May 31, 2018 • Volume 91 • Issue 11 • Published since 1927
Here comes the pride Long Beach hosts annual parade and festival
- News Page 2
The Frat House Float from Garden Grove. Photo By Maila Bringas
Journey to a bigger game
- Sports Feature page 7
Has LBCC prepared us for the ‘real world’? - Opinion page 6 Fashion show in ‘Wonderland’ - Citystyle page 4
For a better tomorrow - Citystyle page 3
NEWS
2
MAY 31, 2018
Colorful parade lures crowd of hundreds Long Beach Pride parade kicks off it’s 35th Annual celebration. Story by Karen Ramirez Staff writer @karennsookewl Photos by Maila Bringas Editor-in-chief @ItsMsBee Queer Space club, the LGBTQ on-campus support group, and the LBCC Board of Trustees participated in the 35th annual pride parade along with other organizations and participants on Sunday, May 20. Rainbow flags were flown all across Ocean boulevard with sayings “Make America Gay Again”. Flamboyant drag queens walking in high stilettos and full beat make- up waved to the large crowds on the sides, in celebration of gay pride. “Happy Pride!” shouts drag queen Jewels Long Beach, who is the director of entertainment and marketing at Hamburger Mary’s and the announcer for the parade. “It’s a great day to be gay,” she continues as
All that pride: Mayor Robert Garcia pedals along in support of the parade.
announces the parade participants. Erin Gnekow, 30, who came from San
Diego said, “My first (pride) parade was nine years ago.” She said ever since she
comes down to Long Beach Pride. This year she was there in support of her girlfriend, who was walking in the parade but did not give her name out. Another woman, Deidre Reyes, who had flown from Hawaii to see her friend participate in the 2018 Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride also said it was her first time attending the parade. Including those who participated were members of the Long Beach community, Mayor Robert Garcia, Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Long Beach Fire and Police Department, and Long Beach Airport crews. Businesses were also in support including Walmart, Chipotle, and Disneyland. “I think that it’s magnificent that all the elected officials are here, that they are supporting the LGBT community,” Reyes said. “I love the visibility of where I am sitting, and will probably come back next year,” she said. “I love people having fun.” Spectator Raymond Neal said, attending his third year. “There’s lots of colors, (it is) fun.” Only one member of the Queer Space club made an appearance and were contacted but no comment has been made.
WEARING YOUR PRIDE: Parade marchers donned pride flags and rainbow signs.
COLORFUL: The rainbow colors represent the LBGTQ community.
BORN THIS WAY: Erin Gnekow, center, holding a flag to cheer the parade.
MESSAGE CLEAR: A parade participant raises attention for the sign
MAY 31, 2018
NEWS
3
LBCC honors future role models
Story by Kameron Hall Viking Staff
The Viking college-wide, award is the highest honor a student can receive at LBCC. Viking Award recipients are selected as true role models for others; exemplifying the best in scholarship, leadership, and service to others. According to the administrative assistant of student life, Pamela Garrison, a total of seven Viking students have been chosen to receive the highest honor. Students must be nominated by peers, staff or they may nominate themselves. Those Viking students were notified by letter that they had a mandatory meeting on Thursday, May 24, with Ramon L. Knox, dean of student affairs. Under the assumption that the award winners were in trouble, to their surprise and relief when they got to the meeting they were congratulated by student life staff members and friends with food. Celene Aparicio, Purvis Gills, and Yesenia Ochoa were three of the Viking award recipients who were present to receive their awards at noon on Thursday. “I feel relieved, more important I feel rewarded for everything I’ve done,” said Gills, a political science major who is
REONGNIZED AND HONORED: Ramon L. Knox, Dean of stuents affiars (Left) awarded Celene Aparicio, vice presdient of club senate, for her hard work and dedication.
graduating and planning on transferring to Cal State Berkeley.
“I feel recognized from the school, but mostly I feel honored,” said Ochoa, a busi-
ness administration marketing major who is graduating and plans on transferring to Cal State Long Beach. “I was at the last award ceremony so when I got the letter I thought am I in trouble or is it the Viking Awards? But still, it was a good surprise and I was happy,” said Aparicio, a psychology major who is graduating as a commencement marshal and will be transferring to Cal State Long Beach. All the Viking Award recipients will be officially receiving their awards at the ASB Leadership Awards Banquet, Friday, June 1, at 6 p.m., at The Grand Event Center in Long Beach. The Viking Awards does take place every semester so that there is a better chance for every student to get a chance to be nominated. The award recipients must have earned an honor certificate and a leadership and service award to be considered for the Viking Award. Once a student receives the award they can then apply for the scholarship. The seven who have received the highest honor of the Viking Award will be commemorated at the graduation by being asked to stand to be recognized for their achievements in the community.
‘My family came here for a better future’ Story by Kameron Hall Viking Staff
Her parents are immigrants and her father had to work three jobs to help her get through schooling, and now she will become the first in her family to graduate from college. Yesenia Ochoa, the president ambassador of LBCC, is one of seven recipients of the Viking Award for Spring 2018. The award is the highest honor a student can receive at LBCC for exemplifying the best in scholarship, leadership, and service to others. “I never took part in clubs while in high school, but I decided in college it would be a great start,” said Ochoa. Her first club experience was becoming the treasurer for the Puente Club, which was about encouraging Latinos to pursue their education by utilizing the resources on the campus. “I helped revamp the club because during that time it was kinda dead, which was hard because I didn’t have a mentor to guide me,” said Ochoa. After that experience, during her last year, she decided to take on a bigger role of becoming an ambassador for Long Beach City College. Her responsibilities included attending school and outside school events, doing
FINISHING A LEGACY: Yesenia Ochoa ready to graduate after a tough semeter at LBCC .
30 hours working on campus, networking with LBCC founders by passing out business cards, engaging in conversations during events, but overall being the righthand of President Reagan F. Romali. While being the ambassador, she became a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Kappa Honor Society. The purpose of the organization is to foster, promote, maintain, and recognize scholarship. Ochoa participated in 40 service hours
at the Christ Chapel/ AIDS Food store to make goodie bags for the homeless and volunteered at the Urban Community Outreach Drop-In Center to prep and serve food to the homeless. While participating in 10 club meetings and dedicating 15 hours to fundraising by selling donuts, T-shirts, and candy, and writing an essay about her achievements in the club, she became qualified for a scholarship provided by the organization.
She is a full-time student and a parttime worker who did not really find time to socialize with friends in order to stay active in school. With a full schedule this semester of classes including economics, law, anthropology, and accounting, Ochoa is able to push through with a set goal to make her parents proud. “My parents are really happy for me and feel good about their 21-year-old daughter being the first in the family to graduate from a community college,” said Ochoa. Her mother is a housewife who didn’t get past the third grade, while still living in Mexico and her father graduated high school and learned English at LBCC. She grew up with a sister who is currently attending LBCC and a brother who will be graduating high school soon. Ochoa will be graduating this June at the 2018 LBCC Commencement Ceremony and will be representing her accomplishments with a stole from the AGS Honor Society, Viking Awards, President ambassador, and from the Puente Club. Ochoa will attend Cal State Long Beach for the Fall 2018 to take the next step of achieving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Marketing.
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CITYSTYLE
MAY 31, 2018
On the runway to ‘Wonderland’ Story by Sara Hansen and Karina Hansen Viking Staff Photo by Cara Pedersen
The 38th bi-annual fashion show titled “The Wonderland: Mad Fashion Show,” was hosted on Saturday, May 26, in the Hall of Champions Gymnasium at the LAC. The show was inspired by “Alice in Wonderland”. Attendees gathered at the whimsical event that was decorated with a flower wall, perfect for a photo opportunity, a live drink wall that was always replenished with apple cider, two tables that had treats with live centerpieces inspired by characters in the fairytale, and the White Rabbit and Mad Hatter characters walking around on stilts. Darren Mowry, a guest attending to support student designer Patrick Rivera, said, “They did a great job with the theme, the decorations really exceeded my expectations. They put a lot of creativity and detail into everything.” The VIP Reception also doubled as a silent auction with prizes such as Aquarium Adventure and Tea Time with Alice. Inside the venue, “Alice in Wonderland” themed music was playing and the judges area was set up as a Mad Hatter-themed tea party with various different chairs in bright colors along with different shapes and sizes. The show was split into six segments titled: Mad Fashion; A Dip in the Hour-
glass Swimwear; Tea Time Day Dresses and Resort Wear; Croquet All Day Sportswear; From Rabbit Hole to Runway After Five; and, Curiouser and Curiouser Evening Gowns. Iliana Rivera, a fashion major, said, “This is my first runway show and I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring my ideas to life. I hope to discover more about my design personality as I continue to pursue a career in the fashion industry.” In between segments, entertainment in the form of dancers and stilt characters amused the crowd and kept the whimsical theme alive. The garments displayed in the show showed an incredible skill level and production design was truly magical. Latrice White, 25, a fashion merchandising major, said, “My favorite part about the fashion show is the diversity in the designs and the personality you see in each design.” For more information on the Fashion Program, a fashion orientation will be held on Tuesday, July 10. Current students, prospective students, parents, and friends are invited to attend. The orientation will take place in F117 at the LAC from 6:30-8:30pm. For questions regarding the orientation, email Pamela Knights at pknights@ lbcc.edu.
CATWALK: Model Lulu walking down runway at the bi-annual fashion show wearing gown designed by a fashion student at LBCC.
Entering the world of weird science Story and photo By Lashica Johnson Viking Staff @lashicaj
Science Night at LBCC welcomed students, families and faculty to attend the annual Science Night on Friday, May 11, at the LAC. Buildings C & D were transformed into informative and interactive science rooms, hosted by faculty members as well as student volunteers. The Life Sciences building became an interactive and hands-on experience with various activities attendees participated in. D215 had Owl Pellet Dissections, as well as a slime station in which visitors were able to make their own slime. D237 became a murder-mystery room where forensic anthropology was used to solve the crime. Physiology Students demonstrated sensory exercises in D226 and an “Anatomy Of The Eye” demonstration was occurring in D217 where vision tests were done with sheep and cow eyes. Visitors were able to receive pamphlets in D226 on plastics and their impact on oceans and humans. The visitors were also able to watch an informative video on the computer provid-
The Geology Club took over D312 where club members and teachers and future teachers showed off their techniques and gave instructional learning tips. Making their way around the classroom, students were communicating with fellow club members as well as expressing their thoughts on Geology and discoveries that could be made. Jasmine Backer, 22, a geology major, said, “Last semester was the first time I ever took a Geology class and I never thought that I would find it so interesting, but I’m glad I ended up taking it, being able to go on such fun field trips. I’ve learned a lot and am glad I know what I know now about earthquakes.” Planetarium demos and brief talks on eclipses, the Jupiter Clock, non-Western FOSSIL EXCAVATING: Professor Otto Figueroa (left) with students Jasmine Backer and astronomy and more were just a few of Shoup Shoup (right), both Geology majors at LBCC Science night on Friday, May 11 the things that went on in the Planetarium on the LAC. classroom. ed in the room to have an extended knowl- professor at LBCC in the Life Sciences deedge of what is being learned. partment. Informative boards explained the opD304 had chemistry demos ranging tions on how to make changes and keep from creating slime, metals and gummy the ocean and human body clean and away bears being set on fire, to ice-fishing, and from the plastic that is being unwittingly sugar and nylon demos. consumed. Lego robots were on display in D314 as “It’s a problem that we can fix,” ex- well as Physics demonstrations going on in pressed Dr. Elizabeth Nash, an assistant D218.
MAY 31, 2018
CITYSTYLE
5
Digging up a plant sale at PCC garden Horticulture department hosts annual sale at the PCC garden.
Story by Cara Pedersen, Karina Hansen, Sara Hansen Viking Staff karinahansen_ shansen96 caralaren18 The annual National Public Gardens Day open house and plant sale was held at the PCC horitculture garden on Friday,May 11, and Saturday, May 12. Members of the Society for Calligraphy Southern California, LBCC Metal Fabrication Club, the Orchid Society were in attendance. Activities at the two-day free event included making origami butterflies. Students were able to have their own booths and host their own activities. Juan Perez, 19, horticulture major, and Adam Rocha, 19, film major, ran a booth showcasing their homemade natural product company called Bb Botanicals. “I started making all natural products because I have anxiety and knew that the natural herbs, like camomile and sage, helped me stay calm,” said Perez. “I started making them for my friends and family members for holidays and birthdays, but I
Fun for all: Mini booths like the origami table, above, provided activities during the plant sale event on Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12 at the PCC.
wanted to try to sell them.” This was Perez and Rocha’s first time selling the products and they sold out of
LBCC colleagues honored with outstanding award Story by Steven Matthews Viking staff @SMatthewsTFI
On Monday, May 23, LBCC, administraton and staff gathered to honor their colleagues in the 2018 LBCC Outstanding Colleague Awards. True to the name of the award, one of the nominees, Jerome Thomas who produces much of LBCC’s media, was busy snapping photos up until and directly after receiving his award. The annual award show was held in T1200 at LAC and the turnout was large enough to ensure that there was standing room only as the show proceeded. This year the winners were Lois Barth, a former mathematics professor; Dr. Paul Creason, the current dean of Kinesiology, Science and Math; John Downey, professor Life Sciences and Biology; Laura Rantala, Student Help Desk manager; and, Jerome Thomas who heads up the Instructional Media Production Services. Each recipient added their own flair to their acceptance speeches for the entertainment of the crowd. So far, 135 LBCC staff have earned the Outstanding Colleague Award. The re-
cipients are chosen based on “exceptional knowledge and abilities in the performance of their job, and exceptional leadership qualities”. They also look for colleagues who do the most for the students of LBCC, the staff, and the community in general. The award show isn’t just for the Outstanding Colleague Awards. Other awards and their winners are as follows. The John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award had four winners. Nicole Glick, professor of English, Michelle Grimes-Hillman, dean of Academic Affairs, Jennifer Holmgren, director of Planning and Margie Padron, director of Business Support Services. Jimmie Flowers, an equipment technician in the Athletics Department was nominated for the California Community Colleges Board of Governors Classified Employee of the year award. The Distinguished Online Educator Award went to Allison Murray, professor of English and Michael Robertson, assistant professor of Anthropology. Finally, the LBCC Open Education Resource Award went to Simone Nguyan, professor of Mathematics.
their hair and face mask before the event ended on Saturday. Another student-run booth was hosted
by The Butterfly Whisperer, also known as Phillip Lapierre, 21, horticulture major. His booth focused on teaching visitors the importance of butterflies and how to lure them into your garden using specific plants and flowers. “There are two main plants that bring butterflies to your yard,” Lapierre said. “The first would be nectar plants or plants that have a cluster of flowers that make it easy for the butterflies to land on.” Lapierre showed examples of monarch larvae, different caterpillars, and butterflies from his own garden. The plant sale and open house is one of the oldest traditions at LBCC, running for about 35 years. The plant sale includes herbs, vegetables, succulents, decorative house plants, and flowers, priced at $3, $5 and $10. Horticulture students helped to put on the event and showcase some of the work they’ve been doing during the Spring semester. Jorge Ochoa, head of the Horticulture department, said, “We hope to continue to expand and have more community booths and activities for the next years plant sale.”
EDITORIAL
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Whats next after tassles are turned? In preparation of graduating, students are beginning to question whether they have been equipped with the tools to graduate and be successful after community college. The notion that college is the place to discover what you want to do for a career, work towards it while in college, graduate, and get a job in your field right after college is something that is virtually nonexistent nowadays as not every job requires a degree. As the latest data available from. 2016 states, the graduation rate was 17% out of 2,310 students with the transfer-out rate at 12%. Is this a deficit that LBCC can fix or are the student’s not taking full advantage of the resources available? Students have always been encouraged to major in fields like science, technology engineering and mathematics because of the job opportunities right after college, however jobs in these fields are still hard to come by. As community college students who
are attending are also preoccupied by work, family and other responsibilities we may have, LBCC does a great job accommodating the nontraditional student. LBCC offers multiple resources for stu-
dents intended to help them reach their academic goals including the College Advancement & Economic Development Center, the Reading and Writing Development Center and the Career Center. However, are these enough for students to reach
their higher education goals? The changes in the workforce should be shifting how LBCC approaches the programs offered to students to help prepare them enough for the evolving changes being made to jobs we”ll have in the near future. A main concern that graduating students have is if they are going to be able to find a job afterwards in their degree field. Although LBCC does offer internship opportunities, the ones they have are not known about by students and LBCC does not have an extensive program that reaches out to all careers. As industries are disappearing and overall change is being made throughout the workforce and what they are looking for in new hires, we need to be making these changes to our curriculum and programs. Although no one can predict what the job market might look like tomorrow, we know that it’s changing and our education should change with it.
CITY VIEWS What are your plans after LBCC?
MAY 31, 2018
VIKING NEWS Editor-in-chief: Maila Bringas @ItsMsBee Managing editor: Erin Asis @earsonerin News editor: Gabby Castro @thatgabbygabby Feature editor: Denise Jones @DeniseJonesLBCC Citystyle editor: Irene Brizuela @dear_ireene Anna Karkalik @AKarkalik Social media editor: Karen Ramirez @karensookewl Visuals editor M. Smith @vhhnk Staff: Leslie Alamillo Cynthia Alvarez Kevin Chittum Meghan Gonzalez Ary Garcia Karina Hansen Sara Hansen
Kameron Hall Lashica Johnson Steven Matthews Alberto Nunez Cara Pederson Malik Reeves Gisela Saldana
Advertising manager: Liliana Piedra Advisers: Patrick McKean Walter Hammerwold Cindy Frye Photo and online adviser: Chris Viola
Completed by Meghan Gonzalez on the LAC on Tuesday, May 29.
The deadline for news, advertisements and letters to the editor is the Thursday before publication.
Ashley Reupena, 24, Music
Elder Chan, 19, Kinesiology
“I’ll go to Fullerton University to revive my bachelors and work in a career with music.”
“I’ll be transferring to BYU Provo fro Kinesiology.”
Patrick Gore, 59, Human Services “I’ll transfer to CSULB and be a social worker.”
Javier Salcedo, 21, Business Administration
“To sleep. Work more over the summer for money and go to CSULB.”
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 N108, 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.
Jazmin Ham, 25, Dietics and Nu- Christianne Limon, 20, Psychology trition
“I’ll transfer to CSULB to recieve my registered dietician license for dietics and nutrition.”
“I’ll be getting my bachelors at CSULB in psychology and hopefully afterwards, going for masters.”
Tim Schlock, 26, Mechanical Engineering “I’ll transfer to CSULB or any university. Maybe apply as a teacher at LBCC.”
LaVonna Miller, 28, Theater Arts “I’ll be returning to complete transfer classes and then spring transfer to CSULA or CSLUB, maybe apply to San Diego.”
MAY 31, 2018
SPORTS FEATURE
7
A defensive lineman journey Intensive training, dedication and support leads to a dream recognized. Story and photos by M. Smith @vhhnk All of his life, Gilbert “Bubba” Valera wanted to play Division 1 football. He knew to get where he wanted to go it was going to be a very hard task. “I was full with joy and relief that I finally got what I worked so hard for,” said the LBCC defensive lineman, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to complete his academics and football career at St. Francis University on a full-ride scholarship. St. Francis University is part of the FCS which is a Subdivision of Division 1 for independent schools.
Valera, who is originally from BakersValera knew going into his sophomore field, had to adjust to a new system, team- year he had step up his game to get recogmates, and coaches, as an incoming athlete nition from recruiters. for LBCC, yet managed to earn a starting “When my freshman year ended, I knew spot as a freshman. I was going to be back for another season,” “I had a good year my freshman year, said Valera who took an insecurity of his but not many and flipped it schools were into motivatalking to me. tion. I knew the re“I grindcruiting proed that whole cess was going offseason, to be difficult lifting hard because I was in the weight a little underroom, doing sized and had lots of lineman -Gilbert “Bubba” Valera drills with my an awkward Viking defensive lineman D-line coach, build.” said Valera. Coach Patter“A lot of schools thought I was too son. Patterson is the reason why I am a D1 short or wasn’t strong enough because they prospect.” thought I looked weak. A couple schools Defensive line coach Brandon Patterwould ask for my transcripts and an awk- son said, “I remember a while back, he ward request of shirtless pictures standing asked me if I believed he could be a D1 next to a door.” guy. His hard work patience, and unyield-
“I beat the odds of a undersized defensive lineman making it to the Division 1 level. And it was all thanks to my coaches and my family for all the support I got.”
ing optimism has paid off and I know these traits will carry him through his next journey and beyond.” By his sophomore year, Valera recorded nine sacks, more than 40 tackles, 15 TFL’s, one block-punt and one interception and was First Team All-Conference and Bowl Game MVP at the nose guard position. “I beat the odds of a undersized defensive lineman making it to the Division 1 level. And it was all thanks to my coaches and my family for all the support I got. Coach Brett Peabody served as both a coach and mentor during training. “In all the years of coaching he has never had a player have to go through that trouble. Coach Peabody always told me to be patient because he knew one coach out there would want me.” Peabody said, “Bubba is a phenomenal young man, he has tremendous character, it is not easy to earn a full D1 scholarship, but Bubba tackled the classroom with the same tenacity that he tackled his opponents on the field.”
Gilbert “Bubba” Valera smiled as he reflected on his time on the field, aftter signing his letter of intent to attend St. Francis University, in Loretto, Pennsylavania to play Division 1 football.
SPORTS FEATURE
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MAY 31, 2018
Cheering to be a better athlete Story and photos by Alberto Nunez @Alb3rtoNunez
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Tom Pool (centered) practiced drills with the cheer squad to get their routine in sync and make sure all their choreography is correct and on point. “If I ever want to wrestle again it is going to be the cheerleading acrobatics and not the track team that makes me become a better wrestler. Cheer is great and I would like to do it at the next level, but ultimately, I would love to wrestle again,” Pool said.
TEAMWORK: Tom Pool (center) works on a stunt with (left to right) teammates Eve Rosas, 18, a biology major, Mauricio Cerecer, 19, a political science major, and Ronald Vicemcio, 22, a kinesiology major, during parctice. “The cheer squad took me to their nationals and I was there to observe and I saw guys smaller than me flicking girls with one hand that are at least 110 pounds in the air,” said Pool.
TEACHING IS LEARNING: St. Anthony High School student Anthony Rivera coached by Pool in the shot put. Pool said he was trying to draw out Rivera’s throwing power by using his hip, legs and technique to make him throw farther. Rivera said his ultimate goal is to make a 45-foot throw.