Issue 6 Spring 2019

THE

RAMPAGE

The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

SPRING 2019 | ISSUE 6 | April 10, 2019

A CHALLENGER APPROACHES

DeRon Walker enters the fray for the ASG presidency, facing off against incumbent Marisol Valdivia.

PAGE 5 NEWS

02

ENTERTAINMENT board of trustees approved new parking structure

NEWS

04

07

Choirs from FCC, Clovis and Reedley Join Forces to Thrill the Audience.

SPORTS

The first installment of our feature series on food insecurity. Read the rest in issue 7: Hunger, on May 1.

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2 NEWS 4.11.19

THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Tommy Tribble

News Editor Tamika Rey

Art Director Ramuel Reyes

Sports Editor Ben Hensley

Entertainment Editor Peter Lopez

Opinion Editor Gage Carmichael

Assistant Opinion Editor Sarah Chavez

Social Media Editor Omari Bell

Reporters

Alberto Granados Alfredo Rodriguez Angel De Jesus Blake Evans Conner Stevens Derek Bullis Emily Perez Gisella Luna Hannah Lanier Kellie Clark Leticia Leal Ramon Castanos

Business Manager Tamika Rey Joanna Murrieta

Adviser/Instructor Dympna Ugwu-Oju

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The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.

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Trustees Approve 1,000 New Parking Spaces with New Structure Tamika Rey | News Editor trey@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College community will know which company will construct the new parking structure which was approved by the board of trustees of the State Center Community College District during its meeting on April 2.

The district plans to use “Design Build” in the process of choosing a contractor. There is currently a bill which utilizes Design Build’s terms to help find a good contractor.

“Community colleges are allowed to use Design Build’s procurement process through an assembly bill, but [that assembly bill] has an expiration date in December of this year,” Christine Miktarian, vice chancellor of operations and information systems for the State Center Community College District board, said.

Three separate contracts for an architect, a mechanical-electrical plumber, and a parking designer, were all awarded on April 2,

in preparation for release of board documents for a parking contractor.

“Contracts that are on this agenda are for the consultants that will put together our bridging documents to issue out for a request for proposal to Design Build Contractors,” Miktarian said. “We haven’t yet determined how we’re going to do the basis of award.”

She explained that the district usually chooses the lowest bidder when using a Design bid bill, adding that “through a Design Build process, you get to look at the experience of the contractor and their design that they’re going to submit to us and the price.”

The April 2 meeting was mostly about, “putting out basic specifications on the project,” Miktarian said and that there “won’t be full construction document plans” quite yet.

However, if construction is approved, it is estimated to take off in “early 2021 and finish in late 2021, early 2022,” Miktarian said.

Christine Miktarian, vice chancellor, Operations & Information Systems for State Center Community College District explains basic specifications for the proposed parking structure project at Fresno City College, during a board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, April 2, in OAB 251. Photo/Tamika Rey

Most who attended the April board meeting, including some members from the surrounding neighborhoods, expressed a preference for building the parking structure because it would alleviate a lot of stress.

A few speakers questioned the wisdom of spending college funds on parking structures rather than on meeting specific needs of their departments.

The district had surveyed many students and faculty for

what they thought was most important before determining how the funding would be spent.

The parking study was a part of the facilities’ master plan that determined the structure was a main objective. It was sent out to the Community College districts.

Other districts were spending, “$30,000 per stall,” Mitarian said. FCC plans to spend a mere $12,000 per stall.”

Committee Struggles to Address Equity with Inadequate Data Ramon Castanos | Reporter rcastanos@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College Equity report, which is awaiting the approval of the State Center Community College District board of trustees, shows a lack of uniformity in the reporting and analysis of equity data.

According to a draft of the report, the equity committee, tasked with creating a plan to close equity gaps between demographic groups on campus, is working with demographic data that is incomplete, too broad, and sometimes out of date.

The equity plan considers the individual needs of students and works to provide the same opportunity for success, according to Karla Kirk, instructor of African American studies and co-chair of the equity committee.

“There are a lot of people in Fresno who are struggling economically,” Kirk said. “That creates barriers to transportation, not being able to buy your books, and getting to all of your classes in time.”

The committee looks over historical areas of oppression for groups of people in society like Latinx, blacks, Asians, and many more.

“Our communities require that we support learning environments where students, faculty, and staff engage in critical conversations regarding race, socio-economic status, sexuality, physical abilities, religious beliefs, and other

ideologies,” wrote Carole Goldsmith, president of the college, in a message in the draft equity report.

That conversation of a credible equity plan is complicated because “the chancellor’s office did not provide necessary date to cross tabulate race/ethnic across all designated student populations,” the report stated.

Data from the state chancellor’s office are sorted into five categories -- successful enrollment; retention; transfer to a four-year institution; completion of transfer level math and English, and attainment of the vision goal completion definition.

African Americans weakest areas are in transferring, successful enrollment, and retention, “Being a historical trend in the college,” said Ramirez. The college has been improving a little for helping African Americans but, “We need to do better,” said Raymond Ramirez, instructor of Chicano studies and equity committee chairman.

Ramirez said the data the committee gets from the state is often late and may no longer reflect the real numbers, percentages or the issues students are facing.

There are four versions of the data that the chancellor’s office gives to the equity committee, but “there are many limitations with that,” Ramirez added.

Men have a substantially less equity compared to women. The areas that men are dealing with are transfer, math and English,

and retention, according to Ramirez.

LGBT students were at one time not accounted for in the plan because the “college and the district did not need to require LGBT in the plan,” Ramirez said.

That changed when legislation passed requiring that LGBT students be considered in the plan.

Even so, the report fails to break down the LGBT category according to race and ethnicity, meaning that it is impossible to discern the difference between a white LGBT student’s equity and a black LGBT student’s equity.

The same is true of categories like first-generation, foster youth, students with disabilities, and veteran students.

This shortcoming is “among one of the greatest limitations,” of the study, given that “minoritized” students make up 68% of enrollment in 2017 and 2018, according to the report.

Ramirez also listed other inconsistencies that make compiling the equity plan difficult. For instance, gender is a huge issue in the chancellor’s office reports because there are only two categories -- males and females. The Chancellor office ignores people who consider themselves non-binary, transgender men, transgender women, or non-conformant.

The other issue the equity committee is facing is how to tell which students are lowincome students. If students get a California College Promise Grant fee waiver, they will be considered low-income students,

according to Ramirez. The chancellor’s office doesn’t break income, instead it “is grouped together,” which is challenging to help students out, according to Ramirez.

Many transgender students and others are homeless. “We are not a campus who has dorms, and we are a non-profit school,” said Kirk.

However, the equity committee lacks data for transgender students, or those who are homeless.

The equity committee wants to break up ethnic groups of people and gender, but they rely on the Chancellor’s Office to provide such data.

The data presented by the state categorizes a large group of people as one race. For instance, the claim is that all Asians are doing well, but in reality, not all Asians in specific categories are doing well, said Kirk.

This monolithic grouping of Asian students makes it difficult for the report and the committee to understand the equity experiences of, “Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese students,” as well as other Southeast Asian American students, according to the report.

Every college has to turn in a plan of equity by June 30, 2019, according to Krik.

“It is a three-year plan from 2019 to 2022,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez insists that FCC isn’t the reason why there are equity gaps, and that it has more to do with the rules society has placed over the years.

4.11.19 NEWS 3

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Trustee Perea Plans for the Brightest Future Tommy Tribble | Editor-in-Chief ttrible@therampageonline.com

Community members gathered before a wall of design plans, dozens of photos portraying different concepts and configurations of the planned West Fresno campus.

The planning charrette was open to the public. Students and faculty held green and red dots, which they used to mark their preferences for one West Fresno possibility over another.

The goal was collaborative, a meeting of minds between the architects and designers of buildings, and the people who might inhabit those buildings.

Annalisa Perea, one of the newest members of the board of trustees, snapped a photo.

Perea characterized the charette as both visual and interactive, as democracy in action. “The final design [of the West Fresno campus] truly is reflective of all the voices.

It’s hard to capture the voice of hundreds of individuals.”

Perea herself has a background in urban planning, an early interest that was ignited at Bullard Talent, a K-8 school that accepts students through an application process, or a lottery.

Their website boasts the proud mission statement: “Arts are ACADEMIC.” Indeed, it was a 3D perspective course that first kindled Perea’s interest in structures. “That’s when I started to draw cities,” she said. The cities would stay with her through her time at Fresno City College, and all the way to Cal-Poly San Louis Abispo, where she majored in city planning.

She returned to the valley as a planner at a local engineering firm for three years. Her current employer allows her to do contract city planning, running different planning departments for small, newborn cities.

She has served on the board of directors for the annual REEL Pride Film Festival, which showcases “a wide array of LGBTQ cinema and entertainment home to the Central Valley,” per their website.

She served as the vice president of the Central California chapter of the U.S. Green Building council. She now serves on the State Center Community College District’s board of trustees.

“I provide a perspective to the board that didn’t already exist,” she says. But it’s not just her background in project entitlements, environmental

planning, and urban design that defines Perea and her presence on the board.

She is also the heir to a political dynasty of sorts. Her father, Henry R. Perea, and her brother, Henry T. Perea both held the District 7 seat on the Fresno City Council. While their bids for mayor were unsuccessful, her brother was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2010. Her father served on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in 2008.

Still, for every perceived advantage there are qualities that many would call disadvantages.

Perea is a millenial, Latina, and a member of the LGBT community. She is one of the only openly LGBT elected officials in Fresno at this time.

Perea references a statistic from the LGBT Victory Institute, a national organization that hopes to elevate queer politicians.

According to their recently released report, only 0.1% of elected officials are openly LGBT. That adds up to 559 out politicians, compared to the estimated 11 billion LGBT adults in the U.S. That less than a percentage point is, “Nothing,” according to Perea. “If we don’t have a seat at the table, we have to trust that we have allies that are going to be there.”

She said she always knew she wanted to serve her “communities,” whether that means Latinx people, LGBT people, millennials, or the low income communities she came

“

Annalisa Perea is a millenial, a Latina, a member of the LGBT community and one of the newest members of the Board of Trustees.

Her background in urban planning and design is proving instrumental during her term thanks to Measure C and the high profile infrastructure projects it's funding, Thursday, April 4. Photo/Tommy Tribble

from. “I got to the point where it was my turn to step up.”

It is serendipitous that Perea’s term would align so perfectly with the high profile infrastructure spending the board has taken on in light of Measure C. Approved by voters in 2016, the $485 million bond issue was earmarked for infrastructural improvements for the State Center Community College District.

“A lot of [the Measure C projects] are in the very early stages, a lot of them are closer to

coming to fruition,” she said.

The new $87 million West Fresno satellite campus is rapidly coming to fruition.

While the recently approved parking structure is in its earliest planning stages, Perea says it will cost $15 million, provide 1,000 new spaces, and likely, will be five floors high.

Perea said she hopes her experience as a city planner can guide these new and exciting projects to their best possible conclusion, their brightest futures.

You don’t have to be an older man to hold public office. You can be young. You can be female. You can be queer.”

-Annalisa Perea

Trustee

She remains intrigued by urban planning. “How do you make the built environment possible? Cities don’t just pop out of thin air. There’s something behind it,” she said.

She describes the process, and paints a portrait of a world without city planners: a sprawling city of incompatible buildings and businesses, of housing paired with industrialization, and quality of life issues as a result.

But what drew Perea away from city planning to the policymaking that defines the board of trustees and local politics is the direct impact.

A city planner’s work is longterm; it’s a big picture approach spanning years. “At the State Center level, we have the opportunity to do a lot of good effective change in the next two to three years because we have the Measure C money,” she said.

Perea’s position is powerful in the short-term, and in the long term, she hopes to inspire many others to take their seats at the table. Design charrettes are only one of the forms that democracy takes--representation is another.

“You don’t have to be an older man to hold public office,” she said. “You can be young. You can be female. You can be queer.”

4 NEWS 4.11.19

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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Hunger Blake Evans | Reporter bevans@therampageonline.com

You’re sitting in class attempting to concentrate, tapping your pencil while you grip your aching stomach. Your eyes keep sneaking peeks at the clock.

That’s because the only thing on your mind is rushing to the food bank so you can get tonight’s dinner.

For many, sitting through class is an annoyance. For students like Kimberly Villalobos, who suffer from food insecurity, class is a constant struggle.

Students like Villalobos see food pantries as lifelines and essential to survival. “It’s my lunch for the day and provides for the house.”

Before Ram Pantry, Villalobos would starve throughout the day, anticipating a trip to a local food pantry where she could gather food until the next day.

For these individuals like Villalobos, the Ram Pantry doesn’t just provide for students, but for their families. FCC’s Ram Pantry research show that one person receiving food assistance in Fresno County impacts an additional five family members.

Villalobos, now 35, first attended FCC fresh out of high school, escaping an abusive household, and pregnant at 17, she found herself homeless.

Her precarious economic situation meant that even

with her financial aid package, Villalobos wouldn’t be able to attend college full-time. She had no home, no car and no job.

Villalobos said, “I’d register for classes but then take the financial aid and use it to pay for rent and necessities.”

At that point, Villalobos realized she couldn’t possibly raise a child in that condition, ultimately deciding on an abortion. “I knew I couldn’t put a roof over my head,” she said. “So I especially knew I couldn’t put a roof over my child’s head.”

Around the same time, Villalobos lost her financial aid and then her apartment. She was homeless once again, yet still enrolled in classes, looking for a job on the side.

To get by, Villalobos would ask for money on the street, taking whatever change she could scrounge up for necessities like food, clothing and hygiene products. On days when that didn’t work, Villalobos had to resort to shoplifting to get her bare essentials.

Juggling homelessness, classes and trauma from an abortion, Villalobos dropped out of college and instead decided to look for employment full time. She says, “Finding a job was tough; I didn’t know how to do an interview, and I didn’t have anything to wear to one. I didn’t even have access to a shower.”

Eventually, Villalobos was able

to find a job as a janitor. “When I got the job, my financial situation got a bit better.” It seemed that things were looking up for Villabos. She felt stability for the first time in her life.

“When I was working as a janitor, I started thinking about going back to school to better myself,” Villalobos said. With this in mind, she left her job to be a full time student on a quest to complete the educational journey she had previously left behind.

“After I left [my job] it became harder to get food,” she said. She found herself back on the streets.

Villalobos’ cycle of poverty is all too common. According to a study conducted by the University of California, Davis’ Center for Poverty Research, 36% of individuals who manage to escape poverty will return to poverty within the next four years.

In Fall 2017, Villalobos enrolled at FCC for the first time in a decade with the intention of getting a degree in child development. During her reenrollment, she met her boyfriend, Henry Farias, whose family took her in. “Without him and his family, I probably would still be homeless,'' Villalobos said.

Now in a more stable position in her life, Villalobos said she believes she is finally ready to succeed in college. “Back then, I wasn’t focused,” she said. “Now that I’ve returned, I feel set to

Kimberly Villalobos, 35, is a Child Development major returning to school for the first time in 15 years. Following her struggles with homelessness and poverty, Villalobos is trying to turn her life around now that she’s in a more stable financial state and living with her boyfriend. Photo/Blake Evans

start the path towards where I want to be in life.”

Now with a warm home and a full stomach, Villalobos finds herself getting straight As. But despite her amazing turn around, the scars of her past continue to haunt her. “I still struggle with food,” Villalobos said. “I try not to stress about meals, but you never forget your past.”

In memory of her own hardships, Villalobos tries

to reach out to students who struggle with poverty and food insecurity. “Whenever I meet homeless students on campus I tell them about Ram Pantry because so many don’t even know that it exists,” Villalobos said.

She also donates to the Ram Pantry. “Now that I’m in a slightly better position, I try to donate whenever I can,” she says.

“I try to think of everyone else who needs food.”

Our reporting on food insecurity continues in our May 1 feature issue: Hunger.

Rampage Wins First Place in Critical Review Hannah Lanier | Reporter hlanier@therampageonline.com

Rampage reporters won several awards during the Journalism Association of Community Colleges state convention in Sacramento, Calif. from March 28 through March 30.

Peter Lopez, entertainment editor of the Rampage, won first place in the om-the-spot critical review contest.

“I don’t necessarily feel like this is my award,” Lopez said. “I feel like it is for everybody. We’re a team.”

Along with the first place award, several other Rampage editors and reporters received honorable mentions in various on-the-spot competitions categories --where they were expected to report, research, and write a story in a matter of hours, as well as in the previously published work from the fall 2018 semester.

The on-the-spot placements and honorable mentions include:

Ben Hensley, sports editor, who received an honorable mention for copy editing, and Tommy Tribble, editor-in-chief, who received the third place award for the same category.

Awards for previously published work of current and past Rampage staff members include Larry Valenzuela, who received a meritorious award for enterprise news story/series for his work on last semester’s scandal plagued ASG, as well as third place for his news story, “A Student Government Divided: Chaos, Lies and Disorder Dominate Student Govt. Proceedings”; Ram Reyes, who placed third in front page layout; and Paulina RodriguezRuiz, who received an honorable mention for her op-ed “A Letter for All the Sleepless Nights.”

The conference involved competing against 50 California community college journalism programs, varying from news stories, art criticism, opinion stories, sports stories, photo, and multimedia competitions. The

The editors, reporters, and advisers of the Rampage competed at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges state convention in Sacramento. They claimed a first place award for critical review story, as well as honorable mentions and a meritous award. Photo/Cliff Fernandes of the Guardsman, the City College of San Francisco student newspaper

time in between competitions was filled with workshops or lectures held by professional journalists and academics.

The weekend kicked off with a keynote speech by Kevin Fagan, reporter and editor of nearly 26 years at the San Francisco

Chronicle. Fagan shared various stories of fear, commitment, and overall success as a journalist.

“We can help bring light to things that can be fixed, not just pointing out what is wrong, you’re highlighting it,” Fagan told a room full of aspiring

journalists, reminding them that their work is a public service, “You have to do it because you love it,” Fagan said. “You want to report anything you can get your hands on.”

4.11.19 NEWS 5

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ASG Elections: Who do you want representing you?

Presidential Candidates

With the ASG rotating presidents in and out of office rather frequently, the position comes with a stigma.

Through this last election year: former ASG President Christopher Washington was sentenced to a year in jail for dissuading a witness and his vice president was appointed president only to resign shortly after.

The next vice president, Marisol Valdivia, stepped up to the challenge, leading an ASG recently disgraced by high profile conflict and scandal. This election will be the first since former ASG President Washington where the presidential candidate will not run unopposed.

DeRon Walker, Computer Science

Marisol Valdivia, Business Marisol Valdivia, current president of the ASG, has decided to continue her journey as president by running in this Fall 2019 election.

Valdivia, who has been a part of ASG for the last few semesters, began as a senator, moved to be the delegate, then a vice president, and now an appointed president.

Valdivia grew up in Salinas but moved out of state and around California before ending up in Fresno. As a single mother, she has overcome various obstacles and returned to college to set an example for her three daughters who are all University of California bound.

While being a parent, students, and ASG president, Valdivia has been forced to arrange her priorities. Currently, she is prioritizing her education as well as her position as ASG president.

“ASG is right up there with my education,” Valdivia said. “At the same time, I am learning leadership skills and becoming stronger as a leader.”

Reflecting on her position and her rise

The ballot has been finalized and the candidates have begun campaigning. It is election time for the Fresno City College Associated Student Government.

Voting for ASG positions will be open from April 30 through May 2.

Below is a list of who is running -- from the next president to the senators -- and why they believe they are the best options to lead the FCC student body.

into the presidency, Valdivia commends the team that she is working with for being positive and moving in a strong direction.

“I feel that I stepped up into the position and took on that role in the condition that it was,” she said. “We have made a drastic change and turn around. I have seen what could be done and how I can help.”

She hopes to remain in the same position and has made a list of items that she wishes to accomplish, the main motivation for Valdivia is simply, “I want to make a difference.”

Senate Candidates Alyssa Smith, Psychology “I think the fact that I actually went out to get signatures and applied makes me qualified,” said Smith, and overall, “I want to promote more involvement. I am pretty responsible and could get a lot done.”

DeRon Walker, computer science major, has been attending FCC since 2015.

Although he is a first time candidate for an ASG position, Walker is no stranger to the Associated Student Government.

The presidential candidate has attended ASG meetings and developed friendships with some of those in the organization, and has a good understanding of the important role that ASG plays in the life of the student body.

Along with being a full-time student, Walker works part-time at the student lounge.

He attributes his confidence to the interactions he has had with students and faculty as an employee in the lounge.

“I am happy that I finally have the courage to run for ASG president,” Walker said. “I am a little disappointed that I did not run when the last ASG

president [Christopher Washington] ran.

They ran against nobody and practically won by default. I could have been the change that could have happened.”

Walker added, “It is never too late.”

Heading into elections with the hope of becoming the new ASG president, the candidate wants to be inclusive of all students and insists that ASG is not the only voice that matters. Rather, ASG is meant to replicate the voice of the entire student body and to achieve their desired goals.

Treasurer Candidate Henry Evans, Sociology “I want to make sure that we reach our students better.

I want to make a new pathway to move past what happened with the other [ASG] presidents. I am here.

I am enthusiastic about it. I am here for them [the student body]. I care”

Trustee Candidate Armando Garcia, Psychology “Our voice really matters and so does our vote,” explained Garcia, “My thing is that I care. I care where they stand right now and where their [the student body] hearts are leaning towards. We can really project that voice to the faculty and even the city of Fresno.”

Fernanda Tortoledo, Kinesiology “I think the fact that I actually went out to get signatures and applied makes me qualified,” said Smith, and overall, “I want to promote more involvement. I am pretty responsible and could get a lot done.”

ICC Candidate Bryan Macias, Business Management

Erika Tongol, Business Administration and Accounting “I have been in ASG since the fall of 2018. I am really passionate about helping other students and giving back to the campus,” said Tongol, “Having someone that is passionate about the students inside of ASG will be helpful in the students having trust in the ASG and knowing that they are not taken for granted.”

Hannah Lanier | Reporter hlanier@therampageonline.com

Photos/Leticia Leal

“I have been a part of ICC [The Inter-Club Council Club] all semester. I have experience in ICC and organize events and communicate with people. I want to see more events and more participation. The more people involved reflects upon students’ well being. I want to see more people having fun. I am come as a new-comer, and not a lot of people may know me, but I feel it is important to have someone in this position who is qualified.”

The Communications Officer Candidate, Shanwanda Davis, could not be reached for a comment. The Vice President spot is currently vacant

6 ENTERTAINMENT

4.11.19

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THE MISSING LINK, ANOTHER STOP MOTION FEATURE

Photo Courtesy of LAIKA Alfredo Rodriguez | Reporter arodriguez@therampageonline.com

The fifth feature film from the stop motion studio Laika has managed to pull some strings and take a different direction with their latest film “Missing Link.” This picture will have the audience laughing, admiring the bright colors and admiring the characters on the screen.

“Missing Link” follows Sir Lionel Frost, a monster investigator played by Hugh Jackman, who sets off on a trip to prove the existence of a legendary sasquatch. Along his way in search of the mythical creature, who goes by the name of Susan and is played by Zach Galifianakis, he encounters the beast and strikes a deal with the

monster.

For an audience that has never watched the studio’s previous films, they are known for their stop motion presentation which makes every shot precise. It's incredible how they manage to compose the whole film unlike most studios who use CGI and computer animations. “Missing Link” is a work of art that highlights many hours of labor which most audiences take for granted.

The plot of the movie was very charming, enjoyable, insightful, comical, hilarious, and fascinating. From Sir Lionel's encounter with the beast to his journey across the world the plot has a ton to offer and has a satisfying ending.

The films admirable characters help deliver the plot of the story, many of the characters are admirable, adventurous, and brave.

Susan the legendary Sasquatch is very courageous, cheerful, and is a character that one cannot hate. Throughout the film Susan’s actions will have the audience laughing and smiling.

Most of the characters have a certain characteristic that audiences are bound to love and admire.

The studio has made other films like “Caroline” and “ParaNorman” that are more gothic, dark and filled with many things that can give you nightmares. The studio decided to take a different direction with

their new film rather than deliver another goth-style film. Although they took a different direction and decided to branch out of their old style they manage to amaze and deliver another great film.

The feature film has a great cast that give and bring the characters on the screen to life, they also help deliver the funny moments in between the movie.

Sir Lionel and Susan's first encounter deliver a hilarious and memorable moment that sets the tone for the rest of the journey.

Both actors Jackman and Galifianakis make a great duo and help deliver the films funny moments.

Many themes and motifs can be found throughout

the film. Many of them were about finding your family, true friendships, things that matter, and discovering yourself. Because for Lionel he wanted to prove and be a part of the monster hunters but they would never consider him as one, so he lost himself trying to prove them wrong and later finds himself and realizes he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

Overall, this movie is a must see for everyone. The feature film has its humorous moments, along with bright colors and admirable characters throughout the screen.

The incredible stop-motion that was captured and turned into a work of art is a plus and makes it a unique film that sets its apart from most animated movies.

Recital Showcases Students’ Musical Talents Ramon Castanos | Reporter rcastanos@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College music students displayed creativity and mastery of both classical American and foreign musical styles during the annual recital in the Old Administration Building auditorium on Wednesday, April 3.

The recital showcased the talents of students enrolled in guitar, piano, singing. and brass taught by professor in their respect field who said Julie A. Dana, music instructor and director of the recital.

“To be in the recital, you have to be taking individual lessons in your particular music avenue like voice, woodwind, brass, etc.,” said Jean Chamber, a music major and a singer in the recital. Participants must be recommended by a teacher, and

the student needs appropriate training to perform.

“As a part of your study, you need to perform in public recitals. Showing your proficiency as you move through your program,” said Dana. She added that performing in recitals helps music majors transfer more successfully.

Every semester they play a new song, and, “Most of the time, at least four of them are in a foreign language,” according to the student. Maurissio Rodriguez, a piano student, played Piano Sonata II, a song by Paul Hindemith. Rodriguez explained that the song was dark because the artist had written it for the Nazis in Germany during World War II. Chamber, who played a song from Italy, explained that the audience should not clap until the third part of the song because

Students takes applause from the audience in the old administration building’s auditorium on April 3, 2019. Photo/Ramon Castanos

it is a story. She said that the first part of the song is about falling in love and later about a breakup and how people deal with the situation. The finale is about finding love all over again.

“I love going to the recital,” said Rosalie Baptista a member of the audience. She graduated from FCC and said she attends every music recital to support the students. “You can tell that they work really hard.”

Baptista said she has noticed that the students in the recital are doing longer music pieces and have “executed really well” in their performances.

Baptista said her favorite piece is the Piano Sonata II played by Maurissio. “I’m a little biased, but I like Marichillo because I’m his friend.” She liked how Maurissio explained the history of music and how he got in tune with the music he is playing.

Anyone who missed the student music recital has a chance to see another on Friday, April 26 in the OAB auditorium.

Jack Lance, a music major who played the tuba, said the recital provided a rare opportunity for students. “I feel it’s fantastic,” Lance said, “to have recitals that show off so many strong players.”

4.11.19 ENTERTAINMENT 7

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Choirs from FCC, Clovis and Reedley Join Forces, Thrill Audience

The Symphonic Choir and the City Singers of FCC combined their powers to thundrous ovation. Photo Courtesy of Julie Dana Ramon Castanos | Reporter rcastanos@therampageonline.com

Choirs from the State Center Community College District’s three colleges performed uncommon songs during a concert in the Old Administration Building auditorium on April 6.

The singers, representing Fresno City College, Reedley College and Clovis Community College played five songs -- Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei -- songs have not been performed for approximately 200 years, according to McKayla Perez, music student from Reedley College, who was part of

the choir.

“It was hard work,” said Harmony Murphy, music instructor at Reedley. Murphy had translated the 200-year-old songs from Latin. “You guys may hear this today, and you may never hear it again.”

Murphy said people in ancient civilization did not use notes for songs. Instead, they used colors to make specific notes. The songs have a slightly sad tone, mixed with marching songs.

In the first half of the performance, each of the different community colleges performed separately, and in the second half, the choir from all

colleges sang together.

Julie A. Dana, music instructor and director of the FCC choir said it is mandatory for students in the choir to perform in this event. She urged people to donate to, “Help to pay for the installments that helped us.”

McKayla Perez, who is in her second year of doing this choral event, said she has noticed that Latin is being used more, especially in Catholic masses.

Each choir has been training for the event since the beginning of the semester, Dana said.

Murphy said the biggest challenge for student performers is that the songs do not have

notes like modern music does.

“In general, it isn’t really that hard because it is really slow and goes by syllables,” said Chris Hawkins, a member of the Clovis Community College choir and a music major.

Kevin Cooper, guitar instructor, played a solo -- Fandango by Sandiego Demurciaz, an 18th Century Spanish composer.

“His music was found in the new world,’ Cooper said.

“Some copies have been found in Mexico City.” Cooper said the Sandiego Demurciaz song he played has not been performed in 200 or more years.

“I tried to accentuate the quality,” Copper said about adding his personal style to the song, He said he picked the song which he describes as lovely and fun because Murphy discovered Fandango while picking which song to sing.

“It really is fun and a really good set of music,” Hawkins said about his performance.

Dana said the event was successful. The choirs received a thunderous ovation when she program ended.

She said, “It was a wonderful blessing.”

The Symphonic Choir and the City Singers received thunderous applause that Julie Dana, FCC music instructor and choir director called "a wonderful blessing." Photo Courtesy of Julie Dana

8 OPINION 4.11.19

CAMPUS VOICES Kellie Clark | Reporter kclark@therampageonline.com

“What are Your Plans for Spring break?”

Libby Ruiz

Psychology Major

"Maybe going to the beach because I need some sun."

Daniella Moreno Animation Major

"Hopefully be able to hang out with my friends and go to an ice cream shop we've been talking about."

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Tiny ways you can Save the World How to become more enivromentally stable on our unstable Earth Emily Perez | Reporter eperez@therampageonline.com

Humans have a history of not caring too much about the well being of the planet and how what we do affects the planet, however in recent years shocking statistics have shown us how we are negatively impacting the planet.

People have started changing their ways.

According to NASA 2016 was the hottest recorded year, and eight months out of the year — from January through September, with the exception of June — were the warmest on record for all of those months.

NASA also listed on their website since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by 30 percent. Humans are releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and more is being absorbed into the oceans.

The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the top layer of the oceans is increasing by 2 billion tons per year.

Stats like these and so many more have made people from all around the world realize we need to take action now; it is our job to care for the planet we have already hurt for so long.

Helping does not have to

be hard, you do not need to be making revolutionary changes to your life in order to improve the planet. Small changes are a step in the right direction.

Plastic Straws is something that has been brought to people's attention, and the ways it

Consuming less meat, or not eating meat at all, is another small, yet effective way you can help, meat production is one of the most harmful to the environment.

According to a Stanford University report released in 2010, 1.7 billion animals are

harms the environment is not easy to ignore any longer.

According to USA Today, 500 million single-use plastic straws are used and thrown away every day in the U.S. alone.

A recent trend, used as a way to help with this plastic straw issue is no longer using regular plastic straws and buying a reusable metal, bamboo stick or glass straw.

used in livestock production worldwide and occupy more than one-fourth of the Earth's land.

Not only is raising livestock taking up huge amounts of land, but according to the same report mentioned before, done by Stanford, the livestock sector, including feed production and transport, is responsible for about 18 percent of all greenhouse

gas emissions worldwide.

According to the co-editor, Henning Steinfeld of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, feed production also requires intensive use of water, fertilizer, pesticides and fossil fuels.

Not only does the meat industry waste huge amounts of water: so do you. Reduce your water waste. According to the Washington Post, Americans waste 1 trillion gallons of water each year due to leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets, malfunctioning toilets, errant sprinkler systems and much more. Simply fixing your leaking faucets can make a huge difference.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency says the average family can save 13,000 gallons of water and $130 in water costs per year by replacing all old, inefficient toilets in their home with WaterSense labeled models.

If you believe you are already an environmentally sustainable person, or plan to become one, another way to help is to speak up about the issue. Inform others of the things you know and the way they could also help.

Our planet is suffering because of the things humans have done to it for so long. It is time to change, and you can become a part of the change.

LOOKING FOR REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE?

JOIN THE RAMPAGE Eliasim Fragoso Math Major

"I'm gonna go visit my dad in L.A."

We are looking for: Reporters Photographers Videographers Cartoonists Illustrators Graphic Designers Be a part of Fresno City College’s student-run newspaper and get hands on experience in the journalism field. No experience? We train!

Gardenia Lopez

Special Education Major

"Get caught up with my sleep schedule. Maybe only to wake up to hang with friends."

REGISTER ON WEBADVISOR FOR JOURNALISM 11A CLASS MEETS AT 12:OO ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

4.11.19

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The Tea

"In an era of clickbait, and the press being called the 'enemy of the people,' it's imperative to understand the how's and why's of journalism. In this weekly column Tommy Tribble, editor-in-chief of The Rampage, hopes to clear up the misconceptions about journalism, and shed some light on the process."

The Tea: On/Off the Record Tommy Tribble | Editior-in-Chief ttribble@therampageonline.com

Alright girls, it’s time to talk about ethics. Boring, right? I know. But we have to talk about it because it’s the only thing that separates the Rampage from Breitbart and the Inquirer.

The word journalism conjures images of intrepid reporters and Watergate and all those fun things, but at the end of the day it’s really a kind of journaling--a recording of history. This is what we call “the record.”

The record is the notes we take, the audio we record, the video we film, the photos we take, the articles we write and, ultimately, the news we curate.

What ends up on the record is up to sources. Sort of. When a reporter has a discussion with a source, and the reporter agrees that the conversation is on the record, that means it’s a conversation that can be used.

Anything the source says can be quoted and attributed directly to the source by name and by title.

But this poses a potential problem. If every source thinks we’re constantly recording them they could get cagey about what they tell us. They could fear the reprisals of powerful people and thereby protect those powerful people.

So we have “off the record,” a statement that effectively seals

OPINION 9

the conversation from public view. The reporter can’t publish anything the source says, or attribute anything the source says.

This is conditional. That’s the “sort of,” I alluded to before.

A source might declare that a conversation is off the record, but if the reporter disagrees, then the source should know that the conversation is effectively on the record and the reporter will use whatever they hear.

What’s more, a source cannot retroactively declare a conversation off the record, as Kellyanne Conway famously

attempted to do. You know, when she tried to anonymously throw her own husband under the bus.

There are gray areas as well.

A conversation that is “not for attribution” can be quoted, but not attributed. A conversation “on background” is similar, so much so that some think it’s the exact same thing. Others argue that background means you can’t quote directly and only paraphrase.

Either way the source is obscured. They’re “a source familiar with the issue.” They’re “a White House staffer.” A title but not a name.

“

Outside of one-on-one encounters, the premise of on the record is a given. A public speech is already on the record. A video posted to a public website for public consumption is on the record.

The record is obviously very important to all of us. Not just at the Rampage but to journalists everywhere. It’s the symbol of our integrity. The record is something of an honor system--by abiding by it, our sources can trust that off the record is a safe space, and know that on the record comes with possible risks and rewards.

I’ve had sources tell me a

The record is obviously very important to all of us. Not just at the Rampage but to journalists everywhere. It’s the symbol of our integrity.

conversation is off the record, but stop me from pausing my recording device. To me, my phone is the record, and by allowing one’s conversation to be recorded it is no longer off the record.

When Anthony Scaramucci (“Who!?” I know, I know, it was a long time ago, but stick with me, Trump had this chief of staff for like ten minutes right after the first one…) called a reporter late in the night, he was shocked to discover that his ranting and raving was on the record for all the world to see.

“I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won’t happen again,” he tweeted. Reporters were quick to clap back with a common rule of thumb. If it’s on the phone it’s on the record unless stated otherwise. He should have known.

The source of these conflicts and dramas is miscommunication: a failure to agree on a common language. In many ways that’s the purpose of this whole series--to create the bridge from the Rampage to our readers, from non-journalism majors to all the others, from student to faculty and from reporter to administrator.

So, on the record, let’s create a shared language. Together.

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The Mueller Report Won’t Save Democrats in 2020 Blake Evans | Reporter bevans@therampageonline.com

I’ve already been controversial within the Democratic Party and for good reason. What exactly would have been the endgame here? Even if the Mueller investigation had found evidence of collusion it wouldn’t lead to Trump’s impeachment.

While I don’t support Trump, I do think that this focus on the Mueller investigation may ultimately prove to hurt the Democrats going forward into 2020.

Within the party, the progressive wing is already critical of the Russia investigation, accusing establishment Democrats of using the investigation as a red herring to ignore the ideological rift in regards to policy between progressives and the establishment Democrats.

On the other side, Republicans have framed this investigation as a witch hunt to “unfairly take down Trump.” Regardless of which narrative sticks in 2020,

the establishment Democrats have lost credibility on the collusion issue.

For two years, the investigation has been hyped up only to not deliver the level of scandal initially promised. Ideally they should move on rather than double down on the issue.

Now I don’t mean to minimize the importance of the investigation. Even though no “collusion” has been found, that doesn’t mean that Trump isn’t still guilty of obstructing justice.

The problem with this is whether the obstruction accusation will be accepted by the general public For many people not involved in politics, anything less than Trump literally working for the Russian Mafia will appear like false advertising.

In my opinion, the best course of action for the Democratic Party would be to focus more on a workable policy platform for the 2020 election and to highlight the consequences of Trump’s actual policies, such as his tax cuts or his ban on transgender

people in the military.

Early polls are already showing that the Mueller Report has already led to a decline in popularity for the Russian collusion conspiracy.

A poll co-produced by NBC and the Wall Street Journal found that following the release of the Mueller Report, only 36% of Americans still have doubts about Trump‘s presidency. This figure is down from the 48% of Americans who held doubts of Trump’s presidency due to

“

For many people not involved in politics, anything less than Trump literally working for the Russian Mafia will appear like false advertising.

the Mueller investigation in February.

What this implies is that the public is largely accepting the results of the investigation as opposed to continuing to fight for proof of collusion.

For the few who continue to hold on to the collusion accusation for 2020, we only need to look back at the 2016 election to realize how futile character attacks on Trump have been.

The 2016 election, as we all remember, was famously full of attack ads aiming at Trump’s “lack of civility,” or his “deplorable behavior,” and, of course, his “grab her by the pussy” video. And yet, none of this seemed to turn his supporters off.

More interestingly, though Republican primary challengers like Marco Rubio announced themselves as “Never Trumpers” based on this type of behavior, Trump’s approval rating remained high among the Republican electorate.

Most importantly, these

attacks seemed not to have too much of an effect on the lucrative Independent vote since Trump won 46% of these voters compared to Hillary winning 42% of these voters.

The main point of this comparison is the fact that attacks on Trump himself seem to have ultimately held little effect on the voting public.

Attacking Trump for unproven Russian collusion in 2020 will do nothing for the Democrats since those who are voting for him don’t care, those who do care are already unlikely to vote for him, and those who are undecided won’t be swayed by that.

If Democrats want to make Trump a one term president, Democrats need to put up a charismatic candidate who is able to run a campaign that distinguishes itself from just being against the current administration. For the future of our country, we need to be pro-change, pro-people not just anti-Trump.

10 SPORTS 4.11.19

5-3 Profile Putout Ian Ross: 3rd Base

Omari Bell | Reporter obell@therampageonline.com

Ian Ross has spent nearly his entire life around sports, like golf and basketball – but most importantly, baseball. Ross has always had a passion for catching a ball at 3rd base or stepping up to the plate when his colleagues need him the most with expectations of hitting that small white and red ball over the back wall.

Ross, now 21, grew up in Clovis, California. After graduating from Clovis West High School in 2016, he signed his letter of intent to Sacramento State University where he redshirted his first collegiate season. Even though he signed with Ian Ross rifles a throw to first during the Rams' Sacramento State, Ross grew up a game against West Hills College on April 2, Fullerton College fan.

2019. . Photo/Ben Hensley “I grew up watching Fullerton every year on my birthday,” Ross

said. “I usually would spend the weekend up there.”

The opportunity has not come up for Ross to communicate with the Fullerton head coach this season, but he has multiple Division I schools scouting him.

That said, Ross never fails to mention how great it would be to play for his father’s alma mater.

Ian’s father, Mike Ross, is one of the assistant coaches for the Rams. And even though he may have played baseball for the minors, he did not push Ian into playing any sports, leaving that decision up to him.

Mike Ross also attended Fresno City College where he played soccer and baseball.

“Ian has grown a lot since being at Sac State up until now,'' Mike Ross said. “He has become an important part in our offense and defense.”

This season, the Rams have won 24 games and have lost 8 games with their last of the conference being against Merced Tuesday, April 9 where they pulled away with a 11-4 win. Ross has managed to average .363 at the plate with a .437 onbase, and .566 slugging percentages, recording 41 hits, five of which went for home runs over the wall up to this point in the season.

“I think wherever Ian ends up for the next two years he’s gonna help out a lot while being very productive on offense and defense,'' Mike Ross said.

Ross’s most memorable baseball moment he said had to have been last season against rival junior college, College of the Sequoias.

“It was like the 8th inning I believe, and we were down 7-6 and we were facing this really good pitcher that had committed to Long Beach State. He was being a little cocky during the game and I had gone up to bat, I just remember hitting the ball across the field and watched as it went over the fence making us gain the lead with 8-7 going into the 9th inning,” Ross said.

“That was pretty awesome.”

Ross has always been that type of player that goes into the box thinking he’s better than the pitcher to give him that edge going into that kind of match-up on offense.

Head Coach Ron Scott stated that the coaching staff talks to four year schools all the time for Ross and that he, as well as Chet Allison have a lot of things going for them at the moment.

“I think that Ian has been phenomenal these past two years,” Head Coach Ron Scott said. “He had a great year last year, but we’re lucky he is back. Ian to me should be playing Division I baseball somewhere.”

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Kohl Simas: 1st Base/P

Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

“The best experiences I’ve had in baseball is comradery.”

Those are the words of 19 year old pitching prodigy Kohl Simas. Son of six year major league veteran Bill Simas, he graduated in 2018 from Clovis West High School and was recruited

by Fresno City College Rams’ baseball coach Ron Kohl Simas fields a throw to first during the Scott.

“I’m getting older; that’s not Rams' game against West Hills Coalinga on the first time that’s happened,” April 2, 2019. . Photo/Ben Hensley Scott said referencing his tenure Being able to accept defeat and - 31 years, also coached Bill using it as a learning experience Simas during his tenure at FCC. is something that Simas referred Growing up, Simas spent to as an area he has grown in almost his entire childhood in throughout his years on the Fresno with the exception of a diamond. Simas experienced year in Chicago while his dad that on one of the highest levels spent time in the majors with the recently in the high school valley Chicago White Sox, but respects championship game. his hometown roots.

“I gave up five runs and lost “This will always be home,” the valley championship,” Simas Simas said of the Fresno area. recalled. Growing from that Simas started out like many and accepting defeat with the other baseball players; playing ability to grow and learn from it catch in the front yard with dad. is something that resonates with Starting competitive play at age Simas. “I messed up; I didn’t do four, Simas has been playing ever this right, or this right, so next since. Both parents however had time, I’m gonna do it right.” a history of athletics throughout “That was the big thing that their college days. opened my eyes to that problem “My mom was actually a better in my game.” athlete than my dad. She played But like anyone who has made volleyball, softball, soccer, she a name for themselves through did every sport she could,” Simas the love of the game, Simas has said about his family history in countless personal victories as an athletics. athlete as well.

“Because my dad, given “I’d have to say the best his job he’s always gone, she experiences I’ve had in would be the one to take us to baseball would be teammates games, practice, everything,” [experiencing] comradery. Being Simas elaborated on his family’s able to go to those guys and talk relationship with his mom. “She’d to them and hang out with them,” drive four hours, get a hotel Simas said. “If you’re having room and we’d bum it out for the a bad day at the plate, they’re weekend, and she’d drive back on gonna come pick you up and be Sunday and be back to work on like, ‘Go get the next one.’ That’s Monday.” probably the best memories Simas, a freshman business of baseball is the team aspect major at FCC, played both corner growing up.” infield positions, and of course This Season, Simas has spent his primary position: pitcher. part of the year on the injured Having recently accepted an list. However in his time with the offer to play for UC San Diego Rams, Simas has a 2-1 record, next year, Simas hopes to one day after making nine appearances figuratively follow in his fathers’ on the mound for 37⅓ innings, footsteps and play in the majors. recording 41 strikeouts to 28 Simas hopes to create his own walks, and possesses a 2.41era. fame in the majors separate from He has also appeared in 24 his fathers. games offensively, 23 as a starter, “That’s the big things that batting .316 with one home run everybody brings up,” Simas said and 19 RBIs. about the comparisons to his Needless to say, the Simas dad. “In a sense I try and one up name will be forever ingrained in him. I tell him every day, ‘Hey, Rams baseball history.

I’m gonna get drafted higher “There’s another Simas coming than you! I’m gonna do better next year too,” coach Scott said of things than you!’” Simas said of the Simas’ legacy with the Rams. his hopes of the future in the big leagues.

Like many other players however, Simas has had his fair share of difficulties with the game in the past.

4.11.19

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SPORTS 11

Rams Fall to Porterville in Extra Innings Conner Stevens | Reporter cstevens@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College Rams Softball team came up short in their game against Porterville College on April 4 at the FCC Softball Diamond, losing in the eighth inning 6-5 to the visiting Pirates.

Defense was the main problem for the Rams throughout the game and in the end they paid the price for it Thursday afternoon.

Porterville wasted no time in getting their offense going with a first inning home run to give them an early 1-0 lead.

FCC would come back with two runs of their own in the home half of the first. Savannah Pena got the Rams going with an RBI double to bring in a run and tie it up.

FCC then took a 2-1 lead after Desarae Moreno followed it up with a sacrifice fly to left field that brought in Pena after advancing to third on a wild pitch.

The Rams would add to their lead in the third inning that started with a one out walk to Pena.

Pena would show off her speed after stealing second and advancing to third on a fly ball to center.

Pena came around to score on Emily Puente’s line drive single to center that gave FCC a 3-1 lead heading into the fourth inning.

That’s where they ran into trouble.

The Rams looked like they were going to get out of a jam after third baseman Victoria Hernandez saved a run by knocking down a hard ground ball and throwing out a Porterville runner at the plate to keep the Pirates scoreless in the inning.

A nine pitch at bat that included four consecutive foul balls would follow that resulted in a 3-run home run for Porterville and a 4-3 advantage.

The two teams would go back and forth over the next innings and found themselves tied 5-5 at the end of the seventh.

The Pirates would lead off the extra innings by reaching first on an infield error by FCC. Two batters later a line drive single two center would bring the runner

around to score and give Porterville a 6-5 lead.

The Rams would get sent down 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the eighth inning and were left to watch the Pirates celebrate the late inning comeback.

“We just made too many mistakes,” Coach Rhonda Williams said after the game. “We gave them too many opportunities to score runs and we weren't on point.”

Coach Williams also highlighted that the factor that the errors had played in the game, “People were down a little bit,” Williams said going into the final few innings. “ We didn’t do a good job of picking ourselves up and staying relaxed and playing like we can.”

FCC moved to 17-14 on the season and remain in fourth place in the Central Valley Conference Standings.

The Rams will need to have a short memory because they head to Cosumnes River College April Freshman pitcher Emily Puente throws a pitch in the eighth inning against Porterville College 7 for a double header against the on April 7 at FCC Softball Diamond. Puente would throw 4 1/3 innings of relief giving up three 19-13 Hawks. hits and two unearned runs while striking out four. Photo/Conner Stevens

Central Valley Conference Standings Team GP W-L Pct Reedley 15 13-2 0.867 Sequoias 15 13-2 0.867 Porterville 13 8-5 0.615 Fresno City 15 9-6 0.600 Merced 13 6-7 0.462 West hills Coalinga 13 3-10 0.231

Spring Break Sports Take - Our Editors' Advice for the Spring Break Sports Fan Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

It’s finally almost here. Spring break 2019. Whether you’re a student or faculty, spring break is a time for relaxation, fun and most importantly, a week to put a stop to the madness of school, midterms, finals preparation, and the general stress that comes with being an everyday student.

And so the big question comes up right after that first day of break: What is there to do?

If you’re a sports fan, then look no further. Some of the most entertaining events in the valley and beyond are at your fingertips.

The Local Flavor Starting locally, athletics in the valley are somewhat easy to come by.

Keeping things on campus, the Fresno City College Rams softball team will be in action in a doubleheader against San Jose Community College on April 16, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Rams will also host the Reedley College Tigers on April 18 at 2 p.m. on their home Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

turf.

Both the Rams and the Tigers are making a statement in conference play this season with the Rams sitting third in the Central Valley Conference standings, and the Tigers leading the CVC, both in tight races for their respective positions. This looks to be a great and exciting matchup with the two teams coming in sporting tough pitching added to a dangerous lineup.

Across town, the Fresno Grizzlies opened their season on April 4, and open up a seven game homestand starting with three games against the Salt Lake Bees from April 16 -18, followed by four games against the Las Vegas Aviators from April 19-22.

According to the Grizzlies Website, all games have an evening start time with the exception of Sunday’s matinee against the Aviators.

Hit the Road Jack Another option many students enjoy during spring break is the ability to get up and get out for a few days. Well if you’re willing to travel, we’ve got you covered.

Major League Baseball is in full swing, and with opening day behind us, teams and fans alike look forward to the success of their favorite players and franchises. Starting up north, the San Francisco Giants’ field crew will get the week off, as the team plays a nine game road trip throughout the duration of FCC’s spring break. Other teams, however, are in action during the break just waiting for fans to catch them in action.

Keeping an eye to the north, the Oakland Athletics start an eight game homestand, five of which line up during spring break beginning with a short two game series against 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros on April 16 and 17, followed by a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 19-21.

Heading South Heading down the I-5, you can catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in action against the Cincinnati Reds for Baseball’s “Jackie Robinson Day” on April 15, and face off against the Reds again on April 16 and 17.

Keep going on the I-5 and you can catch the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim taking on division rival Seattle Mariners from April 18-21.

Farther south down the I-5, you can catch the Padres in action against the Colorado Rockies on April 15 and 16 for a quick two game divisional matchup, and against facing off against the Cincinnati Reds for a four game set from April 18 to April 21.

All MLB dates and schedules courtesy of individual team sites through mlb.com.

Finally for soccer fans, the Los Angeles Galaxy will be in action on April 19 against the Houston Dynamo for a Friday evening matchup. Fans looking to get their fix on the pitch may look to check the team out as they look to continue their 3-1 start to the season.

Wherever you look, sports are in the news and on the field this spring break. And if you’re not able to make it to any events, at the very least, get out and enjoy the time off and opportunity that spring break has to offer.

Pick up a basketball or a bat and glove and keep the love of the game alive!

12 SPORTS 4.11.19

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Rams' Offense Strong in Series Opener Against Merced Derek Bullis | Reporter dbullis@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College Rams put up another win on Tuesday, April 9 against Merced College, winning 11-4 at home to open up their final conference series of the season.

Tuesday night’s win puts FCC just one win behind COS who is holding the lead in the Central Valley Conference with a 14-2 record this season.

“We pitched well, played well, it was a big win for us,” Rams’ coach Ron Scott said following the win.

This game was Jiovianni Saavedra’s eighth starting pitching appearance this season. Earning himself another victory on Tuesday, Saavedra pitched for a total of 5⅔ innings, facing 25 batters and only giving up two earned runs off four hits. Saavedra struck out five, but also walked five.

The Rams took an early lead in the first inning following a walk, and two hit batsmen. Kohl Simas singled off the first pitch in his opening at bat, scoring two runs. Ian Ross scored the third run for the Rams off a passed ball. Adam Munoz then singled on a line drive into left field to send home Simas. Munoz ended the inning gaining a run off a sacrifice fly by Josh May. After surrendering a run to the Blue Devils in the second inning, the Rams scored two more runs off doubles hit by Simas and May, putting the Rams up 8-1 heading into the third.

The Rams would pick up their ninth run in the third inning when, with the bases loaded, Ian Ross was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. The rams lead ballooned to 9-1.

Throughout the middle innings of the game, both teams had regular traffic on the basepaths, but neither was able to push across a single run until Merced came to bat in the sixth inning. Saavedra surrendered a single and a double with one out in the inning. Both runners would eventually score on a sacrifice fly, and Saavedra’s final walk of the game, driving in the Blue Devils’ third run.

Saavedra’s day ended after 5⅔ innings, giving way to freshman pitcher Darren Jansen. Jansen came in to slam the door on the sixth by striking out the first batter he faced.

Jansen racked up the strikeouts in his second frame, striking out the side while

allowing a single.

Merced got one run back in the top of the eighth inning, but the Rams added two more in the bottom of the eighth to seal the deal and put the Rams up 11-4.

Jansen stayed in to close out the game, pitching for 3⅓ innings. Jansen threw 50 recorded seven strikeouts, surrendering one earned run on three hits.

“I thought we did great,” coach Scott said. “We came out to play we had eight runs in the first two innings, we made no errors. My favorite number is that big zero on the bottom right,” Scott said, referring to the Rams’ errorless ballgame.

Scott had high praise for Jansen, who was “throwing 90 miles an hour. It was

“

We pitched, well, played well, it was a big win for us.”

-Ron Scott

Rams' Baseball Coach

tough to hit off that.”

The Rams remain one game behind COS in the Central Valley Conference standings, following their victory earlier in the day over Reedley College 17-9.

The bright spots in the Rams’ lineup on Tuesday night were first baseman Simas and designated hitter Munos, who combined for five of the Rams’ 12 hits, and four of the rams 11 runs.

Merced hosts the second game of the series on Thursday.

The Rams will host their conference finale on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Euless Park at 1 p.m.

Rams' sophomore pitcher fires a pitch to the plate during the Rams' 11-4 win over Merced College on April 9, 2019.

Photo/Derek Bullis

Central Valley Conference Standings

Team GP W-L

Pct

Sequoias 16 14-2 Fresno City 16 13-3 Taft 16 12-4 Merced 16 9-7 Reedley 16 8-8 Cerro Coso 16 5-11 West Hills Coalinga 16 3-13 Porterville 16 0-16

0.875 0.813 0.750 0.563 0.500 0.313 0.188 0.000