Justin Clay and Kristen LunaStaff Writers

With faculty and senate officials agreeing to hire 36 new full-time faculty for the college by September, the long process in attaining that number has begun.

A Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee is formed by the Academic Senate to assess all requests for new positions, and the process is supposed to be put into motion during the beginning of the fall semester,

according to the Pasadena Area Community College District Policy.

“We try to make the decision by late fall because January is a big hiring time and there are a lot of job fairs so we try to know what we need, so different faculty or divisions need can go to those job fairs and recruit,” said Kristin Pilon, Academic Senate Vice President.

The committee meets and asks each department what their hiring needs are and why.

“There’s all these questions that they need to answer,” said

Academic Senate President Edu-ardo Cairo. “Then the commit-tee compiles all the data, score it, then we combine our scores and based on the scores, we get the top 10 or 15 we are going to hire.”

The committee forwards the college president their recom-mendations for hiring priorities. Then the division dean and another committee prepares job descriptions and minimum requirements.

The college’s equal opportuni-ty officer then reviews and

VOLUME 111 ISSUE 3 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM February 5, 2015

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Mick DonovanOnline Editor

As a child, he would dance and sing Weird Al Yankovic songs on top of the coffee table for his family. In middle school he tried out for his first musi-cal ‘The Music Man’. He just got back from a sold out house Off-Broadway in New York with his comedy group. And now he’s back one last time for PCC’s production of Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’.

PCC doesn’t have Gene Wilder or Mel

Brooks, but it does have Alexander Ma-shikian leading what is said to be a very talented cast. With an impressive resumé including training with the Groundlings and the chemistry between himself and the rest of the cast, it is little wonder that Mashikian was cast as Frederick Von Frankenstein.

“Alex has done a lot of musicals,” said Whitney Rydbeck, the director of the production. “He has an incredible voice. And he’s a very talented actor.”

Mashikian was not always certain about theater. That all changed when he discovered musical theater.

“When I was little, I didn’t like the-ater,” Mashikian said. “I loved movies, I loved music more. I used to perform for my family on top of the coffee table. I

would sing Weird Al Yankovic songs. I didn’t know what I was doing, but that was as far as my performing went.”

It was in middle school that he discov-ered his love for the stage.

“I tried out for my first musical, which was ‘The Music Man’, in middle school having absolutely no prior experience in theater, nothing.” said Mashikian, “I liked having a reaction from an audience, from when I was little on the coffee table. I guess that’s where it started.”

For Mashikian, it’s the rush and adren-aline an actor gets from the energy of an audience that always pulls him back to the stage.

“I love getting reactions from audi-ences, just the live energy, making them

Board, Rocha deny violating state open meeting lawPhilip McCormickEditor-in-Chief

The Board of Trustees and former president Mark Rocha deny violating open meeting laws and are asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit group seeking a reversal of Ro-cha’s $400,000 severance package.

Californians Aware, the group that filed suit against the school in September, claims that the Board hid the discussion of the severance package under the ti-tle of “anticipated litigation” on its closed session agenda items.

However, Rocha and the Board both claim that they were able to use the term “anticipated litigation” because there was a threat of litigation.

“The subject matter of the board’s meeting relative to Rocha was not compensation, but rather, negotiated terms for a settlement which would include his retirement and a general release of claims,” the board states in its answer to the suit. “At all times during these precedent negotiations, with the threat of litigation, Rocha was represented by counsel as was the board.”

In both the board and Rocha’s response to the suit, they are requesting that the suit be dismissed, claiming that they didn’t violate any laws.

“The petition in its entirety and each and ev-ery claim fail to state a claim upon which relief

FRANKENSTEIN page 6 LAWSUIT page 2

HIRING page 2

Former student returns after successful career for one last romp.

Photo by Erica Hong /Illustration by Nagisa MiharaAlex Mashikian gives his best mad scientist pose at night in the commons at PCC on Sunday.

Hiring process underway for 36 new faculty jobs

File PhotoMark Rocha

Information Graph by Daniel Valencia/Courier

laugh, making them cry,” he said. “Live, it’s all live. That’s the thing that drew me the most to it.”

Working on this production, and being a huge fan of Mel Brooks, Mashikian found that discovering new moments in every joke with the cast has been the best part of this particular process. He grew up idolizing Mel Brooks, and may even know every line from the movie “Young Frankenstein,” but he is still able to find something new everyday during the production of this mu-sical. If anything, it will only bring more life to an old character.

“My favorite part about the process, is finding all the mo-ments in every little joke that we have,” Mashikian said. “Because this show, especially, is so joke driven. I mean, it’s written by Mel Brooks.”

The entire cast and crew is having a blast putting together the show. Laughter and jokes can often be heard during rehearsals.

“I crack myself up, and all of the other characters always crack me up and it’s hard to hold it in and it’s the most fun.” said Mashikian.

Mashikian took a break from school life to travel with his improv comedy troupe and their show the “Big Bad Armo Show.” They took it to New York where they were pleasantly surprised to sell out for their performances Off-Broadway in the Symphony Space Theatre.

Taking time away from school for his career was what he was using PCC for: a platform to practice and learn while being able to search for a paying job in his chosen profession.

After the holiday season, the work started to slow down a little. Mashikian knew that PCC was putting on “Young Frankenstein” and had to come back and do one last show.

It’s a new cast for Mashikian

to work with, although he has performed in four musicals at PCC. He has enjoyed getting to know these new people and learning, not just with them, but from them.

“It’s kinda interesting.” Mashi-kain said. “It’s almost like a new family...You get to know those people, and you’re with them every day for rehearsals, it’s family. It’s been fun getting to know a new family and all their aspects.”

Mashikian is stretching the limits of what he is used to as an actor but enjoys the challenges that are presented to him with this role.

“The physical comedy aspect of the show. I would be the comic relief. I love being that role…But I like how it’s a bit of a challenge because it’s not what I’m used to.” Mashikian said.

Mashikian doesn’t feel his fu-ture is on the stage. His momen-tum has been building up in the film and television industry and he wants to pursue that further. He will always love the stage and musicals though.

Rydbeck and Mashikian both agree that the whole cast is very talented and that the show will be great fun and a great success.

“I feel good about this cast, about this production,” said Mashikian. “I feel like everyone is super, beyond par. Everyone is hitting their harmonies and it’s crazy how quickly these things are coming together and how ambi-tious and good these actors are.”

Rydbeck said he is going nuts over the musical and thinks audi-ences will too.

“It’ll probably be the last play they let me direct as they run me out of town for doing a filthy show, and all the little old ladies will be hitting me with their um-brellas on the way out,” Rydbeck said. “But I don’t care. I’m still having a ball and I don’t care what happens to me! And I hope everyone else has a ball.”

February 5, 2015COURIER6

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FRANKENSTEINContinued from page 1

FEATURES

Erica Hong/CourierAlex Mashikian puts on the “Ritz” during rehearsals in Sexson Auditorium at PCC on Sunday.

OPINION COURIERFebruary 5, 2015 3

Courier2014 JACC

General Excellence Award-Winner

VOICES:

“Yeah, It’s a way of protecting others too so I don’t understand why

parents won’t want to do that.”

Vanessa Rosales, envi-ronmental science

“I feel like it’s just a good preventive measure. I

think it’s just one of those things you have to do.”

Sergio Lopez, math

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they should. I mean, I don’t

see why not. Just to take precautions.”

Robert Diaz, English literature

“No, I don’t think it’s necessary. There’s no suffi-cient proof I’ve seen that

they have to.”

Karen Guzman, undecided

“I’m not a parent and I don’t really know very much about vaccines

enough to make a state-ment.”

Carina Huynh, graphic design

Do you think that parents should get their children vaccinated?

Reporting by: Kristen Luna Photos by: Mick Donovan

Editor-in-Chief

Philip McCormick

Managing Editor

Kristen Luna

News Editor

Matthew Kiewiet

Online Editors

Justin Clay and Mick Donovan

Opinion Editor

Hannah Gonzales

Features Editor

Mick Donovan

A&E Editor

Anthony Martinez

Lifestyle Editor

Ashley Park

Sports Editor

Daron Grandberry

Asst. Sports Editor

David O’Connor

Photo Editor

Nagisa Mihara

Online Photo and Graphics Editor

Daniel Valencia

Scene Editor

Keely Damara

Staff Writers: Ahmad Akkaoui, Daniel Axume, Ericka Bernabe, Nataly Chavez, Alex Chhuon, Keely Damara, Alan Flores, Monique LeBleu, Diego Linares, Samantha Molina, Neil Protacio, Luis Rodriguez, Aaron Salazar, Sammy Wu

Staff Photographers: Brittany Chavez, Traece Craig, Victoria De La Torre, Mick Donovan, Shaunee Edwards, Michelle Gonzalez, Eric Haynes, Erica Hong, Kristen Luna, Mary Nurrenbern, Michael Osborne, Scott Spencer, Daniel Valencia, Tiffany Yip, Max Zeronian

Faculty Adviser

Nathan McIntire

Photo AdviserTim Berger

Advertising Manager

Daniel Nerio

The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District.

The Courier is written and produced as a learning experience for student writers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department.

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Why not choose to vaccinate?Samantha MolinaStaff Writer

With the recent outbreak of measles, more parents are making the choice to vaccinate their children. But there are still those that choose to leave their kids unprotected from these easily preventable diseases.

A lot of concern about the safety of vaccines has stemmed from the belief that they can cause autism in children, but it has been proven time and time again that there is no link con-necting autism and vaccines.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated, “the cause or causes of autism are not known,” so why are parents still choosing not to vaccinate their children?

Many vaccine-preventable diseases can have dangerous

consequences, including sei-zures, brain damage, blindness, and even death.

By not vaccinating, parents are putting their children at risk simply because they don’t want them to get autism. Although it is understandable that a parent would not want their child to live with autism, it is not the worst thing that could happen.

“Serious events occur more often from the actual infection or disease, rather than from the vaccine; therefore, the vaccine is much safer,” the AAP said of measles.

Measles vaccines have been available in the US since 1963, and two doses have been recommended since 1989. The disease was eliminated in the US in 2000.

Measles can be prevent-ed with the MMR (measles,

mumps, and rubella) vaccine. In the US, use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.

According to state law, entering kindergartners are re-quired to be vaccinated against measles, whooping cough, polio, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chicken pox, diphtheria and tetanus. But the law is relative-ly lenient allowing parents to obtain exemptions based on personal beliefs.

These parents who choose not to vaccinate their children may think they are doing what’s best, but in denying them vac-cinations, they are choosing to expose their children to harm-ful and even deadly diseases that are easily preventable.

Letter to the Editor By Dr. Robert Bell

I wish to apologize to Pro-fessor Griffith, the Faculty Association and members of the Pasadena City College communi-ty for my error in disclosing the nature of the allegations against Professor Griffith. I sincerely re-gret any embarrassment this may have caused Professor Griffith.

I have no personal knowledge of sexual harassment or any other improper conduct by Pro-fessor Griffith. The complaint against him only contains allega-tions. The investigation into the allegations and the results are confidential matters.

Courier celebrates its 100th anniversary More than 100 years ago,

Shirley W. Owen, Kenneth Fuessle and their staff of high school writers set out to start a student publication that would provide a source of news and information to the school staff and student body.

Fuessle picked up his English teacher’s alma mater newspaper and was inspired to make some-thing better. Owen was elected as the first Editor-in-Chief and Fuessle, who later became the second editor for the paper, signed on as his managing editor.

On February 4, 1915, Owen ran down the hall with a bundle of fresh newspapers from the press with excitement. The first paper was distributed to the school and the Pasadena High School Chronicle was born.

One hundred years later and after a name change for both the newspaper and the school itself, the Pasadena City College Courier is proud to celebrate this huge milestone. Further-more, the editorial staff has decided that one newspaper anniversary edition is not good enough for 100 years worth of history.

This April, the Courier will publish a very special 100th anniversary magazine devoted to telling its story.

Within the magazine, you will

read the history not only about the student newspaper, but also of Pasadena City College and

the surrounding area. You will get a glance at what it was like during the times of war, pov-

erty, the changes in society and the extensive history that was covered by this publication.

Each writer and photogra-pher will tell stories about the greatest moments/stories in the past 100 years and shed light on the darker ones as well. Further, we intend to show that we have made mistakes, as not everything can always be perfect in the process of putting a newspaper together. And some of them were humorous.

Furthermore, the maga-zine will help tell the story of journalism itself. Some things have not and never will change. Other things, such as how the paper is printed and where the business is going, are always changing.

About 99 years ago, the news-paper’s message to the commu-nity was that if it didn’t receive more subscriptions, the Chroni-cle would have to shut down. A little dramatic, but there is one truth in that message: the read-ers and their thirst for news and information about their school are what keep us writing.

The Courier staff would like to thank you, the reader, for continuing to pick up the paper, or going online to read about what’s going on at school.

We’ve been here for 100 years. We hope to serve you for 100 more.

Cartoon by Mick Donovan

COURIER4 SCENE

USC’s Pacific Asia Museum hosted its 5th Annual Lunar New Year’s festival last Saturday to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. The event coincided with SoCal Museum and Metro’s Muse-um Free-For-All, allowing access to the performances, puppet shows, artist demonstrations, and access to museum galleries that were free and open to the public. The festival celebrated the cultures of not just China but also Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam—countries that all celebrate Lunar New Year as well. PAM invited over 40 performers for the event, in-cluding an elaborate “Lion Dance,” a Chinese traditional dance meant to show respect and honor for special guests. “People often mistake that Lunar New Years only applies to Chinese culture, but that is not the case,” said USC PAM director, Christina Yu Yu. “We are a museum dedicated to the culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, so it’s just very appropriate for us to host this event to celebrate those cultures.”

Story by Ashley ParkPhotos by Michael Osborne

Dancers from the Guangdong delegation perform a tra-ditional dance for a crowd of onlookers at the 5th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at USC’s Pacific Asia Museum on Saturday.

The Xplore Taekwondo Team demonstrates their martial art skills.

Performers from the Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association demonstrate the “lion dance.”

{

5 SCENE February 05, 2015

USC’s Pacific Asia Museum hosted its 5th Annual Lunar New Year’s festival last Saturday to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. The event coincided with SoCal Museum and Metro’s Muse-um Free-For-All, allowing access to the performances, puppet shows, artist demonstrations, and access to museum galleries that were free and open to the public. The festival celebrated the cultures of not just China but also Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam—countries that all celebrate Lunar New Year as well. PAM invited over 40 performers for the event, in-cluding an elaborate “Lion Dance,” a Chinese traditional dance meant to show respect and honor for special guests. “People often mistake that Lunar New Years only applies to Chinese culture, but that is not the case,” said USC PAM director, Christina Yu Yu. “We are a museum dedicated to the culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, so it’s just very appropriate for us to host this event to celebrate those cultures.”

Attendees were able to enjoy activities and shows such as art-ists demonstrating traditional pottery painting and lantern making, puppet shows that told stories about war and love, beautiful women performing traditional Vietnamese dances, and Taekwondo martial arts. The event was also an easy way for the Asian community to get in touch with their roots, while allowing others to learn about the dynamic cultures and traditions of Asian Americans. “This is my second year coming to the Lunar New Year event,” said Pasadena local Patrice Chen. “It’s a fun way for my two sons, who were both born here [in the U.S.], to learn about their culture … I think Asian cultures tend to be overshadowed or very westernized, despite the many immigrants in the U.S. Events like this prove to us that we are not forgotten.” According to Yu Yu, USC PAM was expected to host around 5,000 to 6,000 guests for the Lunar New Years festival.

A 14-year-old acrobat from the Guangdong delegation performs daring feats in front of a stunned crowd.

A performer from the Guangdong China delegation dances with his puppet.

Opera singers from the Guangdong delegation sing for the crowd in traditional Chinese costumes.

Performers from the Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association demonstrate the “lion dance.” Costumed performers demonstrate the “lion dance.”

laugh, making them cry,” he said. “Live, it’s all live. That’s the thing that drew me the most to it.”

Working on this production, and being a huge fan of Mel Brooks, Mashikian found that discovering new moments in every joke with the cast has been the best part of this particular process. He grew up idolizing Mel Brooks, and may even know every line from the movie “Young Frankenstein,” but he is still able to find something new everyday during the production of this mu-sical. If anything, it will only bring more life to an old character.

“My favorite part about the process, is finding all the mo-ments in every little joke that we have,” Mashikian said. “Because this show, especially, is so joke driven. I mean, it’s written by Mel Brooks.”

The entire cast and crew is having a blast putting together the show. Laughter and jokes can often be heard during rehearsals.

“I crack myself up, and all of the other characters always crack me up and it’s hard to hold it in and it’s the most fun.” said Mashikian.

Mashikian took a break from school life to travel with his improv comedy troupe and their show the “Big Bad Armo Show.” They took it to New York where they were pleasantly surprised to sell out for their performances Off-Broadway in the Symphony Space Theatre.

Taking time away from school for his career was what he was using PCC for: a platform to practice and learn while being able to search for a paying job in his chosen profession.

After the holiday season, the work started to slow down a little. Mashikian knew that PCC was putting on “Young Frankenstein” and had to come back and do one last show.

It’s a new cast for Mashikian

to work with, although he has performed in four musicals at PCC. He has enjoyed getting to know these new people and learning, not just with them, but from them.

“It’s kinda interesting.” Mashi-kain said. “It’s almost like a new family...You get to know those people, and you’re with them every day for rehearsals, it’s family. It’s been fun getting to know a new family and all their aspects.”

Mashikian is stretching the limits of what he is used to as an actor but enjoys the challenges that are presented to him with this role.

“The physical comedy aspect of the show. I would be the comic relief. I love being that role…But I like how it’s a bit of a challenge because it’s not what I’m used to.” Mashikian said.

Mashikian doesn’t feel his fu-ture is on the stage. His momen-tum has been building up in the film and television industry and he wants to pursue that further. He will always love the stage and musicals though.

Rydbeck and Mashikian both agree that the whole cast is very talented and that the show will be great fun and a great success.

“I feel good about this cast, about this production,” said Mashikian. “I feel like everyone is super, beyond par. Everyone is hitting their harmonies and it’s crazy how quickly these things are coming together and how ambi-tious and good these actors are.”

Rydbeck said he is going nuts over the musical and thinks audi-ences will too.

“It’ll probably be the last play they let me direct as they run me out of town for doing a filthy show, and all the little old ladies will be hitting me with their um-brellas on the way out,” Rydbeck said. “But I don’t care. I’m still having a ball and I don’t care what happens to me! And I hope everyone else has a ball.”

February 5, 2015COURIER6

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FRANKENSTEINContinued from page 1

FEATURES

Erica Hong/CourierAlex Mashikian puts on the “Ritz” during rehearsals in Sexson Auditorium at PCC on Sunday.

Art illuminates V-Day

Students create 3D map for visually impairedMonique LeBleuStaff Writer

When the Fab Lab students came to the tech table last year, little did they know the difference one summer’s work would make.

PCC student workers Sandra Perez, Chi Yeung “Bennie” Chiu, Bryce Van Ross, Carlos Andrade, Joseph de Alba and Peter Ngo were presented a unique oppor-tunity and task through PCC’s Design Technology department.

Their mission: to produce a portable 3D tactile map containing a topographical layout, navigating symbols and Braille characters to assist the visually impaired. Commissioned for Frances Blend Elementary school, the map was to be designed to teach navigating skills to visually impaired grade school students.

Through her connections with Lore Schindler of LAUSD dis-abled services, author of Apress’ “Mastering 3D Printing” and volunteer facilitator Joan Horvath contacted PCC and brought the internship project for the summer in behalf of the elementary school.

The challenge was accepted, the PCC students were then left to their own to setup their team, designate tasks and meet deadlines. They spent nearly three months on the portable design layout, size, printing, and extensive research on an appropriate Braille language.

With a deadline for August 2014 for inclusion at the Mind Research Math Fair in Irvine, the team

fabricated a folding triptych note-book-style map containing two tactile map panels and one Braille legend panel.

“There’s a whole bunch of dialects of Braille and ways of abbreviating things. It’s much more complicated, like anything,” said Horvath at the 3D Printer World Expo Saturday, where she displayed the first prototype of the 3D tactile map in action.

Given a 2D paper map and some rough specifications, they were sent into the field. The tasked themselves the additional mapping necessary, which included indi-cating all entrances, exits, water fountains, restrooms, stairs, ramps, barricades and level changes of any kind. Input and feedback from visually impaired students and PCC DSPS aided the process as well.

Perez took the initiative in re-searching online and in the library on the correct Braille to use for the legend panel.

“Height, weight, spacing – ev-erything was crucial for the visually impaired student to feel it,” said Perez. “There’s three styles of Braille...we went with Braille one.”

One of the Fab Lab printers, the Bukobot from Deezmaker’s, was less than $1,000, according to Lee. But the real costs are in the filament material used in printing

Student team member Chiu estimated the printing cost using the ABS filament material used in printing the map to be approxi-mately $1,700 alone.

“I happened to be there at the

right place and the right time,” said Chiu, who worked largely in AutoCAD design and Solid Works for 3D modeling on the project.

“Our team has never done this before, so there was quite a bit of a learning process,” Chiu added. “Each panel took about I would say seven to eight hours to print. The whole process took about 22 to 23 hours.”

Two prototypes were print-ed and assembled and one final product delivered to the client ata weight of about one to two pounds.

Van Ross, who primarily worked in documentation for the project, is helping to prepare for an im-portant presentation of the team’s work that will be at a conference in San Diego in March.

“We submitted our technical research report to the International Disabilities and Technology Con-ference hosted by CSUN and we got accepted,” said Van Ross, of their Education and Technology submission.

The Fab Lab was shown to the community in the spring of 2014, according to Sandy Lee, faculty for the Design Technology Pathway, which brought it much attention.

“The community expressed interest in having access the space, so extension classes were created,” said Lee. “People who’ve come in and just graduated from other colleges have said ‘We don’t even have access to this type of technol-ogy at our university!’ This kind of access for students to develop their projects, and this kind of space,

it’s really exciting for us at PCC to have this for our students.”

During tactile map’s process, the team consulted with the disabled services center at PCC. The future may provide such a map for use on PCC.

“The faculty at DSPS suggested we make one a while ago,” said Van Ross. “I think that would be ideal.”

Horvath shared on what she felt was the overall benefit for project’s student team.

“The single biggest thing that I think they really got out of the summer was that part of engineer-ing is coming up with something that nobody’s done yet,” said Horvath.

Alan FloresStaff Writer

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and in honor of this loving and bonding holiday, a new art exhibit, “Hearts and Flowers,” displaying many differ-ent types of folk art, opened at The Folk Tree on Jan. 26.

Much of the exhibit is filled with a mass collection of Mexi-can Folk pieces that come from different areas of Mexico like Oaxaca, Michoacán, and Jalisco. The art reflects on tradition-al Mexican culture (families, communal ways, and values) and comes in a lot of different forms such as pottery, miniature figu-rines, quilts, painting, drawings, and masks.

The pottery itself consists of delicate pieces that have artistic paintings on them. Mexican folk art that comes from clay and is made into pottery is a process that shows how much bonding and loving there is in a family.

“Very often the art is made by a family affair,” said Victor Solis, the exhibit curator. “Dad brings the clay, other members of the family shape it, someone else does the baking, and the whole family gets involve in the painting.”

The exhibit also includes a small portion of Costa Rican folk art. Several diorama pieces showcased were by Costa Rican

artist Freddy Acuna. The diorama shows the countryside and the love the people of Costa Rica have for nature.

Besides the pottery and diagrams, there are also masks that are made out of coconut and miniature figurines made out of clay that replicate elements of Mexican daily life, such as a hardworking adults, animals and religion.

“My parents are from Mexico and I have several types of figu-rines back at home,” said Jasmine Pena, PCC Student and a math major. “My mom and dad relate to these figurines a lot because it portrays how their life were when they were kids, always doing hard work, and just the artwork itself on the pieces are really beautiful and cute.”

Even though there’s not that many flowers and heart shaped art that you expect from an ex-hibit that is honoring Valentine’s Day, it still demonstrates love.

“We tend to think that Valen-tine’s is only for couples, but it is more than that” said Rocky Behr, owner of The Folk Tree. “It should be much more open and accessible to express affection to your pets, or to whoever you think is special in your life. And this is our intention, to address the time of the year when we’re reminded to express gratitude. Love to whoever we deem special in life.”

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Monique LeBleu/CourierA prototype 3D Tactile Map for the visually impaired created by PCC students is displayed at the 3D Printer World Expo on Saturday.

Anthony MartinezStaff Writer

With the swimming and diving season just around the corner, the Lancers have their sights set on top finishes.

Led by head coach Terry Stoddard, both the men’s and women’s teams are a promising mix of new blood and returning talent. Returners on the wom-en’s team include Tiffany Wong, Courtney Fukushima and Con-nie Peng, who competed at the state championships last season. Stoddard named Peng as his top returning swimmer, who placed second at state.

“The returning athletes have trained very well in the offsea-son,” Stoddard said. “[They] also started off faster in their first two weeks of training for this season.”

Among the freshmen on the women’s team are Ariahn Givens and Tulasi Hilder-Manahan, who were part of Stoddard’s water polo team in the fall.

While at Venice High School, Givens placed first in the 50-yard freestyle CIF Champion-ship before making the All-South Coast Conference First Team for water polo at PCC.

“[Givens] was our sprinter, and she won 72 percent of the sprints, so we’re excited to have her enter our sprint relays and medley relays,” Stoddard said.

Additionally, Givens is part of

USA Swimming and hopes she can drop enough time to make section cuts as well as improve in other events besides freestyle.

With a certain confidence in her voice, Givens attributes practices – both in and out of water – as well as her water polo experience as great preparations going into the season.

“I feel like [water polo] helps because it makes you stronger in your swim-team because you’re constantly fighting against people swimming against you or alongside you,” she said. “You’re being pulled back by a force which is allowing you to pull harder through the water and I feel especially for me as a

sprinter, that allows me to have a faster turnover when I swim.”

“Because I was … sprinting for the ball, that also allows me to be better at my sprints be-cause I’m constantly swimming back and forth trying to catch up to people,” she added. “[I’m] basically doing short races which allows me to carry that over to my sprint events.”

On the other hand, Hilder-Manahan stressed the im-portance of academics and the balancing act between keeping grades, as well as their muscles, in top shape. Currently enrolled in 21 units, Hilder-Manahan had to sign a waiver in order to take 17 core units and 4 units dedi-

cated to swim.“That’s the kind of attitude

that a lot of swimmers have, we’re very academically driven,” she said. “It’s hard, but it keeps me busy and that’s what I love. I feel great! This is the happiest I’ve been in a really long time!”

Excelling at freestyle, Hilder-Manahan wants to lower her times in general in addi-tion to improving her butterfly stroke.

Overall, she feels the team will do exceptionally well due to the team’s sheer speed in the water.

“They are so fast … I can’t even believe it! Some of the girls on the team look like machines when they are in the water,” she

said with enthusiasm. “They swim so beautifully … I honestly think that we’re going to do very well this season.”

Returning for the men’s team are freestyle state qual-ifier Mohammad Esmaeilian, breaststroker and sprinter Ethan Nava, Brendan Lee on butterfly stroke, as well as Victor Torres and Ryan Caceras on freestyle. Fresh faces include Rene Gon-zales, who competes in butterfly stroke, and CIF medalist Samuel Sanchez.

Both teams practice together every day from 6 to 8 a.m. and squeeze in an additional 12:15 to 3:45 practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Practic-ing, and even competing against each other, builds camaraderie, pushes the teams to train harder, and creates a more competitive group, according to Stoddard.

In terms of coaching philos-ophy, Stoddard emphasizes goal setting and making hard work standard.

This month’s goals were to learn the ins and outs of every-one’s strengths and weaknesses. In February, Stoddard wants to further improve the teams’ weaknesses, building a solid foundation for the rest of the season.

The Lancers eagerly await their first meet, the South Coast Conference Pentathlon and Relays, held at East Los Angeles College on Feb. 13.

8 SPORTSCOURIER February 5, 2015

Swim team to make waves in upcoming season

Lancers squeeze out victory, remain undefeated

Michael Osborne/CourierSophomore Connie Peng prepares for the Spring 2015 season.

Matthew KiewietStaff Writer

Head coach Monica Tantlinger, in what will be her second full season as head coach, has her team off to an 8-0 start after a thrilling come from behind victory against defending state champion Citrus College on Wednesday after-noon.

“It was an awesome team win,” said freshman catcher Holly Riker-Sloan.

PCC jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Citrus wasted no time answering back with two of their own.

Riker-Sloan tied things up with a solo shot in the top of the fourth on a 3-2 change-up.

The Lancers dug themselves a bit of a hole as an error-plagued bottom of the fourth inning allowed four Owls to cross the plate, giving Citrus a 6-2 lead.

PCC rallied with eight more runs in the top of the fifth, giv-ing them a lead that they would not let go.

Freshman right fielder Derek “Mudder” Blow put on a defen-sive clinic with two eye-popping catches, one of which robbed a would-be home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Sophomore pitcher Breanna Rodrigo came in to slam the door for the save, capping off

the amazing win.The Lancers’ offense has been

nothing short of outstanding, as they have already recorded 12 home runs over their first eight games, passing the previous single season record at PCC. Sophomore second baseman Justine Zavala slugged four home runs over the weekend, leading the squad to a first place finish in the Glendale Tourna-ment. As the lead-off batter, Zavala has done an incredible job setting the tone for the rest of the offense, Tantlinger said. Six Lancers have at least one home run on the season.

“I’m very proud of my team-mates and excited for the rest of the season,” said Zavala follow-ing the Glendale Tournament.

PCC’s team motto is to “turn some heads.” They will look to continue to do just that as they travel to Southwestern College in Chula Vista on Saturday.

In the home-opener, the Lancers defeated Moorpark College, 6-3, to improve to 7-0 on the the season.

The pitching staff has also been strong. They have not been overpowering, but they have put the team in a position to win each game, explained Tantlinger.

Max Zeronian/CourierFreshman catcher Holly Riker-Sloan fouls off a pitch during her second at-bat on Wednesday. Riker-Sloan hit a solo home run on the next pitch.