Spring 2015 - Issue Three

www.thecrcconnection.com

Student activists march on the Capitol See Page 2 Stephanie Lopez | The Connection

Math Tutoring

Program being underutilized by students News, Page 3 ISSUE 3 3/12/15-3/25/15 Student voice of CRC since 1970

New Art Exhibition

Comic book themed exhibit opens at campus gallery Features, Page 7

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Vaccinations

The importance of making an informed decision Opinion, Page 8

TWITTER @crcconnection

Women’s Basketball Season ends on a low note due to lack of leadership Sports, Page 11

INSTAGRAM @thecrcconnection

Page 2

March 12, 2015

>>News

California students march for education

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

Students hold various signs in support of education as they march downtown for California’s annual March in March event on March 2. The march was noticeably smaller than other years.

By Stephanie Lopez & Nick Valenzuela slopez.connect@gmail.com

A

s students and faculty from community colleges all over California gathered for the annual March in March in downtown Sacramento, something was amiss.

The usual pre-march rally in Raley Field’s parking lot did not take place. Instead, students trickled onto the state Capitol’s doorstep, gathering into a small crowd that prepared to march on the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

A march that, because of several hurdles, almost didn’t happen at all.

“It was a rash decision made by the student council to decide not to have a march,” said Keith Montes, president of the Associated Students of Diablo Valley College. “Unfortunately, because word did get out that there was no march, attendance, the turnout, is the lowest I’ve ever seen. It’s difficult to call something a March in March, and try to get people to understand that there’s no march in a March in March.”

The cancellation was caused by the state defunding specific preparations that would have made the march possible, as well as the Student Senate for California Community Colleges deeming a rally at the Capitol more viable than a full march, Montes said.

“It was a specific line item towards this march,” said Mary Valdemar, a library secretary for San Bernardino Valley College.

“So we’re very saddened to hear that support is not in place from the chancellors and that the board of governors is not demanding that,” she said.

Despite the cancellation of the march, Montes pushed to put one together.

“I got word that the SSCCC was no longer facilitating a march,” Montes said. “So that was disheartening … but I was able to still organize a march today.”

Students said they were pleased the march did end up taking place, and some said they’re looking for change that they feel is needed at the community college level.

“I’m just hoping we can get our point across as students to get some change to come along,” said Jose Garcia, 19, a journalism major at

Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

Robert Espinoza, of Santa Monica College, delivers a passionate speech in front of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office in downtown Sacramento, the first stop during the March in March.

American River College.

“Because we need some change, it’s time to improve things,” he said.

Kimberly Miller, a 42-year-old human services major from SBVC, agreed and said that she just wanted legislators to hear out student issues.

After marching to the CCCCO building, students from all over took turns sharing their educational experiences and the things they hoped to see changed.

“I’m here because even though we have a Board of Governors fee waiver, which is extremely useful for paying for student tuition, I’m paying over $200 for my class textbooks,” said Cameron Weaver, senate director of public relations for ARC. “How is that public tuition going to help me when I’m shelling out a fortune for class materials,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of California Community Colleges Paul Feist came out to speak to the chanting crowd.

“The people in this building, in the chancellor’s office, advocate every day on behalf of students,” Feist said.

“When you people come from six hours away, and you show

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Page 3

Campus crime brief

By Nick Valenzuela nvalenzuela.connect@gmail.com Cosumnes River College police are on the lookout for several suspects following two separate incidents.

According to a crim bulletin released March 10, a student was assaulted and robbed at 8:20 p.m.

According to the bulletin, “a student was approached by four Black males and one East Indian male.”

The suspects pushed the victim to the ground, kicked him and stole his shoes, cellphones and wallet.

In a separate incident, ccording to a crime bulletin released by the police department on March 4, a male suspect slapped a female in the face following an argument at

7:10 p.m.

The suspect was described as an African-American male who is “approximately 5- feet8 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds,” and was last seen wearing a black and white pom-pom beanie and a bright colored backpack, according to the crime bulletin.

The police department advises students travel with another person and walk and park in well-lit areas if they must travel at night, according to the bulletin.

Students who have any information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact the Los Rios Police Department at (916) 558-2221.

The CRC police could not be reached for comment at the time of the article’s publication.

Campus tutoring goes underutilized Nick Valenzuela | The Connection

Keith Montes stands at the doorstep of the California State Capitol building as he gives a speech to marchers about demanding change from representatives. Montes’s speech was met with applause from attendees.

up in the lawmakers’ offices there, they see your face [and] it’s a very powerful message.”

After Feist’s speech to the crowd, Montes led a march back to the Capitol, where students were told how to push California’s legislatures to make educational reforms.

form of Proposition 13 to help disabled students and financial aid reform.

“The tuition for your classes is too high,” said Cathy Johnson, 40, an occupational therapy assistant major at ARC. “If you want to keep your students you have to make it

“ I want actual change and I want it today ... We

want it now. Don’t get pushed around and [you] don’t always have to be polite to make a change.

We demand. Power is never given, it’s only taken.

Take back the power, power to the people.”

-- Keith Montes

Associated students of Diablo Valley College president “I want to bring up ethnic studies and how that pertains to higher education,” said Jason Martinez, history major at SBVC. “[In Los Angeles,] they didn’t just make it possible, they made it mandatory for people to graduate, for people to take ethnic studies. I think that’s what we need through the state of California.”

Speakers addressed topics as broad as overall educational funding reform as well as specific issues many individuals had faced, including re-

so that people can afford to go. I know people that want to go back to school, but won’t because it’s too high,” he said.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual caucus was also there advocating for transgender rights at the community college level.

“Today what we’re doing is [promoting] trans rights and we’re visiting with legislators this afternoon especially one of the newest ones,” said Gary Walker, 38, the director

of advocacy of the spectrum caucus.

“We’re meeting with Sen. Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Susan Eggmen and Assemblymember Evan Low,” he said.

Though the crowd was smaller than prior years, Martinez praised the students who did come together.

“We didn’t need permits, we didn’t need months of planning,” Martinez said.

“We made a march in about five minutes and I want everyone here to be proud of themselves for that,” he said.

As the attendees prepared to leave, Montes had one last piece of advice for students looking to make a change.

“I want actual change and I want it today, I want it now and don’t try to censor me,” Montes said. “We want it now.

Don’t get pushed around and [you] don’t always have to be polite to make a change. We demand. Power is never given, it’s only taken. Take back the power, power to the people.”

Scan this QR code to check out our March in March video.

By Tim Taylor ttaylor.connect@gmail.com Students must pass math courses in order to graduate from college. Unbeknownst to many students, Cosumnes River College offers a math tutoring service for students regardless of major or educational goal.

Drop-in tutoring is offered in the Math Center in room 205 and is located in the Learning Resource Center on campus. Tutoring is available Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

What makes this tutoring service so helpful is that it is run and mostly supervised by students, so all of the tutors are students’ peers. Each tutor teaches up to their comfortable level of math and is also trained by other math instructors on campus, said Phuong Le, a math professor at CRC. “I always encourage students of any level to make a habit of studying in the math center,” Le said. “I always recommend students come regularly.”

Students who regularly attend the math lab show improvements over the semester on their quizzes, homework and exams, but a problem occurs when students neglect the service all semester long

and only attend tutoring days before an exam, Le said.

“There are especially a lot of students around midterms and finals,” said Hung Vu, a 23-year-old computer science major and math center tutor.

“It is better to get an early start and not wait until an exam or test to get help.”

Students of one of CRC’s Math 100 classes said work and other priorities take up a lot of valuable time. Many said they do not have the time during the day to attend the set tutoring hours but they would like to attend more regularly if the service proved to be helpful.

“Sometimes, younger students work more, so their schedules won’t allow them to attend,” Le said.

On average, most students attending the math center’s tutoring hours are over 30 years old, said Vien Bui, a 22-year-old mechanical engineering major and tutor.

“I would say about seven out of every 10 students I help are older than 30,” Bui said.

“The lab is open for everyone.

Sometimes younger people understand or can figure it out for themselves, the older people need more help understanding.”

For now, the tutoring service is being used by enough students on campus to keep it around.

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

PAGE 4

Health: campus nurse and students talk balanced diets as stroke rates rise in youth

By Fransisco Rodriguez frodriguez.connect@gmail.com The stroke rate is rising among young adults, even higher than that of people of advanced age, according to an article from the Sacramento Bee. Statistics show that strokes are declining by more than 25 percent for people older than 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, from 1994 through 2007 it is shown that the rate of ischemic stroke went up by 47 percent for men ages 33 to 44 and 37 percent for women of the same age. For men in their early 20’s it boosted up to more than 50 percent.

The causes of the ischemic stroke, the most common kind of stroke, all point to the same causes such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

“High blood pressure increases your chances of not only a stroke but a heart attack, kidney disease and oth-

er life-threatening illnesses,” said Fran Koschesk, a nurse at Cosumnes River College. “Anyone can get it.”

Koschesk said that the pill can also cause strokes.

“Taking birth control pills will increase their risks of a stroke. The hor-

States, killing nearly 129,000 people per year with someone dying every four minutes.

“People should change their diets,” said Kathy Mendoza, 22, a history major. “It [strokes] can happen to anyone.”

“High blood pressure increases your chances of not only a

stroke but a heart attack, kidney disease, and other life-threatening illnesses. Anyone can get it.”

-- Fran Koschesk

Cosumnes River College nurse mones are affected and can cause blood clots, but it is rare,” said Koschesk.

Ischemic strokes account for almost 87 percent of 795,000 strokes that Americans suffer each year, according to the CDC. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number four leading cause of death in the United

Get involved!

Mendoza said she recommends students go vegan to help prevent such health problems.

While research has found out what causes stroke, students may not have the time to reduce the chances of having it.

“I feel kind of sad that younger people are getting it, but most of it is

on how we eat,” said Kimberly Vang, 18, an undeclared major.

“We are tight on schedule so we wouldn’t have the time to exercise,” she said.

While the numbers seem very high and alarming, there are other factors that play into obesity and other illnesses that could lead to a stroke.

“Expansion of fast food and the low cost of junk food” seems to be a huge factor, said Alan Vu, 21, a health major.

Koschesk suggests students have a healthy diet, drink water, get plenty of sleep, avoid drinking alcohol and smoking because the problem that causes stroke comes from the common problems of obesity and high blood pressure Vu echoed Koschesk’s suggestions, and said a balanced diet is important to keep students healthy.

“It is almost impossible to stay away from junk food, but at least balance it out with fruits and vegetables,” Vu said.

CRC 2015-16 Student Elections

Looking for passionate & spirited individuals determined to make a difference.

“It’s time to be part of the solution. Run for ASCRC’s 2015-16 Student Governance” Plan great campus events Improve your leadership skills Help develop student life on campus

Influence college decisions that affect students Make an impact with community involvement

Student Senate President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director, Legislative Affairs (11) Senators

Open Positions

Clubs and Events Board Commissioner Vice Commissioner Secretary Director of Finance (10) Representatives

Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 24 Campaigning: Tuesday, April 7—Wednesday, April 15 Online Voting: Tuesday April 14—Wednesday, April 15

Nomination Packets Available: Student Development Office, Room L-103.

As the future leaders of the world, there's no better place to start doing your job than here.

Page 5

March 12, 2015

>>Features

Program celebrates a decade of success

or speed up. It allows for me to adjust to them more so that I’m able to teach them and There are various pro- connect with them better.”

Hansen said that she grams locally and statewide that aim to help students teaches the same Puente stutransfer to four-year institu- dents for two semesters, altions, but only one of them is lowing her to build a bond celebrating 10 years at Cos- and connection.

That connection is felt umnes River College: the Puamong Puente students and ente program.

Puente, originally found- staff alike.

“It makes me feel more ed in 1981 as an educational support system for Latino stu- comfortable with the classdents, works with students of room already because I alall backgrounds, 25 of them ready know people in there,” said 18-year-old Alejandro currently at CRC. Within the state of Cali- Villalobos, a kinesiology mafornia, there are more than 61 jor who is in his second phase community colleges, as well of Puente. “I know I can ask as various high schools, that them for help if I’m struggling incorporate Puente into their with something or anything I curriculum, said Puente coor- need, I know they’ll be there dinator and counselor Estella for me.”

Puente has made huge Hoskins. strides over “It’s our the past 10 10-year an- It makes me feel more years with niversary of comfortable with the about a 70 to having it here percent and being classroom already because 90 success rate successful,” with transHoskins said. I already know people in “It’s huge, be- there. I know I can ask them fer students, Hoskins said. cause we have Hansen that support for help if I’m struggling said she has that typically with something or anything seen about in high school five former and grammar I need, I know they’ll be students in school Latithe past 10 no students there for me.” years that don’t have. have returned Anyone that —Alejandro Villalobos as mentors resembles 18, Kinesiology Major and positive them not only figures within in the classroom but in their readings, the community.

Villalobos and other stuit’s difficult to find that. That’s what we’re trying to incorpo- dents in the program said that they felt very grateful for rate in Puente.”

The main goals of Puente the program and what it repare to provide educational resents.

“I think it means an opsupport for students with the goal of transferring to four- portunity because that’s what year institutions at a more di- Puente gives people,” Vilrect pace and for these Puente lalobos said.

Information about the Pualumni to return to the community as mentors, Hoskins ente program, including contact information and how to said.

Students that are part of join can be found on the CRC the program are enrolled in website.

When asked about the two English classes as well as a career development course feeling of celebrating 10 years, as part of a three phase pro- Hansen said she was very thankful. gram Hoskins said.

“I’m very grateful that adEach student also receives a counselor and a mentor to ministration has been so supaid in their success while at portive of it [Puente] because that has not been true of many CRC. “We can be a little more campuses,” Hansen said. flexible,” said Priscilla Han- “They have been very supsen, an English professor for portive of Puente and making Puente. “We consider the class sure they can provide this for more as far as where they’re at, our students for 10 years in a whether I need to slow down row, which is amazing.”

By Taylor Gomez tgomez.connect@gmail.com

Nick Valenzuela |The Connection

Members of the Puente Program are placed into the same classes so that they can build a community and so they can receive support as they progress through the program and the school.

“

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Page 6

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There’s nothing odd at all about CBS’s new comedy

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com While I’m quite knowledgeable about pop culture past and present, I’ve never seen any episodes of the classic 1970’s sitcom “The Odd Couple” nor the play it was based on.

The basic premise is something I know though; two polar opposite roommates butting heads leading to hilarity.

So when it was announced that CBS was remaking the show with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon in the lead roles of Oscar and Felix, it was an easy sell.

While Perry has had a hard time finding TV projects that will stay afloat since his days on “Friends,” his comedic timing and chops remain the same as they were back then. Which is good news as his portrayal of Chandler was one of the best on that series.

Since “Friends,” most of his characters have been on the loveable jerk side of the equation rather than the loveable goofball, and Oscar is very much the loveable jerk.

Lennon on the other hand has had a variety of roles and guest spots since his most famous role on “Reno 911,” in-

Courtesy Photo

cluding producing and directing many projects such as the highly popular Comedy Central show “@Midnight.”

His portrayal as Felix Unger is very believable, as he’s played characters similarly neurotic in the past and nails it once again.

And though she’ll be

Connection Reviews: Check out these other reviews on our website thecrcconnection.com

missed on the cult favorite “Community,” Yvette Nicole Brown fits in perfectly as Oscar’s sassy and exasperated assistant.

Wendell Pierce, formerly of “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and Lindsay Sloane, who has mostly had minor roles on TV since her time on “Sabrina The

Teenage Witch,” round out the main cast quite well.

Perry, Lennon and the rest of the cast are quite funny but the show does have its faults.

The jokes can be predictable and the studio audience can be annoying at times.

That being said, the show is still quite funny. Too many

times critics are looking for shows to be something new and different, to push the boundaries of their respective genre.

Not all shows have to be completely original to be entertaining. “The Odd Couple” is like comfort food, it just feels good to watch.

It hits all the right notes like comedies before it while not pretending to be something edgy or hipster. It owns what it is.

There is nothing worse than a show or film that is too pretentious and tries to be more than it is. This could be Perry’s first shot at a long running gig since “Friends,” as long as the show remains true to itself.

“The Odd Couple” airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS following “The Big Bang Theory,” and episodes can also be watched through Amazon Instant Video.

Score out of 5 stars For more TV reviews, visit thecrcconnection.com or follow the Connection on Twitter @crcconnection

Drake’s new mixtape “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”

AMC’s newest hit from Vince Gillgan “Better Call Saul”

By Taylor Gomez

By Tim Taylor

#TrendingNow Compiled by Ceejay Willis All photos are courtesy photos

“We have just as good of a chance to win this year as any team. The curse superstition is just that.

If we play hard, and stay consistent, we got it for sure,” said Amanda Joy, a 32-year-old engineering major.

In an effort to bring more diversity to their emojis, Apple announced on Feb. 23 that they would be including emojis of six different skin tones in the next iOS update coming out sometime later this year.

“I feel that the emojis are good concept wise, but are executed poorly. There are serious racist feelings that they can give off,” said Monique Lichen, 21, an art major.

raternity

Racist F

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012 & 2014 but not 2011 or 2013, so many fans claim the team is cursed in the odd years.

one Emojis

New iPh

SF Giant

s Curse

Members from the University of Oklahoma chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraterity were recently caught on video engaging in a racist chant that has led to their chapter being shut down.

“It amplifies the notion that primitive views on race and culture are still here. Racism is something that we all hope eventually leaves but I fear it won’t,” said Colin Williams, 28, a kinesiology major.

thecrcconnection.com

Page 7

Ceejay Willis |The Connection

Students, faculty and guests were able to check out the artwork of the four illustrators featured in the art gallery’s third exhibition, titled “Visions,” during the opening reception on March 6. Each of the local artists were on hand during the reception and attendees were able to speak to them about their artwork and their careers.

New art show brings world of comics to campus

By Stephanie Lopez slopez.connect@gmail.com While the first two shows of the Cosumnes River College Art Gallery played host to different exhibitions of artwork from campus faculty, gallery curator Yoshio Taylor went in a different direction for the third show.

The new collection, called “Visions,” highlights the work of local comic illustrators and runs from March 6 through April 24.

The opening night reception on March 6 allowed students and guests to interact with all four of the featured artists and talk about the pieces they were showing.

Taylor, also an art professor on campus, was introduced to Thomas Yeates, one of the comic illustrators, and said he knew right away that he wanted to make a comic illustrator exhibition.

“I’ve always respected their skill as an artist,” Taylor said. “So I asked my colleague Jeff Kimbler to search for additional local graphic artists.

He came up with Robert Love who lives in Elk Grove, Mel

Rubi and also C. P. Smith.”

The artists all have different backgrounds and inspirations that brought them to the field.

Love, a former CRC student, said he was a self taught comic artist and illustrator, while Yeates said that he has a sister who inspired art among his family.

Smith, a story development artist, said in a joking tone that bills were what inspired him.

Those in attendance said that they noticed the differences in the artists’ works.

“What I really loved about the artists is each has an individual style that comes through when you look at them,” said photography Professor Kathryn Mayo.

Taylor Johnson, 20, an undeclared major said she agreed about the differences.

“It’s pretty incredible. I love comic book styled art so this is right up my alley,” Johnson said. “All the styles are so unique.”

James Burton, 37, said he had his own reasons to attend.

“I saw Mel’s and C. P.’s work at a con and got intro-

Ceejay Willis |The Connection

Illustrator and former CRC student Robert Love (left) was one of the four artists contacted by art Professor Yoshio Taylor (right) to take part in the third show for the new CRC Art Gallery.

duced to their work there,” Burton said. “I found out that they were doing an art gallery, so I wanted to come down and look at more of their subject matter.”

Love said he had a reason for the pieces he chose.

“I like originality. I think that’s very important in art whether it be in comics or whatever,” Love said. “I think what I picked back there speaks for original.”

As with the previous shows, Mayo said the artwork

displayed is meant to serve as an example of the possibilities available to art students.

“It’s great because our students can see this, and see [that] what they’re doing can lead to something like this,” Mayo said.

PAGE 8

MARCH 12, 2015

>>Opinion

EDITORIAL

Vaccination requirements are a must to protect against disease In a world where communicable diseases pose an ever-present threat, misinformation is our greatest enemy.

According to an article on the website of Forbes magazine, the United States is currently in the midst of the worst measles outbreak in 20 years. Finding correct information about measles can be a difficult task, especially with the anti-vaccine movement polluting every forum and article with groundless claims.

So where is the correct information?

Here are some measles facts courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Before the vaccine was developed in 1963, 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. were infected with measles each year. By 1998, only 100 cases of measles were reported in the U.S. With the rise of the anti-vaccine movement since then, 644 cases were reported in 2014. In 2015, 170 cases were reported between Jan. 1 and Feb. 27 alone.

Notice a trend?

To make a long story short, the movement began when a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield published a study about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in The Lancet in 1998. He claimed his study found a causation between the MMR vaccine and autism, though it didn’t.

His claims have since been discredited, his study retracted from The Lancet and his license to practice medicine revoked.

Unfortunately, the fallout from the spread of his claims continues, and we are seeing the damage now. Our herd immunity is being compromised as people continue to make poor vaccination choices.

Though it will take time, there is a solution that will help restore the U.S.’s immunity rates to what they once were.

Several institutions, including the University of California system, are implementing more strict mandatory vaccination policies.

The UC’s plan, which will be phased in over three years, will require incoming students to be vaccinated for “measles, mumps and rubella; meningococcus; varicella (chicken pox); and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)” in addition to the current hepatitis B vaccination requirement, according to the UC website.

California Sens. Richard Pan and Ben Allen are also introducing legislation that would prevent parents from opting out of vaccinating their children due to personal beliefs.

If we are to prevent the unnecessary spread of easily preventable disease and suffering, adoption of these policies must become uniform, including here at Cosumnes River College.

There is no reason the U.S. should still be seeing outbreaks of measles and whooping cough, and there is no reason we should be forced to spend massive amounts of resources to treat such outbreaks.

Our greatest weapon against misinformation is proper knowledge. Take some biology classes, inform yourself, support this legislation and protect the herd.

The simple fact is that vaccination is our best defense against disease.

If you can not see that, your opinion is dangerous and you are wrong.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know at connection.crc@gmail.com or thecrcconnection.com

HAWK TALK Should a measles vaccination be required at community colleges?

Bryan Saelee 18, art “I’m not well informed about measles but it would definitely help if the campuses required us to get vaccinated just to help prevent the spread of the disease.”

Logan White 18, undeclared “People should be able to opt out of it just because of any medical needs or not do the vaccination if they are allergic to the vaccination.”

Scan this QR code with your smart phone to submit a letter to the editor.

Compiled by: Ceejay Willis & Bobby Bishop

THECRCCONNECTION.COM

PAGE 9

Hackers: doing more harm than good Courtesy Photo

By Tim Taylor ttaylor.connect@gmail.com

CYBER ATTACKS

Technology has become so integrated into our modern world that as a result we rely on it on a daily basis just to accomplish the simplest of tasks, from completing homework or work on the job to even just making purchases.

Unfortunately, that means that hackers have become an even bigger threat because of this.

Hackers are experienced individuals who utilize computers to gain unauthorized access to data, which in theory could even the playing field between powerful companies and consumers. Some groups of hackers claim to be freedom fighters of sorts, carrying out these attacks on companies to raise awareness of their flaws and mistreatment of their customers.

While these groups may claim to be freedom fighters out for the greater good, they’ve proven to be nothing but an annoyance and a threat.

Sony Entertainment’s Playstation Network and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Network were both brought down over the holiday season by a hacker group calling themselves Lizard Squad. The group claims

they initially intended to raise awareness of the unreleased Sony films. All acquired data was leaked faults in the companies, particularly in their online onto the internet for all to see. securities.

These recent hacks have shown little sign of any Their weapon of choice was a Distributed Denihelp for the general public. Some Americans even al of Service, which overloads servers with multiple took the Sony hack as an act of aggression against requests. In spite of multiple warnings from Lizard the United States.

Squad, Sony and Microsoft failed to prevent the This is just the beginning as hackers are getting attacks. smarter and more of a serious threat.

The attacks undoubtedly inconvenienced We have a lot to worry about considering a lot millions of Sony and Microsoft customers and it is of us store very personal information online, on our safe to say no one was happy computers and even cell phones, about the disturbance. No noall of which are up for grabs for ticeable good came out of this “This is just the beginning a skilled hacker. It raises cause attack at all. for concern in the minds of as hackers are getting Sony fell victim to a much many. higher profile and highly pub- smarter and more of a On the one hand, these licized attack in November. hacker groups have the capaserious threat.”

North Korea was reportedly bility to do some real good in behind the attack, funding a the world and become a voice hacker group who call themselves the Guardians of of the people. If these groups worked together with Peace. the general population at large they could help The group behind the Sony breach acquired influence companies to carry out policies that work a substantial amount of data from the company in the consumers’ favor. However, the potential including, but not limited to, personal information chaotic power of these groups is frightening to say about Sony employees, executive salaries and even the least.

15%

of social network users reported someone had hacked into their profile and pretended to be them.

31%

of cell phone users received a text message from someone they didn’t know requesting they click on an embedded link or dial an unknown number.

Information from a 2012 Norton Cybercrime Report.

PAGE 10

MARCH 12, 2015

>>Sports

The Season in a Second Baseball Compiled by Bobby Bishop & Stephanie Lopez

“It’s looking good. We started out kind of rough, but we’ve been playing pretty well since then so heading into league we’re looking good.”

“We’re looking all right. We’ve had a couple injuries, but we’re holding together. We have about 20 healthy players now and things are looking good. We’re 9-4, our ace is doing a good job on the mound.”

“Nine of our last 10 games are W’s [wins] so we’re starting to figure it out. We just came together as a team, [and] everything’s going pretty good right now.”

—Brett Elgin

—Brad Kilby

—Tyler Blake

freshman pitcher

assistant coach

sophomore first baseman

Men’s Basketball Season Wrap-Up After winning their first playoff game 69-60 during a home match against Butte College on Feb. 27, the Cosumnes River College men’s basketball team advanced to the next round. The team played on March 4 at Marin College and were eliminated after losing 79-72.

Ceejay Willis | The Connection

Hawks sophomore guard Mitchell Love making a shot at the team’s first playoff game against Butte College on Feb. 27.

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Difficult season feeds women’s basketball team’s leadership

By Nicole Goodie ngoodie.connect@gmail.com With only two wins out of 14 conference games, the Cosumnes River College women’s basketball team had an array of odds stacked against them this season, including having only seven players.

A lack of players was just one issue that the team faced in a season that didn’t go their way.

“Overall, it was not the season we had planned,” said head coach Coral Sage.

“When we first started out, we thought we were going to do really really well and then we had some injuries [and] we had some girls decide not to play. It ended up being pretty rough towards the end and we finished with seven girls and six of them were freshman. Our best player tore her ACL in December so that hurt a lot, too.”

Sage said that a lot of mistakes were due to not having enough fresh players on the court.

“You’re playing against teams that typically carry anywhere from 13 to 16 players,” Sage said. “So there was quite a few times where, you know, we have six, seven players out there playing the entire game and they’re just rotating five in at a time so they get a whole fresh new five bodies in the game and I’ve got girls that have been out there for 30 minutes that you know at that point their legs are starting to go.”

Injuries were a big breaking point for the team.

They lost their leading scorer because of an ACL injury.

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Due to a knee injury, freshman shooting guard Samantha Stinson said that this season she was not herself and that she played cautiously because of her knee.

Stinson also said that the team’s lack of proper peer leadership was a factor in their tough season.

“I think we worked hard in general but we just didn’t click,” Stinson said.

But the team wasted no time post-season to begin making necessary improvements.

“I’m excited,” Sage said.

“Right now we’re doing a leadership academy with our freshman who are going to be sophomores and teaching them how to be leaders because they really missed out on that from when they were freshman. They didn’t really have leaders teaching them, and so as coaches we’re taking them through a leadership program which I’m really excited about.”

Freshman guard Alyna Kanae was redshirted this season because of a hip injury, but that didn’t stop her from being a part of the team and noticing where improvements were needed.

Although the team started strong in pre-season, Kanae said that “as the season progressed, there wasn’t a lot of actions behind the leadership to follow.”

She is one of six players who are participating in Coach Sage’s leadership program.

As the only one on the bench, Kanae said she noticed that the extra players on the bench are needed to boost

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team morale.

“Even having a bench be there to cheer the players on that are playing is a huge factor in it,” Kanae said.

The freshman got a ton of experience this year whether they wanted to or not.

“For these guys, they were thrown right into it so they had to learn basically on the fly,” Sage said. “Now that they’re going to be coming into being sophomores they have that extra experience, so I think that’s going to play out for us in the long run.”

Sage said this was her first unsatisfactory season since she started coaching at CRC 11 years ago.

“Its been a huge learning experience for me as a coach,” Sage said.

“It was an opportunity for me to look at myself, too, and get better as well,” Sage said.

Sage’s positive attitude and drive to perform better next season can be seen in her players as well.

“It was definitely a learning experience for sure even though our record was bad, I felt like I learned a lot,” Stinson said.

Stinson said Sage was an experienced and helpful coach because of her time playing college basketball.

Sage said that she is paying more attention to detail when recruiting to make sure future players fit their system.

“It’s not for everybody and unfortunately sometimes we learn that too late,” Sage said.

“We really want to make sure from the get-go that we have the players that fit our system,” Sage said.

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There is no such thing as an odd-year curse

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail.com Every year around this time baseball fans start gearing up for the season. For San Francisco Giants fans, 2015 is once again sparking conversation about the team’s supposed odd-year curse.

On March 5, right fielder and focus of a series of meme-style fan signs Hunter Pence was drilled by a pitch thrown by Chicago Cubs pitcher Corey Black. Pence made it to first base after getting hit by the pitch, but that was it for him in the game as the pain in his arm soon was revealed to be a fractured bone in his forearm.

A trip to the hospital and an x-ray confirmed the team doctor’s diagnosis and Pence was put on the Disabled List for 6-8 weeks. It was then that the curse talk began to ramp up.

It had already begun when team manager Bruce Bochy was taken to the hospital in mid-February soon after spring training began with some issues with his heart. After two stents were placed, Bochy was back at what he does best.

A root canal for catcher Andrew Susac, a knee contusion after getting hit with a ball for pitcher Santiago Casilla and a stiff neck for outfielder Angel Pagan whose 2014 season was ended after a back injury all added to the cry of the curse.

The ridiculous curse comes from the fact that the Giants have won three World Series Championships in the last five years, but only during the even years.

In 2011 the Giants were eliminated from entering the postseason, most claiming that catcher Buster Posey’s

season ending injury contributed to their season not coming together. 2013 was much the same, just without the Posey injury.

So clearly because they didn’t make it in 2011 and 2013, the Giants must be doomed in 2015 right? Not even close.

The fan’s focus on this supposed odd-year curse is defeatist talk. It’s basically writing off the Giants’ chances to go anywhere this year.

The curse means nothing, just looking at 2014 pretty much can negate this curse. While they won the World Series in 2014, the Giants almost didn’t make it that far.

They only made it to the postseason as a wild card team, just like their World Series opponent the Kansas City Royals interestingly enough, and faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a make it or break it match.

If they had lost that one match, that would have been it for them in 2014. Instead they won and continued on.

Of course, those that believe the curse will just claim that they made it to the Wild Card game and beyond because of the luck of an even year.

Maybe the Giants won’t be able to defend their World Series crown this year, but it won’t be because of it being an odd year.

Every other MLB team has a shot to get to the World Series, just like the Giants.

Everyone who is part of the Giants organization, from owners to the manager, coaches and players all have faith they’ll make it and have a shot in 2015. It’s time for fans to let this curse nonsense go.

Let’s make 2015 a year for the orange and black.

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Softball coach balances life on and off the field

By Tierra Palumbo tpalumbo.connect@gmail.com In order to be successful every team needs more than just skilled players and a drive to win, they need a coach who can inspire and lead them to that success.

For the last five years that coach for the Cosumnes River College softball team has been Kristy Schroeder.

Schroeder said that she believes in coaching her team with the philosophy of following the game fundamentally, mentally and playing with high energy all the time.

“If you can do those three, you are going to give yourself the best chance to win,” Schroeder said. “These are the things in the game that we can control. We can control doing things mentally sound, we can control being mentally focused and we can control having high energy.”

Schroeder said that seeing her players succeed and take the techniques that she was able to teach them is what she enjoys about coaching.

Much of what Schroeder brings to coaching at CRC comes from her own experiences playing softball.

During her studies at University of California Los Ange-

Scott Redmond | The Connection

Coach Kristy Schroeder, third from left, talking to the softball team on the mound during their Feb. 27 game.

les, Schroeder was a four-year starter at shortstop for two national championship teams in 1990 and 1992.

Schroeder also played for the Bruins women’s soccer and tennis teams, and is the only female three-sport letter-winner in UCLA history, according to her biography on the Hawks website.

Schroeder graduated in 1994, earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in psychology.

She previously served as the head coach for University of California Santa Barbara’s softball program from 20022007, collecting 173 wins while turning the Gauchos into an annual contender for postseason play. Schroeder led UCSB to a 34-22 record, the best overall record in school history and earned the Big West Conference Co-Coach of the year honor in 2002, according to her biography on the Hawks website.

“I really enjoy the coaching part,” Schroeder said.

“The player-coach development part with my girls.”

Sophomore pitcher and third baseman Amanda Horbasch said that Schroeder’s success inspires her.

“If she was able to do it while playing softball, that lets me know there’s a chance,” Horbasch said.

Kaitlin Pires, a freshman second base and shortstop, said that for her first year play-

ing college ball she really appreciates Schroeder’s coaching style.

“She is really close with all of us and understands us all,” Pires said “She connects with us not only on the field, but she always tries to help us with our personal lives as well,” Pires said.

Pires said that she likes the fact that as much as Schroeder is her coach, she is also someone that she can go to to talk about anything.

Schroeder said that she has a rewarding personal life in addition to her coaching career.

“I have two kids, and I am really involved in their lives,” Schroeder said. “I coach my daughter’s softball team and help my son out with his baseball team, where my husband coaches. I love watching my kids play their sports.”

When she isn’t spending time with her family, Schroeder said she has other pursuits.

“I enjoy painting when I get the chance,” Schroeder said. “I haven’t had the time recently, but I do enjoy it. Also traveling. My husband works at [University of the] Pacific and he takes his students every year to Europe, and I am able to go with him.”

Tennis loses match against Sac City, remain optimistic

By Heather Kemp hkemp.connect@gmail.com Cosumnes River College’s men’s tennis team spent a warm spring afternoon battling it out against Sacramento City College at a home game on March 10.

The Los Rios sister schools both put in a good effort, but after two and a half hours the Panthers won 7-2.

“It was decent. We played well, we could have done better,” said freshman player Ian Fong. “There was a couple of critical points that we lost that we probably could have kept going, but it just is how it is.”

The team of five faced some adversity with injury-plagued players like freshman Ricky Lam. “Today I couldn’t really play well since my rotator cuff was stressed out, but if it wasn’t stressed out I would have done well,” Lam said.

Head Coach Matthew Emmett said that the doubles matches followed a pattern that is common for the team

of starting strong, but losing focus towards the middle and not being able to bring the score back up. He said the singles matches were more competitive than those of the past and that he was proud of the entire team.

“It was nice to see Cesar Chavez [freshman player] and Daniel Gonzales [sophomore player] get their first victories,” Emmett said.

“Everybody else also put in a good effort and a good fight.”

Fong said that he thought the Panthers were a fair match for them.

“It was pretty even, we could have taken some more wins, but we got two so that’s not bad,” Fong said.

Lam said CRC and Sacramento City are evenly matched.

“They’re not really below us, but they’re aren’t really above us either,” Lam said.

“Just the way we play, we can keep up with them and they can keep up with us.”

Panthers sophomore Russell Spence said his team

learned from their past matches with the Hawks to gain the upperhand.

“We played them when they came to us and knew what we needed to do and improve on from last time and so we capitalized on what we had learned,” Spence said.

Spence said that he thinks the Hawks are a good team, but need to work on their individual game.

“For the most part they are very well organized,” Spence said. “Just individually they each need to get a little better.”

The Hawks next match is on March 13 at Modesto Junior College.

“We have until Friday to get ready for our next game.

We’ll bring our best, but you can only do what you can do with what you have,” Fong said.

Lam said that he is feeling good going into the rest of the season.

“Moving on, I feel pretty comfortable,” Lam said. “The main thing is if we lose we

Ceejay Willis | The Connection

Ricky Lam, freshman player for the Hawks playing in his singles match at the team’s March 10 match against Sacramento City College.

just need to learn from it and just improve on our game and if we win we also have to be able to pull something from that as well.”

Emmett said that in upcoming games he is looking to continue to improve on the team’s ability to stay focused and intense throughout entire

matches.

“What I’m looking for is similar to the goal I set for this match,” Emmett said. “The continued goal going into our next match is being able to physically and mentally bring our best consistent play across the match from the first ball to the last.”