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WEDNESDAY l 5.17.17 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Retirees bid farewell to campus community Ceremony honors, celebrates faculty members’ legacies on campus

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“This is an incredible graduating class.”

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Heartfelt words from friends who, through the years, became like family spread through the walls of the Fireside Hall on Friday to honor and celebrate the hard work of a group of retirees who spent more than a combined 200 years serving Contra Costa College.

Seven faculty and managers, including dental assisting professor Sandra Everhart; Library, Allied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics Dean Susan Lee; computer and communications technology professor Rick Figuera; former Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd; computer and related technology professor Tom Murphy; English professor Heather Roth; and fine and media arts department Chairperson Ellen Seidler, are officially ending their careers at the college.

“This is an incredible graduating class,” President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said. “Contra

Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, president

Costa College prides itself on its sense of family.

And our family — those who we celebrate today, those who have previously retired and those who continue to serve this wonderful college — really create that sense of family and make up a warm and welcoming place (for students).”

Colorful orchids decorated the tables around which the retirees, their friends and family, and current and retired faculty and staff gathered to listen to memories of each retiree from those who were chosen to introduce them.

Introductions given by a colleague of each retiree allowed the crowd to gain insight about each of them, as well as hear interesting, funny or sad memories.

Dean of the Liberal Arts Division Jason Berner introduced Roth, who taught at the college for 37 years.

“When you think about that, she’s been here longer than buildings,” he said. “I don’t mean this building (Fireside Hall), I mean the Applied Arts Building.” Berner brought laughter to the crowd throughout his speech. As part of an inside joke about a conference he attended with Roth, Berner gave her a pair of Crocs.

“Four years of Heather Roth is like 15 years of anybody else. I had the opportunity to observe her teach one of her classes,” he said. “And I can honestly say she is the best teacher at the college.”

Berner said, with a laugh, that he does not believe she is really retiring.

Former CCC president McKinley Williams introduced Dr. Floyd and said she was fully invested in her work at the college.

“You always want people to be there in a solid SEE RETIREMENT, PAGE A3

DVC’S STUDENT FEE LEDGER TOPS $1 MIL, ASDVC PAYS EMPLOYEES

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The student government at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill will break $1 million in its account balance next semester according to the 2016-17 District Account Availability Report as of May 10.

According to the report, the Associated Students of DVC (ASDVC) has a balance of $928,665 in Student Activity Fee (SAF) funds.

The ASDVC has spent $465,251 since the $5 districtwide enrollment fee, its main source of income according to the reports, began being charged to stuDemocratic dents in 2012. oligarchy District Chief Financial Officer Jonah Nicholas said The Advocate students are charged the $5 delves into the fee at the start of fall and ethics behind spring semester upon regisasking ASUs tering for classes. to pay full-time Nicholas said the district deposits the student fees colemployees lected at DVC, Contra Costa using student fees and DVC’s College and Los Medanos College (in Pittsburg) into accumulation their student governments’ of wealth. accounts annually. He said PAGE A2 these funds are meant to be used by associated student unions to fund club events, scholarships or any student-led community projects.

According to the approved 2017-18 ASDVC Operating Budget, it generated $200,000 in SAF funds, $2,000 in vendor fees and $18,000 from its sticker program during its 2016-17

editorial

SEE DVC, PAGE A3

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Classified employee earns statewide award Martin honored at statewide reception for her dedication to student success

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Liberal Arts Division assistant Zolayma Martin was chosen as the Classified Employee of the Year for both the Contra Costa Community College District and the state of California.

To be considered for Classified Employee of the Year, candidates must have at least five years experience on the job, be committed to the mission of their community college, serve their institution through participation in professional or community activities and serve as a leader beyond the local institution.

ABOVE: Retiring English professor Heather Roth (right) and former English professor Barbara McClain (left) share a moment of jubilation during the retirement reception in Fireside Hall on Friday.

Recognized for her accomplishments, Martin received her state Classified Employee of the Year plaque on Monday at a ceremony at the California Community College Chancellor’s Office in Sacramento.

Martin’s colleagues at Contra Costa College recognized her for best representing all classified staff at the college by submitting a Community College Employee of the Year Awards Program application to the district Governing Board on Feb. 7.

After winning the district award, Martin was SEE CLASSIFIED, PAGE A3

ABOVE: Liberal Arts Division assistant Zolayma Martin has been named Classified Employee of the Year for both the Contra Costa Community College District and the state of California.

Alphabe+ club creates safe, comfortable atmosphere PAGE A8

California bills provide insight into social shifts Articles on recent bills explore changes to state legislation, implications to campus community.

PAGE A7

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Quotable “The right of peaceable assembly and of petition ... is the constitutional substitute for revolution.”

Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president 1859 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 Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate Staff Sean Austin Jose Chavez Dahn Bey Karla Juarez Julian Robinson Valeria Garcia Jshania Owens Kyle Pierce-Turley Isaac Resendiz 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, 2017 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, MAY 17, 2017 VOL. 104, NO. 22

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL DEMOCRATIC OLIGARCHY

Leadership uses $5 Student Activity Fee to pay faculty

U

sing student fees to pay any part of an employee’s salary at any public college without the consent of the majority of its student body is a transgression against democracy.

Student Life departments at sister colleges Contra Costa and Diablo Valley are funneling student-generated funds to pay advisers, managers and administrative assistants. But there was no campuswide vote to approve this allocation of student funds at either college.

According to District Account Availability reports, student governments at the three Contra Costa Community College District colleges (Los Medanos College is the other), which operate under the Student Life departments, have extorted $1.1 million from students by way of the $5 Student Activity Fee (SAF) since the Governing Board passed a resolution allowing the fee in 2012.

This $5 fee is charged to each student upon enrollment each spring and fall term.

Students can waive the fee by submitting an exemption form to Admissions and Records, but the deadline for doing so is just two weeks into the semester.

Five years after the passing of the districtwide resolution, the Associated Students of DVC (ASDVC) is about to exceed $1 million in its reserve account. That’s one million dollars. According to the ASDVC General meeting minutes, students who paid the fee have contributed $381,935 to fund salaries for their Student Life program manager, student activities coordinator, an office assistant and the student services instructional support coordinator.

And the ASDVC’s annual expenses for paying full-time employees will be increased by $38,981 in 2017-18. Because of annual boosts to employee’s benefits, the cost to students will continue to increase if these ASU boards continue to approve these allocations.

The CCC ASU Board has allocated $34,000 to pay its CCC Student Life coordinator.

To fund these full-time positions at CCC and DVC, it took 83,187 students paying the $5 fee while also paying their $46 per unit tuition fees. Even more damning is the fact that most students only find out about the $5 fee when they can’t add or drop classes unless they pay or have waived the fee.

This resolution was squeezed through the Governing Board because district student unions said they needed money to bolster student activity on campus by funding events, programs or scholarships.

Soon after it was passed, the ASUs districtwide found out how difficult it would be to spend all that money on students.

You can’t pay for everyone’s tuition, campus parking fees, or lunch, but you can allocate student funds to pay percentages of full-time college employees? The audacity of college administrators who approach these groups asking for money to pay the salaries of Student Life employees is appalling.

Even worse is keeping this decision limited to student union boards without involving the student body in campuswide votes.

LMC Student Union President Isreal Castro said, “(Students) don’t know they are paying $5 a semester, and that is a big issue.”

While these administrators make six figure salaries, students absorb the college’s institutional costs without fair representation from their leaders.

Let us vote, or give us our one million dollars back.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

■ MATTERS OF STATE

Political violence weakens any republic C

ommunists and fascists feed each other. Both need a populace in fear to grow and they get that by bloodshed. There is literally no way anything good can come out of the recent violence in Berkeley. No matter who wins, we all lose.

The communists are usually the ones who start the ugly cycle and it’s a pattern that has destroyed freedom and killed millions.

From 1968 to 1982 the Italian republic suffered through the Years of Lead.

The Soviet-supported Red Brigades plagued the nation.

They assassinated police, journalists, right-wing teachers and students, and a former prime minister.

Italy had a weak, unpopular fascist party, but the Red Brigades targeted it, killing its members, and bombing and burning their homes.

That failing Italian fascist party grew from the sympathy the attacks generated, but the New Order Scholarship Center benefited more. It was a fascist terror organization, claiming dedication to the law the democratic state had, they said, failed to enforce against the Red Brigades.

The New Order planted bombs that killed hundreds, eventually outpacing the Red Brigades’ murders.

Both sides discredited themselves and lost public support, and Italian democracy staggered through, mostly intact.

Berkeley police have repeatedly stood by, letting the black-clad members of the anarcho-communist group Antifa freely clash with their chosen targets.

them, they will rise to power.

No. This isn’t how you fight fascists. This is how fascists use you to take power.

Antifa proudly trace their roots back to the far-left militias that were fighting the fascists in the streets Police said, when asked of Germany, just before why they weren’t interventhe Weimar Republic fell ing during the April 15 riot, in 1933.

The country was “That’s a good question for thought to be on the verge the chief of police.” of a communist takeover, I don’t know how many and in desperation people right-wing extremists were gambled that the National among those at the Berkeley Socialist Worker’s Party and events, but the number is Adolf Hitler were the lesser growing. Extremists are evil. drawn to violence like flies Antifa seems eager to to feces. repeat history’s worst misThe riots Antifa has takes. have been What if President Donald great probeen trying Trump really is the next motional Hitler?

This is just the material. to organize excuse he would need to Footage seize power to restore order. of the training and Authoritarians like fascists events and communists start by shows the weapons for finding a menace to stand Antifa against, something people crowd start- future riots. are scared of, something like ing the viofilthy fascists or crummy lence and communists. it’s just human nature to side Then they tell people with the underdog. democracy is to blame.

Right-wingers, extremist “If democracy worked or otherwise, have been it would have stamped out fighting back, and their these fascists/communists!” enthusiasm is growing. This Antifa are anarcho-comis probably because the munists, so they’re pretty Antifa fighters have proven eager to see society descend to be rather incapable fightinto violence.

The white ers and Antifa knows it. nationalist types see it as an On Reddit’s anarchism opportunity to start a race subreddit, Antifa has been war.

These opposing groups trying to organize trainof slavering wannabe terroring and weapons, like fake ists always seem to have a credit cards that unfold into lot of common ground. knives, for future riots.

A few months ago there Benjamin Bassham is a was discussion of whether news editor of The Advocate. it is moral to punch a Nazi, Contact him at bbassham. just for existing. Idiots contheadvocate@gmail.com. cluded if you don’t punch

benjaminbassham

CAMPUS COMMENT

What could have been done differently on campus to make you involved in more campus activities?

“I see a lot of classrooms that are bare so maybe posters would help for advertising activities.”

Spencer Urena

“I don’t know because I am a student-athlete, so I’m not on campus a lot, just mostly for classes.”

“Because I’ve never joined any activities on campus, I don’t really know.”

“Nothing really. The activities were pretty inviting to me this semester.”

Kevin Rivera

Daisy Yang

Hicham Hamed

kinesiology

psychology

JESSICA SUICO AND REGGIE SANTINI/THE ADVOCATE

English as a second language

psychology

“They should do a better job of communicating and maybe having a better schedule for activities because every time there are activities, I’m in class.”

Katie Stewart undecided

“I believe communicating the activities to students is key. I think it can benefit everyone if you get involved with your school’s activities.”

Daniela Matute

business adminstration

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 5.17.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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NEWSLINE RETIREMENT| Ceremony acknowledges devotion MUSIC

KNOX TO HOST LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE The Jazz Vocal Gala will be held on Friday at 8 p.m. in the John and Jean Knox Center. During the fundraiser, the gala will feature student musicians including Jazzology, JazzaNova and Jazz Singers who will perform at the event.

Special guest artist Roger Letson, former professor at De Anza College, will be performing as well.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

For more details, contact music department Chairperson Wayne Organ at worgan@contracosta.edu or call 510-215-4822.

BLM

SOCIAL MOVEMENT EXAMINES CULTURE “Black (Women’s) Lives Matter” is a training program in Fireside Hall to examine the culture of African-American women and discuss how to drive the Black Lives Matter movement into being more inclusive of them.

The free event will be held today from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Reach Fellowship International and the health and human services department will be sponsoring the event.

For more information, contact health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles amickles@contracosta.edu or 510215-4395.

CRIMEWATCH Saturday, April 22: A non-student was taken to the hospital.

Saturday, April 22: An unknown suspect damaged property on campus.

Wednesday, April 26: A student reported his cell phone stolen.

Wednesday, April 26: A student’s vehicle was stolen.

Thursday, April 27: A staff member reported a gate at the pool was vandalized.

Thursday, April 27: Two students were involved in a verbal argument while on campus.

Both students were referred to the dean of student services.

Saturday, April 29: A male student was sleeping behind the Computer Technology Center.

Monday, May 1: An instructor reported several students were disruptive during class.

— Marci Suela and Xavier Johnson

CORRECTION In the May 3 issue of The Advocate on page 4 in the article entitled “Live forum discusses veterans, politics,” “Richmond Renaissance” performer Nyabingha Zianni was mislabeled as “Nya Bingazhani.”

In the same issue on page 6, in the article “Comet coach helps refine academic drive,” Comet lineman Barnabus Jime was incorrectly called as “Barnaby Jime.”

The Advocate regrets these errors.

— 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 way,” Williams said. “To be there as committed as you (are) with the work ethic that you have. Donna would be in her office as late as I would be in my office. She worked, I must admit, as hard as I did.”

Mehdizadeh, as she introduced Murphy, said, “It’s so wonderful for me to introduce a fellow geek.

A geek is a good thing to be.”

In his comments, Murphy said when he decided to retire, something in his head went click. “It surprises other people, but I just wanted to hang out with my wife.”

Health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles introduced Everhart, who served on many college and districtwide committees.

After serving the CCC community for 27 years, Everhart said she will come back and visit.

“When I do (come back) I will be making sure that you all have brushed and flossed. You all know I used to travel around with my lights to check your teeth below to see if there was plaque there,” Everhart said.

Mickles said she was able to learn more about CCC because of Everhart’s guidance.

Floyd introduced Dr. Lee to the audience.

“I met Susan about a year or two after I started working here, which was 1993, and I was quickly struck by her haircut. Believe it or not, I tried to copy her haircut, and I (like Lee) also went back to school to get my doctoral degree.”

Floyd said Lee has been an inspirational asset to the college.

As Seidler took the podium, tears filled her eyes after words spoken by journalism professor Paul DeBolt, who introduced her.

“I think Ellen truly sees (her retirement) as a graduation. She is such a skilled cinematographer

and videographer. It’s in her blood.

It’s part of her and she is going to continue to do that,” he said.

The CCC family is also saying goodbye to its first openly gay faculty member, Figuera, who first taught at the college in 1985. He served as adviser for Bisexual Gay Lesbian and Dear Friends United Liberation (BGLADFUL) club in the early 90s.

Figuera said his field requires constant updating. Noting that his retirement will give the college a chance to re-tool its curriculum in computer and communications technology, he said, “It’s a good time for me to leave.”

FEES | Student fees cover percentage of salaries Continued from Page 1 fiscal year.

ASDVC Student Life Coordinator Todd Farr said the $5 fee at DVC covers mostly the same student activity expenses as those at the two other colleges in the district.

But, unlike its sister student governments, Farr said DVC’s 19,000 semesterly student headcount generates more money by way of the $5 SAF than the ASDVC Board is able to spend in one semester.

“We have a backup fund for everything,” he said. “ But we’ve collected so much money we are almost at $1 million. And the district has shown concern because we are not spending enough money.”

Farr said excess funds from student fees, including the $5 SAF, go into the ASDVC’s reserve account.

According to the ASDVC’s most recent WestAmerica Bank Account Statement, provided by Farr, its main reserve account contains $881,000 in student fees.

He said reserve funds could be used in the case of “unforeseen emergencies.”

Farr said because these are public funds, “the college does not have direct access to this money.”

He said expenditures of student fees could only be used for programs or activities that benefit a large number of students. Any expense from this account must be approved by a majority vote of the ASDVC Board.

Farr has only been the Student Life manager for one year, but to meet the request of the district, he said, the ASDVC Board has agreed to allocate $381,935 to pay full-time and parttime college employees over the last two years.

In 2017-18, the ASDVC allocated $210,458 from its ASDVC reserve account, and another $171,477 in 2016-17, for employee salaries.

The 2017-18 allocation pays about 62 percent of the salaries of four Student Life department employees.

Funding frenzy Farr said this is the ASDVC Board’s largest expenditure from the SAF reserve account, which is also reviewed by the internal Budget Oversight Committee (BOC).

According to the 2017-18 Funding and Workload Model, which breaks down the percentage of each employee’s salary that comes from the ASDVC, the ASDVC Board approved to pay about 20 percent of Farr’s pay as program manager, 80 percent of the student activities coordinator’s salary, 50 percent of an office assistant’s salary and 80 percent of student services instructional support coordinator’s pay.

The total cost to fund these positions has increased by $38,981 from the first year (201617) to the second, according to the DVC Student Life Office Personnel Organizational Restructure Funding Summary.

DVC Vice President of Student Services Newin Orante and Dean of Student Support Services Emily Stone presented the report to the ASDVC Board in 2015 when they first asked for student fees to pay for employees’ salaries, Farr said.

According to the April 17 ASDVC Board meeting minutes, $29,348 was allocated to pay

“DVC started with about a quarter of $1 million. That’s how much they had in the bank basically.

Since then it’s gone up to nearly $1 million.”

Nick Dimitri,

CCC business services supervisor

the Student Life program manager, $62,929 for the student activities coordinator’s salary, $31,993 for an office assistant and $86,188 for a student services instructional support coordinator for next year — 2017-18.

“It was actually first approved last May to provide additional staff for the Student Life Center so we could strengthen support for not just ASDVC members, but for everyone on campus,” Farr said.

Farr said anything that is approved must adhere to the ASDVC bylaws and college, district and state policies.

California Community College Chancellor’s Office Student Leadership Dean Margaret Ortega said there is no state law that restricts any ASU Board from approving funds to pay for student workers or full-time employees.

“When it’s an internal agreement, the college and district have their own structure of policies,” Dr. Ortega said.

CCC’s ASU Board also voted to pay a percentage of its Student Life coordinator, a full-time advisory position, for two consecutive years, beginning in 2016-17.

This agreement, between CCC administrators and the ASU Board, does not have any paperwork attached to it despite using $17,656 to pay 25 percent of its adviser’s salary. The ASU Board agreed to cover the cost without putting the decision out to a campuswide vote.

District Governing Board Trustee John Marquez said how the ASU Board and CCC’s college administration handled this allocation of student fees was not an example of democracy in action.

“It should be a campuswide vote,” Marquez said. “The funds should not be used (for employee salaries) unless the majority of students who pay the fees say it’s OK to spend it this way.”

He said any proposal to use student fees, “taxes,” should be submitted to the public.

Marquez said the most recent example of this process is the $450 million Measure E parcel tax. These funds can only be used to build new facilities on campuses districtwide.

“We ask permission of the voters,” he said.

“This is a good time for students to learn how to manage money.”

Farr said it is impossible to spend nearly $200,000 on student activities in one year, but how close a student government comes to meeting that goal is determined by the student leadership’s level of involvement.

Democratic cash Contra Costa College Business Services Supervisor Nick Dimitri said the $5 student fee is the main source of funding for every associated student union in the district.

Dimitri said the spike in revenue generated during the first year of $5 Student Activity Fee

spurred concerns.

“And when we saw what we were making we said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, we can’t be doing this. We need to spend this money for students’.”

He said because of LMC’s and CCC’s smaller enrollment sizes compared to DVC, their ASU boards were able to spend enough money on student activities to expend most of its surplus funds.

The first two years after the SAF was passed, the district reports show the ASDVC came nowhere close to spending most of its revenue.

“So (ASDVC) made $221,000 off the Student Activity Fee (in 2012-13), but it only spent $50,000 and some change,” Dimitri said.

“So, let’s assume the expenses are not all paid by Student Activity Fee money. Even if that is true, the max expense is still $50,000.”

Farr said he cannot speak for certain about activity prior to his hiring, but student clubs and student governments make the final decision how funds are expended.

“And if there are years when not much was spent, then they probably didn’t know how to spend the money,” Farr said. “It all depends, but it really comes down to changes in leadership.”

But the ASDVC Board is posed with a unique challenge. “(ASDVC’s) balance goes up dramatically every year,” Dimitri said as he flipped through the annual budget reports.

“First $381,000 (in 2012). $590,000. This is a great business. $776,000. You and I would love this. $880,000. $948,000 — and now they are about to cross $1 million this year.”

According to the Chancellor’s Office 2016 Term Student Count, DVC has a 38,900 headcount for spring and fall semesters. CCC has 13,144 and Los Medanos College has 17,257.

Summer and winter intersession term headcounts are not included because the $5 fee is not charged.

“Before the Student Activity Fee happened,” Dimitri said, “DVC started with about a quarter of a million dollars. That’s how much they had in the bank basically. Since then it’s gone up to nearly $1 million.

Farr said in order to more effectively use its student funds, the ASDVC Budget Oversight Committee (BOC) asked him to create a budget analysis report based on the last three years of the Inter-Club Council’s budget.

Farr said he also included ASDVC’s expenditures in the budget report, and he presented his findings to the oversight committee. “(Based on the report), the ASDVC and ICC have not fully expended their funding, and funds will roll over into the reserve account.

“There’s a lot of money in our reserve account,” Farr said. “And that has happened because student groups have not expended enough to match (the SAF revenue).”

ASDVC President Bowen Liu and BOC Controller Zhexuan Zhang did not respond to multiple interview requests from an Advocate reporter.

“If (ASDVC members) were spending it like they should be then their balance would still be the same as it was (before the $5 fee),” Dimitri said. “They’re still spending and making a little bit of money from (fundraising or donations), but their revenues skyrocketed because they were not spending all the (SAF) money.”

CLASSIFIED | Assistant earns ‘prestigious’ award Continued from Page 1 entered on the state level. She was then selected among the other classified employees in the state.

“I felt deeply honored to have been recognized with the outstanding award. I am blessed to work with people who make me feel recognized and appreciated every day,” Martin said.

Martin has been part of the CCC community for about 16 years and works from the LA Division Office in GE-210 and manages division budgeting and scheduling among other duties, speech professor Sherry Diestler said.

Diestler, along with others in the LA Division, helped complete the application to submit to the district. The award honors an employee who demonstrates a high level of commitment to the college community.

“She has that loving parental touch. She is firm and authoritative, but also very loving. So if we miss deadlines or need to straighten something out, she will say it like a parent might say it, and we know it’s for the good of the division.”

— Sherry Diestler, speech department chairperson

She was selected for the state award by representatives of the California Community College Governing Board and the state Chancellor’s Office.

Diestler said, “We all, in our division, believe Zolayma is an incredible person and well deserving of being a model employee.

She is just superior.”

Diestler said Martin creates a community and a family feeling at the college.

Liberal Arts Division Dean Jason Berner said Martin trains student workers who come into the division and teaches them as much as they want to know.

“When they (student workers) leave, they’ve gotten a valuable educational experience. Working here becomes an educational experience and it is because of her,” Berner said.

“The faculty come in to hug her,” he said.

Diestler said, “She has that loving parental touch. She is firm and authoritative, but also very loving.

So if we miss deadlines or need to straighten something out, she will say it like a parent might say it, and we know it’s for the good of the division.”

Martin said when she found about the state award she was in shock.

“I found out on (April 27). I couldn’t believe it. But then, after the shock wore off, I felt deeply honored, not only for myself but for our entire district,” Martin said.

Berner said, “She always takes the mission of this place very seriously, of the college as an educational institution. We all know, here in the Liberal Arts Division, that she is a treasure. She is a hard worker and incredibly organized.

And she is a terrifically warm person.”

Martin said she feels honored to have won the “prestigious” award and feels proud to represent the district.

Martin said it is her priority to help students achieve their goals.

“My mother always told me not to do things for attention, but because they are the right thing to do,” she said. “I never imagined that one day I was going to be recognized for the hard work that I do and love.”

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campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 5.17.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

CTE programs support public safety

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

A lot of people do not know how much community colleges help ensure public safety by training police officers, nurses and emergency medical workers, Council for a Strong America (CSA) California Office’s Director Susan Bonilla said at a press conference in Fireside Hall on May 8.

But even fewer know about the struggles that Richmond police officer and former Contra Costa College student Carmen Santana endured to reach success.

“I grew up thinking that domestic violence, drugs and gangs were part of the ordinary lifestyle,” Santana said as she calmed her nerves behind the podium. “The need to financially provide for my family became the priority.”

A room full of her peers, emergency medicine students, community business representatives, CCC faculty and district officials listened as she talked about how she lost faith in her ability to reach her career goals through education.

She said she was kicked out of school and enrolled in North Campus High School in San Pablo.

“That’s when I felt like I hit rock bottom,” Santana said. “I was 17 (years old), and I didn’t know what to do.”

She said joining the Richmond Explorer’s Program and enrolling at CCC established a network of people who boosted her confidence and helped her break stereotypes.

“I’m not just a normal male officer that most Latino families see,” she said.

“It’s a male-dominated career.

When Latinas, or families who come from a different heritage, see a Latina it makes it easier for them interact with me, to communicate with me and to trust me. I’m here to help them.”

Bonilla said the press conference was held to laud CCC’s contribution for giving students like Santana a chance to give back to the community — while making a living wage.

At the end of the press conference, CCC was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on behalf of California 11th Congressional District Representative Mark DeSaulnier.

Contra Costa County District Supervisor John Gioia said, “It is really a symbol of appreciation from a federal, state, county, city and neighborhood level for the work that this college does to make us and our communities stronger, safer and healthier.”

To maintain CCC’s contribution to public safety, and address the statewide skills gap employers face statewide, Bonilla told the audience that the CSA will: Lobby for increasing state funding for community colleges at the state level.

Support dual enrollment for high school students seeking a career in law enforcement.

Influence state policymakers to incentivize helping high school students fill out FAFSA in hopes of boosting college enrollment.

Maintain support of the college’s career technical programs like California’s Pathway Trust, which is the largest CTE funded program nationwide.

At the end of the event there were multiple demonstrations by emergency medical and administration of justice students showing how to properly transport a person who cannot walk, and demonstrating how to take latent prints at a crime scene.

But before the demonstrations, public officials took an opportunity to show their support for programs that support public safety in communities statewide.

California Community College Chancellor’s Office Dean of Career Technical Education Jeffrey Mrizek also acknowledged CCC’s contribution to providing public safety workers at an affordable cost to taxpayers.

“When you are in a crisis, the people most likely to take care of you are paramedics, nurses, police officers, firefighters,” Dr. Mrizek said. “And a lot of these people are most likely community college graduates. They are the ones who provided the safety net for our communities.”

Interim Richmond Police Chief Walt Schuld said community colleges have trained about 80 percent of first responders working in California.

Pre-med student Alex Aquino (left), nursing major William Tucker (center) and fire science major Grechen Medel (right) perform a spinal immobilization demonstration for the crowd on administration of justice major Karla Polanco during the E-Med event in Fireside Hall on May 8.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

ASU prepares for annual graduation

BY Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

With the end of the spring semester well within sight, Contra Costa College and its students are preparing for their annual graduation ceremony.

The CCC graduation ceremony will take place on May 26 at the Richmond Civic Center.

Graduates will attend a rehearsal at 9 a.m. that day to prepare for the event at 6 p.m.

Political science major Jose Arebalo said the Associated Students Union (ASU) will be providing a post-rehearsal lunch catered by J. Gourmet.

“We wanted to make sure everyone had something to eat, so we ordered tofu burgers, chicken and steak wraps and Italian vegetal stacks (vegetarian lasagna),” Arebalo said.

During the event, ASU President Safi WardDavis will give a speech to the graduates.

Ward-Davis said she’s excited for graduation.

“Last year at this time I was the one in those seats graduating. We had expected about 300 students and it turned out to be around 500.”

Ward-Davis said around 300 students are expected to be participating in graduation this spring semester.

She said it takes time to calculate the number of students who will actually graduate, therefore the ASU is also pressed for time when calculating the amount of merchandise

“Last year at this time I was the one in those seats graduating. We had expected about 300 students and it turned out to be around 500.”

—

, ASU president

orders it needs to place.

Arebalo said, “The ASU will be providing a goodie bag for the graduates.”

Graduates will be receiving a reusable graduation bag with a CCC graduate T-shirt, custom CCC stylist pen and a keychain, he said.

Ward-Davis said students will also be receiving a portfolio with a congratulatory letter from CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh or Dean of Student Services Vicki Ferguson.

Students planning to graduate at the end of the spring semester had until April 3 to turn in their petition to graduate.

Ward-Davis said petitioning students must first speak to their counselors.

“Their counselors will go over all the requirements needed to graduate and double check to make sure the student has met them,” she said. If all requirements have been met the students, will receive a graduation form from the their counselor.

“Students must take the completed form to Admission and Records before the deadline to

be included in the ceremony,” she said.

Liberal arts major Brittany Turner said she wasted no time in signing up to graduate.

“It was really easy to com- Nickelsonplete the whole process.”

The form is simple, she Shanks said. Students need to fill out the information for their major and their basic information.

“Admission and Records will email you if they need any further information.”

But, she said, she was surprised it took so long for her to receive her congratulatory email. “It finally came during the last week of April.” Arebalo said the ASU finished making the payments for everything they needed on Monday.

Graduation’s total budget was $8,000. It cost the ASU $3,000 for the student portfolios and $3,000 for the Oakland-based catering company, J. Gourmet, he said. About $1,000 of the remaining funds was used to order the T-shirts, and the remaining $1,000 was split between the bags, pens and key chains, he said.

“Normally, if there was anything left over from the budget it would go back to the ASU’s general account. But we burned everything up,” Arebalo said.

Poets unite, empower listeners ‘Poetry Night’ provides outlet for life’s struggles

BY Anthony Kinney NEWS EDITOR

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

Student poets recited poems aimed to uplift as the sun began to set during the “Poetry Night” event hosted in Fireside Hall on Monday.

The event, hosted by Student Life ambassador Nijzel Dotson, was designed to bring students together to read poetry that will leave attendees feeling more empowered than when they came in.

“I just wanted to create a vibe where people can feel united through each other’s struggles,” Dotson said. “That’s what we made happen.”

Various poets took turns sharing their intimate poems, written to inspire listeners with heart-felt verses expressing hope, love, acceptance and perseverance through hard times.

Dotson began the event by reciting his poem, “Trapped,” in which he portrays the constant struggle he endures through his journey of self-acceptance.

The ambiance of the room seemed to change as the poets voiced inspirational lyrical stories describing the struggles of sexual assault, mental illness, racial and gender inequalities, self-acceptance and the demand for the unvarying acceptance for others.

Middle College High School senior Andrea Webb took the microphone to recite pieces of poetry from her newly published poetry book, “Crushed Rose Bloomed,” released online March 29.

MCHS is a high school that is hosted on the Contra Costa College campus, allowing its students to take college courses.

Webb said she came to support her friend Dotson’s poetry and to also recite her work to a crowd who possibly haven’t heard it before.

“Nijzel asked me to do it and I felt like I had

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Student Life ambassador Nijzel Dotson recites a poem he wrote to the crowd during the “Poetry Night” event in Fireside Hall on Monday.

to support him,” she said.

Dotson also recited poems from anonymous poets who didn’t feel comfortable enough to perform themselves.

MCHS English teacher Sofia Close also delivered original pieces to the packed crowd.

Her poems touched on a list of topics such as love and the acceptance of others, as well as finding one’s self-identify.

She also recited a poem in honor of Mother’s Day. She gripped the crowd’s attention with the question, “Have you ever wanted something so bad but life just wouldn’t let you have it?” Then she recited “Butterflies,” a poem describing the severance of two lovers and the grief that accompanies it.

MCHS student Nicole Slaton said she came out to support the event because she’s a big fan

of poetry and a good friend of Dotson’s. She came with her entire MCHS class.

Webb said she was surprised to see the big turnout and the extensive list of engaging student poets who took the stage.

Dotson said he was nervous about the turnout at first, but was in awe to see every chair full by the end of the event.

The event concluded with Dotson reciting his poem “I,” a poem of self-reflection inspired by the Kendrick Lamar song by the same name.

“Whether it’s from people speaking on sexual or domestic abuses, racial and gender issues, or internal conflicts within themselves, I just wanted to create an environment where people felt inspired enough to continue telling their stories through poetry,” Dotson said. “I want to keep the tradition alive.”

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Jazz-ology singers Joseph Saeteurn (left) and Jesse Chao practice Monday during a sound check for Friday’s last showcase of the year in the Knox Center.

Jazz-ology achieves highest musical award DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Vocal ensemble wins DownBeat magazine student group honor

BY Michael Santone ASSOCIATE EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

Ending the spring semester on a high note, Contra Costa College’s Jazz-ology group has won the 2017 DownBeat Magazine 40th Annual Student Music Award for best small vocal jazz group in the community college division.

This prestigious award is the highest recognition that can be earned in the academic music field and equivalent in prominence to that of a Grammy.

The award will be formally presented to Jazz-ology at the Jazz Vocal Gala Friday at the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.

Music department Chairperson Stephanie Austin said she is elated by the news and is proud of the music program and its students.

“It’s nice to celebrate when things go well.

It’s great. Everybody works very hard.”

The songs which catapulted Jazz-ology to its national win included “Open Invitation,” “Something’s Changed” and “You’re No Good,” which will be featured on their third album that’s set to be released on Friday.

Austin said winning has been such an honor because of the quality of professionalism that DownBeat Magazine has a reputation for recognizing.

“One is always excited because the competition is fierce,” she said. “Preparation is immense and rehearsals are intense at all times.”

Along with an award, announcements in the June issue of DownBeat Magazine will also feature stories on the winning groups.

Submissions which include recordings made throughout the 2016 calendar year were critiqued by a panel of industry judges between January and March.

Entrants were judged in a “blind” format that keeps all information about the group and school completely anonymous.

Austin said she was notified in March of the win via e-mail but had to keep the information suppressed until April 25 when the June issue was mailed out to subscribers.

Tenor Joseph Saeteurn, who has been a member of Jazz-ology for two years, said

“I couldn’t come to terms with knowing that we had won the DownBeat award until I actually held the award in my hand.”

— Joseph Saeteurn, Jazz-ology tenor

he was extremely surprised when he found out that he could not comprehend what was actually going on.

“I couldn’t come to terms with knowing that we had won the DownBeat award until I actually held the award in my hand.”

Saeteurn said that it’s hard to imagine a college in San Pablo, California competing on levels with universities and even top recording groups in the industry.

“This was not on any of our radars,” he said. “It definitely feels great knowing that all of our hard work has paid off.”

Laura Karst, who has been singing for alto for Jazz-ology for three years, said she was speechless when she found out.

“I cried happy tears, while I held my cheeks in my hand.”

“It really feels like winning a Grammy,” Karst said. “I really had to pinch myself

because it took a while for the shock to wear off.”

Lead soprano Laurena Alm, who has been with Jazz-ology for two years, said it’s been amazing to find out that they won this award which has so much prestige.

“We were all just surprised. Like is that what I think it is?” she said.

The group operates at a level that’s almost unheard of, Alm said. “I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this group.”

A former member of the 2016 Jazz-ology group, Lucia Perez, contributed to the win with current members including Saeteurn, Karst, Alm, tenor Jesse Chao and baritone NinoAngelo Lastimosa.

Austin said that it is CCC students who make up Jazz-ology and each year they bring to the table different strength and weaknesses.

“I’m very careful about the artistic choices and the level of difficulty that I present to the students,” she said, “I expect every student to give 150 percent at all times.”

Lastimosa said being a part of Jazz-ology has a perpetual feeling of constant growth and trust of musicianship.

“I feel as if I’m sharing one of the community’s strengths and talents,” she said.

Strong work ethic sustains paper’s legacy

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

When entering the room and seeing his name on the chalkboard, Photo Editor Denis Perez knew he had been elected as The Advocate’s editor-in-chief for the 2017-18 fall and spring semester.

Perez ran against two candidates, Associate Editor Michael Santone and Social Media Editor Efrain Valdez and won by a majority vote on May 10.

While the election took place, the three candidates were asked to leave the room.

As Perez, Santone and Valdez walked back into the Newsroom, located in AA-215, one name was left circled on the board, Perez, in an election run solely by the Advocate Editorial Board..

It has been a tradition since 1965 for The Advocate staff to elect its own editor-in-chief rather than have one appointed by a journalism professor.

“When I saw my name on the board, I thought about the people inside that know journalism and what it means to be a leader, taking into consideration everyone’s individuality of course,” Perez said. “I did feel a sense of accomplishment of being able to take on a responsibility that I may not be ready for.”

When he arrived at Contra Costa College, Perez said he started as a journalism major, but has now found a sense of direction in the field he wants to pursue, which is photojournalism.

“I got a camera in December 2014 and I see photojournalism as telling people’s stories through (photography),” Perez said.

As photo editor, Perez is in charge of taking photos for the weekly newspaper, but has taken it upon himself to learn multiple areas of media production.

His duties range from taking photographs, creating multimedia productions, writing articles, designing pages, circulating the paper and actively participating in

“You should learn everything about the newspaper. I am able to talk about different sections and know what can be done better because I have experienced it before.”

Denis Perez, photo editor

Editorial Board meetings to doing things as small as washing the dishes.

Perez spends countless hours in the Newsroom, Monday through Friday, to ensure he is completing the many tasks that he is responsible for.

“You can call it learning to be a jack of all trades. You should learn everything about the newspaper. I am able to talk about different sections (in the paper) and know what can be done better because I have experienced it before,” Perez said.

Journalism professor Paul DeBolt has seen Perez mature through the two years the photographer has been on staff.

“I noticed when he went through periods where he wasn’t really taking himself seriously,” DeBolt said.

“It was at the national convention (Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Convention) in Washington D.C. in October where it was like a switch flipped and he was all over the place taking pictures,” DeBolt said.

“He took it upon himself to cover the protests and marches and did some outstanding work with his photo and multimedia stories after the election,” DeBolt said.

Throughout Perez’ time at The Advocate, one attribute has contributed most to the progress the young journalist has made.

“Patience,” Perez said. “My patience level has improved, even though it gets tested at times. The whole process of growing togeth-

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Photo Editor Denis Perez was elected by his fellow staffers on May 10 as The Advocate’s editor-in-chief for the 2017-18 academic year.

er as a group has been fun. We are a new group and patience is going to be needed to develop our skills,” he said.

Perez said over the last two semesters he started to put himself on the forefront by covering protests and marches.

“If I humbled myself a bit more, I knew I could grow even more during all of the protests and marches.”

DeBolt said Perez is a positive person and has the ability to relate to people. “He is quietly confident. He is competent. He is not afraid to work hard,” the professor said.

Perez is the third editor-in-chief from El Cerrito High School who has led The Advocate. He is a 2014 graduate of ECHS.

“He is learning about journalism. He is in the process of understanding what is takes to be a serious journalist in 2017,” DeBolt said.

Sports/Opinion Editor Robert Clinton has seen Perez grow throughout his time on staff with The Advocate.

“Denis, is what I like to call feast or famine, meaning he is either going to do great or do bad. But I respect him because you don’t put yourself in a position to succeed without trying,” Clinton said.

“I respect his work ethic and how he immerses himself in any project that he is a part of. I am confident that he is confident in his ability to do this job and that’s the first step.”

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I think that allowing people to see what STEM is at Contra Costa College is a great way to promote the science in our community.” — Kelly Ramos, HSI STEM coordinator

ALGEBRA SESSIONS ELIMINATE ANXIETY

BY Yesenia Melara SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

ymelara.theadvocate@gmail.com

Through community, fun activities, college skills, math key concepts and support, the Math Jam program has helped students feel at ease and confident prior to their upcoming math courses.

Since fall 2016, 64 percent of students who have enrolled in a Math Jam session have successfully gotten a C or better in their math class. And out of those students who also completed Math Jam, 82 percent fully completed their semester math course.

Math Jam Program Coordinator Kelly Ramos said many students who have joined the program tend to feel anxious and are intimidated to take their upcoming math courses.

“We’ve noticed that students who are majoring in engineering or other majors that require math tend to feel discouraged because of the mechanics of math.

When this happens, they stop pursuing their majors and end up looking for something else,” Ramos said.

To ease the troubles that students might have, Math Jam offers a session dedicated to resources and skills that students can utilize.

Ramos said, “We let them know about all the services of which they can benefit from, such as financial aid, Food Pantry, counseling services and tutoring services. We also teach them how to take notes for their math class and how to read a math text book as they are very different from a regular book.”

Students who join Math Jam also get to know their classmates and proRamos fessors in a more relaxed and fun environment, Ramos said.

Adjunct math professor Glen Scott, who taught Math 118 during the last Math Jam session, said that getting to know students in an environment that is different than a regular class session is a fun and interesting experience.

“It’s a big commitment for these students to take their time to participate in Math Jam. But the reward is tremendous as they get ahead of those students who don’t participate in Math Jam,” Scott said.

Engineering major Rigel Luna, who participated in Math Jam said that he is glad he was able to have the opportunity to interact with other students who share the same insecurities in math courses.

Because students get to know their classmates during Math Jam, Ramos said she has noticed that students are excited to stick together during their regular math courses.

“They know each other, so they know the struggle and understand that each one of them is not alone,” Ramos said.

According to research by professors from the University of Spain, six out of 10 university students have math anxiety.

Tension, confusion or mental block can all be symptoms of the disorder.

Researchers have found that this anxiety is not driven by a lack of confidence or motivation.

Joining with other students tackling this fear is a benefit for all students involved, and through Math Jam, students who struggle with math will have the chance to gain confidence in the subject.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Engineering major Manuel Ayala (right) presents a rocket his team worked on during the semester during the inaugural Student Research Symposium event held in Fireside Hall on May 4.

STEM forum explores research findings

BY Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students presented the findings of their various scientific research projects on May 4 during the Inaugural Student Research Symposium event held in Fireside Hall.

Four groups presented their findings during the event.

Each research project featured different parts of the Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) Initiative.

The projects ranged from studying the soil of Urban Tilth’s farm, to the creation of an unmanned remote sensing rocket.

HSI STEM Coordinator Kelly Ramos said, “The students are doing real research with real findings. There is no wand waving.”

Engineering major Manuel Ayala was part of the team that helped develop the unmanned rocket. Ayala said he thinks the event was successful because everyone tried to make the complex presentations as simple as possible.

“I hate going to presentations that are overly technical. It makes people dislike science,” he said.

Ayala said there has been fewer and fewer students interested in STEM fields.

“By making things more simple people are drawn into the presentation and hopefully into the STEM field. I try

“This really teaches students how to present at a professional level and how to communicate their findings. It looks great on a resumé.”

— Alan Santistevan, geology professor

to place everyone on the same playing field,” Ayala said.

Political science major Talia Padilla said the great thing about the event is that it helps draw attention and gets students excited about science.

“This event really helps show people that science is not boring,” she said.

“I really think everyone was able to see a variety of projects and see how science is applied to different things,” she said.

Each group’s professor introduced their own students before the entrants presented their findings.

Geology professor Alan Santistevan said he originally started working with his students on their research projects before the event was in place.

While they planned, he worked to get his students a platform to present their work.

Ramos said Santistevan asked their department to set up this forum as a culmination of all the professional level research that the students have been doing.

Santistevan said, “This really teaches students how to present at a professional level and how to communicate their findings. It looks great on a resumé.”

He said the students’ research experience will benefit them no matter where they go from here.

Ramos said students will be doing a lot of presentations when they transfer to higher levels of education.

By having events like these they can dip their toes in different fields and begin developing the skills needed to present scientific findings, she said.

The presenters were given a short amount of time to go over their research.

Much of the deeper facts and processes of the research were explained following the presentation on poster boards.

Each group stood by their project following the speech portion of the event and waited to answer any questions attendees might have.

Ayala said the posters help showcase their findings. “Even at a community college we are doing great projects. We are showing the upper division schools that we can do it. We are proving that we aren’t nobodies.”

Ramos said the event had a great turnout and that she looks forward to working with the STEM team to continue to develop this event for next spring.

“I think that allowing people to see what STEM is at Contra Costa College is a great way to promote the science in our community,” Ramos said.

Chef demonstration brings taste of Italy

BY Dylan Collier ASSISTANT SCENE EDITOR

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

Italian Chef Felice Santodonato held a cooking demonstration on May 1 in the culinary classroom, SA-136.

He traveled approximately 6,250 miles from his hometown of Ciociaria, Italy to Contra Costa College to share his expertise of fine Italian cuisine with culinary arts students here.

He grew up on a farm in Italy and got his experience teaching at the Torcaboni Institute in Rome three years ago.

Additionally, he said his cooking experience stems from working many different expo events in Milan, while also teaching at the University of Rome.

“The three steps I abide by when cooking are first I smell the dish for the flavor, then I recognize the scent and finally I determine how to present the flavor,” Santodonato said.

The demonstration consisted of three phases: first he cooked and carefully tended to the pasta, then he finished cooking the chicken and finally he made an exquisite Risotto with much help from culinary student Joseph Wilkerson.

Wilkerson slowly stirred the Risotto as Santodonato periodically added ingredients

“You add sauce, little by little, and then finish cooking the pasta. It’s very common to add cheese to the dish when it’s hot and comes off the stove in Italy.”

Felice Santodonato, Italian chef

such as salt and parmigiano cheese.

“This was my first time cooking Risotto, but if I were to go to Italy I would make it exactly the same way with the same level of authenticity,” Wilkerson said.

One commonality within all Italian cuisine is periodically adding parmigiano cheese while the food is hot on the stove, rather than sprinkling it on after the food has already cooled down — something so many Americans get in the habit of doing.

For the pasta phase of the demonstration, Santodonato added the parmigiano an hour and fifteen minutes into the presentation, also, before he served it.

This helped the cheese blend into the texture of the dish. He tossed the pasta with the sauce, so everyone could observe the traditional Italian style in the making.

“You add sauce, little by little, and then

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Guest Chef Felice Santodonato demonstrates Italian cuisine cooking tips for culinary arts students in SA-136 on May 1.

finish cooking the pasta. It’s common to add cheese to the dish when it’s hot and comes off the stove in Italy,” Santodonato said.

The savory pasta, Alla Amatriciana, originated in the province of Reiti, which is a small town in the Lazio region.

The savory bite of the pasta was cooked al dente with thinly-sliced strips of chicken served the same way. In the old country, shepherds used to eat it-with the exception of the onions and garlic, he said.

Santodonato cooked the chicken on the stove for two hours on low heat with the skin side down to absorb all the flavors.

Everything felt authentic, not only because of how he cooked the food, but

because he used a special Italian ingredient.

Santodonato cooked all three courses with Quattrociocchi Superbo olive oil from the Lazio region, which roughly translates to “four-eyes superb olive oil.”

The crema sauce that Santodonato served with the chicken requires at least a half-hour of whisking on low heat, with milk as the base ingredient.

Culinary student Linda Montano said what she appreciated the most was learning the importance of cooking on the stove, rather than cooking in the oven.

“I enjoyed the level of originality Santodonato showed cooking on the stove top, just like they do in Italy,” Montano said.

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NONRESIDENT FEE BILL STALLED Senate

BY Roxana Amparo

Bill 68

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

exempts nonresidents from out-ofstate fee

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Under Senator Ricardo Lara’s proposed legislation, SB 68, two years of community college equates to current three-year requirements or that of a high school diploma or GED. The bill, which exempts undocumented students from paying the out-of-state fee of $283 per unit while attending a community college in California, is currently on hold and has been placed on suspension since April 17, according to the California State Legislative site.

Although the bill passed with a majority vote of seven from a Senate committee, the bill is suspended until further notice.

If approved by the Senate, undocu-

mented students will be able to qualify for in-state tuition at a $46 per unit fee at a California community college or a California State University.

The bill was introduced on Jan. 5 and amended for the first time on March 29.

District Director of Communications and Community Relations Timothy Leong said SB 68 was placed on suspense since it had expenses “beyond the allowable threshold.”

“If it comes off suspense, we project the item will be moved to the Senate Floor for a vote. However, should it be passed on the Senate floor, it will still need to be approved on the Assembly side and signed by the governor,” Leong said.

There are existing laws on the books for undocumented students, such as Assembly Bill 540, which was signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis on Oct.

“If it comes of suspense, we project the item will be move to the Senate Floor for vote. However, should it be passed on the Senate floor, it will need to be approved on the Assembly side and signed by the Governor.”

cate of equivalency.

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said AB 131, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2013, allows eligible undocumented students who meet the AB 540 criteria to apply for financial aid.

Rodriguez said the laws increase the chances for undocumented students to receive financial aid, but they already receive aid through other bills such as AB 540 — Timothy Leong, Rodriguez said with SB 68 in place, district director of communications the requirements might change or more might be added for undocumented stu12, 2001. dents to meet.

AB 540 exempts students from payThe undocumented students meeting nonresident tuition at CCC and ing the AB 540 criteria of completing other California community colleges three or more years at a California high and universities if the student attended school could also benefit from the pashigh school for at least three years and sage of SB 68. graduated, or received a GED or certifi-

BILL SHELTERS DACA RULINGS OVER FEDERAL PRESUMPTION

BY Denis Perez PHOTO EDITOR

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Undocumented students’ struggle for access to higher education inspired Assembly Bill 21 which reflects the immigrant community in California’s education system.

Assembly Bill 21 protects access to financial aid for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients if the federal program is terminated.

Thanks to DACA, initiated by the Obama Administration, the undocumented student community is able to attend college at an in-state resident rate.

With campaign promises that included the termination of DACA, the Trump Administration’s silence on the future of the program worries its current recipients.

Assembly member Ash Karla, who authored the bill, said all people, no matter of their immigration status, have the right to access affordable education.

There should not be any fear inside of the educational system. The system should protect students from thinking about dropping out of school because of fear, Karla said.

AB 21 also directs campuses to designate a liaison charged with providing resources monthly and notifying teachers and students if immigration enforcement agents are near or on campus.

ValdezIt also states campuses must Jimenez also create a policy that “limits assistance” to immigration services as much as the law permits.

Contra Costa College counselor Norma ValdezJimenez said there needs to be a heightened sense of awareness about what can be done to create support for the educational success of undocumented because “education is the great equalizer.”

She said even though CCC does value the contributions of undocumented students, not every campus in the state has made the resolution to opt for sanctuary status.

She said this is a direct response to the anti-immigration policies President Trump has put in place and urges campuses to support undocumented students.

“Fear still exists in everyday conversation,” ValdezJimenez said.

Many of the immigrant students that she has encountered on campus have expressed concerns about their future in the United States, she said.

Sometimes undocumented students know they are seen as “moochers” of government assistance, but in reality there is a persevering and self-improving culture among them in the educational system.

CODY CASARES/ THE ADVOCATE

Navy veteran and computer science major Gordon Su writes a paper on his laptop in the Veterans Resource Center in SA-101 on Monday.

Minimum standard of veterans’ services set with college centers

BY Cody Casares PHOTO EDITOR

ccasares.headvocate@gmail.com

California has approximately 1.8 million veterans who live in the state and more than 90 percent of veterans will enroll in the California Community College system according to Section 1 of California Community Colleges: Veterans Resource Center Senate Bill (SB 694).

SB 694 was passed on May 1 and is scheduled for a hearing on May 15.

It will task the California Community College Chancellor’s Office with ensuring that each of the 113 campuses throughout the state provide a dedicated on-campus Veteran Resource Center.

According to Section 1 of SB 694, student-veterans face unique challenges along their educational paths when dealing with physical and emotional disabilities during their transition back to civilian life.

“Veterans feel out of place coming to class. We’re not around people we would be around and veterans coming out of the military have to change their whole attitude,” Army veteran and CCC Vet Club President Steven Talaga said.

The bill, SB 694, sets baseline requirements for the centers laid out in Article 3 stating that all centers must be open 25 hours a week, be staffed by veterans

“Veterans feel out of place coming to class, period. We’re not around people we would be around while in class and veterans coming out of the military have to change their whole attitude.”

Steven Talaga,

veterans club president

when possible and be minimally 400 square feet. The centers must also provide enrolled veterans with academic and peer support counseling, financial aid assistance, access to computers with printing and copying capabilities and provide access to the Veterans Affairs (VA) certifying official for veterans.

The official serves as a liaison between student veterans and the veteran affairs branch office.

Talaga said that he struggled with the transition from the military to student life dealing with disruptive students and that the CCC Veteran Resource Center has provided a place of refuge from common stressors.

“The centers provide us a space away from noisy environments and other distractions. We can come here and

improve our grades,” he said.

Marine Corps veteran and VRC volunteer Dedan Ji Jaga said, “For me, talking to veterans on campus and off campus here in the VRC, there is that sense of camaraderie and comfort that is felt.”

ASU President Safi Ward-Davis said she supports having the requirement of being staffed by veterans. She said her father served in the military and while she can relate to veterans it’s only on a surface level.

“When you have a veteran who has experienced combat and is struggling with PTSD, if they have an episode, they need to be around other veterans they can talk to,” Ward-Davis said.

Ji Jaga said that organizations like the VFW and Disabled American Legion of U.S. Veterans play pivotal roles in helping veterans, but lack a message that resonates with younger vets. He said those organizations might continue to thrive, but will be unable to help the waves of veterans coming out in need.

Ji Jaga said the dialogue needs to continue and there needs to be a more inclusive environment across all the influences here on campus.

“Having a network of Veteran Resource Centers at all the community colleges throughout the state will change that influence,” Ji Jaga said.

LEGISLATION TO DEMAND HEALTHCARE TRANSPARENCY AB 1310

BY Robert Clinton

provides

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

liability facts, fails to pass Senate vote

SPORTS EDITOR

In an attempt to protect the retirement assets of nearly 300,000 civil servants, Republican State Assemblyman Travis Allen from Huntington Beach introduced legislation to clarify the financial uncertainty that many in the state face.

AB 1310 requires public retirement systems to disclose the unfunded liability and health care debt of the system on each statement that retirement management systems provide to their members.

Allen proposed the bill to offer, what he believes is, a more clear financial portrait of an employee’s retirement portfolio. According to Allen’s comments in the text of AB 1310, most of these employees are unaware of the magnitude of the mounting pension

gaps and the potential impact these gaps could have on their family’s future financial security. He also believes the additional information would help these employees understand this financial uncertainty, and will allow them to actively engage in the process to minimize that uncertainty.

The bill was voted on by Assembly members on April 19 and failed by a 5-2 margin, in a vote that was split down party lines.

Two Republicans of the seven-member committee voted in favor of the measure, which would have sent the bill up the legislative pipeline to an appropriations committee, while all of the Democrats on the committee voted no.

AB 1310 garnered no support from workers or public institutions that claim to have the best in mind for average Americans. “I haven’t even heard of the bill. I’d have to look it up before I made

any comment about it,” librarian and Distance Education Coordinator Judith Flum said.

H o w e v e r, Democratic members of the commit- Flum tee were not the only ones in opposition to the bill. CalSTRS, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System which provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits for California’s 914,454 elementary through community college level instructors, also opposes AB 1310.

CalSTRS is the largest teachers’ retirement fund in the U.S. and is one of the largest public pension funding institutions in the world. Cost effectiveness is not the reason for public opposition to the bill. If implemented, the operating cost of the proposal is

$18,000 according to its own public bill analysis would not significantly affect the fund’s operating budget.

According to CalSTRS public investment portfolio, as of Jan. 31, the institution manages a portfolio of public funds worth $198.7 billion at market value.

CalSTRS says it provides an annual member statement, or Retirement Progress Report, in early September to every active and inactive member of the Defined Benefits Program and all participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program.

“I’ve heard of the bill, but haven’t read it yet,” health education professor Sandra Everhart, who is retiring in June after 29 years at Contra Costa College, said. “It may be redundant, but it is important to have as much information as possible so potential retirees can be well informed.”

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Tales of heroism unite community Alpabe+ Club hosts pride forum, creates safe zone

BY Michael Santone ASSOCIATE EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

An array of colorful balloons danced outside of Fireside Hall May 9, as music, food and an inviting atmosphere welcomed Contra Costa College’s campus community to The Alphabe+ Club’s first major event of the semester.

“Out and About” celebrated the LGBT+ community while aiming to establish a space for meaningful conversation.

“The whole idea is to bring pride to the campus,” Alphabe+ Club President Mauricio Enrique Duarte said. “I want to give students and (staff) a platform that can possibly help other people.”

He said that the initial idea was to have a whole week of events, but with the semester winding down the Alphabe+ Club decided to aim for one big day of recognition.

As guests began to take their seats, Duarte made his way to the microphone.

The love and support could be felt emanating from the room, which radiated a calm and safe ambiance throughout the entire event. A panel discussion of safe zones around campus was first on the agenda.

Each committee member introduced themselves and the location of their individual safe zone. The panel included Student Life Coordinator Joel NickelsonShanks, Senior Executive Assistant to the President Michael Peterson, Dean of Equity and Institutional Effectiveness Mayra Padilla, library department Chairperson Andrew Kou and counselor Norman Valdez-Jimenez, who said, “I’m a proud member.”

After a round of applause, Duarte returned to the microphone to courageously discuss, along with the panelists, their stories of coming out to their families.

This was the focus of the event, as it exemplified the heart and soul of gay pride. “Sometimes we have different coming out stories,” Duarte said. “And sometimes individuals have multiple coming out stories.”

Peterson shared his heartfelt memories of coming out to his mother while his father was out of town.

“I knew since I was conscious, that I was different,” he said. Peterson said he remembers the fear and the uncertainty that held him back from telling his parents that he was gay. “I was lucky. I was able to tell my father, who accepted me,” he said.

Middle College High School student Junior Fernanda Mayorga said Duarte mentioned the event during their La Raza studies class and after she approached him with interest.

Mayorga, who identifies as asexual, was a part of the six-member panel and shared her coming out story

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Alphabe+ Club President Enrique Duarte hold up a “Safe Zone” sign during his club’s “Out and About” even in Fireside Hall on May 9.

“Sometimes we have different coming out stories. And sometimes individuals have multiple coming out stories.

— Mauricio Enrique Duarte, Alpabe+ Club president

after Peterson.

She said it wasn’t hard coming out, but getting her parents to listen was the real challenge. “They didn’t want to consider it,” she said. Mayorga said it was her sister who really played a part in being there when she needed someone to talk to.

Other members of the panel included math professor Sue Van Hattum and Duarte, who closed out the event with his own heart tugging coming out story.

Duarte said as his father’s first born son, his dad really wanted him to be manly and play sports but he wasn’t into that.

He said it was a struggle going to middle and high school because bullying incidents that happened in elementary school followed him into his teenage years.

“These situations really made me doubt myself.”

Duarte said that he finally came out to his dad during a big argument when he was 17 years old.

After being kicked out of the house, Duarte said he went down a bad path.

“My dad saw how bad I was doing and he told me to come back home,” Duarte said. As the event concluded, the audience, now noticeably smaller, maintained a feeling of unity and acceptance that filled the room.

Padilla asked for the microphone and closed out the afternoon with words of admiration.

“Your leadership has been so beautiful to see,” she said to Duarte. “I am so proud of the work you have done.”

Duarte said that planning an event like this was hectic, but everyone who helped was extremely dedicated and encouraging.

“It means a lot. I’m really appreciative and proud of everyone who was involved.”

Van Hattum said she’s been teaching at CCC for 16 years and nothing like this has ever been done. “It’s really beautiful to see faculty come out and support.”

Policy revision to bolster rule Fliers cause damages to buildings’ walls

BY Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

Student Life Coordinator Joel NickelsonShanks is drafting revisions to the policy for bulletin board use at Contra Costa College.

Nickelson-Shanks said he is working on the final changes before bringing it to College Council Committee for final review, approval and implementation.

According to CCC’s Procedures Handbook, the Operations Council has not revised the original bulletin board policy since Oct. 26, 2009.

Director of Marketing and Media Design Brandy Howard said the handbook needs to be updated to reflect the growth of the campus. The draft of the updated policy no longer requires volunteers and custodial staff to periodically check the bulletin boards.

Instead it would place that responsibility upon student ambassadors, managed by Nickelson-Shanks.

This updated draft also states that anyone who wants to post a flier on a bulletin boards on campus must bring 20-25 copies to the Student Life Office for approval, he said.

Despite the policies currently in place, the college is still dealing with fliers and advertisements being placed on walls.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said he has seen fliers with Middle College High School events posted on the walls of the Applied Arts Building.

“It is against school policy,” King said.

“You are not supposed to post stuff off the bulletin boards. If you use tape you end up ripping the paint off the walls, and if you use pins you are making holes.”

College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said that she has seen items taped to walls of the General Education Building and has brought it to the attention of NickelsonShanks.

Nickelson-Shanks said that Mehdizadeh instructed him to take down fliers posted on walls or anywhere that is not a bulletin board. Nickelson-Shanks, however, said, “There is currently nothing written in the policy saying there are any consequences for posting fliers off of the bulletin boards.” If the revision is approved, he said the Student Life Office will now be responsible for most the bulletin boards on campus with the excep-

tion of the department owned bulletin boards.

The bulletin boards Student Life will be responsible for overseeing include those in the AA Building, Art Building, Biology NickelsonBuilding, Computer and Shanks Technology Center, GE Building, Health Science Building, Library and Learning Resource Center, Music Building, Physical Science Building, Student and Administration Building, Student Services Center and the Campus Center Plaza.

Nickelson-Shanks said, “We re trying to be more organized about following the policy and figuring out who will be responsible for them.”

PANEL EMPOWERS STUDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL DREAMS La Raza classes help Latino students find identity, direction

“La Raza gave me a sense of identity. In a way, it made me feel empowered” Alejandro Gonzalez,

Contra Costa College alumnus

BY Yesenia Melara SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

ymelara.theadvocate@gmail.com

Through La Raza studies, students have transformed themselves into educational leaders, become knowledgeable about their people and culture, gained self-confidence and realized a renewed sense of empowerment.

During the second annual La Raza studies Inter-generational Panel on College Success, six guest speakers talked about how through La Raza studies, they were able to achieve their educational goals.

The discussion-style event was held in GE-225 on May 4.

The speakers were transfer students, graduate students and recent college graduates.

For most of these students, the stories they shared were of their own struggles. Some spoke about living in non-supportive Latino families, rough life experiences or the struggles they faced once they transferred to fouryear universities.

Although for these students and those who are now professionals, they said that they felt encouraged and a sense of belonging when they were introduced to La Raza courses.

Guest speaker Katherine Garcia, who is currently attending UC Berkeley, said

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Guest speaker Katherine Garcia shares how La Raza studies helped her to pursue her passion in theater during the La Raza Studies student panel.

through ethnic studies she was able to pursue her passion in theater.

Garcia said after her high school graduation she felt lost. She did not know what do, so she enrolled at Contra Costa College.

She took theater courses, culinary courses and then went back to taking theater. But through her journey she kept dropping her classes.

It wasn’t until she took a La Raza course that she felt encouraged to pursue her passion.

“I started learning about my history and

culture,” Garcia said. “Because of La Raza studies I was able to connect my culture to my love of theater.

“Our (Latino) stories matter, but they are not being heard. So through my passion for theater I’m able to share all of these unheard stories,” she said.

Like Garcia, guest speaker and transfer student Alejandro Gonzalez found his identity and encouragement through ethnic studies at UC Berkeley.

“After graduating from Richmond High School, I transferred to a state (university),

but later decided to attend CCC because I wasn’t prepared enough to attend a state school,” Gonzalez said When Gonzalez enrolled at CCC, one of the first classes he took was in La Raza studies.

“La Raza gave me a sense of identity. In a way, it made me feel empowered,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also advised students to make their voices heard.

“Allow your voice to be heard. (In years past), most of us (Latinos) didn’t have the privilege to pursue higher education. Now we can, so make your voice count,” he said.

Maggie Elmore, a Ph.D. candidate in the department of history at UC Berkeley, advised students to ask questions and ask for help.

“People at a UC sound smart, but most of the time they are feeling lost. So don’t be afraid to ask any questions in class,” said Elmore.

Guest speaker Julio Magana, a Cal graduate and professional, advised students to pursue all of their passions.

“It’s OK to have multiple passions. You don’t have to pick just one,” he said.

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Squad wins Bay Valley Conference, carries legacy

sports

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Competitors embody integrity, tenacity

PAGE B2

SQUAD MOVES UP A DIVISION, STRUGGLES TO CLINCH WINS PAGE B3

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

EDUARDO ESCAMILLA & MEN’S SOCCER

DIERRA MIZE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla and guard Dierra Mize earned 2016-17 Athlete of the Year honors for their leadership and outstanding performances on and off the field and court.

— COMPLETE STORIES AND HONORABLE MENTIONS: PAGES B4 AND B5 —

Team misses playoff berth despite strong effort PAGE B6

ATHLETES RECOGNIZED FOR STANDOUT PERFORMANCE Accomplishments of four Comets in Bay Valley Conference earn them honorable mentions.

PAGE B4 & B5

Volleyball team finally earns victory PAGE B3

Games reward brains, vigor Promise of financial support motivates Olympic contestants

By Denis Perez PHOTO EDITOR

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

All participants of the first Contra Costa College Olympics received $100 for completion of all the events while first place was awarded $500, second place $350 and third place $250 on the Soccer Field on Saturday.

Incoming Associated Student Union Parliamentary Officer Jackie Ortiz said the ASU’s event aimed to create scholarship opportunities for students, while at the same time getting them outside to exercise and have fun at the end of the year.

Emergency medical technician major and All-Conference Comet soccer player Eduardo Escamilla said he is using the first place money for either fees for the police academy or EMT training.

“It’s funny. I heard about this event yesterday and signed up last night,” he said.

Escamilla, one of the only college students to participate, said this event could have been bigger.

“Despite low engagement at the end of the day, it is a team effort between the school and the students to make an event successful. This school has a good spirit,” he said.

He said this event was a positive experience for anyone who came through.

The Olympics competition was not only based on athletic prowess.

Brain games also balanced out the competition.

The competitive games featured a timed mile run around the soccer field, an obstacle course, a round of trivia questions, a push-up contest, an eating contest and a written test.

Canned peaches were used to accommodate the eating portion of

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

the competition.

Since its announcement earlier this semester, Ortiz said the organizers of the event were able to sign up 30 students. However, only nine participants showed up.

Ortiz said as she was organizing the CCC Olympics the marketing campaign went really well, but then it became difficult to sign people up to participate.

She said advertising was done for the event through fliers and word of mouth, but with finals close by and the event being on the weekend, logistics deterred possible participants from attending.

Biology major Danasia Allison said because Finals Week creates stress on her body, she used the event to get her mind off school and studying. “It is more a stress reliever than anything,” she said.

Allison said the CCC Olympics

allowed her to experience a way to have fun with the community.

“I’ve never been to something like this,” she said.

Apart from the free food — Subway sandwiches, pizza and ice cream — Allison enjoyed the onemile run around the Soccer Field.

The event encouraged friends and family members of contestants to come out and support participating students.

James Daily, Richmond resident, said he came out to support his younger sister, Allison.

Daily said he appreciates CCC as the “college in his backyard” where he can take his daughter on weekends. At the end, all the students who participated left with an optimistic view of returning to school, especially the ones with assurance of picking up checks at the ASU Office on the next business day.

ABOVE: Middle College High School student Jason Saephan participates in the push up contest portion of the first Contra Costa College Olympics on the Soccer Field on Saturday.

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Comet forward Anthony Maytum (right) runs to midfield to celebrate with his teammates after scoring a goal in stoppage time during CCC’s 1-0 win against Napa Valley College at the Soccer Field on Nov. 11, 2016. The goal sealed the BVC championship for the Comets.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Squad repeats as conference champs

BY Efrain Valdez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The men’s soccer team finished the 2016 season as back-to-back Bay Valley Conference champions with an overall record of 12-8-2.

For the entirety of the season, the team went through periods of adversity, first with a seven-game losing streak, followed by an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season.

“The preseason is to see what level we are on and to compare ourselves to the best teams in the state,” men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said. “The game against Fresno City College at the Lake Tahoe tournament was a YEAR IN real wake up call for us.”

REVIEW In the first game of the season the Comets Overall record: 12-8-2 played against Fresno where the team lost 9-3 Conference in a blowout. record: 8-1-1 In that game, most of Conference the damage happened in finish: the first half.

First “Games like those really help us measure ourselves against the rest of the state and it prepares us for the postseason,” Ferguson said.

He said that having a team with only two returning starters was tough because of the inexperience that was on the field to start a game of that magnitude.

That loss provided a learning platform for the young team which rebounded to win the last two games of the tournament.

During the losing streak, the Comets lost against some tough opposition from

“We wanted to outdo ourselves and do more than just repeat as conference champions and make history for this program.”

— Eduardo Escamilla, Comet goalkeeper

all around Northern California. Teams like Las Positas College, City College of San Francisco and Evergreen Valley College were all teams that Ferguson scheduled to get his team ready for the rigors of BVC play.

“I think we can compete with those teams, it’s just that the end results of those early games didn’t reflect that,” Comet defender Eduardo Lara said.

After a slow start to begin conference play, CCC tied 1-1 against Merritt College and lost 2-1 to Mendocino College. The Comets gained confidence by beating up on two weaker teams, Yuba College and the College of Marin, coming away with 3-0 victories against each.

“Our team had a very challenging preseason schedule and the young team had to adjust to the college game,” Ferguson said.

Those games against the weaker teams in the conference helped the team gain confidence in putting the ball in the back of the net.

The Comets created a healthy number of scoring opportunities throughout the entirety of the season, however the team couldn’t convert at a consistent rate during the preseason losing streak.

“When we started finding the back of the net, the results started coming,” Ferguson said.

“We wanted to outdo ourselves and do

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Comet George Burrows (left) and Eagle Jose Araiza battle for possession of the ball during CCC’s 2-1 loss to Mendocino College at the Soccer Field Sept. 30, 2016.

more than just repeat as conference champions and make history for this program,” Escamilla said.

Even though the team managed a big winning streak at the end of the season, Napa Valley College stayed on CCC’s tail until the final conference game.

It set up a night where the winner of the game would take the BVC and clinch a spot in the playoffs.

The Comets beat Napa 1-0, with a stoppage time goal, in the last game of the season to secure the BVC title.

More importantly, the team played its best soccer in a winner-take-all, high-pressure game.

Ferguson said the team worked past challenges and that they were just happy to be the driver’s seat going into playoffs regardless of their seed.

“We just had to make the most of this chance.” Ferguson said.

CCC had been ousted in the state playoffs in the first round in over the last two seasons before facing De Anza College this season.

The Dons were considered a favorite to beat the Comets.

CCC was oozing with confidence before the game, but it was not enough to beat the Dons. De Anza scored three set pieces against the Comets in the game and took the contest, 3-1.

■ OFF THE RECORD

COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETES LACK CONCUSSION CARE I Absence

of head injury

treatment risks athletes’ safety

n a world where sports captivate millions of people of all ages, genders, nationalities and religions, the term “concussion” instills a collective chill down the backs of everyone.

Professional and Division I college athletes receive some of the best treatment available for these injuries. So, what happens to those athletes who aren’t fortunate enough to attend a college that can provide them with top of the line medical treatment?

The NCAA has gotten together with U.S. Department of Defense to start keeping track of all head injuries that happen during athletic participation in all its sports.

Community college student-athletes are left out of these data bases because the NCAA and the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) are two separate entities.

The NJCAA does not have the same access to the multi-million dollar medical facilities that institutions like UCLA or Duke University have.

But why can’t the NJCAA invest in protecting its athletes?

The NJCAA and its member colleges don’t necessarily have to provide multi-million dollar

efrainvaldez medical facilities, but they should provide the data.

They currently have no collection of concussion stats and data because they don’t require their members to report that information.

Also, the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), which governs community college athletics in our state including Contra Costa College, does not provide any information on its website on concussions or head injuries.

The CCCAA and the NJCAA need to be called out for not mandating a system that would require care for their student-athletes that is up to the quality given to NCAA Division I athletes. And if these groups that govern two-year college athletics aren’t up to the task, state and local governments

should be.

Here at CCC the only readily available source of medical care is the athletic trainer. A doctor is required to be on hand at football games, but not at other athletic events. And of course not at practices.

It is easy to point to tight budgets and blame them for the lack of protection that the college can provide its student-athletes.

So local and state governments must take a greater responsibility to initiate, and fund, a system that would impose a nationwide concussion protocol to protect their students when a concussion or head injury occurs on a field of play.

Making sure that two-year colleges have an athletic training staff consisting of more than a single person could be an improvement that would greatly benefit student-athletes at schools like CCC. After student-athletes at a community college suffer a concussion, they are evaluated by the athletic trainer and are either cleared to play or sent to a hospital.

And after a few days, many of these student-athletes, who are suspected of having a concussion,

don’t go get a follow-up checkup.

According to studies and statistics collected by the NCAA and Columbia University, 47 percent of athletes do not report feeling any symptoms immediately after a concussive blow.

Because of this fact, colleges should provide their athletic trainers with the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) so they can protect their student-athletes from further injuring their brain.

This tool will almost guarantee that student-athletes will not be misdiagnosed by trainers.

Junior and community college student-athletes need the same protection as those who compete for NCAA member colleges.

We need to stop ignoring the needs of community college athletes when it comes to treating concussions. The NCAA, NJCAA and CCCAA all need to have the same procedures to guarantee that all collegiate student-athletes receive the same care for traumatic head injuries.

Efrain Valdez is the social media editor for The Advocate. Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail. com

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Comet wide receiver Marquis Pippins catches the ball for a touchdown during 42-34 win against Modesto Junior College at Comet Stadium on Sept. 28.

Better conference competition challenges team, spurs growth

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

After living life as a big fish in a small pond, the football team began its 2016 campaign by entering uncharted waters after shifting conferences to one of the toughest in Northern California, the National Bay 6 Conference.

Now aligned with local powerhouses like City College of San Francisco and the College of San Mateo, Contra Costa College put itself to the ultimate test after dominating in the Bay Valley Conference in the 2012-13 season and then in the Pacific 7 Conference in the 2014-15 years before making the ultimate leap last fall.

“The best way to sum this season up is as a learning experience,” coach Pat Henderson said. “We were in a new league with better competition. We need to continue to do the things that allow us to compete at a high level.

“Focusing on academics, coaching and

the weight room, coupled with utilizing all the resources available on campus, are things we will be doing more of this year.”

Although confidence was high, the Comets (3-7 overall and 2-3 in the Bay 6) got off to a rough start at the onset of the season.

The team was riding the performance of record-setting quarterback Cameron Burston, and believed his athletic acumen and will to win may be enough to carry the team to the level of success to which it had become accustomed.

The Comets lost their first game 55-47 in the final seconds at the College of the Sequoias in 90 degree heat on the road in Visalia.

On their final possession of the game, they drove 46 yards in four plays setting up a final pass into the end zone to win the game.

But in the final second Burston was intercepted attempting a pass to sophomore receiver Tyrone Morgan on the goal line, effectively ending the game.

“It was a brotherhood, even though our

final record wasn’t what we wanted it to be,” Morgan said. “Each week we got closer and pushed each other.”

In that COS contest, Burston threw for 345 YEAR IN yards, completed 23 of 45 pass attempts and REVIEW his notched six touchdowns Overall in the loss. record: 3-7 “This season we Conference grew closer and got record: 2-3 better. Some of us have Conference a chance to move on finish: to bigger and better Fourth things,” Burston, who signed with Cal StateFresno, said. “The things that we did positive this year we are going to build on to make the squad better next year.”

The Comets lost their second game by three points and lost another two games this year by a touchdown or less.

The season did offer a handful of high points for the team this year.

After moving to the Bay 6, Comet fans were anxious to play district rival Diablo Valley College in football for the first time in more than five seasons. The game lived up to expectations as at halftime the score was knotted, 7-7.

With Burston having one of his more pedestrian performances, winning the game would be left to the defensive players, specifically, defensive end James Eggleston.

The sophomore totaled eight tackles, half a sack and recovered a blocked extra point attempt for an impromptu 2-point conversion.

On that play, Eggleston scooped up a blocked extra-point attempt and rambled over, around and through would-be defenders before crossing the goal line for the conversion, solidifying a 28-20 Comet victory.

“It was just an average season. We could have done a lot better,” Eggleston said. “The team should continue to improve next season because of the added discipline throughout the program.”

OVERALL LOSSES OVERSHADOWED BY DEVELOPMENT Team finishes with better record than last year

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

Although the volleyball team finished with a 2-18 overall record in 2016, it showed improvement over its zero-win total in the 2015 season.

The team’s 1-11 Bay Valley Conference record was just enough to keep it from finishing in the bottom slot in the final conference standings.

Despite its lackluster win total, the team was in position to win many of its games, including a heartbreaking five-set loss to YEAR IN Laney College Oct. 21 in REVIEW on Oakland.

Overall “We had record: 2-18 a good year Conference and had fun. record: 1-11 We actually Conference won games finish: this year and Fifth we could have won more,” coach Christy Tianero said.

“Those games against Laney were close. We made a lot of progress this season.”

The Comets showed improvement this season after finding closure following the spring 2016 death of former team coach and mentor to Tianero, Zach Shrieve.

The team is still in the midst of rebuilding, but avoiding back-toback winless seasons was a good start.

In that game, CCC and the Eagles exchanged winning sets with the Comets winning the first and third and Laney owning the second and fourth.

CCC missed an opportunity to close out the best of three match in the fourth set after losing continuity, which allowed Laney to roar

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

“We had a good year and had fun. We actually won games this year and we could have won more.”

Christy Tianero, volleyball coach

back from behind and steal the set 25-21.

The mishap extended the game to a fifth and deciding set.

In the fifth set, the match remained evenly fought. The set was defined by its back and forth lead changes with the Eagles finally outlasting CCC 17-15.

In the game, Comets Justine Ayson and Jacqueline Tianero each notched 14 digs. Offensively, CCC outside hitters Alejandra Galvez

and Deanna Craighead totaled nine and seven kills, respectively.

CCC freshman setter Joshleen Ayson also had a well-rounded game statistically, racking up nine digs, two kills and 17 assists.

One of the goals this season for the Comets was to work better as a unit by communicating better and picking each other up when all seemed lost.

Sophomore Amy Palomares, who played on two winless squads in her freshman year at CCC, the volleyball and softball teams, knows the importance of sticking together when the odds seem insurmountable.

“The season went better than last year because we had good chemistry,” she said. “We just didn’t start training together early

enough to build on it and reach our full potential.”

As with many of the women’s sports in the BVC, participation rates dictate a large percentage of what will carry a team from average to successful.

In 2016, more women joined the Comet team at the beginning of the season. But injuries and attrition dwindled the Comet roster down to just seven players by the time the season ended.

“We had strong ties with one another, we lifted each other up and protected one another,” Joshleen Ayson said.

She said in order for the team to continue to improve, they most enhance their conditioning regimen and know who and what to prioritize.

ABOVE: Comet right setter Joshleen Ayson (left) and middle blocker Justine Ayson (right) deny a spike by Laney College outside hitter Claire McKee during CCC’s 3-0 win in the Gymnasium on Sept. 20.

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Two-sport athlete defines determination, leadership

By Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

When team leaders are imagined, one may envision a player dripping with bravado, openly strutting an athletic dominance that lets the public know they are the main attraction of any sporting event.

For 5 feet 5 inch freshman point guard Dierra Mize, her quiet confidence and unassuming demeanor, led her to being named First Team All-Bay Valley Conference and helped the Comets finish one game away from postseason play.

“I was surprised that I was recognized. I know that there was a lot of competition at my position. Playing on this level was definitely a challenge. The game is faster than in high school,” Mize said. “It was fun and we played pretty well this year. But next year we’ll be better.”

For her efforts on the basketball court and softball field, Mize has been named The Advocate Female Athlete of the Year for 2016-17.

The freshman said she needs to improve her shooting and dribbling, but her most important job is keeping the team together.

“We kind of fell apart at the end of the year and it’s my responsibility to keep us all on the same page,” she said.

Mize began playing basketball at age 10, two years after being introduced to softball. Her older brother played basketball and some of his teammates had sisters who were the same age as his own. The girls formed their own team, for fun in the beginning, but continued to play together in some respect into their high school years.

The African-American studies major was a twosport athlete at nearby Hercules High School, playing both softball and basketball, before graduating in 2016.

She also played for the Comet softball team before the squad forfeited its season after playing just four games.

In the softball team’s first doubleheader of the year against Los Medanos College on March 14, Mize unleashed the most exciting moment in the team’s short season. After striking out in her first at bat, the freshman returned to the plate and smashed a shot into shallow right field in her second plate appearance.

Mize challenged the right fielder’s arm and stretched the hit into a double. As the second baseman lost track of the ball, Mize continued to round the bases, picking up a head of steam while rounding third base toward home.

The Comet softball crowd cheered louder than it had in two seasons as Mize crossed home plate, notching an inside the park home run.

Where the freshman Comets’ potential was unrealized on the softball field, it was fully recognized on the basketball court.

Mize showed potential from the moment the 2016 season started for the Comets.

Admittedly not recruited out of high school by first-year Comet coach Vince Shaw, Mize’s consistent play quickly earned her a starting spot on the freshman-heavy squad.

“It’s hard for a freshman to come in and be consistent. However, Mize has a good attitude, never misses a day and always works hard,” Shaw said.

“She has leadership qualities that she tries to shy away from sometimes, but it’s naturally in her. I saw it early on.”

In her first year of college competition, Mize compiled a stat line that garnered acclaim among coaches through the conference. In 24 games she averaged 10 points, on 32 percent shooting, while shooting 25 percent from behind the arc.

ATHLETES OF

“(Mize) is a very encouraging and uplifting teammate. When I felt like giving up, she pushed us to continue to fight.”

— Keyauna Harris, freshman forward

The point guard also averaged five rebounds and two assists per game.

“She (Mize) is a very encouraging and uplifting teammate. When I felt like giving up, she pushed us to continue to fight,” freshman forward Keyauna Harris said. “She knows all of our strengths on the court and she uses that to make us better.”

Mize scored above her average in 13 games this season with her high of 21 coming at the end of the season when the team believed it still had a chance to make the playoffs.

In that game, a 77-44 victory against the College of Marin, Mize only shot 4-13 from the field and 2-7 from behind the 3-point line. Despite a poor shooting effort, the point guard made her mark in the contest by driving the lane and forcing the Mariners into committing fouls.

Against Marin, Mize got to the free throw line 13 times and made 11 of those attempts.

She added four assists and four steals with no turnovers.

What Mize lacks in dead-eye shooting, she makes up for with defense, intensity and leadership. With only one sophomore on the team, it was only natural that a leader emerge from all of the new faces that make up the Comet roster.

The freshman made her presence felt early in the season for the team.

After its first game, a 64-56 loss to Modesto Junior College at the Las Positas Tournament in Livermore, Mize did her part to make sure the team came away victorious in the second game.

In that game the next day, Nov. 10 against Lassen College, Mize put forth a well-rounded effort that filled her box score.

In just her second game, the freshman shot 4-9, tallying 11 points while making 2-5 from behind the 3-point line.

She also grabbed six rebounds, and had six assists with two steals.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Dierra Mize Comet point guard Dierra Mize earned First Team All-Bay Valley Conference honors in her first year as starting point guard for the Comets. Her impact was felt in the stat books as well as in the huddle, as her leadership qualities helped propel the freshman toward success.

This season, Mize averaged 10 points and five rebounds and nearly three assists per game. Mize also played in three games for the softball team this year and smacked an inside-the-park home run in the team’s first home game this season.

FOOTBALL

Cameron Burston Burston followed up his spectacular freshman season by earning National Bay 6 First Team honors and will be enrolling into the University of New Mexico this fall.

The 6 feet 4 inch quarterback played in all 10 games for the Comets this year and tallied 1,701 passing yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 521 yards with four touchdowns.

VOLLEYBALL

Alejandra Galvez Outside hitter and middle blocker Alejandra Galvez helped her team to a 2-18 overall record.

The volleyball team finished the season with a 1-11 record in the Bay Valley Conference.

She was a vital force in the overall defense of the team and anchored the team’s intensity at the net. Galvez is preparing for a future in STEM related employment having already interned at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

orts

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Goalie spearheads push to BVC championship Despite having the talent to play NCAA soccer, keeper opts for life of public service

“In my second year, I felt much more comfortable, got a better feel for the game and set high expectations to change myself.”

By Efrain Valdez

Eduardo Escamilla,

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Comet goalie

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

After a season as captain and leading one the most competitive men’s soccer teams in Contra Costa College history, goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla has been named The Advocate Male Athlete of the Year for 2016-17.

Escamilla had enough credits to leave CCC after his first year playing but still had another year of eligibility.

He wanted to come back because of the bonds he built with the coaches and his teammates. Also, it was to help continue moving the soccer program in the right direction.

“Hopefully the next players that come play for this team in the future can build something special from what we have accomplished over the last few years,” Escamilla said.

“He could have left in the spring of 2016 to attend the police academy but he wanted to stay and do another year of school,” coach Nikki Ferguson said.

Escamilla said aside from loving the game, he came back because this school has been good to him and he felt at home at CCC. “I felt like I had a very tight bond with CCC and I wanted to continue to build that here,” Escamilla said.

“For this last season I set high expectations for myself and the team, we wanted to go further than winning the conference. We wanted to become a state title contenders.

“I tried to instill confidence in my teammates when morale was down in the tough moments, that’s something that stood out to me. It’s important to keep moving forward,” Escamilla said.

Even though the Comets lost again in the first round of the state playoffs. This time, against De Anza College in a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat.

Against the Dons, all of the goals were scored in set pieces but Escamilla had one of his best games of the season by keeping the team from getting in a deep hole early.

“He was a silent leader for us in the back, he was the captain

because he was a doer,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said that he was a good leader because he just went out and played the game with total concentration.

“We could have given up many times but we didn’t, I was just trying to be a positive influence and just play the game,” Escamilla said.

Being a goalkeeper is a position that receives little praise in the world of soccer because they are only remembered for the goals they allow.

Ferguson said that Escamilla understood that he wasn’t a perfect player and he tried to understand that the ball had to get through 10 other players in order for it to get to him.

Napa Valley College men’s soccer coach Les Carroll said that in the final game against CCC Escamilla made some world class saves that held his team to a clean sheet.

“He played a great game that benefited his team and ultimately made the difference,” Carroll said about Escamilla’s final game.

Ferguson said Escamilla is a resilient player and person, also, that he stepped up on many occasions throughout the season.

Escamilla said that in his first season he developed his own style of play even though he was nervous when he first joined the team.

“In my second year, I felt much more comfortable, got a better feel for the game and set higher expectations to challenge myself,” Escamilla said.

As coach, Ferguson also saw the maturity level rise in his keeper.

“In his second year playing I saw a different side of him, he was opening up more with his teammates and became a more outgoing person,” Ferguson said. “As he opened up he became more conversational which created a bond and trust with his teammates.”

“We made history in my first year as men’s coach by winning the championship that our program hadn’t won in 10 years. We did it again by winning a second consecutive title,” he said.

Escamilla said it hurt to lose in the first round of the playoffs again and if he had a chance to play another year he would have done it.

He posted six clean sheets in the season which was the highest by a Bay Valley Conference goalkeeper in overall play.

Escamilla never had problems with his conduct on the field and was an exemplary leader and captain of the most successful team on campus this year.

This season was filled with consistent play, extraordinary highlights and constant leadership in the back for him.

He said he is extremely grateful for the time he has spent here on the team and at the school.

“I want to thank all of my teammates, past and present, I also want to thank my coaches for being a part of my athletic career,” Escamilla said. “We accomplished many things together.”

MEN’S SOCCER

Eduardo Escamilla Comet goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla started in 19 games for the Comets this season and totaled 71 saves in nearly 1,699 minutes of play. The sophomore goalkeeper has been one of the cornerstones of the Comets’ tenacious defense.

His efforts have contributed to the team winning consecutive Bay Valley Conference championships and earning three straight playoff appearances. Escamilla’s soccer acumen has earned him the opportunity to play on the NCAA level, however, he has chosen a career helping people as an EMT.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

BASEBALL

Kolman Kelly

John Velasco

As a freshmen, Kolman Kelly rallied the team, by averaging 8.8 points per game. He made 46 percent of his overall shots from the field and 25 percent of his three-point attempts.

Additionally, he helped out his teammates by scoring 37.5 percent of his free throws.

Overall, he helped the team establish a presence by shooting inside the paint, which catapulted the confidence of the young squad, resulting in a 7-9 Bay Valley Conference finish.

Despite a late-season injury, third baseman John Velasco was a crucial contributor to the overall performance of the Comet defense and offense, earning him a spot on the Bay Valley All-Conference team.

He was an adaptable player not only batting, but through his agility and swiftness he acquired 15 stolen bases.

Velasco scored 27 runs, hit five home runs, and had a .350 batting average combined with an overall on-base percentage of .521.

PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES AND DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 5.17.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

SQUAD BREAKS EVEN, MISSES PLAYOFF BERTH Basketball team’s inconsistent play dooms fresh start

BY Efrain Valdez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

The women’s basketball team managed to finish with a 13-13 overall record despite only having five players at the end of the season.

First-year coach Vince Shaw took over a very successful program that had been led by former coach Paul DeBolt.

The team kicked the season off by hosting the annual Comet Classic basketball tournament that draws teams from across the region.

“These tournaments are to prepare us for conference play. This is just a building block that will help us grow,” Shaw said.

They finished fourth the tournaYEAR IN in ment thanks REVIEW to a heartOverall breaking record: 13-13 defeat against Conference their rivals record: 8-6 from Laney Conference College. finish: In the game, Fifth referees completely missed a few calls in the final seconds of the game that took the Comets out of the contest.

“That was a prime example of community college basketball and the officiating we have to deal with,” Shaw said.

As the season progressed, the team found continuity and managed to win nine out of 13 games.

Just as things began to take shape for the Comets, the team failed to field a regulation squad for the final game of the season.

That game was ultimately forfeited which ended the season on bad terms.

The Comets struggled to find a winning streak in the middle part of the season which actually determined the team’s eventual elimination from playoff contention.

“We missed a lot of opportuni-

“

We missed a lot of opportunities to better our chances at making the playoffs.”

— Dierra Mize, Comet guard

“We provoked many self-inflicting wounds and couldn’t get that consistency that is vital to winning these close ballgames.”

Vince Shaw,

women’s basketball coach

ties to better our chances at making the playoffs.” guard Dierra Mize said.

“I felt like the team managed to play very well in stretches.”

The team was not necessarily bad, CCC just couldn’t play consistent good basketball throughout the season.

“We provoked many self-inflicting wounds and couldn’t get that consistency that is vital to winning these close ballgames,” Shaw said.

Shaw is now in the process of recruiting players for next season and is leaving the struggles from last season in the past.

“I’m generally good with people once they get here,” Shaw said.

“If you’re a good person, with a working attitude, we can make things happen here.”

Guard Victoria Lopez said she met Mize and immediately started bonding, even before the season started, which helped the chemistry that the team shared.

Shaw said that his players are all good people and are committed to the process of improving as a team.

He will continue to pursue players that are hard working, good people to raise the percentage of having a successful season.

BVC play ended in disappointing fashion thanks to injuries and off the court issues, but the team is determined to put this past season behind them.

One of the glaring issues with the team is the lack of depth at key positions.

The team has suffered for the last few years because of low participation rates but it has still managed to remain competitive.

Shaw and the team want to improve participation through recruiting and better marketing of the program.

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Comet forward Keyauna Harrison goes up for a shot with Mustang guard Margot Vrana’s hand in her face during CCC’s 64-45 win against Los Medanos College in the Gymnasium on Jan. 27.

Comets finish in last place, fail to close out games

BY Dylan Collier

“If you don’t cash in when you get an opportunity, you just lose a chance to add to your run production.”

ASSISTANT SCENE EDITOR

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Comets finished their season in last place with an overall record of 11-28, and 6-15 in the Bay Valley Conference, just four games below longtime rival and fourth place finisher Napa Valley College.

Wins were a rare commodity this year for Contra Costa College’s baseball team.

One problem this season was leaving runners on base. In the last 10 games of the season the Comets left 39 runners on base.

This was critical because six of those games were determined by three or less runs.

“If you don’t cash in YEAR IN when you get REVIEW an opportuOverall nity, you just record: 11-28 lose a chance Conference to add to your record: 6-15 run producConference tion,” Comet finish: baseball coach Eighth Brian Guinn said.

Because of many game postponements due to rain, during the 2017 season the Comets endured a four-week span in which the team played at least three games in four days.

“Sometimes when you have to play four games in one week. That’s a huge wear and tear on your pitching staff,” Guinn said. That created a tough position this year for pitchers, because some of their freshmen were only used to pitching once a week.

The Comets had 11 freshmen pitchers on their staff. Out of the three sophomore pitchers, two

Brian Guinn,

Comet baseball coach

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Comet outfielder Rome Watson (right) dives into home plate during Contra Costa College’s 8-6 loss against Mendocino College at the Baseball Field earlier this month.

were injured during the year. This put more strain on the younger arms in the rotation.

Guinn said that one of the reasons the Comets had a tough year was because seven pitchers from their starting rotation injured their arms. And in order for them to be able to end a 23-year playoff drought, the Comets needed their pitching staff to stay healthy.

Another problem was that many of the pitchers on the team had been primarily field position players transformed into pitchers.

“I played first base for my whole life when I was younger and didn’t play any baseball in high school,”

Comet pitcher Brandon Owens said. “I practiced at first base and got my reps in that way, and didn’t start pitching until I played here at CCC. So it was fairly difficult.”

Although Owens had the highest ERA on the team (10.96, over 23 innings pitched), he said he learned to stay composed while under pressure and how to pitch for location in situational baseball.

“My baseball IQ went up this year,” he said.

CCC did have a few high points this season where its competitiveness paid off. During March, the Comets’ record surged to .500.

“In midseason, I feel like we

worked well together and believed if we worked as a team we could keep winning,” starting Comet pitcher Casey Edmunds said.

“Our pitching was extremely good and we got outs and strikes we needed,” Edmunds said. “But we didn’t have the runs to support us.”

In 39 games this season, the baseball team scored 205 runs. This is 51 more trips across the plate than the team managed during all of last season.

Despite the higher run production this season, the team hit two fewer home runs than last season.

CCC finished with 11 home runs as a team at the conclusion of

BVC competition.

The Comets team batting average nearly mirrors the previous season with both teams’ averages hovering roughly around .260.

With team statistics nearly identical to the previous season with the added difficulty of carrying a number of injured players. It’s clear why its overall record has not vastly improved.

Despite the team’s final record for the 2016-17 season, statistics were not the lowest point of the season in terms of team morale.

During a home game against Yuba College on April 19 toward the end of the season, the Comets lost sophomore infielder, and team leader, John Velasco.

The Comet RBI leader, and sparkplug for the team, broke his fibula when rounding second base after trying to stretch a double into a triple.

During the play, Velasco hurdled Yuba third baseman Darrell Doll and when he came down, the amount of pressure applied to his leg and ankle forced the bone to fracture.

Although this happened late in the season, Velasco’s injury was a blow to the Comet’s morale and the team’s ability to keep moving in a positive direction.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 5.17.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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THIS SPRING THE

BOOKSTORE

WILL PAY FOR

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BOOKS

Contra Costa College Bookstore textbook buyback Monday to Thursday, May 22-25.............9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 26..............................................9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PHOTO ID REQUIRED We pay up to 50% no matter where you bought your books. We buy books, even if you purchased them online. Bring all CDs, DVDs and supplemental materials with your textbooks.

All textbook rentals are due on Friday, May 26

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ASU organizes Olympic games

focus

Photos by: Denis Perez and Cody Casares FOR

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

RIGHT: Comet soccer player Eduardo Escamilla (left) laps other contestants on the Soccer Field during the first Contra Costa College Olympics on Saturday.

Middle College High School student Dev Panchal hops over hula-hoops on the Soccer Field during the first Contra Costa College Olympics on Saturday.

Comet soccer player Eduardo Escamilla crawls under ropes as part of an obstacle course on the Soccer Field during the first Contra Costa College Olympics on Saturday.

LEFT: Middle College High School student Hamed Hicham jumps during the potato sack race portion of the first Contra Costa College Olympics on the Soccer Field on Saturday.

Middle College High School student Jason Saephan squishes a peach before eating it during the eating contest portion of the first Contra Costa College Olympics on the Soccer Field on Saturday.

C SECTION WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

spotlight

“ EOPS is about building confidence, with little in our pockets, to move forward and do great things.”

LEFT: Sociology major Shelly Baker raises her hands in celebration as she receives her sash during the EOPS/ CARE and CalWORKs 14th Annual Student Recognition Ceremony on Thursday.

George Mills, EOPS/ CARE and CalWORKs manager CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Ceremony recognizes graduates’ achievements EOPS’ 14th annual reception honors scholars

BY Marci Suela ART DIRECTOR

msuela.theadvocate@gmail.com

When sociology major Caroline Watson started her academic career at Contra Costa College in 2014, she was a part-time student balancing her time between school, work and taking care of her one-year-old daughter.

“When I started in 2014, I was a part-time student for two semesters because I was raising my daughter, who is 4 now. I wanted to do better for her, so I decided to go to school full time, which is one of the requirements for EOPS. With their support and encouragement, I was able to maintain and graduate with a 4.0 GPA,” she said.

To celebrate the accomplishments of Watson and other EOPS/CARE students graduating this year, Contra Costa College’s EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs 14th Annual Student Recognition Ceremony was held in the Fireside Hall on Thursday.

More than 85 attendees cheered as students walked down a red carpet on an aisle between rows of chairs and received certificates for completing their requirements for their associate degrees or certificates of achievement. Students who received scholarships were given an additional certificate from EOPS/CARE. Business major Nicholas Kavuma received four certificates during the ceremony for being

a scholarship recipient, and completing his requirements for an associate degree and a certificate of achievement.

His 16-year-old daughter Joan Nanono, who was in attendance, said, “It makes me so happy to see him graduate. With the mood I felt in the room (from the cheering), it made me feel even more proud for my dad. It makes me want to work harder to get to where he is now.”

During the two-hour long ceremony a keynote speech was delivered by West Los Angeles College counselor Murrell Green to motivate students to prepare for the next step. After the awards were presented, CCC counseling instrucSEE EOPS, PAGE C2

DEAN DEVOTES CAREER TO COLLEGE FAMILY Dr. Lee retires after 27 years of work in LAVA Division

BY Anthony Kinney NEWS EDITOR

akinney.theadvocate@gmail.com

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Library, Allied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics Division Dean Susan Lee smiles as she is introduced during the Retirement Reception at Fireside Hall on Friday.

Library, Allied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics (LAVA) Division Dean Susan Lee is retiring after 27 years of devotion and commitment to the development of young children and college students at Contra Costa College this June.

Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd said that for the 20 years she has known her, Dr. Lee has been fully committed to making Contra Costa College

“I loved teaching preschool and working with kids. When I first started, it honestly didn’t even feel like work.”

Susan Lee, LAVA dean

a better college for both students and staff.

As an early childhood professor prior to her time as dean, Dr. Lee used her expertise and impactful teaching techniques to affect the lives of hundreds of kids and their parents on the CCC campus.

As the LAVA dean, Lee became part of a management team that created SEE LEE, PAGE C2

PLAY REVIVES POST-WAR RICHMOND

Summer movie picks spur fan excitement

CINCO DE MAYO EMBRACES ROOTS

“Richmond Renaissance” brings historic vibe to El Cerrito High School through The Ryse Youth Center act.

Cinematic selections highlight differences in genre and culture as Hollywood prepares its blockbuster summer releases.

Over 80,000 people join in the streets of Richmond to celebrate culture through dance, food, performances on May 7.

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spotlight

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 5.17.2017 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

‘Mentor, friend’ inspires community

BY Robert Clinton

Former dental assisting professor retires after 29 years of serving students

SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

When an educator’s career comes to an end, the measure of its success is not the amount of money that was earned but how many lives were impacted for the better and the number of students who were inspired.

For professor Sandra Everhart, the foundation of her career is fostered in improving the lives of faculty and students at Contra Costa College.

Hired in 1988 as an adjunct professor in the dental assisting department, Everhart was hired as a full-time professor in 1990 and served as the chairperson of the dental assisting department until the program was dissolved in 2013.

After 29 years of service to the college, Everhart will step down from the CCC faculty in June.

As a member of the CCC campus community, Everhart has filled the void in multiple departments and has been a member of many of the committees and programs that have helped to evolve the campus and its curriculum to better fit the needs of future generations of students.

“Because of Sandra, I began to learn more about CCC,” health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles said.

“She took me under her wing and taught me different things. I thank her for being my mentor and friend.”

Mickles introduced Everhart at the college’s annual retirement reception on Friday.

Everhart served as the college’s professional development coordinator and on the Contra Costa Community College District’s Professional Development Committee.

Everhart also served on committees such as the Compressed Calendar Committee, Enrollment Management Committee and the Vocation Education/Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee.

Her efforts have spurred meaningful change in the lives of English as a second language (ESL) students looking

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Health education professor, and former dental assisting professor, Sandra Everhart applauds as health and human services department Chairperson Aminta Mickles introduces her during the Retirement Reception and Staff Reunion event in Fireside Hall on Friday.

“It wasn’t her job description that made her important. It was her knowledge and insight about how departments should operate.”

— Nikki Ferguson, kinesiology professor

to earn a meaningful wage in a vocational field. She co-authored the grant for funding to support the Vocational Educational Program for ESL students (VESL).

In addition, the professor also served as the CCC faculty representative for United Faculty, the union that represents college faculty.

However, Everhart said her most meaningful contribution to the growth

of the campus has been the dedication she displayed for so many years to the students in the CCC dental program.

After the campus lost its dental program in 2013, Everhart briefly served as co-chairperson and then chairperson of the physical education/kinesiology department, while teaching health education courses.

Although new to the department, the professor’s experience and passion for enhancing the positives in a program to maximize its success made an immediate and lasting impact.

“Sandra retiring is a huge loss for the campus, but I’m happy for her. She’s been very helpful in the athletic department and with me personally,” health education/kinesiology professor Nikki Ferguson said.

“It wasn’t her job description that made her important, it was her knowl-

edge and insight about how departments should operate.”

In retirement, after such a full career, Everhart looks forward to doing whatever she feels like doing — or not doing.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with family and reconnecting with friends,” Everhart said.

Schools need educators like Everhart and community colleges need qualified professionals who care.

Often, students at community colleges slip through funding gaps and need help from people like Everhart, who stood for many who otherwise may have been forgotten.

The dental assisting program always maintained National Board accreditation status and scores of her students have been and are employed in dental offices throughout the greater Bay Area.

EOPS | Ceremony highlights student scholarships, merits Continued from Page B1 tional assistant and former EOPS student Vanessa Johnson performed an inspirational rap while EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs staff members danced behind her.

Watson, who will be transferring to UC Berkeley this fall semester, said, “This reception makes it feel more real, with me accomplishing all these things. It was powerful and it made me feel like a rock star.”

EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs Manager George Mills said the ceremony was an intimate reception for the staff and students under EOPS to acknowledge and honor their hard work because “we (the staff) think of ourselves as family to these students.”

“EOPS is about building confidence, with little in our pockets, to move forward and do great things,” he said. “We want to have the ability to cry, laugh and dance with you. We would even ride roller coasters with you — sometimes all the way.”

After they were given their certificates by EOPS counselor Dionne Perez, students were given hugs by career and technical education (CTE) counselor Jeannette McClendon and EOPS counselors Julie Skoler and Somayeh Yazdanpanah as they handed the students pins and medals with the EOPS/CARE symbol.

For students participating in CCC’s commencement ceremony on May 26, EOPS

Office assistant Culoz Davis placed EOPS/ CARE embroidered blue sashes on their shoulders.

“Most of our students are first-generation college students. They’re coming in without having that guidance from their families or loved ones through the process. There are also students who are not doing well economically, so they’re receiving help from CalWORKs,” Yazdanpanah said.

“Those students are oftentimes single parents and on assistance. It can be a real struggle committing to being a student here under those circumstances. We go above and beyond for them to provide that support and ensure they succeed.”

She said EOPS/CARE students are required to enroll in 12 units, must visit a counselor three times during the semester and must submit a mid-semester progress report.

Because the counselors also encourage students to share their challenges and triumphs, Yazdanpanah said they build a connection as they assist them on their journey on achieving their goals.

“Nothing beats the feeling of completion,” Mills said. “ I always get super excited during this time of year watching students graduate because it signifies the next big thing, whether it is getting a new job or obtaining a bachelor’s degree. It lets me know I’ve done my job.”

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Liberal arts major Sasha Graham claps her hands during a live performance during the EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs 14th Annual Student Recognition Ceremony on Thursday.

LEE | Retiree plans to keep connections with college family Continued from Page C1 policies and curricula that ensured that CCC students are receiving all the support they need while working toward completing their degrees in a LAVA field.

Before coming to CCC, Lee spent 16 years working as a preschool teacher and director of three childhood development centers in the Oakland Unified School District.

She said there she created programs and worked diligently to ensure the children and their parents had the education and support to grow up healthy and live thriving lives.

Lee began her career at CCC in the Early Learning Center as a part-time instructor in 1986, only working one night a week as she continued her work as director of three Oakland childhood development centers.

She left OUSD after being hired as a fulltime instructor in CCC’s early childhood education department in 1989.

“I loved teaching preschool and working with kids. When I first started, it honestly didn’t even feel like work,” Lee said. “The kids are so precious. They were always a joy

to be around.”

After 17 successful years touching the lives of young parents and their children with her teaching and mentoring in CCC’s Early Learning Center, Lee has spent the last 10 years as CCC’s LAVA Division dean.

During her 27 years at CCC, she said she served under six different college presidents.

Early childhood education department Chairperson Sandra Moore worked closely with Lee during the time she was a full-time instructor in the Early Learning Center, but now she values her expertise as the LAVA dean.

Moore said working with Lee for the past 10 years has been a pleasure because of her extensive experience and knowledge in childhood development and her unwavering desire to support the staff and students who rely on her.

“She cares so much about this school, but she has a really soft spot for those kids,” Moore said. “Anything the ELC needed Susan made sure we got it because she knows it’s ultimately for the children.”

Automotive services department chairperson Lucile Beatty said she has enjoyed

Moore said Lee has always been known to go above and beyond for the needs of her students and staff members in the departments she leads.

“She has always given me great feedback and been very supportive of the automotive department,” Beatty said.

Lee grew up in San Francisco where she attended local public schools. After graduating from Lowell High School, she went on to City College of San Francisco for two years Sandra Moore, before transferring to San Francisco State early childhood education department chairperson then to San Jose State.

Lee then returned to San Francisco State working directly with Lee since she became to obtain her master’s degree in early childfull-time automotive services instructor in hood development.

2010. As the LAVA dean, Lee also evaluated She loves to cook and bake and said she Beatty throughout her tenure process. plans on spending more time cooking for Beatty said Lee played the role of her friends and family during her retirement as “go-to person” when she has been in need of well as traveling to new and exciting places support on campus and that her mentoring is with her husband. what she’s going to miss the most about her.

Lee said CCC is a second home to her, so “I always appreciated her mentoring,” she plans on stay connected by serving as a Beatty said. “She (Lee) has always been there member of the Friends of the Library and for me whenever I had an issue. visiting the campus on occasion, especially “It’s going to be a tough road continuing the Early Learning Center. on without her.”

“She cares so much about this school, but she has a really soft spot for those kids. Anything the Early Learning Center needed, Susan made sure we got it because she knows it’s ultimately for the children.”

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“ I loved learning about new things, and knowing how things worked fascinated me.”

LEFT: Computer and communications professor Rick Figuera retires after serving 32 years at Contra Costa College.

— Rick Figuera, computer and communications professor

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Professor finds passion through technology Electronics expert reinvents campus communication setup

BY Michael Santone ASSOCIATE EDITOR

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

An educator’s job can consist of several different elements that shape the lives of students as well as the communities they serve.

For computer and communication technology professor Rick Figuera, these ever-changing elements of perpetual reinvention and dedication have sustained his craft, as he became a standout among Contra Costa College faculty and staff.

With 32 years of devotion to the successes of his students, and on the forefront of moving the campus forward technologically, his contributions will forever be embedded in the history of CCC as he retires from teaching in June.

Born and raised in El Cerrito, Figuera grew up with a fiery mind, finding interest in books and electronics while excelling in school.

“I was into academics. It was just a natural thing,” he said, “I loved learning about new things, and knowing how things worked fascinated me.”

He recalls, with joyous eyes, a time during his childhood when he watched a television repairman fix an old rundown set.

“That was my first experience — when I found an interest in electronics.”

Figuera attended El Cerrito High School, and while a senior there began taking classes at CCC. It was the proximity and the diverse appeal of the college that caught his attention, he said.

“It felt like I was meant to be there.”

Transferring with an associate of science degree to UC Berkeley’s College of Letters and Science, Figuera continued his quest for the thrills of education.

After a few semesters, he decided to take a break from school and work in the manufacturing industry.

Servicing televisions as well as radios under the branch of quality control, Figuera soon found a job as a supplier.

“During this time I was the college’s supplier of electronics,” he said. “I would come to deliver equipment and parts.”

It was then that CCC faculty and staff members welcomed Figuera, as many of them would strike up small conversations during his deliveries. Throughout his time as a supplier, this small talk developed into more in-depth, career-related conversations.

“They would tell me about job offerings and the benefits of working at the college,” he said. “It didn’t take me long before accepting the offer.”

Figuera began teaching electronic telecommunications part time in the fall of 1985 and then accepted a full time offer in 1987.

Along the way he returned to Cal, where he completed his bachelor’s degree.

“When I got hired (at CCC) they told me, ‘Rick, you’ve got to work on the phones’.”

But Figuera would do more than just work on the phones on campus, as he became the sole contributor to laying the framework of communications throughout the CCC campus.

He established the first network system, which is the predecessor to the system the college uses today.

“You guys are lucky with today’s system and connectivity,” he said. “If you were stuck with the earlier one you wouldn’t know what to do. My god, it was clunky.”

In the fall of 1988, CCC began offering an electronics communication program, which he streamlined and spearheaded.

Figuera also installed the network campus telephones ran on and from 1988-95, and maintained them with the help of his students, working on weekends and at night, all the while teaching during the day.

Computer information systems department professor Robert Chan said he has known Figuera since he first started teaching

“The college asked him to do many things over the years.

He has reinvented himself many times. But the passion and dedication he has for the college and his students never faded.”

— Robert Chan, computer information systems professor

at CCC. “The college asked him to do many things over the years,” Chan said, “He’s reinvented himself many times. But the passion and dedication he has for the college and his students never faded.”

Chan said he remembers when Figuera placed the satellite antenna on top of the John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts with the help of his students.

The college was too underfunded for something like an antenna, Chan said. “We didn’t have the capability to receive tele-conferences or communicate with the rest of the evolving community.”

Figuera took matters into his own hands and used his resources to get an antenna up.

Chan said Figuera created an educational moment as he brought his students to the top of that roof for some hands-on experience.

“His students are really going to miss him because he went beyond the classroom,” Chan said.

Figuera’s influence went beyond the classroom and his teaching. He was the first openly gay professor at CCC. “This was a time when the country was coming out of the AIDS crisis,” Figuera said, “I had people like the CCC president as well as the administration on my side. Everyone was really supportive.”

Figuera become a voice for a community that was struggling to be recognized and accepted on campus.

From 1990-95 he co-advised the BeGladful Club on campus — which stands for “Bi, Gay, Lesbian and Dear Friends United Lovely.”

“We would have discussion groups and forums where students would come and ask questions,” Figuera said. “It was mainly about support and acknowledging the community.”

“These experiences were courageous, but I was also fearful,” he said.

Journalism department Chairperson Paul DeBolt said back in the 80s and 90s faculty had more time to devote to campus life and Figuera made a choice to be completely involved.

“He was always visible on campus — really part of the campus fabric,” he said, “He was always running around, always had projects going and always helping people.”

DeBolt said he remembers the work ethic, courage and sense of humor Figuera displayed.

“His students really loved him, and he had such high standards for them.”

After serving the community for over three decades, Figuera will be retiring at the end of this semester.

But his legacy will continue to be a part of the college.

“I will really miss waking up every morning with lesson plans and course ideas in mind,” he said. “But you can’t go any further with me. I have exhausted our current curriculum.”

With losing a key figure in the electronics department, Chan said it’s bittersweet seeing Figuera go.

“CCC is losing a great asset and the field loses an asset,” he said. “We are losing the opportunity for students to learn from someone who really understands education.”

But for Figuera, the time to go has come.

“I’m looking forward to some time to finally relax,” he said, “It’s been such a life-changing 32 years of growth and opportunity, and I have a lot to cherish as I move on to the next chapter in my life.”

HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS EARN AWARD Middle

BY Jessica Suico

College

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

High School earns Gold Ribbon for excellence

ADVOCATE STAFF

Middle College High School (MCHS) has won the 2017 California Gold Ribbon Schools Award for increasing students’ exposure to college-level courses.

Earlier this month MCHS Principal Finy Prak was recognized and received the Gold Ribbon Award in Santa Clara, for MCHS’ accomplishments.

Prak said MCHS won the award because students scored high on the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test, a standardized test. The California Gold Ribbon Award was created to honor middle and high schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools program. This year 477 schools applied.

MCHS has been a part of Contra Costa College since 1989 and is located on campus, primarily in the Applied Arts Building.

Middle College was recognized for its collaboration with CCC to create an early college and high school program that allows its students to enroll in college courses concurrently with their high school courses.

The 2017 Gold Ribbon schools will be honored during May at regional ceremonies in Costa Mesa, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Visalia and Sacramento.

Prak said, “I had a very nice time at the awards ceremony and I got to take a picture with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.”

She said she received a pin, plaque and a banner for the accomplishment of winning the award.

Prak said it was a great experience.

MCHS teacher Margret Love said, “There are 284 students enrolled in our program.”

Love said the majority of MCHS students will graduate with their associate degrees and be able to transfer immediately.

“I get to teach the best students in

“Getting to teach the best students in the world and watch them grow and become adults is why I teach.”

— Margaret Love, Middle College High School teacher

the world and watch them grow and become adults,” she said.

MCHS has a graduation rate of 100 percent and 90.5 percent of the students graduate eligible to attend a UC or CSU campus, according to www.wccusd.net.

MCHS is a school that represents an example of excellent teaching, learning and collaboration.

Second semester MCHS student Nanthaya Verweij said, “I am really happy about the program winning the (Gold Ribbon) award. I really like this school. There is more pressure on us to do our work, so I think it makes me try harder.”

Verweij said, “I wouldn’t say the

award gives me more motivation to do better in school because you should always work hard. But I’m happy and proud about it.”

Torlakson said, in a California Prak Department of Education news The MCHS release on April 18, principal “These terrific schools received are leading the way in the 2017 embracing our new California rigorous academic Gold standards and show- Ribbon ing others how to help Schools students succeed on Award for their way to 21st cen- the high tury careers and col- school’s lege. I look forward to perfortraveling the state to mance. honor these schools and to help share the programs’ methods and techniques, that are working.”

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Flicks splash on

The Advocate takes a sneak peek at summer films. From fa Title: “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” Genre: Action/Drama Release Date: May 12 Rating: PG-13 Director: Guy Ritchie Starring: Jude Law, Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Berges-Frisbey Synopsis: “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” is an iconoclastic take on the classic Excalibur myth directed by Guy Ritchie. Arthur, played by Charlie Hunnam, grows up not knowing of his royal birthright after his uncle murders his parents and seizes the crown from the deceased king.

Arthur is banished as a child to the back alleys of Londinium.

He becomes aware of his birthright when he draws the mystic Excalibur sword from its stone and succumbs to its influence.

He must learn how to master the sword and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern, played

by Jude Law.

Title: “The Wall” Genre: Drama Release Date: May 18 Rating: R Director: Doug Liman Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena

Title: “Alien: Covenant” Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi Release Date: May 19 Rating: R Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup

Synopsis: Longtime professional wrestling star John Cena continues his recent transition into acting with his role as Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews in “The Wall,” directed by Doug Liman.

In this thriller, Matthews and Sergeant Allen Isaac, played by Aaron TaylorJohnson (“The Avengers,” “Kick-Ass”), are two American soldiers wounded by an enemy Iraqi sniper, Juba. The two wounded soldiers find cover and are trapped behind a wall in the sights of Juba.

Matthews and Isaac must survive and eliminate Juba.

Synopsis: Members of the colony ship Covenant are on a voyage to an extra-solar planet on the opposite side of the galaxy.

They discover what is believed to be an unexplored paradise. While surveying the unfamiliar land, they meet David, who is an artificial survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.

Things begin to go wrong as the desolate paradise comes alive with alien activity.

Title: “The Mummy” Genre: Action/Fantasy Release Date: June 9 Rating: PG-13 Director: Alex Kurtzman Starring: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis

Title: “Cars 3” Genre: Animation/Adventure Release Date: June 16 Rating: G Director: Brian Fee Starring: Owen Wilson, Armie Hammer, Nathan Fillion

Title: “All Eyez on Me” Genre: Biography/Drama Release Date: June 16 Rating: R Director: Benny Boom Starring: Demetrious Shipp Jr., Danai Gurira, Kat Graham

Synopsis: “The Mummy” franchise gets a reboot with director Alex Kurtzman at the helm and Tom Cruise as its headlining star. Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) awakens the former heir to the ancient Egyptian throne, Princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella). With millennia of resentment and anger built up, Ahmanet seeks to cause destruction.

Synopsis: In the upcoming Pixar animated film “Cars 3,” Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, is now a legend in the racing world.

As an older veteran struggling to keep up with newer competition, he questions whether or not he should retire from racing. Despite McQueen’s new challenger Jackson Storm, voiced

by Armie Hammer, beating him in several races, he is not ready to give up on racing. In order to prove himself at the Florida 500 he seeks help of a female rookie racer, Cruz Ramirez, voiced by Cristela Alonzo. This is the third installment in the “Cars” franchise.

Synopsis: “All Eyez On Me” is a biopic that chronicles the life and legacy of hip-hop artist, actor, poet, and activist Tupac Shakur. The film portrays pivotal moments in Shakur’s upbringing, rise to superstardom, prison stints and his triumphant juncture on Death Row Records.

Named after Shakur’s fourth and final album released during his lifetime, the film highlights the personal life of the inspirational artist whose life was ended at age 25. The highly anticipated film is scheduled for release on June 16, 2017, which would have been Shakur’s 46th birthday.

Title: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” Genre: Comedy/Family Release Date: May 19 Rating: PG Director: David Bowers Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Charlie Wright Synopsis: “Diary of A Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” is a family comedy based on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book series. The film picks up one year after the events of “Dog Days.”

Greg Heffley and his brother Rodrick convince their family to go on a road trip for their grandmother’s 90th birthday. This is all to mask their true intentions of attending a video game convention.

Title: “Transformers: The Last Night” Genre: Action Release Date: June 21 Rating: PG-13 Director: Michael Bay Starring: Laura Haddock, Mark Wahlberg, Gemma Chan Synopsis: “Transformers: The Last King” is the fifth installment in the “Transformers” film franchise.

In this latest film, with Optimus Prime gone looking for the creators of his species, all-out war is taking place between the humans and Transformers who still inhabit the Earth.

It is up to Cade Yeager, played

by Mark Wahlberg, and his alliance with an Autobot named Bumblebee, to find out the secrets of what keeps bringing the Transformers back to Earth.

Returning to the supporting cast are Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson.

Stanley Tucci and John Turturro.

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nto silver screen

amily comedies to action-packed movies, don’t be left out.

Title: “Baywatch” Genre: Action/Comedy Release Date: May 25 Rating: R Director: Seth Gordon Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario Synopsis: Head Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) leads the Baywatch squad of elite lifeguards to protect the beaches of Los Angeles. When Buchannon hires new recruits, he finds washed up pro athlete Matt Brody (Zach Efron) is a part of the group.

Buchannon clashes with Brody over the upstart lifeguard being made the new face of Baywatch.

However, when a dead body is pulled from the ocean the squad must put aside their differences and start working together to stop whatever is threatening their beach.

Title: “Despicable Me 3” Genre: Animation/Family Release Date: June 30 Rating: PG Director: Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin Starring: Steve Carell, Kristin Wiig, Jenny Slate Synopsis: Steve Carell is back as Gru along with Lucy, played by Kristen Wiig, and his Minions. This time Gru meets his long-lost twin brother Dru, also played by Carell, who’s more charming and cheerful than him. Gru meets Balthazar Bratt, played by Trey Parker, a former child star obsessed with the character he played in the 80s.

Balthazar is back to plot world domination as revenge for years of being mocked after his show canceled. Gru and Dru team up for one last adventure to stop Balthazar from his evil plan.

Title: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” Genre: Action/Fantasy Release Date: May 26 Rating: PG-13 Director: Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem Synopsis: In the action, adventure and fantasy movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” Captain Jack Sparrow is back, and wittier than before.

This time deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, Captain Salazzar, have escaped from the Devil’s Triangle and are threatening to kill everybody at sea.

The movie stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Kaya Scodelario.

Title: “Wonder Woman” Genre: Comic Book/Action Release Date: June 2 Rating: PG-13 Director: Patty Jenkins Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright Synopsis: The first female-led film in the DC Extended Universe, “Wonder Woman,” hits the box office on June 2. This movie will explore the origin of Diana, played by Gal Gadot. Diana is a great warrior and princess of the Amazons on the Island of Themyscira.

She meets an American pilot named Steve Trevor, played by Chris Pine, during World War I. Diana leaves home for London to fight and bring an early end to the war. This is the first live action adaptation of the Wonder Woman character since the 1970s television series starring Lynda Carter.

Title: “The House” Genre: Comedy Release Date: June 30 Rating: R Director: Andrew J. Cohen Starring: Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Allison Tolman

Title: “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Genre: Comic Book/Action Release Date: July 7 Rating: PG-13 Director: Jon Watts Starring: Tom Holland, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr.

Synopsis: Directed by Andrew J. Cohen, “The House” is 88 minutes of pure comedy about a father (Will Ferrell) who convinces his friends to start an illegal casino with him in his basement after he and his wife (Amy Poehler) spend their daughter’s college fund.

The couple concocts and carries out the plan while keeping their daughter Alex (Ryan Simpkins) completely in the dark. The movie also stars Jason Mantzoukas, Nick Kroll, Allison Tolman, Michaela Watkins, Cedric Yarbrough and Jeremy Renner and will be in theaters June 30.

Synopsis: Following his debut in “Captain American: Civil War” Spider-Man returns for his first Marvel produced film. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns to New York under the tutelage of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).

He is caught between the struggle of navigating high school and proving to his mentor that he is capable of being an Avenger.

When Vulture (Michael Keaton) terrorizes the city, Peter must choose to abide by his mentors guidelines or take matters into his own hands.

Title: “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” Genre: Animation/Adventure Release Date: June 2 Rating: PG Director: David Soren Starring: Jordan Peele, Kevin Hart, Kristen Schaal Synopsis: Based on the children’s novel series by Dav Pilkey, Captain Underpants is making his way to the big screen.

Two young kids named George (voiced by Kevin Heart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) hypnotize their principal turning him into the amazing Captain Underpants.

George and Harold then have to watch over the dim-witted superhero while having to stop Professor Poopypants and the Turbo Toilet 2000 from taking over the world.

Title: “War for the Planet of the Apes” Genre: Action/Drama Release Date: July 14 Rating: PG-13 Director: Matt Reeves Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn Synopsis: In the third installment of the “Planet of the Apes” series, “War of the Planet of the Apes,” Caesar and the apes go to war against the Colonel (Woody Harrelson) and the humans. The movie takes place shortly after the events of the second movie “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”

After a devastating loss, Caesar looks to avenge his fellow apes in an all-out battle against the colonel and the humans to determine what species will take over the planet.

ILLUSTRATION BY MARCI SUELA/ THE ADVOCATE

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LEFT: Nyabingha Zianni (right), portraying Anabelle, looks straight ahead as she sits down after walking into her juke joint, Anabelle’s, during a scene from the 1940s North Richmondinspired play “Richmond Renaissance,” performed in the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater on May 6.

Unleashed

MOVIES

This week: “King Arthur: Legends of the Sword” (PG-13) “Alien: Covenant” (R) “Snatched” (R) “The Wall” (R)

BLU-RAYS

New releases: “Master of None: Season 2” (NR)

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Play counters stigmas Performance relates obstacles of 1940s to modern struggles

By Sean Austin ADVOCATE STAFF

“I Love Dick: Season 1” (NR) “Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive” (NR) “Fifty Shades Darker” (R)

MUSIC

New releases: Harry Styles: “Harry Styles” Girlpool: “Powerplant” Paramore: “After Laughter” Zac Brown Band: “Welcome Home”

GAMES

New releases: “Injustice 2” (T) “The Surge” (M) “Shadow Warrior 2” (M) “Farpoint” (M)

Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

— Reggie Santini and Xavier Johnson

saustin.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

he youth of the RYSE Center were met with a standing ovation from a sold out crowd on the second night of their annual production “Richmond Renaissance” Sunday evening at the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater.

The two-hour play touched on topics of overcoming obstacles within family, community and self. From live singing to traditional swing dancing, the show never missed a beat. The audience was attentive for every moment.

“Richmond Renaissance” is set during the late 1940s in North Richmond, California where large groups of African-American families decide to reside after the war and start their own communities.

With black America on the rise, Richmond changes from a naval town to a utopia of wealth and culture.

Twenty-four-year-old screenwriter DeAndre Evans shines a light on an almost forgotten time.

With neighborhoods becoming more gentrified every day, it’s easy for the culture of “Pride and Purpose” to be lost. “So many people are hurting. They’re confused and feel like they are nothing,” Evans said during his closing remarks.

The play was produced to counter the stigma of Richmond being a city consumed by violence by returning to a time of black wealth and cultural excellence.

The story follows a juke joint owner named Annabelle and her colorful employees as they each battle with the past, tackle the present and dream for a better future in a society that isn’t ready to accept them. Each character has a different story that explains what led them to Richmond in search of a better life. Characters come full circle with dilemmas of losing

loved ones and situations of abuse and violence that are parallel to what is experienced today.

Nyabingha Zianni’s portrayal of Annabelle is strong from start to finish. Zianni gave so much of EVENT her personality REVIEW and energy to the “Richmond rest of the cast.

Renaissance” The cast fed off Headliner: her performance DeAndre Evans, and even in slow Nyabingha Zianni transitions, she Where: El Cerrito High School held it together.

When: May 6-7 Other standout characters included Solider, a war veteran played by Kelvion Pruitt, and Lucinda, the newest waitress/singer at Annabelle’s, played

by Kobi Calhoun. Lucinda and Soldier’s relationship is explored throughout the story.

Soldier is complex. His identity as a character introduces the elements of an aware black man in America.

Lucinda is a dreamer. A young woman who spends the majority of her life being coddled decides

to conquer her fears and sing at Annabelle’s.

Their dynamic was reminiscent of a “Beauty and the Beast” type affair, mixing his clouded past with her sheltered lifestyle.

DeAndre Evans shows his talent to not only write, but also act as two different characters. He plays Lucinda’s overprotective big brother Leroy and the main antagonist, Bubba.

This production was a collaboration between Richmond’s The RYSE Center and its on-going partnership with the New Yorkbased program The Door. The Door is an organization that provides dancers for in-scene performance and transitional numbers.

“Richmond Renaissance” can play a vital role in the current redevelopment of Richmond. The city’s rich past played a pivotal role in the turning point of a nation.

The RYSE Center gave attendees a sense of hope to rewrite the identity of Richmond as the African-American soldiers and other residents in the 1940s did after the war.

‘Guardians of Galaxy’ sequel thrills fans

By Reggie Santini SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

he fun, humor and emotional drama are dialed up in the sequel to Marvel’s original film “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” continues to be Marvel’s platform for humor, sexual innuendo, Easter eggs and cameos galore.

As audiences are re-introduced to the characters, and Groot’s (Vin Diesel) new baby form, they see the team fighting a giant space monster that eats energy.

The Guardians create a trap for the monster around giant batteries which they must protect as they attempt to take the creature MOVIE out. For those REVIEW “Guardians of who play video the Galaxy 2” games, this is a familiar concept Starring: Chris (protect this area Pratt from the waves Directed by: James Gunn of enemies).

Genre: Comic This is the first Book of many video game-related references sprinkled throughout the film.

As they communicate and implement tactics during the fight, it becomes clear they are accustomed to fighting by each other’s side and have truly become a team.

The film tends to move at a quick pace, requiring the audience to pay attention and remember the large cast of characters and factions from the series.

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” will be seen as a comedy by many of

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” is the sequel to the breakout hit of 2014, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The film marks the anticipated return of the ensemble superhero quartet.

the young viewers who watch the film. However, a strong theme of family is present throughout the film.

Viewers watch Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) struggle between turning her wanted sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan), in to the Nova Corps or setting her free, and Star-Lord’s (Chris Pratt) longing to find his father who abandoned him as a child. Both plot lines lead to heartbreaking dialogue and incredibly powerful moments in the film.

As Nebula confesses to Gamora her insecurities of not being able to live up to her sister’s skills in battle, the audience is able to see the imperfection of these larger than life characters.

Marvel’s CGI gives “Guardians

of the Galaxy 2” its own identity.

As the Guardians race against time to reach a far away planet their only choice is to warp at the maximum speed possible. Due to their ship not being made to move at such a speed, the crew begins to suffer side effects. With each warp jump, neon lights flash by and the Guardians begin to distort and look like reflections in a funhouse mirror.

Director James Gunn does a superb job at expanding the Guardian’s universe.

Gunn builds the world by adding background extras, quick interactions with different alien species and by setting the characters down on different worlds.

Dave Bautista’s performance

of Drax is enjoyable to watch.

Despite his quiet demeanor in the first film, Drax is much more vocal and outspoken in the sequel.

Drax is brutally honest and is incapable of grasping metaphors.

When introduced to the buglike character of Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Drax immediately tells her exactly his opinion of her.

The film’s soundtrack brings all these fantastic moments and hilarious dialog together. Drawing from classic 80s hits, all the songs seem to be tailored to the story.

The soundtrack becomes part of the film’s universe as Star-Lord often plays the songs on speakers or his Sony Walkman. It truly helps guide the audience through the Guardians’ adventure.

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Punk band satisfies fans

Standouts from 2000s return after 17 years

By Xavier Johnson SCENE EDITOR

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

F

ollowing up a classic album can be difficult for any band. Following up a classic album after 17 years is exceptionally difficult.

Post-hardcore standouts At the Drive-In reached a high peak in the early 2000s, releasing the influential “Relationship of Command.”

“Interalia” (stylized as in•ter a•li•a) is At the Drive-In’s first studio album in 17 years and is one of the more impressive comeback albums in recent memory. While the album is not better than the band’s earALBUM lier efforts in REVIEW “Relationship “Interalia” of Command” and “In/ Artist: At the Drive-In Casino/Out,” it Genre: Postdoesn’t necesHardcore sarily have to Label: Rise Release Date: be better.

May 5 What “Interalia” brings to the table is a fun, consistently high energy return from a band that maintains its distinct sound while having a different enough feeling that it’s not “Relationship of Command Part 2.”

The main group from 17 years ago is mostly intact for this reunion. The only difference is the absence of guitarist Jim Ward, who has been replaced by Keeley Davis.

Once the first chorus kicks in on “No Wolf Like the Present,” it becomes clear this is an At the Drive-In album. The

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

Post-hardcore legends “At the Drive-In” reunite after 17 years with the release of their album “Interalia” with Rise Records on May 5.

frantic guitar playing of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez melding with the heavy rhythmic backing of Paul Hiniojos on bass and Tony Hajjar on drums is instantly recognizable alongside vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s expressive screaming and melodic singing.

At the Drive-In displays its distinct ability to craft an anthemic chorus as Bixler-Zavala begins screaming “There’s no wolves like the present.” This ability to create notable choruses is the highlight of the album, with every song having a catchy chorus that exudes energy.

Bixler-Zavala maintains the

eccentricities and intensity that are a signature to his singing.

There are moments on the album where he is hard to understand. “Pendulum In A Peasant Dress” is one example where the instruments drown Bixler-Zavala out.

“Interalia” clocks in with a 41-minute runtime. This is a sweet spot with most songs not overstaying their welcome — 11 tracks with none going over five minutes. But, while listening to the whole album, the songs begin to bleed together.

There’s a lack of dynamism that keeps the album from sounding fresh and each song

from having its own identity.

The identity of each song is basically “a good At the DriveIn song.” Spastic and interesting guitar part here, explosive chorus here, breakdown there, cool bass line over here, and done.

The songs are all good, but most of the songs don’t come close to great.

On several listens, nothing stands out on the album, save for three tracks, the first being the opening track “No Wolf Like the Present.”

“Governed by Contagions” is At the Drive-In at their best, with instrumental performances featuring heavy riffs, disso-

nant guitar sections, punchy bass playing and a memorable chorus. Bixler-Zavala’s vocals are in prime form as he uses the full range of his manic vocal abilities to elevate the energy of the song to great heights.

The eerie “Ghost Tape No. 9” is another example of At the Drive-In tapping into what makes them special. Even though this is the only slower song on the album, there’s still a tangible intensity found in the vocals and instrumental performances.

Overall, “Interalia” is a solid release that truly feels like an At the Drive-In album.

DANCE GROUPS HIGHLIGHT VARIETY OF STYLES Performance ensembles sway audience members, strike excitement

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

ango, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, reggaeton and more were on display for “Dance Jam 2017,” showcasing the talents of local dancers.

“Dance Jam” nearly filled every seat in the John and Jean and Knox Center for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, delivering 16 quality performances that left the audience ready for more.

The “Dance Jam” featured dancers from Contra Costa College dance classes as well as local high school dance teams and performance ensembles.

Through each dancer’s movements and the way they carried themselves, they showed their personality.

Every performance started in darkness and silhouettes were the first sight for the audience members. The lights slowly faded on with lighting that would clue the audience into the emotional tone of each coming dance.

The reds intensified the viewing experience and the blues brought a calming sensation.

Contra Costa Zumba Class Stars, choreographed by Zumba instructor Oscar Solano, brought color with the dancers wearing highlighter pink and yellow workout clothes.

Energy filled the house with their playlist “WatchMeWineUp,” as Solano led the group through a well-organized sweat-inducing workout, The infectious energy was projected with each rapid dance movement as the speed of the mix increased.

It was almost a workout just watching them move to the rhythm of reggaeton, CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE a hip-hop influenced type of music that Dimension Extensions Performance Ensemble dancers raise a lantern and their fists in their “Credo” act during the “Dance Jam” in the Knox Center on Saturday. originated in Puerto Rico.

The rhythmic hip movements and

expressions of joy on the dancers faces allowed the audience to shimmy in their seats with the music.

Five young women from Dimension Extensions Performance Ensemble (DEPE) performed dances choreographed by Latanya Tigner. A unique performance of theirs was “Credo,” an excerpt from “As They Light the Way.” They performed four times throughout the night and “Credo” was a big contrast from their previous dances.

The women appeared on the dark stage with EVENT bright lanterns. The REVIEW spacious, soothing “Dance Jam music complemented 2017” their movements with Headliner: the lanterns throughout Various dance the stage. ensembles Their dance was Where: Knox Center reminiscent of magic Date: May 12-13 fairies, with a noticeable whimsy in each movement.

Showcasing musical theater, the cast of CCC’s spring 2017 musical “Godspell,” performed three numbers choreographed by Tigner.

Their performances required singing, so their lack of a microphone affected the audio part of the act negatively.

However, cast’s energy shone through with the playful dancing.

“Dance Jam” performances represented various age groups, old and young.

Performers of the Imajik Dance Family danced to “Candy Girl,” choreographed by Brook Payne and Jamar Welch.

The fun dance routine featured three girls dressed in white and pastel pink colors and big pink bows to accentuate the youthful feel. The carefully executed choreography was an exciting moment in the show and generated a strong response from the audience.

“Dance Jam” created an environment for everyone to enjoy themselves and perhaps inspired more students to take a dance class.

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CINCO DE MAYO ON 23RD STREET LEFT: Many singers performed for more than 80,000 people on 23rd Street during the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Richmond, California on May 7.

Photos by Denis Perez; text by Efrain Valdez FOR

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

Live music, block party draw 80,000

More than 80,000 people filled 23rd Street in Richmond to celebrate as the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival played host to traditional Mexican street foods, live music and traditional dances.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7, people walked up and down 23rd Street from Rheem to Clinton avenues, enjoying pony rides, Mexican wrestling and a mechanical bull.

Elena Jovel, program director for 93.3 La Raza, said the planning of this

year’s festival started in October 2016.

“The 23rd Street Merchants Association keeps us in the loop throughout.”

California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom was at the event. He said he came to Richmond to support the Latino community because it is one of the largest Latino communities in the region.

Newsom said now is an important time for the community because of what’s going on with the Trump administration.

ABOVE: Traditional Teocalli Aztec dancer performsw a dance during the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Richmond, California on May 7.

LEFT: A girl takes a pony ride during the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Richmond, California on May 7.

LEFT: Richmond resident Oscar Rosa kisses his daughter Amanda Rosa on the cheek during the 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Richmond, California on May 7.

Amanda’s cheek is decorated with a butterfly as a symbol of the beauty of immigration in nature and in societies.