Swept by Golden West See story, page 7 VOLUME 85, ISSUE 12
MARCH 1, 2012
PUBLISHED SINCE 1927
Genealogy workshop traces roots her family’s background. Her sister Mishalay Cole, 22, a fashion merchandising major agreed with LBCC students may now look her sister and added, “They should into their past to see the obstacles offer more of these workshops, their ancestors faced and allow many students couldn’t make it them to better themselves through last time due to schedule conflicts these new found fruits of informa- and I know” tion gathered from the African Mitchell said “Most sites you American genealogy workshop. do have to pay for but there are a On Tuesday, Feb. 28 the LBCC few available through the library’s library and staff offered the work- catalogue that are free for students shop where stuto try.” dents were Karen Vogel, informed on how “It is important to know the adjunct to look and librarian said who we are.” chronicle their “Ancestry.com own past. Valencia Mitchell will be availProfessor able for free to Professor and genealogist E m e r i t u s students in the Valencia Mitchell libraries cataspoke to a room full of students logue and website until the end of about the basics of doing ancestral March. There are other free webresearch online. sites also available through the “It’s important to understand catalogue and website.” who we are as a people so we can Mitchell explains in a flyer that become more unified yet diverse “(writing) down everything you with our rich backgrounds,” know about yourself and family Anastaysia Cole, 20, an account- members” is the best way to start ing major said when talking about your search, afterwards, “contact the impact the work shop had on your relatives (to confirm) by her. “I would be very appreciative phone, mail or e-mail.” of all the resources LBCC is offerThe information offered during ing students to look into their the workshop allows students to backgrounds.” research and catalog their family Cole says she is tired of having history with the use of resources to pay for Internet sites to look up available at the library. By Kevin Guadamuz Staff Writer
Wendy Garcia/Viking GOOD GENES: LBCC Library employees host an African American genealogy workshop in honor of Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The event provided a personal experience led by Valencia Mitchell, professor and librarian emeritus of Cerritos College and Genealogist. Mitchell researched databases for twenty years and explained the online services that facilitate exploration of family history.
Students Cal State LB makes changes Clubs will perform at march Spring Sing By Liz Daniels Staff Writer
By Clara Cordeiro Co-Editor in Chief
Students from LBCC will take a trip to Sacramento to take part of the March in March for students protecting public higher education on Monday, March 5. Students expected to attend are Ramon Calvillo, Lisi Baker, Carolyn Joseph, Ysela Damian, Karen Juarez, Melvin Morgan, Melissa Yepez, Tia Moeai, Sharon Lindsey, Ronald Williams, Juanita Threet, Rocky Tim and Khay Uon. ASB President Ramon Calvillo said, “Mainly, I want to go to be informed straight from the source about what’s going on and to relay information to students at LBCC.” The march to the capitol will begin at 10 a.m. from Southside Park and end in a rally at the Capitol steps, which will begin at 11 a.m. Students are demanding lower fees, fewer loans, full-time faculty, counselors, affordable textbooks and more classes, according to the student-run website iwillmarch.com. Get the inside scoop online. Now with breaking news stories, photos and videos.
Cal State Long Beach will conduct a hearing at LBCC on Wednesday, March 7 at 2 p.m. to discuss tentative changes to its admission policy. The university will conduct a series of public hearings to discuss the tentative changes. One of the hearings will be in the T1100 boardroom at LAC. David Dowell, vice provost for planning and budget at Cal State, will make the presentation and listen to comments from the public. Dowell also spoke to the LBCC Board of Trustee on Tuesday, Feb. 28.Dowell said, “The main goal is to give students a better chance of succeeding.” The Cal State Board of Trustees is expected to cast its vote by the end of the year. If approved, the changes would begin implementation in the 20132014 school year, and continue gradually for several years. Some of the goals of the proposal would be to shorten the time for a degree completion, improve students’ preparation in areas such
as engineering and sciences, my degree and be well into my enhance diversity, improve guid- area of concentration by now. ance to students and counselors in There is no time to waste. We are preparing for a major, reduce all adults and are making adult unneeded classes taken and better decisions.” course availability. Martha Torres, 20, a business For freshmen entering college, major, said, “When I started colthe major change would be their lege, I was not serious and as grades in classes such as English focused on school as I should have and their SAT or ACT scores or been, but now I am definitely seriadditional classes. ous and focused about obtaining For transfer students, the major my degree. criteria would Geraldine involve lower Huizar, 18, a division coursmajor, “When I started college nursing es and grades. said, “I think stuLatrice dents should be I was not serious.” Jackson, 41, an focused on having Martha Torres a high or higher LBCC dietetics Business major program major, grade point aversaid she hopes age. to attend Cal State and said she LBCC President Eloy Oakley, agrees with the school plans. said, “We want to develop pathShe wishes she had completed ways that are much more efficient college earlier, but due to personal and get students into the CSU sysreasons had to attend classes spo- tem as quickly as possible.” radically. The new requirement will have She realizes it is more difficult a profound effect on the partnernow and time is of the essence, ship between LBCC, Cal State and and feels students should be the Long Beach Unified School focused on obtaining their degree District that guarantees all unified in the most direct way, school district graduates an admis“If I had known this before, I sion to Cal State if they meet minwould have gone to school, gotten imum requirements.
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By Kevin Guadamuz Staff Writer “Heroic Moments“ has been selected as the theme of LBCC’s 61st annual Spring Sing in the LAC Auditorium on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. The Spring Sing, organized by the Associate Student Body, is a performing arts event in which students and employees may participate alone or in a group. Tickets will be $7 at presale and $10 the night of the show. Groups may earn many different awards, from top seller of tickets to the overall Sweepstakes winner. Paris Taylor, 20, a psychology major, said, “The Spring Sing is always a fun thing to do. There’s no better way to communicate your ideas than through a performance stage.” When talking about the performance, Taylor said, “I don’t want to reveal too much before the show, but let’s just say it has to do with a superhero.” See photo on page 8
! Poll Question: How many Viking events have you attended this year? ! Photos of the day
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Yet another leap forward ! Students find that Leap Years make up for lost time.
By Tanner Ruegg News Editor LBCC student Natalie Gonzalez said her uncle is getting married Feb. 29, Leap Day, so he will only have to buy anniversary gifts every four years. Gonzalez, 18, an X-Ray technician major, said, “He was being cheap.” Although adding an extra day may seem like a waste of time, it is most assuredly not. Leap years in fact make up for lost time. Astronomy professor Courtney Seligman said Monday, Feb. 27, “if we didn’t have leap days at all … within a century the seasons would be off by a month and a half.” That would mean in the middle of April, when the U.S. would normally be enjoying the warm benefits of spring, it would actually be coming up on the end of winter. A year on Earth is about 365.256 days. The Earth doesn’t have quarter-sized days to fill in the gap. So while the Earth moves along the regular 365-day years, it’s actually losing a quarter of a day each year. So every four years to make up for it, an extra day is added at the end of February. The adding of the days is not a new occurrence. Back in ancient
Wendy Garcia/Viking WITH TIME TO SPARE: Courtney Seligman informs students Monday, Feb. 27 on the purpose of Leap Year based on how the earth moves around the sun. The astronomy professor explained the scince, math, history, religion and politics of Leap Day. times, when most people’s livelihood depended on the seasons for farming, they had to add extra days to make sure the seasons came on time to know when to start planting and harvesting. Ancient Egypt had a 12-month calendar of 30 days each with a few feast days at the end of the year to make up for the unspent days. Ancient Rome originally
had a 10-month calendar, until Julius Caesar copied the Egyptian calendar, but instead made the days alternately 30 and 31 days (except for poor February) long to even out the year. Jefferey Cisneros, 19, an administration of justice major, was lucky. “I was almost born on Leap Day, but I was born an hour before.”
In more recent times, a tradition involved Feb. 29 being the only day that a woman could ask a man to marry her. Disneyland will be open for 24 hours from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. Leap Years always fall in U.S. presidential election years and the same year as the Summer Olympics.
Author to speak
! “Widow: Stories” reviewed.
The author of “Widow: Stories” will speak Friday, March 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. in LAC’s Marian Sims Baughn Center for Literary Arts as part of the writer’s readers series. Michelle Latiolais, a U.C. Irvine professor will lecture and sign books in the Language Arts Building. Admission is free and books will be available for sale. “The stories of ‘Widow’ conjure the nuances of inner sensations as if hitting the notes of a song, deftly played across human memory,” according to a flyer promoting the event. “These meditations bravely explore the physiology of grief through a masterful interweaving of tender insight and unflinching detail. “Among these stories of loss are interwoven other tales, as if reflections from a different phase of existence, creating a bridge to the ineffable pleasures and follies of life before the catastrophe. “As they distill the anguish, longing, humor, and strange grace that accompany life’s most transformative chapters, Michelle Latiolais’ stories remind us that the inner life is best understood through the medium of storytelling.” Details available by calling (562) 243-7114 or visiting www.lbccbaughncenter.com.
Alumnus proposal pushes Some students find offense in for pride and paid tuition Twain readings ! Friendlier camclubs will have their tuition and “Members from all of the difbooks paid for, plus cafeteria cred- ferent clubs would help sell food it.” and merchandise. It would generWhen O’Brien attended LBCC, ate a lot of revenue for the school the AMS and AWS served to over- and also bring together students.” look school clubs, but they’ve O’Brien said the potential for since become defunct. fundraising isn’t merely resigned By Alexander Metalis The ASB to Halloween Staff Writer Student Senate festivities. now holds responStewart “If theyʼre in clubs ... theyʼre offered Seeing some LBCC students sibility of club a connecting. ” crippled by apathy hurts alumnus oversight, a develclashing Chris O’Brien, a pain he’s ready to opment that may viewpoint: Chris O’Brien “First of all, take action against. affect O’Brien’s LBCC liberal arts graduate A proud LBCC student in the plea. ( O ’ B r i e n ’s 1990s, O’Brien has retained love According to plan) favors for his school. O’Brien’s plan, athletes can’t miss athletes. I don’t really care about He doesn’t plan to allow the more than two club meetings per being connected with the athletes. pride of his beloved college to semester to qualify for the scholar“Let’s just all be grown people crumble any more. ships next semester. and go about our business.” O’Brien said he’ll propose a “If they’re in clubs, then Conversely, O’Brien captured comprehensive plan to the ASB in they’re connecting. Student ath- his desire for a friendly school hopes of reversing what he calls letes will feel more connected atmosphere: “During the first few the slow death with the school. weeks of every semester, AWS of LBCC’s spirStudents will members dress in bikinis and it. become more shorts and throw Frisbees around He said he “Where is that money going involved. the quad. would attend the “Also, ath“The football team can put to come from?.” ASB cabinet letes from other their jerseys on and play Frisbee Daniel Stewart teams will come toss, too. It creates a nice environmeeting on Undeclared major Monday, March to watch their ment. 5 at 2 p.m. in the fraternity broth“The cheer squad could dress Valhalla room in the E building, ers and sorority sisters play.” up and hand out flyers for football where he hopes to propose his Undeclared major Daniel games.” master plan. Stewart, 20, proposed the question O’Brien’s plan faces budgetary O’Brien, 35, outlined a piece of that many could be wondering: doubts and student cooperation his plan: “Any athlete who joins “Where is that money going to may be dicey. Facebook and Internet gaming the Associated Men’s Students or come from?” O’Brien said, “The theatre weren’t around when O’Brien Associated Women’s Students will have their tuitions paid for and department could put on a haunted went to LBCC, modern advents house every October and open it that may lure students away from receive money for books. interaction on campus. “Also, athletes who join honors every weekend.
pus atmosphere, club involvement recommended.
By Alexander Metalis Staff Writer LBCC will celebrate many of Mark Twain’s prolific works in participation with Read Across America, and some students are unhappy about it. Thousands of English words start with the letter “n”, but there’s only one “n word”, a word used often by Twain. LBCC’s homage to the author has some students concerned. An assortment of his works including the intro to Tom Sawyer and “Advice to Youth”, will be read by English Club members in the Nordic Lounge at LAC Thursday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Dyer Hall at PCC concurrently. Fresh tea will be served. Though the severity of the “n word” seems to have dwindled due to its colloquial definitions (synonym for “friend” or “dude”), some believe the heat of it can’t be extinguished, and that its use is wrong. English Club President Anthony Acero thinks differently. Acero, host of this year’s event, retorted to moral qualms about Twain’s work and defended the English Club’s choice: “Interestingly enough, (the “n” word) was the least of our worries in terms of choosing Twain for the reading. Simply put, to accentuate one word as a detriment to our
event would be doing a disservice to all of the people who will be attending and to Mark Twain himself. “We mustn’t look to the past with shame and degradation, but rather a nod of acceptance and truth that we as Americans are a different people now.” English Professor Christiane Woerner justified Twain’s polarizing word choice: “I would say that at the time in which Twain was writing, the “n-word” was acceptable. There’s no way for us to change the past and modern day effort to condone the past for an accepted practice is revisionist history.” Woerner also said it’s unfair to let the use of a single word mar Twain’s prolific career. Not everybody is as forgiving as Woerner. Undeclared major Brian Vieanne, 18, explained his opinion of Read Across Campus: “It’s right after Black History Month. They should wait to do it. Those books just show Black people being treated like they’re less than humans. This should be a month where Black people are especially proud.” Computer science major Chris Parham, 20, said, “I don’t think (Twain) was being racist in his stories. It was just a sign of the times. The characters in his stories are using that word. It’s a petty concern.”
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Radar guns may be used in structure By Cynthia Montez Staff Writer Radar monitors may be installed in the LAC parking structure and some parking stalls might be removed to avoid collisions on the corners of the 5-story facility, police Lt. Julie Prior said Thursday, Feb. 23. parking spaces Student increased, at least at LAC, but vehicular vandalism and speeding violations also picked up while other vehicle related incidents persist on campus, the leader of LBCC police told journalism students in a press conference. The new 900-space parking structure eased parking problems at LAC. However, with ongoing construction at PCC, the new policy of no-student parking and nostudent drop-off on residential streets around LAC, combined with students’ concerns for safety and convenience, has created frayed nerves. Some students try to transport large materials or tools across campus, such as to the K Building along Harvey Way. Arnold Papa, 28, an undeclared major, said, “I park around the Veterans Stadium because the parking structure is full by 9 a.m. I don’t mind walking across campus with all my stuff, though a shuttle would be good.” Mony Tan, 27, a nursing major, said, “I go to the PCC only to use the Library, even if they close earlier than LAC. I’m scared to use the LAC library because it’s too far from parking and I seldom see
police officers at night, unlike here at PCC.” Prior said vandalism and parking disputes have increased on campus. The biggest problem LBCC is facing is still theft of property. She said, “We are seeing people going too fast in the parking structure, hitting each other or clipping cars parked in corners. There is an increase in vandalism due to disputes in parking. We see an increase in violations near Veterans Stadium on Conant Street where people are moving fast in a 35 mph zone.” She said, “Our goal is to try to educate students. We try to advise students than citing them.” Prior said the college is trying to come up with better ways to solve safety and parking related problems, such as providing shuttle service to and from the parking areas, better lighting and better curb design. “Our main concern is the safety of students and staff,” she said. Prior said officers are assign to warn students who persist on not using the crosswalk on Carson Street or crossing the street on the red “Don’t Walk” sign. Police escorts are available, if needed. Prior recommends that students, “Have your keys in your hand, it can help,” she said. Students are also advised to always check whether they have a valid parking permit, to not be surprised with a parking ticket. Students and employees needing a security escort may call (562) 938-4910 at PCC and LAC.
Education is theme for women’s history essay By Kevin Guadamuz Staff Writer The National Women’s History Project has chosen “Women in Education” as the theme for this year’s 8th annual women’s history essay contest at LBCC. Students are encouraged to write about a woman who inspires them or is worthy to be written into history. Amber Miles, 21, an undecided major, said, “There hasn’t been too much interest when it comes to women’s history. It’s nice to see students and faculty are taking an initiative to include this topic.” Silvia Garcia, the administrative assistant at the women and men’s resource center who has organized the contest the past seven years, said, “This is a way to get students involved with women’s history in a fun and enticing way.” Beginning in 2008, ESL students received their own category in which to participate and Garcia said, “Many of the ESL students are feeling more confident with every essay contest they join.” She is happy to see many of the students are motivated to transfer cat-
egories the next year. Students compete for a chance to win the top prize of $100, which is founded by grants requested from ASB. Anastaysia Cole, 20, an accounting major, said, “It’s nice to see ESL students included in the contest, I just feel that LBCC needs to stop being so lax about the way they celebrate women’s history month.” According to the national project website, “The reversal of the gender gap is a very recent phenomenon. The fight to learn has been a valiant struggle waged by many tenacious women in our country.” Cole said, “I know it’s been a struggle for women to get to where we are and I would just like to thank whoever is putting this together for the support they are giving all women of LBCC.” The entry deadline is Monday, March 5 by 5 p.m. in the Student Life offices at PCC and LAC. The winners of the contest will be named March 28 at noon in the senior center at PCC. Students may obtain more information by calling (562) 9383987 or (562) 938-4552.
Dusty Stiggers/Viking ASB LEADERSHIP: ASB President Ramon Cavillo, left, speaks to ASB adviser Derek Oriee as they prepare for a meeting. Tia Moeai won as treasurer in a special student election to fill seats in the Cabinet.
Constitution revised twice, ASB treasurer sworn in By Arnold James Copy Editor Tia Moeai was installed in the ASB Cabinet as treasurer at PCC on Monday Feb 27. ASB President Ramon Cavillo gave Moeai the oath of office. She won the election with 123 votes, with the only opposition coming in two write-in candidates who received 0 votes.
Also on the ballot were two amendments to the ASB Constitution regarding elected positions. The old Constitution called for students to serve at least one semester in a term of office. The new revision calls for all elected executive board members to serve one full year in office. The second revision called for any elected leadership officeholder to have completed two
semesters. The new amendment now calls for any elected leadership office-holder to have attended LBCC for one semester. The amendments are being added in an effort to bring greater fluidity and structure. The Cabinet meets in the Valhalla Room in the E Building at LAC on Mondays from 2-4 p.m. and at PCC in MD-103 on the last Monday of the month.
Incoming freshman to gain priority registration in Fall By Pedro Cruz Staff Writer LBCC officials have decided continuing students will be bypassed to allow new freshmen to take priority registration as part of the LBCC Promise Pathways in the Fall semester. New freshman are currently the fifth in line when it comes to priority registration after EOPS, disabled students, veterans and foster care. Dewayne Sheaffer, department chair of LAC counseling, said continuing students struggle to get through because of the lack of classes. “Then you bring these other groups and give them preferred status, but they are not getting the full benefit of the free semester being paid for.” Alberto Reynoso, 19, a psychology major, said, “I don’t like it, since I don’t have the priority registration.” After attending meetings regarding LBCC Promise Pathways, Sheaffer said many teachers and other employees have shown concern. He said they do not fully understand why the administration is pushing forward with the program and limited answers have been provided. New students will take generaleducation classes in English, writing and math, raising concern among teachers because they will have classes consisting mainly of inexperienced students, he said. The college does not plan to compensate teachers and counselors for additional work at this time, Sheaffer said.
Mary Martinez, a counselor at Garcia said LBCC is in the Wilson High School, said, “Don’t process of hiring counselors and go to City because it’s conve- teachers for Fall 2012 to help with nient.” She said students should be the upcoming freshmen and “open minded” and to consider LBCC is always striving to other smaller schools. improve student success. Beatrice Rivas, 17, a Wilson Robert Garcia, director of public and media relations for LBCC, High School senior, said, “The said the money being used to pay program is fantastic. I believe it for Promise Pathways comes from would aide me in my junior colthe scholarship component that is lege journey.” Eighteen counselors, seven at from the Foundation. The rest of PCC and 11 at the program is a LAC, serve combination of grants and gen“I donʼt like it, since I about 28,000 students, with the eral district dont have the priority majority of the funds. counselors havGarcia said registration.” ing other duties LBCC Promise Alberto Reynoso such as teaching, Pathways will Psychology major w o r k s h o p s , create a co-hort classroom premodel for incoming Long Beach Unified sentations and other responsibiliSchool District students. Several ties. According to the American blended courses are scheduled in Counseling Association Code of Promise Pathways with no Ethics and Standard Practice, changes to continuing students. “The median ratio of students to Promise Pathways will not counselors in the Community increase LBCC current enroll- Colleges in 1992 stood at over ment, but instead put the students 1,700 to 1.” Sheaffer said counwe normally get from LBUSD selors at LBCC are 2,700 to 1. Their overall goal is to see 500 into a co-hort. In addition, teachers have been students weekly, he said. involved in the creation of However, Garcia said the ratio is Promise Pathways and LBCC 1,556 to 1. When talking about why LBCC compensates faculty based on contracts and agreements between is promising help and assistance in counseling and other departments the district and faculty, he said. Bobbi Clarke, a counselor at to incoming freshmen when the Cabrillo High School, said, “I problems within the school can’t wholeheartedly support the LBCC be solved, Garcia said LBCC and Promise Pathways. This removes the counseling department are the financial burden and obstacle committed to helping both curfor so many of our students, rently enrolled and new students allowing them to gain the opportu- with their educational goals. nity that they otherwise may not have had.”
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A 1930s play with 2012 problems ! A preacher has a desire to help a mentally challenged boy. By Cynthia Montes Staff Writer “The Diviners,” a play by Jim Leonard Jr. and directed by Hal Landon Jr. received an enthusiastic response from mainly young audience for its performance on the LBCC mainstage on Saturday, Feb. 18. “The Diviners” deals with the subject of search. Search can lead
to answers or to more questions. “The Diviners” tells the story of a relationship between a mentally challenged teen-age boy who can “feel” water sources underground and a disillusioned preacher who tries to help him. Around them are the boy’s family and neighbors who are searching for answers to their own personal, cultural, economic and religious doubts. Jon Vaughn, 23, a kinesiology major, who watched the play, said, “I understand his struggle with religion. We want to do good, but we sometimes fail. Like Buddy, we’re afraid to try something even if it will help us.” Arije Rabhi, 19, a psychobiolo-
gy major, said, “I like the play beyond its simple exterior.” very much. It affects me because The play, written in 1980, resit hits close to home. Like in the onates with today’s audience play, with support from your because it touches on “things that friends and family, you can get to parallel with what’s going on in where you want today’s society,” to go.” said Landon, a Landon, an stage, TV and LBCC theater “I liked the play very much. movie actor. It arts teacher, on deals with unemIt hits close to home.” his play notes, ployment, techArije Rabhi nological change, “The stated, Psychobiology major Diviners” corrupt bankers appears to be a and useless very simple story about the people politicians. “The audience relates in a small Indiana town during the to the characters of the play, the 1930’s Depression. However, like humor and the dramatic situations. many great plays, it is filled with Specifically, the relationship references to themes that go between (the preacher) and (the
boy), the strong desire to help and the closeness of the two,” Landon said. Four brown planks, tilted in different angles, and manila ropes covering the sides and hanging from the ceiling complete the stage. The minimalist set simulates the parched hills and the subdued blue lights, the spacious sky. “The Diviners” is one of five annual productions of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film. Gary Scott, dean of Creative Arts and Applied Sciences, said, “ We aim for productions that are engaging to the audience and provide learning situations to students.”
Students attend Mass for Ash Wednesday Wine
tasting sold out
By Natalie Ly Staff Writer The Be the Change Catholic Club and about 50 participants celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 22. Sister Su Fern Khoo played and sang the entrance song with the choir welcoming the Rev. Brian Doran from St. Anthony Parish Church in Long Beach to start the Mass. Doran greeted everyone, made the cross and blessed the ashes. Two club members then took turns to read the first and second readings before Doran read the gospel. Doran then explained the 40day Lenten period for penance. He said, “Ash brings awareness to ourselves, reminding us that we are far from perfect and Lent is our journeys to heaven. We can either give up something or do something useful that we don’t normally do in preparation for Easter.” Easter Sunday will be celebrated April 8 at the start of LBCC’s Spring Break. To save time, Doran combined the communion and the distribution of ashes together. Participants received communion from Doran and ash on their forehead from a nun and a minister. Talking about what one usually does for Lent, club President Miguel Chavez, 21, a computer programming major, said he would attend church more often. An Egyptian international student, Youssef Abdallah, 20, an electrical engineering major, said, “I was really impressed. It was my first time celebrating the Ash Wednesday and take ashes on my brow. I also like the concept that
! Parents are invited to a wine tasting fundraiser for a night out. By Charles Reindorf Staff Writer
Rodney Weiss/Viking ASHES TO ASHES: Jaime Guerrero, 20, a nursing student, receives a cross of ashes on his forehead to signify the first day of lent in T1200 at LAC. we came from the ground and will ing the room, because she never have the students’ participation. be back to the ground to remind us thought she could attend a Mass We were so touched to have the that we are nothing.” Abdallah on campus. interpreter for the deaf communiadded he did not celebrate Ash Israel Lara, 19, a criminal jus- ty.” Wednesday in tice major, said, Club sponsor Ruben Amador Egypt because he “The event was said Ash Wednesday Mass on followed the well organized. campus is a great opportunity for “I never thought I would Coptic Church, I see the spiritu- students and employees to attend one of the two attend a Mass on campus.” al side of me the service and continue to keep E g y p t i a n Hong Duong and I will give the tradition of receiving ash on C h r i s t i a n that day. Finance major up Wings Stop Catholic sects, for Lent.” The club meets every Thursday instead of the Khoo said in at noon in P120, and for more Latin Church. excitement, “It’s the first time we information, contact Amador at Hong Duong, a finance major, invited the Long Beach deaf com- (562) 938-4586 or said she was touched upon enter- munity and it was beautiful to ramador@lbcc.edu.
Vets Stadium turns into an Antique Market ! The place to buy all things vintage on the 3rd Sunday of month. By Alannah Jones Staff Writer Every third Sunday of the month, The Long Beach Antique Market comes to Vets Stadium. The Antique Market was founded in 1982 and is one of the oldest antique markets in southern California. The Antique Market will have been running for 30 years this year.
On the website, there is a list of John Esquivel, an kinesiology major, 21, said “It sounds cool for celebrities in the past that have someone who is into that sort of visited, such as burlesque dancer thing.” and Marilyn J o c e l y n Manson’s ex Benavidez, a “Iʼve never heard of it, but wife Dita Von undeclared Teese, actor major, said, “I’ve it sounds very interesting.” Johnny Depp, Jocelyn Benavidez and never heard of it super Undecided major model but it sounds Heidi very interesting.” Klum to name a Eight hundred few. vendors from not just Southern Donald, who is in charge of California but all over the country, The Antique Market said, “Our even vendors from Russia show show is different from most up to sell their antiques, col- because we only permit vintage lectibles and vintage clothes. items.” Vendors can expect to pay seventy It is $5 to get into the antique to ninety dollars for a booth at the market and children under 12 get Antique Market. free admission; the antique market
gives away one thousand dollars’ worth of tickets to visitors who sign up for a free admission ticket on their website which they do every month. Visitors can also sign up for discount coupons that are worth 10 percent off certain products and parking is free. Visitors that show up between 5:30-6:30 a.m., have to pay $10 for their admission tickets. The next Antique Market will be held on March 18 from 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m. rain or shine according to their website schedule. Students who are interested can call 323-655-5703 or longbeachantiquemarket.com.
The Child Development Associates Groups hosted their first wine tasting fundraiser and attracted a sold-out crowd. Stacey Smith-Clark, the manager of the child development center and lab school at the PCC said, “We never have huge expectations at the beginning, but we sold out and had to turn away about 40 people.” The center expected a 100 people to attend the night’s event but drew many more people’s interest. Smith-Clark said, “This is our first time doing something like this. It’s by parent demand because parents really need a night out away from their children.” The wine tasting event was presented at Gary King Wines at 3387 Cerritos Ave in Los Alamitos on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 6 -10 p.m. Tickets for the event were priced at $25 per person. Invitations were sent to the parents, students and college employees. According to the LBCC website the centers are licensed facilities, that offer quality pre-school classes and child-care services from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. As well, the center provides a lab school setting for early childhood education students and childhood development students. “Instead of just learning from a textbook, they come into a real pre-school and see how children develop, grow, interact with each other and solve conflicts.” Smith-Clark, said, “The centers have been around for over 60 years. I went to the center when I was a child, so I have come full circle.” Students have priority for registration, but any family that qualifies for the low- income subsidized program qualifies for enrollment at the centers. A $30 registration fee is charged and a $20 activity fee per child.
CityStyle
MARCH 1, 2012
Fire science offered By Alannah Jones Staff Writer The Fire Science program at PCC has a lot to offer students that are seeking a career in the fire science industry and to those who want to be firefighters. The program has been offered at LBCC since 1980. Nelson Victor, business marketing, 20 said, “ Yeah, We need more firefighters, we don’t value them enough”; when asked if he thought the program should be more recognized. Ralph De la Ossa, the department chair of the Public Service and advisor of the Association of Future Firefighters club, said, “The Fire Science program is offered to allow students to earn an Associates Degree in Fire
Science in order to become more competitive in the application Process when pursuing a Position a s a Firefighter.” De la Ossa later added that for every firefighting position 1000 applicants apply and students who have a degree in fire science have a higher chance of getting a interview with a fire department. According to De la Ossa, “Fire science is a study of what fire is and how to control and prevent a fire in the community.” De la Ossa said, “I first started to teach because of my passion for Firefighting and I wanted to give back to the community through teaching and motivating students whom were seriously pursuing a Firefighting position but needed a mentor to reduce their doubts.” This semester, De la Ossa was
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SOCIAL SERVICE BARBECUE
voted the mot, Distinguished Professor by many of his students. According to the fire science curriculum guide, students who receive a certificate in fire science will be prepared to enter a fire academy to become a firefighter and students who receive an associates degree can expect to have career advancement if they are already in the fire science industry. De la Ossa informs that the current fire science that are being held right now are Intro to Fire Science, Fire 1, Fire 2, Fire Prevention, Fire 3, Firefighting Equipment Fire 4, Building Construction for Firefighters, Fire Hazmat, Fire tools and equipment, Fire Apparatus, Fire Behavior and Combustion, Fire Company admin.
Males battling depression By Jessica De Soto Staff Writer Michael Medina expresses that depression is a solitary state of being an orphan to life. Medina, 21, a philosophy major was taken hostage to the mental dejection. He illustrates depression as a room with a locked door in which, the darkness holds the keys. He said it is desperation, a choking hope, and
it is the need to breathe but not being able to use oxygen. He said he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at 16. “I used to cry, sob and weep. Tears would fall down slower than my hopes along with dreams and aspirations. Sorrow consumed me, filled me up in stored crates and storage rooms of lonely-misunderstood solitude,” he said. He said to overcome depression he believes love will compel him to move toward the light, a
light, a small ray of optimism, Dr. Edwardo Tellez from family and general practice of the Pioneer Medical Group said, male depression is exceedingly severe because the mental illness can be ignored due to overlooking the disease, suppressing or masking the depression with unhealthy behavior such as, abusing alcohol and drugs, controlling violent or abusive actions, embracing inappropriate anger and risky manners.
Joel Sabajan/Viking Business major Daysean James, seated in center, and biology major Andy Medina, standing behind him, set up shop in the middle of LAC Quad to fundraise for the Aztlan social services club.
Nurses to raise funds By Liz Daniels Staff Writer Unused phones and ink cartridges are wanted by the Nursing Student Association is as a fundraiser at LBCC. The event is to raise money to send two to three students to the national student association conference in Pittsburgh in April. Lisbeth Ruvalcaba, 22, a nursing student and club treasurer said, “Last semester, it was open to only the nursing students, but this
Complete your dream. The Bachelor of Science in Management
semester, the members of the association decided to expand it to students and to the public.” The fundraiser will begin on March 12 and continue until the end of the semester. Boxes will be located in Building C for collection of phones and cartridges. The date has yet to be determined. Flyers will be posted on the bulletin board in building C. Diners may Present a flyer and 15 percent of the meal cost will be donated to the club.
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Sports
MARCH 1, 2012
Cypress Chargers Key triple secures win ! Base-clearing eliminate Vikings liner brings home By Deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Anthony Phillips Staff Writer
The seventh state-ranked LBCC Vikingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; season came to a screeching halt and they were bolted out of the playoffs by the 10th state-ranked Cypress Chargers, 65-52, on Friday, Feb. 24 in the Hall of Champions. LBCC led the game at the half, 38-33. Freshman forward Kaaron King had the hot hand for the home team with 13 points, going 5-5 from the field and 3-3 at the free throw line. Teammates Luna Amico and Tamica Cheatham both had nine points at the break. Cypressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two Orange Empire Conference first team all-conference players, sophomore Melissa Jensen and freshman Sloan Turner, both had four points and four rebounds at the half. The start of the second half was a different story. The Chargersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ramped-up defense forced LBCC to shoot a dismal 4-38 (10.5 percent) and outscored them, 32-14, in the second half. Cypress charged out of the locker room with an 8-0 run, until Viking sophomore guard Kala Amico hit one of two free throws, for the first point for the Vikes in the second half.
The damage was already done and the Chargers had a 41-39 lead with just under 15 minutes to play and never looked back. Cypress put the game away as it went on another 8-0 run, putting the Chargers up, 60-48, with just two minutes remaining in the game. The Chargersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; play in the second half displayed why their coach, Margaret Mohr, earned cocoach of the year honors and won its fourth conference championship, third under Mohr. Cypress second team all-conference freshman Chelsea Walton had a team high of 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Sloan Turner had the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaaron King was the only one (Viking) to have a decent game,â&#x20AC;&#x153; said Viking forward Toynell Williams. Leading scorer sophomore Keshonda Moore finished her Viking career with five points. Sophomores Tamica Cheatham and Kala Amico also played their final game for the Vikings, scoring nine and three points. The Vikings ended their season on sour note, but many of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshmen are expected to return next season.
three runs.
By Ed Mahurien Co-Editor in Chief
Four in the fourth was all that the Vikings softball team needed to secure its victory over L.A. Harbor on Thursday, Feb. 23 at LAC. Trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Vikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first batter was hit by the pitch, followed by two bunt singles to load the bases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bunt defense was not very strong. I think our coach wanted to take advantage of that,â&#x20AC;? sophomore centerfielder Danielle Hannan said. Freshman Karissa Reynoso battled for a walk to bring in the first run of the game for LBCC. With the bases loaded and one out, freshman second baseman Liz Melendrez stepped up and lined a triple to the left-center field gap, clearing the bases and driving in three runs. The Vikings held the lead for the remaining three innings with great defensive plays in the top of the seventh by freshman third baseman Melyssa Rivas and freshman shortstop Reanna Guzman to preserve the victory. The game, mostly dominated by pitching, was decided in a mere two innings. Neither team collected a hit through the first two innings. In the third, Harbor bats came alive collecting three straight hits that led to the Seahawks one and only run. Harbor could have scored more if not for a catch by Hannan, who tracked down a hard hit liner to
Victor Posadas/Viking SECURING THE WIN: LBCC freshman third-basewoman Melyssa Rivas gets ready to field a ground ball hit by the offense in the VikingsĘź 4-1 victory over Los Angeles Harbor on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the LAC softball field. Vikings improve to an 8-7 overall record. right-center saving two runs and limiting the damage by the Seahawks to only one run. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about being ready, knowing where the pitch was and anticipating. I got a good jump on it,â&#x20AC;? Hannan said. The Vikings took to the road for a tough game vs. defending conference champions Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday, Feb.
28 losing 3-0. With the loss the Vikings fell to 8-8 on the season and 3-2 in South Coast Conference play. They travel again Thursday, March 1. to battle rival Cerritos which leads the conference with a .425 team batting average. They return home on March 6 vs. Pasadena City College at 3 p.m.
DeĘźAnthony Phillips/Viking GUARDING THE CHARGER OFFENSE: Freshman guard Luna Amico defends a Cypress opponent. Amico finished the night with 10 points as the Chargers defeated LBCC, 65-52, on Friday, Feb 24.
CITY SPORTS Vikings finish 5th in swimming
Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis team falls
LBCC swimmers, consisting mainly of last season menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water polo teams, competed in the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25. The Viking men took fifth place out of 17 teams. The Vikng women also competed in the event. The women finished 13th out of 18 teams. Swimmers and divers entered their first meet of the season on Friday, Feb. 17. The South Coast Conference pentathlon at East Los Angeles College was the opening meet for the LBCC swimming and diving teams. LBCC will have 16 competitions prior to the April 3 and 14 SCC diving championships at El Camino College and the April 19, 20 and 21 SCC championships at Pasadena College.
The LBCC womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis team lost, 9-0, to El Camino College at the South Coast Conference opener on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at LBCC. The doubles team of Sarah Parent and Ellisse Herrera lost to El Caminoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chie Young Shin and Lindsay Guardado in three sets, 75, 4-6, 10-3. Freshman Ana Casillas fell 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 to the Warriorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jill Dineros. The Vikings also lost, 7-2, to Cerritos on Thursday, Feb. 23 and 9-0, against Palomar on Friday, Feb. 24. The next scheduled conference games are Tuesday, March 6 against El Camino and Thursday, March 8 at Cerritos at 2 p.m. LBCC continues itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season Tuesday, March 13 with a 2 p.m. contest against visiting Mt. San Antonio.
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Sports
MARCH 1, 2012
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Matt Robinson/Viking SERVICE: Viking outside hitter Jon Schaefer practices his jump serve Wednesday, Feb. 29 at LAC.
Volleyball unbeaten By Charles Reindorf Staff Writer
Victor Posadas/Viking SAFE: Viking sophomore third-baseman Jeremy Ruiz, right, receives a late throw from catcher Matt De Leon in the top of the first, Thursday, Feb. 23 at Joe Hicks Memorial field. Donald Sneed who previously stole second base in the same inning and advanced safely to third on a passed ball. LBCC lost, 6-0.
Viking bats quiet against Golden West in defeat ! LBCC manages only one run in two-game sweep by Rustlers.
By Josue Galindo Staff Writer The Vikings scored a mere four hits against Golden West and were shut out, 6-0, on Thursday at Joe Hicks Memorial baseball field on LAC. LBCC’s season-long hitting drought continued Thursday as Viking hitters went 4 for 35 at the plate. The team batting average is currently .239 and its slugging percentage is .269. The Vikings have yet to hit a home run this season. Runs also have been hard to come by with the team averaging just 3.3 runs per game through 10 games with 10 runs coming in a rout of Southwestern on Feb. 22. The hits came from sophomore Edwin Santiago, sophomore Daniel Catalan, sophomore Matt de Leon and freshman Steven Contursi. The Vikes stranded five runners on base and grounded into three double plays. In addition to the poor performance at the plate, LBCC committed three errors on defense that led to three unearned runs for Golden West. In a battle of hard-throwing 6 foot 7 inch pitchers. LBCC started freshman lefty Jake Angus, who took the loss in his only start of the season. Angus went four innings, giving up three hits and four runs,
touching 86 mph with his fastball. He was wild in the game however, throwing a wild pitch, walking two and hitting three Rustler batters. Sophomore Danny Ittner came on in relief and allowed one run through three innings with Javier Saenz and David Aispuro contributing scoreless innings in defeat. The Rustlers’ starting pitcher, Nicholas Hanson, was the winning pitcher improving his record to 3-0, pitching seven innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four. There were eight scouts in attendance to watch the right-hander Hanson, whose fastball popped the radar guns at 92 mph. Cameron Ochoa came out of the bullpen in relief of Hanson to close out the game. With the win, Golden West improved its overall record to 7-41 while the Vikings fell to 3-5. In the rematch Saturday Feb. 25 at Golden West, the Vikings fell to the Rustlers, 4-1. Sophomore pitcher Omar Jimenez went the distance for LBCC, giving up four runs one earned, while giving up 11 hits through his eight innings of work. His record fell to 0-3 on the season. Golden West countered with Jason Deitrich, who pitched a complete game, spreading 12 hits over nine innings and striking out five for the win. Up next: The Vikings will visit Oxnard on Thursday, March 1 to face the Condors at 2 p.m.
Victor Posadas/Viking HERE’S THE PITCH: Freshman Jake Angus pitches against Golden West. He currently has a 1.38 ERA. He went four innings.
With an undefeated record, the LBCC men’s volleyball team is ranked No.1 in the state. The Vikings are now 6-0 after defeating their rivals, the No. 5 ranked Orange Coast College Pirates, who are now 3-3. Max Wechsung, 19, setter for the team, said, “We haven’t beat them in match play in three years, so it’s a big win for us to go hard and beat them in three. So it feels real good.” Wechsung, the 6-foot-7-inch sophomore, is the no. 1 volleyball player in the state. According to coach Matt Savila. Wechsung played his high school ball at St. John Bosco. Greg Utupo, the freshman outside hitter, said, “I wasn’t here last year, but the only thing I’ve heard is that we really have a brotherhood that’s really, really strong on the team. We all hang out together, we’re all boys. So we really take it seriously. We have a lot of fun on the court. We’re just all together.” Wechsung said, “We all come in at the same time, we worked hard all year running on the tracks and bleachers, getting into the gym as much as we can, and any time there is an open gym, we all head out. We play together and that’s what makes us so good. Coaching the Vikings are first time co-coaches Matt Silva and Jonathan Charette. Both are alumni’ of LBCC and played for the volleyball team. Silva had been the assistant coach under coach Randy Tortorp for eight years and has been part of the three state championships of 2004, 2006 and 2009, and seven conference titles. Charette was also part of the 2009 team as an assistant coach and in 2010, played professional ball for Switzerland. Rob McLean, the sophomore outside hitter, said, “They are just great volleyball people, they know the game very well and they teach us what they can.” Last year, the Vikings finished the season with a 21-11 record, and lost to Grossmont in the state semi-finals. The team has hopes of adding another state championship. Utupo said, “We can win state this year. If we play our game we can win state.” Savila said he strongly believes that this year is the year the Vikings will return to its former glory as state champions.
Calendar
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MARCH 1, 2012 MARCH
SPECIAL EVENTS
FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT!
SPRING SING
LBCC is hosting the 61st annual Spring Sing: “Heroic Moments” at the LAC Auditorium on March 2 at 7 p.m.
READ ACROSS CAMPUS
FINANCIAL AID
The deadline for Cal Grant is March 2. Students may apply online at lbcc.edu
PELL GRANTS
Second Pell disbursements are scheduled to arrive at Higher One on the afternoon of March 9 for students with 9 units or more.
ASTRONOMY OPEN HOUSE
Astronomy professor Courtney Seligman will present four astronomy open houses through April 27. For more information, students may visit events.lbcc.edu/detail.cfm?eve ntid=1769
SPRING BREAK
April 9-13: no classes.
FLEX DAY
LBCC classes will not meet on Wednesday, March 14.
FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Students interested in getting the training needed to obtain a California Food Handler Card at LBCC may call (562) 9385051 for more information on the 3-hour training workshop beginning at 10 a.m.
IMPORTANT HOURS LAC LIBRARY
Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays.
PCC LIBRARY
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays.
LAC VIKING EXPRESS
Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays
LAC-PCC SHUTTLE
Runs every 30 minutes from 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Every hour from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Then back to every 30 minutes until 6 p.m. No shuttle service on Fridays or Flex days.
LAC CAMPUS STORE
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Closed weekends.
PCC CAMPUS STORE
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Closed weekends.
CONCERTS BRANDENBURG
LBCC Concert Artist Series and Long Beach Bach Festival present: Brandenburg: Old and New on Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Long Beach at 214 Cedar Ave.
SYMPHONY AND ORCHESTRA
LBCC's Department of Music, Radio & Television and the ASB will present concerts throughout the weekend in the Auditorium. Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. "Marching Into March." The LBCC Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Marshall Fulbright on Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m.
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& PCC Assessment & Orientation schedules at: http://matric.lbcc.edu/signup.cf more>
CSULB TRANSFER WORKSHOPS
ELECTIONS
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
IMPORTANT DATES
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Students are welcome to join in celebrating Mark Twain at the second annual Read Across Campus on Thursday, March 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cal State Long Beach is presenting transfer workshops at its campus from Feb. 29-June 29. Admission is free and parking will be provided for free. Students may register online.
Julianna Rodriguez/Viking The Tong menʼs social-service club gets in gear on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for Spring Sing, which will be presented Friday, March 2 in the LAC Auditorium. Each participating club will be performing its own special act. See story on page 1.
SU
The PCC Cultural Affairs Council presents The Tuskegee Airmen. Students may attend PCC Library room LL-102 for a discussion with real Tuskegee airmen on March 8 from noon-1 p.m.
ESSAY CONTEST
The Womenʼs and Menʼs Resource Center Association Student Body and LBCC Foundation will host an essay writing contest and jeopardy trivia game in honor of Womenʼs History Month on March 5. Students may call (562) 938-3987 for more information.
ASSESSMENT CHANGES
Important changes have been made to the LBCC Assessment schedules. Students may refer to the most up-to-date LAC
Board of Trustees members representing Areas 2 and 4 will be selected Tuesday, April 10 by voters. Registration to vote may be completed by visiting the Los Angeles County registrar of voters.
TANAKA FARMS PRODUCE
Organic Program to Continue at LBCC. The LBCC Tanaka Farms Community Supported Agriculture program will be continuing thanks to the recent increase in LBCC participants! Please contact Chef Pierre at ext. 4627 if you have any questions. To sign up for the progo to: gram http://www.tanakafarms.com/C SA.html
SPORTS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIM/DIVE
Friday, March. 2 at 12:30 p.m. vs Cerritos/Mt. SAC at Cerritos
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Thursday, March. 8 at 2 p.m. vs Cerritos.
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TEXT ALERTS EMERGENCY SERVICE
LBCC offers a text-based emergency service for mobile phones. In the event of an emergency, those signed up will be alerted in real-time via text message. To sign up and for more information, students may visit lbcc.edu/BusinessSupport/eme rgencytextalerts.cfm
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MARCH 1, 2012
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opinion
MARCH 1, 2012
EDITORIALS
16-week semester forces change ! Shorter semester will make for longer classes as LBCC falls in line with CalState/UC.
Last fall, the semester at LBCC began on Aug. 15. This upcoming fall, the semester will begin on Aug. 27. After debating on the subject for about 18 years, the powers that be passed the landmark schedule reform that will be altered from an 18-week semester to a 16-week semester. Many of the other colleges in the CSU and UC systems are already on a 16-week semester schedule. It’s about time we joined them. However, following this adaptation, students must adapt as well. To make up for the missing two weeks, 10-20 minutes will be tacked on to the end of classes.
That may not seem like much, but when students have jobs, other classes, and other commitments such as sports, clubs, volunteering, or even getting things done around the house, those are precious minutes to lose. That’s also two less weeks to do homework, projects, and reports. Two less weeks for students to absorb the lessons from a teacher who has to figure out a way to fit their lessons in. Plus, finals will have to be squeezed into five days, instead of the customary seven many are used to. Don’t fret, gentle reader, cutting down the semester is not all doom and gloom. With two less weeks a semester, there’s going to be so much time for activities. Just imagine all that could be accomplished with that extra month a year you don’t have to go to school, and who doesn’t love time away from school? With the blistering pace of knowledge being passed from
teacher to student in a shorter semester, there’s not going to be much room for those students who aren’t here to succeed. So that one person in class who shows up once a month and pesters you about what they missed won’t be a problem anymore! In today’s fast-paced environment, it would be good for students to be forced to speed up. No one ever got laid by staying at home, no one ever achieved light speed by staying in the slow lane, and no one ever got ahead by taking it easy in school. Whether you like it or not, and whether it succeeds or not, these shorter semesters are going to happen. The best way to deal with it is to just go with the flow. Heed Bruce Lee, “put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Ruby Campos/Viking
Mark Twain is scrutinized at literary gathering ! The novelist’s words cast a dark shadow over “Huck Finn.”
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain is one of the great American novels. However, its reputation is surrounded in controversy because of the books use of the ‘n’ word, which often makes it a prime target for alteration and ban. But behind the perceived veil of prejudice is a book that preaches a message of love and acceptance. So should writing the ‘n’word into a book justify such a intense scrutiny? As a racial slur that was most prevalent in the post-civil war South, it is has a deep presence in the American conscience,
evoking many negative connotations. By itself, the ‘n’ word is hateful and derogatory, bringing to mind a history of oppression. On the other hand in a historical context, the ‘n’ word is more than an insult because it identifies a kind of pravitas that occurred in our history. Twain’s novel Huck Finn is one of the earliest major American works to be written in the local vernacular of society. It combines literature and culture and presents it in a way that is both sincere and raw. In essence, the novel is a source of literary history that is reflective of society in that era and serves as a written snapshot. Omitting or altering the book is censorship. This is an injustice and strips the novel of its original intent. The feelings the ‘n’ word engenders can be uncomfortable.
However, in a way that uncomfortable feeling is good, because it allows us to open a constructive dialogue. While it is true that excluding a loaded word like the ‘n’ word removes it from the public spectrum, it also removes it from public discourse. Removing the ‘n’ word or banning the book not only imposes on free speech, it also refuses to acknowledge the racism that Twain deals with in a very direct and purposeful way. Erasing literary history because it scares you does not promote tolerance; rather, it promotes willful ignorance. Watch any gansta-rap video and Twain’s Huckleberry Finn would be like attending a church social being hosted by the pope. The main premise behind
“Huckleberry Finn” is the young Huck’s belief in the right thing to do, though most believed that he was wrong. Ernest Hemingway once said of the book, “If you read it, you must stop where the n-Jim is stolen from the boys. That is the real end. The rest is just cheating.” Twain was a staunch supporter of abolition and emancipation, even as going so far to say, “Lincoln’s Proclamation, not only set the Black slaves free, but set the white man free also.” That does not sound like the words of a prejudiced man and I think history has proven the point by the way he is beloved by all races, Black or White. Twain paid for at least one black person to attend Yale University Law School and for another black person to attend a
southern university to become a minister. That doesn’t seem like much now, but in post-Civil War America, it meant a lot. He would also campaign for women’s rights and the Chinese laborers who were being used as slaves in the building of the TransContinental railroad. The problem we have with Mark Twain’s stories and words is they are one and the same. We have to go beyond the words and take a good hard look at ourselves and sometimes we don’t like what we see. We cannot change history nor should we ignore it. Twain was born Nov 30,1835 in Florida, Missouri, the year of Halley’s comet. He died of a heart attack on April 21. 1910 in Redding, Conn, one day after the comet’s return.
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Opinion
MARCH 1, 2012
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lbccvikingnews.com
WELCOME BACK FEB. 29
CITY VIEWS
What issues do you think LBCC should address? Compiled by Jessica De Soto at the LAC on Feb. 28
Vladimir Flamenco, 18 Undecided major “Students should not “The dance program have to be enrolled in needs more dance classes to use the studios.” swimming pool and gym.” Tytus Larue, 21 Musical theater major
Cynthia Montes/Viking
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Financial aid staff does its best in economic hardship
Christopher Rodriguez, 22 Elizabeth Hernandez, 22 Nursing major Dance major “LBCC should have “Cutting classes, more campus security raising fees and only guards at night 40 students were because I feel this colaccepted into the lege does not have RN program instead enough protection.” of 60.”
Sean Simon, 22 Fine arts major “I feel that the dance department should have more recycling bins near the dance studios.”
This letter is in response to nursing major Jocelyn Vice's letter printed in the Oct. 20, 2011 edition of the Viking. In her letter she criticized the Financial Aid office on various issues she thought needed changing to a streamline the Financial Aid process. Simply put, can the Financial Aid process be streamlined? Of course, anything can be streamlined when it is feasible to do so. I do recommend that the ASB president should be the one to ask the right questions. The students who complain about the present process may indeed have a legitimate reason to do so,
but it's not a reason that applies to all students since every student has different needs and expectations. This also brings to mind the need to remind all students that the present countrywide economic crisis has placed an increased burden on the resources of this college including the Financial Aid department. But this office does its best with its resources, staff members and student workers to create a smooth flow to its operations. Steven Stolle, 54 Business major
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MARCH 1, 2012
Dancing for a better tomorrow
Professor Sheree King, chair of theater, dance and film, gets in the groove for the next dynamic turn in the hip-hop choreography on Saturday, Feb. 25 at LAC.
Joy Liani Hallman teaches a hip-hop class to LBCC students for the dance fundraiser in Building Q, studio 113. The dance program hosted its annual fundraiser at the LAC on Saturday, Feb. 25 in studios 110 and 113 in Building Q from 10 a.m3 p.m. About 30 LBCC students and guests registered for dance classes, but five students took each class. They participated in hip-hop dance, which has a wide range of styles from breakdancing to locking and popping. Particpants also learned Zumba, which is a popular fitness program inspired by Latin dance. The word Zumba comes from a Colombian word that means move fast and have fun. Dancers also took jazz, tap and musical theater, which is a combination of dance styles that complement each other in origin. Also offered were Pilates and ballet, which is an artistic dance exercise of structure and discipline. Lauren Thompson Hall, Joy Liana, Stephanie Powell, Grace Maxwell, Felix Marchany and Tracey Bonner taught the classes. The purpose for the event was for dancers to take a class and explore different styles of
LBCC students stand in formation to prepare for the next eight counts of choreography. LBCC student, Elizabeth Hernandez,back right, a registered nursing major, said, "The hip-hop class was amazing."
dance. Christina Hernandez, 21, a dance major, said, “It was very beneficial to me because I was able to dance for the whole day, as well as receive helpful tips on how I could better myself as a dancer.” Although Hernandez enjoyed Barre fit and Pilates, hip-hop class was her favorite because it was enjoyable and challenging, she said. Elizabeth Hernandez, 22, a nursing major, said, “The hip-hop class was exhilarating in every way. It was something new and I really enjoyed it.” Hernandez said she thought the amount of LBCC students and guests was low. She said the fundraiser drew a great turnout and it impacted a lot of experienced and new artists in different styles of dance. The Fine Arts Association collaborated with the artistic director of the dance program, Stephanie Powell, to organize the fundraiser.
The dance fundraiser included a groovy hip-hop class conducted by Joy Liani Hallman
Story and photos by Jessica De Soto