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Area 7 trustee-elect Tim Jemal discusses his upcoming term Page 2 Following ASG’s donations to O.C. homeless children Page 5
SADDLEBACK AND IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGES’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
LARIATNEWS.COM
MySite goes mobile fessor said. He also mentioned that through Blackboard he can see the last time students checked their Blackboard and he hopes this new application will help CATHY LEE TAYLOR & students become more aware of Ashley Reyes their status in class. Staff Writers Especially for new students Saddleback College released who often find themselves lost on the mobile version of the stu- campus, now they can use a GPSdent portal MySite Friday, Nov. enabled campus map to easily get 30. This free download is avail- around. Another feature helpful able for both iOS Apps and in to orienting oneself to campus is the Google Play Store giving stu- having access to the Saddleback dents access on any web-enabled YouTube videos where many of device including iPhone, iPod your frequently asked questions are answered. Touch, iPad, and Android. Click on the emergency butMySite includes critical information such as a News Feed ton and you will find phone numbers for with the abilcampus police ity to email or or just click text message “It’s a real nice fea- through in the information, ture, very practical case of a real as well as My emergency. Classes that for students.” Saddleback details class inKen Kaefer, English Mobile gives formation per you a searchsemester, a To professor able database Do List and a of contacts Calendar. making it easy A web version of MySite mobile is avail- for you to find and contact facable at mysite.socccd.edu and ulty or staff members. “Last week my friend needed can be accessed from any smart to call campus security, because phone or tablet. Since a soft launch in Febru- he wanted to know if he could ary 2011, the school estimates leave his car overnight,” Chris that the mobile app has been Conway, 19, Spanish major said. He was able to use the applicadownloaded nearly 11,000 times. tion to quickly get campus secuStudents say it is easy to use. “I use it to check my class rity’s telephone number. Conway schedule in the beginning of the was new to Saddleback campus semester … I like the part where last year and the application’s I can check my newsfeed and GPS feature helped him navigate the directory is good too,” Chip his way through the campus. His Bronsky, 20, Geology major said. only complaint would be that the Bronsky was familiar with application is not yet compatible the first launch of the app and with his iPhone5. Stay updated regarding cammentions he would like to see a Blackboard which is now includ- pus events including the athletics department and the Fine Arts ed in the updated version. Blackboard is also available and Theatre events. It is easy to through this module giving stu- send email or text notifications to dents access to online courses yourself as reminders of events. including all the information re- You can also use the customizquired such as a syllabus, course able calendar. If you need to accontent, assignments and discus- cess individual departments, just click on the Contact Us button. sions. Download on the app store: There is also a feature to save the organizations belonged to and https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ a favorites section for courses saddleback/id412490282 Download at Google play: and organizations. With this app, you no longer need Blackboard https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=com.blackboard. mobile learn. “It’s a real nice feature, very android.central.saddleback practical for students. It’s very fast,” Ken Kaefer, English Proctaylor45@saddleback.edu
Students can access their MySite portal on their web-enabled devices
Anibal Santos / Lariat
CHeck-up: Saddleback College nursing instructor Phillis Kucharski demonstates medical technique as two students look on.
THE best medicine Nursing Educator of the Year gives students a shot at success Z AC H C AVAN AG H
Staff Writer
One Saddleback College instructor is writing the prescription for success for nursing students and they have refilled the order with gratitude. Phillis Kucharski was nominated by students and won the National Organization of Associate Degree Nursing Educator of the Year in November. “She believed in me and made me believe in myself,” nursing student Jacqueline Novak, 25, said. “She made me realize I can do this and how to do it in a really great way and be a great nurse.” Novak was one in a group of students who nominated Kucharski, a nursing professor at Saddleback since 2001 and the oncology educator at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach since 1999. Kucharski embraces humor and participation in her teaching style and her colleagues describe her as humble and selfless. “She’s not about Phillis,” Saddleback director of nursing Dianne Pestolesi said. “She’s about the whole program. My view is without Phillis at the head of [the second semester medical surgical program],
we wouldn’t have students that perform as well as they do.” The students of Saddleback’s nursing program have shown success on a national level. The program ranked No. 1 in the country on the nursing licensing exam with a 100 percent pass rate in 2010. Up to 85 percent of recent graduates have found jobs six months after graduation based on graduate surveys according to Pestolesi. “I felt very proud for our school,” Kucharski said on the award, “because this is not a one-person job. This is all of us working together collaboratively to do the best we can for our students and make them be successful.” The nursing program is pushing even farther away from being a one-person job as the program has gone from allowing only 44 students into the program per semester previously to 66 students during the fall 2012 semester. Kucharski’s section of the program hasn’t been a one-person job since 2006 when she was joined by her teaching partner Janine O’Buchon; who was recognized in her own right as Saddleback’s Teacher of the Year in 2008. O’Buchon and Kucharski teach on different days and teach different concepts,
but both employ humor to keep the students engaged. With class beginning at 7 a.m. even before the building’s air conditioning turns on, the teachers have to be locked in as well. “When she teaches, she is very engaged,” O’Buchon said. “She heats up,” O’Buchon recalled one warm morning when Kucharski was teaching at Saddleback. “I come in and Phillis is standing at the front of the classroom between these two fans [set up on chairs] with all the hair blowing,” O’Buchon said. “She just has a ponytail sticking up and her hair is blowing all over the place. She just goes, ‘What I say is important, not how I look.’ Students started laughing and she started to teach.” The student appreciation of Kucharski can be seen in that classroom’s laughter and in the student nomination for Kucharski’s award. “She’s done more for me than she knows or will know,” Novak said. “This was the only thing I could think of to say thank you.” zcavanagh0@saddleback.edu
Dangers of false fire pulls False fire alarms can get you expelled, seriously fined and sent to jail CATHY LEE Taylor
Staff Writer
False fire alarms have been pulled 10 times in four different Saddleback campus buildings in November – seven of which happened in a one-week period according to campus police. Saddleback Police Chief Christopher Wilkinson reports that the alarms are being pulled in mostly the “same buildings, on the same days, around the same time periods,” he said. “In my humble opinion,” Wilkinson said, “based on my training and background, this person may have a history of doing this. For all we know he or she could be standing in the crowd.” Each time the fire alarm is activated, Orange County Fire Department Station 9 must respond, Wilkinson said. There is a resultant cost to the city and each alarm presents a certain level of additional danger. Fire personnel might be responding to a false fire pull when a
Index:
real fire happens and that increases the chance of real people getting hurt. According to the Berkeley Daily Planet (Calif.), firefighters are trained to respond to every call like it’s a working fire. As a consequence, that adrenalin rush can cause physical consequences to the men whose job it is to save our lives. There is also the effect of people who panic during a fire pull and causing harm to others as well as not responding to alarms because they think it is just another false pull. In January 2000, according to www. withthecomand.com, a fire in a New Jersey dormitory at Seton Hall University killed three students and injured 62 others. It was determined that an open flame caused this fire from a lighter or match that burned flammable material on a couch in the lounge. Students were left groping in smoke attempting to escape. Ironically, many of the 640 residents heard a fire alarm earlier that morning and because it was false, most decided not to pay attention to the real alarm. Saddleback faculty is trained for fire evacuations and it is recommended that you follow their lead in the event of a fire pull. If you want more informa-
News..............2
Robert Shoemake / Lariat
ALERT: A Saddleback College campus police truck responds to a false fire alarm in the LRC building on Nov. 14. Police want students to understand cious, or if an alarm is pulled and you tion about evacuations to protect your own safety, go to the campus police that this is a felony crime with punish- witness someone running away espewebsite at www.saddleback.edu/police ment beyond academic disciplinary cially out of an exit, you are asked to and look under emergency information action. California Penal Code section immediately call 582-4585. 148.4 states that a person convicted of Get a good description of the person near the bottom of the page. Kevin O’Connor, Dean of Liberal pulling false alarms can be imprisoned and if possible, use a mobile device Arts has experienced a number of these in a county jail and fined up to $10,000. to take a photo. If you wish to remain Chief Wilkinson asks that students anonymous use this Silent Witness false fire pulls. He was impressed that the “evacuations were very effective.” remain vigilant in watching for this Form www.saddleback.edu/police/swHe also said that it is “very disappoint- perpetrator. He requests that students form.html ing that someone would do this.” The “report anything suspicious in the hallconcern is the endangerment of other ways; especially by the fire pull stapeople’s lives and the constant disrup- tions and exists.” ctaylor45@saddleback.edu If you see someone acting suspition of critical classes, O’Connor said.
Opinion..........3
Arts................4
Life.................5
Sports.............6 LARIATNEWS.COM
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NEWS
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
ASG appoints new president Goosens takes over, holiday fundraisers are organized and senate unity is discussed in latest meeting St e ve n J u n g
Staff Writer
Zach Cavanagh / Lariat
On the board: Tim Jemal will dive into the Area 7 position for the South Orange County Community College Board of Trustees in place of former member Frank Meldau, who will step down at the end of the year.
Jemal talks plans for trustee term Zach Cava nagh
Staff Writer
A new face is coming to the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees. At a level of government where those that have the jobs usually keep them, Tim Jemal of Mission Viejo broke through and won the SOCCCD Area 7 trustee seat in the Nov. 6 election. Jemal will be sworn in on Dec. 17 in the Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room at Saddleback College. Jemal’s election was his first try to land an elected office, and he was thrilled with the process. “There’s really nothing like being a candidate for office,” Jemal said, “and being a first time candidate was very energizing, illuminating and exciting.” While incumbents Dave Lang and William Jay kept their seats easily in Areas 1 and 7, respectively, Jemal had
to compete against three other candidates to take to the Area 7 seat, representing Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and some unincorporated areas, as current trustee Frank Meldau steps down from the board. Although he will only represent a small portion of the district, Jemal had to campaign from Tustin down to San Clemente to push a platform founded with a main goal to improve student completion and graduation rates. “Students have to complete what they came to do here in the first place,” Jemal said. “We need to have a goal of having Saddleback and Irvine Valley College in the top five of graduation rates in California for twoyear schools.” Jemal also hopes to form connections between the schools and local businesses to help the students go out into the local economy. “I’m very interested in the role that community colleges
can play in providing the skills necessary needed to compete in the 21st century,” Jemal said. While Jemal does have many goals and ambitions as a firsttime trustee, he sees the process as part of the district board. “I understand I’m one of seven board members,” Jemal said. “I will endeavor to work with them in a productive and collaborative manner to put forth policies in the best interest of the district.” As a self-described guardian of taxpayer money, Jemal said he is “committed to being transparent, fiscally conservative, and responsive to the community.” While the fight for his seat is over, Jemal acknowledges the most important part of his job is coming up. “I’m going to be judged on my actions,” Jemal said. “It’s time to get to work.” zcavanagh0@saddleback.edu
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A S G had an important announcement this week as Eric BreGoosens men resigned as the President of ASG. Bremen resigned for personal reasons but did not go into too much detail as to why. Bremen mentioned how he was sad to leave and that the ASG has done a fine job for this current semester. “The success of ASG is because of you guys,” Bremen said. The current Vice President, Chelsea Goossens will take over for Bremen. Audra DiPadova was also sad to see Bremen leave along with the both the events cabinet and ASG senate. “I appreciate your service
for ASG,” said DiPadova. As all students know Christmas is coming up in December. Club Rush will have an event next Wednesday on Dec. 5. “The Diverse Student Council wants to show students at the event how other countries and cultures around the world celebrate the holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanza and Christmas,” said Nina Alavi. The events cabinet thought that Club Rush might be a good idea for the toy drive as well. They want to bring their Christmas tree down to the quad area and try to get people interested in their toy drive to help out. Another idea they are doing for their toy drive is a movie night on Dec. 6. The cabinet is allowing people to donate toys at the movie. If someone brings a toy for the drive to the movie night then they get a ticket and can exchange that ticket for free food. If a student does not bring a toy there will be a listing of prices for the food. The following day, the cabinet will take the money raised at the movie and use it to buy more toys for the toy drive. Joshua Baum gave a presen-
tation on recruiting ASG members for future senators as well to help continue to make the school better - similar to how the senate is trying to improve things now. He suggested bonding activities for the senate such as ice skating or going to lunch or dinner. Other ideas they came up with are paintball, or broomball. The whole point is for them to get to know each other since they work together on school activities and programs such as helping out at movie night. Chair of Senate Shireen Ebrahim has compiled two of the four surveys. Soon they will know what people think of Wi-Fi, the arboretum trail, the library services, and the LRC. Ebrahim will have more data such as how many think the services are adequate for students or if students need different issues to deal with. Once the issues are identified, they will fix what students believe are problems The senate will soon be making the students learning experience better or be finding ways to make student life more enjoyable.
because the equipment and classes are expensive,” said Dan Walsh. If classes are expensive then eliminating them can save money but what if the class is a necessity? This is why the senate approved of their new rule: a department can not be eliminated to save money without justification. Walsh did agree however that if a program is obsolete or if only 12 students out of the whole school are interested in an expensive class then “yes” an instructor can bring it before the discontinuance program. The rule they passed is meant to keep certain classes safe such as chemistry or biology. It is also a way to prevent wasting faculty time because when one department is put on for review of discontinuance then a committee needs to be formed and the committee has to go through three different groups throughout the school to collect data on how many students are taking the classes related to the department. It would take a lot of resources if anyone could just put any class they wanted on the discontinuance program. The senate also got a presentation from Ralph Meza about the AA-T and AS-T degrees. “It is possible that the AA-Ts might replace the AA degrees however both degrees can get a student
to transfer into a university or a Cal State. It’s just one option for a student to apply to the fouryear schools,” Meza said. Its still new but its starting to look like more and more schools are beginning to accept the AA-T degree, Meza explained. The senate was also given three new degrees before them; an AS-T in Geology, an AS-T in Kinesiology, and an AA-T in History. Walsh moved an action to approve of the degrees and it was approved by the senate. The senate went over the academic calendar for the school year of 2014 to 2015. They decided to put off a vote for approval by two weeks but the chancellor and board both want the approval or corrections by February. There were some other things they felt needed to go over quickly before the meeting ended like how Library Drive is now the Learning Resource Center Drive on the online campus map. They also need to change the name of the fire evacuation plan for the LRC building and need to further discuss later whether the electronic cigarettes should be considered actual smoking.
sjung10@saddleback.edu
Senate looks for faculty funding St e ve n J u n g
Staff Writer
The Academic Senate met this last Wednesday to discuss some issues the school is facing. One important issue facing the academic senate is the reduction of funding for departments and staff. Bob Cosgrove brought in a book for the senate to inform instructors maybe how they can avoid losing any more staff. “I hope it will help other senators,” said Cosgrove. The book, “Fall of Faculty” written by Benjamin Ginsberg is about how schools have been cutting back on faculty to save money. The senate may have found the problem as well as the solution to the issue. They discussed and approved the new rule to counter what’s known as “Program Discontinuance.” This program somehow allows a teacher or any staff member to bring into question a department without any justification. That means if some instructor thinks money can be saved by eliminating a Career Technical Education or CTE, then not only will the department be eliminated, but so will the jobs of the staff for that department. “Some instructors might try to eliminate a department just
sjung10@saddleback.edu
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OPINION
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
Editorial:
New seasonal jobs available: Helping the less fortunate around the holidays
Volunteering should be all year, not just around the holidays for those that are interested EDITORIAL BOARD
Each year as winter rolls in holiday traditions begin to appear. Seasonal coffees join Christmas trees, lights adorn buildings and people start giving. But despite the increase in individuals, organizations and communities who donate goods, money and time during this season of giving those suffering from homelessness and poverty are constantly faced with hunger and hardships whether it be a warm summer day or a cold night in December. The American Family Housing estimates that there are approximately 35,000 people in Orange County who are homeless at any given year. During the county’s Homeless Census and Survey, which was taken in late January 2011 – workers counted 6,939 homeless living in shelters and out in the streets. Karlie Noyes who is the lead housing supervisor for the Friendship Shelter in Laguna Beach said that there is definitely an increase in people donating and coming in to volunteer during the holidays, citing that during the holiday season is when they get the most donations that helps them
provide throughout the entire year. The shelter is at maximum capacity, providing food, clothing and shelter to 32 individuals everyday, according to Noyes. A city away in Dana Point, two homeless 20-year-old men admitted that acquiring food and clothing is a bit easier during the fall and early winter months, saying they see an influx of people being in the mood to give. Poverty unlike seasons do not come and go but rather are a constant part of daily life for many individuals and families here, and we as a community should exert our drive to donate year-long rather than when holiday trends push us to do so. Institutions and organizations who increase their marketing for “giving back” during the holidays should drum up ads asking for help and volunteers during other months of the year. And while the holidays might help sell the idea of donating and giving back, a concious effort should be made to realize that hard times can show up at anytime not just when turkeys and mistletoes stop by. It’s admirable to see people giving back during Christmas time and we’re not asking for everyone to lend a helping hand every day, but instead of dropping off bulk donations and volunteer time two months of the year, concentrate on rationing your gifts year-wide instead. lariateditor@gmail.com Illustration by Anibal Santos / Lariat
Fundraising from the ground up Aliens franchise is hard to kill Erik woods
Staff Writer
Spring and fall -- the two seasons in which most plants are growing, reproducing, or dying off. This Fall and Winter will see the cycle continue as it always does and with each plant that ends its cycle, another begins. The Horticulture department at Saddleback College has an annual Spring and Fall plant sale where Professor Robert Farnsworth opens his green house doors to the public. “The greenhouse generates around $7,000 to $9,000 in the two plant sales,” Farnsworth said. That’s an incredible $8,000 a year! That $8,000 goes to fund scholarships for horticulture students. The other departments throughout the school should find some way to do fundraisers whether its from a sale or an event that people enjoy. Farnsworth said not all 100% goes to the scholarships, but nearly all of the proceeds do. The remainder of the funds are spent on seeds, pots, soil, fertilizer and other plant necessities. The fact that this brings in money for scholarships is a way for students to learn. This allows students to attend school or pay for their books.
The plant sale starts in the morning and continues on into the evening with most customers making multiple trips, and most customers are return customers from the previous plant sale, just months before, according to Farnsworth. Most of the plants that are sold during the annual sale are common in southern California. Hibiscus, Pansys, Alyssum, Pothos and many more are sold each year, and most customers return during the next growing season for another drove of plants. Not all departments have to have plant sales; for example they can have a bake sale or just like the recent chili cook out to assist veterans. Essentially the idea is that other departments follow suit of the green house. By raising money for their departments they can decide how to spend the money whether its for scholarships for that department or if the department needs new equipment. This method does not dip into Saddleback’s funds since Farnsworth said, “Some of the money goes to continuing plant sales.” If the departments use volunteers and uses some of the profits from their events or sales to continue future fundraising then this can also help the college budget.
Steven Jung
Staff Writer
Movies that scared me as a child were the first and second “Aliens” movie; and to this day I still enjoy those movies. Recently Ridley Scott came out with a new movie that is supposed to be connected to the Aliens franchise called “Prometheus.” I bought that movie a few months ago and did not like it. By the end of the movie, I was just sitting there wondering how Scott messed up on this movie so badly. In the next two months Aliens: Colonial Marines will release, and I am hoping it will be just as good as the previous Aliens vs. Predator game that released in 2010. When I watched “Prometheus,” I was at the very least expecting it to be how things came about in the first movie, “Alien.” The entire story was off -- even how the movie ended. The story also showed how the aliens from the franchise came to be but that part was also disappointing. When I first played the 2010 Aliens vs. Predator game, I enjoyed it. I felt there were instances when that fear I felt as a child came back as I was playing the game.
For instance there was one part in the beginning where I had to simply just turn on the lights. The character was shocked by some kind electrical charge, and I jumped a little thinking I was just attacked by one of the aliens. As I watched a YouTube video about multiplayer for the new Aliens: Colonial Marines game, I liked what I saw. I also liked what I saw in the previews for the movie “Prometheus” so I am hoping this new game will make up the disappointment I felt when I saw the movie. As I looked more into the interviews done by other people, the producers of the game are promising that they will answer questions that were raised about events in between the second and third aliens film. I know that if you have watched the second and third Alien films, then you definitely have some questions. How did the alien queen lay her egg without her second alien part that she seperated from in order to chase down Ripley? How did Ripley not think to look for the egg? All I am hoping for is that this game when its released in February is not as disappointing as the “Prometheus” movie.
ewoods5@saddleback.edu
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“What New Year’s resolution will you make for 2013?” Don Congjuico
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“Stop procrastinating.”
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A&E
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
Infusion of jazz and hip-hop
Ani ba l Sa ntos
Staff Writer
Let it snow: The Saddleback College chioir sings while a cascade of snow falls overhead in the McKinney theater.
Rachel schmid / lariat
“Feast of Lights” brings holiday cheer through song Shi van cespedes
Staff Writer
The holiday tradition, “Feast of Lights,” a choir and symphony in celebration of the Christmas holiday, showed for its 28th year at Saddleback College on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Professor of Music and Director of Vocal Studies at Saddleback College Scott Farthing conducted the choir and symphony. “I am so blessed to be surrounded by such good people,” Farthing said. He’s also a self-proclaimed Christmas holiday aficionado, bragging of being a ‘hoarder’ of holiday decorations with more than a dozen Christmas trees and 700 plus ornaments. “When I think of Christmas as a past, I think of these kinds of concerts,” Farthing said. “And during the sing-a-long, watching the four women in the front row link arms and swing back and forth, I love that. That’s what this is to me is creating those kinds of relationships.” This was the first year for the newly appointed conductor of the Saddleback College symphony orchestra and wind ensemble, Dr. Yorgos Kouritas, to participate in the event. “It was fantastic,” Kouritas said. “The orchestra and the chorus were fabulous. It was amazing. I couldn’t have hoped for any better.” The opening number was an energetic version of “Come All Ye Faithful,” which was arranged by Scott Farthing and orchestrated by Catherine Tibbits. The theme song for the evening “Feast of Lights” by Frederick Silver and orchestrated by Tibbits had a very Jewish tone and a spiritual enlightenment to it. “Christmas Day,” by Gustov Holst was a beautiful presentation
with conductor Maestro Yorgos leading the fine, crisp soprano vocals against a perfect violin and string section into a full, dramatic orchestra. The oldest choir member of 31 years, Bill Yarbrough, has been performing with the college since 1981. “The ‘Feast of Lights’ started in 1984. “We had done some other concerts prior to that time,” Yarbrough said. “But I’m pretty sure it started in 1984 under the direction of Gary Silverman that we started the ‘Feast of Lights’ tradition.” “Mele Kelikimaka,” a Hawaiian favorite, introduced soloist Zach Churchill on vocals and ukulele. “Christmas at the Movies” featured many pop holiday soundtracks including Tim Burton’s “Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Making Christmas.’” A tribute to Irving Berlin boasted a robust horn section and featured such classics as “White Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” with snow falling over the choir. The expertise of choir director Scott Farthing shined when he led his choir and the audience in a “Holiday Sing Along” with “Deck the Halls,” a danceable “Feliz Navidad!” and much more. The audience loved this performance thoroughly. “I just love the joy of giving the gift of music to other people,” choir member Carrie Carbonneau said. “It just brings so much glory to God because Christmas is all about Jesus coming to the earth.” “We really had a marvelous time. They do a great, great job. I liked all the songs, it’s hard to pick just one. It was very nice and it wasn’t an overkill. It was just right,” audience member Suzie Jenkins said, who came with her family. scespedes0@saddleback.edu
Jazz/Hip-hop artist Katisse Buckingham was the guest artist on Monday night’s Jazz Lab, playing with Saddleback College’s Jazz Lab Ensemble in the McKinney Theatre. The Jazz Ensemble began playing with “Perdido” by Juan Tizol, then followed it with “Matriarchal Conspirator” composed originally by Joey Sellers. The show was a small intimate concert between the musicians and the audience. Chairs for the audience were set on the stage with the band to help re-create the feeling of a jazz club. “We are going to share some good music with you tonight. We’re very excited about our guest artist tonight - we have Katisse Buckingham joining us a little later tonight. He is going to join us after a few tunes,” said Joey Sellers Director of Jazz Studies. Buckingham is a multi-disciplined musician who mixes soul, hip hop, jazz and beat boxing with traditional and contemporary jazz to produce an eclectic experimental sound. The music was laid back and easy going, but the band abandoned their laid-back approach when they performed Billy Strayhorn’s, “Take the A-Train,” increasing the speed of the tempo in their music. Student vocalists Jean-Luc Rollando and Anastasya Korol joined the show for their rendition of Cole Porter’s, “You’d be so nice to Come Home To.” Buckingham joined the student musicians after Korol and Rollando finished their duet. He began his show with “Incantation” a smooth easy instrumental song before moving on to the more eclectic “Before the Dawn” where he used Spoken Word which showcased his blend of hip-hop and contemporary jazz influence. After the show, Buckingham commented on the musical performance of the Saddleback’s jazz students. “I thought they did a really great job. A lot of terrific soloists in here and they did a great representation of my tunes,” said Buckingham. Buckingham is currently working on his new album, which will be released in Spring 2013. His current album Lyrical Worker is available now. asantos5@saddleback.edu
Anibal Santos / Lariat
Jazz: Katisse Buckingham plays the saxophone while students observe.
Dr. Kouritas impresses at “Winter Winds” ensemble Rache l Schm id
Staff Writer
The Saddleback department of music held the “Winter Winds” ensemble Thursday night in McKinney Theatre. The audience was not only impressed with the performances of the individuals in the ensemble, but equally so with the conducting talents of Dr. Yorgos Kouritas. Kurt Brillhart was pleased with the advancements the ensemble has made with the help of Kouritas. “[Kouritas] is taking on more complex pieces than the last conductor did. The quality of the performance has jumped up quite a bit,” Brillhart stated. This is the second semester Kouritas has been with Saddleback College as director of instrumental studies. Flute player, Candice Steimer, 34, was satisfied with the way everyone played Thursday night. “It has definitely been an improvement from last semester,” Steimer stated. “It takes a while for everyone to get used to a new conductor.” “Winter Winds” included 40 members of the wind ensemble. The wind ensemble is a class, but it also includes talented members of the community. Kouritas shared with the audience short biographies of each composer in hopes that the audience would gain a greater apprecia-
Rachel Schmid / Lariat
Ensemble: “Winter WInds” featured an array of wind instruments.
tion for the origins of the music being performed Thursday. He also expressed the importance music held during the times the pieces were composed. “Composers were composing these pieces to be danced to,” Kouritas explained. “As you know, back then there were no bars or shopping malls for people to hang out, so people needed some re-
Saddleback theater arts presents a Christmas classic co dy shoema ke
Staff Writer
The Saddleback College Department of Theatre Arts introduced their production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” last Friday, Nov. 30. The entire play consists of one act and 14 scenes. It tells the tale of the old, Victorian age, miser Ebenezer Scrooge, and how his outlook on Christmas is changed when he is visited by the three spirits of Christmas. Directed and adapted from Dickens’ original works by Jonelle Allen, associate faculty member of the Theatre Arts department, the play follows old Mr. Scrooge through a terrifying night of self-realization as he is shown different glimpses from his life by three benevolent spirits of Christmas with hopes of showing him the folly of his selfish ways. Ebenezer emerges from this life altering night a different man, with a new-found respect for Christmas and the spirit it instills. With new interpretations, an original score, and a stellar cast, “A Christmas Carol” is sure to delight theatre goers of all ages. “A Christmas Carol” is showing Dec. 5, 6, 7, 8, at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. in the Studio Theatre at Saddleback College. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $8 for Cody shoemake / lariat children 12 and under. Bah Humbug:The department of theater arts presented “A Christmas Carol.” rshoemake2@saddleback.edu
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laxing time. Of course in England, people couldn’t go to the beach like they do here. So dances were very important.” Saxophone players Kyle Fukushima, 21, and Danny Zuill, 23, agreed that the ensemble had a solid performance Thursday, but noticed some mishaps that needed improvement. “It was one of our better ones,” Zuill stated. “Not our best performance ever, but it was pretty solid. As musicians we tend to nitpick ourselves.” The audience recognized the achievements and hard work the ensemble has made this past semester. Theresa Bartoli came to “Winter Winds” to support her daughter who plays the French horn. “It was really good,” Bartoli stated. “It was even better than the last one.” Many of the musicians who played in the ensemble were at Saddleback almost everyday to also practice for the annual “Feast of Lights” concert. Kouritas recognized the dedication of the musicians to learn the music for both “Winter Winds” and “Feast of Lights.” “Some of them are actually playing in the ‘Feast of Lights,’ so they are here every single night. They are really heroes. It’s unbelievable how much they play,” Kouritas stated. rschmid7@saddleback.edu
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LIFE
Lariat
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 2012
Giving children hope for the holiday season
Cathy Taylor/Lariat
Food Drive: Hundreds of volunteers come every week to aid GCHope all year round.
Saddleback’s ASG Thanksgiving donations support Orange County homeless children Cathy Taylor
Staff Writer
The Associated Student Government at Saddleback College generously donated canned goods at Thanksgiving to an organization that has been doing critical community work for over 19 years – the Giving Children Hope (GCHope)
organization based in Buena Park, CA. GCHope estimates there are over 28,000 children in Orange County who are considered homeless (according to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act), and many of these
children go without enough to eat. Their “We’ve Got Your Back” program supports more than 4,000 children every week by delivering backpacks full of canned goods, cereal, juice etc., to their schools so these kids have food to take home for the weekend. For the Christmas holiday season, GCHope runs a Toy Drive and as many as 150 volunteers come every week to wrap, pack and distribute toys to kids. To donate go to www.GCHope.org/ toy-drive. They hope to give out 4,000 gifts this year from the children’s wish lists. Cathy Baek, Communications Coordinator, recently joined the GCHope team leaving a job in the media to do something more rewarding. “I wanted something more fulfilling.” People who want to rate a charity to be sure where their money is going, can go to www. CharityNavigators.com. “We have a 4-star rating which is the highest you can get,” Baels said Cathy recently joined Giving Children Hope’s team. She is in charge of all the communications. Her focus is on raising awareness of this organization and she said that social media is a very powerful tool, “I use blogging, Facebook, newsletters and email.” GCHope began in 1993 when John Ditty, founder and Chairman of the Board, and his wife wanted to adopt a child from Russia. He discovered a great need for medical supplies and devised a way to distribute these critical supplies through a nonprofit from his garage. GCHope currently sends medical supplies and equipment internationally where needed. This organization also supports the American military families including wounded warrior and families of active military workers by supplying shipments of household goods, linens, etc.
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The Buena Park Community clinic, in partnership with the Illumination Foundation that provides doctors, currently operates in a mobile van operated by GCHope that supplies medical practitioners and supplies for the local community. They plan to have a stand-alone clinic open and fully functioning in 2013 that will give lowincome families services such as: physical exams, diagnosis and treatment, as well as health prevention and education. They will also expand their services to include dental and vision. When other agencies such as homeless shelters and nonprofit partner organizations and churches need supplies, GCHope provides them the ability to obtain through their “Giving for Living” program. Other areas of the country that GCHope is currently supporting include Haiti where they estimated they have reached 103,000 people, and Syria where they have sent medical supplies, bandages, wheelchairs, vitamins and other relief items to Jordan where over 200,000 refugees are being housed. Suggested donations include: cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, trail mix, canned soup, canned vegetables, instant rice, beans, canned meat and 100% fruit juice. To host a food drive, contact csanchez@godaid.org. To support this organization that delivers 99.5% of every dollar to program services and 0.5% toward management and fundraising, please visit their website at http://GCHope.org/ donate
ctaylor45@saddleback.edu
Why attend college? Saddleback College’s Phi Theta Kappa presented their discussion panel, “Why attend college?” Tuesday night. Katrina Andaya
Staff Writer
Saddleback College’s Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa held their panel Tuesday night addressing the topic, “Why attend college?” The panel was led by the President of the Chapter Neda Shirazi and consisted of the Vice President of Leadership Aristo Fatwan, 21, and Phi Theta Kappa member Dylan Gunderson, 19. Phi Theta Kappa is an honors society for two-year colleges and is known internationally in the U.S. and abroad. They present their honors study topic every two years. The panel addressed two different sides of the issue, “How does a college degree affect competition in the job market?” Fatwan argued the side of the validity of traditional education and why education is important, and Gunderson argued the impact of modern education within academia and why attending college is not always necessary to succeed in the work force. The panel discussion was broken down into three segments of questions where both students had to argue their side on majors and jobs, the neces-
sity of a four-year degree, and traditional versus modern approach to education. The first question asked the panelists to address how certain jobs only take certain majors, so should students still pursue a major that may not pertain to a certain job but still interests them. The second question presented was, “With many community colleges offering career technical education are traditional four-year degrees no longer needed?” Fatwan argued that many employers might not hire someone with a career technical education certificate because it is not a bachelor’s degree. Gunderson argued that credentials are cheaper, take only two years or less, and there are many different choices for specific fields. “People seem to go to fouryear institutions because it is what’s expected of them,” Gunderson said.
“None of us are counselors so we cannot make the decision for you,” Fatwan points out. “It’s ultimately your choice.”
The last question by the panel addressed the use of social media and how it provides a way for people to network, market and educate themselves, and because of this is traditional education necessary? Gunderson argued that degrees are soon going to be left behind. Fatwan fired back with his experience of being in clubs and how on a college campus you meet friends and people that you make relationships with that may not be found anywhere else. Once the panel discussion ended the panel went on to answer questions the audience had for them. Saddleback College student Carlos Suarez, 23, asked about what they thought about taking general education classes that are not required for your major. “GED serves to broaden or expand your mind,” said Fatwan. “You’ll never know the things you learned can help you down the road.” Gunderson shared a similar view. He said that he thinks GED classes are more about making you smarter and develops critical thinking skills as well as gives you a wellrounded education and that is the heart and sole of education. “I thought it [the discussion] was kind of stale, then as the discussion went on it got really interesting,” said Saddleback College student Corrie Larek, 20, nursing. “I thought it was really informational,” said Suarez. “I like the pros and cons.” Larek asked Fatwan if having this panel changed his view to persuade students to go to college even more. Fatwan said that before doing his research he was scared about college loans and not having enough money, but after doing his research he realized it wasn’t as grim. He said he had a feeling of enlightenment that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and that it made him more passionate. “None of us are counselors so we cannot make the decision for you,” Fatwan points out. “It’s ultimately your choice.”
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Photo Illustration BY Anibal Santos / Lariat
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SPORTS
IVC ends year on down note After a dominating season that saw historical performances, the IVC women’s volleyball team fell short in the playoffs once again Staff Writer
mgrennell.lariat@gmail.com
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
Gauchos women’s basketball falls short in tournament play Saddleback drops to 5-6 after losing two of three games over weekend tournament and falls to third place in Orange Empire Conference
Mi chael Grennell
History repeated itself for the IVC women’s volleyball team this season, as they were knocked out of the playoffs by the El Camino College Warriors for the second year in a row, losing in five sets (17-25, 25-22, 2519, 18-25, 13-15). The Lasers were originally designated as the number seven seed, and were set to face the number 10 seed Mt. San Antonio Mounties. At the last minute though, the Lasers were informed that their seeding had been changed, and they would instead be ranked the number nine seed, and would have to play the eight seed El Camino Warriors. IVC had three players finish with over 15 kills in the losing effort. Sophomore outside hitter Allison Cook had a game high 21 kills, while also contributing 10 digs. Sophomore outside hitters Avae Masaniai and Lauren Bender finished the night with 18 and 15 kills respectively. Cook’s 21 kills gave her 334 on the season, the third most in the Orange Empire Conference. Cook also made it into the school record books, as her 334 kills were the third highest season total in school history. Not to be outdone, freshman libero Becky Moodie, Masaniai, and freshman outside hitter Haley Whyte also joined Cook in the school records. Moodie finished her season with 340 digs, second most in the conference, and the third highest single season total in team history. Whyte and Masaniai ended their seasons at one and two respectively amongst conference leaders in block assists. Whyte’s conference leading 60 block assists were the second most by a Laser, while Masaniai’s 58 block assists were third most in school history. The loss was a bittersweet farewell for some players, as the Lasers had four sophomores play their final game. Cook, Masaniai, and outside hitter Alex Goodman combined for 41 kills, 17 digs, and 11 total blocks in their final game. Middle blocker Sinead O’Neill did not see any action in the loss to El Camino. O’Neill finished her season with five kills and four total blocks, appearing in only four matches. The Lasers started out the season as the 11th ranked team in California, and the seventh ranked in southern California, but finished the season as the 18th ranked team in state, and 10th in southern California.
Lariat
Eri k Woods
Staff Writer
The Gauchos women’s basketball team finished in fourth place at the Chaffey College Second Annual Panther Pride tournament, losing to the IVC Lasers 61-56 in the third place game. The Gauchos faced off against the Barstow College Vikings in the first round. Barstow put up a fight but was defeated by Saddleback 55-52. Saddleback was led by freshmen Myishia Watkins and Brooke Wright, who combined for 22 of the teams 55 points. The Gauchos next faced off against the host Chaffey College Panthers. The Panthers outscored the Gauchos 13 to 1 in the first quarter, thanks to a poor shooting performance by Saddleback. The Gauchos missed their first 10 shots and failed to get a field goal until there was only 12:16 left in the first half. Despite a late comeback by the Gauchos, the Panthers ended up outlasting Saddleback 69-62. Sophomore Karla RoachaCota’s double-double led the
Michael Grennell / Lariat
Blocked: Sophomore Avae Masaniai (13) and Freshman Haley Whyte (12)
jump to block a Santa Ana spike earlier this year. Whyte and Masaniai led the Orange Empire Conference in block assists this year.
Gauchos in the losing effort. She put up a team high 16 points and a game high 16 rebounds in the loss. On the final day of the tournament, the Gauchos played for third place against the IVC Lasers. Once again, the team found itself trailing by a double digit margin, but with 9:39 left in the final quarter the Gauchos managed to claim the lead 4443. The Lasers had difficulty scoring a field goal during the last five minutes of the game, but finished off the Gauchos with their consistent free throws, the Lasers were 27-37 from the free-throw line. The final seconds ticked away and Saddleback fell short, losing 61-56. For the Lasers, Sophomore Amber Wharton had her best game of the weekend scoring 22 points, eight of them rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore Shomari McCorckle had ten points and eight rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament team. For the Gauchos Freshman Myishia Watkins once again shined, scoring a team high 14 points and a game high seven steals. The Gauchos will play next on Thursday Dec. 6 in the Allan Hancock College tournament. ewoods.lariat@gmail.com
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