Long Beach City College
VIKING NEWS Published Since 1927
Volume 89, Issue 7, December 4, 2015
CELEBRATING HERITAGE Local Native American tribes gather for powwow — Focus, Page 13
Omar Reyes/Viking
Counselor has stroke; family seeks funds News, Page 7
LBCC by the numbers Benny Carrillo
Robert Devlin
Tangikina Moimoi
Brandon Richardson
Justin Yin
Viking winners announced — News, page 2
Focus, Page 12
Culinary students work at new restaurant by LAC Focus, Page 14
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December 4, 2015
Student Life awards winners ASB honors over 60 for activities outside the classroom. Story by Will Ranos Co-Editor in Chief @Touchstone_Will Photos by Denise Jones Opinion Editor @DeniseJonesLBCC With the Nordic Lounge full of about 200 people, LBCC students were presented with awards from ASB Student Life on Thursday, Dec. 3, for their efforts outside the classroom. ASB honored five students this semester with the Viking Award. Benny Carrillo, Robert Devlin, Tangikina Moimoi, Brandon Richardson and Justin Yin were the Fall winners. Devlin, representative of student services, said, “I was honored to be part of such an elite group. I know a few of the other members who received it this year and they are really great students. I am really just happy to be a part of that group.” ASB has three levels of awards. The first level is the Honor Certificate. After a student receives that award, they are then eligible to receive the Star Award, which is the LAC prize, and the Crystal Award, which is the PCC honor. Finally, if a student receives the Honor Certificate and either the Star or Crystal Award, they are eligible to receive the Viking Award. Brandon Richardson, 27, former editor in chief of the Viking newspaper and City magazine, said, “Over the last two years I have put in countless hours in the journalism program and worked very hard to put out the best publications possible. To be recognized for those efforts is very special and a great honor.” In an attempt to surprise the candidates, the winners were simply informed they had a meeting with the Interim Dean of Student Affairs Alicia Kruizenga. However, some of the candidates were a little worried what
HUG IT OUT: Student Life coordinator Teila Robertson hugs PCC Senate Rep. Patrick Gore as he receives a Crystal Award. ASB Student life presented over 60 awards to students Thursday, Dec. 3.
the purpose of the meeting was. Carrillo, former Spring 2015 LAC Club Senate president, said, “They sent me an email saying I have a meeting with the dean and that’s never a good sign. So I’m just like, ‘It’s either one of two things: either I’m in trouble or it’s the Viking Award.’” Devlin said, “I got called into Alicia’s office and I kept asking them why. I thought I was in trouble for something, but when I
CONVERSING: Board of Trustee members Sunny Zia and Doug Otto talk after the Student Life awards ceremony in the Nordic Lounge at the LAC.
saw the group of people in there, I realized that we had received an award.” In addition to the Viking awards, ASB honored 60 additional recipients for the Honor Certificates, Crystal and Star awards, John Fylpaa awards, Cultural Affairs Council awards, Club Senate Board awards and club awards. Board President Doug Otto, Trustee Sunny Zia and President Eloy Oakley at-
tended the event. ASB Cabinet adviser Maya Cardenas will be leaving LBCC after today, Friday, Dec. 4, and will be replaced by current public relations coordinator Camille Bolton. The Viking Award winners and the ASB Cabinet will be honored with a banquet today, Friday, Dec. 4, from 8-10 a.m.
WINNING: The Order of Tong International men’s social-service club was presented this plaque for the best club event on or off the campus.
NEWS
December 4, 2015
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PASSIONATE: Event hosts and panelists watch as Hindu Arcita Dasa speaks during his initial 15-minute segment at the beginning of the 14th annual spirituality panel Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the LAC English Lounge.
Spirituality panel shares varied beliefs Story and photos By Brandon Richardson Managing Editor @_Brandon_E An atheist, a Hindu, a pagan and a Native American spiritual follower walk into the English Lounge at the LAC and have a level-headed discussion about their beliefs. While not a good joke, this was the scene during the 14th annual Spirituality Panel, hosted by the Pagan Club on Tuesday, Dec. 2. More than 60 students attended the panel, which consisted of four speakers: Hindu Arcita Dasa, atheist Robert Richert, Druid Vance Shaw and Native American spiritualist Adrian Novotny. Adrian Urias, 25, a philosophy major, said, “There is a religious intolerance and people are literally dying and here we are, at a liberal arts college, openly discussing these things. We need to exercise the free-
dom to get together and talk about these things and not kill each other.” Each member of the panel was allowed 15 minutes to introduce their belief system, followed by an hour of questions from the audience. Dasa was first to speak and focused largely on the idea of karma. He said, “We have a saying in English, ‘What goes around comes around.’ This is a succinct form, or explanation of karma. Therefore, it behooves us to be very, very careful how we act.” Novotny followed and spoke mostly about how highly Native Americans hold nature. He said, “Native spirituality consists of the recognition that nature is the source of all power and it is. When we live in the city, we give up a lot. What Natives say we
give up what’s most important to us, and is a sin, a crime, a shame, is our connection to the Earth itself.” Novotny concluded his time by singing a traditional Lakota healing song accompanied by a single drum. Richert spoke next about how his beliefs exist without the existence of a higher power. He said, “Without a belief in god and the supernatural, it affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity. I reject faith as a pathway to knowledge. We should believe because we have good evidence to believe, not because it makes us feel good.” He used the last of his time to recite a poem that he had written, which ended with the final couplet: “I don’t
believe in gods, be they Christian, Muslim or Jew. Instead, I truly do believe in you.” Shaw was the last to speak and focused on life after death and echoed Novotny’s views of nature. He said, “We believe that for every person or animal life continues. But if that isn’t true, that’s OK, because once you’re dead, your consciousness isn’t around anyways, so what difference does it make whether your soul continues or not? There’s no distinction between the spirit and the material world, it’s basically one. The event was organized by Pagan Club Vice President Grecia Pizano, 20, who said, “I was thinking, ‘Oh, 60 that sounds like a lot, we’re lucky if 60 people even show up.’ That’s me not knowing how popular this event is. But we had a great turnout.” More information regarding the panel or the Pagan Club may be obtained by emailing Novotny at anovotny@lbcc.edu.
Arcita Dasa Hinduism
Robert Richert Atheism
Vance Shaw Druidism
Adrian Novotny Native American spirituality
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December 4, 2015
SORTING THE STACKS: Eva Bagg, dean of Institutional Effectiveness, sits in her office in the T Building with piles of papers on her desk.
Crunching the college’s numbers Story and photo by Jon Peacock Co-editor in Chief @jonjpeacock9 In the southeast corner of the T Building, overlooking Veterans Stadium, an office is scattered with random files and papers with statistics, history and general information on LBCC. This is the office of Eva Bagg and her job includes accreditation, reviewing information about the college, planning, providing course-success rates on both campuses and surveying the students. Technically her position is nested in academic affairs. Though on the lbcc.edu phone directory, she is titled as the dean of institutional effectiveness. Bagg has been with LBCC for eight years. Before 2008, she was a full-time an-
thropology teacher at a “tiny” college in Annually, Bagg and her collegues proBarstow. vide a report to the commission. One of the biggest parts of her job is Bagg meets with President Eloy Oakley making sure the college gains accreditation. every month to review numbers to make Bagg said every related decisions. Bagg pulls numsix years the colbers and statistics lege goes through “When the college needs to from Peoplesoft, a “comprehensive make big decisions about rewhere she can find self-evaluation and source allocations, everybody in my office, we lead course transcripts that effort where comes to an agreement.” and can decipher -Eva Bagg where students are we engage all of the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness succeeding college. But we’re and are responsible for where they are not. putting the report together that goes to our Other data includes how many students accrediting commission.” are enrolling in specific courses, which sec“We host a team of visitors who are tions and what is the demographic of the trained by the commission to evaluate students enrolling. An example of how the college uses colleges and we lead efforts to respond to any recommendations that come from the the information is if LBCC can improve success rates of both campuses and online commission.”
classes. “When the college needs to make big decisions about resource allocations, everybody comes to an agreement on the key things,” Bagg said. She said an example would be last year when the college invested in restoring some of the classified staff members who were laid off or reduced a few years before. The college wasn’t able to meet the needs of some of the students due to the cuts. Restoring the positions “was a huge decision and a priority,” Bagg said. The college conducts similar studies in every area of the college and every department is reviewed. Students may visit scorecard.cccco. edu/scorecard.aspx to view statistics about LBCC and other Community Colleges.
Casey Price, 22, a business major, said, to that statement saying, “Older students “I feel age diversity is a very positive thing tend to be more confident and assertive in college. Older classmates at times give on average, but not all older students are different points of views on subjects that necessarily more vocal during class discussions, I find that younger students older students unmight not be able derstand that their to reflect on due to “I feel age diversity is a very younger classmates lack of experience. I positive thing in college. Older add much valuable think older students classmates at times give different perspective to class are more social.” discussions.” According to points of views” The increase the student metric -Casey Price Business major of diversity in the scorecard, the staschool system can tistics states on avbe seen as an opporerage, 56.7% of students between the ages of 25-39 complete tunity to expand the diversity in the working community. 30 units or more. At a White House conference in 2014 While older students can capitalize on life experiences, Katherine McMurray, President Barack Obama commented that an English professor at the LAC, added “More than ever, a college degree is the sur-
est path to a stable, middle-class life.” Since then programs such as The America’s college promise initiative has helped thousands of students fund their academic endeavors. The National Centers for Education reported, 20.2 million students were expected to attend American colleges and universities, “constituting an increase of about 4.9 million since fall 2000.” CalWORKs, EOPS, and the International Student program are offered at LBCC on both PCC and PAC to aid students through the academic year along with financial aid which is available to students who qualify.
14% of students take classes just at PCC
17% of students attend both campuses and 56.7% of 25-39-year-olds finish 30 or more units. By Tilynn King Staff Writer @grownlillies
The ground of PCC and LAC are filled with a diverse group of students. In the 2015 academic year, of 31,164 students, 54.6% are female, 26.25% are under age 20, 25.85% are ages 20-24 while 14% of the student population take the majority of their courses at PCC and 17% take their courses at PCC and LAC.
See page 12 for more LBCC statistics
December 4, 2015
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Real and fake lions viewed on trips Extended Opportunity Programs and Services take students to see “The Lion King” live on stage and to visit the L.A. Zoo.
By Hayley Hart Staff Writer @hayleylhart Trips to the Los Angeles Zoo and to see “The Lion King” on stage highlighted the Fall semester for EOPS students. The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services supports students who have difficulties financially or struggle with her or his educational pursuits. EOPS offers assistance through workshops for personal enrichment and they supply items necessary for college and
Shernell said EOPS is planning three or sponsor cultural events and field trips. The EOPS on Friday, Oct. 30, conduct- four trips for the Spring semester. The dates ed its first field trip of the semester. Stu- are not set, however, Shernell anticipates dents on the trip saw the onstage musical visits to the ballet, the Getty Museum and the Museum of Tolerance. of the Disney classic “The Lion King.” Alessa PeTy Elijah, nodo, 26, an a culinary arts alumna and “We can give a big thanks to administration of justice major, EOPS student student assistant assistant, said, Deatrice Shernell for giving and EOPS stu“Seeing “The us the opportunity to experident, said, “We Lion King” was a ence new things.” can give a big great experience. Thanks to De-Alessa Penodo thanks to DeShernell atrice Shernell I EOPS student atrice for giving us the was able to exopportunity to perience something I’ve been trying to see for a while.” experience new things.” EOPS students who would like to parShernell is the coordinator for LBCC’s ticipate must make a non-refundable $10 EOPS. EOPS had two field trips during the deposit. A lunch will be provided for stu2015 Fall semester. The second trip was to dents. People going on the field trip are requested to bring a backpack. the Los Angeles Zoo on Friday, Nov. 20.
The EOPS field trips are opened first to 30 EOPS students who did not attend another field trip in the same semester. EOPS students who did attend a prior field trip in the semester may sign up on a waitlist to open the opportunity to students who have yet to participate in a field trip. Penodo said to become an EOPS student, “They would come in to see if they qualify for EOPS.” A student needs to meet certain criteria to be in the EOPS program such as having completed 55 units or less, be enrolled in 12 or more units and be a California resident among other requirements. To find out if one qualifies for EOPS, students may visit A1134 at LBCC’s LAC or online at lbcc.edu/onlineapplication. cfm and fill out an application for FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Once a student is eligible for EOPS, she or he is invited to apply for the program and attend an orientation.
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December 4, 2015
Denise Jones/Viking/ @DeniseJonesLBCC GOBBLE GOBBLE: Horticulture Club members Cathy Hingley, left, and Mikayla Mason add sparkling cider to donation baskets.
Horticulture Club donates turkeys By Hayley Hart Staff Writer @hayleylhart
In the 25th year of the event, the LBCC Horticulture Club came together at the Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach to deliver the annual turkey basket donations Tuesday, Nov. 24. The club assembled turkey baskets to donate them to the Hospital in Long Beach for families who need help during the Thanksgiving holiday. Julia Greenwald, a social worker at Miller Children’s Hospital, said she is grate-
ful for the help of LBCC’s horticulture department. Greenwald said the club began making the turkey basket donations after the son of Greenwald’s friend was injured. The son Danny, who Greenwald requested the family’s last name not be used, was cared for at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, which is attached to the Miller Children’s Hospital. After Danny recovered, his mother Jean wanted to do something nice for others at the hospital, Greenwald said. Jean was a horticulture student and was a member of the Horticulture Club at LBCC and decided to create the turkey baskets with the club
for the hospital. The club uses the money earned from the Plant Sale they host every Spring to fund the purchasing of the items. Greenwald said the children in some of the families who receive the baskets get ecstatic when they learn about the Thanksgiving feast they will enjoy. The baskets included a turkey, a turkey roasting pan, dry mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce among other items. Greenwald said parents “can tell the kids, ‘Yes we are going to have turkey and yes we are going to have cranberry and yes we are going to do all of those things’ and
it’s because of the Horticulture Club.” Greenwald said the club is estimated to have donated 600 baskets for families at the hospital over 25 years. Brian Hastie, the vocational instruction technician in the horticulture program, was asked by Greenwald if he and the club will continue to donate baskets and said, “As long as we are around, yes, we can keep doing it. We just have to keep making plants. This is all from Plant Sales. This is 300 or so maximum 1-gallon Plant Sales that makes this happen, so all we’ve got to do is keep making plants.”
Anime Club uses games to build friendship Story and photos By Irina Nizovtseva Staff Writer @irina_lbcc
Students share their hobby of watching various Anime films and shows. The Anime Club as part of the special-interest clubs at LBCC elected new club representatives Tuesday, Nov. 24, in P110 at the LAC. Benny Carrillo, 27, a computer science major, said, “I will have to step down as the vice president of the club because I work 40 hours a week and I am on a scholarship now, which means I have to do at least 12 units.” “I hope the club keeps growing. We used to meet in the Library until we lost our adviser there. Then we moved to the Fishbowl and there was a lot of competing noise,” Carrillo said. Students who join the Anime Club have
ANIME-LOVER: Public relations representative Nicole Gutierrez, left, organizes activity for Anime Club on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
the opportunity to share their favorite animes, watch uncommon animes and make friends. “Some animes are ‘healing’ and ‘educational,’ but people have very different tastes and sometimes don’t want to watch what the club has chosen to watch that week,” Carrillo said. Nicole Gutierrez, 21, a biology major,
said, “I am excited to be re-elected as the public relations representative for the club for next semester as well.” Joining the club this Fall, Gutierrez said the workload grows during Join-a-Club Day and fundraiser events. Gutierrez said, “We used to only watch anime on YouTube, but now we use Netflix and Hulu. A club representative will let us
use his or her account. I have seen the club move in a positive direction.” More information about the club is available by visiting facebook.com/lbccanime or contacting club adviser and English teacher Velvet Pearson at (562) 938-4369 or vpearson@lbcc.edu. The club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. in P110 at the LAC.
NEWS
Campus counseling
December 4, 2015
Personal
Therapists attempt to comfort students during hard times on campus and in life.
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sor who noticed that I had changed after my dad’s death that suggested I talk to a professional.” Aside from private personal counseling, LBCC offers group counseling that is available to students every Wednesday from noon-1:30 p.m. with no appointment necessary. Students meet in a group setting By Quiaira Terrell and can openly discuss the issues relevant Staff Writer in their lives or just observe. @quiarablanco Though not every student is aware or uses personal counseling, some consider it While many students are aware of acato be a beneficial service for students. demic counseling offered by LBCC, a little Aries Johnson, a theater major, said, less known section of the counseling de“I didn’t even know they offer that kind of partment is personal counseling. treatment on campus. I think that it is great Personal counseling differs from acathat they offer psychological help to studemic counseling in that it exists for students because some people struggle with dents to talk about issues or concerns they stress at home, at school, within themselves may have in their lives that are not neceswhich, in these consarily related to their ditions, need some schooling. “I think that it is great that they ofattention.” R. Robinson, Personal couna communication fer psychological help to students seling, which is studies student who because some people struggle required by law preferred to keep with stress at home, at school, to be confidential her first name priand strictly bevate, utilized coun- within themselves.” seling to help her Aries Johnson tween the student navigate through Theater major and the counselor with whom they are the grief of losing speaking, is considher father. ered to be an “integral part of the educa“I felt like life wasn’t worth it,” Robintional experience at LBCC, ” according to son said. “My dad’s death was totally unthe personal counseling website. expected. I felt like going to school, getThe counseling department operates in ting married, having kids and all that stuff EE 102 at the PCC and E 208 at the LAC. wasn’t worth it if you could just die and Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 leave them without notice.” a.m.-5 p.m. and during special, tentative Johnson attended sessions without tellhours over the Summer. Students who wish ing anyone out of fear of being considered to know more about personal counseling “crazy.” may visit lbcc.edu/counseling/personal/in“I felt like only people with real problems like schizophrenia or that were bipo- dex.cfm or call (562) 938-3987. lar go talk to somebody. But I had a profes-
Advisers “do their best” to aid students through the challenging process of university admission.
Lydia Turner’s family raises $13,655 to help cope with major expenses as she recovers.
lives she has touched.” needed to perform a craniectomy. As of Nov. 25, the family was able to The LBCC counselor couldn’t fly make it back to their home in California. home till Nov. 25 because she wasn’t stable Prior to their return, the family had to stay enough to travel. As of Nov. 12, it was exin Florida while waiting for Turner to re- pected that Turner would take four weeks cover to the point for her swelling to be 100 percent gone and she could fly home. “My mother is a strong woman, up to six months beShortly after fore the portion of her stroke, Turn- a little firecracker and will pull her skull can be reer’s brain began to through this. have a hemorrhagMichelle Turner placed. After the proic conversion and Daughter of Lydia Turner cess, Turner will need ongoing therapy. a second clot was Michelle said, discovered. This clot was larger and cut off blood flow to the “My mother is a strong woman, a little firecracker and will pull through this. Any right side of her brain. Michelle said, the clot broke up on its challenge that has ever been placed before own, but her mother’s brain responded ag- her she has conquered and I know she will recover from this.” gressively to this and began to swell. To help with the swelling, the doctors
English, communication studies and foreign languages. Trimaine Davis, an outreach and recruitment specialist from Cal State Long Beach, said Tuesday Dec. 1, “With all of our institutions, counseling is busy around this time of year and some students do fall By Jon Peacock through the cracks, though we do our best.” Co-editor in chief The lbcc.edu/counseling website states @jonjpeacock9 it is essential for students to use their time at LBCC “effectively to make your dreams The counseling department has 30 full- a reality.” time and 15 part-time counselors on staff Lourraine Blouin, the head of the to help over 30,000 students. A majority Counseling Department, said all new of students plan to transfer to a university, counselors undergo an orientation preparand most want to do it in a timely fashion. ing them for their job and training is an Juan Lopez, 19, an undeclared major, ongoing process. said counseling on campus is “alright.” Blouin said, “When a student comes Before transferring to a university, all in to see a counselor and they ask a quesstudents are required to see a counselor. tion about a major or general ed and they In Fall 2014, Cal get an answer, they State Long Beach go back to another had over 25,000 “With all of our institutions, councounselor. Dependtransfer applica- seling is busy around this time of ing on how they tions. ask that question the year and some students do More than 45 to that counselor, percent of the stu- fall through the cracks, though they may or may dents who attend we do our best.” not get a different LBCC plan to transTrimaine Davis answer. Sometimes fer to a university Cal State Long Beach recruiter one question can and graduate with a have two separate bachelor’s degree. answers.” Lopez said he wishes counselors would Meanwhile, the U.C. transfer applica“listen more to the opinion of the students. tion deadline has been extended to Jan. 4, What they think is best is not always the the U.C. system announced. best option for the students.” CSU transfer applications are no longer No specific counselors are assigned being accepted for Fall 2016. out-of-state transfer students or students Counseling is available at the PCC and trying to transfer to U.C. or CSU schools. LAC and online at lbcc.edu/counseling However, counselors are assigned to Appointments may be made by calling different areas on campus. For example, (562) 938-3920 for the PCC or (562) 938specific counselors are designated for the 4560 for the LAC. Counseling appointSchool of Language Arts, which includes ments also may be made online.
Staff member suffers stroke in Florida By Will Ranos Co-Editor in Chief @Touchstone_Will On the morning of Monday, Nov. 9, LBCC financial aid counselor Lydia Turner suffered an Ischemic Stroke while in Orlando, Fla preparing to attend a job-related conference. An Ischemic Stroke occurs as a result of an obstruction in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain and accounts for about 87 percent of all strokes, according to the
American Stroke Association. Michelle Turner, her daughter, has started a gofundme.com page to help raise funds for her mother. A goal of $20,000 was set and so far the page raised $13,655 as of Wednesday, Dec. 2. Anyone who wishes to donate to the counselor’s fund may go to gofundme. com/2s9vumcs On the fundraiser page, MiLydia Turner chelle said, “I am Counselor reaching out to all who love my mom, know her, have prayed with her, have shared a laugh with her, enjoyed her greens, attended a barbecue or celebration at the house and to any whose
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December 4, 2015
Students C.R.A.M.N. for finals
SILENCE PLEASE: Jasmine Lopez, 19, left, Matthew Herrera, 18, Jerry Zepeda, 20, and Edgar Nunez, 22, standing, use the quiet zone in the Fishbowl of the Nordic Lounge to study.
STUDY SPACE: People prepare for finals in the Nordic Lounge on Wednesday, Dec. 2. About 150 students showed up to partake in the free food and drink.
BUFFET STYLE: Lining up at the bevarage table for refreshments, students were required to check in with ASB Cabinet memebers to enjoy study time.
ASB and Cultural Affairs offer test supplies and free food and drinks during special event.
study for a test.” The event at the LAC was in the Nordic Lounge with the stage serving as a buffet for the studying students. Free offerings of sustenance included coffee, juice, tangerines and pastries among other fare. Students looking to study were given a goodie bag, which included food items and Story by Hayley Hart supplies necessary for the often test-heavy Staff Writer finals week, Monday, Dec. 7-Friday, Dec. @hayleylhart 11. The items included erasers, pencils, a green test book and a scantron. Photos by Denise Jones Jeffrey Medina, 20, an architect major, Opinion Editor said, “It feels better to study here because @denise_joneslbcc you get help from tutors. At home, you get stuck. You have to figure out everything C.R.A.M.N. or Coffee Relief and Ac- for yourself. Here, you get a little more of ademic Mastering Night was offered the a push and with your classmates too, so it PCC on Tuesday, Dec. 1, and at the LAC on helps out even better. It motivates you.” Wednesday, Dec. 2, and sponsored by LBSeated students stacked books and CC’s Associated Student Body and Cultural notebooks on tables in the lounge. Some Affairs. sported earbuds to B e r t h a tune out the din of Lynn, Cultural “It feels better to study here beothers in groups Affairs chair, said, cause you get help from tutors. studying nearby. “I signed up to volKevin Medina, unteer. We had our At home you get stuck. You have 22, an engineer maCultural Affairs to figure out everything for yourjor, said, “I came meeting today. Now with four of my self.” I am here and waitfrom Jeffrey Medina classmates ing for them (the high school. We take Architect major coordinators) to tell some regular classes me what they are together. We actualdoing so I can assist them.” ly study here or in the Library together. I “I am kind of excited about it, I thought feel like I learn from them and they learn it would be quieter today. I am hoping to from me. We help each other. When I am help them sign people up and fill in for home, I get stuck on certain questions and them when they want to take a break. If I’ve got to rely on email. I am more of a not, I’ll just do all of my homework and study-group person.”
December 4, 2015
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Officer retires after 11-year watch Lt. Julie Prior leaves with career spanning nearly three decades, including LBCC chief. Story by Joshua Miller Photo and Images Editor @joshua_miller8 Lt. Julie Prior, a 29-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department who guided LBCC law enforcement for 11 years, retired Tuesday, Nov. 24. Prior was promoted to lieutenant in 2003 and worked in the patrol division before being assigned to LBCC as a replacement to Lt. Diana Walton. “The last 11 years spent here have been one of the highlights of my career,” Prior said. “I had the opportunity to meet some awesome people who really care about LBCC.” Prior said she considers LBCC her home because she grew up in the neighborhood. While attending college at LBCC, Prior was recruited to run on the track team with fellow athletes who would later become Olympians. After retirement, Prior plans to recover from a surgery as well as training Chloe, a Labrador retriever puppy, to be a therapy dog. Prior also plans to look into another career path to help keep her busy.
Joshua Miller/Viking DRIVING AWAY: Lt. Julie Prior led the Long Beach Police Department’s LBCC unit until her retirement Nov. 24. She was honored Nov. 19.
Lt. Darren Davenport will replace Prior at her position at LBCC. Davenport can be reached at his phone number (562) 9384289 or his email address at darren.daven-
port@longbeach.gov. Due to the mass shooting in San Bernardino on Wednesday, Dec. 2, Davenport was unable to comment on his new posi-
tion at the college. Davenport is busy assisting with the investigation in the Inland Empire.
Cops provide safety hints for holidays Story by Joshua Miller Photo and Images Editor @joshua_miller8
TICKET: Long Beach Police Officer Siso Mao cites an unnamed student for smoking pot on campus.
Ticket given in pot smoking incident Story and photo By Denise Jones Opinion Editor @DeniseJonesLBCC
Long Beach Police cited a student for smoking marijuana on campus Tuesday, Dec. 1. Officer Siso Mao, who is assigned to the LBCC campus, said while driving his patrol car from the alley onto Faculty Avenue, he saw a student sitting and smoking near the maintenance building just north of Carson
Street, next to the P Building and Parking Lot A. When Mao asked the student what was he doing, Mao said the student admitted to smoking marijuana. Mao asked the student to take a seat on the curb while he wrote out a citation. Mao did not identify the student who declined to give a comment to the reporter. Mao said, “Even if he wasn’t smoking marijuana, he was smoking on campus illegally.” The LBCC smoking policy, which
was last revised Jan. 18, 2011, states, “It is the policy of the LBCC District to prohibit smoking in all areas including district-owned, rented or leased properties and vehicles, except in clearly marked designated smoking areas.” While smoking marijuana for medical reasons is legal, smoking on campus within 25 feet of a building, regardless of substance, is not, police said. The penalty could reach $500 or 10 days in county jail, according to the California Penal Code.
The Winter holidays are always a special time of the year and can be a fun time to visit family, hang out with friends and play games. However, it is also a time when busy people become vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime, police say. Here is a list of ways people may stay safe while enjoying the holiday season from the Los Angeles Police Department: • Park as close as you can to a destination and take notice of where you parked. • Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member. • Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping. • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
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SNOOP DOGG VISITS LBCC
December 4, 2015
Stats on human trafficking are shocking to special class
By Omar Reyes Staff Writer @salar0895
Hayley Hart/Viking/ @hayleylhart Rapper Snoop Dogg, left, who grew up in Long Beach and attended Poly High School, coaches from the sidelines during the Snoop Youth League football games Saturday Nov. 28 at LBCC’s Veterans Stadium. The League has had several players earn scholarships and go on to play for Division 1 universities.
Khmer language taught for the first time at LBCC The official language of Cambodia, with largest alphabet, is focus of class at the PCC. By Tilynn King Staff Writer @grownlillies The Foreign Language Department offered the first course in Khmer this academic year. Khmer is the official language of the Cambodian heritage and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has the largest alphabet in the world. Cambodia town is a 1-mile business corridor in central Long Beach that is just over a half-mile from the PCC, where the class is taught. The Khmer course at LBCC seeks to
language requirements needed for stupromote literacy as a means to bring dents who want to transfer to USC. Khmer students closer to their culture, Hul’s father, Nil Hul, who was a Camofficials say. bodian immigrant, died in 1997. Hul was Professor Neilson Hul, who graduthe founder of the Cambodian Associaated from UCLA with his bachelor's in tion of America, the largest Cambodian English and has his master’s in linguistics organization in the U.S. The association from the University of Hawaii, is teaching was formed in 1975. The association is a the course: “Academically, students can nonprofit organizamaster their heritage tion that promotes language and use the “Academically, students can small businesscourses to transfer.” es and helps over The average class master their heritage language people, insize is 25-30 students and use the courses to transfer.” 3,000 cluding Hispanics, per semester with 27 seats taken this se-Neilson Hul Caucasians, AfriKhmer teacher can Americans and mester. Khmer will be ofnon-Asians, offifered in the Spring semester. cials said. The organization also has eduChristine Wiley, a psychology major cational programs that reach over 15,000 and representative for the Cambodian people per year, officials said. Student Association club, said, “I’m not in Students who want to learn more Khmer class, but I think it’s going great.” about Khmer can visit lbcc.edu. A recommended preparation through Information on the Cambodian Association of American may be found at oral interview with a teacher is required Cambodianusa.com. to enroll. Khmer 9 will fulfill the foreign
The facts and statistics regarding the commercial sexual exploitation of children shocked parents, students and participants of a special human trafficking class in FF 101 at the PCC on Saturday, Nov. 21. The class was sponsored by the Foster and Kinship Care Education program on campus and was presented by Mary Hibbard, an educator involved with the program. “The presentation was very informational,” said Shonna Hernandez, 47, a sociology major. “Mary knows her stuff. I have a 13 year-old adopted daughter, so this event opened my eyes a little more and be more alert than I already am.” Hernandez said she believes “this issue is very serious and we don’t realize how young these kids are who are being sucked into it, especially in the foster-care system.” According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is considered modern-day slavery and involves the exploitation of humans for labor or commercial sex purposes. Hibbard said many victims are children and young adults with the majority being female. Participants who arrived at the informative meeting were given a pre-test to display their knowledge of human trafficking prior to Hibbard’s presentation. Next, Hibbard went on to inform students about the dangers, high-risk factors, symptoms and prevention of human trafficking. Then, students were placed in small groups to participate in a series of case-study activities to apply their acquired knowledge. Finally, the participants completed a posttest with their newly acquired information on human trafficking. About the class, Hibbard said, “This training will help (students) recognize what trafficking is, why our youth fall into this trap and what to look for.” Edgar Nunez, 22, a culinary arts major, attended the event after being informed from his club, the Tong men’s social-service club. Nunez said, “I think it was pretty effective once we got into groups because we all had time to talk to each other and get to know one another and see where they stand on the situation at hand. By meeting and talking, we get more feedback from each other and encourage ourselves to teach other people about this issue.” Nunez said the class informed him more on human trafficking and encourages others to inform their children about the dangers of the modern issue. “This presentation reinforced the issue to me so that I could tell my nephews and nieces and warn them not to get in someone’s car.”
December 4, 2015
NEWS
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Photo by Joshua Miller/Viking/ @joshua_miller8 AID: Students gain assistance in the Financial Aid office Thursday, Dec. 3. More information on the services is available at lbcc.edu/FinancialAid/index.cfm
Some argue for free Community College By Martel Cooper Contributing Writer The U.S. has been in a state of dispute due to mixed opinions on whether students should be guaranteed at least two years of free tuition to a Community College or not. On side of the issue argues free tuition is the right place to invest because the U.S. needs more Americans with a college education. According to a report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2020, it is projected that nearly two-thirds of job openings for workers will require some college or better. Cal State Long Beach student Kimberly Bridges, 22, said “We are being told that
statistically all the jobs in the future will re- ing up dollars previously spent on tuition quire a higher education; so if it’s feasible, could allow Community College students the government to “work fewer should definitely job hours and support students “The government should increase their with at least two definitely support students chances of obtaining a degree years of free tucertificate,” ition to a Com- with at least two years of free or munity College.” tuition to a Community ColBridges said. Bridges The other lege.” also stated how side of the ar“common sense” -Kimberly Bridges gument believes would tell peoCal State Long Beach student students should ple that worknot be guaraning 20 or more teed two years of hours a week can lower student’s chance free tuition because the government would to graduate because those hours could be spending too much money to sense the be spent on studying. In that case, free- upper class can already afford college.
LBCC student Linda Ustee, 21, said, “With our country already being in debt, I can see why people would probably want to leave the system the way it is; and it’s not like Financial Aid doesn’t already exist,” referring to the people who need two years of free tuition. Laverne Duncan, former Housing Communications officer for the Department of Development Services in Long Beach and who helps provide scholarships for college students every year, said, “Community Colleges provide one of the main viable options for students who seek to enhance their socio-economic status, so free tuition for Community College students should now be looked at like free public schools from k-12th grade.”
U.C. Regents approve increase of 10,000 students By Glen Starks Staff Writer @gstarksviking15
U.C. Regents, including LBCC President Eloy Oakley, have approved an increase of 10,000 in-state, undergraduate students by 2018, giving LBCC students a better chance to enroll at the state’s top universities. The Regents’ decision was in part due to state legislators and parents of in-state undergraduates voicing their concern that the school system catered toward out-ofstate and out-of-the country applicants for financial gain due to higher out-of-state tuition fees they pay.
LaQuitta Blanco, 19, an undeclared major, said, “That’s a really good thing and this will help all students.” Oakley said, “The school’s Transfer Center will be making students aware of the improved options for transfer to the nine U.C. undergraduate campuses. We will be working to streamline the transfer pathways for the most popular majors. … And LBCC will be adding classes to help students prepare for transfer.” The Regents approved an increase of 5,000 students for next Fall, followed by an additional 5,000 by 2018, in increases of 2,500 per year after the initial rise next Fall. The Legislature allocated $25 million to the U.C. system by the 2016-2017 school
year. The U.C. also will request more state funding moving forward. Oakley said, “For LBCC, it now means doubling our efforts to help students who dream of attending the U.C. to be ready for this transfer window. Offering tuition-free access to local high school graduates is only the first part of our vision at LBCC,’ referring to the Long Beach Promise. The second part involves helping more students gain access to the CSU and U.C. “The U.C. has the capacity to open up 10,000 more seats to Californians. I think it’s a great investment in the future of our state.” Natalie Fuenos, 19, a forensics major, said it is “about time they did something to
increase the enrollment.” Some of the funding for the increase will come from phasing out U.C. and state aid for low-income students from outside the state. Current students will keep their aid until graduation, but new students will not receive any U.C. grants, officials said. They will remain eligible for federal aid and private scholarships, the U.C. system announced. The 10,000 increase in students would represent an increase of 20 percent over the 50,000 new in-state freshmen and transfer students who enrolled this Fall. Also, the U.C. system has extended its deadline for Fall 2016 transfers until Jan. 4, giving applicants more time to apply.
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SEE RELATED STORY ON NEWS PAGE 4
December 4, 2015
Infographic by Brandon Richardson/Viking/
@_Brandon_E
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December 4, 2015
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Native Americans celebrate School club sponsors cultural ceremony during heritage month with music and dancing.
Stories and Photos By Omar Reyes Staff Writer @salar0895 Colorful regalia, sounds of banging drums and energetic dancing were present during the Native American cultural performance in the Nordic Lounge in on the LAC on Friday, Nov. 20 in observance of Native American Heritage Month. Matthew Lacanlale, 18, an undecided major, said, “It was really nice to learn and to see the dances. Native American heritage is something that people need to know of. They were here first before the Americans, so it’s nice to see their performance. It brings people closer together.” Also known as a “pow-wow,” the performance featured federally recognized tribes including the Navajos, the Omaha from Nebraska, the Northern Paiute, Lakota Sioux, the Kiowa from Oklahoma and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The tribes wore colorful regalia, which is a Native American clothing worn during pow-wow events, as they danced and sang to the beat of drums to a crowd of about 50 people in Building E. The performance was sponsored by NASA, the Native American Student Association. The club was active around LBCC but was disbanded for a while before being revived. The price of admission for the perfor-
JUST DANCE: Adrian Phoenix dances on stage in the Nordic Lounge at the LAC during the powwow Friday, Nov. 20.
mance was $2 for students and $3 for others. All proceeds went to NASA. Larrissa Bohay, 18, a criminology and criminal justice major from the Kiowa and Paiute tribe, said “We wanted to showcase the Native style and the dances and the singing we do. I feel like a lot of students don’t know about Native Americans, so I figured if we had an event where they could learn more about Native Americans, they could pass it on to their friends or be interested in joining our club or learn something new.”
SINGING: An O’odham Angel is placed on display during the Native American cultural performance.
Towards the end of the pow-wow, students and guests were invited by the performers to dance and join them in the celebration. Bohay said most of the performers are part of the Los Angeles community and some are close family and friends. Cheyenne Phoenix, 20, treasurer of the club and from the Navajo tribe and half-northern Paiute, said, “Within the Native community, there aren’t a lot of students going into higher education and pursuing a degree of any kind. We have
a higher percentage of school drop-outs so students don’t have the opportunity or chance to attend college. “Since we come from a low socio-economic and higher poverty area, we are breaking those stereotypes and showing everyone that we can pursue higher education and raise awareness of our community at school.” The club meets every Thursday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in E-131. Additional information is available emailing Bohay at larissabohay@gmail.com.
GATHER: Students and participants join Native American performers in the powwow in the Nordic Lounge.
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December 4, 2015
TASTY: Larry David Stewart, 52, a culinary arts major at LBCC, cooks a meal at Bigmista’s Morning Wood, the restaurant’s second location.
Working at Morning Wood Story by Hayley Hart Staff Writer @hayleylhart Photos by Joshua Miller Photo and Images Editor @joshua_miller8 Bigmista’s Morning Wood is the red building with a logo of a buff pig standing on top of a flaming log at 4331 Carson St., just down from LBCC’s LAC. A convenient location for two of the cooks who are in LBCC’s culinary arts program. Larry David Stewart, 52, a culinary arts major, is almost finished with the program. Stewart began taking culinary classes in February 2013. Stewart gained years of experience working as a cook in the Navy starting at age 18. He was stationed aboard a battleship in the 1980s at the Long Beach Naval Base. Stewart said, “In the Navy, you cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. You may start work at 4 in the morning and you might not get off until 9 at night. The ship I was on was a battleship with a 1,500-man crew.” “Even before the Navy, I used to hang on my grandmother's leg while she cooked. I always wanted to be a cook like her where you don’t have to measure ingredients. You
just put it together. You know what goes together and you know what tastes good.” Stewart said, “I’d like to, in the Spring, at least have a booth at the farmer’s market. Take some of what I’ve learned in the culinary arts program and apply it. So include the healthy stuff like bitter melon, which is good at lowering sugar if you are a diabetic. “Turmeric is good if you have arthritis pain. A few things I’ve been working on as far as testing with smoothies. I’ve had somebody who is diabetic who has tried it. Her blood sugar was like 13 for years and within three months it dropped down to 10. I learned that from the teachers here at LBCC.” Stewart is also thinking about opening his own restaurant like fellow LBCC student and Bigmista’s colleague Jeannette Chism, 51, a culinary arts major. Chism said, “Once I graduate and get my certificates for the culinary arts program, I am gearing towards opening Soulful Soul Cafe, which I already have my restaurant name recorded. It’s documented already. The objective is to get that up and running before I turn 55 years old, that’s my goal.” Some of the signature dishes Chism has planned for her gourmet soul food restaurant are fried chicken, banana pudding, cornbread, greens, jalapeño poppers, rib-
lets with sweet maple barbecue sauce and a red potato salad introduced to her by LBCC professor and chef Frank Madrigal. Chism said, “I am super grateful that I have had the experience in the culinary arts program because I traveled the world in the classroom. I am in a position now to give back the generosity with my skills and training from the culinary arts program.” Chism found the position at Bigmista’s with the help of Anthony Carter, a Goodwill employment services agent, and she spoke at a Goodwill appreciation workshop Nov. 5. Chism said, “Bigmista’s is booming. They are doing a wonderful job here and
they make it so convenient for me that I come to work and I leave work and I go to school, because school is right down the street and I can leave school and go straight home.” Morning Wood is Bigmista’s second location. The first is their Barbecue & Sammich Shop at 3444 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal in Long Beach. Morning Wood is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 7-3. The $8 pig candy pancakes include a bit of spice from the bacon. The $10 countdown burger, named because the shop only makes 30 of them a day, is a combination of meat, cheese, egg, onion and bacon.
ORDER UP: Jeannette Chism, 51, a culinary arts major at LBCC, prepares to cook an order Wednesday, Dec. 2, just a block from the LAC.
NEWS
December 4, 2015
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JUST DANCE
REGISTRATION Winter 2016 registration
Nov. 23 open for all students. Fees due Monday, Dec. 28. Winter term is Jan. 4-Feb. 6. List of classes now available online
Spring 2016 registration
Dec. 7 for highest priority students: minimum 2.0 GPA, less than 100 units completed, education plan in the system and assessment test or waiver. Dec. 26 is open registration. Fees due Jan. 26. Spring semester is Feb. 8-June 8.
FALL GRADES Teachers have until Friday, Dec. 18, to post Fall semester grades online.
TRANSFER The U.C. system has extended its application deadline for Fall 2016 admission to Monday, Jan. 4.
WINTER BREAK LBCC is completely closed from Saturday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Jan. 1. Administration and Records will be open Dec. 28-31 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Counseling services will post operating hours for the break online. Student Outreach will be open Dec. 28-31 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Transfer Center will be open Dec. 2831 from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-6 p.m.
Joshua Miller/Viking/ @joshua_miller8 Ella Reed, 22, an architectural design major, taps her feet during a tap dancing class at the LAC Monday, Nov. 17. Members of her class performed in the Fall Dance Concert from Nov. 20-22.
Group relieves stress Musicians Support meetings aid with relationships and social pressures. By Nick Tate Contributing Writer LBCC is offering free support group meetings for men and women. The meetings are scheduled every Wednesday at the LAC from noon-1:30 p.m. in E208 and every Thursday at the PCC from noon-1:30 p.m. in EE102G.
All sessions will be facilitated by Esperanza Maldonado, a licensed marriage and family therapist. They will be conducted in safe settings and include talk about a variety of topics including how to manage stress, anxiety, relationships and social pressure. Bianett Posdas 18, a psychology major, said, “I wouldn’t want to talk to people about my stress and stuff like that. I’d find my own way of handling it.” The support group began in July and will end in December. If students think they would benefit or if they have questions, they may call (562) 938-3995.
Four students dismissed By Tilynn King Staff Writer @grownlilies
Three male students and one female student were escorted from professor Denise Dumars’ English class in P123 on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Dumars called campus police to her class because the students were reportedly disrupting the class during their session, which led to them being escorted from the premises, said Stacey Toda, associate director of public relations at LBCC.
The students will have a meeting with the office of Student Affairs before returning to Dumars’ English class to finish the end of the Fall semester, officials said. English Department Head Rodney Rodriguez said, “Due to student and instructor privacy issues at this point, I will have to decline answering further questions until the Office of Student Affairs has completed its investigation,” . The female student who was removed said she was removed from the class because she was informed she was not registered for the Fall course.
ready for the holidays By Hayley Hart Staff Writer @hayleylhart
The Performing Arts Department at LBCC will present a series of holiday concerts in the LAC Auditorium starting Friday, Dec. 4 and end Sunday, Dec. 13. The Wind Ensemble concert will start the series Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Band concert is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The Vocal Jazz concert is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. The Chorale concert is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The #2 Symphony concert will end the series Sunday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. All of the concerts will be in LAC’s Auditorium. Tickets purchased during presale are $10 for general admission and $5 for students, employees and senior citizens. The ticket cost at the door for general admission is $12 and $7 for students, employees and senior citizens. All performances of the series are free for high school students with valid ID. Further information may be found at lbcc.edu/tdf or by calling TheaterMania (866) 811-4111.
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JOURNALISM
December 4, 2015
December 4, 2015
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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OPINION
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VIKING NEWS Co-Editors in Chief: Jon Peacock @jonjpeacock9 Will Ranos @Touchstone_Will Managing Editor: Brandon Richardson @_Brandon_E Opinion Editor: Denise Jones @DeniseJonesLBCC Photo and Images Editor: Joshua Miller @joshua_miller8 Sports Editor: D.A. Phillips @DA_LBJournalist Copy Editor: Eliza de la Flor @tigerlil_e
EDITORIAL
December 4, 2015
Viking looks to the future Publication creates new size and look in latest innovation by students.
As far back as the 1600s, newspapers have been a catalyst of information to readers. Over the years with technical innovations such as moveable type and the printing press, newspapers have been able to evolve into weekly and daily newspapers, delivering faster and more efficient news to the public. Since its inception in 1927, LBCC’s newspaper, the Viking, has been the primary source of information to students on the PCC and LAC. After discussion with advisers, we have decided to change from “The Viking newspaper” to “Viking news.” In addition to the name change, we have decided to make some major changes to the design of the paper to improve on the look and layout.
Staff Names and Twitter handles: Jeff Dahlquist @jdahlasign Hayley Hart @hayleylhart Tilynn King @grownlilies Irina Nizovtseva @irina_lbcc Omar Reyes @salar0895 Glen Starks @gstarksviking15 Quiaira Terrell @quiairablanco
“We have decided to change the design for the last issue of Fall 2015 and it will stay until the next group of innovative journalism students decide to improve on the designs before them.”
Adviser: Patrick McKean Photo and Online Adviser: Chris Viola Retired Photo Adviser: Jim Truitt Advertising Manager: Michal Olszewski
The Viking has kept a similar design layout for years, which has successfully helped create some great issues. However, we have decided to change the design for the last issue of Fall 2015 and it will stay until the next group of innovative journalism students decide to improve on the designs before them. It is now similar to that of a magazine due to the design-heavy and artistic elements incorporated into the layout of the pages. The design has also been made the pages 2.5 inches shorter, making it more portable. With only four columns, readers are now able to fold the paper in half without folding the middle of a story. We believe the new design will boost interest and spark a desire to pick up our printed newspapers. We welcome input for design critiques. Anyone who wants to contact Viking news about the new issue may contact us through our Twitter page, @LBCCVikingNews, our Instagram page, @LBCCVikingNews, our Facebook page, LBCC Viking News, and our email, vikingnews@lbcc.edu. Anyone who wants to speak with the Viking news staff in person may stop by at our office in P125 at the LAC.
The deadline for news, advertisements and letters to the editor is the Thursday before publication. The Viking will resume print publishing Thursday, Feb. 18. The Viking is published by Journalism 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 87 and 88 students of the LBCC English Department, with funding from the Associated Student Body. The Viking newsroom is located at LBCC, LAC 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, Calif., 90808, Room P125, mail code Y-16, Telephone (562) 938-4285 or contact the staff by email to vikingnews@lbcc.edu or on social media. The views expressed in the Viking do not reflect the views of the advisers, administration or the ASB. First copy free, each additional $1.
Have an opinion?
The Viking welcomes letters to the editor. Writers must identify themselves by showing their ASB card, driver’s license or ID card and email. Only names and major will be published with the letter.
Graphic by Joshua Miller/Viking
OPINION
December 4, 2015
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COMMENTARIES
We need longer Thanksgiving break Lack of similar holiday period for LBCC students does not match LBUSD. By Tilynn King Staff Writer @grownlilies The Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, Nov. 26-Sunday, Nov. 29, was enjoyed by LBCC students and employees, but the college should be closed all week like many other schools. With finals and the end of the semester approaching, I think it’s only fitting that
students who are not going out of town to visit loved ones should have a whole week to complete those grueling 5-page essays and read those last-minute Library books to study for final exams. The college would have to add those three days onto the Fall semester in August or December. Getting those extra days off before Thanksgiving could mean a great deal to LBCC students who have children in elementary, middle and high schools in the Long Beach Unified School District who also have the
week off and finding child-care may be an issue. Also Cal State Long Beach students were off all week, which meant LBCC students with friends attending there might be lured away from class. Other colleges in California close their campuses the entire week of Thanksgiving in an attempt to allow students and employees who are flying out of state or driving far distances to have the opportunity to make it to their destinations in time for the turkey and stuffing feast. Many students such as myself use the
extra days to clear our minds from the three months of steady schoolwork from the semester and give family members the undivided attention that’s been denied to them since the Fall semester began. If you are like most of the students who need that extra time off to make up late assignments, LBCC still takes a 4-day weekend to enjoy themselves or cram in those last -minute work sessions. Time off during the holidays are important to the students and should be extended to accommodate those who require extra days to fit their needs and those of their families.
Fast forward to 2015, when Los Angeles County has finally passed a new minimum wage of $15 an hour. Minimum wage should have been increased over time, just as the cost of living and price of everything else rose. The disparity of the continued rise of commodities and the stagnant pace in which wages rise is astonishing. Picture this, an 18-year-old student, just graduating from high school and they think they know everything, until their first paycheck arrives and taxes are deducted. For a single person with no dependents, their tax deductions are about $200$300, which means they take home roughly $1,100.
So now let’s pay the rent. In an effort to be an adult, they have rented a crappy studio apartment, which runs about $895 per month in Downtown Long Beach. The budget leaves them with a rough balance of $205 to live, eat, gas for car (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or a bus pass, school supplies and other things necessary to survive until the next months slim paycheck. Employers, as their standard business practices, set their workforce’s wages at the minimum. They then suggest employees look into public assistance that is evidence they are not concerned in the least about the standard of living of their workers.
I believe the wages paid to workers should be equal to the goods and services their jobs support. It does not seem fair to work at a job in a city where a person could not afford to live. The average cost of living in Long Beach is 38.7 percent greater than the national average and 2.3 percent greater than the California average. The information was reported by Areavibes.com, a website focused on researching livability scores and demographics. Students attending school full-time, which is 12 units or more, sometime find it hard to focus on school work when their living situations are not ideal or their finances are limited.
Minimum wage not enough for students
Salaries need to climb more drastically to keep pace with inflation and high cost of SoCal living. By Denise Jones Opinion Editor @DeniseJonesLBCC
The minimum wage issue in the City of Long Beach is critical, especially for students attempting to attend LBCC while working. When minimum wage was originally established in 1933, at a rate of 25 cents per hour ($4.23 per hour with 2015 standards), it was deemed a sufficient amount to earn and to raise a family.
CITY VIEWS
“What do you think about LBCC being open the week of Thanksgiving, while many other schools in Long Beach, and across the country, are closed all week?” By Brandon Richardson on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the LAC
Alex Rodarte, 19, English major “If you look at the Long Beach district, it’s unfair because we are one of the only schools in the district that’s open. But I really don’t think it’s a big deal in the end.”
Andrew Torres, 20, Music major “I don’t think it’s that big a deal. We stick it out for an extra few days. That’s what makes us better than the rest.”
Michaela Teissere, 20, Music major “I feel like it has pros and cons. Pros being that tests that are coming up now happen sooner and I feel more prepared. Cons being that I feel bad for those that have to skip school this week for family obligations.”
KeiAndre Wax, 20,
Psychology and theater major “I don’t mind it. It doesn’t take much to do Thanksgiving. Plus, I’m pretty local and don’t have to travel. And I like being at school and you students should get all the class time they can.”
Nate Reed, 27, Music major “It doesn’t really bug me. We get Thursday and Friday off. That’s more than enough.”
SPORTS
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December 4, 2015
Cheerleader takes scary tumble By Hayley Hart Staff Writer @hayleylhart
round-off backhand spring or a round-off tuck. I forgot what I was doing mid-air and I landed on my back and my neck from a high point of the tumbling pass. I blacked After a nearly catastrophic tumble out and they had to call the ambulance.” Guzman said, “They had to take MRIs during a cheerleading tumbling pass, Lauren Guzman has returned to LBCC’s squad. and CT scans to see if anything was hurt During the first football home game or if I broke anything and to make sure I wasn’t paralyzed. So Sept. 19, Guzman they did that and I was injured and had “I came out with positive results came out with posito be taken away by and I am not hurt. I am perfectly tive results and I am ambulance. not hurt. I am perGuzman, 19, fine.” -Lauren Guzman fectly fine.” an x-ray and ultraGuzman said Doctors checked for paralysis sound technician she went to school major, said, “I made it through halftime. I cheered first quarter, the Monday after the accident: “I had to go second quarter, did the halftime routine. to the trainer’s office to be asked questions Coming back it was third quarter and they to see if I had any symptoms like headaches asked us to throw some tumbling and I had and other problems and that had to go on to throw a running pass where you do a for a whole week because I got a concus-
track anymore because the doctors said sion.” Guzman said throughout the week af- I am not allowed to throw tumbling anyter the accident, the trainers asked her the more because if I fall again, I might hurt my neck or my back. I could be same questions to check her stareally hurt. tus. Guzman said the next week Guzman began tumbling the trainers had her perform exagain at open gym with her ercises that gradually increased squad Nov. 9. in length of time and difficulty. “The doctor said if I wanted The trainers cleared her of conto tumble again I would have to cussion symptoms at the end of learn like baby steps and go back that week. to being on mats and as of right Teammate Anthony Kannow I am doing that. Slowly phang, 18, a sports medicine Lauren Guzman but surely, so I can compete major, said of her return, “I’m and hopefully not have any glad that she pushed through the pain to get better and that she wasn’t more injuries. I do have anxiety ever since I had the fall. Since the fall I always need a seriously injured.” Guzman said, “That was near October spot on my tumbling no matter if we are and I cheered at the Oct. 10, game. I was just practicing or whatever. I have to get a able to do that. Ever since then I haven’t spot no matter what, because of my anxiety been able to throw my tumbling on the I get really scared about me falling again.”
26 turnovers key Vikings’ victory
By Will Ranos Co-Editor in Chief @Touchstone_Will
Defense was the key for the Vikings as the women’s basketball team used 30 points off 26 Santa Ana turnovers to help capture a convincing 78-57 win Friday, Nov. 20. LBCC improved to 6-1 overall on the season. The Vikings had 17 steals in the game with freshman forward Ayerjenee Jeanmard earning a game-high six steals to go along with her eight points and six assists. Freshman guard Paris Lucci led the
team in scoring with 14 points off of the bench. The Viking bench contributed 48 points as a whole. After a slow start, LBCC jumped out to a 19-10 lead going into the second quarter. The Vikes opened the second on a 5-0 run and ended with Lucci scoring seven of her 14 points in the final 2:30 of the second quarter to send LBCC into halftime with a 42-21 lead. From there, the Vikings wouldn’t let the lead dip below 18 points for the remainder of the game. The Vikes next game is at home at 2 p.m., Dec. 10, against West Los Angeles.
Sophomore notches 5th double-double Men’s basketball team improves to 6-2 on the season after 83-72 win. By Will Ranos Co-Editor in Chief @Touchstone_Will Notching his 5th double-double in eight games played this season, Viking sophomore guard Chris Camper helped lead the men’s basketball team to its 6th win overall on the season after an 83-72 win over Santa Ana on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Camper had 28 points and 14 rebounds in the Vikings’ home opener against Santa Ana. The Vikings’ record is now 6-2 on the season.
On what has been the key to the hot start, Camper said, “Defense. We preach defense, 50-50 balls and rebounding every day. It’s on our lockers. It’s what we focus on. We get out and we run, but it’s mostly defense.” Camper currently ranks fifth in the state in both points, with 24.6 per game, and rebounds with 10 per game. Camper started the game strong, earning 10 of LBCC’s first 20 points, helping them get a 20-9 lead 6 minutes in. It wasn’t until the second half that Santa Ana got its first lead of the game after going on a 10-2 run to bring the score to 47-41. With the score at 49-44, Viking freshman guard Breamon Richard went on a run of his own, scoring the Vikings’ next 11 points with three consecutive 3-pointers.
Infographic by Will Ranos/Viking LBCC athletics website
with information from
Including Richard’s 11 points, the Vikings went on a 22-6 run, recapturing the lead at 66-54 with 11 minutes left in the second. LBCC did not give up the lead . Richard went 5 of 10 on threes in the game to score 17 points. Freshman guard Rolland Pearson had 16 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Justin Richardson had an impact on the defensive end with a season-high eight blocks and seven rebounds. Looking forward, Camper said, “We
need to keep up the intensity in practice. Sometimes we start slow. We need to make sure we pick it up from the beginning. Once we start it in practice, it will carry over to games. “Defense is going to take us all the way. We have a lot of guys who can score but we can’t guard anybody. We are playing great defense so far. We had a freshman get eight blocks last game. Just continue to play defense and we’ll be alright.”
December 4, 2015
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Vikings fall in SoCal playoffs Football team earns 16 All-Central postseason honors. Story by Will Ranos Co-Editor in Chief @Touchstone_Will Photos by D.A. Phillips Sports Editor @DA_LBJournalist One win away from competing in the state championship, LBCC’s football team came up short of a title berth in a 43-17 loss to Saddleback in the Southern California Championship game Saturday, Nov. 28. The Vikings finished the year with a 10-2 overall record, which is the school’s best mark since the 1998 football team went 10-1. Saddleback pulled ahead of the Vikes early by converting touchdowns on both of LBCC freshman quarterback Jack Lowary’s first-half interceptions. The Vikings struggled on defense as well, allowing Saddleback quarterback Johnny Stanton to convert three first-half touchdowns throwing, 11 for 11. Going into halftime, the Vikings trailed, 30-3. In the second half, LBCC was able to force three Saddleback turnovers and outscore Saddleback 14-13. The deficit proved to be too much to overcome for the Vikings. LBCC sophomore safety London Iakopo said, “They were a good team. Good teams will capitalize on mistakes you make
in big games like that and that is what they did. We made too many mistakes early and by the time we saw it, it was too late.” The Viking offense totaled a season-low 276 yards including just 179 yards passing. The Vikings earned 16 California Football Association National Division All-Central League postseason honors on Monday, Nov. 23. Iakopo said, “I feel our team this year faced adversity and overcame most of it. We fought every game and never quit on each other.” Coach Brett Peabody unanimously won coach of the year, freshman wide receiver Mike Wilson unanimously earned offensive player of the year and sophomore defensive end Mat Bosen captured co-defensive player of the year honors. The Vikes also earned three first-team offensive honors with sophomore Darren Johnson as running back and unanimously winning the all-purpose position. Sophomore Emery Soto was first team on the offensive line. On the defensive side, the Vikings had four winners with sophomore defensive tackle Josh Fatu, sophomore cornerback Kiante Goudeau and Iakopo all unanimously earning honors at their positions. Freshman Isaia Rosten also earned firstteam at outside linebacker. Freshman Jacob Hines and sophomore Nick Jordan were second-team offensive line winners. Freshman wide receiver and freshman quarterback Jack Lowary gained second-team honors at their positions. Freshman defensive tackle Shalom Tupua and freshman inside linebacker J’Quan Hawkins were second-team defensive selections.
FIGHTING OFF TACKLERS: Viking sophomore running back Darren Johnson breaks through a tackler in their game against Saddleback on Saturday, Nov. 28.
BIG MAN RUNNING: LBCC freshman defensive tackle Shalom Tupua returns a fumble recovery to the Saddleback 48-yard line. Tupua earned second team All-Central League postseason honors Monday, Nov. 23.
PUSHING THROUGH: Freshman quarterback, Jack Lowary, avoids Saddleback tacklers. The Vikings lost to Saddleback, 43-17, in the Southern California Championship game Saturday, Nov. 28.
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December 4, 2015
Team player switches positions By Omar Reyes Staff Writer @salar0895
down and got the movements. I felt a little stitution has received positive feedback However, he moved back and is attending more comfortable. I still have my sketchy from teammates including Joel Atilano, LBCC as a sophomore. On how his new position has helped moments but I feel like I’ve adapted pretty defensive mid, who said Castellanos has well and done well” explained Castellanos. “been doing well as a defender. He’s doing the team, Castellanos believes the team is As the men’s soccer team moves toward Castellanos has played in the same po- what a defender should do. He’s helped a doing well. “We’ve gone (almost) undeplayoffs, one of their players has spent the sition as a substitute for at least the feated the second half of the last games substituting in a poseason. Our team has always past 10 games. sition that he was previously been strong. We just remain While learning to “Our team has always been strong. We just reunfamiliar with. consistent and we continued to adapt to the right-back After Hector Rojo, a rightplay well. We’ve been a strong position, he has also been main consistent and we continued to play well. back position, was injured, a team from the beginning.” busy balancing school- We’ve been a strong team from the beginning.” new player was needed in order Castellanos said he is unwork, managing a night to substitute for Rojo’s position. sure if he’ll keep maintainjob at Home Depot from Rodrigo Castellanos, 19, a nurs6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and -Rodrigo Castellanos ing his right-back position ing major, become Rojo’s new coaching a high school Viking soccer player for the playoffs as it is up for Rodrigo substitute. Coach Cameron Beaulac and soccer team at Poly Castellanos Castellanos normally plays the circumstances. However, High School, along a center midfielder but took with fellow teammate James lot in the defense and has helped us win he would like to return to his original poresponsibility when he substituted for a Pacheco. sition if given the chance. “That’s where I games.” position unfamiliar to him. On balancing all those commitments, As a high school student, Castellanos feel most comfortable and it’s where I feel I “It was new and a bit confusing at first Castellanos said, “I just train, go to school, attended Millikan High School and went to could give the best potential for the team.” but over practice time and with the coach work, and coach. For the most part, it does San Francisco State University and played and team explaining it, I kind of got it exhaust me but you get used to it.” His sub- soccer there for his first year of college.
Runners place 20th in men’s state championship
By Tilynn King Staff Writer @grownlilies
Gutierrez timed in at 22:52.8 to gain 155th place, Jordon Horton was 165th with a time of 23:05.8 and Gary Palacios finished 191st place with a mark of 24:23.9. The Vikings covered the Led by sophomore Gerar4-mile run with an overall time do Salazar, the LBCC men’s of 1:52.13, scoring 556 points. cross country team placed 20th Ethan Walker from Canyons was among 28 teams in the state the individual winner with a time championships Saturday, Nov. of 20:09.8 and American River Gerardo Salazar 21, in Woodward Park in Fresno. College won the team title with Salazar, who was the a score of 67 points. front-runner for the Vikings During the women’s four times this season, placed Asia Muldrow 5,000-meter run of about 3 86th with a time of 22:02.1. miles, Asia Muldrow, who was Teammate Jared Jones had a time of 22:11.6 to place 100th. Viking Elias the Vikings top runner six times this seaGalvan clocked in at 123rd place with a son, timed in at 20:13.8. Teammate Sontime of 22:23.6. LBCC’s Tylor Wallace took naca Luckey had a mark of 21:53.8. 148th place, with a time of 22:43.6, Pedro The Vikes did not advance to this year’s
CITY SPORTS
By Brandon Richardson Managing Editor @_Brandon_E Women’s volleyball:
Helen Marangos and Karissa Pluma have been named to the All-South Coast Conference postseason team after the team went 5-9 and finished sixth among 10. Marangos was selected as middle blocker first team, while Pluma was picked for second team at the libero position. Men’s soccer:
In its third consecutive postseason appearance, the team lost to No. 6 seed Oxnard, 2-1, in overtime in the first round on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Vikes have reached the playoffs in nine of the last 12 seasons. LBCC closed the season 13-7-2 overall and a 9-4-1 record to become South Coast Conference champions.
Women’s water polo:
Sophomore Mekenna Oberst was named South Coast Conference Player of the Year, as well as receiving All-American and All-Southern California honors. Sophomore Ashley Diaz was also named on the All-American and All-Southern California lists and was selected for the second consecutive year to the first-team all-conference and second-team All-SoCal honors. Freshman Kennedy Conroy and sophomores Cori Reynolds and Caroline Nash earned all-conference first-team honors. Goalie Felicia DePalma was ranked third in the conference and was named second-team all-conference along with freshman Natalie Nilan. Interm coach Dave Kasa earned his first women’s conference Coach of the Year honor after the team finished its season with a 19-10 overall record, 8-1 in the conference, and the team’s first conference championship since 2010.
team championships. Southwestern College runner Aminat Olowora won the women’s individual title, taking first place for her second straight championship, stopping the clock at 17:02.0. Glendale
won the women’s team championship with a score of 37 points. Jesse Fisher, 24, a business major, said, “I’m proud of this year’s efforts. I frequent most of the meets for both the men and women team’s and I think they have a lot of potential to go all the way if they push harder all year round. We could go all the way next year if their heart and mind is in focus.”
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GETTING WET: The men’s water polo team celebrates its 12-11 state championship over Golden West on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Pasadena. The team threw coach David Kasa into the pool, a tradition in some aquatic sports. Kasa was named Coach of the Year. The title is the Vikings’ 10th men’s water polo state championship.
ATTACKER: Freshman Teo Dadic from Croatia, wih ball, faces off against Golden West’s defense. Dadic scored four goals in the state finals.
CHAMPS: Sophomore Ryan Dionne walks under an arch of hands created by LBCC fans.
FANS IN THE STANDS: Around 60 Viking supporters showed up in Pasadena to cheer for LBCC. The women’s water polo team also rooted for their fellow Vikings.
Vikings win state championship Story and Photos By Jon Peacock Co-Editor in Chief @jonjpeacock9 In the water polo regular season, Golden West defeated the Vikings four of the five times the two teams played, but in the state championships Saturday, Nov. 21, at Pasadena City College, the Vikes found a way to win. LBCC beat Golden West, 12-11, after an overtime goal from Viking freshman Teo Dadic with 25 seconds left. “To beat a team that beat us four out of five times, obviously we were a big underdog.” LBCC coach David Kasa said, “I have a lot of respect for their players, their coaching staff and their program. A huge upset, I think this is largest upset I’ve been a part of here.” Golden West was able to get off six shots in the overtime period while LBCC’s lone
shot attempt was Dadic’s goal. Water polo from the women’s water polo team showed overtime does not use the sudden-death up to cheer on their Vikings. About 120 people came to watch the format. The Viking championship is LBCC’s the game. Against Golden West, the Vikings 10th in history and second in the past two seasons. Nov. 21 was also the third straight jumped ahead, 6-2, after the first quarter. Golden West was year LBCC and Golden West have “Obviously we were a big under- able to bring the score back within played in the state dog. ... A huge upset, I think the a point though at championship. the half, leaving the In the 2013 state largest upset I’ve been a part of finals, LBCC deVikings with a 7-6 here.” feated Golden West lead. At the end of the with an 11-9 OT -David Kasa LBCC coach third, Golden West win. outscored the ViIn the 2014 fikings 3-1, and took a 9-8 lead. nals, Golden West beat the Vikings, 5-2. In the fourth, the Vikings regained the The Vikings first defeated Diablo Valley, 17-9, in the championship semifinals, Nov. lead 11 to 10, until Golden West scored with 36 seconds left, forcing the game into 20, advancing them to the championship. On Saturday, Viking supporters filled overtime. Shortly after the game was over, Kasa the stands to show their support. Members
was thrown into the pool, as is tradition. The Vikings’ top scorers were Dadic with four goals, freshman attacker Marton Gorbics with three, sophomore attacker Conor Shuey with two and freshman attacker Giorgio La Rosa with two. LBCC freshman goalie Nick Wood made eight saves in the championship match. La Rosa was named MVP of the tournament and Kasa coach of the year. LBCC Athletic Director Randy Totorpsaid after the game, “Obviously, we are proud of the year both men and women’s water polo have had.” Since the college opened its doors in 1927, LBCC has won 91 state championships and 16 national championships covering all sports, according to lbccvikings. com as researched by sports information officer Chris Ruiz.
LBCCViking.com
Long Beach City College
December 4, 2015 • Volume 89, Issue 7 • Published Since 1927
@LBCCVikingNews
LBCCVikingNews @LBCCVikingNews
CHAMPIONS Water polo team wins 10th state title — page 23
Injured cheerleader returns after tumbling accident
Football season ends with a Page 20 2nd place Basketball teams start fast finish in Page 20 SoCal Soccer player changes role page 21
for team that makes playoffs Page 22