FEATURES
PHOTO ESSAY
Up-close look at the people of El Camino, P. 3
Drone captures campus from the sky, P. 4
EL CAMINO COLLEGE APRIL 2, 2015
SPORTS
Check out the profile on the sand volleyball duo, P. 9
THE UNION eccunion.com
Dent-and-dashers cause damage Phil Sidavong and John Fordiani News Editor and Photo Editor @ECCUnionPhil @ECCUnionJohn
Imagine walking to class, worried about being late and the work or parts of the lesson you might miss, when you see a driver crash into another person’s vehicle and that driver does not leave a note and acts like nothing is wrong. Since the spring 2013 semester, 54 hit-and-runs have been reported on campus, with six hit-and-runs so far this semester, according to El Camino Police records. The majority of the hit-andruns have occurred in the student parking lots F, H and L. Lot F is the parking area behind the sports fields, Lot H being the five-story structure near the tennis courts and Lot L being the open area parking lot across the bridge on Redondo Beach Boulevard. Over $3,000 in damage has been reported since then, with the highest amount being $1,000 in damage to a single vehicle, according to the police records. Comparing El Camino’s numbers with a couple of other community colleges since Jan. 27, 2014, EC’s number is in the middle, at 24, according to the police records. Santa Monica College had 90 reported hit-and-runs in the same time period, Sgt. Jere Romano with Santa Monica College Police said. Cerritos College had 19 reported hit-and-runs in that time, according to Cerritos College Police. El Camino has 24,463 students, Santa Monica College has 29,971 students and Cerritos College has 21,335 students enrolled, and all three are labeled as “very large” schools, according to startclass. com, which gathers information
The long road from El Camino Transfer journey taking students longer than previous two-year estimate Jerome Casio
Staff Writer @ECCUnionJerome
The number of reported hit-and-runs on campus parking lots since January 2014. from the Department of Education. Students have troubles with money, so what does happen when they do hit another vehicle, or have been hit by someone else? Janae Griffin, 35, psychology major, was on her way to class in early Februar, when she witnessed a hit-and-run in Lot L. She saw an older tan Chevrolet searching for a parking spot. “This girl drove up to the spot, backed up and hit this newer black
Infinity. It was so nice too, looked new,” she said. “The bumper like popped off, and the girl drove forward and got out. She was on her phone and just said, ‘Oh my god, I just hit a car’.” The offender had just said that and got back in her car, Griffin added. “I think that was why she hit the car in the first place,” Griffin said. “But she just said it so nonchalantly, like it didn’t matter.”
# of hitand-run since 2014 on each campus
In all of the cases on EC’s campus, no one was caught. Hit-and-runs are classified as such only when there is no note left by the perpetrator, EC Police Officer Jan Caldwell said. Caldwell gave some insight and tips about how to avoid an accident and what to do if involved in one as well. Leave a note if you hit someone, give your name and number so the victim can contact you, Caldwell
said. “Don’t leave too much information though. You never know who could pick up the note, you wouldn’t want your license number on there,” she added. Avoiding accidents is a tough thing especially when you’re in a rush, Caldwell said. “Slow down. When you’re in a super rush those 10 seconds aren’t going to matter if you’re late or not,” she added.
To try and safely avoid collisions: • Don’t Rush • Slow Down • Pay Attention
Schools in ECC comparison
SMC
Cerritos
Illustration by Phil Sidavong The graph shows a comparison of the number of hit-and-runs at El Camino to Santa Monica College and Cerritos College.
NEWS LINE
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA
Talent showcased through photos The El Camino Photography Department is hosting their Annual Student Photography Exhibition from April 4 until April 30 in the library. Beginning-level students through advanced-level photography students will showcase their work in color, film, black and white, portraits and more. The theme of the showcase is “Truth and Beauty.” For more information, call 310-660-3593 ext. 3326.
If you are ever in a collision:
• Leave a note with your name and number. • Check the damage
Most students come to El Camino for one thing and one thing only — to get out of here as fast as they can. And if they plan to transfer, there comes a question: “Where am I going?” According to Institutional Research and Planning’s 2014 Annual Fact Book also indicates that 1,962 degrees and 472 certificates were awarded in the 2013-2014 academic year. While those numbers may seem smaller when compared to 20122013’s 7 percent drop, there has been a “moderate increase” in the number of degrees awarded in the span of five years. As for the count of transfers, EC’s six-year trend for sending students to UC and CSU systems shows that numbers are steadily increasing. Based on data collected from the IRP, there has been a 17.5 percent increase in the 2008-2013 academic years. Irene Graff, Director of Institutional Research and Planning, said that this increase is due to the increased efforts in recent college initiatives that focus on graduation and transfer like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the Graduation Initiative. And the UC campus students transfer to the most is UCLA. According to an external 2014 report, of community college graduates in UCs, EC was the second highest California community college to send students to UCLA for the 2013 academic year. The two CSU campuses students transfer to the most often are CSU Dominguez Hills and Long Beach State. According to a report in the CSU system’s website, EC ranked No. 1 in sending students to Dominguez Hills and No. 3 in sending students to Long Beach State in 2013. Now, how long does it take for students to complete their time at EC?
—See TRANSFER Page 2
• Don’t leave too much info.
Fashion department previews show
Fair hosted to guide students to future
EC foundation to award scholarships to students
The Fashion 11 class will be hosting a preview of the Annual Fashon Show on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and will be held in the ITEC Building Room 225A. For more information email PriscyDesigns@gmail.com.
There will be a Career and Majors Fair on the Library Lawn on April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will be in order to help further guide students in their choice for the future. Students are required to sign-up and for more information on the event or where to sign-up contact 310-660-3593 ext. 6137
The EC Foundation will be hosting a scholarship awards ceremony on April 15 at noon in a tent in front of Marsee Auditorium to celebrate the students receiving scholarships from the college. This is the second of the two ceremonies with one being on April 16 inside Marsee Auditorium at 5 p.m. For more information on the events, call 310-660-3683.
G eccunion@gmail.com /ElCaminoUnion /ECCUnion /ECCUnion /ECCUnion
NEWS
2 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
POLICE BEAT By Sydnie Mills
Community gives donation for scholarships Backpacks and bags are not
allowed inside the Bookstore
Stolen tools report is under investigation
March 17, 4:57 p.m. — An officer conducted a traffic stop in Lot D on a male, who was not a student, riding a bike and failed to stop at a stop sign. The man had a $30,000 warrant issued by LAPD. He was issued a citation and released.
Caution: Be careful near pool, slippery floors may cause falls March 20, 1:04 p.m. — Officer responded to the pool regarding a medical aid call. A Cerritos College student, who was participating in a swim meet hosted by El Camino, slipped and fell on the wet deck and hit her head on a rail. An EC trainer examined her but she decided to receive care on with her own.
The rule regarding backpacks not being allowed into the Bookstore have caused students to be upset. While this is not a new rule, students are expressing their concerns about the issue. The Bookstore does not have a security system to prevent stealing of any kind, so leaving backpacks outside is the best option, Amaricia Corley-Gamble, student worker and sign language major, said. “Students can’t bring their backpacks into the bookstore because we don’t have security scanners, so if they steal a book we won’t be able to know, ” Corley-Gamble said. “It would be too easy for them to stick books in their backpacks.” Students have the option to either leave their backpacks outside the door of the Bookstore or leave their backpacks inside a locker while they make their purchase in the store. “I feel that it is hard to trust leaving your stuff alone if you are worried while in the Bookstore.” Jessica Aranda, 20, nursing major said. “But, on the other hand, if people were allowed to bring their backpacks into the Bookstore they would probably walk out with stuff they didn’t pay for.” Students “have to keep their backpacks outside in order (for the Bookstore) to keep (their) mer-
chandise,” Corley-Gamble said. The Bookstore doesn’t have a lot of students “complaining about their stuff being stolen but if students leave their backpacks outside the door and not in the lockers then that is when the problem occurs, it could get stolen,” Corley-Gamble said. Some students on campus have no problem with using the lockers outside to run into the Bookstore to grab an item. “It sucks that people are stealing backpacks but it’s good that we have the lockers. I don’t mind leaving my backpack outside of the Bookstore,” Jesus Barrera, 24 architecture major, said. Some students on campus feel safe shopping in the Bookstore while their belongings is left unattended on busy days. “I don’t mind leaving my backpack outside of the Bookstore when they are busy because I’ve done it before,” Taylor Moore, 28, math major, said. Students can visit the campus police station if their backpacks gets stolen from outside the book. The Campus Police Department is located on “16007 South Crenshaw Blvd at the corner of Redondo Beach Blvd. and Crenshaw Blvd. in Parking Lot K,” according to the campus website. “Students could prevent their belongings from getting stolen while shopping in the bookstores “if they leave it in the lockers,” CorleyGamble said.
“I don’t think that a lot of our programs are designed to be two years anymore,” Lozano said. “Because there are a lot of prerequisites attached to it, so that makes it longer.” An example Lozano game up was EC’s nursing program. Although it’s described as a two-year program, the two years students will need to spend completing prerequisites required to apply automatically makes the program a four-year undertaking, he said. Other issues like students not coming in at a college level English or math and coming in as part-time
students also contribute to this delayed time to completion. But despite these issues students may face and how long their journeys take, Lozano believes that success in any amount of years is still success no matter what the two-year “myth” says. “I call it a myth, because I believe it’s not one-size-fits-all,” he said. “I believe that every student comes with a different story. Some with less preparation than others. Some with more makeup stuff to do. Some with majors that are just not humanly possible to do in two years.”
Trent Ledford
March 16, 8:24 a.m. — Officer responded to the auto shop building regarding a burglary report. A facilities supervisor discovered some tools were missing from the building. The supervisor said he last saw the items on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. before securing and leaving the building, according to the report. There were no signs of forced entry. This incident is still under investigation.
Stop signs should be stopped at, at least if there’s a warrant
APRIL 2, 2015
Staff Writer @ECCUnionTrent
Photos by: John Fordiani/ Union Geology majors Brent Malone,22, Edlin Gonzales, 24, Breanna Brown, 27, Marina Argueta,21 and Ryan Missel, 21, stand with El Camino geology professor Joe Holliday and Larry Hoskinson of the South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society. A donation was presented to the geology program, which was collected through donations at the Mineral Society’s show. The El Camino geology majors volunteered to help staff the show at the Torrance Community Center on March 28 and 29. Phil Sidavong
News Editor @ECCUnionPhil
El Camino’s Science Club had a booth at the Annual South Bay Gem and Mineral Show, on March 28 and 29. The booth was designed for the students to try and acquire donations for more trips as a club and scholarships. “Our trips cost money, so we come out here and try to get the donations,” Josh Sabels, 19, biology major, said. Several pictures of the students and each location were laid out on the table, along with some items they picked up at some of the sites
and right in the middle was a little donation jar, in the form of a hollowed out skull. There is a major connection between the community and college as far as the science club and gem show is concerned, Joe Holliday, geology professor, said. Former El Camino student and member of the South Bay Lapidary and Mineral Society, Ian Walker, was working one of the booths concerned with the Petrified Wood. “The society basically runs the show and it’s a good time because of the club members are all ‘rockheads’,” he said. President of the Science Club, Breanna Brown, 27, geology major, said that this was her third Gem
and Mineral Show and really liked this year’s turn up. “I really like this Kid’s Zone addition, because kids can come and make arts and hang out here, while the parents can go enjoy themselves,” Brown said. “We help the community set up this show,” Holliday said. “We have 20 geology majors who help set up and put away the show itself. In return we are given a check from some of the proceeds to go towards scholarships for our Earth Sciences major students.” A donation goes to the Wally Ford Scholarship, Holliday said. This year’s donation to the scholarship was $2000, which was presented by Larry Hoskinson.
News is constantly happening on and around campus. If you see or hear anything, tweet TRANSFER us with the #ECCUnion. Continued from page 1 Check out our YouTube channel The Union for videos about things around campus, and subscribe.
Dreamt is the only word that ends in a-m-t. With 1,025,108 other words in the English language, what are the odds? One in 1,025,109, actually. Learn even more earning a bachelor’s degree at National University. Online. On campus. Non-profit. Don’t think you have time to learn something new? You just did.
According to a time-to-completion report on the 2012 academic year, the median number of years it takes for students to wrap up their degrees is four years — the report says that the “regular” number of years is two. And in 2012, only 10 percent of the students who received a degree that year completed the task within that “regular” window. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Rene Lozano, EC’s transfer coordinator and also a counselor, believes that this two-year goal is an old-school mentality.
Science Club explores wilderness Phil Sidavong
News Editor @ECCUnionPhil
T
he Science Club took a trip to Arizona to explore several sites to further their education from March 16-20. There were many places to explore and things to learn about geology, biology and geography of the Arizona areas with leader, chaperone and geology professor, Joe Holliday. Holliday hopes that anyone willing to go in the summer or next March would let him know as he is looking for full-time employees as chaperones and leaders, according to an email from him. Several of the places they visited were the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Monument Valley and Petrified Wood, Josh Sabels, 19, biology major, said. EC’s Interclub Council paid for the camping grounds, while the students paid for their own food
and transportation was by El Camino vans, Holliday said, in an interview. “What made the trip so affordable was that we got park vouchers for every site.” Holliday said, “It was free to get in to all the parks which is very helpful for students on a budget.” “Seeing new members and older members experiencing a trip like this is great. Especially the members who have never left California,” Breanna Brown, 27, geology major and president of the Science Club, said. With great sights to see, comes great emotions, especially for Sabels. “It’s a generic experience going to the Grand Canyon, but it holds sentimental value for me, since I went with my grandpa a long time ago,” he said. “One of my favorite places, apart from the Grand Canyon, was Canyon de Chelly. It’s a lot smaller than the Grand Canyon, but it’s amazing because it looks like you’re staring at a giant painting.” Sabels said.
A look at this day in El Camino’s history Here’s a blast from the past • On this day in 1971
the student newspaper reported the cost per unit would more than double, from $14 to $30, calling it the largest single rise to date.
• On this day in 1987 the student newspaper reported students from 12 area high schools would compete in journalism competitions at El Camino. Special guests included a player from the L.A. Raiders, a DJ from KROQ and a USC journalism professor.
Los Angeles Campus 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive (310) 662-2000
• On this day in 2012
Keep learning at nu.edu/transfer © 2015 National University NU15_2342
Try outs for the 30th Annual Fashion show were done in order to find models to walk the runway in their show.
FEATURES
APRIL 2, 2015
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3
Meet the People of El Camino Following the success of “Humans of New York,” a website, book and Facebook page started by photographer Brandon Stanton, who posts inspiring quotes and messages daily from individuals in New York City, “The Union” decided to take on the same idea. Since the start of the semester, nearly 80 students and staff members have been interviewed by “The Union.”
Interviews by reporters Monique Judge, Sydnie Mills and Mario Sosa Continue to follow our “People of El Camino” series on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ElCaminoUnion.
John Fordiani/ Union
Gary Crawford, groundskeeper: “I’ve been told my lawns look very good. I enjoy working here. It gives me a lot of personal satisfaction.”
John Fordiani/ Union
Anaisa Gonzalez, 19, business major, and Brandon Nunez, 19, administration of justice major: “We’ve been together four months. She’s unique.” “He’s cute.”
Mario Sosa/ Union
LeValley Pattison, women’s volleyball coach: “I would like to see more people fulfill their dreams and then go on and go to another school and not just get lost along the way.”
John Fordiani/ Union
Megan Granich, math instructor: “I can give you the notes; I can go over the homework. I can give you group work. I can put all the answers online. I can do all this stuff, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to do stuff, too.”
Sydnie Mills/ Union
Jermell Collins, 19, criminal justice major: “Never give up. You never know how much you can push if you give up.”
John Fordiani/ Union
Victor Mackey, 35, respiratory care major: “It feels like I have the biggest test of my life in eight minutes. I have self defense after that.”
Sydnie Mills/ Union
Miriam Alonzo, 37, art major: “I went through openheart surgery and I decided to come to school and get my degree in art. I’m afraid of not being able to complete goals. I feel like I’m running out of time.”
Mario Sosa/ Union
Davit Springs, 18, administration of justice major: “I would try to definitely lower the amount of systematic racism. Racism is engrained so much into our society.”
4 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
PHOTO ESSAY
APRIL 2, 2015
Flying from behind the North Gym after a storm passes throgh the South Bay in early January.
Drone captures campus from the sky Photos by Tristan Bellisimo
Students walk between the Music and the Arts and Behavioral Science Building.
. You’re walking through campus and all the sudden you hear the sound of bees above you. You look up to the sky and to your surprise you see a white drone flying above. The use of drones has become more popular as they become more available for commercial and personal use. Although the number of drones sold is not completely known, Amazon sells over 10,000 drones each month, according to a December 2014 Business Insider article. Earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration made new rules for drones, and created separate rules for personal and commercial use. Users must keep drones below 400 feet and the operator has to keep a visual line of sight at all times. The price of a drone is anywhere from $600 to over $1,000, but becomes more expensive depending on the extra items that you outfit your drone with.
- By John Fordiani
Flying past the Marsee Auditorium. The Marsee hosts multiple concerts and events throughout the year.
Flying above Warrior field last Saturday during the national anthem before the Warriors took on the Mt. SAC Mounties.
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APRIL 2, 2015
EL CAMINO COLLEGE 5
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EDITORIAL
6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
APRIL 2, 2015
Campus Insight
Torin Lee Special to The Union
A journal for the ages
Illustration by Eugene Chang/ Union
The goal is a lot closer than you think be dedicated enough to take four to five classes per El Camino is known for its vast number of stusemester. dents, but what are its primary motives and goals? All students are not created equal, and this is not Unfortunately, the top answer is not transferring. an easy task. Many students are not in the position According to its own website, EC is ranked 8th to take this many classes, due to outside obligations. and 9th respectively for transferring students to The issue: To those students for whom a full load of 15 units CSU and UC, out of 112 California Community is impossible taking a realistic look at your goals, Colleges. Though this is an impressive rank, the The depressignly low and meeting with an advisor can help you build a actual number may seem a little underwhelming. transfer rates plan for success. EC currently has 23,000 students and in the year If you have work obligations, consider adjusting of 2010-2011, a total of 1558 students transferred to Our stand: your schedule accordingly. For every three units of CSU and UC, according to the California Postsecclass, you should expect to spend nine hours a week ondary Education Commission’s website. Stick around a little outside of class studying and preparing. Hypothesizing that we had about the same numThis means that students who work 20 hours or ber of students now as we did in the year of 2010 more, and you can transmore per week should lower the number of units to 2011, a mere 7 percent of students transferred to fer to that university in they take in order to have a higher success rate in major public state universities. A number of reasons two years. their classes. to this meager number pop up in the mind quickly. Your opportunity for success is greater when you We’ve all seen those former classmates who are set attainable goals. Working 40 hours per week is currently “taking a break” from school. The break not conducive to being able to pass 15 units of classusually ends up as a permanent end to school life, es even for the best of students; taking your time and leading to them working a full-time job. The reabeing realistic with your expectations of academic sons behind this is various. Family problems, finanachievement will lead to greater successes in transcial problems, and even falling short in their own school career are all contributors to students not transferring. It is a ferring. Transferring to a four-year university should be the first goal of every shame when this happens, especially because transferring to a four year student’s academic path, as it sets stone for the real deal. However, it is university within the minimum two year period is entirely possible. Taking 15 units a semester over four semesters will give a student 60 understandable that the first goal requires effort. A complete focus to units, which is the minimum requirement to transfer for both CSUs and school for four semesters is indeed difficult, but achievable. Hold on and don’t give up because the goal is closer than you think. UCs. This is a realistically achievable goal; all it requires is a student to
Scantron machines will save students’ time Imagine a student who was up all night studying for a big exam, falling asleep a few hours before having to leave. Waking up just in time, they brush their teeth and jump in their car. But they were so worried about the exam, they forgot to buy a scantron. Of course, this is just a hypothetical situation involving all the rush and stress students deal with causing them to forget things. Why must the Bookstore make students leave their things outside when they only need a scantron, or anything small that can be bought at the front of the store? They shouldn’t, but that’s not their call. They have to make sure nothing is stolen and leaving a backpack on the floor, where anyone can look through it, is their problem. Now, what of the students who carry around
larger than life laptop bags, or the students with their art bag or the music students with giant instruments. Those don’t fit into the lockers, and surely, they’re not about to leave that outside for something small. We suggest having one worker watch the area where small items are presented, or have a specific line where you cannot cross with backpacks, but still be able to buy something. The school already has food and drink vending machines, but it needs more scantron vending machines for these because we believe it is an inconvenience to go through the process of having to drop our bags, walking in, and waiting a line only to get out, grab our bags, and run to class. We believe that whoever is in charge of the Bookstore has their right to be cautious about
their products, but scantron vending machines would be increasingly convinient. Of course with all the technological advances, many teachers are moving to online homework and tests. But some professors still prefer the old-fashioned way of in-class scantron tests. We would like there to be a scantron machine on the first floor of each building, or at least a few in proximity to each other, so that students would be able to grab a scantron and make it to class on time, without having to go to the bookstore, which is basically in a secluded area to other buildings. When the system is made so that students are required to buy books and supplies, why make the only place available inconvinient? As they say, time is money. Save the students’ time and it will also save their money.
THE UNION
Vol. 69, No. 4 April 2, 2015
Email: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329
Editor-in-Chief ����������������������������������������������������������������������Jessica Martinez News Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Phil Sidavong Features Editor ����������������������������������������������������������������������Jessica Martinez Opinion/Editorial Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������� Jay Bamba Arts Editor...........................................................................................Celine West Sports Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Rocky Rivera Photo Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� John Fordiani Distribution Manager ���������������������������������������������������������Lorenzo Gutierrez Advertising Manager ������������������������������������������������������������������� Jack Mulkey Adviser ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kate McLaughlin Adviser ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Stefanie Frith Photo Adviser...................................................................................Gary Kohatsu
The Union is published Thursdays by Journalism 11 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113. Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process. Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.
Myriad is older than your parents and it’s younger than you, and every year it’s different, and every year it’s the same. Each May a snug journal, slender enough to fit in your back pocket and firm enough to stand on the shelf, sneaks onto campus right under your nose. Fiftyfour years have passed since the first edition’s printing in 1961. Thirty-nine editions have followed, containing 2,731 pages of artwork, poetry, and prose, all flying beneath the Myriad flag. It’s a standard formula for a unique product, and I hold the diversity of the El Camino community responsible for this, since all our submissions come from students and faculty. At a recent memorial service for Maria Brown, one of the late professor’s colleagues said community college is called community college because everybody from the community is there. It’s true. Nowhere else will you find a student body that spans three generations and nearly all socioeconomic groups, that blends cultures and languages, that brings together a middle-aged Korean homemaker and 19-yearold Mexican welding student in a jewelry class and finds them weeping with their classmates on the last day of the semester (true story — my aunt is the homemaker). Myriad takes a snapshot of this kaleidoscopic group and preserves it within its cream-colored pages. As the kaleidoscope turns with time, interesting themes and images reveal themselves. One year the submissions had a particularly gory tone, with lots of murders and blood. This year it’s cats, trees and Audrey Hepburn. We’ve had two portraits of the classic actress and nearly two dozen photos and paintings of felines and arbors. As an editor, I get to see the scenes and themes of this year’s snapshot unfold. Though my peers and I make the final decision of what gets printed and what doesn’t, we only shape the content created by our contributing artists. This makes our duty similar to that of a prism towards light. The artists produce the light, and it is the light that our readers will see. But something happens to the light as it passes through the prism. It can be dimmed or brightened, distorted or narrowed, scattered or streamed. I see it as our job to make this light shine as brightly and colorfully as we can. This means, generally, doing as little to the work as possible. The first half of this semester we reviewed submissions, selecting the best crafted pieces from the pool of 268 — the highest count since 2009, when recordkeeping for submissions began. (Every year the editors make bets about the number submissions they think they’ll get. This year everyone lost.) We now have more than 70 pieces which have the quality to be published — too many for the amount of space we have. We are narrowing our selection down to around 50 pieces, and will then edit those for minor technical errors. This is akin to sanding burrs from woodwork. The structure of the pieces remain the same, we just make them as smooth as possible. Meanwhile, Art 143 students have been drafting designs for the cover and interior layout of the magazine. They submitted the first round to us over Spring Break, we selected the ones we liked the most, then sent them back. They are working on the next draft, combining the designs of the two layouts we selected into a single cohesive one. After a few more rounds of revision, this will become the frame for the edited art, poetry, and stories that get sent to the printer. Then early this May a snug journal will sneak onto bookshelves across campus, the 41st of its kind, another year at El Camino captured mid-flight in its amber.
Write us a letter
Letters pertaining to campus issues or responding to articles will have priority over commentaries or other letters on the editorial page, to the discretion of the editorial board. Letters may be from any El Camino student, faculty member, classified person or employee of the college. Letters from students have priority. Every attempt will be made to run all letters received before the editorial deadline, which is the Monday prior to publication, each week. In cases of sensitive circumstances, anonymous letters will be published. Depending on the gravity of the content of the letter, some anonymous letters may not be published.
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OPINION
APRIL 2, 2015
EL CAMINO COLLEGE 7
Campus viewpoints
Column
By: Monique Judge @ECCUnionMonique
Should students be allowed to bring their backpacks into the Bookstore?
Monique Judge
Columnist ECCUnionMonique@gmail.com
What is your motivation? Why are you in school? Why did you pick your chosen major? How does that major fit in with the life you see yourself having after college? What is your motivation? When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. My motivation was all the nurses that I knew in my life. I loved the white uniforms, and I pictured myself wearing that smartlooking nurses cap while sitting at a hospital front desk answering questions for harried family members. As I got older, the desire to become a nurse was motivated by the limited information I had gleaned about the career itself. I wanted to help people and make lots of money while doing it, all while having to work only three days a week and being able to spend the rest of my time reading books and going on expensive vacations. When I learned that dissecting a cat was one of the first things I would have to do even before setting foot in my first nursing class, I became motivated to pursue another passion: writing. My passion for writing has been there since I got my first diary at the age of six. I have been the family storyteller for as long as anyone can remember; my ability to remember the details of even the most innocuous story has made me a family historian of sorts, and my original motivation for writing was just that — to be a storyteller. My love for sharing stories, ideas and information eventually grew into a full-fledged hobby of being an information curator. Not only could I tell the stories, but I could recite the facts surrounding them and direct people toward further investigation of the topic if they so desired. As I near the end of my undergraduate academic career and prepare to move on to the next stage in life, I realize that my passion to share and dissect information for the masses has grown into a motivation all of its own. I think of it as something of a social service. Each time I see someone post a link to a supposed news article on Facebook, I vet it, and I am usually able to find out within two or three clicks whether the story has any merit or not. When someone presents a statement as fact, I am able to either agree with their thesis or point out the flaws in it. The skills I have learned in my journalism classes will be with me throughout my life. I have gone from simply wanting to be a writer to wanting to be a source of information and a means of verification when it comes to the truth. We live in the world of the perpetual propaganda machine. There is always going to be misinformation out there, and there will always be a need for someone to sift through it and clarify the facts, and I want that person to be me; that is my motivation. As you continue down your path that will lead you to your later life, take time to self-evaluate. Decide if your motivation is meaningful for you. Does it give you a purpose? There are many factors that can play a part in our personal motivation, and it is important to be sure that we are motivated by the right things. Lack of motivation can lead to us being stuck in a rut or otherwise not progressing. Finding your motivation is like finding your purpose; when you know why, the how will come very easily.
THE UNION
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Gregg Sueda, 18, computer science “I guess, I mean I don’t mind. I understand why they don’t.”
Illustration by Eugene Chang/ Union
UP FOR DEBATE Should students be allowed to bring their backpacks into the Bookstore? Treat us like students, not thieves
It’s only a backpack, follow the rules
People who have stolen from the Bookstore have ruined it for the rest of us. As students, we are forced to leave our bags unattended outside the Bookstore to ensure that we don’t steal. Leaving a backpack outside may lower the theft inside the bookstore but it certainly raises it outside. Theft Sydnie Mills is already a problem on campus and Staff Writer there is no need to add to it. @ECCUnionSydnie Some students only go into the Bookstore for a scantron and that only takes a few minutes. It is unnecessary, not to mention inconvenient, to have students take off their backpacks for something so simple. In the few minutes it takes to buy a scantron, someone could have their bag stolen. Sure, there are lockers outside the bookstore, but they are either full or broken. Furthermore, not everyone has the time or change for a locker. Lockers are a constant problem for many reasons the first being, not everyone has a quarter to put in the locker. Many students today do not carry cash around so it’s not easy to find a quarter. In addition, the lockers are not fully functional for most students. For example, nursing students have to carry a lot of books and that means they most likely carry larger backpacks. The lockers were not made for all backpacks, especially large ones. Students carry around books worth hundreds of dollars in their backpacks, along with computers and other electronic devices. Let’s be honest; if someone steals a student’s backpack, it is the student’s responsibility and not the Bookstore’s. If the Bookstore wants students to leave their bags outside of the store then they should have someone monitoring them constantly. It is understandable that the Bookstore wants to prevent theft but making students leave bags unattended is not the answer. There are many ways to prevent theft. If the Bookstore is so set on not allowing students to carry bags around the store, then they should at least allow students to place them inside. That way an employee can keep an eye out. Also if theft is such a big problem then the Bookstore should invest in a sensor system that works. That would allow them to catch someone stealing immediately. This is our school and El Camino shouldn’t treat us like criminals or petty thieves because of the past actions of others.
Students should leave their backpacks, purses, gym bags and whatever else they are carrying outside when entering the Bookstore. It’s been a rule and like most rules, there are reasons why it exists. Students who choose to steal can do so with more ease with their backpacks. It wouldn’t take much to be able to slip a textbook or two into Patrice Moore a backpack in the store, especially Staff Writer when it is crowded like it is during @ECCUnionPatrice the first few weeks of school. This is not to say that everyone will steal from the Bookstore. But the fact remains that if students are able to bring backpacks inside, there would be more opportunity to steal because it would be easier to do so. When you enter the Bookstore with just a wallet, it is much more difficult to take things like textbooks, supplies, or even some of the snacks and slip out undetected. Second, there are lockers available for students to use outside. All you need is to find a vacant locker with a key attached, take a quarter, lock up your belongings with the quarter, and then once you return to get your backpack or purse you re-insert the key to grab your belongings and get your quarter back. You are essentially paying nothing to store your belongings in a safe space while you shop. Needless to say, this is better than leaving your bags unattended outside like so many other students do. Third, backpacks and purses can clutter up the Bookstore, especially during the beginning of the semester. Imagine other students setting down their backpacks or purses for a moment and just as quickly, someone, who did not see the backpack, could trip and fall which could lead to an injury. It is hard enough trying to move around the Bookstore when dozens of students are all rummaging through school supplies, but when you add backpacks into the equation there’s a greater chance for something to happen that could hurt someone or cause another problem. And in reality, it’s not a big deal leaving your backpack outside. Students have more room to navigate through the store without knocking into anyone or anything. Students can get it back as soon as they are done with their business in the Bookstore and they can go back on their way. Leaving your backpack outside does more good than harm. And honestly, it’s easier to just follow that rule anyway. We are students and we should abide by the rules. It’s just a backpack, and it’s not that serious.
Douglas Mondragon, 19, architecture “Well honestly whenever I go over there I just look up books so I can find them somewhere else. If I could take in a bag or not I understand why, because of the shoplifting.”
Chassity Conner. 18, physical therapy “Yes, I think so. I don’t trust people.”
Geronimo Ortega, 20, music “Yes, because we have all our supplies and books in our backpacks.”
Marissa Romo, 20, business finance “We should because it’s not safe to have backpacks outside, it’s safe to have them with us.“
ARTS
8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
APRIL 2, 2015
On
Art gallery exhibit brings man and nature together
The Scene
Jerome Casio
The North Torrance Youth Musician Ensemble
Staff Writer @ECCUnionJerome
“Life Cycle: Conversations and Solilo- Gallery, expressed her thoughts on “Life quies,” presented by the El Camino Art Cycle” and what it has to say. Gallery, will be on display from March 2 “This one I feel at home,” de Bar said. to April 2. “I’ve never felt that way about any other According to the Art Gallery’s director show.” and curator, Susanna Meiers, “Life Cycle” De Bar said that the reoccurring themes will present the recent work of Poli Mar- of “Life Cycle” remind her of her frequent ichal, Marianna Sadowskie and the print- bicycle rides around the Madrona Marsh making collective, “Los de Abajo.” in Torrance. De Bar said she commutes to After walking around the exhibit, it EC on her bicycle everyday. becomes apparent that “Life Cycle” theStudents who visit “Life Cycle” have matically regenerally posivolves around tive thoughts about the merging of the show, admirhuman and boing it for its omitanical life. nous themes and “I would de“creepy” appeal. scribe it as work Richard Medina, that has to do 20, administrawith the cycles tion of justice maSUSANNA MEIERS of life,” Meiers jor, said he found EC ART GALLERY CURATOR said. “Whether most of the artwork they’re botanicreepy. “But it’s a cal cycles or biological cycles or personal good type of creepy,” he said. cycles - it’s all of those things.” One of the pieces in particular, “Flying Both Marichal and Sadowski have been Man,” reminded him of “Under the Skin,” working on similar themes for many years an equally ominous sci-fi film starring and show a common interest in plants, Scarlett Johansson disguised as an alien in Meiers said. Scotland. Meiers said that the artists take this in“Flying Man” is an interactive instalterest and use both symbolic and realistic lation that allows students to write and imagery to convey their statements about attach their goals and dreams written on the human condition and the natural world. small pieces of paper, Meiers said. “I was very attracted to the idea of naDe Bar said that “Flying Man” reminded ture overlapping very intimately with hu- her of the Oscar-winning film “Birdman,” man life,” Meiers said. “And I think that starring Michael Keaton, and a variation both (artists) have a really beautiful tech- of Superman. nique.” “I feel that the notes guests put on the Pirkko de Bar, an installer at the Art piece enliven it,” she said.
“
La Mujer The Fuego by Poli Marichal
I was very attracted to the idea of nature overlapping very intimately with human life
“Barbados: Islands in the Sun” The film “Barbados: Islands in the Sun” will be playing on April 6 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at El Camino in Marsee Auditorium. This film, part of the EC “Discovery Films” series, is narrated by Steve Gonser who talks about the history of Barbados and gives insight into the culture of the people living there. Tickets for the film are $7 and can be purchased online, in-person at the box office, and over the phone. For more information, call 1-800-832-ARTS.
Chris Mello Tribute Ann Jimenez, 19 art major, studies and takes notes of Sync #1 by Los DeAbajo Printmaking collectives for the 3-D Art Design class.
EC music professor is a lifelong student of music Aryn Hicks
Staff Writer @ECCUnionAryn
Alan Chan was six years old when his “Surprisingly, I didn’t think too much about mother asked him if wanted to learn how to what to expect. I wanted to study abroad just play the piano. They were standing in front because I thought it would be a great experiof the piano shop that was downstairs from ence.” Chan said. their apartment in Hong Kong. The moment After graduating from the University of his hands touched the keys he knew he had Miami he went on to study at Kansas City fallen in love with music. University where he received his masters. As he began to dive deeper into music he He then went to USC where he received his found that he also liked writing music. Chan doctorate under Shelly Berg. While attending said he would spend hours writing musical USC, Chan met friend and contractor Rob notes on blank sheets of paper that his father Schaer who helped him put together his big brought home from work. band. “I started to fall in love actually very ear“Every performance we play is a different ly on about writing music, when I was first experience.” Schaer said. “It’s a fun experitaking piano lessons,” Chan said. “I started ence and it’s because of his openness to coldrawing manuscripts and then started writing laboration that makes it that way.” notes on them.” Chan has traveled all over the world preWhen he was 12 he wrote his first compo- forming and composing music. In 2011, he sition entitled started his own jazz “Impromptu,” orchestra where he which he wrote composed music that for the piano was inspired by his and the triantravels and life experigle. He began ences. to encounter “During the time I jazz music DAVID HUGHES was writing many of when he entered pieces I was trav BASS PLAYER these high school. eling a lot. I would go Since pop music was big in Hong Kong there to artist residences.” Chan said. “I also got were not many resources for aspiring jazz inspired by their work and so much of my musicians and composers. music is about telling stories.” “In Hong Kong jazz is a very small scene,” Chan’s work ethic and passion for music Chan said. “[I] didn’t have much experience has inspired many people including fellow in terms of studying because it’s not available band mate, David Hughes, who is a bass there.” player in Chan’s jazz orchestra. That didn’t stop Chan from continuing to “He is one of the greatest and most inspiperuse music. Because resources for jazz mu- rational big band leaders that I’ve worked sic were hard to come by, Chan would listen with,” Hughes said. ”He is very precise in to soundtracks and arrange them for his en- communicating what he wants musically. He semble class. is a really fun guy which makes the whole exAs his passion for music continued to grow, perience fun.” he started taking private lessons by the age of When he is not composing music or teach15 with Academy of Performing Arts teacher, ing, Chan likes to go hiking. Some of the Mr. Lo. Under the tutelage of Mr. Lo, Chan’s places he has visited are the Angeles National passion for music and composition strength- Forest, and the Santa Monica Mountains. ened him to want to study abroad. “I keep discovering new places because the In 1997, Chan left Hong Kong and went landscape of L.A. is so interesting - so many to study abroad at the University of Miami. pockets of little mountains. I’ve almost went In Miami Chan says he began composing for to most of them.” jazz big band with his mentor Gary Lindsay.
“
Shontel Leake/ Union
He is one of the greatest and most inspirational big band leaders that I’ve worked with
The North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble will be giving their Spring Concert on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre. The price of admission to the event is $10. The theater is located at 3300 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503. For more information on the event, call 310-781-7171.
Shontel Leake/ Union
Movie Review
Star power saves ‘Get Hard’ by a thread
The Grateful Ensemble
Jed Fernandez
Staff Writer @ECCUnionJed
This past weekend the dynamic duo of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart swept across the nation as “Get Hard” opened in theaters. Statistically, it was a success for both Ferrell and Hart as the pair earned their highest opening weekend for a Rrated movie in each of their careers. Regrettably “Get Hard” failed to wow as the writing and directing were subpar and unimpressive. The only salvation was Ferrell and Hart doing what they do best —they worked with what they had and “said it with their chests.” “Get Hard” focuses on a Los Angeles business banker investor, James King (Ferrell) who is set up for bank fraud and receives the maximum sentence of ten years in San Quentin Penitentiary. Afraid of being abused or killed in jail King hires his carwasher Darnell Lewis (Hart) to train him to survive prison — to “Get Hard.” As a fan of both actors I was really looking forward to this movie. Hart has been on the top of his game as of late and is considered to be one of the funniest men alive in this generation. Ferrell on the other hand hasn’t been on the radar in recent months. The last big blockbuster he was in was the smash hit “Lego Movie.” So for Ferrell “Get Hard” was a homecoming for him in the comedy world, trying to show people he still got it. Director Etan Cohen had some room to play alongside these two star-studded
There will be an exhibit/tribute paying homage to the late El Camino associate professor Chris Mello on Friday, April 10 at 6 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. At 6 p.m. there will be a photography exhibit paying tribute to Professor Mello with reception music provided by EC guitar students. Other performances for the evening include Otmaro Ruiz on the piano, Eliseo Borrero on bass, Aaron Serfaty on drums, and many more. Tickets for the concert are $15 and can be purchased online at http:// secure.elcamino.edu/peo/. For more information, call 1-800832-ARTS.
actors in his arsenal and still failed to deliver the perfect comedy with the resources he had. I was sad to see this happen because I am a fan of Cohen’s past work such as “Men in Black III” and “Tropic Thunder.” But I think the main flaw of this movie was the decision to have “Key and Peele” writers Jay Martel and Ian Roberts make the screenplay, as they had no idea how to fully utilize all the tools at their disposal when it came to Hart and Ferrell. This movie definitely could have been way better with some fine tuning to the script. They also depended heavily on a barrage of inside jokes used from Hart’s stand up comedy specials to fill in the original work of the script. The formula of comedy that was used in this movie was overused and outplayed as the majority of jokes were racist or sexist. It seemed like there had to be a racial joke in every scene. It was unnecessary, but, of course, it was there. The character development was average for each character but lacked an emotional connection you want from the audience. If there were any heart to heart moments in this movie it was quickly ruined by a raunchy or provocative joke. But what can you expect? Will Ferrell has been using this recipe to make movies for years. Overall, the chemistry between Hart and Ferrell saved this movie from being a complete and utter disaster.
Crane
The Grateful Crane Ensemble will be giving a concert to pay tribute to the influential Japanese singer and actress Misora Hibari on April 11 at 2 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre. The performance will include some of Hibari’s most famous songs and will also shed light on her career and her influence on Japanese peoples living in Japan and Japanese-Americans during the years following the second World War. Tickets for the event are $30. For information on the event, call 310-7817171.
The Southern California Brass Consortium
The Southern California Brass Consortium will be performing on April 12 at 7 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. The group, a large brass and percussion ensemble, will be playing works done by various film composers, Alfred Reed, Scott Ninmer, and many more. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased at the box office, over the phone, or online. With online purchases there will be a service charge of $3 per ticket. For more information, call 1-800-832-ARTS.
SPORTS
APRIL 2, 2015
Sand volleyball duo lead the way for the Warriors Mario Sosa
Staff Writer @ECCUnionMario
The ball hits the sand hard, as the dust blows in the opposing teams’ faces; the unsuccessful dig and the final blow of defeat. One pair walks away victorious: Sadie Fraker and Laynie Thompson. El Camino’s Fraker and Thompson have played exceptionally well this season for the sand volleyball team. They’ve made a name for themselves and stamped their names in the books of both indoor and sand volleyball for EC. Their journey together began when they were around 12 years old when they played recreational club volleyball. Fraker and Thompson first met while attending a kids volleyball camp hosted by North High School in Torrance. Since then, they have developed a chemistry that only two close friends and partners could in that amount of time. “They’re both very passionate about volleyball and they know the game really well,” teammate Brooke Russell said. “Sadie is a leader on the court and pushes everyone to do better. They both encourage people to do better and both work hard.” Their gameplay set the stones and building blocks of the significance they bring to their team. “I think they mean a lot to our team because they balance us out energy-wise and I think they’re one of the most positive teams out here,” teammate Ka’ili Napoleon said. “They’re smart players. They know what’s going on on the other side of the court. They have really smart game strategy and game defense. They have great communication and great chemistry.” Fraker and Thompson also played in the indoor volleyball team last semester. Teammate Nia
Masui pointed out the qualities the duo brought to both the indoor and sand competitions. “Sadie was one of our indoor captains. They’re really easy to look up to,” Masui said. “Since they’re both really encouraging people I think that’s why they play so well together. They both have a similar attitude when it comes to playing.” When Fraker and Thompson are not busy being merciless leaders on the volleyball court, they are also close friends off the court. Russell described the duo as being best friends while Masui said they were both really outgoing and that Fraker is really funny. “She has a great sense of humor,” Masui said. “She has a very realistic outlook on things.” Despite how well they have performed this season, Fraker and Thompson said they are not actively pursuing professional careers in volleyball. “I would still like to play for fun when I’m older,” Thompson said. “It’d be better if we play together.” They may not be pursuing a professional career in volleyball, but if they had a choice between indoor and sand volleyball, they would prefer the latter. “I like sand because we are guaranteed to only play with each other,” Thompson said. Fraker added that, “maybe either if I was able to be in the same rotation together.” Fraker and Thompson added that they balance each other out, Masui said. “Sadie is more outspoken and Laynie is more of a listener,” Masui said. “Laynie is extremely considerate. She’s really understanding of other people’s situations. Together they’re just so much fun to be around.”
EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 9
Gilberto Castro / Union
Freshmen Laynie Thompson and Sadie Fraker have been on fire for the El Camino sand volleyball team, winning seven of their first eight games, helping to put the Warriors in 3rd place in the Orange Empire-Kerry Walsh Jennings conference. Thompson and Fraker have been playing together since middle school and are both veterans of the EC women’s indoor volleyball team.
Put your knowledge to work.
Tristan Bellisimo / Union
Warriors outfielder Jonathan Pasillas celebrates after his three-run home run in the third inning. The Warriors defeated Antelope Valley College 14-3 Monday afternoon.
Baseball team destroys Antelope Valley Grant Hermanns
Learn in the classroom, thrive in the world. At CSUDH, you’ll graduate with more than a respected degree. You’ll have the practical skills and experiences employers want, and your dreams deserve. What will you find @CSUDH? CSUDH.EDU/FutureStudents
Learn about the El Camino College and CSUDH Pathways to Success Enrollment Partnership and view upcoming visit dates at CSUDH.EDU/CCPartnershipsVisits.
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CSU Dominguez Hills | (310) 243-3422 | 1000 E. Victoria Street | Carson, CA 90747
Staff Writer @ECCUnionGrant
El Camino came out strong against Antelope Valley with three runs scored in the first and second innings on Monday The first runs were scored when sophomore left-fielder Alex Turner made it on a fielder’s choice. Then sophomore second baseman Joseph Cortez scored on a sacrifice fly, and freshman first baseman Jake Sahagian scored on an RBI single. The EC baseball team hosted the Antelope Valley Marauders in the first of two-game series, defeating them in a major 14-3 victory. The Warriors followed the strong first inning with an even bigger second inning, when sophomore right-fielder Jonathan Pasillas hit a three-run home run that gave his team an early 6-0 lead over the Marauders. Pasillas felt that “once (EC)
were up by six runs,” the game really turned towards his team’s favor. After a few scoreless innings, EC came out and had their biggest inning in the bottom of the sixth, where they recorded six runs against the Marauders. The Warriors really capitalized on the three errors made by the opposing team in the inning which got runners on base and in scoring position. Freshman pitcher Sean Mounce said the six runs kept his team going strong, and really “changed the momentum” of the game. The Warriors continued their hot streak in the bottom of the eighth inning with two more runs. Sophomore shortstop Fred Smith hit a double to bring in Pasillas for the score, and freshman designated hitter Angel Mora hit a sacrifice fly that brought in sophomore catcher Joey Notch for the late 14-0 lead. The Warriors came close to shutting the Marauders out completely, but just couldn’t quite ac-
complish that. EC conceded three runs in the top of the ninth inning after the Marauders recorded three hits and two walks. But the Warriors shut down their hope of a comeback as they closed the inning to seal their 14-3 victory. Coach Nate Fernley felt his team played an incredible game against Antelope Valley. “We were really good overall,” Fernley explained. “We played good defense and threw strikes. Overall, it was really a pretty complete game.” The pitching staff for the Warriors was solid all day against the Marauders, sophomore pitcher Dalton Erb earned his fourth win of the season after he pitched six innings that consisted of no runs, two hits, and seven strikeouts. Erb was relieved by freshman Mounce and sophomore Nick Buska, who only allowed a combined four hits and three runs to close the game. The Warriors’ record improves to 16-10, with their conference record improving to 5-7.
SPORTS
10 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION
APRIL 2, 2015
Sand volleyball breaks even on the road Mario Sosa
Staff Writer @ECCUnionMario
The sand volleyball team suffered their second defeat this season, falling to Golden West College. They also managed to pull off a victory against Antelope Valley College. This was the Warriors’ first time playing on the road this season. They played on Golden West’s campus, losing to the hosts 4-1. They also swept Antelope Valley College, 5-0. The Warriors’ overall record now stands at 6-2. Their next game will be a home game on Friday at 11 a.m.
Men’s volleyball spirals downward Phil Sidavong News Editor @ECCUnionPhil Gilberto Castro / Union
Freshman tennis player Christian Vergara is one of the El Camino men’s tennis team’s most improved players this season. Vergara takes pride in what he does both on and off the court, having moved out of his family’s home at the age of 17 to live a more independent life and support himself financially.
Tennis player makes his own path in life Trent Ledford
Staff Writer @ECCUnionTrent
He started a new chapter of his life at the age of 17 by moving out and living on his own in Gardena. To provide support for his family, El Camino freshman tennis player Christian Vergara realized he had to adapt to the independent life. “I realized that my family couldn’t really support me like most families could so I had to take care of myself and support myself,” Vergara said. “I live out
with my roommates, I pay for my gas, I pay for my car, I pay for my rent, and basically all the necessities.” The 22-year-old’s biggest motivation is taking care of his family and himself. Vergara considers his brother and stepfather his mentors in life. “My brother really stepped up because I never really had a father figure in my life,” Vergara said. “My brother has always been there for me.” His family always pushed him to become better, and the love that his brother showed him made Ver-
gara the man he is today. Vergara said that his brother “made (him) climb higher, basically by showing (him) tough love in a way.” His stepfather has always been more of a loving father who supported whatever he wanted to do, Vergara said. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for his support,” Vergara said. Lewis Kingman, 25, psychology major and vice president of the Maharlika club on campus, is a friend of Vergara that has a lot in common with the tennis player.
Vergara is a person that “knows where he is going in life,” Kingman said. “(He) seems like the person that really has his goals set.” Vergara’s plans for the future are strictly academic and he says he’s only focused on his career. “I don’t see myself starting a family until I succeed on my own terms,” Vergara said. Vergara’s lifetime goal is to travel the world, “living life without regrets and helping people along the way.” He is currently a psychology major but hopes to represent his country abroad in
the future. “I always tried to build my career on that foundation,” Vergara said about helping others. “That’s why I am working hard to become an ambassador.” Steve VanKanegan is the coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams, and Vergara considers him his favorite coach and teacher. “(Vergara) is very kind so he is very conscientious,” VanKanegan said. “He is probably one of the most improved players on our team and he takes his tennis very serious. He takes pride in what he does.”
The 13-2 men’s volleyball team visited the 10-3 Long Beach City College Vikings (LBCC), on Friday night, hoping to bounce back after being swept by Santa Monica last Friday. The Warriors failed to show up at all against the Vikings and were swept on the road, 0-3 in sets. The Warriors are now 13-3 overall and fall to 6-3 in the conference. El Camino retains second place, but LBCC is hot on its heels as they climbed to 5-3 in conference play, only half a game behind the Warriors. The series is now tied at 1-1 on the season, and EC must win both of its final games if they want to keep sole possession of second place. The Warriors host Santa Barbara on Friday and then end their regular season visiting L.A. Trade Tech.on Wednesday. EC must put this game behind them if they hope to end its poor run of form.
Softball team leads conference after win over Mt. SAC Warriors were down 7-0 but came back to win 12-9 in home game thriller Aryn Hicks
Staff Writer @ECCUnionAryn
The sun was slowly descending in the bottom of the fifth inning as sophomore pitcher Reina Trejo walked up to the plate. She looks out onto the field, the bases are loaded and the crowd shouts, “Here we go El Co, here we go.” Trejo steps into the batter’s box, the pitcher throws the ball and Trejo connects her bat with the ball, landing a single to rightcenter field. The cheers erupt from the stands as sophomore shortstop Tori Garcia races from third to score, followed by sophomore center fielder Kristen Romero. It was an all-out battle as the softball team faced Mount San
Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in their first match up of the season. The Warriors had a rough start the first couple of innings. After being down 7-0, the Warriors battled back to defeat the Mt. SAC Mounties 12-9. “We were swinging at a lot of bad pitches in the beginning of the game and that makes it easy for other teams to get us out,” coach Jessica Rapoza said. “So I told them if we swing at strikes we will win this game.” El Camino started to gain momentum in the bottom of the fourth inning when sophomore first baseman Jacqueline Gonzalez grounded out to second base, advancing sophomore third baseman Danielle Bonsky to second. Trejo went to third and sophomore catcher Gabby Fordiani ran home
to score. The fans also got into the game and began cheering on the Warriors and reviving their energy. “I think [the cheering] helped us, the energy transferred from us to them and them to us,” freshman designated hitter Arleen Alvarez said. “Their energy helped us throughout the game.” The Warriors had a big fifth inning, scoring 11 runs and taking the lead from the Mounties. Fordiani and Trejo had three RBIs, while Gonzalez and Alvarez both earned two each. “In the meeting before we go into the dugout coach (Rapoza) said, ‘We have to do it now. We can’t wait till the seventh inning.’ So I think that kind of pushed us,” freshman pitcher Sierra Gabriel said. “We found the energy,
WARRIORS SCHEDULE Badminton: Friday, April 3 at East Los Angeles 2 p.m.
men’s tennis: Today vs. Mt. SAC 2 p.m.
softball: Today at Pasadena 2 p.m.
women’s tennis: Today vs. Mt. SAC 2 p.m.
pushed, and got it.” The Warriors worked as a team and played aggressively. The Mounties scored two more runs, but it wasn’t enough to take away the Warriors’ lead. “I have competitors and I have kids that will play as a team,” Rapoza said. “They will do anything that has to be done in order for the team to win and I just think that is so vital and that makes us such a force to be reckoned with.” EC is now in first place in the South Coast conference with a record of 13-1. The Warriors’ next game is an away game against Pasadena City College today at 2 p.m. “We knew first place was on the line,” Alvarez said. “We just went out there after we were down (and) we knew we had to beat them.”
Rosendo Vargas / Union
Kristen Romero helps the Warriors come back during the fifth inning against Mt. San Antonio College. The Warriors scored 11 runs the same fifth inning after being down by seven runs on Tuesday, March 31. The Warriors defeated the Mounties 12-9. The softball team stands at 13-1 in the South Coast Conference.
WARRIORS SCOREBOARD badminton: Warriors 0 (2-4), Pasadena 21
men’s Tennis: Warriors 3 (1-12), Cerritos 6
For more information
softball: Warriors 12 (25-7), Mt. SAC 9
women’s tennis: Warriors 8 (11-7), Long Beach 1
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