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VOL. XCVIII, NO. 1
AUGUST 24, 2017
ASRCC swears in new officials Maritzza Jeronimo and Clara Velarde begin terms as ASRCC president and vice president
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Political Science major Clara Velarde (left) and Sociology major Maritzza Jeronimo hope to increase student involvement. SAMANTHA BARTHOLOMEW @RCCviewpoints
As the voices of the students, Maritzza Jeronimo and Clara Velarde share a vision to bring to light to Riverside City College’s greatest resource, the power of the students, believing that student involvement is the key to success. “We want to increase student engagement on our campus,” Jeronimo said. “I am a firm believer that involvement can increase love for your own education and can serve as motivation.” Jeronimo and Velarde were elected for ASRCC president and vice president after beating their opponents, Bryan Barrera and Simranjeet Singh, by 72 votes May 3. Their slogan “For the students, with the students!” served to display their belief that RCC should be more than a school or destination. “One of my biggest goals is to be an advocate and a voice for other students who face the same barriers I do. I hope to get a program or services started that are dedicated to those students,” Jeronimo said.
“ We w a n t t o create a space for our students where they feel comfortable and encouraged to be more involved,” Velarde said. A former Campus Activities Council member and a former senator respectively, Jeronimo and Velarde are no strangers to stepping up to leadership roles, each having served in various positions before even joining ASRCC. “When I started getting involved back in middle school I knew that serving and helping others was something I never wanted to stop doing,” Jeronimo said. “I want to make a change and be able to leave RCC knowing that I had a positive impact the time that I was here,” Jeronimo said. Throughout their endeavors, Jeronimo and Velarde have been inspired by people to give their best to achieve their dreams in leadership. Velarde found inspiration in the women that have influenced her experiences and upbringing.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF JESSICA HARMON
college. “ I r e a l l y d o n ’t understand why it has such a bad connotation, but I want people who come here to have the same experiences that their friends have at other institutions and also be proud to be attending one of the best community -- Maritzza Jeronimo colleges,” Jeronimo said. “Our adviser Megan Bottoms said, “I am influenced by the strong we are not just a women of color in my life, there are community college, we are a too many to name,” Velarde said. college in the community.” “They surround me everywhere I “My motivation comes from go and their resilience inspires me the students here at RCC. It may to keep strong.” sound so cliche but it’s the honest Jeronimo, a Deferred Action truth,” Jeronimo said. “Seeing the for Childhood Arrivals recipient different obstacles and issues that and a Dreamer, was impacted by we face as college students has those that share similar experiences motivated me to take a stance and to her own. be the voice of the students.” “My high school teacher, Luis “I love being an active member Fuentes, has been the best and on campus, not only through biggest influence in my life,” ASRCC but through different Jeronimo said. “He was always the clubs and events that are hosted by one pushing me to give everything students trying to gain visibility,” my best and be the best version of Velarde said. “The passion I see myself that I could possibly be.” from students motivates me. I love A goal of Jeronimo’s is to speaking to these students and dismantle the stigma that she feels gaining better communication so comes with going to a community that ASRCC can help with future
“We want to make a change and be able to leave RCC knowing that we had a positive impact the time that we were here.”
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events.” The pair have both reiterated their belief that anyone on campus can find a home at student government. “If you like to advertise, join Public Relations. If you like to decorate, join Campus Activities Council. If you like law and the constitution, join the Supreme Court. If you are interested in advocating, join Senate,” Velarde said. “There is always a place for you.” “Don’t be scared to join because it is one of the most rewarding choices you can make,” Jeronimo said. “Not only do you get to do such amazing things for your campus but you get to do it alongside some great people.” The issues Jeronimo and Velarde plan on tackling during their terms include student union and engagement, awareness of resources available to students, student sustainability, mental health awareness and taking on student homelessness. “I am excited to make a change on my campus and get people excited about making a difference and getting them active,” Velarde said. Jeronimo and Velarde will begin their terms Aug. 28.
INDEX VOL. XCVIII NO. 1 August 24, 2017
NEWS 1 SPORTS 3 LIFE 4 OPINIONS 6 EDITORIAL 7