The Advocate 9-21

WEDNESDAY l 9.21.16 OUR 67TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

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DISTRICT PREPARES FOR ONLINE COURSE EXCHANGE

We now have world class facilities to match our world class faculty and students.”

— McKinley Williams, former Contra Costa College president

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

A statewide network of online courses for students is being developed by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office for the 2018 spring semester.

The Online Education Initiative Program Director Steve Klein said the course exchange program is still in the 24-college pilot phase and the Steering Committee is currently identifying the required criteria a college would need to meet to join the network.

“Students have always taken courses at multiple colleges,” Klein said. “That is not new. What is new is the opportunity for a college to be strategic about the courses they offer in light of the opportunity that the course exchange is providing — it just has never happened before in our education system.”

OEI’s course exchange intends to reduce the time it takes for students to achieve their transfer goals by creating a platform that would allow students to enroll in a fully-online course offered at any college in the online network, statewide.

None of the colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District are part of the OEI course exchange pilot or have representatives on its Steering Committee.

But the district took the first step in joining the course exchange when it adopted Canvas as its primary online learning platform.

Klein said the other two technical requirements are having CCCapply, a common online enrollment application, and a student information adapter has to be set up to share specific student data between colleges, so a student does not have to re-apply whenever signing up for a course through the exchange.

To prepare to meet the base course exchange requirements, the district invited educators from its three campuses to an event at Diablo Valley

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh (center) and Governing Board President Vicki Gordon (center-right) cut the ribbon during the College Center Plaza and presidential investiture event in the Amphitheater on Sept. 13.

Ribbon cutting honors president, Fireside Hall Last building in project opens for college use

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

SEE EXCHANGE, PAGE 3

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

East Bay festival fills main street in El Sobrante PAGE 6

Pregnant teen’s death leaves void, community mourns McCoy shot days before her baby shower

Comet football opens season with three game winless streak PAGE 7 FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Family and friends were getting ready for 18-year-old Nicole Hazel McCoy’s baby shower, but instead found themselves preparing for a funeral after she died in the middle of the street after being shot in the upper chest.

“When officers got there she was transported to Highland Hospital (in Oakland) where she and her unborn child did not survive the trauma,” San Pablo Police Department Commander Sid DeJesus said.

It happened on 17th Street in San Pablo on Sept. 5 at about 7:50 p.m., DeJesus said.

The death of McCoy left a void in the hearts of Contra Costa College’s Gateway to College and Richmond High School students who knew her.

McCoy was eight months pregnant and was set to have her baby shower on Sept. 9, but she died four days before it occurred, Gateway to College Resource Specialist Anna Chuon said.

Two suspects have been arrested on suspicion of murder,

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“When officers got there, she was transported to Highland Hospital where she and her unborn child did not survive the trauma.”

Sid DeJesus,

San Pablo Police Department Commander

DeJesus said.

Richmond High School junior Luis Morales was taken into custody first, he said.

“The other individual, Luciano Rogelio Duarte, turned himself in the following day after Morales was taken into custody on Sept. 7,” DeJesus said.

Gateway to College student Blanca Lopez said the shooter, who was close friends with McCoy, turned himself in because he knew what he did was wrong.

DeJesus said it is an ongoing investigation. They are still trying to identify other suspects and witnesses.

ABOVE: Gateway to College student Abigail Campana writes in the journal at the memorial for Nicole Hazel McCoy in the Applied Arts Building on Monday.

SEE MCCOY, PAGE 3

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

A treasured community member’s investiture brought nearly 200 people to campus for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Campus Center and Classroom Project.

Contra Costa College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh was honored by staff, students and community members during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fireside Hall Building on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m.

“Oh happy day,” district Chancellor Helen Benjamin said. “I am so excited to honor our college president and celebrate the The opening opening of of Fireside Hall the Fireside was celebrated Hall.” in conjunction T h e with college Governing President Mojdeh B o a r d app oi nt e d Mehdizadeh’s Mehdizadeh presidential invesas the col- titure.

The Campus lege president on Center and March 23 Classroom Project after she cost about $72 had already million. spent nearly two years as the interim president at CCC. “It is my pleasure and my honor to bestow this medallion to the 12th permanent president of Contra Costa College,” Benjamin said.

During the investiture, Benjamin provided attendees gathered in the amphitheater, nestled in between the Student and Administration Building and Rheem Creek, with background information on Mehdizadeh’s history within the local community.

Benjamin said Mehdizadeh became part of the Contra Costa Community College District at the age of 17 when she first began attending Diablo Valley College, and has remained part of it for 25 years.

in brief

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2

Quotable “In free and democratic societies, the goal must be more discourse, not less; and in free and democratic societies, the journalist, as surrogate for the people, must be a watchdog– not a lap dog.”

World Press Freedom Committee, 2000 Roxana Amparo editor-in-chief Christian Urrutia web editor Marci Suela art director social media editor Lorenzo Morotti associate editor Benjamin Bassham news editor Robert Clinton opinion editor sports editor Xavier Johnson scene editor Cody Casares photo editor Denis Perez assistant photo editor Tashi Wangchuk multimedia editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Advocate staff Sean Austin Vianney Carrillo Jose Chavez Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Naylea Hernandez Edwin Herrera Karla Juarez Perla Juarez Anthony Kinney Jaleel Perry Julian Robinson Reggie Santini Michael Santone Jessica Suico Mike Thomas Efrain Valdez Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: 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. 21, 2016 VOL. 104, NO. 4

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

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EDITORIAL FINANCIAL AID ADDS LIMITS

Board of Governors fee waiver 2.0 GPA demand poses threat

A

dding a 2.0 GPA minimum requirement to a statewide financial aid program does increase the incentive for community college students to do well academically.

But it also puts more pressure on academic institutions throughout the state to develop programs that help students who fall below this requirement focus on school and keep their access to education.

The changes to the Board of Governors Fee Waiver are tied to the Student Success Act of 2012 and were put into effect at the start of the 2016 fall semester.

It is too early to tell if restrictions will help students succeed or just help the California Community College Chancellor’s Office save a significant amount of money. What is certain is that educators statewide had plenty of time to figure out which students need the most help.

Before, the BOG waiver would pay the unit cost for a qualified student for a year.

Now grade point averages must also be reviewed annually for continuing students.

Those with a GPA above 2.0 are eligible to continue receiving the fee waiver.

“The intention coming from (the state of) California is to tighten up restrictions for student success and give incentive (to students),” Contra Costa College Financial Aid Office Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said.

Since the academic year 2009-10, CCC students have been awarded $21.8 million in BOG waivers, according to DataMart, the state Chancellor’s Office online database.

The total state expenditures on BOG waivers rose from $254 million in 2009 to $818 million in 2014-15.

CCC’s Equity Report has already identified the demographic groups who frequently use financial aid, but struggle academically.

The report tracked multiple cohorts of students who first enrolled into remedial math, English or English as a second language courses in 2009 through 2015.

In this initial cohort of students, about 29 percent of 1,223 CCC students placed into remedial math, 31 percent of 600 students placed into remedial English and 31 percent of 255 students placed into ESL courses.

Another group of 863 students were tracked for six years, beginning in 2009.

Only about 60 percent enrolled in a math or English class during their first three years at CCC. About 43 percent of the tracked students completed a degree, certificate or transferred to a four-year university by 2015.

CCC STEM Manager Mayra Padilla, who led the equity report study, said the average time it takes a CCC student to transfer to a four-year university is six years.

Padilla said this startling statistic could be tied to groups of impoverished, first-generation college students who do not have the support or experience to understand how the educational system works.

Due to these factors, it is easy to understand why many minority students feel disenfranchised by the educational system.

If we expect these academic restrictions for financial aid access to benefit students there must be a continuing dialogue at the state, district and individual college levels to develop programs that will help these students overcome those restrictions instead of marginalizing entire groups of students.

MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

■ LIFESTYLE

Menstrual taboo paved by social ignorance M enstruation is often described using different expressions including “it,” “the thing” and “the red monster.”

The cycle takes the form of an actual being as a result of these nicknames, as if menstruation were an attacker who plagues each woman with hormonal threats of when it will strike. And when it does, torture ensues with cramping, irritability and fatigue.

The bloody stains serve as a uterus’ destiny unfilled and marks the end and the beginning of another planned attack.

Because the cycle is a normal occurrence in the female body, women should feel more comfortable addressing this topic when brought up in discussion. Instead, these negative representations of menstruation reflect a negative attitude filled with shame and concealment.

To challenge the current blanket of secrecy surrounding menarche and menstruation, mothers and mentors need to start discussions with girls at an early age to establish comfort and security.

These girls would be prepared handling menarche, defined as their first period, and grow comfortable talking about menstruation as adults.

In the 2005 study “Girls’ Experiences of Menarche and Menstruation,” girls ages 12 to 15 were examined as to how they constructed “meaning of menstruation in social interactions and specific contexts.”

marcisuela The study revealed the school context and socio-cultural representations that develop and perpetuate the ideas of menstruation as embarrass- Girls need ing nasty a solid psyand to be hidden. chological Narratives of geneducation der-related differences that when also reveal how a boy’s their disgust vaginas sends the destructive message of bleed, the the female blood is not body as a messy, dirty. disorderly thing.

This internalized fear follows into adulthood with women feeling initially awkward when discussing their periods and creating vague representations of the menstrual cycle.

The 2011 journal “Menstruation Matters: Introduction to Representations of the Menstrual Cycle” states this blanket of secrecy displaces an opportunity to seek and offer good quality information about a body’s functions and how to keep it healthy. This presents an

opportunity for girls and adult women.

The first time I had the opportunity to learn about the menstrual cycle was in the fifth grade.

While my classmates got the chance to be disgusted by outdated images of the reproductive system, I ate Fruit Roll-Ups as I sat idly in another classroom. My conservative mom didn’t feel comfortable with the school telling me blood will soon come out of my vagina every month. Due to her own discomfort, I didn’t receive any teaching from her either.

After an eventful day of swimming, I sat on my bed watching “Suite Life of Zack and Cody” when my menarche occurred. As I shifted around, I noticed a red stain on my sheet. As a 12-year-old, I didn’t know how my body worked and I certainly wasn’t ready to discuss my first experience of being a “strawberry syrup dispenser.”

Girls need a solid psychological education that when their vaginas bleed, the blood is not dirty.

There is no illness. Adult women shouldn’t be afraid to talk about their periods to younger women.

Taking the first step out of an inconvenient zone of familiarity will establish a better comfort zone for females because menstruation is normal and should be treated as normal.

Marci Suela is the art director for The Advocate.

Contact her at msuela.theadvocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS COMMENT What about menstruation makes it taboo?

“No one really wants to talk about his or her personal business.”

Jeffery Lopez computer science

“Some people aren’t mature about it. It takes a while for people to be comfortable enough to talk about it.”

“Some men think it’s gross. Most girls are taught to keep personal stuff like that to themselves.”

“I think it is a personal conversation and a sensitive subject to talk about with men.”

Jarell Brown

Destiny Reed

My’Onshanal Robinson

communications

JESSICA SUICO, ROXANA AMPARO AND ROBERT CLINTON/ THE ADVOCATE

psychology

psychology

“If men went through it they would have a better understanding of periods and for women.

But a lot of people think it’s disgusting.”

“It’s something men don’t go through so I can’t talk by experience. But I can see why it doesn’t get talked about openly.”

Sheril Kumar

Dylan Stan

biology

business

campusbeat NEWSLINE

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

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Clearing the coast

TRANSFER

WORKSHOP OFFERS TRANSFER ADVICE Transfer information representatives from San Francisco State will be on campus Thursday and again on Nov. 9 from 9:40 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Transfer/Career Center SA-227.

San Francisco State officials will answer students’ questions about the transfer process when continuing on to a four-year university.

Students can now schedule a 20-minute appointment with a transfer rep by contacting the Counseling Office at 510-215-3936.

INFORMATIONAL

STRESS WORKSHOP TO PROVIDE TIPS There will be a workshop on ways to better understand and manage stress in the GE-104 on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sept. 27 from noon to 1p.m.

Students will receive information on how to keep tension under control during stressful situations as a college student.

For more information about the stress managing workshop, contact counseling at 510-215-3934.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Richmond residents Marsha Griffin (left) and Darrel Griffin (right) pick up garbage and recycling at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline during the 32nd Annual California Coastal Clean Up Day on Saturday.

EXCHANGE | Online strategic plan to be developed Continued from Page 1

ment fully online orientations, online tools to help meet ADA requirements and online teaching development training.

“It was a great discussion. (Gilkerson) did a great job,” she said. “Our community needs to keep (meeting) to brainstorm about big issues surrounding online education and our strategic plan with people from the three colleges.”

Klein agrees with Flum. He said if a district wants to join the course exchange, it is important for people from all campuses be involved.

“It is important that colleges are aware of the benefits that are available in the course exchange and I think that the adoption of Canvas allowed colleges to begin a conversation that goes beyond selection of a new course management system (Canvas),” he said.

OEI Executive Director Patricia James said the idea driving the course exchange is to build a network that is more conducive to not only student growth, but to increasing funding for academic programs.

“The way colleges get their funding apportionment is through how many students enroll

into each campus and complete their degrees,” James said. “So that makes us compete against each other more than work together to help students — and online is a place that people see a lot of benefit for students.”

Klein said the way funding will work through this network will still use Full Time Equivalent Student metric (FTES), but funding will flow between the “home” college and “teaching” college.

The FTES, 15 enrolled units, belongs to the teaching college for the student taking the course and credit flows to home college where the student receives the certificate of completion or associate transfer degree, he said.

“The ‘home’ college would be where a student resides, and a ‘teaching’ is the college offering the course online.”

He said in the initial consortium “home” colleges could not be “teaching” colleges just for the pilot program.

“There is not a choice to be made — a college can be both a home and teaching college.”

CRIMEWATCH

College on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discuss creating a strategic plan for online education.

Chancellor Helen Benjamin sent out a districtwide email inviting teachers to help develop an online education strategic plan for the next five years.

CCC Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson was appointed by Benjamin to lead the discussion of about 40 attendees at DVC and lead at a series of discussions about the online education strategic plan.

District Education Chairperson Judy Flum said, at the meeting, that Gilkerson said she would report her findings to the President’s Cabinet on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Flum said Gilkerson’s deadline to submit the strategic plan to the Governing Board for its approval is in December.

Flum said after everyone convened from meeting in smaller groups, the most frequent suggestions to the strategic plan were to imple-

Sunday, Sept. 11: Officers responded to Comet Stadium about a physical fight. No suspects were arrested on the scene, but the officer used a taser gun.

CEREMONY | Community gathers to admire project

DRAMA

PLAY TO DEPICT ACHILLES IN SPARTA The drama department will present showings of “Achilles in Sparta” on Oct. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 in the Knox Center.

Directed by Carlos-Manuel Chavarria and written by Sharr White, all shows will start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost $15 for general admission and $10 for students.

Tuesday, Sept. 13: An officer made contact with a suspicious vehicle and found a group of students inside smoking marijuana.

— Lorenzo Morotti and Roxana Amparo

CORRECTION On page 5 of the Aug. 31 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “Carpool’s marketing crashes program,” Marketing and Media Design Director Brandy Howard said she refused to comment. This is incorrect. Howard had no comment.

On page 3 of the Sept. 14 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “UC budget crisis halts project,” biology professor Katherine Krolikowski was wrongly identified as the biology department chairperson.

In the same issue on page 7 in the story titled “Pronto offers choice, bargains,” ASU Public Relations Director Frances Sanson was wrongly identified as ASU treasurer.

In the same issue on front page in the story titled “Nobel Prize laureate explains climate issue” William Collins was wrongly identified as a Nobel Prize laureate.

Collins is a co-author for a climate report that won a Nobel Prize.

The Advocate regrets these errors.

— The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.

Continued from Page 1 “I have spent 63 percent of my life being a part of the Contra Costa (district) community — I am honored to be your president,” Mehdizadeh said.

To break up the formality of the investiture ceremony, some CCC representatives started dancing.

CCC Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson said, “(Mehdizadeh’s) investment in the college puts us at ease for the future — we want to demonstrate our support CCC style.”

Gilkerson, CCC Academic Senate President Beth Goehring, Classified Senate Area Representative Evren Gurson, and Associated Student Union President Safi Ward-Davis danced to “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.

“This day could not be possible

without the passage of our bond measure,” Benjamin said.

Over $200,000 was raised by the district to campaign for Bond Measure A (2006) and over $72 million was invested from that bond measure in the development and construction of the Campus Center and Classroom Project.

The General Education Building, Student and Administration Building, and Fireside Hall are a result of Contra Costa County voters in 2006.

“We now have world class facilities to match our world class faculty and students,” former CCC president McKinley Williams said.

The finished buildings were as much a part of the ceremony as Mehdizadeh’s presidential affirmation.

CCC alumnus and retired state legislator Robert Campbell said,

“The new facilities are beautiful,” the District Bond Oversight Committee Chairperson William Van Dyk said. “And they were completed on time and under budget.”

Various district representatives took their time when presenting — Robert Campbell, CCC alumnus Mehdizadeh with four different and retired state legislator awards.

As the list of speakers reached “When I came to CCC in 1956 its end, Mehdizadeh stood up to we had two quonset huts. In those say thanks to all those that made huts we had drama class, wood- it happen, TBP/Architecture Inc., shop and the place to eat. Have you Lathrop Construction, Interior ever tried to eat in a woodshop? Motions and all the other vendors You are fortunate to be here today. involved with the Campus Center I am impressed with the campus and Classroom Project. and the leaders of the college.”

As the investiture and ribbon The ceremony continued with cutting ceremony reached its end, different district officials and a blue CCC ribbon and overcommunity members giving their sized scissors were brought out speeches and praise to the new to Mehdizadeh to officially open buildings.

Fireside Hall.

“You are incredibly fortunate to be here today. I am so impressed with this campus and the leaders of the college.”

McCOY | Drive-by shooting ends 18-year-old’s life Continued from Page 1 But he said both suspects in custody will be questioned by Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson and he will review all the potential charges.

“They will include a charge of homicide — potentially two counts of homicide because of the unborn child — along with conspiracy to commit murder and other charges as appropriate,” DeJesus said.

Chuon said the Wright Institute, a counseling program serving Gateway to College and Middle College High School here at CCC, created a therapy circle in the Gateway Office to provide students a space to mourn and share their feelings.

CCC’s Gateway to College program set up an altar on the second floor of Applied Arts Building, outside of the Gateway to College Office, with a booklet her friends, and students she never met, filled with loving messages.

“When the news broke, we had a lot of students in the (Gateway Office) crying,” Chuon said. “They wouldn’t even make it to class sometimes.”

DeJesus said officers responded to a dis-

“She died for nothing. A lot of people die for nothing.”

— Jesus Jaime Romero, Gateway to College student

turbance report from neighbors who said they heard shots fired, near 17th Street in San Pablo.

When officers got to the location, the victim was found lying in the middle of the street, and they immediately called for medical attention.

“We had a conversation about what she was going to name the baby,” Gateway to College student and McCoy’s friend of five years Ashley Stevenson said.

“Annaessia Faith Lowe McCoy,” Stevenson said was the name McCoy would have given her baby.

“Everyone calls the baby ‘Baby Faith.’ Faith was her middle name,” Stevenson said.

DeJesus said, “I personally do not know how far along in the pregnancy she was, but she was, in fact, pregnant. The only motive we have at this point is that it was a dispute, but we cannot go into great detail.”

Although San Pablo Police Department has yet to release information, there have been

some conversations among McCoy’s friends.

“All I know is that she was outside of (the house of the father) and it was a drive-by shooting and no one knew the guy,” Stevenson said.

Gateway to College student Jose Ramirez, who knew McCoy personally while attending Richmond High School, said she was shot during an altercation between McCoy’s boyfriend and McCoy’s close friend over a debt.

“The bullet wasn’t meant for her,” Gateway to College student Jesus Jaime Romero said.

Forty-eight hours following the incident both suspects were arrested and in custody, DeJesus said.

Stevenson said, “(McCoy) was a happy and outgoing person. She wouldn’t want anyone to be sad. Even though it was really depressing, she wouldn’t want me to be sad right now.

“Her death is settling in. I thought it was a hoax because she was a nice person who didn’t get involved in drama — it’s hard to believe.”

Chuon said, “The theme of violence keeps coming up in the community and a lot of our students come from those backgrounds. It hits so close to home.”

Romero said, “She died for nothing. A lot of people die for nothing.”

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

Film sparks political talk COPA hosts ‘Street Fight’ screening

BY Robert Clinton OPINION EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

The rough and tumble world of politics and the depths some candidates sink to hoping to ensure victory were the topic of the COPA (Community Organizing and Political Activism) club’s second annual film and panel discussion, held Friday in GE-225.

The Film “Street Fight” details the failed 2002 mayoral candidacy of current New Jersey State Senator Cory Booker and the work it takes to unseat an incumbent.

“In New Jersey, the only way an incumbent leaves office is death or conviction,” Booker said in the documentary as the cameraman panned the disadvantaged neighborhood that housed the candidate’s shabby campaign headquarters.

In Booker’s case, the incumbent was Sharpe James, a man who served five consecutive four-year terms as mayor of Newark before eventually being sentenced to 27 months in jail after being convicted of fraud in 2008.

Following the film, political science professor Vanna Gonzales introduced a panel of five local political insiders with varying legislative experience.

Speakers ranged from Leonard McNeil, first elected to the San Pablo City Council in 1988 before serving as the first black mayor of San Pablo in 1992, to 18-year-old Alexander Walker-Griffin, president of the COPA club, vice president of the ASU and candidate for the Hercules City Council.

As volatile as the political climate is today, some of the tactics used by James to defeat Booker made for more than a few cringe-worthy moments.

James, to a room full of his own supporters said of Booker, “He’s a f****t white boy who takes money from the KKK.” James and Booker are both AfricanAmerican.

“Nothing changes in my opinion. The film fired me up. I’m excited to keep pursuing politics,” Walker-Griffin said. “It’s an uphill battle and the film shows that despite obstacles you must keep going.”

As with most COPA events, those in

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Pinole City Councilwoman Maria Alegria (left) responds to a question during the documentary “Street Fight” screening hosted by the Community Organizing Political Action club (COPA) and the political science department in GE-225 on Friday.

attendance were offered an opportunity to take advantage of a renewed sense of political energy.

This event featured voter registration table and paid job opportunities presented by the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) for those who wanted to get involved at the grassroots level of the electoral process.

“There were a lot of students who came by the table to check out the information, some of them registered to vote,” APEN community organizer Megan Zapanta said.

The discussion portion of the event was short, but many students who watched the film wondered how some of the tactics used to discredit Booker by his opponent did not garner a larger swath of media attention.

“Ethical questions don’t get answered in the media. In that respect the old saying is true — if it bleeds it leads.”

Hercules city council member

Hercules City Councilwoman Chris Kelley, one of the invited panelists, reminded the students of the contentious relationship between the media and the democratic electoral process.

“Media is all about ratings, and ratings come down to money,” Kelley said. “Ethical questions don’t get answered in the media.

In that respect the old saying is true — if it

bleeds it leads.”

McNeil pointed out, everyone involved in the political process is not there to promote the general welfare. Some are there solely for power or other self-serving issues.

“The media has political functions in terms of spin, in terms of framework and how a candidate is presented,” McNeil said.

“Street Fight” was more than a film showing the rise of a little known politician on his path to becoming a household name. It was a tale of perseverance and of not compromising moral integrity in the face of an opponent prepared to take any unscrupulous path to retain a position of power.

“If you blaze through trails, you have to be ready to face the headwinds,” McNeil said.

ASU moves to modern TEMPERATURES SPIKE, PLUMMET facilities, redefines DUE TO FAILING CONDITIONING AIR outreach potential

BY Roxana Amparo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ramparo.theadvocate@gmail.com

With a change in leadership, the Associated Student Union moves forward with plans to make Contra Costa College students aware of their existing student governance body.

“Visibility for ASU is a big deal. There was a lot of hit and miss last semester because we were tucked away (in the Applied Arts Building),” ASU President Safi Ward-Davis said.

Ward-Davis said one of the challenges from last semester was the Campus Center and Classroom Project construction restricting space for students.

This semester, the Ward-Davis ASU is located inside of the Student and Administration Building, to the right of Student Lounge.

Ward-Davis said a sign above the ASU door would help students know where the ASU is located.

“What held us back last year was construction. But we are realizing that there is nothing stopping us now,” Ward-Davis said.

ASU Director of Public Relations Frances Sanson said, “Last semester (Ward-Davis) was already president, and we will continue what she started.”

Sanson said they plan to create a chance for students to be able to reach the ASU through social media.

ASU Vice President of Club Affairs Jose Areballo said, “I think it’s important to have an outlet (like the ASU) where decisions are being made.”

Ward-Davis said part of her role includes overseeing meetings, checking in with incoming ASU senators and making sure students have open communication with ASU members.

The ASU Board consists of 16 members. ASU meetings are held in SA-107 on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Ward-Davis said, “Just like any other gov-

BY Michael Santone

“What held us back last semester was construction. But we are realizing that there is nothing stopping us.”

—

, ASU president

ernance group, we have to make sure we stay in compliance with the Brown Act.” Through the Brown Act, a California law, college councils must have information available for the public to easily access, such as meeting minutes and agendas.

“We have to post agendas online within 72 hours (before a meeting),” Ward-Davis said. “Some committees post (information) online. We also post (information) around campus and on bulletin boards.”

The ASU is also re-doing its own section online where members will have their own bios and pictures. “It is a work in progress,” Sanson said.

“This (the ASU) is kind of like a club, and these duties are still valued,” Ward-Davis said, referring to duties of the ASU Board during the ASU meeting on Wednesday.

For petitioning senators, part of their duties include three office hours a week, tabling or researching issues and giving class presentations, she said.

The ASU budgeted $14,071 toward the purchase of ASU “swag” from Silver Screen Design, a printing and design company, Ward-Davis said.

To promote the ASU, backpacks, pens, reusable water bottles and binders are used as prizes and give-aways during events.

CCC Marketing Director Brandy Howard said, “They do a fairly good job with physical presence. They have tons of swag.”

Howard is working with the ASU to increase its social media presence.

“We have to be abiding by the college rules, but we are our own entity. We are the ASU,” Ward-Davis said.

Sanson said, “A lot of people don’t go on the college website (contracosta.edu).”

Howard said, “Social media is a good tool, but not a ‘stand alone tool,’ especially in such a small college.”

ADVOCATE STAFF

msantone.theadvocate@gmail.com

As students and staff begin to settle into the new General Education Building, the temperatures in different areas are too hot, or too cold because of a malfunction in its air conditioning system.

Since the start of the 2016 fall semester and the opening of the GE Building, Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said he has been busy responding to calls about the chiller in the air conditioning system’s failures.

This causes the systems cold air to shut off, leaving the building without air circulation and creating a warm and stuffy atmosphere.

Last week, during one of its daily malfunctions, temperatures on the second floor reached 93 degrees, and nearly 98 degrees on the third floor.

This grabbed the attention of both students and staff, as they reached for windows and removed layers of clothing.

Student Sierra Schmidt said, “It (temperature) goes from pretty cold to hot. It’s hard to focus on my work.”

The constant change in temperature also has some students and faculty worried about the possibility of getting sick.

Liberal Arts Administrative Assistant Zolayma Martin said, when faculty have to leave their cold offices to sweltering classrooms, the tempera-

t u r e develops into a health concern. “ I t ’s too hot or it’s too Magalong c o l d ,” Martin said. “The temperature is never right.”

A 2010 Harvard University study shows the extreme change in temperature can weaken an individual’s immune system, causing one’ s body to be vulnerable to viruses. Those viruses can be passed on other individuals. Anyone tolerating the failing system may face the same situation.

The air conditioning system failing multiple times in one day is not out of the ordinary.

The time of day it goes out varies, but the work it takes to rectify the problem is labor intensive.

It takes a total of 30 minutes to restart the system, King said.

This includes a maintenance crew member climbing to the top of the roof and manually resetting the system he said.

Lathrop Inc., the contracting company who worked on the $72 million Campus Center and Classroom project, is aware of the issues surrounding the air conditioning system and are troubleshooting the problem, King said.

This includes locating and assessing what, where, and why the system is failing.

“It (temperature) goes from pretty cold to hot. It’s hard to focus on my work.” student

Because there are multiple aspects to the air conditioning system, he said the problems could range from equipment and design issues to installation and programming, or a combination.

CCC Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong said Lathrop Inc., is working on the problem but “until they figure out the issues, they can’t send a technician out.”

Critical Solutions, the project management group that contracted Lathrop Inc. for the Campus Center and Classroom Project, has workers trying to locate the issues so that it can send a technician as soon as possible, she said.

The General Education Building is one of three new buildings to be fitted with Trane central air conditioning units, but it is the only building that is having issues, King said.

The system comes with a warranty that includes any system problems such as programming and design as well as any equipment replacements, Magalong said.

The warranty will also cover whatever is the cost for the technician to come out and fix the issues she said.

campus beat

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

BOG WAIVER 20 RAISES GPA STANDARDS, 15 EXPECTATION

5

Lending Laptops In a survey conducted by the Library staff, 30 students were asked why they signed up to use the laptops in the Library. These students had the option to select any of the choices provided that applied to them.

BY Christian Urrutia WEB EDITOR

currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com

10

For many students receiving the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, this simple application removes the added pressure of having to pay for classes on time.

Health and human services major Fidelia Onyejekwe said the BOG waiver lessens the anxiousness from the start of the semester by taking care of enrollment fees.

“It helps me by alleviating the stress I have to deal with from my classes and eliminates the worry about paying for them or the anticipation of having to pay by the end of the semester.”

Now all future recipients will have to satisfy additional requirements when applying and qualifying for the BOG waiver.

The change, put into effect this semester, requires eligible students to maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and for two consecutive semesters, including the summer semester. The requirements are part of the Student Success Act of 2012.

Financial Aid Supervisor Monica Rodriguez said, “Prior to this new legislation, there were no requirements in order to receive the BOG waiver. The only penalty was tied to financial aid grants. The closest requirement used to be depended on the California income reported.”

The second requirement includes completing more than 50 percent of a student’s course load in addition to keeping the cumulative 2.0 GPA. As of Aug. 30, she said 2,286 Contra Costa College students were awarded the BOG waiver. Rodriguez said originally students could be eligible for the BOG waiver for consecutive terms despite poor academic performance. The BOG waves all tuition fees for the semester for eligible students throughout the state.

There is an appeal process where students can submit forms to explain their circumstances for failing to meet the requirements.

Rodriguez said, “The hope is to incentivize (students), one year prior to the start of the requirements.

We started to notify students by email about the changes. Students who listed below the 2.0 (GPA requirement) were warned before the semester started.

“We don’t want to inhibit our students (intentionally).” There were 88 students who once used their BOG waiver who are no longer eligible for this current academic year because of their performance, she said.

Rodriguez said 54 students were ineligible for the fall 2016 semester due to their grades from last spring.

And 34 students are no longer eligible for spring 2017 because of their summer 2016 grades.

The caveat is that students already enrolled for the fall semester, who had enrolled during the previous spring 2016 semester, were still eligible for the waiver.

Those who enrolled during early June period didn’t lose the waiver for the fall semester, she said.

Rodriguez said the impact was minimum because less than 1 percent of the college population were excluded. “If there are consequences, then students feel more incentivized to complete their studies,” Rodriguez said.

The new requirement of a 2.0 GPA currently applied to the BOG waiver does not seem to be demanding for some students.

Nursing major Miguel Alvardo, “I don’t think it’s hard (to meet). It’s pretty easy and overall I think it could be higher. We’re supposed to be passing classes (based off a C average) anyway.”

5 0

16

students said the desktops in the Library were all in use.

18

students

said they wanted to use a laptop in a group study room, skills center or silent study room.

10

9

students

said they wanted to sit in a comfortable chair or with friends.

students

6

students

said they don’t have a working laptop.

said they own a working laptop, but don’t like bringing it to school.

2

students had another reason.

INFORMATIONAL GRAPHIC BY MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE

Laptop rental eases limited accessibility Program offers students computers for group study sessions in Library

BY Reggie Santini ADVOCATE STAFF

rsantini.theadvocate@gmail.com

The laptop rental program allows students to study in the Library Learning and Resource Center when the computer labs are full.

Contra Costa College Library’s laptop rental program has reinvigorated the way students can access the campus databases to do research and homework on campus.

Since the program’s launch last January, 256 students have signed up to use the laptops.

“It is way more popular than I originally expected. With the amount of users that we have I am worried that the laptops won’t be able to charge properly between each student’s use,” Electronic Services Librarian Megan Kinney said.

The program currently has 30 laptops and 210 active students, Kinney said.

The laptops are kept inside a charging cart for safety and convenience. The laptops are brought out to the students by the librarian in charge at the circulation desk, and must be returned after the three hours of permitted user time are up.

“Wiring desktop computers is expensive, complicated and time consuming. The desktops keep students stuck to one area,” Librarian Judith Flum said.

The laptop program tries to cater to students by providing them with more areas to study.

“Students can use the laptops to do group work inside the study rooms, or the silent study area,” Flum said.

The drop-in desktop computers are located in the Library, near the circulation desk and front doors.

Kinney said this area is usually the loudest in the library.

She said because so many people come in and out it makes it hard for students to focus, but the laptop program allows them to move to quieter areas.

Students were still trickling in on Sept. 13 to ask Flum for applications to able to check out laptops.

To apply for the computer rental program students must fill out forms at the Library and give it to the librarian who will then scan the student’s record for debt.

For students to be accepted into the program they must not owe the college any money or have any fines issued by Police Services.

“It is quick and easy to sign up,” psychology major Dema Aldabbas.

“It took me less than 10 minutes.”

With a lack of places for students to charge their laptops the program has given students the opportunity to not carrying around a laptop.

“It makes it much more convenient for me. I no longer have to drag my heavy laptop around,” Aldabbas said.

In the spring semester, district Chancellor Helen Benjamin asked CCC President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh to apply for local college level innovation grants.

The Library applied and received the grant for 30 brand new laptops and a charging cart.

Flum said, “This is our effort to help students be more successful in school.”

CCC’s Technology Systems Manager James Eyestone worked with the Library faculty to purchase and set up all the security software on the laptops.

“The laptops have security tracking software on them to make sure they are not stolen,” Flum said. “So remember, Big Brother’s watching.”

The Information Technology Department makes sure all the programs and anti-virus software stay up to date.

Students can apply inside the Library at the reference desk.

Overgrowth purged for ribbon cutting ceremony

BY Benjamin Bassham NEWS EDITOR

bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com

Rheem Creek is being stripped of its accumulated undergrowth as campus landscaping around the recent construction concludes.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said, “(The creek that bisects the campus) was like a jungle for a number of years.

A lot of poison oak and blackberry bushes were removed.

“The college president (Mojdeh Mehdizadeh) wanted to get it all cleaned up for the ribbon cutting (ceremony for the opening of Fireside Hall),” he said.

The creek will match the neatness of the new buildings and landscaping that Business Services Director Mariles Magalong said is due to finish this week.

The section of the creek next to the Amphitheater behind the Student and Administration Building was cleared for the first time in 20 years, King said.

“We did the section in front of the Amphitheater, then went to the other side of the bridge (by the Student Services Center),” he said.

Because Rheem Creek is a protected watershed and wildlife refuge, the Buildings and Grounds crew normally cannot enter the

creek to do real maintenance.

King said this time all the legal permissions were cleared through the President’s Krolikowski Office, and the “jungle” will be trimmed and the creek cleansed from Library Drive to the Bus Transfer Center.

King said the cleanup included removing the trash that regularly blows down from neighborhoods and the campus.

“It’s nice to do it anyway, ribbon cutting or no. We want it to be more welcoming,” Magalong said.

The trees have been pruned up from the ground and almost all of the underbrush is gone. King said it is more presentable and healthier for the remaining foliage.

But some patches of ivy remain, on the ground and climbing trees.

Magalong said the college paid about $10,000 for the cleanup, and King said there are not enough resources to remove all of a plant as persistent and hard as ivy.

Since there is no budget to plant proper ground cover either, the ivy may as well be left to reduce erosion, King said.

One dead tree was left

lying across the creek by the Amphitheater.

“We consider it sort of a raccoon bridge,” King said. It is a little more natural looking, and provides a spot where the local small wildlife, like the possums, skunks and feral cats can cross, he said.

King said the creek flows year-round, even during years of drought, and hosts schools of minnows and crawfish.

King said the last major cleanup effort was the Rheem Creek Restoration Project, which did similar pruning and trash removal, but also focused on the planting of exclusively native Californian species. The section of the creek between the bridge and the Bus Transfer Center was threaded with diverse Californian plants, each with a little placard listing its species and what biome it belonged to.

This work was funded by a one-time grant, and between legal restrictions on working in a wildlife refuge and the lack of new funding, most of that work decayed away.

Magalong said, “There were good intentions when that (work) was done.” But without funding the attitude has been, “Oh well.”

Many of the native plants died from drought and neglect, leaving the placards to mark their graves.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Biology major Myra Ramirez walks across Rheem creek on Monday. Parts of the creek have been landscaped for the first time in 20 years.

Biotechnology professor Katherine Krolikowski said more plants were wiped out by recent landscaping.

This latest cleanup cleared away the resulting mess, but made no effort to spare the survivors.

The placards are gone, the signs advertising the restoration project, saying “Rheem Creek Watershed, Ours to protect” are gone, and most of the plants are gone.

King said he was sad to see “some of the good stuff go with the bad.”

Krolikowski had her Introduction to Biological Science classes tracking the survival of the native plants for years, and said that of the plants that flourished, in spite of all, many remain.

“We can check the data from my Bio Sci-110 class later this semester,” she said.

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spotlight

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Contra Costa College dance students perform a Bachata routine for the crowd and parade judges during the 23rd Annual El Sobrante Stroll on Sunday. The stroll and parade were held on San Pablo Dam Road starting at El Portal Drive and ending at Appian Way.

PARADE INSPIRES UNITY

El Sobrante Stroll draws large crowd, celebrates community

BY Denis Perez ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

EL SOBRANTE — Community members, performers, schools, advocacy groups, religious congregations and vendors shut down the heart of San Pablo Dam Road for the 23rd Annual El Sobrante Stroll street festival and parade, hosted by the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce on Sunday.

Contra Costa County District I Supervisor John Gioia said, “This is about the El Sobrante community coming together. It’s getting bigger every year.”

The stroll stretched from El Portal Drive to Appian Way with over 200 booths and about 20,000 people converged onto the street throughout the day.

San Pablo resident Alva Martinez said this was her third year attending the stroll. Martinez said this year the stroll was better because of the larger amount of parade participants and booths along the street.

She said she saw many booths that had set up for their first time.

The Grow for Vets Livermore California Chapter President Anthony Rangel said communityoriented events like the stroll are a great way to talk with the community about sensitive subjects, like advocating for free marijuana for veterans with post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) or drug addictions.

Rangel said it was the first year

“This is about the El Sobrante community coming together. It’s getting bigger every year.”

— John Gioia, Contra Costa County District I supervisor

Grow for Vets set up a booth at the El Sobrante Stroll.

Peniel Baptist Church member Atajinare Jarrean said there are all kinds of different people from different “walks of life” coming together who normally wouldn’t.

Jarrean said the church tried setting up a booth three years ago, and now uses the stroll as a way to fundraise and push their message forward.

Parade Judge Sherly Sharp said the El Sobrante Stroll’s parade lets schools, clubs, politicians and community programs compete for the judges’ awards on seven categories: spirit and cheer, outstanding music group, outstanding dance group, creativity, theme, outstanding number of participants and a new award this year, the judges’ award.

The Contra Costa College Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program led the parade with an ambulance driven by retired Contra Costa Community College District Police Chief Charles C. Gibson as EMT students walked alongside.

El Cerrito resident Daniel Reyes was one of CCC’s EMT students

ESL boosts multilinguals toward goals

BY Dylan Collier ADVOCATE STAFF

dcollier.theadvocate@gmail.com

Faculty members in Contra Costa College’s English as a second language department have shared interests and inherent characteristics that help students of today’s world be successful.

ESL department Chairperson Elisabeth Xiezopolski and ESL professors Shelley Ruby and Lynda Nicol see their academic assistance as rewarding and satisfying when helping their multilingual students overcome the difficulties they face while adjusting to a different lan-

guage.

“The students keep me motivated. I want them to succeed and achieve their goals,” Nicol said.

Additionally, they all placed a high value in speaking multiple languages.

Xiezopolski said she taught English in Spain for two years and it was an excellent experience.

Nicol said she taught English in Japan for two years.

Ruby said she always has been intrigued with the Spanish language ever since she was a teenager.

“I have always wanted to work in some form of service,” Xiezopolski

who walked in the parade.

Reyes said even though people have misconceptions about the college, it was great to be part of the El Sobrante community.

The college’s performing arts department performed a Latin dance routine in the parade. Sharp said CCC performing arts students won the Outstanding Dance Group award.

CCC performer Marie Frank said, “In the parade they did bachata and would like (community members) to join (them). We had brand new dancers performing in front of everyone. They were nervous, but they (did) a great job.”

Sharp said St. Paul’s Elementary School won an award for outstanding spirit, De Anza High School won an award for outstanding number of participants.

The Pinole Valley High School marching band won the outstanding music group award.

Murphy Elementary School won the creativity award and Windermere Real Estate won the judges’ award for their superb creativity.

The temperature in El Sobrante was 81 degrees during the stroll.

Many people found refuge from the sun under anything that provided shade.

A small sinkhole that opened in the middle of the road had to be coned off during the parade and DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE was filled in after as people walked Members of the The Sikh Center of El Sobrante perform a tradiup and down the street. tional dance during the El Sobrante Stroll on Sunday.

“Many ESL students work many hours during the week and still find time to dedicate to school. They often have opportunities here in America that they never have had in their home countries.”

— Elisabeth Xiezopolski, Engllish as a second language department chairperson

said. “I’m an immigrant myself to this country. I had to learn English when I got to America as well. I can relate to (ESL) students.”

Nicol said the years she taught English in Japan was fulfilling.

She said there are not as many opportunities for ESL students to speak English outside of class in their home country. In America, there are plenty of opportunities for ESL students to speak outside of school.

Students only get this opportunity if they immerse themselves in trying to understand the language by practicing of how to speak and by writing, Nicol said.

Xiezopolski said that although she worked at private universities she prefers teaching at CCC because

the students are “hard workers,” even while having the additional responsibility of taking care of families living in households with two or three generations.

“Many ESL students work many hours during the week and still find time to dedicate to school.

They often have opportunities here in America that they never would have had in their home countries,” she said.

Xiezopolski said she has always wanted to do service work. She said she was partly influenced by her mother who was a nurse.

Ruby said both her parents were teachers, so she was raised with an understanding of the education system.

“My mom taught music at (City College of San Francisco) and she used to bring me with her to work,” Ruby said. “In middle school and high school I enjoyed learning Spanish, and started teaching high school Spanish at 23 years old.”

Xiezopolski said how students are effected by the ESL program, depends on opportunity.

She said that if an individual speaks more than one language, the benefits can reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease.

Although speaking two or more languages has its benefits, there still are challenges that some ESL

students face, Xiezopolski said.

“A challenging part is helping them get community Xiezopolski resources like childcare and legal services that they didn’t know they had the right to get,” Xiezopolski Ruby said.

She said it’s just as important to pay attention to the instructional and evaluation practices that are promising for today’s multicultural and multilingual classrooms.

Nicol said that being as “student-centered” as possible is important.

Having students provide ideas and formulating opinions using the background they have from their cultures to enrich discussions is crucial, she said.

“If you can become fluent in a second language, then you can communicate well as a manager,” Nicol said. “For example, if you can translate languages in a hospital setting, then you are is more marketable.”

sports

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

7

SQUAD DROPS FIRST THREE GAMES Errors, penalties plague struggling freshman team

BY Robert Clinton SPORTS EDITOR

rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com

ROCKLIN — After coming out flat and earning more yards in penalties (102 yards) than in the passing game (95 yards), the Comet football team finds itself resting in the basement of the Bay 6 Conference after a 35-20 loss to Sierra College here Saturday.

So far this season Contra Costa College (0-3) has outscored its opponents 57-28 in the second half, but lethargic starts were never more apparent than Saturday against the Wolverines (1-2).

The Comets played eight offensive series before halftime with three punts, two fumbles, two interceptions and a turnover-ondowns during that span.

“The second half score was 20-7. It wasn’t just the offense (in the first half). Both offense and defense took turns not making plays,” Comet coach Alonzo Carter said. “Whether it was fumbles or missed tackles, it was the little things that made the difference.”

In this game, as well as in the last game against WOLVERINES S a c r a m e n t o City College, whenever the Comets began to gain COMETS momentum an official’s flag would inevitably call a pivotal play back.

The Comets return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. against Modesto Junior College at Comet Stadium.

Being at the wrong end of an official’s call is something all Comet athletes should be used to, but combined with the 95 degree on-field temperature the situation became physically and emotionally draining.

Trailing 15-0 early in the second quarter following a Sierra passing score and a fumble recovery for another touchdown, the Comet offense sputtered along with quarterback Cameron Burston throwing an interception.

The Wolverines capitalized quickly by tossing an eight-yard touchdown that saw its receiver Isiah Bradley snag the ball from between the outstretched arms of two CCC defenders for a miraculous catch in the front corner of the end zone.

The score gave Sierra a 22-0 lead with eight minutes to play before halftime.

As the players on the field and some of the Comet fans began to succumb to the temperature, the coaching staff and players implored CCC players to lose their

35 20

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

ABOVE: Wolverine wide receiver Romello Bently (center) rises to catch the ball against Comet defenders Aaron Mullins (left) and Lavon Washington (right) during CCC’s 35-20 loss to Sierra College in Rocklin on Saturday.

“Whether it was fumbles or missed tackles, it was the little things that made the difference.”

— football coach Alonzo Carter

defeated posture and remember its championship pedigree.

“I don’t think I’ve ever started a season 0-3 in my life,” Comet safety Malik Hale said. “We are missing assignments, getting plays mixed up. We aren’t playing disciplined.

We’re going to have a team meeting Monday to talk about it.”

The Wolverines tacked on another six points before halftime, following another Burston interception, with an 8-yard touchdown as mere seconds remained on the clock before the half ended.

At halftime Sierra led the Comets 28-0.

With CCC blanked on the scoreboard in the first half, the hiatus marked the longest scoring drought for the team in over two seasons.

The Comets were held scoreless in four straight quarters of football, going back to the second half of its last game against Sacramento City College Sept. 10.

The Comets opened the second half on a mission.

On Sierra’s opening drive of the second half, CCC defensive lineman Richie George sacked Wolverine quarterback Adam

CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE

Wolverine wide receiver Isaiah Bailey (center) breaks through numerous tackles by Comet defenders during CCC’s 35-20 loss to Sierra College in Rocklin on Saturday.

Besana for a 5-yard loss on the Sierra 45-yard line.

Besana fumbled as he was dragged to the ground and Comet defensive back Chandler Gumbs scooped up the ball and scurried 55 yards for CCC’s first score of the day.

The Comets trailed 28-7 after the touchdown.

The score brought most of the Comet squad out of its malaise, but another 29-yard run for Sierra’s

only touchdown of the second half, settled the squad back into its perpetual doldrum.

Trailing 35-7 it was Burston’s father whose motivational words from the bleachers inspired his son and the players around him.

Six minutes into the third quarter, CCC running back Maurell Robinson sliced through the Wolverine defense and dashed 56 yards to the end zone.

After a missed extra point, and

numerous failed drives, CCC was down by 22 points.

But Comet running back Harris Ross got in on the scoring action with an 8-yard touchdown as time wound down in the game. This was the last score of the game.

“A loss is a loss and if you aren’t ready to work you can leave now,” Burston told his teammates after the game.

Winless road trip sets back Comets Missed chances hinder team entering conference HAWKS

3 1

COMETS

BY Lorenzo Morotti ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com

The men’s soccer team finished its road trip winless after a 2-2 tie at Butte College on Sept. 13, followed by a 3-1 loss on Friday at Las Positas College.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t score you won’t get results. It is simple as that,” Contra Costa College men’s soccer coach Nikki Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the Comets (4-3-1 overall) were unable to finish key plays that would have led to positive results.

“I thought this was the best game (Las Positas) we have played all season.

We played very well, we just did not finish our chances,” he said.

The Comets’ next game is at Evergreen Valley College on Thursday at 7 p.m. The team will return to the Soccer Field to play Lassen College on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Against Las Positas on Friday, Comet striker Christian Geronimo said, “The game was sealed after (the Hawks) scored the third goal.”

Comet goalkeeper Eduardo Escamilla said, before the game sealBoxscores Contra Costa 2, Butte 2 At Oroville, Calif. (Sept. 13) CCC 2 1—1 BC 2 1—1

Goals/Assists 1. BC, David Gomez, assisted by Brian Blakman, 26th minute.

2. CCC, Juvenal Pena, assisted by Christian Geronimo, 45th minute.

3. BC, Aiden Brejcha, assisted by Ariel Sanchez, 78th minute.

ing goal, morale was already down.

But CCC kept fighting and the referee awarded the Comets a penalty kick.

Comet midfielder Juvenal Pena found the net for CCC which made the score 2-1 at minute 65.

“We were still in it at that point,” Escamilla said. “We were still fighting for possession and playing a more offensive type of game.

This tactic left the Comet backline exposed as it pressed high up the field to force turnovers.

“We had a corner kick. Las Positas got us on the counter,” Geronimo said.

“There was a bit of miscommunication between the center backs and (the Hawk’s) defensive clearance went past midfield and to (Las Positas striker Marco Neves), that left our defense chasing him. The clearance caught our defense flat footed and at that point it was a one-on-one situation and (Neves) made it 3-1 with 10 minutes left to play.”

The game was 0-0 at half time, but Ferguson said scoring an own goal five minutes into the second half cost the team a win.

“In the first 20 minutes of the game we outshot them 10 to 1,” he said.

Roughly 10 minutes after the first goal, the Hawks midfielder Matt Hafizi scored a screamer into the far top corner of the net from 30 yards out. “(Hafizi) took a wonder shot,” Escamilla said. “He hit it from way outside the box into the upper (corner) — there was nothing I could do. It’s just one of those killer shots that I could not reach.”

Against Butte on Sept. 13, the Comets tied 2-2 through a last minute goal by Comet forward Jordan Fletchero with less than one minute remaining in the game. In the second half, the Roadrunners were awarded a penalty kick.

Butte scored its first attempt from the spot, but because a defender stepped into the penalty area before the shot taker made contact with the ball, the referee called to retake the shot.

Geronimo said the Roadrunners changed shot takers to try and intimidate CCC’s goalkeeper. “The second time our goalkeeper (Escamilla) blocked it to keep us in the game,” he

4. CCC, Jordan Fletchero (unassisted) 90th minute.

Saves - CCC 2, BC 7

First Half Shots - CCC 6, BC 9 Corners - CCC 2, BC 3 Fouls - CCC 6, BC 4 Saves - CCC 3, BC 2

Cards/Ejections - CCC 1 (yellow) BC 1 (yellow)

Second Half Shots - CCC 12, BC 8 Corners - CCC 5, BC 4 Fouls - CCC 4, BC 4

Las Positas 3, Contra Costa 1 At Livermore, Calif. (Sept. 16) CCC 1 0—1 LPC 3 0—3

Goals/Assists 1. LPC, Maro Neves, assisted by Takashi Fukishima, 60th

“He hit it from way outside the box into the upper (corner) — there was nothing I could do. It’s just one of thosekiller shots that I could not reach.”

Eduardo Escamilla Comet goalkeeper

said. “It was still 1-1 at that point, so he kept us in it.”

“I got hit in the chest and the trainer told me it was a bruised rib so I didn’t play the rest of the game,” Geronimo said. “And then Butte scored another goal to make it 2-1 before the half.

“The second half score was the same until Fletchero scored in the last minute to tie the game.” The first Bay Valley Conference game for the 2015 champions is on Tuesday against Mendocino College at the Soccer Field “We want to start conference play as best as we can so we need to be in good form in all aspects over these next two games,” Escamilla said. “But we are going to work hard to improve our finishing in training.” minute.

2. LPC, Matt Hafizi, assisted by Marco Neves, 65th minute.

3. CCC, Juvenal Pena, penalty, 70th minute.

4. LPC, Marcos Neves, assisted by Nick Turner, 90th minute.

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WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM 9.21.2016 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE

focus

Ribbon cutting ceremony venerates district family Photos by: Cody Casares & Denis Perez FOR

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

LEFT: College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh (middle) shows gratitude as Chancellor Helen Benjamin (right) and Governing Board President Vicki Gordon (left) award her a medal during the new college center and presidential investiture event in the Campus Center Plaza Amphitheater on Tuesday.

ABOVE: College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh cuts the ribbon during the new college center and presidential investiture event in the Campus Center Plaza Amphitheater on Tuesday.

RIGHT: College Vice President Tammeil Gilkerson dances during the new college center and presidential investiture event in the Campus Center Plaza Amphitheater on Tuesday.

ABOVE: Contra Costa College police aides led

by Police Services Lt. Tom Holt held the flags during the new college center and presidential investiture event in the Campus Center Plaza Amphitheater on Tuesday.