Vol. 69, Issue 6 May 7 by El Camino College The Union

ARTS

SPORTS

ROUNDING UP THE SPRING SPORTS ON CAMPUS, P. 6 AND 7

PORCHA NORMAN DANCES INTO HEARTS OF THE AUDIENCE, P. 12

SOFTBALL GOES TO SUPER REGIONALS AFTER SWEEP OVER FULLERTON, P. 13

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

PHOTO ESSAY

MAY 7, 2015

THE UNION eccunion.com

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA

Plans to save water in effect Celine West

Arts Editor @ECCUnionCeline

Rob Chernetsky/ Union FILE PHOTO: Tight end Jean Sifrin catches the ball for one of his four receptions when he played as a Warrior against Pasadena City College in September 2013.

Former Warrior signs with Indianapolis Colts

Jean Sifrin, tight end, signs as an unrestricted-free agent to the NFL Eric Ramos

Staff Writer @ECCUnionEric

Former El Camino football player Jean Sifrin hoped his dream became a reality this weekend as he waited for his name to be called at the 2015 NFL Draft. However, Sifrin was not selected in the draft. But his dream of playing in the NFL is ongoing after signing an undrafted-free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, according to the Masslive website. ”He has a lot of upside,” John Featherstone, EC football headcoach, said, “He is a good athlete who can run, catch and is fearless on the field.” Sifrin will begin his NFL career as a 27-year-old rookie and will have to earn a spot on the team during training camp. The Colts have four tight ends on its roster which

makes for an uphill battle for Sifrin. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end played for EC in 2013 and finished the season with 18 catches for 328 yards and five touchdowns in five game, according to the El Camino athletics site. Sifrin transferred to the University of Massachusetts in 2014 and had a breakout season, according to the UMASS website. His 42 catches, 642 yards and six touchdowns earned him first team all Mid-American Conference honors. He had a spectacular leaping one-handed catch against Colorado that landed him on Sportcenter’s Top 10 Plays, according to the Masslive website. Sifrin is raw but an athletic tight end with above-average leaping ability and open-field talent to stress defenses vertically, according to his draft profile on the NFL website. He’s projected as a mid-to-late round prospect by most

draft analysts. At his pro day he ran a 4.75 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 15 times. He showed his leaping ability with a 31-inch vertical leap, according to the NFL website. Sifrin can take solice in the fact that several UMASS players have had solid pro careers without being selected. The biggest names that have come from UMASS are Victor Cruz, wide receiver for the New York Giants, and James Ihedigbo, safety for the Detroit Lions, according to the Gazettenet website. Featherstone said that there were some things that he can do well against others. “He can block, but you can also move him outside to create mismatches,” Featherstone said. “He’s got a bright future. He’s only going to get better.” Attempts to reach Jean Sifrin for this story were made but “The Union” did not receive an immediate reply.

JEAN SIFRIN’S STATISTICS GOING INTO THE NFL At El Camino:

At UMASS:

Pro-day stats:

6-foot-5-inches

- 18 catches

- 42 catches

245 pounds

- 328 yards

- 642 yards

Tight End

- Five touchdowns

- Six touchdowns

- He ran a 4.75 second 40-yard dash - He bench pressed 225 pounds, 15 times - 31-inch vertical leap

27-years-old

NEWS LINE

All information was gathered from the University of Massachussetts’ website, the National Football League website and El Camino’s athletics site.

Event celebrates Chicano culture

Models strut for fashion show

Fees due for students

Graduation honors students

The last event in the Celebration of Chicano Culture series is a lecture about “The Chicano Movement Through Films of Jesús Salvador Treviño” which takes place today at 11:15 a.m. in the Distance Education Center in Room 166. The lecture will be presented by Jesús Salvador Treviño himself. They are free and open to the public.

The fashion department is hosting its 33rd annual fashion show tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Presale tickets cost $10, senior citizens/military members, high school students and children 12-and-under cost $7 and tickets at the door are $12. For more information contact Vera B. Ashley by email at vbruce@.edu or by phone at (310) 660-3593 ext. 3346.

The Board of Governors fee waiver application for the spring semester is due on May 15. For more information on how to submit this form, or for any questions regarding financial aid, visit the financial aid office or call them at (310) 660-3493. The last day the office is open for the spring semester is May 16.

The EC Spring Commencement Ceremony is May 15 at 4 p.m. which is located on the softball field. Seating for the ceremony is on a first-come, first-served basis and no tickets are necessary to enter. For the event, there is free parking in Lot F and H. However, it is asked that no one parks in the visitor parking spots.

El Camino staff and students are incorporating water saving techniques into their daily routines in response to the California drought. But the campus has been working toward water conservation for years, even before California went into a drought. “We started reclaiming the water we use, six to eight years ago.” Tom Brown, director of facilities, said. “We reclaimed (many) fields including the baseball field. The stadium is artificial turf as well and will be using reclaimed water (for plant irrigation).” Brown said that the college has made strides to cut down on water usage in the past few years. In 2012, the college used 41 million gallons of water. In the following year, 2013, the college dropped the amount of water used to 39 million gallons. In, 2014 the college used 27 million gallons of water. The new football stadium being built will have a synthetic field, that does not require much water to keep the field in top condition. While the current soccer field is already synthetic, Brown said. Some faculty members use similar water-saving techniques when they are at home. “I recycle grey water to water the lawn rather than letting it go down the drain,” Margaret Steinberg, anatomy and physiology professor, said. Steinberg said that recycled grey water is easy to do if you know how to treat it. You can get biodegradable soap from Walmart, she said. “I wash my dishes in biodegradable soap,” Steinberg said. “I wash the dishes and dump the water on the lawn.” Steinberg said that she is also thinking of taking out her front lawn and putting in drought tolerant plants. Sue Lim, 21, chemical engineering major, said she notices a lot of differences in water consumption between the U.S. and South Korea. “When I’m driving I see a lot of sprinklers (on). (People) don’t turn it off for a long time,” Lim said. EC is also using drip irrigation. All of the plants by the Social Sciences Building use drip irrigation, which works by having it not run off the sidewalk into the gutter, Brown said. Brown said the campus uses drought-tolerant plants throughout the campus. “We’ve taken the landscape and included drought tolerant plants,” Brown said. Brown said that they’re identifying ways to bring in drought tolerant plants to conserve water. “This college is a 126-acre campus. We try to keep it looking nice,” Brown said.

G eccunion@gmail.com /ElCaminoUnion /ECCUnion /ECCUnion /ECCUnion

NEWS

2 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

MAY 7, 2015

A look at this day in El Camino’s history

POLICE BEAT By Sydnie Mills

Faculty falls and paramedic calls April 21, 5:27 p.m. — An officer responded to the Administration Building for a medical aid call. According to the report, a female staff member was reaching to plug something into an electrical outlet, when she fell off her desk and landed on the floor. She complained of discomfort. Paramedics were called and transported her to a local hospital.

• On this day in 1976 the student newspaper reported that if proposed funding was approved by the Board of Governors, El Camino would receive $121,542 in state funds for disadvantaged students. .

• On this day in 1992

Sir, please don’t threaten her in the library April 28, 4:15 p.m. — An officer responded to the police lobby regarding a disturbance call. According to the report, a female student was in the library when a male student yelled profanities at her because he didn’t move to a different computer. Library staff asked the male student to leave and then he threatened the female. Officers said to call campus police if she saw him again.

Meth pipe leads to arrest April 30, 3:50 p.m. — According to the report, officers observed a suspicious female sitting in the walkway near the campus police station. When officers contacted the female, who was not a student, they discovered that she was on parole for drug possession. According to the report, when asked if she had anything illegal in her possession, she said she had a methamphetamine glass pipe in her purse and that she had smoked methamphetamine that morning. She was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

the student newspaper reported that students gathered outside of the student activities center to discuss their feelings about the L.a. riots. the newspaper reported one student’s family business was burned to the ground during the riots. Jorge Villa/ Union Silvia Ribelles de la Vega, an El Camino faculty member, exhibits the history of Spaniards in the Holocaust for the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation on Tuesday in the Alondra Room.

Professor speaks on Spanish liberation

The Consul General of Spain joined Silvia Ribelles de la Vega in the Alondra Room to speak to students and faculty Eric Ramos

Staff Writer @ECCUnionEric

Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of the last Nazi concentration camp to be liberated, camp KL Mauthausen, located in Austria. On Tuesday Spanish professor Silvia Ribelles de la Vega organized a conference in the Alondra Room about the occasion. Consul General of Spain Javier Vallaure

de Acha was in attendance to give a brief introduction speech. During WWII, camp Mauthausen was a slave labor camp where most prisoners were executed, Ribelles said. 23,400 Spaniards were shipped in box cars to Mauthausen; 16,310 died and 9,200 survived the ordeal of slavery, according to HistoryNewsNetwork.org. “Most prisoners were Spanish republicans who had fought in the

Spanish Civil War and escaped to France when the Republicans lost the war,” she said. Ribelles spoke to students and faculty about the rough, deadly living conditions at Mauthausen and talked about the liberation. “Germany began losing steam in 1943,” Ribelles said. “The SS Officers abandoned the camp on the night of the 2nd to the 3rd of May. Command of the camp was given to the Vienna Firefighters.”

Vallaure said any kind of banishment or exile is a frontal attack on something very important to humans; freedom. Ribelles said it’s important that we become aware of the terrible things that happened and what these people went through. “The liberation was the end of their suffering and beginning of life for them,” Ribelles said. “Not just for these prisoners but prisoners in all concentration camps.”

• On this day in 2009 the student newspaper reported that El Camino created a twitter account to keep the community and students informed about “sports, fairs and other activites” The twitter account had the same handle it does now, @ECC _ Online

Corrections In our April 23 issue, a story from a year ago was printed about the swim and dive team. The Union regrets these errors.

Sexual violence booth organized by club

The Sociology Club was aided by a domestic abuse organization in talking to students

Lorenzo Gutierrez

Distribution Manager @ECCUnionLorenzo

The Sociology Club had a booth on the Library Lawn with help from “NO MORE,” on Thursday. “NO MORE” is a movement that was launched in 2013 in order “to raise public awareness and engage bystanders around ending domestic violence and sexual assault,” according to their website. This was also the major point of the booth on campus. “We are giving information about sexual assault and then we are also asking people to go to the ‘No More’ website and take their pledge,” Emily Ploch, president of the sociology club said. Some students like Frederique Guezille, 34, general studies major and Job Clay, 26, nursing major, got the attention of the booth and decided to take the pledge. “I think it (the pledge and booth)

is very beneficial because when like, ‘you need to go,’” Guezille they are sexually assaulted,” Clay said. “(With a louder voice) and said. “It will help to empower them a lot more curse words involved, and make them more knowledge- pointing to the door in the train.” able about the No one else was situation, so paying any attenthey can actution to the incident, ally do someshe said. “They were all busy thing.” “They were all in their little world Guezille busy in their little learned that to see that this world to see that you can pass this woman was the information woman was bebeing harassed in on to others. ing harassed in the the train,” Guezille because not evsaid. train.” eryone is aware April is Sexual — Frederique Guezille, 34, Assault Awareness of everthying. general studies major Month and this People can notice more booth was the last events and do event to commemsomething to stop it because she orate it, Ploch said. has been in a situation like this before, she said. A video of Sociology Club mem“On a train ride to home a guy bers asking students to take the started harassing a woman and pledge” can be seen on eccunion. then as soon as he reached to touch com. her is when I stepped in and I was

Graduation on May 15 will be covered through social media by “The Union.”

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.

Follow us on Periscope, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat: @ECCUnion. We will be live-tweeting, live-streaming and taking photos of the reception, event and guest speaker, EC alumnus Gregory Rafijah.

The reception starts at 1 p.m. on the library lawn. Graduation begins at 4 p.m. on the softball field.

Don’t think you have time to learn something new? You just did. Los Angeles Campus 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive (310) 662-2000

FEATURES

MAY 7, 2015

#PeopleofElCamino

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3

This semester, “The Union” started #PeopleofElCamino, a feature in which we’ve interviewed about 150 students, staff and faculty members. For this edition of #PeopleofElCamino, we talked to students and administrators about their plans for the future.

Tom Fallo, El Camino College president*: “I’m fortunate that I have a job I love. I love coming to the job. I don’t want to leave. But it’s time to let somebody else do the job.”

Samantha Bulatao, 16, biology major: “I’m looking forward to starting in the fall. I’m trying to get into my classes.”

Cynthia Johnston, 22, business major: (Next semester, I’m taking) business, computer information, math and finance. I decided to take a finance class and I made it my major.”

Susana Lopez, 19, psychology major: “(Next semester, I’m taking) biology, English, math, chemistry. I like (science classes) because you learn a lot. I like taking neurology. It helps me understand the human mind.”

Alex Caceres, 19, undecided major: “(I’m most excited about) guitar (class) because I want to learn how to play. I like to listen to Led Zeppelin, Metallica, just classic rock. I don’t think music today is that good.”

Francisco Arce, former vice president of academic affairs**: “My favorite moments (at El Camino) are to see events where students are performing or receiving recognition for their accomplishments.”

*Editor’s note: Next week, President Fallo will attend his last spring graduation ceremony as president. He will retire in February 2016, according to this year’s board of trustee agendas. **Editor’s note: This interview took place before Francisco Arce’s last day as vice president of academic affairs, April 30. Jean Shankweiler, former dean of natural sciences, is the new vice president.

FEATURES

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MAY 7, 2015

the best of the best tweets about and photos of El Camino this semester Blood Drive in El Camino College. Come and save someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life by donating! #volunteer #BloodDrive #BloodDonation - @Gheleen

Official Twitter account for Active Minds at El Camino College. We meet every Thursday in PE South, 204 at 1 PM. - @ActiveMindsECC

El Camino College received a $25k donation from @edisonintl to support #STEM scholarships: bit.ly/1D3imqd - @SCE_Careers

Best thing about moving was no longer attending Pasadena City College, but El Camino College, lots better, gained good knowledge helped work - @bluepuma5

Pleased to announce I will be attending El Camino College in the summer. Thanks to those who supported me on this journey

- @Keensteez

1st week of recruiting at El Camino College, thanks to these schools for visiting this wk. #OhanaAlways - @CoachAlvillar

Good news. Accreditation eligibility status granted for El Camino Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Compton Center: bit.ly/1FNn8XM - @DrBriceWHarris

I just received notice from El Camino College that I have met all the requirements for an Associates Degree and I can attend the graduation ceremony in May!! - @ActorRod Sat on panel @ElCaminoCollege for students interested in creative fields. So much fear about taking a creative path, yet so much joy in it! - @jennienash

@flyforlife87

@rolandoestrella

@7up_streetteam

@praisez_furrealz

@itsyoungcv

@xo_ethiopian

@_kaylamichelle

@juliecrombe

@sammiikrbzide2

@laurenmilby

@randiboobaby

@sammiikrbzide2

FEATURES

MAY 7, 2015

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5

Lessons learned at El Camino

Some of our staff is transferring and some is staying at El Camino, but we asked each member of our staff to come up with one thing they’ve learned during their time here. Jessica Martinez, Editor-in-Chief

“If you have room in your schedule, if you’re interested in classes that aren’t required by your major or aren’t general ed, take them. You’ll meet people you normally wouldn’t.”

Phil Sidavong, News Editor

“There are many beautiful people around campus who have amazing stories. It’s nice to get to see behind their lives with People of El Camino.”

Sydnie Mills, Assistant Managing Editor

“When you least expect it, the most unlikely person will change your life. Also, take early classes. That way you don’t struggle with parking and you end your day early.”

Jay Bamba, Opinion/Editorial Editor

“I have met tons of people who worked hard to achieve their goals. Anyone can achieve their dreams with strong motivation and conviction.”

Celine West, Arts Editor

“I can spend hours studying in the Learning Resources Center. They have everything you need from tutors to computers to printing.”

John Fordiani, Photo Editor

“Don’t bother taking your old textbooks to the Bookstore buy back. I once got $12 for a good condition $80 textbook.”

Jerriel Biggles, Staff Writer

“Always buy your books before the first week. The odds of finding a book that’s required for your class after the first three weeks will never be in your favor.”

Chloe Chetty, Staff Writer

“There are many people willing to help. As an international student, every person I spoke to on my first day was friendly and helped me find my classes.”

Jed Fernandez, Staff Writer

“Keep your eyes and ears open because you never know what you can miss when you aren’t in the moment.”

Aryn Hicks, Staff Writer

“College can seem overwhelming at times but it’s the little things that matter the most and those are the things you will carry for the rest of your life.”

Trent Ledford, Staff Writer

“A lot of students dress very nice during the first two weeks of school, but after those two weeks their outfits are not that good.”

Rocky Rivera, Sports Editor

“It’s important to talk things out and being more open. A lot of the time, it will help you more than you originally thought it would and it will bind you closer to others.”

Lorenzo Gutierrez, Distribution Manager

“Use the Basic Skill Resource Center on the second floor of the library. This center helps students improve their basic math and English skills.”

Jerome Casio, Staff Writer

“Join any on-campus club or organization you may enjoy and you’ll learn, like I did, that doing so gives you a whole new sense of purpose and excitement.”

Ryan Decker, Staff Writer

“Never be afraid of speaking up in class. If you’re wrong, no one is going to remember it or care. Talking is a lot more interesting than staring at the clock.”

Grant Hermanns, Staff Writer

“The best place to get food is at Supreme Burger Grill. The food there is delicious, the prices are pretty cheap and the service is good. Just make sure to either get there before noon or after 1 p.m.”

Monique Judge, Staff Writer

“Rate My Professors is pretty accurate when it comes to El Camino instructors. Trust it.”

Patrice Moore, Staff Writer

“Just because you went to a community college first doesn’t make you any less intelligent than the students who went straight into a four-year.”

Eric Ramos, Staff Writer

“Do not park your car in the parking lot if your tags are expired.”

Think you’ve learned something great at El Camino? Tweet @ECCUnion with the hashtag #LessonsLearnedatECC to tell us.

Mario Sosa, Staff Writer

“The squirrels around campus are not as fearful as people would think. Just have a bag of peanuts with you and you’ve made new friends for life.”

FEATURES

6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

MAY 7, 2015

TRACK AND FIELD The track and field season is reaching it’s climax as the Warriors gear up for the state championships. Top performers so far include pole vaulter Sara Curran and steeplechaser Teddy Kassa. The track and field team will compete at Cerritos College this weekend. Pictured: Kimberly Markley.

The men’s volleyball team had a landmark season. They made it all the way to the state final only defeated the Warriors a total of three times this season (see page 13).

BATTLE TO Warriors athletics contin

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball team won its first conference title since 2005. Coach Steve Shaw was named SCC coach of the year and the Warriors finished the regular season undefeated in conference play. Pictured: Nisja Bass

For more on the El Camino Warriors visit eccunion.com or follow us on Twitter @ECCUnionSports

SAND VOLLEYBALL

The sand volleyball team was knocked out in the regional playoffs. This was the sport’s inaugural season as a CCCAA-sanctioned competition. Sadie Fraker and Nickeisha Williams competed in the individual state championships but fell to Irvine Valley College. Pictured: Nickeisha Williams

Photos by John Fordiani and Jorge Villa

FEATURES

MAY 7, 2015

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 7

BASEBALL The baseball team just failed to make the playoffs this year and finished the season with a 24-12 record. Jake Sahagian, Joseph Cortez, Fred Smith, and Alex Turner were named into the All-SCC first team this season. Pictured: Keyon Allen

y to fall at the last hurdle to their achilles heel, Santa Monica College (SMC). The SMC Corsairs

O THE END ue to thrive in the spring

SWIM AND DIVE

The swim season ended this weekend with both the men’s and women’s teams earning top placings. The highlight of the season was the Warriors winning their third women’s conference title (see page 14). Pictured: Shane Guerrero

MEN’S BASKETBALL The men’s basketball team failed to make the postseason but finished the regular season with a respectable 8-16 record, an improvement from last year’s 3-21 campaign. Pictured: Derrick Twiggs

SOFTBALL

The softball team finished the regular season with their best record ever at 30-10. The Warriors also claimed their first conference title since 1989 in addition to numerous individual awards. The softball team plays Citrus College this weekend in the Super Regionals (see page 13). Pictured: Reina Trejo

EDITORIAL

8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

MAY 7, 2015

Letter from the Editor

Jessica Martinez Editor-in-chief @ECCUnionJessica

Farewell to “The Union”

Illustration by Victor Yuen/ Union

Campus water preservation on the right path El Camino cuts water usage on campus for three years in a row

dration. The new football stadium will also be synWith California experiencing its worst drought thetic, Brown said. in years, El Camino has so far made steps into the An average soccer field would have used up right direction to maximize water preservation. 50,000 gallons a week according to allianceforThe plan to cut back on water use began about waterefficiency.org, which adds up to 1.3 million six years ago, Facilities Director Tom Brown said. The issue: gallons a year if watered every two weeks. Even if The steps to combat the drought have especially reclaimed water is being used, the extra maintetaken its peak over the last three years. State wide drought is also the nance takes away from other sectors of the campus In 2012, 2013, and 2014 El Camino used 41 milaffecting the El Camino that could use immediate attention. lion, 39 million, and 27 million gallons of water reThe said techniques implemented by EC allowed spectively, he said. In other words, we’ve cut back community themselves to become a leader in water consump34 percent compared to three years ago. tion, by being an example for the Torrance commuWhile this long term plan may have originally Our stand: nity and other local colleges along with the South been spurned to save on utility bills, it has doubled Cutting down 34 percent Bay. as an aid to the South Bay community that, like the of water compared to three The city of Torrance has made the initiative rest of the state, has had to cut back to the worsening drought. years ago is an achievement to cut back on water usage by implementing level one water supply restrictions, according to a Daily With the steps that EC has made, the campus can for EC Breeze article. The city fell just short of meeting the claim they’ve prepared thoroughly and built a solid demands but the overall effect has made the city a foundation in which to cut back on water consumpleader on Southern California’s plan to preserve as tion. much water as possible. One of the techniques the campus has used to Certain sections of the school community might preserve water use is the installation of drought tolhave to take a hit such as the horticulture club or erant plants all over campus. There are six areas on campus with said plants which explains the steep decrease in water classes that deal with agriculture, but in desperate times the community has found common ground and a sensible way to prepare for the worst. consumption over the past three years. Being ranked as one of the biggest community colleges in California While the water used for sports fields on campus is from a reclaimed water line, some pitches don’t even need water. The soccer field, for in size, El Camino will contribute to help the drought in our beloved example, is completely synthetic so its artificial turf does not need hy- state of California.

Letter to the Editor As Puente Project Co-Coordinator, I was dismayed to read your recent editorial, “Not all transfer programs are worth the cost.” The factual errors and unsubstantiated claims used to criticize the Puente Project are below the level of professionalism I have come to expect from this outstanding student publication and show a lack of understanding about Puente and what has made it a nationally award-winning student success program for over 30 years. Your claims that the number of students served by Puente has decreased every year and that this year we are currently serving only 25 students are simply untrue. The Puente Program admits one class of new students each fall. For this academic year, we admitted 26 students due to our hiatus status, but typically, we admit 35 students to fill our English A and Human Development 8 classes. However, those are not the only students we serve. We have a saying in our program, “once a Puentista, always a Puentista,” so we continue to offer support services to all of our students until they transfer. In reality, our program serves

between 100 and 150 students at any given time. Records show that the past three years we served 121, 141, and 135 students respectively. Does this make us more “worth the cost?” Additionally, you provided absolutely no evidence for your most biting claim—that the program “does not have a convincing result.” If you researched the issue more closely, you would have found evidence of at least 5 peer-reviewed journal articles arguing the opposite—that the success of Puente is almost incalculable. You might also have found research published by the National Student Clearing House showing that, statewide, Puente students are 27 percent more likely to transfer within seven years than California community college students generally. On our campus, the most recent report from the Office of Institutional Research and Planning shows that ECC Puente students’ persistence rates, GPAs, success rates, retention rates, and transfer rates were all higher than groups of similar non-Puente students. Thirty years of convincing data both here at ECC and statewide doesn’t even begin to cap-

ture the full value of Puente, which was made very real to me yesterday when a student arrived in my office with news of her acceptance to Berkeley. “I don’t know where I would be without Puente,” she said. In the future, I hope you will reach out to the Puente familia—co-coordinators, students, alumni, mentors, and others who have first-hand experience with this vital program—before forming and publishing harmful views about our work. Please consider this an open invitation to any member of your staff to visit our classroom or one of our events so that you can make a more full and accurate assessment of our worth. Rachel Ketai is an English faculty member and co-coordinator for the Puente Project. Editor’s note: This letter to the editor was in response to an editorial regarding the Puente Project, in our April 23 issue.

THE UNION

Vol. 69, No. 6 May 7, 2015

Email: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329

Editor-in-Chief ��Jessica Martinez Assistant Managing Editor...............................................................Sydnie Mills 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.

You know how you entered high school a different person than when you left? That’s me, just a few years too late. But instead of high school, it’s El Camino. I began my freshman year as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school, with all my best friends at their new schools. I was young, (mostly) alone and unsure what to think of college. But if you’re really lucky, you meet people at a young age that forever change your life. That’s happened to me here. I never imagined I would be in the position I am now when I joined the paper in February 2013. I also never imagined I’d have the opportunities I’ve had here, and I don’t think I would have had them at a student-run paper at a big university. In the past two years, I’ve written about a student accused of threatening to create a school massacre, I’ve attended journalism conferences in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with university students, I’ve earned respect of several people in the administration and I’ve connected with hundreds of people on campus I wouldn’t have otherwise. One thing I enjoy the most is telling others I’m part of the paper. People have stopped me around campus to share story ideas. That and being able to inform the community about important things are my two favorite parts of this job. The simple act of someone going out of their way to tell me something has meant so much to me. I love writing important stories just as much as I love hearing what people want to know about and I hope every person reading this is just as involved with something they care about, too. When I interviewed President Fallo last week for another section of this newspaper, we talked about his upcoming retirement. He told me, “I don’t want to leave. But it’s time to let somebody else do the job.” He’s leaving next February. I’m leaving next week. But I felt like he was speaking directly to me and somehow knew exactly what I had been thinking about in recent weeks. It’s been one of the best times of my 20 years to serve as an editor of this paper for as long as I have. There’s no way for me to give this college, this journalism program and the people I’ve met here enough credit by simply putting words on a page. Two years ago, I signed up for the newspaper production class because my journalism teacher had taken an interest in me that other teachers didn’t. She made me want to join and the people I’ve met here made me want to stay. So, thank you, every single editor, staff writer, adviser, classmate, teacher and friend I’ve encountered during my three years at El Camino. I’m planning on being about 3,000 miles away in the fall, but I’ll be watching and I can’t wait to see what “The Union” and the incredible people here do next.

THE UNION For more from The

Union, visit eccunion.com. Do you have story ideas for the newspaper? Send us an email at eccunion@gmail.com.

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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

MAY 7, 2015

EL CAMINO COLLEGE 9

Campus viewpoints

Letter to the Editor I’m messaging you to ask about something that seemed a bit off in your recent article about the rape that happened near campus. Now I’m not here to complain about these kinds of stories, I believe it’s every student’s right to know about all awful things that happen on this campus. I know you get a lot of flack from the school for writing these kinds of articles as no one really wants to be associated with a college that has no control over crime around its campus. However, me and some school mates are perplexed by one of the tips for preventing sexual abuse and assault given by the YWCA’s Outreach Specialist. The tips were; trust your instincts, no means no, use the buddy system, be aware of your surroundings, and be an active bystander. I’m not sure if you noticed the odd one out, but it’s really strange to place “No means No” in a list of tips that are aimed as preventive measures for potential victims. And it’s even stranger to place that tip with an article about a rape that was clearly preceded by a house break in by a rapist who could care less about what the victim says (and not one caused by a misinformed rapist who thought the victim was just “playing hard to get”). Now one of two things can be inferred from the list; Somehow telling a rapist “no means no” will result in the rapist realizing that what they’re doing is wrong. Or more hilariously, the list is directed at the rapist, and you want them to remember to trust their instincts and use a buddy system to prevent rape. Regardless of what was meant by this list, many of my colleagues and I believe that it is wrong to assume that “no means no” means something to a rapist. You shouldn’t treat a rapist like someone who did not know they shouldn’t force themselves on someone or take advantage of another human being. This is common knowledge among Americans (and probably most international students). And because most rapists are insane, it is important to inform readers to protect themselves and not place the responsibility to end rape on the potential rapists. And think that it is your responsibility to know how to differentiate the many forms of rape and the solutions that are specifically meant to solve one but don’t make sense for the other. Though we know what we know, we still want to know what was meant by this seemingly out of place tip.

Christian Placencia is a student at El Camino.

By: Jay Bamba @ECCUnionJay

Selling textbooks: Bookstore or other ways?

Terry Toda, 19, undeclared “I’m lazy so I’d sell it online, rather than coming to campus.”

Illustration by Eugene Chang/ Union

UP FOR DEBATE Selling back textbooks: Bookstore or other ways? Bookstore buy back is worth it

Editor’s note: This letter to the editor was in reference to a news story regarding the rape incident of a student, in our April 23 issue.

Did you know?

Read more opinion stories that are exclusively online on eccunion.com For this week, staff writer Grant Hermanm talks about men, women, and cat calling. The online version of “The Union” also features the last opinion column of the semester, by columnist Monique Judge.

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ARTS

MAY 7, 2015

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 12

STUDENTS PREPARE FOR FINAL PERFORMANCES Dance students showcase their work

Aryn Hicks

Staff Writer @ECCUnionAryn

After months of preparation and endless rehearsals, students will finally be able to showcase their dancing ability and choreography skills as the dance department presents the “Choreography Showcase.” “It’s kind of a unique event in that it is exclusively for the students to showcase their choreography. We have no other performance event like that,” Daniel Berney, dance instructor said.“This is the only one that is specific to the students and 100 percent choreography by the students.” The showcase is a biannual event that includes students enrolled in the Beginning Choreography A (Dance 171 A) and Beginning Choreography B (Dance 171 B) classes as well as other students in the ensemble dance classes. “The ‘Choreography Showcase’

is a really good opportunity for the students in the choreography class to experience everything that comes with choreographing a dance,” LA Kingman, 29, dance major said. “Which is creating the movement, finding the music, but also all of the technical stuff that most people don’t really associate like tech rehearsals and working with the crew that’s in the theater.” The showcase consists of 20 pieces that range from modern, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. Students enrolled in the choreography classes came up with dances, concepts for the show, lighting, costumes and other ideas that go into a dance performance. “The ‘Showcase’ is crucially important just because it gives exposure to those people who have never seen a dance performance in their life before and for those students who are currently dancing and want to take it to the next level. It’s just a great and inspirational show,” Jeffrie Gonzalez, 21, dance

Music The Jazz One Big Band The Jazz One Big Band, directed by Alan Chan, will be performing tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, in-person, or over the phone. For more information on the event, call (800) 832-ARTS.

The Symphony Orchestra

Courtesy of the Center for the Arts

major said. Some of the pieces include fantasy elements, props, and one based off “Super Mario,” Kingman said. “A lot of training, a lot of hours,

go into making these pieces - not just from the dancers or the instructors but also from costume designers to the backstage crew in the auditorium,” Gonzalez said. “There

is just a lot of work that goes into it to make it the great show that it is.” “The Choreography Showcase” will show today at 1 p.m and 7 p.m in the Campus theatre.

Dance department gets ready for final show

Trent Ledford

Staff Writer @ECCUnionTrent

As the semester comes to an end, the dance department prepares themselves a final performance. The Lo Tech, No Tech I & II

is for all dance students to show friends, family and other audience what they learned over the semester. “It is basically for the dance students. So if you are in a dance class, at the end of the semester you have to perform in the show,

On The Scene

basically everything you learned in class, and apply it,” Erica Jones Adkins, 20, dance major said. Dance students look forward to the opportunity to perform their own work. “I am excited for it because I worked so hard and I finally get to

show people what I learned,” Jones Adkins said. Students performances will have personal history behind it. “This is my first year choreographing and I am excited. I am excited about the three other pieces I’m in. I am in a modern piece, and

The Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dane Teter will be performing on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. The program will also include featured soloists from the Applied Music program. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, in-person, or over the phone. For more information, call (800) 832-ARTS.

The Chorale Group the other one I am in is a hip hop piece. That’s my passion. That is what I grew up on,” Amy Randle, 19, dance major said. The Lo Tech, No Tech I & II dance performance will be Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Marsee Auditorium.

There will be a performance by the Chorale group at EC, directed by Joanna Nachef, on Saturday at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased online, in-person, or over the phone. For more information, call (800) 832-ARTS.

Dancer hopes to inspire youth Ryan Decker

Staff Writer @ECCUnionDecker

As a remix of Pat Benatar’s 1980 hit single “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” blared through the speakers, a group of 13 young adult dancers sprang to life, twirling and jumping around the studio. Of the 13, one was the clear leader, demonstrating the motions and directing the others on what to do. Porsche Norman showed command of both her students and the routine while also portraying her jovial attitude. Norman, 28, dance major, first started dancing at a young age and is experienced in a plethora of genres, something she showcases at various El Camino events, such as the recent “Night of Resident Artists.” “I (initially) danced from four to about 18 years old,” Norman said. “I trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop, African, pretty much all styles.” Through her dance, Norman discovered a passion for teaching, which she satisfies with her business, Tajallet Dance Company. “I definitely want to continue to be able to teach and share the gift (of dance) with other students,” Norman said. Norman is able to connect with her students due to her joyful personality. El Camino dance professor Michelle Funderburk described Norman’s personality as “full of energy, bubbly and very personable,” adding that she is able to “connect with a lot of people of various cultures and ages.” Despite the amount of work she puts into working on her dancing, Norman still finds time to focus on her studies and excel in them. “She probably did the best comprehensive final exam I’ve ever seen,” dance professor Daniel Berney said, “I actually had to call her

in to talk about it to make sure she didn’t compromise the material somehow.” Norman remains inspired by her late dance teachers, the brothersister duo of Paul and Arlene Kennedy. “It was because of (the Kennedys) that I’m able to share the gift with the students now because they taught me not only how to learn but they also taught me how to teach,” Norman said. Norman also named EC dance professor Pamela Santelman as part of the reason she got back into dance following a five year break to explore other options and take care of her now four-year-old son, Desmyn.

“(Santelman) reminded me of all

the reasons why I love to dance,” Norman said, “All the older teachers that I had and everything that I had learned, she brought right back to me when I came back to dance.” Never one to limit herself, Norman has set lofty goals for the next few years. She has made it her dream “to do Broadway before I’m 30.” Norman not only dances for herself but also views it as a way of positively influencing the people around her. “I dance to work my way through my issues but I also dance to be an inspiration to the next generation,” Norman said. As Norman looks to inspire the youth of today, she has a similar effect on the people closest to her, regardless of age. “I’m really proud of her for living to the beat of her soul and giving back,” Norman’s mother and former EC graduate, B. Rene Norman, said, “As a daughter, I wouldn’t have her any other way.”

Shontel Leake/Union

Mercedes Hunter, 25, art illustration major (right), takes selfie with her art work with Melissa Mc Donalds, 22, art illustration major.

Art show represents student vision Jerome Casio

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJerome

Jorge Villa/Union

Porsche Norman, 28, dance major, warms up by rehearsing tap dance numbers.

Once a year, every spring semester, the artists of EC are given the opportunity to display their work in the Art Gallery’s “Student Show.” To effectively capture EC’s uniqueness, Director of the Art Gallery, Susanna Meiers assigned Jacob Merkovsky’s “Owlbear,” with its huge, talon-wielding arms, to greet guests at the door The “Owlbear” is an exotic cross between the two animals, with the sharp talons and fully rotating head of an owl attached to the massive body of a bear, Merkovsky’s life-sized “Owlbear” is, without a doubt, the ideal attention grabber. “People who don’t originally come in (the Art Gallery) are walking down the hall, and they just can’t resist,” Susanna Meiers said. Student photography included

Sean Matsuyama’s black-andwhite, “Lucid Dream,” to more bizarre pieces like Merkovsky’s “Owlbear.” The “Student Show” is very much a collaborative work of art that captures the vision of EC’s artists on one canvas. “A glimpse of each artist’s point of view,” was how Virginia Chavez, 21, sign language interpretation major, described the exhibit. Displayed in the “Student Show,” Chavez’s untitled blackand-white photograph captures the solitary moment of a homeless man sleeping on a piece of dumped furniture. Not going for a specific theme, Chavez originally wanted to shoot something inanimate but unintentionally captured abandonment in the process. “Some people will think that the abandonment is within (the man) and some will think that the abandonment was in the furniture,” she said. “Whatever they think it is or whatever they feel is correct - it’s up for interpretation.”

Rowan finds it important for students to have their own spaces outside the classroom where they can connect with other students and start a dialogue. Rowan, who chose all of the show’s 26 photographs, admires how it “highlights the enormous amount of talent.” “I was profoundly moved and impressed by the quality of craftsmanship, diversity of voices, use of various mediums and a sophisticated artistic vision of the many students,” she said. The exhibit, and education in fine arts does more than give students the chance to display their talents with success that transcends artistic exposure. “I profoundly believe that arts education can transform people’s lives,” Darilyn Rowan said. “It gives them a voice, a way to express themselves in the world, to say ‘I am here.’”

SPORTS

MAY 7, 2015

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 13 Year to remember 2015 Softball Achievements* South Coast Conference (SCC) champions • First title since 1989 Jessica Rapoza • SCC Coach of the Year • SoCal Coach of the Year Tori Garcia, shortstop • All-State Team • NFCA Cal JC All-American Team Reina Trejo, pitcher • All-State Team Gabby Fordiani, catcher • All-SoCal Team 30-10 overall record • Winningest season in program history First trip to playoffs in 31 years John Fordiani/ Union

All stats according to EC Athletics

Warriors catcher Gabby Fordiani gets Fullerton College second baseman Andrea Enriquez out at home plate during the third inning on Saturday. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 2-0 in game one of the first round of the playoffs.

Softball team through to SoCal Regionals after sweep of Fullerton

Aryn Hicks

Staff Writer @ECCUnionAryn

The cheers of fans echoed around the field as El Camino went head to head against Fullerton College in the Warriors’ first game of the playoffs in over 30 years. Game 1 El Camino went into game one as the fifth seed in SoCal and the visitors were the No. 12 seed according to CCCAA.

The Warriors took game one of the three-game series against Fullerton College, defeating the Hornets 2-0 in seven innings. “I just think both teams are really well prepared and both teams competed today,” coach Jessica Rapoza said. “I was just really proud of (the Warriors’) competitive nature and their ability to not get to excited and not get to down about anything.” The Warriors had a slow start to the game. Both teams remained scoreless in the first two innings.

A triple hit down the right field line by sophomore infielder Kristen Romero in the bottom of the third let sophomore shortstop Tori Garcia score the first run. Romero also scored the second run for the Warriors in the same inning. “I think we prepared for (the game) like we prepared for every other game,” sophomore firstbaseman Jacqueline Gonzalez said. “We just stayed within ourselves and we treated it like any other game.” In the sixth and seventh in-

nings, Fullerton got some good hits and base runs but couldn’t score a run. “We have been a really good match up in the past as well and so it was just a really good all-around game,” sophomore third-baseman Danielle Bonsky said. Game 2 On the second day of competition, the Warriors defeated the Fullerton College Hornets 8-3 on Sunday and clinched a ticket to the next round of the softball playoffs, according to CCCAA.

Runs from sophomores Garcia, Romero, Bonsky and Marissa Padilla (second baseman) in the bottom of the first inning put the Warriors up early over the Hornets. In the fourth inning, the Warriors scored three more runs that gave the home side a 7-1 lead. Fullerton earned one run at the top of the fourth and two at the top of the fifth and they made efforts to stop EC from scoring but the Warriors adapted their approach to both offensively and defensive-

ly.

“We are always trying to make little adjustments when we read the hitters on defense,” Rapoza said. “And then offensively, we always try to make adjustments to what the pitcher is throwing so we have tried to do that all year and we just executed today.” The final run scored by Padilla in the fifth inning cemented EC’s victory over the Hornets. The Warriors move on to the second round and will face Citrus at Palomar College on Friday.

Sand volleyball team’s run at a state title ends Mario Sosa

Staff Writer @ECCUnionMario

Team State Championship The sand volleyball team’s season came to an end last Tuesday when they were eliminated from the playoffs, according to El Camino athletics. The Warriors split their doubleheader. They were first swept by Grossmont College (only their second time being swept this season), and then beat Santa Ana College 3-2, according to EC athletics. Individual State Championship The Warriors were eliminated in the second round of the individual state championships on Saturday. The sand volleyball individual state championships took place on Saturday as Brooke Russell and Nickeisha Williams, the only representatives of El Camino, were eliminated in the second round, according to EC athletics. Russell and Williams played against Cabrillo College in the first round, winning in three sets with scores of 16-21, 21-15, and 17-15. They then played against Irvine Valley College, losing in two sets with scores of 21-13 and 22-20. Three pairs from Irvine Valley College ended up winning the individual state title as Irvine Valley also won the team state title, according to CCCAA. This marks the ends of the innaugural sand volleyball season for EC.

For more on the El Camino Warriors, visit eccunion. com or follow us on Twitter: @ECCUnionSports.

John Fordiani/ Union

The men’s volleyball team took second place in the state championship game against Santa Monica College on April 25. The Corsairs defeated the Warriors 3-1 at San Diego City College.

Men’s volleyball team finishes season as state runner-up Phil Sidavong News Editor @ECCUnionPhil

The men’s volleyball team needed a spark for the comeback. An attack from sophomore middle blocker Peter Nordel hit the ground on Santa Monica’s (SMC) side, but it was called out of bounds. In the very next play, the Warriors looked to Nordel to come back and make a play. But instead, SMC’s Daniel Vaziri put his hands up and stuffed Nordel’s attack. The Warriors attempted to come back, but it was to no avail. The SMC Corsairs had all the mo-

mentum and finished the set 25-18 while the fans went wild. Just like that, the Warriors ended up as the runner-ups in the state championship match. “Those two errors I had were big,” Nordel said. “I thought that my hit was in bound, but that’s something else.” The No. 1 seeded Santa Monica College Corsairs were the home team, while the No. 2 seeded El Camino College Warriors played the visitor in the 2015 Men’s Volleyball State Championship on April 25. SMC beat the Warriors, 3-2 and 3-0, in their regular-season conference matches and hoped to

continue their dominance on the court. The Corsairs did just that and took sets one (25-20), three (2523), and four (25-18). The Warriors took a close set two, 25-22, but the Corsairs were just more prepared and got more calls their way. In the loss to SMC, coach Dick Blount said the Warriors were “exposed” to things that were not apparent earlier in the season. “We need to spend more time on fundamental defense,” Blount said. “Our back row defense was not good, but we had a great run. We made great strides.” EC ended the 2015 regular sea-

son 16-3 overall and 9-3 in conference play. In the first round of the playoffs, the Warriors hosted the Irvine Valley College Lasers (IVC) beating them 3-0 in sets. “We have a chance (at winning state),” sophomore outside hitter Casey Wood said after the IVC match. In San Diego, the Warriors blew past a 2-1 deficit and came back to take down the Grossmont College Griffins in sets four and five to advance to the final. EC fell at the hands of SMC and took home the honor of second place. Freshman outside hitter Cesar Medina and Nordel

were named part of the 2015 AllTournament first team along with SMC’s Vaziri and MVP Taylor Tattersall. Heading into next season, the Warriors will lose several sophomores including Wood (outside hitter), setter Chris Griebenow, libero Allen Sarinana, and Nordel (middle blocker). Wood felt “honored and proud of these guys” and said it was a “great season” for the team. Nordel thought it was “great” to have come this far and said he really loves the team. “I couldn’t ask for a better group than this,” Nordel said.

SPORTS

14 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

MAY 7, 2015

Annual golf fundraiser tees off tomorrow Mario Sosa

Staff Writer @ECCUnionMario

John Fordiani / Union

Hogan Inscore swims ahead of state championships last week. Inscore broke three school records for the 50 meter butterfly (24.50), the 50-meter breaststroke (26.73), and the 100 breaststroke (57.11) in the conference championships.

Dedication pays off for record-breaking swimmer

Chloe Chetty

Staff Writer @ECCUnionChloe

Three records have been broken by an El Camino student this season and he is just getting started with his career in competing in swimming professionally. Redondo Union High alum Hogan Inscore broke three of EC’s records in swimming on Feb. 20. He broke records for the 50-meter butterfly and the 50-meter breaststroke before breaking those same records again in the conference championships in April, according to the EC athletics website.

Making school history has been “satisfying,” Inscore said. His lively personality and comedic humor is how Inscore expresses how he feels about breaking the records. “I am satisfied with what I did. I don’t really think about records too much,” Inscore said. “I am happy to get it. It’s definitely cool and a big accomplishment. I thought about it in the beginning of the season and it’s nice to have checked that off my list.” Inscore has been swimming since he was 12 and he always knew that he wanted to race. Having known coach Corey Stanbury

since before he joined EC, Inscore knew that he would get good training by joining the swim team with Stanbury. “Once I came to EC, I knew that (Stanbury) would get me where I wanted to go in swimming,” Inscore said. Having trained Inscore before, Stanbury knew what Hogan was able to do. “He is a very versatile swimmer so he is very fast in all his strokes, over the course of his career here he has qualified for state championships in IMs which is all four strokes in a variety of distances,” Stanbury said.

This is Stanbury’s third season that he has been coaching Inscore. Having been described as a very “energetic person,” coach Stanbury said that Inscore trains three hours per week in the pool. Typically during the season, he will train with his team one hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, which is about 10,000 yards a day, Stanbury said Stanbury notices how fast Inscore is with each stroke that he takes. “He is not afraid of hard work and keeps our workout very lively,” Stanbury said. Having broken the three records at EC, Inscore is not stop-

Softball Sunday, May 3

Women’s team capped off its conference-winning season in East L.A.

Game 2 Warriors 8 Fullerton 3 Men’s volleyball Saturday, April 25

Phil Sidavong

Staff Writer @ECCUnionPhil

State Final Warriors 1 Santa Monica 3* Sand Volleyball Tuesday, April 28

Warriors 3 Santa Ana 2

Schedules Softball Tomorrow Warriors vs. Citrus at Palomar College 4 p.m. Track and field Saturday SoCal Championship Finals at Cerritos time 11 a.m. Golf Monday, May 11 State Championship Kings River Golf & Country Club time TBD

For more on the El Camino Warriors, visit eccunion.com or follow us @ECCUnionSports.

Swim and dive teams place at state championship

Scorelines

Warriors 0 Grossmont 0

ping anytime soon. In the future, he would like to break more records while at EC. “For swimming, I would like to get more best times, that’s why everybody swims to be their personal best. So wherever my best times take me is where I would want to be,” Inscore said. Inscore has always shown interest in competing. “He loves the competition. If he could compete and not train he would be the happiest person on the earth, but unfortunately you have to train and be in shape in order to do it,” coach Stanbury said.

The 28th Annual Warrior Athletics Golf Classic will take place tomorrow at the Los Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, according to El Camino athletics. The event is a fundraiser hosted by EC with the goal of raising $25,000, EC Director of Athletics Randy Totorp said. “It’s a way for us to stay connected with alumni and the community, staff, and colleagues, but it’s also a fundraiser for our athletic team programs,” Totorp said. As far as how the fundraiser would benefit the teams and athletic department, Totorp said that the teams may want to participate in a special tournament that is not in its budget. “Our teams may need a special training piece of equipment, something that they need support with,” Totorp said. The funds will serve multiple needs within the department that the current budget doesn’t cover, Totorp said. “We have a triple A program called ‘Athletic Academic Achievement’ that’s within the LRC (Learning Resources Center) and sometimes we need to help support that program,” Totorp said. The tournament is a four person scramble and begins at 1 p.m. tomorrow with an award dinner following the event, according to EC athletics.

Jorge Villa / Union

Teddy Kassa placed first in the 10000-meter run and 3000-meter steeplechase on April 25 at Cerritos College. Warriors Track and Field will travel back to Cerritos College on Saturday for the SoCal Championship Finals.

Track and field team prepares for SoCal Championship Jed Fernandez

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJed

The Warriors visited Cerritos College on April 25 for the South Coast Conference (SCC) finals as multiple titles were awarded that night, according to Direct Athletics web results for men and women’s track. El Camino finished an overall third in the SCC finals and the competition is expected to get tighter as SoCal and state finals coming up. Sophomore Will Ingram turned heads as he is now the conference champion in men’s high jump while placing second in long jump, sixth in triple jump and helping the 4x400 meter relay team place first. “I felt good at conference finals. I just need to stay consistent at SoCal regionals and state,” Ingram said. Another conference final champion that shows no signs of

slowing down is sophomore Teddy Kassa. He placed first in the 10,000-meter run and 3,000-meter steeplechase. Kassa also placed third in the men’s 5,000-meter run with teammate sophomore Michael Nakahara placing fourth right behind Kassa and third in the 10000-meter run. The men’s 4x100 team also qualified for regionals placing fourth this past Saturday. Sophomore Chris Rasmussen placed third in high jump and fourth in long jump. Freshman Kevin Heinemann just made the cut by placing sixth in men’s javelin. Sophomore Khalil Flemister was excited with his third-place finish in the triple jump and can now focus on state. “My goal is just to get better every meet and make it to state,” Flemister said. Both women’s 4x100 and 4x400 qualified for regionals with second and third place finishes.

Freshman Xiomara Perkins placed fourth in the women’s 400-meter dash. Sophomore Hailey Heinemann placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and finished sixth in the 5,000-meter run. Freshmen Passionae Martin placed second in the 400-meter hurdles. Freshman Sara Curran placed second and freshmen Cambria Serrano made the cut by placing sixth in women’s javelin. Freshman Jackie Rodriguez qualified in the women’s 10,000 -meter regionals by placing sixth. After an injury-riddled season at the beginning of the year, Rodriguez is excited to make regionals. “I was pretty excited about making it especially since I was injured early in the season. Now I just want to qualify for state,’ Rodriguez said. The Warriors are now two meets away from the state championships and the pressure is rising.

After a third-place finish in the dual-meet season, the women’s swim and dive team were looking to drop times and show the conference who was the top team. Meanwhile, the men’s team hoped to place in their events to make it to state. What happened at the conference championship meet? The women’s team came out on top over the undefeated Pasadena City College team and the men had several placers headed to the state meet. The women’s team finished in the top 10 and the Warriors finished as the No. 9 team in state out of 36 women’s teams with 160 points, according to CCCAA sports. In the women’s 400-yard freestyle relay, starting with Tiffany Oliver, Kjahna O, Jennifer Doyle and Martina Exlerova, El Camino placed sixth in the state on day three, O said. While the 200-yard medley relay team including Macielle Osterling, Doyle, O and Exlerova, finished fifth on day two, and timed at 1:50.83, which beat the previous school record of 1:51.11. The previous record was set by this relay team two weeks ago at the conference meet, according to EC athletics. O, who is a freshman butterfly and freestyle swimmer, came off of a “rough conference” but said that the team supported her. “They told me to, ‘brush it off,’” she said. “It’s awesome to get top eight and get points for the team. I was super happy about it.”

Exlerova had a massive impact for the team’s performance, O said. “She was so awesome, she was a big part of why we made it to state,” O said. “I’m happy to be her teammate, it’s an honor to swim with someone so fast.” The men’s team would not have as much luck as it finished sixteenth out of 31 teams, with 61 points, according to CCCAA sports. Coach Corey Stanbury felt that the placing was an accomplishment. “It’s pretty amazing,” he said. “It isn’t that bad, sixteenth place from the whole state” Hogan Inscore placed fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke and David Thomas placed sixth in the 100-yard backstroke on day two. Sophomore diver Shane Guerrero, who placed first in the onemeter dive event at the conference meet, dove into a seventh place finish for the men’s three-meter dive event and fourth in the men’s one-meter dive at state. Guerrero also earned All-American status for finishing top eight in both events. Ricardo Branco, sophomore IM (Individual Medley) swimmer thought the women’s team was the focus for the Warriors, but said that the men swimmers did their job. “Individual events were really good,” he said. “I felt confident, we were prepared.” Branco had some words of encouragement for the freshmen continuing on to next year. “Trust in (Stanbury),” he said. “He always knows what he’s doing. Even if your time isn’t what you want. Trust in (Stanbury) to get you there.”