The Advocate 9 - 12 by The Advocate

WEDNESDAY l 9.12.18 OUR 69TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Start here free, go anywhere Pathway to affordable education built to boost enrollment, opportunity By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

FIRST TIME FULL-TIME FREE TUITION PROGRAM: n In October, Assembly Bill 19 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown. It allocated $1.3 million to the Contra Costa Community College District. n The program offers two consecutive semesters of free tuition to qualifying first time full-time college students who are residents of California. n The California Promise Program went live Aug. 27 and has no limit on how many students can apply for the free tuition. INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

First time college students had until Tuesday to apply for free tuition for the fall semester at Contra Costa, Diablo Valley and Los Medanos colleges. The First Time Full Time Free Tuition (F3) program, which is offering two consecutive semesters of free tuition to first time college hopefuls, is a part of the California College Promise, a statewide initiative to fund free tuition at community colleges. “We recognize that more and more jobs require some college education and we are doing our absolute best to encourage folks who may be considering other options that cost more,” Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred Wood said. “We’re encouraging people who may have been thinking about going to college but aren’t quite sure — folks who thought they couldn’t afford it to say hey, now is the time to jump in and get an education because we know it will help you.” Last October, as Assembly Bill 19, the California College Promise Program was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill allocated $1.3 million to the CCCCD for the 2018-19 school year. The aim of AB19 and its funding is to encour-

age a college-going culture throughout California while increasing completion rates among community college students. “We believe the money the state has provided will come close to or cover the number of students we anticipate participating in the program,” Dr. Wood said. “We made the commitment that we’re going to try to offer the program until that money goes away.” Wood said when he finally got the word on a few of the program’s critical components, he gathered faculty and staff together at all three colleges in the district and put the program together as quickly as possible. “Right now, we have been able to use the funds to try and spread out as much as we can for students and tuition. That was a decision we made,” Wood said. “Of course, we are dependent on the state for funding. If that funding continues to be provided, we plan to do this indefinitely for our students. But frankly, that’ll be a problem that we’ll be talking about in the future.” Although there is set to be another allocation of funds for the 201920 school year, the $1.3 million is a trial run to gage the success of the First Time Full Time Free Tuition Program. FTFT, PAGE 3

PROFESSOR’S HEARTFELT DEDICATION REMEMBERED VICTORY REDEEMS TEAM, UPS MORALE PAGE 7

BATTLE FOR CULINARY SUPREMACY RETURNS PAGE 4

English professor Robin Eubanks dies, leaves lasting legacy

By Denis Perez creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Transparency highlights president’s new role Campus leader harnesses community spirit, optimism

COMEDIC ONLINE SHOW ENCHANTS AUDIENCE PAGE 8 FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

In just a little over a month’s time as the 12th president of Contra Costa College, Dr. Katrina VanderWoude has made it a priority to develop a sense of who the faculty, staff and students are at her new campus home, here in San Pablo. “My first month has been absolutely stellar, it really has been,” Dr. VanderWoude said as she sat in her brightly lit and partially decorated office in the Student and Administration Building. “Between the faculty and visiting with students, I’ve had the opportunity to be in a few classrooms already — it’s been fantastic.” VanderWoude, who arrived on campus on Aug. 6 from Grossmont College in El Cajon, California, has been working alongside Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred Wood to become familiar with CCC and it’s rich history.

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

“She (VanderWoude) has the capability, and I’ve seen it while working with her this last month, to really establish a sense of engagement at the college,” Dr. Wood said. “She’s an intelligent women who really wants to understand what’s going on, not only on campus but in the community as well.” The campus is so stunningly beautiful and amazing, VanderWoude said, but aside from a few paintings from her daughter she’s hardly had time to completely unpack. “The giraffe over there, I don’t quite have her unpacked. Then there’s a Catrina doll over there, whose head is on the side because her little neck was broken during my travel. So I’m talking to our ceramics faculty to see if they can do a repair,” VanderWoude said with a smile. “That’s a Catrina doll and I’m a Katrina and I don’t want there to be any thought about how the real Katrina will end up. So we’ve

ABOVE: Sitting in her campus office, Contra Costa College President Katrina VanderWoude discusses her journey to becoming the 12th president of the college.

SEE VANDERWOUDE, PAGE 3

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

Fighting cancer for many of her years, life was not always easy. Yet English professor Robin Brooke Eubanks could provide happiness to those around her and create a joyful environment in her educational spaces. On Aug. 12, Eubanks died of cancer. She was 49. Liberal Arts Division Dean Jason Burner said the loss of Eubanks at Contra Costa College will be Eubanks directly be felt in the College Skills Center Contra and in the English Costa department — espe- College cially its push for pro- assistant viding more online English classes. professor Eubanks was a fulltime professor and had taught at CCC for three years at the time of her death. “Brooke was a very well-liked and respected professor and was a very popular tutor at the (skills center),” Burner said. “She (Eubanks) did a lot of online work. It was one of the reasons she was hired — to help create and offer online classes in the English department.” In 2016 when the Contra Costa Community College District was re-thinking its online presence and switching its online class platform from Desire2Learn to Canvas, Eubanks was a key player in making sure online English classes were offered by CCC. SEE EUBANKS, PAGE 3

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

Quotable “At no time is freedom of speech more precious than when a man hits his thumb with a hammer.” Marshall Lumsden writer 1975 Michael Santone editor-in-chief Xavier Johnson web editor Denis Perez creative director Robert Clinton associate editor Jessica Suico news editor Andrew Weedon scene editor Efrain Valdez sports editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Chris Alfred Issac Benavides Mariah Davis Kit Duckworth Kyle Grant Dan Hardin Alex Kwasniza Luis Lopez Cindy Pantoja Ixia Perez-Vallejo Joshua Poole Gabriel Quiroz Joel Umanzor 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, 2018 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2018 VOL. 107, NO. 1

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

●

EDITORIAL

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Executive changes hamper campus stability

ince fall of 2013 when ground was initially broken on the Campus Center Project, the outward appearance of Contra Costa College has been in constant flux. In recent years, students withstood the dust and debris, lack of parking and general upheaval of any sense of continuity that was gained throughout the normal course of a semester. Regularly, that familiarity had to be redirected to a different path as soon as the following semester began — making a once comfortable campus feel like a foreign land. As the structural nature of CCC continues to undergo a substantial facelift, an incremental nip and tuck job has continued to reshape the administrative image of the campus as well. The ideal plan, to reconfigure the administrative face of CCC to better reflect that of the community it serves continues to be a project mired in trial and error. It’s becoming commonplace that this constant re-shaping only lasts long enough for the bandages to be ripped off. However, before the scars of change can get a chance to fully heal, the campus is forced to return under the knife to remove some unexpected or unintended bureaucratic blemishes. The cyclical condition doesn’t produce minimal shifts. The changes are enough to make the most surgically-seasoned Kardashian blush. CCC has been fronted by four campus presidents in the past four years, Dr. Denise Noldon left the position in 2015. She was followed by Mojdeh Mehdizadeh and interim Dr. Chui Tsang. Then on Aug. 6 Dr. Katrina VanderWoude came on board as the 12th president of CCC. All of these professionals are qualified in their own respects, however, the vast differences in their style and approaches leave many to wonder if the district really knows what type of leader is best suited to serve the students of CCC. Presidents are not the only participants in this state-funded, high-stakes game of musical chairs. Campus deans have been in high rotation over the past few years as well. Last semester, the lateral appointment of Dennis Franco to dean of students from dean of enrollment left many on campus wondering what would happen next. What kind of example does that set? From the unceremonious exit of Vice President Ken Sherwood and the hiring of Andre Singleton as dean of enrollment services over the summer break, clandestine administrative actions continue to be the Contra Costa Community College District’s modus operandi. The campus needs management who understand the challenges of educating students in this particular community and social atmosphere. Measurable growth and meaningful change is rarely gained by institutions that selects its administrators Lazy Susan style or with all the certainty of predicting the landing spot of a ball in a game of roulette.

ISAAC BENIVADES / THE ADVOCATE

■ IDEALS

Battle to quit social media induces anxiety A

few weeks ago, I found myself updating my Facebook status in the middle of an anxiety attack. Somehow, in the midst of deep breathing and heart palpitations, I fought the need to inform my followers what I was going through. The episode of emotional turmoil was interrupted by the 15 other notifications on my phone that I thought required my immediate attention. Once I realized I was answering messages and liking pictures when my body was screaming for help, I decided to do the unthinkable — cut all ties with social media. Although social media has been used to connect people from all around the world for years, I realize I’m not alone. A vast number of users are deciding to be done with it for good. Ben, a 24-year-old millennial who begin using Facebook when he was 12, said, “I deleted my account because I got tired of fake people who would cheer you up when you are acting stupid but will hate on you when you are having a hard time.” Multiple studies have shown that social media users experience bouts of depression and self-doubt due to social comparison. It is a measurable phenomenon that surfaces when social media users are overexposed to the apparent success of their peers. Margaret Duffy, a professor at the University of Missouri School

be creative. After vacating social platforms, among other life improvements, people report sleeping better. It’s easier to get the recommended hours of sleep when there are no notifications popping up throughout the night. More importantly, sevof Journalism, said, ering cyberoptic ties offers “Facebook can be a fun and healthy activity if users people more time to spend with family and gives relatake advantage of the site tionships the time required to stay connected with to grow and improve. family and While social media have old friends. I a negative effect on the However, if decided well being of some people, Facebook is it is undeniably true that used to see to do the they are also beneficial in how well an many ways. Productive use acquaintance is doing finan- unthink- opens gateways for people become active members cially or how able — to of society. happy an old Some social media friend is in his cut all platforms such Facebook, relationship, it can cause envy ties with YouTube, and Instagram provide their users the among users.” chance to upload the bulk Even though social of the platform’s creative quitting social content. media requires media. Weeks after I severed my just one click, electronic umbilical cord, the aftermath is more complicated. Most I found out it is almost impossible to be disconpeople will experience nected. So I reconnected, noticeable withdrawal symptoms during the first this time creating a social media presence where my few days of cutting the focus is only family, work cord. and school. Social media use In order for me to funcincreases the brain’s protion without social media, duction of dopamine, I would have to become which is the same way someone else — and that’s drug consumption affects not something I’m prethe mind. That’s why quitting “cold pared to do. turkey” will result in withdrawal symptoms. Cindy Pantoja is a staff However, once people writer for The Advocate. are not spending as much Contact her at cpantoja. time using electronics, theadvocate@gmail.com. cord-cutters realize they can use that extra time to

cindypantoja

CAMPUS COMMENT

Has anything ever happened to you on social media that made you want to delete your account?

“I deleted mine recently. I saw people I’m not friends with anymore on there. Too many people act like they know you when they don’t.” Daniel Villarreal nursing

“I have never pulled the plug. I mainly go on there for current events and to keep communication with family and friends.” Salvador Patino kinseology

GABRIEL QUIROZ AND JESSICA SUICO / THE ADVOCATE

“Social media is a distraction of mine. I want to put my focus into school. That is a reason I may get rid of it.”

“There is too much drama on social media. That’s a reason I try to stay clear of it.”

“I feel it’s an addiction. When I want to put all my focus into school I delete the app off my phone.”

Mayra Martinez

Sean Shao

Deanise Linck

psychology

political science

psychology

“I feel it can harm a persons mental state. Social media is an illusion and people act like something they are not on social media.” Melissa Mendez undecided

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.18 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

NEWSLINE FREE TUITION | Students seize on new opportunity VOLUNTEER

2018 COASTAL CLEAN UP TO TAKE PLACE Volunteers across Richmond will gather at Shimada Friendship Park for the yearly coastal clean up gathering. Volunteers can help clear the shoreline of trash on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Cleanup supplies are provided or attendees can use their own recyclable products. Please wear closetoed shoes, a hat and/or sunscreen and bring a water bottle to maintain hydration. Volunteers must have a signed waiver form and children must be accompanied by an adult. Questions an be directed to coastalcleanup@ thewatershedproject.org

EVENT

WORKSHOP TO HELP STUDENT INTERN Contra Costa College, CalCPA and the CCC Foundation are hosting a workshop on how to become a certified public assistant. Attendees will gain insight in what classes to take, the transfer process, the resources available and tips on getting an internship. The workshop will take place on Sept. 18 from 5-9 p.m. at Fireside Hall. To register for this event, go to https://www.eventbrite.com

AWARENESS

STUDENT EQUITY EVENT RAISES Contra Costa College Student Equity will hold a presentation focused on the trends, challenges and opportunities faced by men of color. The lecture will be led by Dr. J. Luke Wood on Sept. 19 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in GE-225. The purpose of the lecture is to raise campus consciousness and learn how to best support men of color in education. To register for this event, go to https://www. eventbrite.com

FORUM

COLLEGE TO HOST COMEDIAN AT KNOX On Sept. 27, Latino Thought Makers and the Contra Costa College Foundation will present “A Conversation with Cheech Marin” at Contra Costa College in the Knox Center. Host Rick Najera will sit down with Marin, for an intimate, entertaining and comical discussion about the complexities of life and careers. Latino Thought Makers is a nationally recognized interview series hosted and created by comedian and award-winning writer, director and author Najera.

CRIMEWATCH Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018: Two auto burglaries were reported in parking lots on Mission Bell Drive at 5:28 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018: Vandalism was reported in a parking lot on Mission Bell Drive at 2:03 p.m. — Cindy Pantoja — 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 The F3 program, which went live on Aug. 27, had no limit on how many students could apply for the California College Promise program. “We’re not talking just about (students) directly from high school. This is open to students of all ages and it’s open to all aspirations and objectives,” Wood said. “Everything from someone interested in one semester, maybe a short certificate program, to those interested in an associate degree or interested in transfer.” Students interested in the program had until Tuesday to apply for the fall term and as of Aug. 28 there were a total of 1,050 applications to be processed throughout the district. District Director of Financial Aid Timothy Bonnel said once all three colleges in the district began advertising the First Time FullTime Free Tuition Program on their website, students who had already completed many units began applying for the program. “So, it is for first time full-time students and we’re working on trying to identify legitimate pledges,” Bonnel said. “We’re in the process now of trying to wait until the 10th and start filtering out those who were already students and helping them get regular financial aid that’s available.” Bonnel said the district may refine the program as it moves into the future to see if it can

“You are never too old to go to college or learn something new and I’m proof of that.” Veronica Belmontis, art major

better serve students so that when their signing up they are categorized as first time students. After making the pledge to “take charge of their future with the college’s help,” students, who must be California residents or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, were required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application. Students must then complete an educational plan of no less than 12 semester units, which is the threshold for recognition as a full-time equivalent student. Sustaining a 2.0 GPA, participation in college programs and support services and continued progress on the selected education plan are also a part of the required pledge. “The intent is to have students sign up and when they meet the requirements, including completing their 12 units, they get their tuition back, which makes it a free education,” Bonnel said. “We would like to at some point grow the program with additional benefits for students as well.”

Bonnel said the idea is for students to complete the financial aid form so the possibility for more funds can help out with textbooks, transportation and housing. “More importantly, this is not need based, it is a requirement that students fill out the financial aid form. The reason we are doing that is because there may be financial aid available for them that they don’t know about,” Bonnel said. Fifty-four-year-old single mother Veronica Belmontis said she had dreamed of going to college since she was a little girl but because of some obstacles and blessings she never got the chance. “You are never too old to go to college or learn something new and I’m proof of that,” Belmontis said. “I’ve always wanted to continue my education, but because of my beautiful daughters I had to put that on hold. But I’m here and it’s truly a blessing.” Belmontis who is a CCC art major, said she heard about the First Time Full-Time Free Tuition program through her oldest daughter who attends Middle College High School. “She came home one evening and said, ‘Mom, you have your chance to go to my college,’” Belmontis said. “I really think this program is long overdue. There are people who have been in the same situation as me, who need that little push and I think it’s wonderful that it’s happening in our community.”

EUBANKS | Professor pioneered online education Continued from Page 1 According to a 2016 article published by The Advocate, Eubanks was the first professor in the district to teach three courses on Canvas in a semester and the first professor on campus to teach an English course fully online. In the same article, former CCC president Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said, “It (teaching online) requires that faculty have an understanding to teach in an online environment and (Eubanks) has been one of those champions working to get other faculty in her department used to online teaching.” United Faculty President Jeffrey Michels, who is a CCC English department professor, said Eubanks always sought to connect with her students and help them develop their educational careers. She did this whether it was in a face-to-face class setting or in an online class. Dr. Michels said she participated in workshops and trainings and was very proud of her students. He said with her cancer progressing, Eubanks attended a program at the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto. Michels said, “Her last semester here I told her, ‘Maybe you can take a break,’ and her response was, ‘I can’t. This is who I am.’” In an email to faculty about Eubanks, Berner said, “She was also a fixture in the college’s (skills center), where she could always be found helping students, any who sought her out especially for her expertise and approachability. Although her time with us was brief, she definitely made a powerful impact on the CCC community.” CCC alumna Sasha Graham said, Eubanks helped change her life by just being a caring teacher. “She (Eubanks Brooks) re-assured me that I could believe in myself.” Eubanks was Graham’s English teacher in spring 2016 and she was one of those students

who, after having the professor for English 1A, enrolled in her class again for English 1C. Graham said Brooks made class simple and was blunt with students. “She would break things down and kept a lively environment in her class,” Graham said. “She would read your homework assignment thoroughly enough to give you effective feedback and she was often open (about her health situation) and the whole class knew about her family. She made time for you to be able to talk about problems in classwork and in person too.” Eubanks’ interaction with Graham, like with other students, included time outside of the classroom. Graham said Eubanks helped her secure multiple scholarships and proofread and offered suggestions on almost all of her scholarship essays. Graham said, “Notably, in the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship process she was crucial in helping me to finish it.” She said when her professor who had agreed to write a recommendation letter failed to come through, at the last minute Eubanks was instantly available after Graham notified her of the situation. On a tight deadline, Eubanks finished the letter of recommendation and Graham went on to be a 2016 recipient of the $320,000 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. Graham said she has a deep gratitude and appreciation for Eubanks, who she said was an amazing person and a great professor because her energy was authentic. She said Eubanks was, at her core, down to earth. Eubanks is survived by her husband Keith Eubanks, and their three daughters Madeline (17), Abigail (12) and Katie (10). Michels said the United Faculty is starting a

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

English professor Robin Brooke Eubanks poses for her husband Keith Eubanks.

scholarship fund for Eubanks’ daughters. For more information about the scholarship fund, contact Michels at jmichels@contracosta. edu. or send a check to United Faculty for Eubanks Scholarship Fund through the campus mail.

VANDERWOUDE | Hire offers consistency for college Continued from Page 1 got to get our head back on.” Before being chosen president of CCC, VanderWoude served as the vice president of academic affairs at Grossmont, a few miles east of San Diego. While serving as vice president there, she provided leadership to over 800 full- and part-time faculty and a staff with six instructional divisions in service to approximately 19,000 students. “Grossmont College is a bit bigger than Contra Costa College and there was definitely diversity on that campus (too), which is something we both share,” VanderWoude said. “I am just so pleased to have landed in a district where I see how important the community in general is to the district. Particularly at Contra Costa I see a real connection to the community.” VanderWoude said aside from both colleges experiencing enrollment issues like many community colleges up and down the state, both colleges are also Hispanic serving institutions which means at least 30 percent of their students identify as living in Hispanic households. She said among her goals are looking for collaborative learning spaces for students and helping CCC become known for its student access, success and equity. Grossmont College Dean of Allied Health and Nursing Dee Oliveri said VanderWoude is a very supportive person who lis-

tens and encourages those around her, especially if they want to try new things. “I was new to my role (at Grossmont) and she was an enormous help to me in terms of connecting me with people who could help me,” Oliveri said. “She’s a coach and mentor, that kind of person. She’s always willing to share what she knows.” Oliveri, who has known VanderWoude since she was hired at Grossmont three years ago, said VanderWoude can work in a situation and identify what needs to be done, “If there is something that needs to be done, she will get it done,” Oliveri said. Born and raised in Michigan as what seemed like an only child due to her siblings being more than decade older than she, VanderWoude became the first in her family to go away to college. “There was an emphasis on education, but not that knowledge. I was definitely a first time, first generation college student without having the understanding” she said. “It was just that my parents, neither of whom had college educations, were focused on saying, ‘(College) is something that you have to do,’ and when you’re coming from that type of background they didn’t necessarily understand it, but they knew it was something that I needed to do.” Earning a double bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from Michigan State

n “I think it’s part of my role to help create and facilitate an environment of open communication and transparency.”

— Dr. Katrina VanderWoude

University in East Lansing, a master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis on higher education and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan State in Ypsilanti, VanderWoude set out to make community outreach her passion. “I started my career with my first degrees in social work and psychology and, for a short time, I worked with students who were abused and neglected, where you see so many different things,” VanderWoude said. “We’ve all had disappointments but where possible, when you can, it’s trying to brand that challenge into an opportunity.” During her time at Grossmont, VanderWoude established partnerships in the local community, helped the college increase its enrollment and developed a relationship with each faculty and staff member. “One of the programs I was really proud of was the Pathways to Success Academy with the Los Colinas Women’s Correctional Facility, where incarcerated women were able to be released

with 20 college credits and an invitation to come to Grossmont,” VanderWoude said. “The faculty found it to be one of their most rewarding experiences, and so did I.” Grossmont College math professor Susan Working said VanderWoude made sure every voice was heard on campus, “She (VanderWoude) is very pro-student. So as faculty if you brought to her (student-centered) ideas and issues, even as a vice president, she would support (them),” Working said. “I think because she is so receptive to ideas, it could be a big change for the college (CCC). She will bring positivity.” Working said VanderWoude has an open-door policy where you don’t need an appointment to see her and you can just pop in “Students will feel comfortable with her, people will feel comfortable going to her,” VanderWoude said she plans to continue her open door policy at CCC, as well as looking for ways to make change through a democratic process. “I enter these conversations and I’m thinking what would be the reason for keeping these things secret? Would I want the information that’s going to help me better to do my job? Absolutely.” “I think it’s part of my role to help create and facilitate an environment of open communication and transparency. Does it mean we always agree? No it does not. But that means we sit down and talk about it.”

campusbeat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

ORIGINAL CUISINE REVEALS ABILITY Community commends effort, honors students By Gabriel Quiroz advocate staff

gquiroz.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Aqua Terra Grill was filled with culinary arts students eager to share their work Thursday as they stood proudly behind their group’s dishes for their competition event the Culinary Clash. Culinary Clash, the new name given to the previously titled Iron Chef competition, is held at the beginning of each semester in the culinary arts department. It is an event where students compete in teams against their peers with dishes they have been inspired to create. According to culinary arts department Chairperson Nader Sharkes, six teams, each with five culinary students, face off by combining their skills and knowledge to make a dish from mystery ingredients found in the culinary arts department’s food pantry. Each team has a leader, but students work cohesively as everyone on the team has an important role. At this level, no one is really above or below anyone else in the kitchen. The patrons in the grill who sampled the food created in the Culinary Clash all seemed eager to try the selection of dishes created as each offered a variety of flavors brought together by students. The restaurant itself is fancy and can seem a little intimidating upon arrival. But warm greetings from the staff quickly alleviates that thought.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

A culinary arts student, part of the winning team Dilly Dilly, serves students during the department’s Culinary Clash on Thursday at the Aqua Terra Grill.

“I’m excited about the event and to show people that we know what we’re doing in the kitchen” Robin Jasso,

culinary arts student

On Thursday, customers were seated at elegant tables with fancy folded napkins and elaborately placed silverware and the all-student wait staff was very attentive to patron’s needs. It wasn’t all serious though, as the team names were humorous and original. Most of the names were unique, like Chop It Like It’s Hot, Oddsquad and Chefaholics. The five members of each team each had individual tasks to complete. Some prepped and cooked the food, while others gave great

descriptions while serving their dish with a proud, yet humble, smile. The team dishes were quite different from one another as team Elite 4 created Greek pasta salad. Team Chop It Like It’s Hot made steamed beef bao and team Dilly Dilly made Monte Cristo with pineapple and plum sauce paired with a plum ice cream. The winning team, Dilly Dilly, worked together to ensure their dishes’ exceptional quality and originality shined brightest. Their team consisted of culinary majors Maggie Alinsod, Mikaylah Cayanan, Cristina Sanuk, Ellen Chou and team leader Jamie Ferns. The team spoke of each other in a kind and joyous manner, stating multiple times that, although they had a leader, they were all equal in their group. Alinsod said, “Someone always steps in to help the others.” The group chose to make Monte Cristo with pineapple and plum sauce and a side

of homemade ice cream with plums from Jamie Ferns’ backyard. Although team Dilly Dilly won the clash, the competition was very close. Team Simplicity was hot on their tail. Second place went to team Simplicity for its delicious take on a popular dish. The team served barbecue chicken and duck taco with cilantro, lime and scallions. Event attendee Ann Nuygen said, “They had very good service. My favorite was the duck tacos. Also, the price point was good.” While preparing the tacos in the kitchen, team Simplicity member Robin Jasso said, “I’m excited about the event and to show people that we know what we’re doing in the kitchen.” Winners of the Culinary Clash received gift baskets for each member of their team with items such as cookbooks, cooking utensils, coffee and other amenities in the $50 range.

Insite app makes tasks feasible, with glitches College brings resources to the palm of your hand

By Gabriel Quiroz advocate staff

gquiroz.theadvocate@gmail.com

Signing up for classes, paying parking permit fees, filling out financial aid forms and many more tasks yearning for completion in a sometimes-stressful journey through college have now gotten a bit easier. The new Insite app was released by the Contra Costa Community College District this past summer to help students and employees bypass user interface issues common with the previous site through better functionality and updated features. The app cost $39,000 to create but is offered free to employees and students through the Apple Store and Google Play Store for Android users. The most significant change is that services are now presented in a mobile-friendly manner with the belief

that an app will offer a more familiar platform for students and increase easeof-use. The revamped Insite app was specifically built to add support for mobile users as the previous website was not very mobile friendly and based on old technology. According to district Director of Information Technology Satish Warrier, the website’s servers also could not handle the demands they were tasked with maintaining, especially at the beginning of each semester. “We had participation from students and employees throughout the district where we asked for input and showed some mockup designs before we actually decided on a specific product,” Warrier said. Meetings and demos were held for students and employees at Contra Costa College for feedback on the app.

The first demo of the design was done in February of 2017 at CCC and again just a few months prior to the release of the app this past summer. It puts the majority of students’ college needs in one place, which is especially beneficial for first-time students who need to go to orientation or navigate with a campus map. Features like customizable tiles that users can move around on the app to suit their needs, a way to give direct feedback and share on social media are also improvements added to the improved Insite app. Students seem to be receiving the app well on campus and enjoy that it’s on their smartphones. Some even said they rarely visit the website and now do all their school tasks through the app. Business major Rae Morning said, “At first it was confusing, but now I use it for everything from my class schedule

to financial aid. I only used the previous website for registration.” Other students said the app has some glitches in online reviews and wished it would return to the previous site. A few of the comments on the Play Store reviews said that it just brings users back to the site. Android user J Miller said, “Manage waitlist only directs you back to the website which tells you to get the app.” Although there are mixed reviews about the app on both the Apple Store and Play Store, many students at CCC have said they are enjoying using the app and that they use it more often than they did the website. Warrier said there will be updates and new features for the app being rolled out gradually as changes are being made and glitches fixed.

renovation preparations underway By Joel Umanzor advocate staff

jumanzor.theadvocate@gmail.com

The Contra Costa College athletic facility renovations are slated to begin spring 2019 and preparations are in order for the future adjustments students, athletes and faculty will have to make around the construction. Structural renovations, which were voted and approved in August 2016, will directly affect the Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Men’s and Women’s locker rooms and the Gym Annex Building and will take approximately 18 months to complete with a budget of $29.4 million. Although the actual date for breaking ground has not been officially confirmed, the initial stages of work to the athletic department are already taking place. First, the Tennis Courts will need to be resurfaced to be able to hold a variety of classes that usually would be held inside the Gymnasium. Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King and his crew are already preparing “swing spaces” around the athletic area. “We have to get the existing buildings ready for swing space which means they can occupy something else while the work is

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

The facelift of the Gymnasium is set to start in spring 2019, even though exact dates have not been confirmed. being done in the actual buildings,” King said. “They’ll bring in some modular buildings they’ll use for offices or classes that will be right next to the handball courts. “Impact on our grounds will be very minimal actually. They’ll block off a lot of stuff around those buildings. It means there will be less things for us to cover in those areas,” King said.

CCC volleyball coach Christy Tianero said the construction will have “no impact” on her upcoming season. As with all construction projects there is an understanding of fluidity that comes with the territory. “I would think the 18 months starts in 2019 and so its 2020 and 2021 (when the project will be

completed). It would be great if it was sooner.” he said. Once these swing spaces are established, the issue of impact on the indoor sports teams games and practices during the 2019 and 2020 seasons remain. Athletic Director John Wade said the 18-month renovation would impact the college’s intercollegiate athletic teams, but the

athletic department is trying to work with local institutions, high schools, the Richmond Auditorium and others to find locations for games to be played. Many factors will come into play when evaluating the venues that will host Comet games from 2019 to 2020. When considering the idea of a local middle school like nearby Walter T. Helms hosting Comet games, Wade said the standard playing requirements of the sport needed to be attainable wherever a team is going to play. Wade said, “It would be better to be at a high school because the problem is, depending on the sport, there’s different tiers of facilities with different (court) lengths. We are trying to get as close as we can to regulation.” Scheduling will be made specifically so that all the indoor teams practices and games can be made without conflict and with enough contingencies in place. The 2018 Comet indoor sports teams — men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball — will not be affected by the upcoming renovations but will be handling business as usual with knowledge that brand new facilities are coming soon.

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Safety improved by app

By Jessica Suico news editor

jsuico.theadvocate@gmail.com

An app to help students and faculty feel safer and for police officers to respond quicker on campus has been established. CampusShield offers a quicker option to contact Police Services or a local police department if anyone on campus is in need of help or in a crisis. The CampusShield app features mobile campus emergency calls. If students, staff or faculty are off campus when accessing the app, it will contact 911 directly. Once students create their profile, the information will help Police Services know who is making the call and where the call originated from, in an attempt to get help there as quickly as possible. There is also an anonymous tip button on the app where reports of safety issues or suspicious activity can be given with photos and details, without revealing to police who initiated the exchange of information. “The top crime on campus is theft from vehicles of valuables that are left in plain sight,” Police Services Lt. Thomas Holt said. Some common ways to prevent these crimes include locking cars, and not leaving personal belongings, book bags, and electronics unattended in a vehicle — especially in the open. And by also paying attention to your surroundings.” Director of Marketing and Design Brandy Howard said, “We went live with the app on Aug. 20 and I am working on marketing the app right now by social media, electronics

and fliers around campus. We are trying to market the CampusShield app, so the students are informed (of how to get help if necessary).” The CampusShield app cost the district $7,000 and has been in the process of getting up and running for the past several years. Police Services has been investigating a variety of ways to have access to emergency communication on campus. Lt. Holt said the first step of this process was installing the hallway and classroom intercoms. Many are up and running for the CAMPUS FRIEND first time this month. I N F O : WAT C H : “After about a year of testing the Provides Allows (CampusShield) app, we were ready to introinformation duce it this fall districtwide,” Holt said. He students to gives credit to the business services and safeabout safety check in with ty teams of CCC for their efforts to bring the strategies on their friends. app to the campus. campus. Middle College High School student SERVICES: Nathalie Farias said, “I didn’t even know REPORT : about the app. I feel ways the college can Allows Students can inform the students about it is to have all students to see the instructors inform their students about upload photos safety maps, the app and to hang posters around campus and video to bus stops and informing us.” report concerns. call a police Farias said she feels safe on campus, but escort. in order to improve the perception of secuINFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE rity, there needs to be more communication ADVOCATE between students and Police Services, so students know who is protecting them. It also includes a FriendWatch feature, “My opinion of Police Services is they communicating with students or really anydon’t completely do their jobs because all I one,” Farias said. which allows users to enter the information Howard said, “This app will ensure more of a friend to see if they made it safely. see them doing is standing, sitting, or walking around. I don’t see them interacting or safety on campus.”

CAMPUS SHIELD APP AN EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM THAT USES TECHNOLOGY TO EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY DETECT CRIME THROUGH THE PRESS OF A BUTTON.

LEFT: Traffic in Lot 3 is heavy as students, faculty and visitors search for a parking space at Contra Costa College.

STUDENTS WELCOMED WITH FOOD, GOOD TIMES By Dan Hardin advocate staff

dhardin.theadvocate@gmail.com INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

parking hinders student schedules Fewer available spaces to park due to campus renovation force traffic on campus

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

All 45 parking spots in Lot 4 have been permanently relinquished due to construction of the new Police Safety Center next to the Gymnasium on the west side of campus. With parking already an annual struggle, particularly during the first few weeks of a semester, students are finding themselves with two options — arrive extremely early or park farther away in the surrounding neighborhoods. “We know that parking is limited. Everyone understands that now,” Contra Costa College Senior Parking Officer Michael Hotton said. “We will always show leniency to cars because we want them on our campus. It’s better for us to contain and patrol than for them to be on city streets.” Hotton said it’s the students arriving for the 8 and 9 a.m. classes who are over taking the parking. “We see this districtwide. By the 11 a.m. hour we have a huge influx of cars leaving the college and coming back in for 12:30 p.m. classes, which is a little less congested than the 8 or 9 a.m. classes.” Lot 4, which now houses the foundation for the new Police Safety Center set to open in November, was once a designated parking area for students who were a part of the college’s carpool program. However, because of the lack of participation in the carpool program, Lot 4 became an overflow parking lot. “Internally for us, our police aides in the morning will get on the golf carts and go to the upper section of campus and in front of the new buildings and tell us what the parking lots are looking like,” Hotton said. “What that does is allow us to direct traffic from the

“I stopped wasting my time driving around the parking lots on campus looking for a spot and now I just go straight to Shane Drive and hope I find something reasonably close just off campus.” Angelina Vasquez, nursing major

full parking lots to lots with spaces available.” Hotton said there are multiple layers of what has to be done to get people in and out of campus. Most importantly, the process includes aides communicating with other parking officers and police aides to make sure students are getting accurate information. “Patrol officers are in and out all over the place, constantly and obviously. We have our police aides that you see on the golf carts rolling through the parking lots trying to get traffic flowing, trying to get people into parking spots and open parking areas,” he said. “At the end of the day it allows students to get a parking spot and get to class quicker.” For those students who can’t make it early, alternative parking in surrounding neighborhoods such as on Shane Drive and Mission Bell Drive are far from convenient. Furthermore, they offer no reliable assurances that students will not be late because of the scarcity of parking. This past February, during the first couple of weeks of the spring semester, a string of car break-ins stretched across the CCC campus including two on Mission Bell Drive. “We can’t foresee any breakins or criminal activity, but we do our best to be visible, be out-

side and know what’s going on in the college community,” Hotton said. “Presence is a huge part, as is being visible and letting the public know we are out and about and if stuff like break-ins happen. We’re going to try our best to prevent any of that from happening.” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said Lt. Thomas Holt of Police Services is looking for opportunities to open up new parking spots. “He (Lt. Holt) is trying to encourage the use of the parking annex where the old El Portal School used to be,” he said. “A lot of times this gets overlooked, but there is parking there.” King said that college President Katrina VanderWoude has also been working closely with Holt to ensure the parking problem is managed well. “The president took this as a high priority even though she just started in August,” King said. Nursing major Angelina Vasquez, who has been a student at CCC for two semesters, said this semester parking has been more difficult than previous semesters. “On the first day I was here I had to park along Shane Drive and even that was a problem with all of the cars,” she said. “It’s really an inconvenience to park on these streets because it’s so far away. You have to rush to make it to class on time.” Vasquez said the thought of her car being broken into has not crossed her mind because she normally parks in the neighborhood and in front of houses. “I can’t make it on time for good parking on campus,” Vasquez said. “I stopped wasting my time driving around the parking lots on campus looking for a spot and now I just go straight to Shane Drive and hope I find something reasonably close just off campus.”

Music, food, fun and festivities filled Campus Center Plaza during the second annual Welcome Week activity designed to give new and returning students a lighthearted chance to prepare for the upcoming semester. Each day, over the course of the four-day Associate Student Union and Student Life sponsored event, featured a different theme that culminated with the giveaway of a Kindle Fire to the student who most closely guessed how many Jolly Ranchers were crammed into an empty five gallon Alhambra water jug. The event spanned a total of 10 hours from Aug. 27 -30. Contra Costa College Student Activities Coordinator Joel Nickelson-Shanks said, “Each day we did something a little different to make the campus feel festive. Monday, we gave away pencils, pens and notebooks to students who did not come prepared. We also gave away free hot chocolate and donuts. Monday, we tried to set the tone for the rest of the week. We wanted everyone to feel welcomed and supported.” He said Tuesday served as a resource fair, so students could get to know what services are available to them on campus and through the Student Life Office. Students also had the opportunity to speak with staff concerning personal needs, which allowed them to make nurturing and supportive contacts aimed at helping them adjust to college life. Wednesday, the ASU hosted a Food Pantry distribution service. Canned food along with donated Food Pantry items were distributed as free groceries to all students with food insecurities. Organizers said they aimed to let the students know that they are appreciated and supported no matter their background. In an attempt to forge a bet- Nickelsonter relationship between students Shanks and Police Services, Thursday was deemed “pizza with a police officer” and offered free slices provided by campus police officers. “I only wish we could have given out more food,” Nickelson-Shanks said. “Next year we will try to have more.” Historically, Welcome Week is an opportunity for students to acquire pens, paper and other miscellaneous school supplies. Administrative members and staff were on hand to demonstrate solidarity and support for Welcome Week, to help familiarize new and returning students to not only programs and services, but also with the people who will help them navigate the corresponding departments. Representatives from the Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS), Disabled Students’ Programs and Services (DSPS), student services and the Financial Aid Office were on hand for the meet and greet. The club Christians On Campus also hosted a table at the event and was represented by Don Mangold. He said his organization is on campus assisting students with learning about Christ and his work at the cross. “We are here to promote inclusiveness for all students,” Mangold said.

spotlight

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Automotive students Craig Yano and Mariah Henry work together to take apart a V6 Toyota engine in the Automotive Technology Building on Thursday. A number of engines were given to the automotive department by Toyota as part of the upcoming T-Ten program.

ANDREW WEEDON / THE ADVOCATE

Automotive partnership fuels growth

Technician

Training, Education Network program arrives at CCC

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

A warm breeze periodically drifted through the automotive department’s collision yard as Toyota executives, dealers and Contra Costa College faculty and staff came out Aug. 16 to celebrate the new TechnicianTraining & Education Network (T-TEN) partnership. One of the first community college collaborations in Northern California, Toyota’s T-TEN program provides hands-on automotive diagnosis and repair education and training in classroom and dealership settings. “In order for our program to be competitive and very high quality, we needed to partner with a manufacturer and Toyota has by far the best program,” automotive department Chairperson Bobby Sturgeon said. “What this means for us is that we will be able to train people to do in the classroom, what they will be doing when they start work. And it’s not available anywhere else.” Before the opportunity came for CCC to partner with Toyota, the automotive department relied on donations from the community. This included cars from the last decade that were totaled, had mechanical problems or company defects. Sturgeon, who is leading the partnership, said as in the 80s, with the technological shift from mechanical-

ly controlled vehicles to incorporating computers, another automotive technical advancement is taking place — self-driving cars and cars that can stop on their own. “Toyota has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on resources for this program that a small community college like Contra Costa College could never afford,” Sturgeon said. “It means that we’re able to be competitive and follow the industry as the technology changes. This is an opportunity that would have not come otherwise, so it means everything to us.” Although the launch of the first T-TEN Cohort at CCC won’t began until August 2020, the plan to slowly adapt the program’s curriculum and prepare for the certification process is underway. Once finalized, the program will be evaluated by the California Community College Academic Affairs Division to ensure it meets the standard criteria. After a light lunch provided by the culinary arts department, Toyota Technical Service Field Manager for the San Francisco Region Marc Giammona welcomed the lively crowd. “This is a big day, an exciting day to see this project actually come to life,” Giammona said. “We’re excited to be partners with Contra Costa College and are inspired by your enthusiasm. “We’re looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership here and a number

of great technicians entering the workforce locally.” As part of the collaborative announcement, after his opening remarks, Giammona divided the room into two groups for a mini-tour of the automotive department and T-TEN PowerPoint presentation. During the PowerPoint presentation, Library, Allied Health, Vocational Education and Athletics (LAVA) Division Dean Lucile Beatty said she and Sturgeon had just come back from two weeks of grueling instructional design training. Beatty is also an automotive services professor at CCC. “We’re really committed to this partnership with Toyota T-TEN,” she said. “I personally never dreamed of anything like this. This partnership comes from the vision of our lead faculty member Bobby Sturgeon.” Beatty said it was Sturgeon’s dream to connect with Toyota and its handson approach and internship-structured program. In June 2016, while under the leadership of Beatty, the automotive department became certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). NATEF is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits post-secondary, public and proprietary training program schools using standards established by the automotive industry. “Our NATEF certification has

opened doors to manufactures,” Beatty said. “I knew that none of the dealerships and manufacturers participate with schools unless they go through that process.” Beatty said although this new partnership with Toyota will bring new students to the college, that isn’t on the forefront of her mind. “First and foremost, it’s important for our community here to be provided that opportunity.” The tour, which was led by Sturgeon, showed off different parts of the automotive department including the tool room, paint station and metal shop. Four to five different 2018 Toyota models purchased and donated by Toyota Motor North America for the program were also on display. The afternoon’s festivities ended with a range of speakers, ranging from Toyota executives and T-TEN committee members to former college president Mojdeh Mehdizadeh and Governing Board President John Marquez. CCC President Katrina VanderWoude said, “I am new to Contra Costa College, but I bring a strong commitment to workforce development and I am so excited for this partnership. The partnership we are celebrating today is unique, not only because it offers unparalleled opportunities for our students in areas of industry exposure, but because of its potential to function as a model.”

Passion for music, justice brighten life By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Oftentimes there are turning points in people’s lives when they have an experience that sticks in their minds and drives them to achieve something greater than they believed they could accomplish. That particular moment sets them off on a particular path, whether it be volunteer work that affected them or a helpful mentor that was a role model. For Chris Miller this formative moment happened in 2014 while working as a tax preparer for his dad. “One client came in with his wife and two daughters and I had to look at his W2 and tell him that his employer was stealing from him and he couldn’t fight it because he didn’t have papers,” Miller said. “That pissed me off. When I see whole families getting taken advantage of that lights a fire inside me.” Miller said he doesn’t like being in a powerless position, unable to help someone. Now, at age 26, he is majoring in political science with hopes of pursuing a law degree to “represent people who don’t have representation.” Since returning to Contra Costa College in 2016, Miller maintained exemplary grades and has been active on the campus. Currently, he is the Associated Student Union vice president and Community Organizing and Political Action Club (COPA) vice president. Political science department Chairperson Vanna Gonzales said, “Chris comes to political science from a background of activism. A lot of students come to CCC to explore their interests and then find an area to focus on. That’s what Chris is doing by getting involved in so many areas (on campus).” Miller said he got involved in the ASU after his friend, former ASU Vice President of Clubs Astrid Pumerica, convinced him to attend an ASU meeting. That day the ASU was discussing the on campus Food Pantry and bus cards. Miller saw those programs as beneficial to the community and wanted a hand in those programs. “I want to contribute, get involved and do my part by being a part of the community and doing comXAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE Associated Student Union Vice President Chris Miller sings during munity service. Everyone has a role and that’s what I a recording session for his band, First Contact, in El Sobrante on should be doing as well,” he said. However, this drive to be involved and excel at Thursday. school was not always there. When Miller graduated

from De Anza High School in 2010 his life was at a critical low point. After his parents’ divorce, he found his motivation waning as he came to CCC out of high school. Miller said he tried to force himself to come to school. In 2013 he quit going to school to work full time in order to help his mother pay the bills. “My dad opened up his own business and I saw that as an opportunity that he was getting his life together and I gave him a chance. Since then I have been working with him,” Miller said. During those hard times one of the things that helped him push through was his love for music. “Music drives me to do a lot of things and it helps me deal with pain,” Miller said. In particular, Foo Fighters’ front man Dave Grohl acted as a role model for him. Miller said Grohl’s energy and personal story helped him persevere because of how relatable his story is. While Grohl’s personal story helped Miller get through tough times, his own personal musical journey was also a key factor. From playing violin in the fourth grade to now being the bassist for the rock band First Contact, music has been a near life-long pursuit for him. Since their first show at Me-n-Ed’s Pizza in San Pablo as just a cover band, they are now experienced musicians who have won a “battle of the bands” competition and are currently recording their first album. Rhythm guitarist and CCC nursing program graduate Angel Torres said Miller brings a keen ear for melody and contagious positivity that keeps things in perspective. “Chris has a contagious laugh that will make people smile, and at the end of the day I just want us to make people smile and feel something and I think he contributes to that with his personality,” Torres said. First Contact performed on campus twice last semester during Battle of Talents, which was organized by Miller and Pumerica and La Raza Student Union’s “Resist to Exist: Art Show to Document the Undocumented.” While music has gotten him through a lot of pain, Miller said he doesn’t feel any pressure to create music that affects others as it did him. “If my authenticity makes people feel something then I’m willing to have that dialogue,”

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

■ OFF THE RECORD

efrainvaldez CURRENT SOCCER FIELD HINDERS TEAM’S ASPIRATIONS

s second-class citizens of the American sports world, soccer players and coaches are continually treated unfairly by colleges and leagues who sabotage their own teams by failing to provide quality facilities, including safe and respectable fields on which teams practice and play their games. The Contra Costa College men’s soccer team’s pitch is like playing on a rocky sand dune that has the possibility of doing damage to the players’ ankles during every sprint they take on it. CCC soccer teams deserves a better field, especially the men’s team due to their success over the last five years, on and off the field. Ever since Nikki Ferguson took over the program, the team has won Bay Valley Conference championships and post-season berths unmatched by any other team at the college. Ferguson has been able to bring talent from all over the East Bay to CCC (which is difficult) and create a solid program the college can be proud of. So, to continue to allow this team to play on such a horrid soccer pitch leaves me dumbfounded. For a program that is trying to break into the upper echelon of the state’s soccer programs, not having a suitable field is a major setback when scheduling non-conference games, Other colleges do not want to make the trek to San Pablo just to have their student-athletes play on a terrible, and potentially dangerous, field that could result in injury to their players. But there is a solution. A place that could host home soccer games is Comet Stadium, the current home of the football team. FIFA regulations state that a soccer field must be 130 to 100 yards (in length) and 100 to 50 yards (in width), so there is enough room to put a soccer pitch on the existing field at Comet Stadium. Most community college gymnasium floors, for example, have basketball, volleyball and badminton lines on them and soccer players everywhere have played on fields in high school that had football and soccer lines on them. So, it’s not an impossible idea to bring soccer to the stadium. The college could tap into those $5 Student Activity Fee funds to pay for the field, instead of allowing the Associated Students Union to use them for events like a talent show where they gave out $520 worth of “scholarships” to participants. Anyway, there is a great soccer culture in this area because of the excellent high school programs at Richmond, De Anza and Kennedy high schools. Improving the environment at soccer games will result in more games on campus, more people at games and will allow the college to even make money selling meals, snacks and drinks at games. To the leaders of this college I say this is an opportunity for you to leave a lasting legacy by providing CCC soccer teams with a quality place to compete and practice. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Efrain Valdez is the sports editor of The Advocate. Contact him at evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com.

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Comet midfielder Diego Garcia (left) dribbles the ball while being held back by the College of a Redwoods defender during Friday’s 4-0 victory at the Soccer Field.

comet offense breaks through Team manages to equal away goal total in home opener By Efrain Valdez sports editor

evaldez.theadvocate@gmail.com

rior to the 4-0 thrashing the men’s soccer team (1-3-1) put on College of the Redwoods (0-2-1) at home Friday, the Comets hadn’t earned a victory after three losses and one impressive draw against Fresno City College during non-conference play. But in a game where Contra Costa College saw itself matching the same number of goals it had scored in its first four games, three of them came in a span of six minutes. The second goal during that offensive burst was the one that solidified the Comets’ dominance over Redwoods. In the 21st minute, CCC defender Raul Garcia, from the right-back position of the field, lobbed a ball over the Redwoods’ defense toward the middle of the top of the 18-yard box. There, Comet forward Eduardo De Loa headed the ball on a high bounce into the back of the net while colliding with the Redwoods goalkeeper, giving the Comets a 2-0 lead. “That’s our play,” De Loa said about the goal he and Garcia combined on. “That’s the chemistry we have from playing together in the offseason. That’s our go-to ball. Nobody ever expects that,” he said.

The offensive onslaught came after both teams played a relentlessly fast, back-and-forth early part of the game that made it feel like they were equally matched for the first 10 minutes. Well, that feeling ended in the 19th minute on a set piece goal from Comet forward Alejandro Fernandez, as he finished a onebounce lofted pass that came off the left foot of midfielder Diego Garcia as he struck the ball from the right side of the 18-yard box. “I think it’s the quality of the players we have,” men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said. “We prepare for those things and so forth. At the end of the day the players make it happen. They were good enough to recognize the situation and then have the technical ability to do it. I can’t take any credit for that,” he said of his teams’ six-minute offensive outburst. College of the Redwoods men’s soccer coach Kyle Van Dyke said, “We had some breakdowns, which happened with the first goal. It was a lack of focus on the set piece. We let that get in and we let that break us down.” He said that it took his team a while to regain its momentum and in the second half the Corsairs played much better because they had more offensive chances. One of those chances happened in the 60th minute of the second half. The Redwoods offense found itself on the left flank and tested Comet goalkeeper Humberto Melendez with a blistering shot that he dramatically dove to the upper side of the far post, deflecting the ball over the

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Comet forward Akrosh Budhathoki tries to get past the College of the Redwoods goalkeeper on Friday during CCC’s 4-0 win.

crossbar. Following that save, the Redwoods offense was neutralized by the Comets’ ability to retain the majority of possession. That allowed CCC to play beautifully through balls to forward Eliezer Paul-Gindiri, missing a few goal chances until finally getting one in the 88th minute. “Possession is one of our strengths,” Ferguson said. “We probably should have had five or six goals. Eliezer should have had

a hat-trick today.” He said Paul-Gindiri was probably a little excited playing in front of the home crowd and wasn’t as composed as he usually is. But Ferguson was happy that PaulGindiri was able to get his goal. The Comets will get some well-needed rest early this week but will continue the non-conference part of their schedule Friday at 4 p.m. at Folsom Lake College in Folsom.

New trainer hired by athletic department By Alex Kwasniza

New athletic trainer Nichole Oaks wraps a bandage around Comet men’s soccer team defender Raul Garcia’s arm during a home game on Friday against College of the Redwoods.

advocate staff

akwasniza.theadvocate@gmail.com

his semester brings necessary changes to the Contra Costa College athletic department and one shift is more important than any structural makeover the facilities could receive. A new athletic trainer, Nichole Oaks, is settling in as the one responsible for helping all Comets get on the field as healthy and ready for game time as possible. Hired shortly before the fall semester began, Oaks, born in Palo Alto, spent most of her life in Washington before earning her master’s degree in athletic training at Montana State University in Bozeman. Although still young, Oaks is no novice when it comes to treating athletes with physical therapy. She is capable of dealing with everything from small injuries to more serious ones. She has been working in athletic training professionally for about two years and has tended to players from some of the most violent sports — rugby, hockey and arena football. Oaks said she has always had an interest in physical therapy as a career, but chose to pursue athletic training simply due to her love of sports. “I get to watch sports while working,” she said when giving reasons why she enjoys her job.

DENIS PEREZ/ THE ADVOCATE

Although not even one month has passed since she was hired at CCC, Oaks said she is already pretty comfortable and optimistic about being the athletic trainer. “I’ve enjoyed working with the athletes so far,” she said. Athletic Director John Wade seems relieved and pleased with Oaks as the new athletic trainer. “Finding a new trainer is an extremely difficult process,” he said. “Nichole (Oaks) has been doing a fantastic job so far and she couldn’t have been a better fit for us.”

Having a constant and stable person in the athletic department’s training room is something that is much needed. “She’s been very helpful with us as far as rehabbing and trying to get some of our players who are injured back onto the field — and those with little slight injuries here and there. She’s been very available to us,” men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said. “I can honestly say for the first time I feel like our players are comfortable with going to the training room.”

scene

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.12.2018 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Antioch resident Cynthia Jameson looks at ceramic plates created by ceramics professor Mary Law and six of her students in the Art Building on Sept. 6.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Law celebrates 50 years of ceramics work By Kit Duckworth advocate staff

kduckworth.theadvocate@gmail.com

ntering the Eddie Rhodes Gallery in A-5, pottery lines the walls neatly and visitors are met with the warmth of an intimate party. The windows are high and show a soft breeze ruffling the trees outside, making the area seem bigger and more open. The center of attention is Mary Law, who is showcasing her 50 years of making pottery, as well as six of her students. The receptions for the show took place Thursday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 4-7 p.m. The gallery will be open to the public through Sept. 27 to those who wish to view the exhibit. Law has been an instructor of ceramics at Contra Costa College for

30 years, with this slated to be her last. That reality is part of the motivation for the event. The professor only gave one reason why she wanted to showcase six of her former students’ creations along with her own artwork. She “needed the help,” Law joked. She said her motivation for five decades of pottery-making is that it “suits my psyche.” She likes making things that are simple, functional, things that can be used. “When I don’t know what to make, I sit down and get excited again.” The gallery is full of former students of Law, many of whom have stayed in touch with her. Several continued making pottery after taking her classes. Carolyn Maietta, who was a student under Law in 2000, described her former professor as “funny and generous.” Maietta said what she loves about Law’s art is that “it’s substantial, it has

“I think as much as any other reason is the immense diversity of the student body. And the staff. I think it reflects who the Bay Area is.” Mary Law, art professor

heft.” Margaret Norman, who was a student of Law’s in the 1990s and is one of the featured artists in the show said, “It’s a pleasure to watch her. She’s really good at seeing all the parts of your art.” One of the more fawned over collections was the “soda-faceted,” oval plates depicting animals such as goats and sheep. “Soda-faceted” means that soda is added to the kiln at the highest temperature to create an ash, which is used in the glaze. The method uses string to

outline the animals in the clay. The earth tones of the art against the white walls in A-5 gave a sense of calmness as attendees walked through the exhibit. The space is one that not only allows familiarity, but encourages it. Outside in the hallway a simple buffet of hors d’oeuvres and fresh fruit was served. “This (CCC) is my favorite place,” Law said. “I think as much as any other reason is the immense diversity of the student body. And the staff. I think it really reflects who the Bay Area is. I feel like some of the (colleges) where I’ve taught have a more moneyed community, a place that’s more well off. I feel like the students didn’t appreciate what they were offered as much as they have here. So I just feel a really strong connection to this community.” To see more of Law’s artwork, visit her studio at 1421 Fifth Street in Berkeley.

Animated series tickles with medieval irony By Reggie Santini advocate staff

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

‘D

isenchantment” is an enchanting Netflix series that brings sword-and-sorcery drama into a comedic cartoon fantasy world full of lovable well-written characters. The series’ first 10 episodes premiered on Aug. 17 on Netflix and has a 75 percent user approval rating on the movie ranking site “Rotten Tomatoes.” The show’s fantastic sense of humor comes from series creator Matt Groening who created both “The Simpsons” and “Futurama.” Having brought us to both present time and the far future, Groening’s depiction of medieval times is fantastic. Each 30-minute episode of “Disenchantment” focuses on Bean, the hard-drinking princess of the kingdom SERIES REVIEW of Dreamland. Bean is accompanied by her “Disenchanted” ★★★★★ goofy elf friend Elfo, and Created by: Matt her own personal demon Groening Luci. Genre: Animated Unlike Groening’s fantasy other shows, “Disenchantment” has a compelling story arc that propels the program throughout its first season. As the continuity of each episode picks up where the last one left off, there is a great sense of character development. The best example of this comes from the three main characters. At the start of his journey, Elfo is essentially a wide-

Luci

eyed Keebler Elf who looks like Bart Simpson. But as the season proceeds, viewers see him go from a candy-making elf into a drug-using murderer with a crush on Princess Bean. As Elfo’s evolution develops he realizes his love for Bean blossoms and he attempts to win her affection. As Luci plays the literal role of Bean’s personal demon, Elfo tries to be her angel. Good decisions he would normally make are often overruled by his desire to please Bean. As the conflicted lead of the show, Bean spends most of her time rebelling against her father, King Zog. Much of the show deals with his various punishments as he tries to stop Bean from defaming the kingdom. Fans of “Game of Thrones” heroine Princess Daenerys Targaryen’s silver hair will immediately see where Groening picked up his inspiration for her looks. Add in the strong will of a princess and some matching blue outfits and the similarities grow even stronger. Bean is constantly torn between her responsibility as a princess and her desire to get drunk and party at the local tavern. As her misadventures unfold and key story

Princess

Elfo

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

details surface, Bean is forced to choose between her two paths. Luci is perhaps the most bizarre of the trio. Being little and the spawn of Satan, he passes for Bean’s talking cat. As the only truly evil character of the three, and being drawn as a 2D shadow, Luci’s character is unique. His positive commentary whenever horrible things are happening and his sadness when others are causing chaos and he is not involved, are some of the best quips and one-liners of the show. The show features a variety of stereotypical medieval characters. Much like “Futurama’s” Captain Zapp Brannigan (a spoof of “Star Trek’s” Captain James T. Kirk), Groening leans into the character tropes. Some of the standout characters among the show are the court wizard (who happens to be awful at magic), the king’s counselor (leads a secret sex society) and a fairy prostitute that seems to appear everywhere. The show’s music and voice-casting are top notch. Nat Faxon’s Elfo and Eric Andre’s Luci voices seem to fit the characters look and temperament perfectly. John DiMaggio’s King Zog is hysterical. His New York accent makes the king’s absurd demands even funnier. Mark Mothersbaugh composed the music for the show using a mixture of current upbeat and medieval melodies. Much like any other High Fantasy medium, there are lots of little things to pick apart in this show. Eagle-eyed fans will catch references to other Groening shows and medieval fantasy movies and books. The lore and world building done by Groening is fantastic, however, the names of civilizations and races can seem overwhelming at the show’s onset. Despite the predictable start of the pilot,“Disenchantment” shines on all parts.

Smoking, drinking personal demon to Princess Bean

Luci

19-year-old alcoholic princess of DreamLand

Be s s e c in

Halfing best friend of Princess Bean.

Elfo