The Connection Vol 62 Issue 2

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

WHAT IS THE ATHLETE’S FAVORITE CLEAT?

Professor returns to CRC after third battle with cancer FEATURES | Page 4

SPORTS | Page 7

Volume 62, Issue 2

October 3, 2013

thecrcconnection.com

Campus Athletics

Education Legislation

AB 955 proposes courses at full cost Hawks fly

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail Students at six California community colleges will have the opportunity to accelerate their educational goals with greater access to high-demand classes if Assembly Bill 955 passes.

The bill was proposed by Assemblyman Das Williams,

D-Santa Barbara, on Feb. 22, and creates a pilot program between the six colleges. Students at these six colleges will have the opportunity to enroll in courses offered during the winter and summer intersessions if AB 955 passes. However, CRC will not be affected in any way by its passage.

“The bill is currently on the governor’s desk so that the

final action is whether or not he signs the bill,” said Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brian King. “The governor has between now and the middle of October to decide to sign or veto the bill that has been passed.”

College of the Canyons, Crafton Hills College, Long Beach City College, Oxnard College, Pasadena City College

and Solano Community College are the six colleges from various districts that will be given permission to offer such courses if the bill passes.

“CRC and the Los Rios district have been adamantly opposed to the bill from the beginning,” King said. “Our big concern is the idea of having it be based on who is able See AB 955 | Page 2

The Online Classroom

IN RESPONSE TO NATIONAL TRENDS AND CROWDED CLASSROOMS, CRC STAYS AHEAD OF THE CURVE

By Josh Slowiczek jslowiczek.connect@gmail & Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail Cosumnes River College has seen an increase in the presence and availability of online and Desire2Learn supported courses, a technologicallybased style of teaching known as distance education.

This growing trend of distance education at CRC was addressed in the Substantive Change Proposal, a report presented to the Los Rios Board of Trustees on Sept. 11.

With a body of approximately 15,000 students, 12,364 CRC students were enrolled in an online or D2L supported class in fall 2012, an increase of 727 students since fall 2010. Overall enrollment for the college dropped by 4.2 percent, according to the report.

“You can expect an increase in online offerings as faculty have an increased desire to meet student needs and they have their own interests in teaching online,” said Whitney Yama-

mura, an author of the Substantive Change Proposal and the vice president of instruction and student learning at CRC. “There’s almost a natural progression, but there is no target we are trying to meet.”

The natural progression Yamamura spoke of appears to be unhindered and its growth encouraged when looking at the history of distance education at CRC. During the fall term of 2000, CRC See ONLINE | Page 3

“If every single course approved to be offered in DE mode were actually offered in DE mode, students could potentially complete 88 percent of their CRC GE requirements.”

The Numbers of 2012

>

>

News

241

Instructors teaching online or D2L supported classes

25 percent

Amount increase since 2012

12,364

Students enrolled in an online or D2L supported class

681

Sections with D2L support

62 percent

Online course student success rate

69 percent

Traditional format course student success rate

— CRC Substantive Change report Data compiled from CRC Substantive Change Report

past MJC Pirates, start Big 8

By Ben Brown bbrown.connect@gmail

After defeating Big 8 Conference powerhouse Santa Rosa Junior College on Sept.

24, the Cosumnes River College Women’s Soccer teams set their sights on Modesto Junior College on Sept. 27.

Often after a huge win, teams come in on an emotional high and seem to disappoint in their next matchup and lose a game they probably shouldn’t have.

Fortunately for the Hawks, that was not the case.

CRC defeated the MJC Pirates 3-0 at home on Sept. 27.

The game against Modesto was the Hawks’ conference home opener.

“I thought we played okay, we have been better but we did enough to earn the victory,” said CRC women’s soccer head coach Cesar Plasencia.

Although the Hawks won 3-0, the game was sloppier than the score made it out to be.

“We had moments where we found our game a little bit but generally our rhythm and timing was off,” Plasencia said.

“We need to design our training sessions to fix some of the problems that showed up today.”

Early in the first half, CRC let several opportunities slip away.

They were unable to make runs on winnable balls and possibly take shots on goal.

The lone opportunity CRC was able to connect on resulted in the game’s first goal.

Sophomore midfielder Crystal Vega scored midway through the first half from the left side.

While the Hawks had trouble capitalizing on opportunities in the first half, the second half especially early on, was a different story.

CRC’s leading goal scorer and reining See HAWKS | Page 7

Trending Tech

Smartphone app brings people together briefly, allows for discreet friendly photos

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail

Snapchat users send more than 350 million photos a day.

Sending a picture to one of your friends can sometimes be cumbersome. You have to click on the photo, choose to share it, select how you want to share it, pick who to share it with and finally send it.

Wouldn’t it be nice to take a picture and send it almost immediately? Enter Snapchat.

“It’s like a text message

but in a picture,” said Geoffrey Gacilan, a 19-year-old physical therapy major.

Snapchat is an app for your iPhone or Android that allows you to take a photo, add a caption, set a timer and send the picture to one or more friends.

The website admits that the photo quality isn’t the greatest, but says, “It’s about the moment, a connection between friends, and not just a

pretty picture.”

Gacilan, who uses Snapchat on average twice a day, mentioned the diminished photo quality, but didn’t seem to really mind.

“It can be really pixelated, not really focused on what you really want to see,” Gacilan said. “Other than that, it’s just like a quick picture, it’s pretty much good.”

The messages people send See SNAPCHAT | Page 4

Read our writer’s review to find out which game came out on top.

See FEATURES | Page 4 Serving Cosumnes River College since 1970

2

NEWS | OCTOBER 03, 2013

Editor in Chief Josh Slowiczek News Editor Scott Redmond Features Editor Emily Collins Sports Editor Stephan Starnes Opinion Editor Elizabeth Witt Photo Editor Rachel Norris Copy Editor Zach Hannigan Faculty Adviser Rubina Gulati Staff Darren Allen Bobby Bishop Ben Brown Camille Caulk Tia Dehoney Emanuel Espinoza Amari Gaffney Will Grubb LaChandra Marzetta Christopher McKnight Nick Valenzuela Brusly Voong

The Connection is an awardwinning newspaper published bi-weekly by the Journalism 410 media production class.

Editorials and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the students, staff or faculty of CRC or Los Rios Community College District.

The Connection is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC).

Stephan Starnes| The Connection

Regional Transit and Cosumnes River College’s joint project provides more parking in anticipation of future transit expansions to campus.

New garage opens on campus

By Bobby Bishop bbishop.connect@gmail

Students and faculty were provided with expanded parking choices this summer when the new parking structure was completed.

This $32.5 million five-level parking garage, funded by Regional Transit as part of the Blue Line light rail extension to Cosumnes River College, has more than 2,000 parking spaces as well as an electric sign that informs drivers how many parking spots are available on each level of the structure.

“The main goal for this project was to provide the parking

Telephone: (916) 691-7471 Fax: (916) 691-7181 www.thecrcconnection.com connect@crc.losrios.edu

“It’s a good idea, it was needed for a very long time and it has worked perfectly. I never have trouble finding a parking spot.”

While many are positive about the new structure, there are still minor concerns among some students.

“The roof was a little uneven, but other than that I like it a lot, as it adds a lot new space for parking we needed,” said Christian Crespo, 19, an aeronautical engineering major. “Anyone who needs to find a quick parking space should use the parking structure.”

Interest in the structure goes beyond finding a quick space to park in. The structures photo-

voltaic powered parking space meter, which is run by solar panels was among the features that interested students.

“I think it’s amazing because the meter that shows the amount of parking places left on each level,” said 17-year-old sonography major Anna Marrie Jollestrup. “I think it is pretty high tech and I like it, I think it’s cool.”

The entire structure is photovoltaic. These solar panels generate enough power to run 90 percent of the structure’s needs.

“The Regional Transit and Blue Line extension along with CRC have no plans to extend this project,” Wathen said.

Elk Grove police sponsors fitness event

Letters to the Editor must be typed, signed and include the first and last name of the author and a phone number. They must be 200 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity or taste.

The Connection Cosumnes River College 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, CA 95823

needed for the additional commuter traffic for the light rail,” said Cory Wathen, director of administrative services.

This parking structure offers many features, including a charging station for electric vehicles as well as security cameras for the safety of students and future RT light rail users.

“It’s pretty nice. I’m surprised it has nice aesthetics,” said Jonathan Broyles, 25, an engineering major.

Other students haven’t used the parking structure, but are in favor of it.

“I haven’t used the parking structure,” said Ryan Lassen, 19, an undeclared major.

By Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail

People in the community of Elk Grove came together to promote health and fitness in the 4th Annual 2013 Fittest of Elk Grove Competition on Sept. 28.

Citizens who live, work or go to school in Elk Grove competed for bragging rights and ultimately to test their fitness level.

“We get to really interact directly with the community to really make an impact,” said Marcus

Morgan, a Herbalife health coach.

The event is very family friendly containing four individual age groups: 17 and under, 1834, 35-49 and 50 plus.

“Many of the athletes have to work or be residents of Elk Grove,” said Kendra Lewis, a benefactor of the event, representing the Elk Grove Police Activities League.

The purpose of this event is to raise health awareness, as Sacramento is ranked the seventh fittest city in the United States, ac-

cording to USA Today. With Elk Grove falling under Sacramento County’s jurisdiction, it’s easy to see why an event like this is taking place here.

The workout for both qualifiers, which consist of heavy lifting and intense cardiovascular exercises, is the same to keep a fair playing field. The top three finishers in each division from each qualifier advance to finals, according to contest rules.

“Personally this is my first time competing, I plan to compete in

the future,” said Jake Adkins, a competitor and a solar engineer with Energy. “We’re one of the vendors out here, so this is a good time to get publicity.”

The event, which was held in Old Elk Grove, was full of vendors from the health and fitness industry along with local business owners.

All proceeds go to nonprofit organizations in the community including the events main benefactor, the Elk Grove Police Activities League.

AB955: Colleges not required to implement bill Continued from page 1

to pay and who is not.”

Whitney Yamamura, vice president of instruction and student learning echoed a similar response.

“Often times, in our particular community, we’re very conscious of providing access to students who might not otherwise have access to higher education opportunities and part of the access is having low fees,” Yamamura said.

Part of the issue is that the bill gives those students who have more financial resources more access to those classes. That is, lower-income students may be unable to afford the classes like the higher-income students.

“It increases the gap between the haves and those in need,” King

said.

King said Los Rios is opposed to the idea of offering these additional courses at higher prices, and are concerned that if the prices are too high it would create a gap where students would have to pay most of the cost for these classes.

“I think most of the funding comes out of the pockets of students,” King said. “For the statewide government office there are some costs involvements in administering the pilot, but I think the big concern is students have to pay higher fees for access to classes.”

However, the bill will provide financial aid to low-income students in an effort to make it more affordable and to narrow the gap between the haves and the havenots, Williams said. Adding that

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financial aid will not be funded by the state, but solely by Pell grants, campus foundations and onethird of the revenues collected from the extension program.

“It increases the gap between the haves and those in need.”

—Brian King

Los Rios Chancellor The difference in cost between intercession courses and normal courses offered during the regular school year is due to the lack of state funds to budget these courses and is the reason why students would have to shoulder such costs, Yamamura said.

Adrianna Ramirez, 21, an art major at CRC, also said the program would only benefit those who can afford it.

“I think it could be beneficial to a certain degree for people who actually want to get better at what they are pursuing and are willing to put up front the money, but not everyone has the money to do it,” Ramirez said.

Perhaps the biggest concern with the bill is that it violates the community college’s mission of providing equal education.

“Our mission is to have our doors open to everybody and the reality is we serve most of the disadvantaged students, so it’s a message that is contrary to our fundamental mission,” Yamamura said.

The need for these intercession courses stems from the fact that there has been a decline in

courses offered in California’s community colleges from 420,000 to 334,000 since 2008, according to the Assembly California Legislature document for AB 955.

This bill would give students greater access to classes that they need to meet their educational goals. These courses would also benefit faculty and veterans under the GI Bill, according to the Assembly California Legislature.

CRC and other colleges not listed on the bill will not be affected by the passage of the bill, but will have the choice to opt in at any time.

“I wouldn’t want to force this on any college,” Williams said.

“Any college who wants to do this in the long-run will step forward and ask to be added onto the pilot program.”

OCTOBER 03, 2013 | NEWS 3

California minimum wage on the rise in 2014

By Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail Democratic efforts to raise the minimum wage in California for the first time in five years, succeeded on Sept. 25, when Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 10 into law.

The bill will increase the state minimum wage to no less than $9 per hour after July 1, 2014, followed by another increase on Jan. 1, 2016, to no less than $10 per hour.

“I believe the reason for such an action is a realization that a worker earning the current minimum wage in California will earn an annual income of $16,000,” said economics professor Edwin Fagin. “Sixteen thousand is not a lot of money to live on.”

The federal minimum wage originated during the Great Depression in the Fair Labor Stan-

dards Act of 1938. Minimum wage laws all have the same intended goal: reduce poverty, according to the FLSA. “People want people in the U.S. to have a better life,” Fagin said.

The bill’s author, Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Los Angeles, introduced similar bills in 2011 and 2012, that both died because of opposition by Republican assembly members and business lobbyists, according to press release from Alejo’s office.

The bill’s sponsor, the California Labor Federation reported the bill will strengthen and depoliticize California’s minimum wage.

California’s minimum wage is among the highest in the country, although it hasn’t been raised since 2008, according to the Department of Industrial Relations.

“It’s kind of ridiculous,” said

18-year-old Angelic Acosta, a nursing major. “If the minimum wage raises, everything will raise.”

According to a new study, coauthored by economic professors at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Massachusetts and the University of North Carolina, raising the minimum wage does not eliminate low-paying jobs in either the short or long term.

The majority of individuals holding minimum wage jobs are teenagers, young adults, women or those under the age of 25, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. This demographic accounts for over half of the minimum wage workers.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said 22-year-old Artika Vilash, a psychology major. “The thing about consumerism is if we have more money to spend then business will go up.”

Online: Campus diversifies classroom options Continued from page 1

began using Blackboard, a learning management system and predecessor to D2L. In fall of 2002, 38 sections of courses were offered online. By fall 2012, 153 online sections were being offered and 681 sections were using D2L as a form of support and management, according to the report.

“The problem was, initially, a resource issue,” said Lance Parks, the interim dean of business and family science at CRC and a professor in the computer information science department for the past 13 years. “Distance education provided us the opportunity to put some things online and some things on ground. So a lot of the courses are designed around a hybrid program.”

CIS was one of the first departments at CRC to use distance

“As a dean I’m always sensitive that we are meeting the needs of all of our students. So it will never be all online or all on ground.

There will always be diverse options.”

—Lance Parks

Interm Dean of Business & Family Science education and the Internet as a viable learning medium for its students. Parks has designed and taught several online courses for the department.

“What really taught me to be a good online instructor was taking an online class myself. When you’re a student, you realize pretty quickly what is working and what

is not,” he said. “I think that if a distance education course is done correctly, it can be very effective.”

The practicality, logistics and final effectiveness of an online or hybrid course is eventually critiqued by the CRC Curriculum Committee before they can be offered to students.

“There is a lot of work going into setting up an online course the right way,” Parks said. “The assessment is the same, the outcomes are the same; nothing has changed. The material is there in both formats, it’s just presented differently.”

This difference of presentation affects those enrolled on an individual basis, creating success or struggle throughout the term.

“What’s usually happening here, and not always for the best outcome, is students are self-selecting the course they think that they are going to be fine in,” Parks said, making mention of the fact that some students enroll in an online course thinking that it will be easier only to discover the opposite.

“I like it because you can go at your own pace and work when you want to work,” said Heather Dadak, a 40-year-old health information technology major. “I think it’s easier because it’s open book and you can look the answers up when you need to.”

In combination with the lack of time constraints online courses provide, some students say the content is easier as well.

“She [the professor] gave us exactly what was going to be on the test,” said Daniela Calderon, a 25-year-old nutrition major.

“Whereas in a class, a teacher will lecture and lecture but not tell you what’s on the test.”

Along with the pace and availability of information, some students said they don’t need guidance for their online courses.

“I won’t always need a teacher to tell me everything,” said Ana Ranton, a 31-year-old nursing major and mother who appreciates the accessibility that online courses provide. “I’m self-sufficient in that way.”

However, not all students agree with the notion that online courses are efficient or easy. Those who prefer a more hands-on learning approach or face-to-face time with their professors generally stick to enrollment in the onground courses, a trend which is noticed by both Parks and Yama-

“Some learn better in an environment full of people and some work better independently.“

—Anthony Caston

20, welding major

mura.

“It depends on the person,” said Anthony Caston, a 20-yearold welding major who prefers taking courses on campus. “Some learn better in an environment

full of people and some work better independently.”

While growth in distance education seems to have nowhere to go but up, professors and administrators alike acknowledge the reality that not all students learn the same way and as a result, the digital classroom will not be for everyone.

“As a dean I’m always sensitive that we are meeting the needs of all of our students,” Parks said.

“So it will never be all online or all on ground. There will always be diverse options.”

THIS MOMENT BEGAN WITH A CHOICE.

®

He chose to make a difference. Chose to get a degree. To learn new skills. And it was all made possible by the National Guard.

EDUCATION BENEFITS • SKILLS TRAINING • PART-TIME SERVICE

CORRECTION: The information about the CVPA offered scholarship in “Hawk’s Eye” last issue (Volume 62, Issue 1) was inaccurate. The correct information is that CVPA is offering five $100 scholarships to students whose artwork is chosen to be displayed in the CVPA building. Submissions are due by Dec. 9.

Contact Staff Sergeant Songwon Losasso at 916.843.3954

1-800-GO-GUARD

Programs and Benefits Subject to Change 10BW-04_5.88x7_Losasso.indd 1

9/12/13 2:05 PM

@CRCConnection

4 FEATURES | OCTOBER 3, 2013

Breast cancer survivor inspires

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail

Having a friendly demeanor, an obvious passion for helping students and a sense of humor throughout class while maintaining a positive learning environment: these things can describe many professors on campus.

What makes Jeanne Calamar unique? She is a three-time breast cancer survivor.

The assistant athletic director and professor of adapted and physical education returned to Cosumnes River College last semester after her second surgery and third battle with breast cancer.

“It’s not fun to have, but it has made me a stronger person,” Calamar said. “I grew more as a person after having breast cancer than I did my entire life before it.”

Calamar’s experiences have allowed her to support others.

“She’s the best person to go to when you’re having a bad day,” said Tina Nguyen, 36, a confidential administrative assistant.

“She’ll make you crack up no matter what, she’s great.”

Nguyen is also a breast cancer survivor, having battled the disease beginning in 2010.

“I see her as my role model because I’ve been going through breast cancer,” Nguyen said. “She was very helpful, she kind of got me through it, not to be scared, that life is not over, she’s always positive.”

Students also feel strongly about Calamar, her influence on their lives, her positive attitude and position as a role model.

“Jeanne is inspiring,” said Gracie Sanchez, a 19-year-old kinesiology major and Calamar’s student aid. “She’s super talented, she’s such a great person to look up to as a professor.”

Humor is a big part of who Calamar is, and it’s obvious to anyone who spends time with her.

“She is so funny,” Sanchez said. “She’s so easy to talk to, she’s such a great person, super funny and makes you feel really comfortable.”

One student is in Calamar’s adapted p.e. class, after having spinal fusion surgery.

“She’s very helpful, if I can’t do something she’s always adapt-

ed it for me,” said Katelyn Ellis, 20, a television production, photography and digital media major.

“She’s really helped me to move since I had my surgery, I am able to lift things better, I’m actually able to transfer better now.”

Calamar is also an accom-

plished athlete and professor.

In college she played basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer and team handball, in which she trained for the Olympics.

Because of the U.S. boycott of the games, a result of the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan,

she didn’t go, Calamar said.

Calamar remains humble about her accomplishments, never mentioning that she was awarded the Adaptive Physical Educator of the Year in 2010, selected by the California Community College Physical Educators.

“She’s such a great person to look up to as a professor.”

—Gracie Sanchez,

kinesiology major

Emily Collins | The Connection

Jeanne Calamar assists Don Dicon, 59, a former professor, with stretches. Dicon has suffered three strokes and attends the adapted physical education class to help with recovery.

Another professor of physical education, Cheri LaDue, was hired the same year as Calamar, and spoke of her commitment to her students and profession. The two have worked closely together for over 10 years.

“She’s probably the hardest working individual I’ve ever met, she’s overcome a lot of obstacles,” LaDue said. “She’s stubborn when it comes to being put down, as far as having to lay low, she doesn’t like that. She’s super strong and committed to getting healthy, a real inspiration to a lot of us.”

New video games go head to head #TrendingNow dealt with gangs, as well as a futuristic police force. Both games are fun, but if you want something serious, “GTA V” is the way to go. If you want something over-thetop, then “Saints Row IV” is the game for you.

Overall, “Grand Theft Auto V” is the better game. Rockstar Games did a good job at developing this title and while they took quite a few years after it was announced, the wait was worth it. The game is loaded with so many activities that a player can do, even some that are exclusive to the character you choose.

Though “Saints Row IV” is a good game, it feels like it’s an expansion of the third game with a lot more goofiness than before and it feels too similar to its predecessor.

Compiled by Amari Gaffney and LaChandra Marzetta All photos are courtesy photos

Governmen

“Grand Theft Auto V,” one of the most hyped games to come out in recent memory, has some competition in “Saints Row IV,” a game similar to “Grand Theft Auto,” but the question is this: Which is better?

“Grand Theft Auto V,” released on Sept. 17, is the latest in its respective series, following “Grand Theft Auto” from 2008.

There had been a lot of hype surrounding it throughout the year by various gaming websites and magazines, as well as advertisements at Gamestop and other retailers.

The game has several new features in comparison to past versions of this franchise.

One of the newest features is being able to play as one of three different protagonists. They all have missions regarding the main storyline, as well as missions exclusive to each of the protagonists that deal with their own storyline elements. There is also the ability to change characters during the gameplay.

The entire map of the fictional city of Los Santos, which is based on Los Angeles, is much bigger than the version from “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” released in 2004.

The game’s story is gritty and serious, with elements for each of the main characters. For example, one of the characters, Michael, is a former criminal with a bad past and who wants to get clean, but circumstances lead him back into the life of crime. It sounds cliché, but it works for a game like this.

“Saints Row IV,” released on Aug. 20, is considered by gamers and gaming journalists to be more “over the top.” What started off as a game series about gang warfare and trying to take over the city has now delved into the sci-fi genre.

The game’s protagonist is an unnamed person who is the leader of The Saints, the gang that the series has followed. In this fourth installment, the lead character is now the president of the United States and the rest of The Saints’ lieutenants are now his/her Cabinet.

The storyline involves the president dealing with an alien race who plotted to destroy the Earth and has abducted The Saints.

Considering that this is an open-world game like GTA, instead of being in an actual city, the city that was used in this game is all a virtual simulation, unlike the previous three installments of the series.

With the addition of weapons that are very unrealistic, as well as an addition of a “dubstep gun” (don’t ask), the player now has superpowers that can be used in the virtual city, such as super high jumping, super sprinting, the ability to freeze or burn people, telekinesis and more.

There are main storyline missions, some of which parody various sci-fi films and other games. With many activities, like causing mayhem in the street, insurance fraud and fight clubs, the player won’t get bored.

Many fans have complained that the “Saints Row” franchise has gotten goofier with each installment, especially after 2011’s “Saints Row: The Third,” which still

Game Review Title: “Grand Theft Auto V” Developer: Rockstar North Release Date: Sept. 17 Cost: $59.99 author’s score out of 5 Title: Developer: Release Date: Cost:

“Saints Row IV” Volition, Inc. Aug. 20 $59.99

author’s score out of 5

t Shutdown

Funding for government operations has run out, with Congress unable to agree on a compromise, which shut down the government on Oct. 1.

“It’s stupid but at the same time it’s the best that they can do, considering who’s in government,” said Joseph Deutsch, 19, a welding major.

ing Bad

Break

By Emanuel Espinoza eespinoza.connect@gmail

The “Breaking Bad” series finale aired on Sept. 29, leaving a lot of fans upset that Walter died.

“I’m hurt that it’s over, it was a good show,” said Shane Ram, 21, a psychology major. “The main character died.”

Snapchat: new way to interact concerns some people Continued from page 1 varies, but many students at Cosumnes River College use it for the comedic factor.

“I might make a stupid face,” said Mckenna Tyler, 18, a psychology major, on her use of the app. “Or if I see something funny.”

What makes this app unique is that your message will disappear after the timer has expired.

One parent, Lisa Voyles, a 41-year-old www.thecrcconnection.com

nursing major, said that her older son uses Snapchat but recommended his younger brothers not use it because the messages disappear.

“I periodically will review their phones to see what’s in it,” Voyles said. With Snapchat, Voyles would be unable to see if inappropriate content is being shared.

“The allure of fleeting messages reminds us about the beauty of friendship— we don’t need a reason to stay in touch,” ac-

cording to the Snapchat website.

Some people are unsure about the reasons behind the disappearing act of sent messages.

“It could be creative expression, unfortunately with my pessimistic attitude with social media I can envision it as pornography, very easily,” said Paul Zisk, a sociology professor.

The tools of social media grow with technology, allowing new forms of interac-

tion with friends from a mobile device.

“I don’t do it myself,” Zisk said. “I still have a flip phone.”

Even with the picture quality challenges and the questionable intent of a selfdestructing message, most people, even those who don’t use the app, have positive feelings about Snapchat.

“I know a lot of people use it,” said Emilia Cuellar, 23, a psychology major.

“I’ve heard great things about it.”

OCTOBER 3, 2013 | FEATURES 5

Show offers glimpse into prison life Local

library promotes new card sign-ups

By Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail Netflix won its first Emmy on Sept. 22 with its highly-acclaimed series “House of Cards,” but another Netflix original series is worth watching.

“Orange is the New Black” was released by Netflix on July 11, based upon a memoir by Piper Kerman, “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” about her experiences during a 15-month prison sentence.

The basis of the story is reflective of Kerman’s own experience with prison life, while drama and problems were added to the show that were not an actual part of her prison stay.

The series is one of the best available in any distribution format, and instant delivery of the entire season makes it easy to watch at your own pace.

Whether you pace yourself and watch one episode a week or have a marathon viewing, the time spent watching will be well worth your while.

Taylor Schilling (“The Lucky One”) portrays the main character, Piper Chapman, who is a woman in her 30s sent to prison for trafficking drug money for her girlfriend, a crime she committed a decade before.

Chapman learns the ins and outs of prison life the hard way, making a series of faux pas almost as soon as she arrived at Litchfield Women’s Prison.

Not one to roll over and give up, Chapman struggles to make it through one bump in the road after another.

Each episode gives viewers a glimpse into the past of one or two of the characters in the show, both inmates and prison staff, alternating between the past and present, lending viewers information about why some of the characters landed in prison.

With a delightful cast of colorful characters, you are taken on a journey into the lives of these women, which feels like you are watching events in the lives of real people, and not just actors on the screen.

Noteworthy characters include Chap-

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail

Courtesy Photo

Nicky Nichols, Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren, Tricia Miler and Alex Vause attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting while other inmates practice yoga in the background in episode 5 of “Orange is the New Black.” man’s ex-girlfriend and former member of lesbian sex scenes scattered throughout an international drug cartel Alex Vause, the series, it wasn’t enough to deter me played by Laura Prepon (“That ‘70s Show”), from watching further. the stern Russian woman who runs the A second season is set to be released kitchen, Galina “Red” Reznikov, played by sometime next year, and I can’t wait to see Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager”) and what happens next.

Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren, who gives Chapman the nickname Dandelion, played

by Uzo Aduba (“Blue Bloods”).

Series Review Prison life is depicted in a sometimes humorous light, with many dramatic effects and situations throughout in this enTitle: “Orange is the New gaging series.

Black” Each time an episode ends it’s hard Creator: Jenji Kohan not to watch the next one to find out what Release Date: July 11, 2013 happens next in the lives of the women of Run Time: 60 minute episodes Litchfield.

Series Length: 13 episodes Jenji Kohan, the creator, also known for her work on the Showtime series “Weeds,” extends her creative hand from a pot dealing mother to a prison full of women, and does the job well. author’s score out of 5 While the show could have done without the explicit, sometimes unexpected,

Students learn how to use super foods

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail Adding just a few vegetables, nuts and other foods to your daily diet can improve all aspects of your health, according to a flyer from the “Eat this, not that” workshop on Sept. 27.

Nutrition professor Timaree Hagenburger and students led a workshop on preparing nutrition packed foods known as super foods to teach students how to get the most out of their diet and inspire healthy eating

habits.

Crazy Salad, as Hagenburger refers to it, is a simple to make salad that is packed with various vegetables and super foods that can be prepared and eaten throughout the week.

The first ingredient is spinach and mixed greens, which generally comes mixed together at most supermarkets, sometimes marked as baby spinach.

Spinach is a powerful, antiinflammatory and is packed with antioxidants and vitamins which offer protection against

Tomato Vinaigrette 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 3/4 cup water Zest and juice from 1/4 lime 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 1/2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 clove fresh garlic 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional) 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional) Combine in blender until smooth and creamy.

Store and chill before serving.

Recipe that was shared during the “Eat this, not that: getting your daily super foods” workshop in the Orchard Room on Sept. 27. For additional recipes for the crazy salad or cowboy salsa, visit www.thecrcconnection.com.

common cancers, according to the workshop handouts.

Purple cabbage, carrots, broccoli, kale, zucchini, green onions and celery tossed with red onions, tomatoes and avocados make up the rest of the Crazy Salad.

Rainbow Salad, which contains broccoli, cauliflower, red cabbage and carrots, was suggested by Hagenburger as a way to get many of the vegetables together easily and for a cheap price, retailing for around 99 cents to $1.49 at Safeway.

Using knives, cutting boards and v-slicers, each of the vegetables should be chopped and minced into the smallest pieces possible. Hagenburger said to cut the veggies “small, so that each bite of salad gets each item instead of just big bites of any one vegetable.”

Make sure to wash each vegetable along with your tools and hands before preparing the salad.

Instead of using store bought dressings that tend to be full of fats and ingredients that are not natural, Hagenburger offered two alternatives.

Cowboy Salad or Cowboy Salsa is one of those alternatives. To make the dressing requires salsa, corn, cooked beans, a lime and an avocado

along with a stick blender or another way to make sure to break up any chunks of tomato within the salsa.

Mix the salsa to get out the chunks before combining into a large bowl along with the other ingredients. Frozen corn was suggested as it’s already prepared and takes out the time of preparing ears of corn.

The lime should be zested with a mircroplane before it is cut to use the juice. To zest means to shave off portions of the outer skin of the lime right into the bowl with the Cowboy Salsa.

Once the zest is added the lime can be juiced into the bowl and all mixed up. Once created it can be refrigerated for up to a week, according to the recipe provided by Hagenburger.

The other alternative provided is a Tomato Vinaigrette that requires tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup and water amongst other ingredients in the recipe provided.

In a blender or bullet, the ingredients are combined and blended till they are smooth and creamy. Then it can be stored in a glass jar and chilled before it’s served.

One would normally find the parking lot of a library to be filled with your everyday, ordinary cars, but the Franklin Community Library parking lot in Elk Grove was anything but ordinary on Sept. 21.

It was the site of the second annual “Big Wheels: Going Places with the Library” event. Food trucks, lowriders, RV’s, police cruisers, an e-tran bus, swat cars, dumpster trucks and, for the first time ever, the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile were present for the event.

The event was held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was open to the public. It was created and hosted by the Sacramento Public Library in conjunction with National Library Card Drive Sign-Up month.

“It’s in honor of National Library Card Drive Sign-Up month,” said Kati Sarrade, a librarian and head of the event.

“I wanted to encourage people to come out to the library to see all of the different things that we offer and get library cards.”

It is not only important to inform the community about the library as a resource, but to build solidarity in the commu- “It gives the nity. little ones “I really hope that peo- more of an ple get a chance opportunity to to connect with the folks who see the trucks came out today and cars up and learn about what they do close and perand get a sense sonal.” of appreciation —Richard for who our Vanderzanden, neighbors are,” attendee Sarrade said.

A large part of the event’s success depended on generosity of volunteers.

“It’s hard to get someone to volunteer and spend a full day,” Sarrade said.

“We had the guy with the Radio Flyer car; he drove all the way from Alameda this morning to show off his vehicle. We have a lot of people who are really willing to donate their time.”

One of the challenges for this year’s event was to make it bigger and better than the previous.

“We’ve all been working together to make this [event] better than the one last year,” said Jessica Troung, 25, library tech assistant with the Franklin Community Library.

Many of the organizations participating in the event were there to inform the public.

“We try to get the word out,” said Carla Rose, flotilla commander and 10year volunteer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. “We’re here to answer any questions they have.”

Being able to get close and personal with the vehicles enhanced the overall experience for the attendees.

“I think it gives the little one more of an opportunity to see the trucks and the cars up close and personal instead of just seeing them drive by on the street, so that way they won’t be as scared of them as they are driving by,” said Richard Vanderzanden, an event-goer and a father of an 18-month-old boy. www.Facebook.com/crcconnection

6 SPORTS | OCTOBER 3, 2013

Athlete balances full schedule, two sports

By Nick Valenzuela nvalenzuela.connect@gmail

Typically, students find their plates sufficiently filled while participating in a single sport. After all, playing a sport at the community college level is a demanding task. ¶ Student athletes must maintain a passing grade point average coupled with a full schedule and are often expected to take more units in the semester of their offseason. ¶ For 19-year-old sophomore Laura Villano, there is no offseason. ¶ Villano currently serves on the Cosumnes River College Hawks’ volleyball team as a setter and opposite hitter. ¶ Unlike most fall athletes who will be hanging up their uniforms for the spring semester, Villano will be changing into her CRC softball uniform.

Villano, who began playing volleyball CRC co-head volleyball coach Natalie in seventh grade and competitive softball Wells praised Villano’s leadership abilities when she was “about 7,” originally intended and related her position as a setter to the to stick with just volleyball at CRC. quarterback of a football team.

However, in the spring 2013 season, “As a sophomore, I think the other she was scouted by a softball team hurting players look to her,” Wells said. for players.

“But even within that, I look to her to “I thought I was burnt out after my help lead the court.” senior year, because While others I played it for so may find inspira“She’s a very positive long,” Villano said. tion in her, Villano “But I ended up person, always comes with finds her inspiraplaying.” tion in academics.

Despite Vil- great energy and a great atVillano stated lano’s unintended titude ... worked as hard or that she doesn’t status as a multiplan to continue sport athlete, CRC harder than anybody on the sports after she softball head coach team.” transfers to a fourKristy Schroeder year university, inmade clear the reachoosing to —Kristy Schroeder stead sons Villano was pursue her broadSoftball Coach cast journalism deawarded CRC’s “Most Inspirationgree. al” award last softHowever, she ball season. doesn’t let that affect the effort she puts into “She was a big asset to the team,” the sports she plays now.

Schroeder said.

“If you’re an athlete and you play at “She’s a very positive person, always this level, don’t take it for granted,” Villano comes with great energy and a great atti- said. tude … worked as hard or harder than any“Treat every practice as an experience body on the team.” and learn to get better.”

Stephan Starnes | Connection Staff

Sophomore setter and opposite hitter Laura Villano practices serving in a team practice scrimmage on Oct. 1. Villano plays for both the volleyball and softball teams at Cosumnes River College.

Does an athlete’s footwear give insight into their play?

Cosumnes soccer players weigh in on what goes into their decision when they choose a cleat

By Brusly Voong bvoong.connect@gmail

For players serious about the sport, soccer cleats are a must.

Like most products, soccer cleats come in a variety brands, colors and styles to suit everyone’s personality.

Some, like Dominic Eslamian, a freshman forward/midfielder and member of CRC’s men’s soccer team, believes the type of cleats you wear says a lot about your personality.

“The color of the cleat matches the style of the player, so if you have a flashy player they go more towards bright colors,” Eslamian said.

“But if you have a player that wants to get down and dirty you go for black [cleats].”

Some of these elements are more important than others on the women’s soccer team. These elements also play a factor in their decision to choose what footwear they will feature on the field.

“I usually wear Nikes because they’re cuter,” said Megan Gomez, a sophomore defender and member of CRC’s women’s soccer team. www.Facebook.com/CRCConnection

Courtesy Photo

Clint Dempsey of the United States National Team dribbles a ball in practice. Dempsey sports cleats from Nike when he’s on the field in a game.

“They have to be kind of cute.”

What it comes down to is a player’s need and preference.

Others like Becky Gallo, a sophomore midfielder and member of CRC’s women’s soccer team, who sports a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapors emphasized comfort and

fit over style.

Mercurial Vapors are a type of cleat designed for those players who have a need for speed, which offer a reduction in weight and increase arch support, according to Angelo’s Soccer Corner, a one stop soccer shop.

“There’s a reason [I wear the cleats I do] in that they are really comfortable and I like that they feel really light on my feet when I wear them,” Gallo said.

“So that when I play with them on the soccer field, it feels like I’m playing barefoot.”

If there is one thing that the Cosumnes River College’s women’s soccer team could all agree is that Nike is one of the most, if not the most, popular brands for soccer cleats among their group.

“Adidas and Nike are the most popular,” said Alyssa Hanks, a sophomore foward/midfielder.

“Half of our team has Nike.”

This isn’t surprising considering that Nike has operations throughout the world.

According to a Forbes Magazine article, Nike ranks number one in terms of the world’s most valuable sports brand, specifically having a value of $15.9 billion, according to Forbes Magazine.

Different cleats serve different purposes depending on the player’s style of play and their goals.

Assistant men’s soccer coach Brandon Evangelista prefers a cleat that gives him better ball control.

“Some cleats are made differently. The cleats I have right now, they’re made for good ball control,” Evangelista said.

“It has nice soft patches of material

that gives you control of the ball better.”

The general consensus between both teams is that style, color and looks are just as important as comfort.

The cleats you wear may say a lot about the type of player you are, but it says little about how good you are.

Ultimately, it is not the cleats that make a player, but it is player themselves.

“You are not the player you are because of the cleats you wear,” Hanks said.

Will Grubb | The Connection

Sophomore midfielder Becky Gallo uses a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapors when she hits the field.

OCTOBER 3, 2013 | SPORTS 7

Lone goal leads Santa Rosa to victory Emily Collins ecollins.connect@gmail The conference opener is an important game, no matter which sport you are playing.

The Cosumnes River College’s men’s soccer team started the Big 8 Conference competition when they hosted Santa Rosa Junior College on Tuesday.

During the first half Santa Rosa dominated the ball, with SRJC sophomore defender Nicholas Rogers scoring a goal within the first fifteen minutes of the game.

“We were pretty fortunate to get an early goal,” said SRJC head coach Marty Kinahan.

The rest of the first half consisted of players chasing the ball, with a couple of close calls, but left the score at 1-0 in favor of the Bear Cubs.

“They outplayed us in the second half,” Kinahan said. “They have a nice team, they played the ball back.”

Some call it fortune, others call it luck.

Either way you look at it, a goal is a goal.

“Unfortunately, they hit a lucky goal,” said CRC head coach Ron Preble. “Sometimes soccer can be very cruel that way.”

Preble said he asks his players to do three things, in an effort to “get results”: have high energy, play with their team style and have a commitment to defending.

“Our energy level was good in both phases of the game,” Preble said. “I thought every player was solid today, we didn’t have a lot of ups and downs with our players.”

The Hawks were unable to come up with a goal of their own, with the final score remaining at 1-0.

“The ball didn’t go in for us but overall we did a great job,” said Eliezer Ramos, a sophomore midfielder.

Some of the team members were slightly discouraged by the loss and emotions were a little high right after the match.

“I feel kind of upset,” said freshman midfielder Ander Saez. “We possessed the ball more than them.”

Preble was more optimistic about the game in general and his players’ performance.

“This was probably the best perfor-

Apologizing makes it okay, but Shaq’s new image is ‘fake’

By Scott Redmond sredmond.connect@gmail

Stephan Starnes | Connection Staff

Freshman midfielder Ander Saez tries to keep the ball away from a group of Santa Rosa Junior College defenders in the Hawks’ Sept. 25 home game. Through the first half of the game, the Hawks drove the ball into SRJC territory but could not capitalize with a goal. mance on the year,” Preble said. “I thought we were actually very, very good today.”

Kinahan shared some of Preble’s sentiments about CRC’s players and their work on the field.

“It was a pretty even match,” Kinahan

said. “They had some nice players.”

Moving forward and having an optimistic attitude was a common theme for the Hawks.

“We just have to come back stronger and beat them at their house,” Ramos said.

Hawks: team delivers strong second half Continued from page 1

student-athlete of the week, sophomore forward Vilma Gonzalez added a pair of goals just three minutes apart.

“We kept turning the ball over in the first half and coach started telling us to do more one-twos to create simple passes and that helped in the second half,” said freshman midfielder Brianna Ascencio.

With the two goals scored on Friday, Gonzalez now has six goals in the team’s eight games. Gonzalez also added an assist on the goal scored by Vega in the first half.

After defeating previously unbeaten MJC, CRC is now 2-0-0 so far in Big 8 Conference play and are setting themselves up nicely for a trip to the postseason.

“Conference games are all difficult, but obviously this is a great start for us,” Plasencia said. “We need to keep backing it up with wins which is going to be difficult especially on the road.”

The Hawks look to continue to ride this momentum and winning streak.

“Winning creates a positive vibe on the team,” Ascencio said. “I’ve never played college soccer before but it makes me want to play hard and keep winning.”

Bobby Bishop| Connection Staff

Hawks freshman goalkeeper Anna Brown saves a goal in Cosumnes River College’s game against Modesto Junior College on Sept. 27. The Hawks won 3-0.

Upcoming Games Oct. 4 Oct. 8 Oct. 11

The Cheap $eats

vs. Diablo Valley College @ Delta College vs. Sierra College

3:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Turn back the clocks to 2001, when the Lakers beat their heated rivals, the Kings, in a seven game playoff series, which was just months before then Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal decided to insult the Kings by calling them Queens.

Seems simple: big-mouthed players talking trash about the other team.

Yet at the same time the Lakers former coach Phil Jackson mocked Sacramento as a “cow-town,” as the Lakers continued to talk trash about their rival’s city.

Here we are, with the Kings firmly in place in Sacramento after an attempted sale and relocation that would have moved them to Settle was defeated, and that same big mouth is now a member of the new ownership group.

Talking trash is nothing new in sports. It’s the common tactic to get into the heads of the opponents to gain a possible edge.

So when Shaq says he apologizes and the insults were part of a carefully executed marketing facade, many are more than likely ready to forgive and forget.

This is not to say that people should be protesting and boycotting the maneuver. It’s all about business, as it always has been.

Shaq made his business from coming off as the loose cannon that says what he feels needs to be said and bashing the rivals.

That sort of act is what got him as far as he has come in all this time, and suddenly renouncing that version of himself and apologizing is all part of the new plan to change his image to get in on some of the money of owning a team that is on track to rebuild themselves.

Society seems quick to accept apologies from anyone that is famous, no matter their action. Trash talking a city is a tame thing compared to drunk driving or attacking photographers but it is an example of a systematic failure.

What Shaq said and did in the past does not make him a bad person really, it just makes him an entirely fake one.

Celebrities and athletes, are worshipped by society as the best thing since sliced bread and they are held up on a pedestal as the example of what to strive for.

If Shaq’s image is one built upon a foundation of lies and false apologies, then I want nothing to do with it.

This fan isn’t buying into what Shaq is selling. I’ll stick to the cows of my little cow town and continue to root for my local team the “Queens.”

www.thecrcconnection.com

8

OPINION | OCTOBER 3, 2013

EDITORIAL

No room left for judgment in the church Pope Francis shocked many people and stirred debate from both church-going conservatives and pro-equality liberals with his long overdue comments. In recent interviews, the Pope said it is not his place to judge homosexuals.

“I said that if a homosexual person is of good will and is in search of God, I am no one to judge,” he said to Jesuit magazine America.

The Pope’s comments are being interpreted in many different ways. And while withholding judgment and acceptance are two separate things, there is a message that everyone can learn from regardless of religion.

Across the world, societies are fighting wars and starting revolutions that America is involving itself in. Yet, on the home front our citizens struggle with simple ideas such as equality for all.

Homosexuals are still facing persecution throughout our own country.

In New York City alone, anti-gay hate crimes

spiked 70 percent this year, New York’s police commissioner Ray Kelly said At a Glance in a Business Insider article.

Despite these hardThe Issue: ships, Congress repealed The Pope recently said the hotly-debated “don’t that it is not his place to ask, don’t tell” policy on judge homosexuals.

Dec. 21, 2010, and sent it along to be signed by the Our Stance: president.

People need to set aside This alone allows entheir prejudices and listed homosexuals to be accept everyone. open about their sexuality without fear of being disAgree? Disagree? charged from service.

Send your thoughts to On top of that, 13 connection.crc@gmail. states currently allow com same-sex marriages, with New Jersey soon to be added to the list. California’s

Hillary 2016

Has her time finally come?

Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail

Want to hear a joke? Hillary Clinton as President. It would be a guilt-ridden choice and a foul move for the American people to put her in office.

Many Americans forecast the storm of a presidency that would rumble if Clinton were in office.

Even as a female, I do not think it would be wise to have a woman in office. I feel as if there are certain jobs only men should carry out, being president is one of them.

Women are commonly more emotional than men, and even the most strong-willed women still often fall back on motherly instincts. Dealing with heavyweight judgment calls that put millions at risk can be an emotionally trying responsibility.

History seems to continually repeat itself, some for the better and some for the worse.

The first Clinton in office didn’t go over well, so why on Earth would we put in another?

If you tried something and failed greatly, I see little to no point in trying again.

It would be foolish and witless to say that former President Bill Clinton would have no influence in Hillary’s decision making.

I think the United States is ready for a Republican president again. The current Democratic president has created a long list of unfulfilled promises, recurrent fabrications and multiple unanswered questions for the American people.

The United States has had its fair share of change in the last few years. With an AfricanAmerican president and more women in political offices, I think that change is good for a time being.

In spite of that, the time is up.

A woman president, particularly Hillary Clinton, would not be an act of good judgement of the American people’s part.

HAWK

TALK

“How do you feel about the U.S. Army putting restrictions on tattoos?”

Ashley Scurti 18, Kinesiology

“As long as the tattoos aren’t offensive to certain groups of people, they should be fine to express who they are and what they like to do.”

Compiled by Amari Gaffney, LaChandra Marzetta and Christopher McKnight

www.Facebook.com/CRCConnection

Miss America contest ignites ignorance Amari Gaffney agaffney.connect@gmail

Camille Caulk ccaulk.connect@gmail

It’s become more apparent in the evolution of American culture that the Republican Party is becoming nothing more than a facade that upholds the image of democracy. What would prove that point better than another Democrat in office? Hillary Clinton has my vote if she decides to run in the 2016 presidential election.

Behind every good man is an even greater woman. Clinton has been that even-greaterwoman on several occasions.

In 1976, Clinton worked on Jimmy Carter’s successful campaign for president while husband Bill Clinton was elected Attorney General.

Being a woman, Clinton has broken down every gender barrier in her path. She became the first woman to be elected to the United States Senate from New York.

With the stereotypes of women being over-emotional versus men, Clinton has never showed that she was any less capable than a man. The Clinton and Lewinsky sex scandal of 1998 shows that she handled herself much better than many men or women would have.

Clinton may not have won the Democratic Primary in 2008 but she lost to an opponent that was equally as good for the job.

Clinton may have conceded after it became apparent that President Barack Obama held the majority of the delegate vote, but that allowed her to become the 67th United States Secretary of State.

She made women’s and human rights a central talking point of U.S. Initiatives and she’s the most traveled secretary of state in history.

Whether it is her experience in politics, or her being the first woman in office, Hillary Clinton for 2016 needs to be more than just a mention.

mistake, known as the passage of Proposition 8, was rectified so that the The Golden State could proudly sit in these ranks.

While the wins for equality are starting to grow in number, it does not mean that the battle is over.

For that, a fundamental change in thoughts is needed.

People should not judge one another. Whether or not someone agrees with gay marriage, it does not give them the right to take away the rights of others. The Church is one of the oldest, most unwavering institutions and if it can manage to at least stop turning people away from its doors, then society as a whole should be able to put aside their prejudices.

America is a very diverse country, and the world is an even bigger stage for the myriad of cultures.

No single group’s thoughts should dictate the lives of others. If that were the case, America would still be a collection of British colonies wondering when they would get their own freedoms.

The terrorist attacks on 9/11 were a horrific time in our nation’s history, so what do they have to do with our newly crowned 2014 Miss America? Maybe it’s the empire state of New York that’s the commonality they share, because it sure isn’t terrorism.

Nina Davuluri, 24, made history by becoming the first IndianAmerican Miss America and, as always, social media plays a part in displaying the complete ignorance of the clearly uneducated.

Twitter, being the social media giant that it is, prides itself on being a platform for free speech.

And with any platform of free speech, we can always expect the unfiltered ignorance of the clueless.

“Congratulations al-Qaeda,” read one of the tweets in buzz. com post. “Our Miss America is one of you.”

India has nothing to do with Arab nations or the terrorist organization known as al-Qaida.

Another tweeter scoffed, “9/11 was 4 days ago and she gets to be Miss America?”

The focal point of this historical event is completely skewed with statements like that.

This is a rare back-to-back win for the state of New York.

Davuluri, from Fayetteville, N.Y., won a tiara and a $50,000 scholarship that I’m sure America doesn’t give away to terrorists.

Clayton West 21, Business Marketing

“I believe that as long as they’re not shown, if the uniform covers them completely then why should we care?”

What constitutes being an American anyway? Kansas’ Theresa Vail, an army sergeant who won the America’s vote portion of the pageant and is believed to have been the first contestant to openly display tattoos, was a favorite to win. Standard American stereotype, but clearly not enough to claim the title of Miss America.

Are we not the melting pot of all cultures? Isn’t being born here simply enough?

With the constant evolution of our culture as a whole some traditions are challenged and some are even becoming obsolete.

People with ethnic backgrounds are rising in places that used to be dominated by white America.

Race and background come into play with politics as well.

Donald Trump is still questioning President Barack Obama’s citizenship, as reported by ABC news.

Ignorance is guided by fear and that fear is guided by change.

Some people don’t want to see an Indian-American Miss America just like some people didn’t want to see an African-American as president.

Fortunately, Davuluri took those harsh words in stride, as one would expect from Miss America. USA Today reports that she is “thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America.”

Thankfully we live in a nation where people are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Right?

Shakib Mohammad 19, Nursing

“I think they should be able to do whatever they want. It’s like taking away personal freedoms. It’s not right.”

Visit www.youtube.com/ConnectionCRC for Hawk Talk videos and student interviews