The Advocate 5-7

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VOL. 101, NO. 21

SINCE 1950 8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

THE STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Smokers forced to parking lots edit orial Parking lots not suitable

CCC smokers deserve a safe, comfortable location to light up.

page 2

By Brian Boyle NEWS EDITOR

bboyle.theadvocate@gmail.com

All around campus one can see signs that read “No Smoking.” Yet a level of confusion surrounds what actually happens if someone violates the policy.

“Everyone will tell you that smoking X number of feet from a building is against the law,” Police Services Lt. José Oliveira said. “But the trick is, it isn’t punitive, so there isn’t really a

Though there is no legal punishment for violating the law, smoking in areas where it is not allowed is a violation of the student code of conduct. In fact, “Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by Josh Bell, law or regulation of the Governing health and human services major Board or College,” is the 18th punishment for breaking that law.” reason listed in the “Grounds for Lt. Oliveira said that it is as if Disciplinary Action” section of every Californian got together and the Contra Costa College Student agreed they dislike smoking near Code of Conduct. buildings and then left the matter at Code of Conduct violations that.

Q SEE SMOKING: Page 3

“There just has to be a better area than parking lots”

The d implem istrict has t he ab e ilit for sm nt a fine u p to $ y to oking 1 in 0 nated areas. a non-des 0 igi The p action enultimate d that c an be isciplinary expuls taken ion of is a stud ent.

Mobile brawl visits college Non-student attacked at Bus Transfer Center

By George Morin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

gmorin.theadvocate@gmail.com QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Sharing culture — San Jose resident Artemio Posadas (left) dances with Maria Gonzales (right) during the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival held on 23rd Street in Richmond on Sunday. The event is the largest of its kind in the East Bay.

Celebrating DIVERSITY

By Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

RICHMOND — Cries of trumpets, laughter and savory aromas greeted people who decided to attend the largest Cinco de Mayo festival in the East Bay here on Sunday.

A one-mile stretch of 23rd Street, from Rheem Avenue to Clinton Avenue, was closed to vehicle traffic starting at 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. The 23rd Street Merchant’s Association (The 23SMA), with assistance from the City of Richmond and Chevron Richmond Refinery, organized the annual event.

“It is important to have accentadvocate events like this because Sights and sounds there is history here. (The Log onto accentadvocate.com for more and audio clips of Sunday’s Cinco de Mayo celebration) photos Cinco de Mayo celebration. recognizes what Latinos have brought to this city parallel rows of art and food vendors, jumper balloons, local and corporate orga(Richmond).” nizations and city officials’ booths filled

with people.

Hundreds massed to create a flowing river of bodies from one end of the festival to the other, which was blocked on either Chief Service Officer for the City of end by a stage with bands playing Mexican Richmond Rochelle Monk said, “It is the music. best in the region. Where else can you find Contra Costa College had its own booth, a whole mile of organizations working providing information packets and fliers together to put on such an important com- for upcoming events and programs offered munity event?” at the campus.

Q SEE CELEBRATION: Page 3 By mid-day, the street in between the

Rick Ramos,

chairperson, administration of justice department

Students elect campus leaders Voting

for ASU president, director of public relations closes

and ASU president, respectively.

The elections took place online.

STAFF WRITER To rally students to vote, the ASU swhatley.theadvocate@gmail.com had booths set up in various locations on campus, the main booth being in As students get ready for the final front of the Applied Arts Building, weeks of school, the Associated near the Student Life Center in AAStudent Union is preparing for the 109. fall semester with the announcement Agnitsch received 90 votes, greenof its election results. lighting his nomination as president, The ASU general elections for as the position only requires 83 votes. the 2014-15 academic year ended Avila earned a total of 85 votes, last week. allowing her to continue serving as The election had candidates director of public relations.

Valeria Avila and Antone Agnitsch Of the 11 ASU title positions in running unopposed for the positions total, only two required campaigns of ASU director of public relations — president and director of public

By Sean Whatley

campus beat X page 4

Graduation sees change

Celebration to be moved to Richmond Auditorium

“They (the current ASU board) are going to have a better start with six members.”

Ysrael Condori, ASU president

relations. The remaining positions have yet to be filled.

“There will have to be either a motion by the board to assign new senators or extend a current sena-

Q SEE CRIME: Page 3

ASU election results

Agnitsch

Avila

He will take the top spot of the ASU as next year’s president in the fall.

She will continue to serve as the ASU director of public relations.

Q SEE ELECTIONS: Page 3

spotlight X page 5

Revered Day honors mothers

scene X page 6

Spider-Man amazes Web-slinger dazzles, entertains audiences

CMYK

East Bay residents party on 23rd Street

A 23-year-old non-student, Christopher Bailey, was assaulted at the Bus Transfer Center on April 29 at approximately 6:35 p.m.

Bailey and three suspects were in a verbal argument on an AC Transit 76 bus coming from Hilltop Mall in Richmond when the bus arrived at the Bus Transfer Center at Contra Costa College at 6:35 p.m.

The three suspects began to confront Bailey, “We need who then took his black to know sweater off and began to confront the group of susif there’s pects, Police Services Lt. a crime so José Oliveira said.

One of the three sus- we can be pects punched Bailey in the face and then rushed on guard.” him, knocking Bailey to Veronica the ground. After Bailey hit Herrera the ground, a second assailnursing major ant began kicking him in the head, ultimately knocking Bailey unconscious.

Oliveira explained that whenever someone begins kicking a person who is on the floor, that person’s foot suddenly counts as a deadly weapon in the eyes of the law.

After the brawl, Bailey lay unconscious for about 30 seconds before standing up and stumbling onto another bus.

Bailey told Police Services that he then got up and proceeded to get on a 71 AC Transit bus that pulled up to the Bus Transfer Center. The three suspects were on the same bus and then continued having a verbal dispute with Bailey, until the AC Transit bus driver stopped the bus

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

CMYK

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Both freedom of speech and press freedom often provoke public and political controversy, but experience shows us again and again that when freedom is diseased, the only cure is more freedom.”

Henrikas Yushkiavitshus assistant director-general, UNESCO 1998 George Morin editor-in-chief Cody McFarland Lorenzo Morotti Rodney Woodson associate editors

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 VOL. 101, NO. 21 L

Editorial Smokers banished

Brian Boyle news editor Mike Thomas sports editor Veronica Santos scene editor Qing Huang Christian Urrutia photo editors Janae Harris assistant photo editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Jared Amdahl Fanisha Ayatch Joseph Bennett Nina Cestaro Daniel Cifuentes Sharrell Duncan Florinda Hershey Ryan Holloway Sinoti Iosua Jose Jimenez Van Ly Ryan Margason Manning Peterson Mark Wassberg Sean Whatley Madisen William Staff photographers Cody Casares Jordan Khoo Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014

C

Safe, comfortable location needed

alifornia law states that it is illegal to smoke within 20 feet of a building entrance or operable window. However, this law has no penalty attached to it.

“It’s like all of California went ‘We think this is bad!’ and that was the end of it,” Police Services Lt. José Oliveira said. That is the perfect description of the law and its level of effectiveness.

At Contra Costa College and campuses up and down the state, most smokers are banished to parking lots, or to the far reaches of campus, if they wish to smoke without violating their campus’ code of conduct.

One needs only to walk outside during the 10-minute windows between classes to see faculty and students alike huddled in parking lots, sitting on retaining walls or even sitting on the ground as they smoke cigarettes. Ashtrays on campus are either rare or simply nonexistent.

If the day is extremely hot, or if it is raining, smokers have virtually no options of places to smoke within regulations where they have protection from the elements, and non-smokers are mostly OK with that.

Yet smokers want something better.

CCC is a rare campus in that, for the most part, smokers obey the rules. At Diablo Valley College, it is far from rare to be walking between classes with someone smoking a cigarette in front of you, blatantly flaunting their disrespect for campus policy and the law.

The fact that so many people huddle in parking lots shows that smokers at CCC are more respectful than the average. And if they are willing to compromise, the college should relent and provide them a safe, comfortable place to enjoy a cigarette.

Benches with ashtrays and a covering would not only be a boon to cigarette smokers, but it would improve the overall look and feel of the campus as well.

There would not be as many cigarette butts on the ground, and the rare instances of people violating the policy would shrink.

Providing smokers with spaces where they can enjoy their habit in peace is a win-win situation for everyone.

The attitude that smokers should be treated like criminals for the habit is counter-productive.

If smokers are continuously banished to worse and worse spots, they will most likely strike back by smoking wherever they want, which will simply infuriate every person on campus.

The district has the option to impose up to a $100 fine for smokers violating the smoking policy.

It is always an option, but hopefully CCC realizes it has a different bunch of smokers than other campuses, and the same level of respect the smokers show should be reciprocated.

LORENZO MOROTTI / THE ADVOCATE

N Language

Lack of learning leads to lazy tendencies

I

have always had trouble finishing things.

Homework is difficult for me to complete on time — that’s a given. But I also lag on creative projects and reading a book may take months instead of weeks.

Procrastination has always been my go-to excuse. Yet, I sometimes wonder what underlying causes might exist, if any, as to why I never get stuff done.

After much pensiveness, I realized what it was: I am lazy. I experience the typical languid behaviors characteristic of the word, sure. But my lack of motivation felt like it stemmed from something I faced early on in my childhood and failed to overcome.

Then it hit me. I never became fluent in Spanish, which was one of my earliest childhood goals.

My parents are from Central America, making me of Hispanic descent, so, naturally, Spanish was spoken at home.

While school provided an English-speaking environment and the tools to grasp the language, home life was full of another language I could comprehend, but had much trouble speaking.

Certain words and sounds eluded my tongue, yet I just wanted to speak as fluently as my parents.

As a child I would speak muddled Spanish with relatives and family friends during special occasions and celebrations. From day to day, when addressed in Spanish at home, I merely nodded to words said to me

christianurrutia and proceeded to respond in English.

It was the same for all of my siblings. We were all most comfortable speaking English and would all speak to one another in English. It was only when distant family members would visit that we would put on a facade of knowing Spanish.

I blame my own laziness and by no means point the finger at my parents. They always tried to hold conversations in Spanish, but I would always talk with them about school, homework or any problem I was having in English. It was just easier.

I think my biggest difficulty with completing tasks lies in the fact that I never learned to speak Spanish fluently. Neglecting such a large and easily accessible part of my culture truly disrupted my sense of discipline.

I remember believing I would pick up the language by the time I reached the age of 12, because I had heard that the chances of retention at that age would be higher.

Twelve came and went and, still, I felt optimistic, but failed to make the necessary moves to support my growth.

From there, my lack of ambition transitioned into waking up late for school on a regular basis and failing to practice piano pieces for les-

sons that were due.

It carried on throughout middle school, high school and most of college, leading to abysmal grades and my inability to recognize what I should be doing compared to what I want to be doing.

It is only presently that I realize how I took Spanish for granted and consider myself lucky to have ever been given the ability to comprehend any of that beautiful language.

These days I’m actually making an honest attempt to learn, using an interactive learning program like Rosetta Stone and developing vocabulary by simply asking my parents how to say certain words in Spanish.

I can see the same lazy tendencies of my life in my younger sister who completely bypasses speaking Spanish with my parents. She does now what I was doing at her age: only chooses to learn language from school and only practices that one language because it is easier and commonly spoken among her friends.

However, having been in that position, I try my hardest to make sure she understands what she is losing, and I hope to curb that way of thinking.

Hopefully, curtailing negligent behaviors now will prevent her from making lethargy a habit like I did.

Christian Urrutia is a photo editor of The Advocate. Contact him at currutia.theadvocate@gmail. com.

CampusComment

Where should students be able to smoke cigarettes on campus?

“On the roofs, as long as it’s safe. I see people walking around smoking being told to move to parking lots all the time.”

“Parking lots are fine.

That way it does not have to bother people with breathing problems.” sociology

undecided

“In class, because it is legal and this is America.”

Mathew Manahan

Joe Bellman Jaquetta Miller

Annette Souza

“I am not a big fan of smoking. It should not be allowed at all and it makes me feel sick.” kinesiology

computer science

“Far away from any building. Second hand smoke really bothers me when I am walking between classes.”

Julian Marquez undecided

“Smokers should smoke as far away as possible because some people have breathing issues already and second hand smoke is bad for your health.”

Allen Cortes undecided

CODY CASARES AND JORDAN KHOO / THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT Follow The Advocate

Newsline Q SUPER SATURDAY

Event to inform high schoolers Super Saturday will be held on Saturday in the Student Services Center at 8 a.m.

The event is a freshman orientation for those graduating high school seniors who have made contact with Contra Costa College.

At the orientation students will learn information about the college, support services offered on campus and meet other incoming students.

Students will receive a tour of the college and the different services provided around the campus.

Students will also be familiarized with the different buildings on campus.

Navigation of the campus, due to the construction of the new Campus Center, will also be an important part of the event.

Students and their families will be able to meet counselors and college administrators while preparing for a successful fall semester.

For more information about the event, contact the Super Saturday coordinator Carla Matute at cmatute@contracosta.edu.

Q MUSIC

Spring showcase to hit the Knox The Annual Spring Showcase will be held in the Knox Center on May 16 at 8 p.m.

Contra Costa College’s music department will be featuring its Gospel Choir, JAZZ-ology, Jazzanova, classical jazz students and the college chorus group.

Tickets for the event are $10 for students with a valid ID and $15 for general admission.

For more information about the event, contact music professor Stephanie Austin at 510-215-4824.

Q ART DEPARTMENT

Students sell art, ceramics, bowls The art department is hosting its Annual Pottery Sale till Friday.

Pottery and ceramics are on sale in the atrium and Eddie Rhodes Gallery in the Art Building.

The sale is open today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However on Friday, the sale will end at 2 p.m.

For more information about the sale, contact the art department at 510-235-7800, ext. 43965.

CrimeWatch Monday, April 28: A minor was searched during a pedestrian stop and was found to be in possession of marijuana.

He was cited and released to his parents.

A vehicle was vandalized while parked on campus. There are no suspect or witness information at this time.

Tuesday, April 29: Two students were involved in a physical fight in Lot 9. It was later determined that one student was attacked by the other student. The dominate aggressor was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

A non-student was physically assaulted and robbed by three unknown suspects at the Bus Transfer Center.

Wednesday, April 30: A knife was found in the hallway of the Art Building.

An officer received a suspicious letter regarding a student defrauding the college. — George Morin

3

Smoking | College able to enforce policy Q FROM: Page 1

Receive breaking news and sports updates by following The Advocate on Twitter and Facebook. twitter.com/accentadvocate facebook.com/accentadvocate

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE

have varying degrees of punishments, the penultimate punishment being expulsion from the college district.

Campus policy at CCC is that smoking is prohibited everywhere other than parking lots. This seems like a fair compromise until one realizes that, given moving cars are in and out of parking lots constantly, parking lots are inherently unsafe, and they provide few to no amenities that smokers desire, such as ashtrays or seats. “I feel like I have to go where no one is around when I want to smoke,� Ammanuel Gebreyesus, engineering major and cigarette smoker, said. “Half of campus is closed down, so where you can smoke there’s no where to sit or no shade. (The college doesn’t) have to do anything fancy, but a chair would be nice.�

Gebreyesus said that as of now, there is nowhere on campus for smokers to enjoy a cigarette while it is raining, without violating campus policy or getting wet.

The lack of comfortable places for smokers, as well as a lack of ashtrays on campus, degrades the look of the campus in general.

Spirit program counselor John Tranum said, “They should put more ashtrays around campus. It looks really bad to just have smokers standing around in parking lots.�

Tranum agreed with Gebreyesus in that more areas with coverings would be a boon to smokers.

Oliveira said, “The solar panels in Lot 10 provide some cover for students, but very little. Smokers are kind of banished to the parking lots.�

A bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011, AB 795, empowers community college districts with the ability to institute a maximum fine of $100 for smoking policy violations. This fine is currently not present at CCC. “I remember hearing something about (Diablo Valley College’s) ASU trying to get the district to institute a fine, but as far as I know that went no where,� Oliveira said.

The law states if a district wishes to institute a fine, it must alert students to the fine. The law also mandates that if a fine is imposed, signs that state where a student may and may not smoke must be posted around the campus.

District Governing Board

Many students around campus have visibly switched to smokefree nicotine alternatives known as “E-cigs,� which is short for electric cigarettes.

These machines work by attaching a heating element with a wick to a rechargeable battery. The element heats the wick, and after it is loaded with nicotine containing “Hookah Oils,� the heat vaporizes the liquid, allowing smokers to receive nicotine without the same harsh, acrid smoke that accompanies cigarettes.

Many believe vaporizing nicotine oils also saves the smoker from inhaling the toxic chemicals that exist in a normal cigarette. “This campus sees E-cigs exactly the same as they see traditional cigarettes,� Oliveira said.

This means students caught using an electronic cigarette inside, or anywhere where they are not allowed to smoke a traditional cigarette, are subject to the same code of conduct sanctions they would be were they caught smoking. “If there are enough students concerned about the smoking policy, then honestly the college should do something to entertain their concerns,� Oliveira said.

“If there are enough students concerned about the smoking policy, then honestly the college should do something to entertain their concerns.�

JosĂŠ Oliveira,

Police Services Lt.

President John Marquez said, “I can’t remember there ever being a discussion at the district (level) about a smoking policy. That’s a local issue.�

The quality of the areas smokers may partake in their habit at CCC is low. During the interim between classes, faculty and students alike can be seen squatting on retaining walls near the Physical Science Building, huddled together near Police Services or wandering the streets between the parking lots as they smoke.

Health and human services major Josh Bell said, “There just has to be a better area than parking lots.�

Celebration | Community Crime | Fight Q FROM: Page 1

College President Denise Noldon was at the booth reaching out to residents who may not know what services CCC offers to the community. “We would like local support in our uplifting of the community,� Dr. Noldon said. “(CCC) provides training in a lot of different areas. It is an avenue for people in the community to upgrade their skills, complete their education and transfer to get out into the work force. (The Cinco de Mayo Festival) is a great place to talk about what the college has to offer.�

Associated Student Union President Ysrael Condori was at the booth promoting the Adelante and STEM programs, as well as handing out new registration information packets.

Physics major Luis Vega is part of the Puente and La Raza programs at CCC. This was his first time attending the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Richmond.

Vega said that he could feel the strong sense of belonging and unity within the community. “It’s good to see people come together over our heritage,� Vega said. “We (CCC) are part of the community, and the only way to advance the community is through education. Where else are people going to go to get educated?�

He said the other nearest colleges are Berkeley City College or Laney in Oakland, which may prove difficult for San Pablo and Richmond residents to commute to. “This is our college,� he said. “This is our community.�

Chevron Public Affairs Manager for the Richmond Refinery Heather Kulp said Chevron has been one of the major sponsors of the festival for many years.

Kulp said Chevron has spent more than $580 million between taxes, local spending and community support over the past five years. “(The Cinco de Mayo Festival) just keeps getting bigger and bigger and I love being out here celebrating the culture that makes Richmond so special,� she said.

She said the event is to celebrate the Latino culture that dominates 23rd Street.

“It’s good to see people come together over heritage. We (CCC) are part of the community, and the only way to advance the community is through education. Where else are people going to go to get educated?�

Luis Vega,

physics major

“(Cinco de Mayo) is a celebration of all that is wonderful and unique in this corridor,� she said.

Administration of justice department Chairman Rick Ramos was also in attendance at the festival.

Ramos said he has attended the Cinco de Mayo Festival many times, being that he is a Richmond native, but that this is the first time he has been passing out informational packets promoting the college.

He said the Cinco de Mayo celebration, however, has not always been such a cohesive celebration as it is today. “There was some tension with the city and the Latino community for a long time but that has blown over,� he said. “It is important to have events like this because there is history here. (The Cinco de Mayo Festival) recognizes what Latinos have brought to this city (Richmond).�

The origins of the celebration are rooted in the continual struggle for Mexican sovereignty when its ill-prepared and outnumbered army defeated the invading French forces in Puebla, Mexico in 1862.

A hundred and fifty-two years later, and thousands of miles from the battlefield, Cinco de Mayo has transcended its military roots to become a date when people of different backgrounds come together.

East Bay residents flood 23rd Street to celebrate ethnic diversity, economic and social progress through food, music and one another within the community.

Q FROM: Page 1

and ordered the four of them to exit the bus at the corner of Rumrill Street and Market Street in Richmond.

A witness made a 911 call and contacted the Sheriff’s Department, who contacted the Richmond Police Department, who in turn contacted Police Services.

Police Services dispatched two officers to the Bus Transfer Center at 6:46 p.m., but failed to find any witnesses or the suspects.

The officers then contacted the Richmond Police Department to try and get in contact with the AC Transit bus to try and stop any further crime.

According to the report filed with Police Services, the suspects and Bailey got into another fight, resulting in Bailey being robbed of his black sweater and a quarter ounce of marijuana, Oliveira said.

The suspect told police that he was unaware of the value of the sweater that was stolen, but the marijuana that was stolen had a value of $100, according to the police report.

Bailey brought himself to the Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center at 8 p.m. Police Services then contacted him at 8:15 p.m. at the hospital for the police report, Oliveira said.

Oliveira said, even though the crime involved four non-students, the crime is important to the college. “We had patrol cars at the Bus Transfer Center looking for individuals who matched the description of the assailants,� he said. “We haven’t found any leads yet, but we still have an eye out there.�

Bailey was unable to provide any information about the three suspects to Police Services.

Surveillance cameras were installed at the Bus Transfer Center due to a spike in robberies in the fall 2011 semester.

The cameras from the Bus Transfer Center captured the short fight between Bailey and the three suspects. “Sadly, even with the cameras we still weren’t able to get a great view of their faces,� Oliveira said.

Communications major Drake Jensen said Police Services should notify students about crimes on campus. “We should be informed over InSite Portal or even through a mass-texting announcement,� Jensen said. “There needs to be a way, that we (students) can find out about crimes that happen here (on campus).�

Nursing major Veronica Herrera agrees. “Communication is the key,� Herrera said. “Students have a right to know what happens on campus. We need to know if there’s a crime so we can be on guard.�

ADVERTISEMENT

Elections | Polls close Q FROM: Page 1

tor,� ASU President Ysrael Condori said. “From that point the ASU Board will then appoint senators to fill these positions.�

Agnitsch said, “I’m excited to start (as ASU president). I have different ideas.�

In an effort to raise student awareness of the ASU, Agnitsch said he is getting in contact with professors so that the ASU can make announcements in their classes.

He also said that it would be nice for the ASU to have a single logo to represent their organization.

Avila said that they plan on putting out a tent and table on campus in which they would be able to help promote the ASU. The table would be a place for ASU members to talk to CCC students about issues affecting students, upcoming events that the ASU is hosting and as a recruiting ground, she said. “We always need people in the ASU,�

Avila said.

There are concerns, however, as Middle College High School student Cesar Cortes said, “From what I’ve seen, there’s only one person doing everything.�

Cortes said he talked to the ASU president about how students in the ASU have gotten lazier, and that there used to be people in the ASU who were more active, regularly hosting events and communicating with the students, but that those people have left.

Although Condori did not confirm that discussion, he said that student confusion

“I’m excited to start (as ASU president). I have different ideas.�

Antone Agnitsch,

current ASU parliamentarian

around how the ASU operates has contributed to that negative perception.

He added that, especially because the ASU decides how to appropriately use students’ $5 activity fee, one student or another will always disagree with how the ASU decides to portion out funding, even if a majority of students are happy with the board’s decision.

He said that the current construction on campus has made it difficult for the ASU to not only host events, but to be visible to students as well. “We used to be set up in the quad where all the students could see us. Now students literally don’t see us,� Condori said.

He said that the ASU was able to interact with students who went to the Student Life Office in the now demolished Student Life Center. “They (the current ASU board) are going to have a better start with six members,� Condori said. “(The current) members know each other, they’re not new. That is a big part of the transition, to know the procedures and help the new members out.�

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Richmond stage to host graduates

By Sinoti Iosua STAFF WRITER

siosua.theadvocate@gmail.com

Graduates of the class of 2014 will be the first in the college’s history to have their graduation ceremony held at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The ceremony will be held on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Since the school’s move from the Richmond shipyards to San Pablo in 1956, graduations have been held in the Gymnasium, until this year.

The Richmond Memorial Auditorium, located at the corner of 27th Street and Macdonald Avenue, offers a larger venue to accommodate more guests of the graduates, which the Gymnasium could not pro-

vide, Associated Student Union Director of External Affairs Kirsten Kwon said.

Kwon said the ASU voted in fall 2013 to encourage the decision to swap venues.

“Vicki Ferguson (dean of student services) informed us that the change of locations was due to safety precautions as well as to provide more space for guests,” Kwon said.

Antone Agnitsch, parliamentarian for the ASU, added that the students deserve to bring their families to this important event without having to worry about finding a seat.

Agnitsch was unsure about the number of tickets each graduate receives to give family members, but with the change of locations to a larger space, the number should increase, he said.

Nursing major Abigail Corona, who

graduated in 2012 with her associate degree in liberal arts, said the Gymnasium gets packed quickly and can barely hold the amount of people who come to support the graduates.

“It gets hot from all the body heat and there are people standing because there’s not enough room,” Corona said.

Space limitations should no longer be an issue after this year, Kwon said.

Sociology major Cameron Jones, who will be receiving his associate degree in sociology and liberal arts, said rehearsals for graduation take place on the day of the event.

“I didn’t know if the graduation would be held on campus or at another place, but I have no problem with it being at the auditorium,” Jones said.

The five Ws Who: Graduating class of 2014 What: 2014 Contra Costa College graduation ceremony When: May 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Richmond Memorial Auditorium Why: To honor and show appreciation for the graduates of the class of 2014.

Faculty retirees honored, loved

By Christian Urrutia PHOTO EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

In honor of college employees retiring this year, the college held its Annual Retirement Reception and Staff Reunion in the Library Friday afternoon.

The retirees celebrated during the ceremony included speech department professor and Chairperson Connie Anderson, former art department chairperson and professor John Diestler, library coordinator and professor Ellen Geringer, English department professor and Chairperson John Gregorian, early childhood professor Barbara Grillo and humanities and philosophy department Chairperson David Houston.

Also recognized at the event and set to retire are chemistry Science Lab Tech II Devinder Johl, Liberal Arts Division Dean Helen Kalkstein, Dean of Economic Development Priscilla Leadon, and English professor Barbara McClain.

During the reception, Contra Costa College faculty, staff and

administrators reveled in the strong bonds they share by those retiring and the rest of the college.

Messages of love and anecdotes of the retirees’ characters emanated from the introductory speeches given by fellow staff members of the college.

Retiring classified staff and faculty chose a peer to say a few words about what they accomplished throughout their tenure at CCC, but all speakers added what they will miss most about the retiring person.

Speech department Chairperson Sherry Diestler, in her introduction for Anderson, said, “Connie (Anderson) and I have been together for so many years and she is still here helping us find her replacement. We’re a family here at CCC and, as a family, I’m losing my sister. But she’s not leaving in a lot of ways, and I’m planning to still rely on her for help.”

Anderson said, “As I entered (the Library), tears welled up. This has been the most incredible experience of my life.”

Anderson also said she will miss the students who taught her

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

so much and who are the reason why so many faculty members work so hard to inspire learning.

Paul DeBolt, journalism department professor and chairperson, introduced both Diestler and Houston.

He described the years they spent teaching as adjuncts before becoming full-time faculty.

DeBolt said Diestler got a unique perspective of the college by having been employed as a classified staff member and a professor during his 40 years.

“John was there for me and

my students over the years and is a truly selfless person,” DeBolt said. “I love you John, my brother.

Thank you for everything.”

Johl was introduced by chemistry professor Joseph Ledbetter, who said Johl taught him patience and humility for 30 years, during which time the college never had a chemical accident.

Johl, who had a stroke in the winter of 2012, attended the event with his wife Dupinder.

Dupinder Johl said the help she received from Ledbetter and other faculty was a reflection of the ADVERTISEMENT

QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

Retaining your roots — In LA-100 on Thursday, student Reem Ali recalls immigrating to the U.S. and the importance of keeping one’s heritage in mind.

Community discusses immigration policies

By Mike Thomas SPORTS EDITOR

mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com

Students and faculty gathered in LA-100 on Thursday to gain a better understanding of how immigrants to the United States of America feel and view the process of leaving their homeland.

Six panelists shared their stories about being immigrants and how they have adapted to life in America.

The Co-Director of Black Alliance Just For Immigration Gerald Lenoir gave an opening speech on immigration and what it means to him.

At the beginning of Lenoir’s speech, he clarified that he is not an immigrant, and this matters to him because people of African descent have historically faced racial profiling upon immigration to the United States.

He spoke about Arizona’s Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act, also known as SB 1070. The bill was signed into Arizona state law on April 23, 2010, and allows police to stop people they believe are in the country illegally. Lenoir said the Arizona law has legalized racial profiling in the state. When immigrants first come to the U.S., they face poverty and economic issues, which Lenoir believes can be overcome if people band together.

“We need to work with each other,” Lenoir said. “I think we need to find what our common interests are — there are specific issues we have, and (the need for more) jobs is one of them.”

After Lenoir’s speech, he introduced six panelists who immigrated to the U.S. Contra Costa College student Jaeilo Gauna was one of them, and he spoke about his experience

coming from the Philippines to California.

Gauna said he never saw a car until he moved to the U.S. as a child.

Adapting to life in the U.S. came with a learning curve for the Philippine Island native, and it opened his eyes to a whole new world, he said. ”Employees in the Philippines don’t really climb up to the top at their (workplace) — in the Philippines when you’re born poor you stay poor,” Gauna said. “I think it’s a learning process — it’s fun to learn from another country, and it helps you expand your mind.”

San Pablo Vice Mayor Kathy ChaoRothberg, made an appearance at the event and was also a panelist. She emigrated from Laos with a group of political refugees in 1978 at the age of 7.

Chao-Rothberg’s family came to the U.S. without money, so she learned the value of hard work at an early age, she said.

Her family also had to deal with discrimination growing up in the U.S., but she said as society progressed, life in the states became more comfortable and enjoyable.

“I was a 7-year-old child when I first came here. My family had a lot of hardships. We did not have that much money and we had to deal with racism,” she said.

With the help of political science professor Leonard McNeil, the event was created by the Associated Student Union to inform students about immigration.

According to ASU President Ysrael Condori, half of the ASU board immigrated to America.

“With half of the ASU board being immigrants, we wanted to host an event like this,” Condori said.

Saying farewell — Early childhood education department Chairperson Intisar Shareef describes how the college is losing a unique, passionate educator in Barbara Grillo during the 2014 Annual Retirement Reception and Staff Reunion in the Library Friday.

college’s caring as a family unit.

Ledbetter said, “You (Johl) earned your retirement. We always would talk about who would retire first, and you beat me.”

English professor Jeffrey Michels introduced McClain and said he was worried he would start weeping when discussing what makes her a truly outstanding educator.

“Barbara, you have just been a haven of good taste, an incredibly tactful and thoughtful person,” Dr. Michels said. “We just love you and we’ll miss you deeply.”

SPOTLIGHT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE

Showing love for

5

World famous mothers throughout the centuries Mother Theresa: Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, Mother Theresa, a Roman Catholic nun, is known all over the world for her humanitarian work and founding of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. Over her lifetime she assisted the sick, poor, orphaned and the dying throughout India and other countries.

June Cleaver: Mother of Beaver and Wally in the 1950s television sitcom “Leave it to Beaver,” June has become the image of the typical middleclass suburban mother.

Clair Huxtable: As the elegant, yet playful wife of Bill Cosby in the 1980s sitcom “The Cosby Show,” Clair Huxtable gave middleclass African-American mothers a face on television.

Gifts and places to take mom

Day honors all mothers

Give mom a reason to smile at work with a personalized photo frame or calendar.

Decorate the frame with a loving poem or message on one side with a favorite photo on the other.

With a calendar, each month can feature a fun, memorable photo, or if it is too hard to pick, make a collage.

May holiday shows respect to women

By Veronica Santos SCENE EDITOR

vsantos.theadvocate@gmail.com

Every year, on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day is celebrated in the United States and other parts of the world.

Individuals shower their mothers with gifts to honor their hard work and dedication in providing for, raising and nurturing their children.

According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day is the second most popular holiday for dining out. Hallmark Cards reports that it is the third holiday for card giving. This year, the National Retail Federation estimates that the average American will spend $168.94 on their mothers.

This equals to $19.9 billion in sales.

Mother’s Day was founded by Ann Jarvis in 1908. By 1912, cities and churches all over the U.S. began to celebrate the holiday. President Woodrow Wilson would later name it as a national holiday in 1914.

Due to the commercialization of the holiday, Jarvis began efforts to take the holiday back to its roots and campaign against those who would profit from this day.

She believed that it was not a holiday to celebrate all mothers but a day to celebrate the individual’s mother — the best mother they’ve ever

If money is tight this Mother’s Day, try going for a simple, but considerate “thank you.”

Put together a coupon book for mom, consisting of coupons offering to make her breakfast in bed, a homemade dinner one night, an outing to the movies or a backrub.

The thoughtfulness will both take pressure off your wallet and make mom the star of the day.

Items are nice, but memories last forever.

Instead of trying to find that “perfect gift” for mom, take her to some favorite locations for a day of outings. Pack a picnic lunch or grab some at a cute café before making trips to places like Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, where one can get tea at the Japanese Tea Garden or go for a boat ride at Stow Lake. Or try Tilden Park in Berkeley, equipped with train rides, a petting zoo and merry-go-round. Visit the beach at Stinson Beach or take a gorgeous hike through Muir Woods.

If your Mom enjoys gardening, sewing, bird watching, antique collecting or some other hobby, Mother’s Day is an opportune time to explore those hobbies with her.

known.

Jarvis’ efforts to stop the commercialization of Mother’s Day drove her to spend all of her inheritance in legal fees after launching endless lawsuits on companies that used the words “Mother’s Day.” She later died in a sanitarium due to dementia, void of her wealth and wholly detached from the holiday.

According to history. com, the day is celebrated throughout the world in different ways, depending on the country. In Ethiopia, it is celebrated in the fall, while Thailand celebrates in August on the birthday of their queen. In Panama, the day is celebrated on Dec. 8 and honors the Virgin Mary.

The United States celebrates by presenting mothers with gifts such as flowers or jewelry and participating in family activities centered on the mother. Brunch is the most popular and most traditional dining option.

The Hornblower dining cruise, which departs from Berkeley, will be offering a two hour champagne brunch cruise.

Restaurants all over the Bay Area will be offering special brunch menus to celebrate the holiday.

Another option, although pricey, is a Mother’s Day brunch cooking class which will be presented at the Dacor Kitchen in San Francisco.

Tickets can be bought in advance for $85 each.

For more active families, a Mother’s Day Half Marathon will be held at the San Pablo Reservoir on Sunday on 10 a.m.

Mary Wollstonecraft: Known as the “mother of feminism,” as well as being an activist and author of “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” Wollstonecraft is credited with introducing the concept of equality among men and women to the world.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Stanton, a social activist abolitionist, is one of the most recognized figures in the movement for woman’s suffrage, fighting for the right to vote for 50 years.

Coretta Scott King: Wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., King is also known for being an American author, civil rights leader and activist and helping lead the AfricanAmerican Civil Rights Movement. After her husband’s assassination in 1968, she continued his fight for racial equality and justice.

Marge Simpson: The fictional wife of Homer Simpson and mother of Bart, Lisa and Maggie on the television show “The Simpsons,” Marge is known for her patience and level-headed thinking and her famous beehive hairdo.

Clara Barton: A “mother to the troops,” Barton is remembered for organizing the American Red Cross in 1881. Initially working to obtain and distribute supplies to wounded soldiers during the Civil War, Barton traveled between the lines, working in some of the most violent battlefields.

Princess Diana: In 1997, the world mourned the death of the Princess of Wales, wife of Prince Charles and mother of Princes William and Henry.

Diana was known for her support of charity projects, one being the International Campaign to Ban Land mines, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.

Word to your mother

What would you like to say to your mom?

“Shout out to the only mom who could put up with me. Happy Mother’s Day and I love you.”

Alex Bennett undecided

“Even though you are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I love you with all my heart and wish I could be there with you for Mother’s Day.”

“Thanks for always being there. We have had our ups and downs but I love you.”

Sonia Perdono psychology

“Thanks for being the most awesome mom ever. I would not change you for anything in the world. I love you mom.”

“Thanks for supporting me and all of my aspirations. Also, thanks for not only being the best cook in the world, but for providing for our family.”

Velfrancis Myers Jarmon Coleman communications

CODY CASARES AND JORDAN KHOO / THE ADVOCATE

undecided

Jennifer Lopez biology

“Dear mom, thanks for helping me and putting up with me. Happy Mother’s Day. I love you.”

Mathew O’Leary undecided

6 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014

SCENE

Unleashed

Movies

This week: “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return” (PG)

Curious inquiry — Nick Bottom (Peter Temple) a weaver (left) and Titania, (Julia Bourey) the queen of the fairies discuss an issue during “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Knox Center on Thursday.

The play ran from April 30 till Saturday.

“Moms’ Night Out” (PG) “Neighbors” (R) “Chef” (R) “The Double” (R)

Blu-rays

Play casts spell on audience QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE

By Cody Casares STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ccasares.theadvocate@gmail.com

New releases: “After the Dark” (R)

The drama department presented an exciting and humorous performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Knox Center Friday.

The Shakespearean play was direct“The Art of ed by Linda Jackson-Whitmore who the Steal” is no stranger to performing arts with (R) more than 36 years of experience.

While the play provided an amus“Burn” ing experience, some of the actors (NR) were noticeably playreview “fresher” than oth“Generation ers. Some seemed to War” slightly stumble over (NR) their lines, forcing them “Simon & out. However, where “A Midsummer the Oaks” they lacked rhythm and Night’s Dream” (NR) flow they picked up +++++ with confidence and Venue: Knox Center tone while still using Directed by: Elizabethan English.

Linda JacksonThe play also had an Whitmore excellent use of props and sounds that were pivotal to the synthesized powers of King Oberon and his fairies. Actors at one point twirled glowing blankets around a foggy, glowing, spattered set New which felt magical. releases: The physical set was quite minimal Atmosphere: “Southsiders” featuring few backgrounds, but this was not a downfall of the theatrics Chris Brown: at all. The actors’ costumes featured “X” tear away sleeves, pant legs and skirts which helped to convey emotions and Lil Wayne: set the scene better than any backdrop “Tha Carter could have done.

V” The story begins in the city of Athens with Hermia (Elena The Horrors: Battas) refusing to fulfill her father, “Luminous” Egeus’, (Bob Lane) wishes to marry Demetrius (Brian Moore) in a prearGruff Rhys:

Music

“American Interior”

Games

Spider-Man swings into amazing sequel Plus, with the addition of Rhino (Paul Giamatti), a mechanized STAFF WRITER jjimenez.theadvocate@gmail.com menace of unstoppable force, Parker comes to realize that all of Summer starts early for “your his enemies have two things tying friendly neighborhood Spiderthem all together: their disdain for Man.” Spider-Man and the backing of the Marc Webb returns to direct wealthy corporation moviereview known as Oscorp SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE the web-slinging comic icon for a Spidey sense — Andrew Garfield returns as Spider-Man in the action second time and delivers an epic Industries. film “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” which debuted in theaters on Friday. comic book-fashioned blowout.

Marvel fans will “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” be pleased with cian job at Oscorp and is an avid Parker’s emotional promise opens up right where the first film equipment sightfan of Spider-Man. made to Stacey’s father in the “The Amazing finished. ings of Vulture’s An action packed car chase original film keeps him focused Spider-Man 2” It is great to be Spider-Man. machine like wingscene allows Spider-Man to save on why Spider-Man can never be +++++ For Peter Parker (played by regular civilian Dillon and he a part of Gwen’s life.

Starring: Andrew span, Doc Oc’s Andrew Garfield), there is no feel- Garfield, Emma four-headed monquickly develops a fascination Spider-Man is tormented with Stone, Jamie ing quite like swinging between ster mechanism and of all things Spidey.

However, visions of Gwen’s deceased father Foxx skyscrapers, embracing the hero Rhino’s indestructhis fascination ultimately turns during the film and before Peter Directed by: image and spending time with his Marc Webb tible body armor deadly. realizes the underlying truth, it’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Genre: Action assembled inside.

After a freak accident in an too late.

Stone).

Those make just Oscorp laboratory, the feeble Spider-Man maintains his charHowever, being Spider-Man a few appearances, as Electro and bookworm Dillon is transformed ismatic and charming demeanor, comes at a steep and costly price. Green Goblin are the main villains into the powerful, God-like figure and is the reason why movies Only Spider-Man can protect in the film.

Electro. And Electro shows no based on comic books are smash his fellow New Yorkers and their However, it is Academy Award mercy to everyone, which Foxx hits at the box office. beloved city from the mayhem winner Foxx’s performance as portrays perfectly. A nerd at first These super-hero films are now created by his enemies.

Electro that will leave audiwith messed up teeth and thick transitioning to the big screen With the emergence of the vil- ences asking for more. The vilglasses, turned badass with a take with many different characters lains Electro (Jamie Foxx) and lain Electro’s counterpart is Max no prisoners, “look at what I can people can relate to.

Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan), Dillon, the textbook nerd of all do to Times Square’s power supIt is rare that a film with as Spider-Man must now confront nerds. ply all by myself and get away much hype behind it as this one is foes far more powerful than he.

Dillon loves his electric techni- with it” attitude. this good.

By Jose Jimenez

New releases: “Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition” (E) “Watch Dogs” (M) “Bound by Flame” (E) “Murdered: Soul Suspect” (M)

Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

ranged wedding, for she is in love with another, Lysander (Alejandro Garcia). Egeus presents this love trio to Duke Theseus (Nick Wong) and demands justice be served.

Hermia is then presented with the choice to marry Demetrius or take a life of chastity as a nun.

Meanwhile Helena (Brittany Turner) is desperately in love with Demetrius, who wants nothing to do with her, and will do anything and everything to catch his attention.

At the same time, Peter Quince (Irena Miles) and his goofy crew of mechanics are given the chance to perform a play at the Duke’s wedding where he is to wed Hippolyta (Nicolette Rojas) and while the group of mechanics seem to lack any form of talent, they make up for their performance with spirit and enthusiasm.

To add to the complexity of the situation, in the forest outside Athens, king Oberon (Jason Berner), king of the fairies, struggles to reckon with his queen Titania (Julia Bourey) who will not give up a captive Indian girl (Lina Bergstrom) to be one of his henchman.

Looking to make his queen pay for her insubordination and bring the group of crossed lovers together, he instructs his mischievous servant Puck (Katherine Garcia) to retrieve a magic flower. The flower, when applied to a sleeping person’s eyes causes him or her to fall madly in love with the first living thing their eyes see upon awakening.

The actors were truly dedicated QING HUANG / THE ADVOCATE New heights — A carpenter, weaver, bellows-mender and a to the theatrics and left nothing on the stage with their final bow at the tailor yell out shouts of excitement during “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Knox Center on Thursday. end of the performance.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 l THE ADVOCATE

7

Athlete’s kindness marks community Student volunteer radiates happiness

By Brian Boyle and Cody Casares STAFF WRITERS

accent.advocate@gmail.com

“She quite literally saved our season,” women’s basketball coach Paul DeBolt said.

“That season (2011-2012) was rough, it was just a tragedy. One of my player’s fathers was shot and killed, and we almost didn’t have enough people to play. She joined and just lifted everyone’s spirits, and yeah, she saved our season.”

Elvira “Elvi” Figueroa is an athlete with an impressive number of skills. She has played on almost every sports team she could at Contra Costa College, with the exemption of the women’s soccer team.

“I can just imagine myself falling over my feet,” Figueroa said. “I just don’t think I’d be any good at soccer.”

DeBolt described Figueroa’s first game with his team.

“I asked her what position she played and she told me, ‘I’m a power forward coach,’” DeBolt said. “She’s like 5 foot 5, but she said she could rebound the ball and put it right back. That game she was a rebound fiend. We wouldn’t have won without her.”

DeBolt said his team was 0-6 so far that season when Figueroa joined, and her first game was the Comets’ first win. DeBolt credited the eight rebounds she recovered with the team’s victory.

Figueroa herself is a humble person, quick to admit to her own failings, real or imagined, as well as quick to show gratitude to those that have helped her along the way.

“I love all the coaches I’ve had,” Figueroa said. “They all taught me life lessons that helped me be who I am today.”

If one talks to anyone that knows her, the first thing they will comment on is the aura of joy that follows Figueroa around.

“She’s just that kind of person, just being around her makes you feel better,” DeBolt said. “She would just say something hilarious that lifted the entire team’s mood. They were always laughing along with her.”

This season Figueroa played for the softball team at CCC, and her positive attitude was apparent to anyone who came to watch one of her games. Figueroa was always quick with a word of support or encouragement for any of her teammates.

Comet second baseman Sinoti Iosua said, “If I could describe Elvi in one word it

would be unique.”

Iosua also made a comment of Figueroa’s skill on the softball field, describing her as “clutch” on defense.

Liliana Reyes, another of Figueroa’s softball teammates, said, “She’s made some amazing catches this season. They were balls that no one should have been able to catch and she did. You just can’t forget those.”

One such catch was during the Comets’ game against Diablo Valley College on Feb. 18, where Figueroa caught a high fly ball to center field with her back turned, and quickly fed it to second base, to turn it into a double play.

Reyes said, “If I could use one word to describe her it would just be amazing.”

Figueroa is a biology major, and will be transferring to Cal State-Monterey Bay in the fall. She said she loved attending a community college, and recommends it to anyone.

“I started at San Francisco State, but it was so impersonal and expensive that I ended up coming to CCC,” Figueroa said.

“I love it here. The professors are so helpful and friendly. Everyone in (four-year) schools frowns at you when they hear you’re going to a community college, but honestly, CCC is great.”

Figueroa was born in Vallejo, but grew up in Richmond with her father, mother and brother who beats her age by 21 years. She said, as a child, that she was a very scrawny, quiet kid.

“I didn’t really get along with people as a kid,” Figueroa said. “I like animals a lot, and I had my dogs, cats and hamsters to keep me company. It wasn’t until I got to (Salesian) high school that I discovered sports.”

Figueroa will be graduating from CCC with what she said was a 3.02 GPA. She was accepted into all three of the college she applied to transfer to; the University of Hawaii, Cal State-Monterey Bay and Cal State-Sacramento.

“I had a 3.89 for the longest time, but just couldn’t maintain it,” she said.

On top of being academically gifted and a student-athlete, Figueroa spends a lot of her free time working and volunteering.

“At one point my mom lost her job and my sister-in-law developed cancer,” Figueroa said. “I felt like I needed to be more self-sufficient so I got a second job.”

She currently works at a Burger King, but said at one point she was maintaining a second job at Old Navy as well, on top of the demands she had to meet from being an athlete and student.

Figueroa has also spent a substantial

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

In full spirits — Elvira “Elvi” Figueroa has played volleyball, women’s basketball and softball, she radiates happiness with her players and coaches alike. amount of time volunteering. She has spent time volunteering as an assistant coach for the Richmond Police Activities League, and at a local animal shelter.

Blythe Lucero, the director of Animal Refugee Response, an animal rescue charity dedicated to rescuing and sheltering animals in immediate danger of euthanasia, said Figueroa used to volunteer there helping with animals.

“Elvi would help with the animal care, feeding the animals and making sure they were OK, as well as the maintenance in the cages, making sure everyone was clean,” Lucero said. “She was great. You could really tell she loves animals; she always had a smile on. She’s definitely going to go places.”

Figueroa describes the animal shelter as her “favorite place.” She said her time volunteering there reinforced her dream of attending UC Davis to study to become a veterinarian.

Figueroa is certainly a hardworking individual, but her personality seems to be what sticks to the mind of everyone she meets.

“I met her for the first time on the softball field at the beginning of this season,” Reyes said. “Her kindness is her most prominent feature. She was always very helpful and she never had to argue like some of the other teammates. She would just listen. She just isn’t like everyone else.”

As Figueroa prepares to transfer, she said she is going to miss the college, and all of the friends she has made here. She said her decision to attend Cal State-Monterey Bay was heavily influenced by her desire to remain as close to her friends and family as possible.

Just as Figueroa’s coaches made an impact upon her, if one talks to some of the people that coached her, it is apparent she did the same.

DeBolt said, “She’s great. She’s definitely one of the good ones.”

N Off the record

Because, sometimes you can fail a sport

A

grade in a class is a stamp that illustrates a student’s understanding and mastery of a subject.

An “A” says that a student is more than ready to perform at the next level of a subject. A “C” shows that a student only has an average understanding of a subject.

Grades are also supposed to serve as a way for students to receive feedback on their performance.

By the same logic, an “A” in football or an “A” in soccer should mean that a student is ready to compete at the next athletic level, which it certainly does not always mean.

In academic classes, students take tests to demonstrate their knowledge on a subject and demonstrate their skills in that field. In athletic classes, students compete.

Yet if a student were to earn a score of 9/26 on a math test, that student would fail. Students earn that record on a sports team and still manage to pass, which is ridiculous. Every year students move on to four-year colleges

fail by not showing up.

A coach may say that every athlete improves over the course of a season, but anyone who watches a number of games for any of the sports on campus could point out students who simply have not improved, or have only done so by a miniscule amount. These students earn the same grade as those performing at a far-above-average with grades that make them look more level, and those that have made substantial improvement over the course competent than they actually are. of a season.

As it stands, students in athletics Failing to grade athletics based are graded by participation and growth upon a measurable benchmark, or over the course of a season. If those upon performance, isn’t fair to the stuare the measures of an athlete’s perdents in the program, it isn’t fair to the formance, then, much like academic schools that students may transfer to courses, there needs to be a set stanand it is certainly a dishonest way of dard to measure their growth, so that earning college credit. their performance can be accurately The obvious argument toward recorded. grading students upon performance Grades in athletics at the moment is that, if students can fail the athletic are very subjective. A coach isn’t programs, there probably wouldn’t be forced to accurately measure an athlete’s growth and grade them upon any teams. That’s probably true, and it, so, in effect, athletes earn their “A” unfortunately there would probably be by being on a team, and can only ever someone who fails an athletic program

brianboyle

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class every semester if it were graded upon performance, and that person or persons would most likely be discouraged from continuing the sport.

Well, that means those classes should just be clubs that earn students no actual college credit.

The educational value of being on a team wouldn’t be lost; it would just be education for education’s sake, instead of padding someone’s unit count.

When a student-athlete transfers, that student would still be able to list his or her participation in a sport on the application and on future resumés.

The other option, of course, is to bring other extra-curricular activities in line with athletics. Participation in activities such as being a member of the Associated Student Union or the debate team should earn students college credit for showing up.

Brian Boyle is the news editor of The Advocate. Contact him at bboyle. theadvocate@gmail.com.

8 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014

FOCUS

Festive mood — Residents from all over the East Bay came in droves to the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street in Richmond, stretching from Rheem to Clinton avenues on Sunday.

People paraded through the streets celebrating Latino culture in California.

CELEBRATING HERITAGE Photos by Qing Huang

Distorting boarders — The Mexican flag hangs alongside a U.S. flag displaying the influence of the Latino community in the city of Richmond during the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street in Richmond on Sunday.

Color coordinated — Attendees paint a giant paper mâche human figure during the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street in Richmond on Sunday.

Painting the future— A young boy diligently applies strokes of paint onto the giant paper mâche human figure during the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street in Richmond on Sunday.

Sensational steps — Performer Jonathan Falcon (left) spins Karen Reyes while they dance, “El Paso Duranguese,” a unique dance originating in Northern Mexico, in front of a crowd during the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on 23rd Street in Richmond on Sunday.