handful of fliers on different issues.

“I’m a big feminist,” she said, “It’s important to support women’s rights. Especially right now. It’s time to unite.”

Some of the other tables includ-

ed pop-up tutoring, free snacks like chips and bottled water, and one that showed attendees how to create their own poster.

Campuswide Tutoring Coordinator Brandy Gibson, who organized the event in just six days, prepared the first of two films shown in Fireside Hall.

Gibson said she was tempted to have the day off in solidarity with he spirit of the day, but instead wanted to be with students at CCC. “The students and faculty need to have their voices heard,” she said. “We are strong and we have a future.”

At 11:30 a.m., the film “Between Allah and Me (& Everyone Else)”

began in Fireside Hall, followed by “The Souls of Black Girls” at 12:30 p.m., with only one student settling in to watch.

Syeda Buckhari, who is majoring in political science, said she is interested in the movie because she can relate.

“I am concerned for Muslim women,” she said. “Although I am legal, I can feel for those who are going through this time.”

Buckhari said it’s important to have a day for women. “We should be celebrating the beauty of women.”

One of the more inconspicuous tables, near Fireside Hall, was dedicated to information on bills introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Counseling assistant Mary-Kate Rossi, who was passing out fliers, said the biggest thing is to spread awareness of the pending legislation to students.

Ranging from terminating the Department of Education, repealing the Affordable Care Act, defunding Planned Parenthood and criminalizing abortion, these bills have the potential to create lasting damage to women, health care and the environment, she said.

“It’s about taking action, no matter how small the action is,” Rossi said.

Gibson said the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and faculty wish to create something bigger in the future.