NICHOLAS ZEBROWSKI ANDNICHOLAS SAULStaff Writers

The mother of a slain formerPCC student was escorted sob-bing from the court Wednesdayas the homicide case against thevictim’s boyfriend was sent tothe jury for deliberations.

Emotions ran high as finalarguments were presented trialof former PCC student IsaacCampbell, accused in the killinghis girlfriend, Liya “Jessie” Lu,and concealing her body in atrash can covered in kitty litter.

Lu’s parents both broke out intears when pictures of the trashcan were presented in AlhambraSuperior Court during closingarguments by District AttorneySteve Ipson. Lu’s mother had tobe escorted out of the court. Lu’sfather was cautioned by JudgeStan Blumenfeld for pointing his

finger and saying somethingaudible in a foreign language.

Ipson’s final argument empha-sized Campbell’s previous drugoffenses and his actions afterLu’s death. “What we do notneed to prove to you is the causeof death… we need to prove the

defendant committed an act thatcause the death of another,”Ipson argued.

Public Defender James Duffyclaimed that the prosecution hadnot proven that a crime hadoccurred. Duffy argued that theprosecution’s witnesses wereunreliable, and had beencoached and coaxed to give theanswers that fit their case. Duffyalso argued that the medicalexaminer’s explanation of themanner of death was based onthe packaging and condition of

NATALIE SEHN WEBERMultimedia Editor

Teenage voices engaged in animateddiscussion, interspersed with solemndiplomatic speeches, reverberated inthe hallways of the C Building on May25.

Almost 300 local high school stu-dents were participating in the fourthannual Model United Nations high

school conference hosted by the LancerMUN club, said the club’s presidentand English literature major JimmyRecinos.

“[The purpose of the event was] tochallenge and inform the participantsabout some of the most pressing inter-national issues of our generation’stime,” he said.

The students, aged 15 to 18, came

from nine local high schools:Pasadena, Blair, Alhambra, Arcadia,Marshall Fundamental, Mark Keppeland John Marshall (Los Angeles),Flintridge Preparatory and New HopeAcademy, Recinos said.

The attendees were divided intogroups of 30 to 40 and assigned tocommittees that focused on past and

CHRISTINE MICHAELSStaff Writer

In what amounts to a complete undoing of amajor realignment plan proposed last fall, theAcademic Senate voted Monday that academicdivision deans should be permanently reinstated.

Coming after its May 14 votes on two other ele-ments of the original plan, the Senate’s actionwould leave the division structure largelyunchanged from what it was before the plan toreplace some deans with faculty chairs was putforward.

The Senate’s realignment proposal now goes tothe College Council and the Board of Trustees.

After an uproar at Monday’s meeting, theSenate unanimously voted to reinstate divisiondeans for the Business division and Engineeringand Technology division, despite a surprise newrecommendation from the administration.

Vice President of Education Services RobertMiller explained he, President Mark Rocha, andVice President of Instruction Robert Bell had dis-cussed the previous proposal and came up withthe administration’s recommendation for theSenate’s consideration.

The recommendation included a dean for theCareer and Technical Education division with theE & T division reporting to CTE, along with theBusiness division to continue with a faculty coor-dinator reporting to the vice president of instruc-tion.

Continued on page 10

Continued on page 10

Pasadena City College

Continued on page 9

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June 7, 2012Volume 105, Issue 13

SopranoOne­actoperasPage 9»

The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena Since 1915.

Tears shed at slaying trial

Model students

Teens talk global issues at Model UN

Plan fordeans dealtsetback

Natalie Sehn WeberLocal high schoolers participate in a Model United Nations meeting in the C Building in Pasadena, Calif. on Friday. Almost 300students, aged 15 to 18, emulated different nations’ positions in the discussion of whether or not to go to war.

For up to the minutecoverage, visitCourier online

pccCourier.com

Homicide case against ex-student goes to thejury for deliberation.

Photo illustrationby Gabriela Castillo

Defendant Isaac Campbell.

Senate vote effectively nixesplan for major realignment

Protest disrupts Board meeting BoardPresidentGeoffreyBaum leavesthe meetingchamberWednesdayeveningafter theprotest.

Daniel Nerio/ Courier

Repeated interruptions during the Board ofTrustees meeting last night prompted the entireboard to relocate to an adjacent room.

Board of Trustee President Geoffrey Baumallowed only two minutes for public comment.Because of the vehement student protest, theboard went to a ten-minute recess.

As the board attempted to re-enter the mainmeeting room, students began chanting inprotest. Because of this, the entire board relo-cated to a smaller room adjacent to the

Creveling Lounge where students and facultyawaited.

“We are unable to conduct the business ofthe district,” said Baum. “They were not allow-ing us to speak and carry out the items of themeeting.”

Two Courier videographers and reporterswere allowed in to observe the meeting despiterepeated requests that they represented thepublic and that the public should also beallowed in.

For more detailsphotographs,

and video, visitCourier online

pccCourier.com

June 1Two fluorescent light bulbs

were being taken out of a boxnear the R Building. Someonesaw the act and alerted campuspolice. An officer met them ontheir way to their car andbrought them back to the policestation. The men said they didn’tknow they were stealing thelight bulbs and believed theboxes were trash. Police didn’tpress any charges.

June 4An altercation occurred

between two women and an offi-cer was dispatched to check itout.

One of the women had usedpepper spray on the other andPasadena Fire Department wascalled to help rinse out thewoman’s eyes. Neither womenpressed charges against eachother.

June 6A PCC employee was experi-

encing pain in his chest and wentto the health services depart-ment. They called campuspolice, who called an ambulance.The man was taken toHuntington Hospital for furthertreatment.

June 5A woman had her backpack

stolen while she was taking anexam in the D Building. Thebackpack was in view and shelooked over at one point andfound it to be missing. A fellowclassmate found it at the bottomof the stairs. Her money was theonly thing missing.

Compiled byPhilip McCormick

2 Courier June 7, 2012News

Police Blotter

President answers community concernsEDWIN LEEStaff Writer

PCC President Mark Rochaand the President’s AfricanAmerican Advisory Committeeaddressed questions from thecommunity at town hall meetingat the Jackie Robinson Center onMay 30.

They emphasized that the col-lege remains open, and here tostay.

To an audience filled withcurious parents, the PAAACreported on college updates andanswered questions from theaudience.

Ibrahim Naeem, CommunityEducation Center supervisor ofoperations, Counselor TamekaAlexander, Coach Joseph Peron,Assistant Dean of Financial Aidand Scholarships Kim Miles,Counselor Gena Lopez andCounselor Cecile Anderson rep-resented PAAAC at the meeting.

“[The PAAAC] challengedthemselves to act and serve thecommunity,” said Rocha. Heassured audience members thatrumors about PCC being closedto new students were not true.

Interim Vice President ofInstruction Robert Bell said he is

proud of the staff and faculty. “Iwould stack our faculty to anyother school’s,” said Bell.

Counselor Alexander told the

audience of the admissionsprocess for incoming freshmenin the fall semester. The to-do listincluded submitting an applica-

tion for admission, applying forfinancial aid, a placement test, ameeting with a counselor, andregistering for classes.

Alexander also mentioned theTransfer Admission Guaranteeand the variety of majors andcertified programs that the col-lege has to offer.

Counselor Anderson intro-duced a new program calledPathways, which is aimedspecifically at freshmen. It aimsto help with the transition fromhigh school to college, and makethe freshmen feel welcome oncampus.

“We went to different confer-ences to learn the best teachingways,” Anderson said.

The Ujima program, offeredonly to first year students, pro-vides an atmosphere for newstudents to learn the campus andmake new friends. Lopez talkedabout the benefits of the pro-gram and the affect it has on theincoming freshmen.

Two members of the Ujimaprogram also attended the meet-ing.

Webmaster Leveail Myles,kinesiology, enjoyed the pro-gram. “This program offers a lotto new students,” Myles said.

Blair Wells / CourierPresident Rocha addresses the community at the Town Hall Meeting at the Jackie Robinson Center.

Anthropology instructor challenges students on diversity

GALEN PATTERSON-SMITHStaff Writer

The Association of LatinoEmployees brought staff, faculty,and the community together fora Salsa Mixer at the LuminaAcademy on June 1.

The event was ALE’s firstfundraiser since the groupformed in April. It is currently 30members strong, according toJuan Pablo Carreon, president ofALE.

“We hope to do this everymonth,” said Yajaira De La Paz,vice president of ALE. “It’s great,it’s fun and you get a good work-out,” she said.

Beginner salsa lessons wereinstructed by Arlene Santos,dance studio owner and instruc-tor, with the help of Brian Porter,dance instructor at the LuminaAcademy.

“Just to see the expressions onthe beginners’ faces when learn-ing new moves was priceless,”said Porter, who describedSantos’ instruction as pre-schoolsalsa for adults.

Santos is a 10-year salsainstructor, who has taught atCal-Tech and now owns theLumina Academy. “If [thegroup] doesn’t learn, that’s myfault,” Santos said. “I reallybelieve anybody can learnsalsa.”

Among the attendees wereLance and Diana Ashkenasy.

Diana has been dancing herwhole life, while her husbandLance was there to learn. “[Iwant] to be able to dance at awedding this Sunday,” he said.At the end of the night, theAshkenasy’s were dancing andlaughing together.

Other attendees came with dif-ferent intentions.

Armando Duran, counselorand ALE member, attended withthe hopes of getting to know hisfellow faculty and group mem-bers.

“With such a large campus,you sometimes don’t know yourneighbors,” said Duran.

Nick Mata, fundraising chair,came with the hope of bringing

the newly formed group closertogether. “The big hope is to get[the salsa mixer] to be more of asocial event and get the group tobe a little more cohesive so wecan move on to bigger activi-ties,” said Mata.

In total, the organizationraised $238, according to Mata.

ALE has several events in storefor the future, including a“Dodger Night” in August.

Members are encouraged tobring their families, and hopes toparticipate in the HispanicAssociation of Colleges andUniversities’ National InternshipProgram, which will providePCC students with the ability toearn an internship nationwide.

MICHAEL MCGRATHStaff Writer

Anthropology ProfessorLauren Arenson is an instructorwho challenges students insteadof having them regurgitate infor-mation from a textbook.Hercompassion and commitmenttowards her students are easilyidentified as she continually triesto bring out the best in them.

“She doesn’t just care aboutcourse content, which she does

amazingly, she cares about thestudents and how they interactwith the course content,” saidMarshall Lewis, a former stu-dent of Arenson and VeteransClub president.

Arenson organizes many extracredit opportunities to help herstudents better understand thecourse material.

“The organized field tripswere a real eye opener. The classlectures sparked my curiosity,but as a visual learner when I

was able to see the physicalaspects of the topics, it allowedme to gain a broader under-standing of anthropology,” saidcurrent student Alexander Petro,social criminology.

“[She] brings a higher level oflearning to PCC,” said SpencerMajor, pveteran’s club vice pres-ident and former student.

Arenson said she chose PCCbecause it focused on teachingwhile still giving enough timefor research. She has amassed six

degrees, ranging from religiousstudies, museum studies, onlineteaching and assessment, inter-cultural education and anthro-pology (both bachelors and mas-ters).

“I enjoyed taking classes forpure pleasure rather than to justfulfill a course requirement,”said Arenson.

According to Arenson, she wasdrawn to college because of theavailability of books and jour-nals to read and learn from.

“Diversity in subject matter inan ever growing field and disci-pline…and its fun,” saidArenson on why she choose toteach Anthropology.

She started off her career inmuseums and zoos, and now sheis the president of the GibbonsConservation Center’s board ofdirectors, located in SantaClarita. The GCC is a facilitydevoted exclusively to gibbons,an endangered ape.

Minela Dela Cruz / CourierBeginner dancers participate at the ALE Salsa Mixer fundraiser.

Fundraising event invites sultry dancing

TodayThe Studio Jazz Singers per-

form at Plate 38 Restaurant inPasadena at 7:30 p.m.Reservations are highly recom-mended but not required.

FridayLancer Jazz Bands perform in

the Sexson Auditorium at 8 p.m.Tickets are $5 general admission,$3 for students.

Silent Voices by StudentWriters continues in the LittleTheater (C106) at 8 p.m. andSaturday at 2 and 8 pm. Ticketsare $5.

Classical Guitar Ensemblesperform in the Forum at 8 p.m.Tickets are $5 general admission,$3 for students.

The final showing of “Crimesof the Heart” by Beth Henley,will be in the Sexson Auditorium

at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 generaladmission, $5 for students.

SaturdayOrchestra Concerto concert in

the the Sexson Auditorium at 8p.m. Tickets are $5 general

admission, $3 for students.

SundaySpring Choral recital at 7 p.m.

in Harbeson Hall. Tickets are $5general admission, $3 for stu-dents.

NEIL PROTACIOEditor in Cheif

A slim margin of students dis-approves of the way the admin-istration is running the college,according to a recent survey con-ducted by journalism students.

However, instructors get topgrades from students, the surveyrevealed.

The survey, which covers vari-ous issues including counselingand parking situations, focuseson four major groups: first yeartransfer students, second yeartransfer students, over twoyears, and non-transfers.

Out of the 494 students sur-veyed, 50.6 percent were dissat-isfied with the administration’sperformance. It was second yearstudents who were the most upin arms against the administra-tion, with 59.8 percent disap-proving its performance.

First-year students gaveadministration a 52.7 percentdisapproval rating.

“Curiously, students withmore than two years at PCCwere much more positive, with54 percent approving of admin-istration and 47 percent disap-proving,” according to the sur-vey .

Non-transfer students barelytipped the scales of balance

toward the administration’s per-formance, giving it a 57.5 percentapproval rating.

Commenting on the results,PCC President Mark Rocha waspositive.

“Given the huge budget cutsand the difficulty with gettingclasses, I actually take this as ahopeful sign that the measures(Vice President of InstructionRobert) Bell is taking to maketransfer and graduation a toppriority are beginning to work,”said Rocha. “At the same time,the administration shall not restuntil all students are gettingwhat they need and ourapproval is 100 percent.”

Both Bell and Vice President ofEducation Robert Miller agreedthat while the survey results aredisappointing, they are not sur-prising given the state budgetsituation.

“Without additional funding,students will continue to lack theclasses they need to attain theireducational career goals in atimely manner,” Miller said.

In contrast to the views on theadministration, the survey foundstrong approval ratings forinstructors.

Out of 503 students surveyedon the quality of PCC instruc-tors, 76.7 percent said they weresatisfied.

3CourierJune 7, 2012 News

Survey: Most disaprove ofadministration

New trustee is ready to serve

Natalie Sehn Weber/ CourierAssociated Students Vice President of Sustainability, Hanna Israel, stumps for the position of StudentTrustee during an open forum in the Galloway Plaza on, May 15.

Anthony Richetts/ Courier Hilo Sugita, 22, anthropology, tries on a cap and gown for her gradu-ation at PCC's Grad Fest in the Creveling Lounge.

KARLA SOSAStaff Writer

Students who are now gradu-ating, or transferring were ableto pick up their cap and gown atGrad Fest on May 31 at theCreveling Lounge.

Students were lined up as theywere waiting to pick up their capand gown, and get more infor-mation on graduation. As theywere walking into the room, theywere welcomed with a gradua-tion packet, and all of the infor-mation they needed regardinggraduation. They were also ableto view the DVD from last years’graduation ceremony.

The bookstore was also repre-sented at the Grad Fest “Webrought a lot of alumni gear.Hopefully the students will beinterested in what we brought,”said Leslie Thompson, bookstore

manager. “This year we came up with

something different. We have agrad packet; it comes with a PCCdiploma frame, novelty tassel,license plate frame, pennantmagnet and a PCC key chain,”she said.

Scott W. Thayer, assistant deanof student affairs, was helpingout at the event. “This is the fifthyear [the Student Affairs depart-ment] has been hosting the gradfest. This year we are expectingabout 300 to 450 students tograduate,” said Thayer.

“It feels great seeing all thesestudents come and pickup theircap and gown,” Thayer said.

Samantha Smith, film major,will be transferring this fall toCSU Northridge. “I’m reallyexcited to pick up my cap andgown,” said Smith.

Grad fest brings a sense joy

PAUL OCHOAStaff Writer

Fierce, dedicated, independ-ent, and passionate are some ofthe words used to describe thenew Student Trustee HannaIsrael.

“She is fiercely dedicated towhat she believes in and sheactively pursues that in the inter-est of students. I cannot think ofa better person to be my counter-part next year with the Board ofTrustees,” said AssociatedStudents Board President elect,Simon Fraser.

Israel sees herself as an inde-pendent civil servant who enjoysserving the community.

“I suppose for the last twoyears I’ve been a civil servant. Ilike serving the communityalthough I work alone a lot,”said Israel.

Israel who has been involvedin activism since she graduatedhigh school, decided to getinvolved with the AssociatedStudents after starting thePasadena Animal RightsCoalition (PARC) club withChelsea Pack and seeing theopportunities it could lead to.

“I started a club and I saw theopportunities of a club so Idecided to run for Vice president

for sustainability and I wasappointed by the first Studentsfor Progress Board,” said Israel.

Jason Carman, vice chair ofThe AS SustainabilityCommittee, described some ofIsrael’s accomplishments as vicepresident for sustainability.

“She’s a strong believer inmaking the school more sustain-able and has worked hard in thelast two years as vice presidentfor sustainability. She’s helpedus get the LED lighting on cam-pus, fuel cells, and helped makechanges in facilities to reduceoverall cost and free up fundsthat have saved sections this cur-rent semester,” said Carman.

Being an overall advocate forstudents it was only natural hernext step be student trustee butapart from that her previousexperience working on districtpolicy also influenced her deci-sion.

“I felt compelled to run forstudent trustee after working ondistrict policy, specifically thecampus-wide sustainability poli-cy, and after sitting on BRAC(Budget & Resource AllocationCommittee). These two experi-ences have really pushed metowards this position, in addi-tion to being able to advocate forstudents on a larger level than

before,” said Israel. Israel believes the mission of

the student trustee is advocacyfor the students.

“The whole mission of theStudent Trustee is advocacy forstudent success and that’s what Ihave been doing. I like to makethings heard I’m real loud,” saidIsrael.

As for role models Israel looksup to her parents who put thefight in her and give her support.

“I look up to my mom becauseshe kind of put the fight in meand my dad because he is reallysupportive as well,” said Israel.

Her future plans as studenttrustee are to make herself visi-ble and make decisions withintegrity and the weight of thestudent body behind them.

“[I will] make myself visible asa resource to students at large. Iwant to make decisions withintegrity and the weight of thestudent body behind those deci-sions,” she said.

Current Student Trustee AlexSoto feels that Israel is an excel-lent replacement who will getthings done.

“She is very knowledgeable ofthings on campus and knowshow to get things done, no oneelse can do this position but her,”said Soto.

Upcoming Events

4 Courier June 7, 2012Opinion

Letters to the EditorThe Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about

300 words and may be edited by Courier staff. All letters must containyour full name and a correct daytime phone number. Letters can bedelivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by e­mail to cornejo_courier@yahoo.com.

Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its report­

ing. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585­7130or via e­mail to protacio_courier@yahoo.com.

Note to Readers

Which has more impact: voting or protesting?

Reporting by: Antero Barrantes III, Photos by: Minela Dela Cruz

“Probably both, because yourtaking your time to go vote and

taking time out to protest.”Rosa Vargas, Biology

“Voting doesn’t show you any-thing, so you have to protest to

get what you want.”Thanh Vu,

Aerospace Engineering

“A mix of both actually, if youprotest it shows what the people

want, [so does voting].” Angelino Lim,

Political Science

“Protesting does, more peoplewill notice it, than voting.”

Brandyann Matson,Biology

“I would say voting. Voting iswhere your opinion counts. That’s

where the numbers are.”Madison A. Leiren,

Fashion Design

“I prefer voting as a first option.It’s only when things get reallybad, that you have to protest.”

Vinh Pham, Nursing

“Voting, because it shows howmany people are actually willing,

they actually care.”Eduardo Garcia, Spanish

“Voting is written on paper, andprotest[ing] is televised.”

Jie Cao,Accounting

ONLINE POLL RESULTSONLINE POLL RESULTSWe asked: Is Tuesday’s election important?

Results as of 6 p.m. Wednesday:Yes 36%No 7%What election? 39%Who Cares? 18%

vote atpccCourier.com

VOICES:

Veterans need better access to helpMICHAEL MCGRATHStaff Writer

The second ever Road Homesymposium at PCC in Aprilshined much needed attentionon the needs of veterans, mostespecially those afflicted withpost traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). With Los Angeles coun-ty reporting a great number ofhomeless individuals of which ahigh percentage are veterans, theDepartment of Veterans Affairsneeds to modify its tactics.

According to a 2011 executivesummary by Los AngelesHomeless Services Authoritythe percentage of homeless vet-erans has risen by 19 percentfrom 2009 to 2011, for a total of

8,130 or 18 percent of all the51,340 homeless individuals.

According to the Departmentof Veteran’s Affairs, “[PTSD] is amental health problem that canoccur after someone goesthrough a traumatic event likewar, assault, or disaster.”

A huge obstacle is that a largepercentage of veterans are suf-fering from PTSD and areunable to access the benefits thatare available to them, accordingto Marshall Lewis, Veteran’sClub president.

The Department of VeteransAffairs needs to consistentlyoffer all of our veterans depend-able housing and supportiveservices.

“They are withdrawn from

society and have become home-less,” said Lewis.

The department needs toactively engage veterans andhelp them apply for the benefitsthat they need and deserve. Aneffective solution might be todevelop and require an orienta-tion program that educates vet-eran’s on the programs availableto them and helps them reinte-grate themselves into society.

“The most important thing isfor the Department of Veteran’sAffairs to actively pursue veter-ans to help them,” said Lewis.

California has many pro-grams, dedicated people andpublic servants trying to aid ourveterans to help them get off thestreet.

The department and the statehave laid out a plan to improvethe accessibility and utilizationof benefits by veterans.

The Department of VeteransAffairs has just agreed to collab-orate with the “100,000 Homes”campaign, to find permanenthousing for 10,000 veterans in2012, according to its website.

“President Obama and I arepersonally committed to endinghomelessness among Veteranswithin the next five years,”according to Secretary ofVeterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

Programs such as these andpromises are great. But as longas so many veterans are home-less, America is failing its servicemembers.

Same-sex marriage should be allowed everywhereNEIL PROTACIOEditor-in-Chief

Same-sex marriage continuesto be the subject of heateddebate. California has recentlymoved Proposition 8 to thehands of the U. S. SupremeCourt after judges of the U.S. 9thCircuit Court of Appeals votedagainst reconsidering the over-turning of the measure, sayingthat it served no purpose andinstead was meant to lessen thestatus and human dignity ofgays and lesbians in California.

Moving toward the Southeast,North Carolina voted to ban onsame-sex marriage. A decisionthat not only fails to upholdsocial equality, but most espe-

cially federal protection.The newly approved constitu-

tional amendment will definemarriage “between one man andone woman” as the only accept-able domestic legal union. Suchwording, however, can holdimplications that prevent mil-lions of gays and lesbians fromobtaining myriads of benefits.The only way to ensure equalprotection for all is to completelydo away with the Defense ofMarriage Act, which allows indi-vidual states to define marriage.

According to the American BarAssociation, DOMA affects theEmployee Retirement IncomeSecurity Act, which governsmost employee benefits provid-ed by private employers.

Since only six states and twosubdivisions of the U.S. havelegalized same-sex marriage, thebenefits of homosexual spousesremain contingent on theirstate’s or employer’s definitionof partnership.

NOLO, a database of legalinformation, notes the severalbenefits unobtainable to theLGBT, including joint IRS taxreturns and social security bene-fits. Immigration benefits also tieback to marital status.

Despite the repeal of the Don’tAsk Don’t Tell Policy back inSeptember 2011, gay and lesbianarmed service members contin-ue to get the short end of thestick.

According to Talking Points

Memo, a political news organi-zation, gay service members areno longer afraid of losing theirjobs, but instead find themselvestreated unequally under the law.Unemployment and death bene-fits are not available to spouses.

Because of DOMA, gays andlesbians who want to take thenext step in their relationshipmust enter either civil unions ordomestic partnerships.

President Barack Obama andhis cabinet have finally taken theright stance on same-sex mar-riage after straddling on theissue for four years. Now, theyneed to follow through to makesure that anyone, no matter ifthey are gay or straight, can getmarried anywhere in the U.S.

Courier2011 JACC General Excellence

Award WinnerEditor­in­ChiefNeil Protacio

News EditorNicholas Zebrowski

Assist. News EditorPaul Ochoa

Online EditorGalen Patterson­Smith

Assist. Online EditorAnder Arostegui

Arts & Entertainment EditorJessi Alva

Assist. Arts & Entertainment EditorMary Nurrenbern

Opinion EditorF.E. Cornejo

Assist. Opinion EditorPhilip McCormick

Sports EditorNicholas Saul

Assist. Sports EditorBrenda Renteria

Features Editors:Cicely Chisholm, Christine Michaels

Photo EditorGabriela Castillo

Assist. Photo EditorTeresa Mendoza

Chief PhotographerDaniel Nerio

Online Photo EditorLouis Cheung

Scene EditorsBuren Smith, Max Perez

Social Media EditorJustin Clay

Multimedia EditorNatalie Sehn Weber

Staff Writers:Antero Barrantes III, Brandon Drexel,Dustin Earl, Tiffany Herrera, AmarKasopovic, Edwin Lee, MichaelMcGrath, Raymond Pecson, LuisRodriguez, Karla Sosa, Colin Sum

Staff Photographers: Kevin Balmadrid, Katherine Bussey,Megan Carrillo, Nikki Debbaudt, MinelaDela Cruz, Steven Fuel, AntonioGandara, Ya Ling Hsu, Ronald Johnson,AnthonyRichetts, Steven Valdez, Blair Wells

Faculty AdviserWarren Swil

Photography AdviserTim Berger

Advertising CoordinatorAnthony Richetts

The Courier is published weekly by thePasadena City College JournalismDepartment and is a free­speechforum. Editorial opinions and com­ments are those of the authors and donot necessarily represent the positionof the institution and its administra­tion, student government or that ofthe Pasadena Area Community CollegeDistrict.

The Courier is written and produced asa learning experience for student writ­ers, photographers and editors in theJournalism Department.

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© Copyright 2012 Courier. All rights reserved.

5CourierJune 7, 2012 The Year in Pictures

Frantic and fantasticFrom protests to productions,

it was a hell of a semester

GeorgeMencilla,

crawls betweenplates in theconstruction

site of the newbungalows forPCC on March29. "We have

to do itwhether we

like it or not"he said.

TeresaMendoza/

Courier

Max Perez/CourierDancers grace the stage during the annual dance recital, ChoreoTales, Poetis Trails, performed at Sexson Auditorium on May 18.

Natalie Sehn Weber/CourierPresident Mark Rocha addresses a mob of students at a demonstra-tion in front of the C Building on Feb. 21. More than 300 studentsgathered to protest recent class cuts.

Max Perez/CourierSwimmers lap the pool located at PCC's AquaticCenter early in the morning on May 8.

Buren Smith/CourierA driver in a late model Lexus SUV is surroundedby PCC campus police as well as the Pasadena FireDepartment shortly after colliding with one of theconcrete posts in the student drop-off area next tostaff parking lot 1 on April 12. The driver appearedto be unconscious as he was pulled from his vehicleand put onto a strecher.

Teresa Mendoza/CourierAnya Boyer, gets into character as Cinderella’s Stepmother before entering the stage for the “Into The Woods” dressrehearsal in the Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena City College on April 3. In Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods”Cinderella’s Stepmother is beautiful of face, but vile and black of heart.

SCENESCENE June 7, 2012 7Courier

Becca Yee starts her shift at City of Hope where she will spend 13 hours taking care of a patient who isbeing treated for Leukemia. Each week, she is assigned to a different patient as part of her nursing pro-gram at PCC.

Becca drops off Niko for preschool at the Child Development Center.Niko has been going there since he was 15 months old.

Becca Yeepractices withone of themannequins inher nursingclass at PCC.She is onesemester awayfrom complet-ing the nursingprogram.

Niko Yee shows off one of the favorite books that his mother reads to him. She readsthree books to him every night before he goes to sleep.

Becca Yee hands a patient a card at the Student Health Center. She hasworked there for the past three years.

Beeca Yee gives her son, Niko, a haircut with a trimmer in front of her home in Alhambra as heenjoys a banana. She saves money by cutting his hair herself.

‘With myhands full’How a single parent juggles life

Story by Brenda Renteria

Photos by Blair Wells

Becca Yee carries her son, Niko, as they leave the grocery store. She uses the smallamount of time she has between work and school to run errands.

As mother of a three year-old, Becca Yee, 22, haslearned to make everyminute of her day countas she juggles being a full-

time mom, student and working twojobs.

Her days are planned mostly aroundher son Niko’s schedule. She goes toschool or work while he is at preschooland finds time to study between classesor after Niko goes to bed.

“It's not fair to either of us for me tostudy while he's awake [and needingcare],” said Yee. “I can't concentrate andI'm ignoring him.“

Yee is in the registered nursing pro-gram at PCC and expects to complete itby December, when she’ll be eligible totake the nursing state boards exam.

Yee is no stranger to hard work. Shehas not slowed since Niko’s birth, butfound the time to make her heavy sched-ule fit together.

“I took less then a week off when I had

him, then went back to my math class,”said Yee. “I was also taking two onlineclasses and working two days a week atthe time. Since I've never known any-thing different it's quite manageable,”she said.

Yee works the front desk at the StudentHealth Center and also works as thephotographer/social media coordinatorat Homeboy Industries and HomegirlCafé.

“I do a lot of work from my phone forHomeboy Industries,” she said.

Yee has a support system in which herparents and Niko’s godfather, Daniel,help take care her son.

“I don't get much time to have fun, butif I hang out with friends, it’s either withNiko at the park, at our house, or I dothings after I put him to sleep,” said Yee.

“I would probably go crazy if I wasn'tdoing so many things,” she added. “If Istopped to think about how much I amdoing, I’d get overwhelmed, so it's mucheasier just to do it all,” said Yee.

Becca chats with customers at the Homeboy Cafe in downtown Los Angeles. AsCommunications Manager, it’s her job to maintain social networks for the company.

8 Courier June 7, 2012Arts & Entertainment

Piano ensemble showcases concert performersDUSTY EARL

Staff Writer

Pianos were dueling June 2 in HarbesonHall for the annual piano ensembles con-cert. The night included performancesfrom the Ivory Rose and La Majeur quar-

tets, recent winners at the2012 InternationalSix/Eight Hand piano

competition in Bavaria, Germany.The theme of the program was Carmen,

with opening and closing pieces from thefamous Bizet opera. In between, classical

and contemporary works were performedthat represented the story arcs ofMichaela, Don Jose, and Carmen herself,the opera’s three main characters.

The relationship between the workswas fairly loose, but they were played insuch a way to invoke wonderment fromthe audience.

Many of the numbers were performedwith two players on each piano, playingwith perfect rhythm and timing. DirectorPhillip Young summed up the difficultyinvolved. “There is no margin for error. Ifthe two players aren’t perfectly in sync,

the audience will know,” he said. Pianist’s movements were like a well-

choreographed dance as hands and armscrossed over and under one another with-out touching. 

Veteran player Siyang Deng who mas-terfully performed Aaron Copland’s TheOpen Prairie, described what the practiceprocess was like. “We met with our part-ners twice a week for two hours for thewhole semester,” he said. 

Winnie Rivai, economics, and SophiaRani, art, attended, and liked what theyheard. “I thought they were really great,”

said Rivai. “My favorite piece wasMichelangelo 70,” said Rani, referring tothe Piazzolla work performed by SallyEmelia and Bee Pitakamonpan.

The piano ensembles’ particular play-ing style is something to be seen as well asheard. The thrill of watching such artistrycan be compared to seeing an acrobat orgymnast, but with those you don’t get thebonus of some of the best piano playing inthe world.

Antonio Gandara/Courier. Instructors and students attend to the 60th Annual Visual Art and Media Studies Scholarship Exhibitionopening on Thursday, in the Art Gallery.

LUIS RODRIGUEZStaff Writer

The 60th Annual ScholarshipExhibition of student artworkopened at the Art Gallery onThursday to a huge crowd.

The scholarships, totaling over$30,000, wereawarded to 43 stu-dents by the

Division of Visual Arts AndMedia Studies after a competi-tion based on the students’ aca-demic records and portfolios oftheir work, according to officials.

The gallery quickly filled withartists, students, family and fac-ulty to observe the winningpieces.

“It’s really nice to feel appreci-ated for all the work you’ve putin,” said Timothy Decker, ceram-ics, who received the PottersScholarship for Ceramics.

Alexis Moore, art instructor,was transfixed by the work ofDiana Campuzano.

“This work is intriguing. It’sreally beautiful and an interest-ing use of photography,” Mooresaid.

Two pieces that drew a lot ofattention were “DJ Dalai Lama#2” and “DJ Dalai Lama #3” byArotin Hartounian.

Each one is a surreal depictionof the current Dalai Lama smil-ing and wearing headphones at aturntable

“It started off as a fuzzy imagein my head and as time went on

I saw the significance this has.How, in the past, thousands ofpeople gathered to see religiousfigures they idolized, as they stilldo, but now thousands of peoplegather to see artists and musi-cians,” Hartounian said.

“Arotin is amazing,” saidChristopher Paguio, graphicdesign. “It was due to his artsketches that I started sketch-ing.”

“I think this is going well, theceremony moved briskly,” saidBrian Tucker, director of the artgallery.

“It’s great to see families ofexhibiting students come into

the gallery and get a differentidea of what their sons anddaughters are doing.”

Many apologies wereexchanged as people werebumping into each other whiletaking in the exhibit.

“I think it is very important torecognize art,” said JosephFuttner, interim dean of TheVisual Arts and Media studiesdivision. “That’s why we gaveout certificates of recognitionalong with the scholarships sothat one day they’ll look backand remember their accomplish-ments.”

The exhibit will run to June 16.

Concert band performance winshuge ovationEDWIN LEEStaff Writer

Ending with a thunderousovation, the Concert Bandplayed brilliantly to friends,family and spectators, playingnumbers composed by John

Williams, EricWhitacre, JayUngar, and oth-ers.

The annual outdoor summerconcert, held on Sunday at theJamison Amphitheater, had theperfect weather and scenery.The sunset gave the rightamount of light and a coolbreeze made listening to theconcert band a pleasure.

Conductor Kyle Luck wasproud of this semester’s con-cert band. “[They] have comefurther than any other group,playing grade 5 and 6 music,”he said.

The concert band consistedof students aged between 18and 25. Three members fromthe community were alsoincluded.

Audience member RonaldEsquivel was amazed by theperformance. “The “Star wars”piece was my favorite part ofthe night. I can relate to thesong because I saw it when Iwas 12 years old,” he said.

The night started off with theBrass Quintet which playedthree songs and then the entireconcert band took their seats toperform four additional songs.

Their first song was the“Olympic Spirit” conducted byco-conductor Tad Carpenter.

Luck chose this song becausethe summer Olympics are rightaround the corner. “This songseems appropriate for the occa-sion,” said Luck.

This piece did exactly whatthe title suggested, giving theuplifting feeling of theOlympics to the audience.

The next piece was“Ashokan Farewell,” conduct-ed by Luck. This piece alongwith “October,” conducted byJames Arnwine, dean of per-forming and communicationarts, were soothing and relax-ing pieces. What made themmore memorable were thebirds that flew overhead.

“This song has beautifullines that interweave and I getchoked up every time it isplayed,” Arnwine said. Theaudience was captivated andswayed back and forth to thesong while some family mem-bers recorded the performance.

Luck finished the eveningwith an iconic song from themovie Star wars This piece wasperformed a little differentlybecause the concert band didnot have any string instru-ments.

Although the piece was diffi-cult, the audience thoroughlyenjoyed the last piece, greetingit with a roaring applause.

Carlos Gonzalez, musicmajor, was pleased with theturnout for the evening. “Thelast piece was the hardestbecause I had to switchbetween instruments,” he said.Gonzalez plans to be transferto CSU Northridge in the fall.

Scholarship recipients showcase art

Minela Dela Cruz/Courier Ted Carpenter conducts the Lancer Band to John Williams' "TheOlympic Spirit," on Sunday at the Jameson Ampitheatre.

Review

Review

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Antonio Gandara/Courier. Arotin Hartounian seen next to his art piece called DJ Dalai Lama #2during the 60th Annual Scholarship Exhibition.

Bell explained in an interviewthe recommendation was not aproposal. “It is my considerationto have a CTE dean. It is a criticalneed. We are not serving stu-dents since the position isvacant,” he explained.

Community Education CenterInstructor Daniel Hamman agi-tatedly responded to the recom-mendation. “The point is, [theadministration] will do whatev-er [it] wants,” he said.

Faculty Association PresidentRoger Marheine was upset theadministration had made itsown recommendation with outconsideration for the faculty. “Itviolates shared governance if theadministration makes its owndecision…I’m a little upset,” hesaid passionately.

Academic Senate President EdMartinez explained the recom-mendation was valid since it is aPlanning and PrioritiesCommittee issue. “[The recom-mendation] was based on thePlanning and PrioritiesCommittee’s proposal,” he said.

Associated Students VicePresident of Academic AffairsChris Fennessy was unaware theadministration had made a newrecommendation. “If you comein with a new recommendation,it is not as cordial as theAssociated Students wouldlike,” he explained.

Miller attempted to calm theroom full of faculty members bysaying the Senate was trying tocontinue a discussion about therealignment proposal. “We’vehad an exhaustive process, thereis a need for sound decisions tobe made,” he said.

The Business Division facultycoordinator and instructor DarylTaylor heatedly opposed morediscussion on creating divisiondeans for Business and E & T.“It’s like a bad dream that won’tgo away. We keep voting and[the proposal] keeps comingback. We’re at the eleventh hour.What is happening for fall?There is great uncertainty for theBusiness division, and we arewaiting to hear what will hap-pen,” said Taylor.

Academic Senate SecretaryMartha Bonilla asked what theBusiness and E & T divisionswanted. “What do these areasclearly need? This is our place,[the Academic Senate] needs tovote,” she said.

Computer InformationSystems Instructor David Evansslowly and clearly explainedwhat the divisions wanted. “We.Want. A dean. We really want adean,” he said.

The faculty’s hope to retaindivision deans is one step closerto being fulfilled, with the entirerealignment plan currentlyaccepted by the AcademicSenate.

Continued from page 1

9CourierJune 7, 2012 Arts & Entertainment

Music director performs with studentsKARLA SOSAStaff Writer

Music Director Beth Mitchellsurprised the crowd when sheperformed along with her stu-dents at The Brass BashEnsemble Concert on May 31.

The concerttook place at theJ a m e s o n

Amphitheater. Family members and friends

attended to support studentswho were performing.

“We had a big crowd today. Itlooks like the students really didinvite a lot of friends and familymembers,” said Mitchell.

At the beginning of the con-cert, the large brass ensemble,which included almost all of thestudents, performed two songs,“Concert en Re” and “Triton

Suite Mvt I.”The surprise of the evening

was when Mitchell performedalong with her students in theBass Lines Tuba/ EuphoniumQuartet, performing the songsWolkenschatten I. Tranquillo,II.Presto, III. Allegretto Giocoso.

“It was great being able to per-form with students, especiallywith the group that I performedwith.

They’re in their 70s and 80s. Iwas able to learn a lot from them[since they’re a lot older],” saidMitchell.

During the rest of the concertthe students split up into differ-ent groups and performed intheir different ensemble.

“All of the students had toaudition. Depending on howthey did, I would see in what

group I would put them in,” saidMitchell.

Before the ensembles startedto perform, they gave a briefintroduction about the songsthey were going to play and alsointroduced the members.

Brenda Magdaleno performedin the last ensemble Lo BrosTuba Euphonium.

“We had class time to rehearseas a group, I really enjoyed play-ing with my classmates,” saidMagdaleno.

Ramon Rodriguez came tosupport his son AlexisRodriguez, trombone player. “Ireally enjoyed seeing my sonplay. I’m really proud of him. Ienjoyed the concert.”

It was nice to hear the songsthat the students have learnedthis semester,” said Rodriguez.

Antonio Gandara/ CourierBeth Mitchell conducts the “Lo Bros Tuba Euphonium Ensemble” dur-ing The Official Brass Ensemble Concert on Thursday at the JamesonAmphitheater.

One-act operas make connection with audiencesDUSTY EARLStaff Writer

Vocal students and profession-als joined together for a show-case of one act operas in theSexson Auditorium on June 2.

The program, entitled Don’tShoot the Soprano, consisted of

three short operas, “Hin andZuruck”, “The Face on theBarroom Floor”, and “The Oldmaid and the Thief,” was pro-duced and directed by VocalInstructor Anne Marie Ketchum.

Every opera dealt withmacabre drama - from a ghoststory, to the murder of a cheating

lover - and included loud gun-shots in between high notes.

The setting was intimate withseating on risersactually on thestage itself, creat-

ing a deeper connection to theperformers than a typical stageand audience relationship.

Vocalists even appeared fromthe back row of the risers, to singamongst the spectators.

Also, the operas were sung inEnglish, making the stories andcharacters more accessible to theaudience.

An opera newbie, art majorDuncan Watkins, was inspiredby the show.

“It made me want to go tomore operas,” he said, adding, “Ithought operas were in otherlanguages. It was cool to be ableto understand it.”

Additionally, sets pieces andprop usage gave the entire pro-duction the feeling a traditionalstage play that included opera.

In “The Old Maid and theThief”, sets were built on differ-ent levels with lots of detail anddecoration.

In “The Face on the BarroomFloor”, a picture was projectedon the floor to represent a man’sdrawing of his lost love.

And in “Hin und Zuruck” awall section with an open win-dow, and a mattress cleverly hid-den behind it, provided a way toshow a character jumping to hisdeath.

All of these techniques madethe stories easier and more inter-esting to follow.

Vote effectively putsan end to major realignment proposal

Review

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10 Courier June 7, 2012

Courtesy of Michael AlpertMichael Alpert has had his work published in LA Weekly. Alpert has shone light on various subculturesthrough his documentary style.

Exhibited art student finds inspiration

‘Kitty litter’ trialconcludes withmother’s tears

the body, and that naturalcauses could not be ruled out.

Ipson also suggested thatCampbell’s and Lu’s phonerecords placed Campbell at thescene of the crime, and catalogedhis movements and actions inthe following weeks.

Duffy believes the phonerecords did not prove that anycrime had occurred.

“[The defense] has changed[its] theory on this case no lessthan five times… what is thecause of death de jour?” Duffysaid in his final statements.

Campbell, who did not testifyin the trial, was getting his nurs-ing degree and “excelled atPCC,” according to Duffy.

Earlier, Investigating OfficerDetective James Just saidCampbell’s decision to not testi-fy in his own defense was a sig-nificant part of the trial.

“It changes the dynamic ofthis trial,” Just said on Tuesday.“This jury doesn’t have his testi-mony to review as part of theirdecision.”

Campbell’s first trial last fallended in a hung jury that couldnot reach a verdict on a first-degree murder charge.

Campbell is currently on trialon a second-degree murdercharge.

Duffy brought in for thedefense on Monday two neurol-ogists to use their expertise in

deciphering Lu’s brain MRI andCT scans. The defense aimed tomake known of the possibilitythat Lu suffered from seizure-like symptoms.

Dr. Arthur Kowell, a neurolo-gist on the court-ready panel ofexperts, diagrammed andexplained to the jury the subtleasymmetrical discrepancies inLu’s brain scans, and noted themto be “something to be con-cerned about.”

Kowell, upon cross-examina-tion by Ipson, however, said thattaking into account her age andhealth, he “would not expect tosee her dead” from seizure.

The second witness, Dr. QianZhang, neurologist, reiteratedthe sentiment saying her asym-metrical brain scans were “prob-ably a normal variant.”

The idea of Lu’s seizure-likesymptoms stemmed from Lu’s2007 consultation with Dr.Zhang in which Lu complainedof blurred vision, migraines, andolfactory hallucinations.

The Tuesday’s witnessesechoed the idea that Lu’s symp-toms were not extreme enoughto cause death-by-seizure.

Dr. Brian Shin, the neuroradi-ologist who performed the MRIand CT scans on Lu, claimed thathis study of the scans lead him tobe “comfortable in calling it anormal study of the brain.”

Jury deliberations startThursday.

ANDER AROSTEGUIStaff writer

For two years Michael Alpert,25, photography, dedicated him-self to car sales. He was good atdeceiving, a required skill in thecompetitive auto sales world,but he hated it. Now Alpert isexhibiting his work at thePasadena Museum of CaliforniaArt.

Four years ago, Alpert startedtaking pictures at his friends’events just as a hobby and hiswork was published in LAWeekly. Tired of his life and feel-ing that he could actually begood at photography, he decidedto take it seriously. Alpert quithis job to focus his attention onhis studies.

Alpert’s art instructor Mark

Harvey describes him as “ a veryengaged [student] and interestedin class discussions and cri-tiques. He brings an energy andjoy with him everywhere hegoes.”

Alpert’s documentary style ishighly influenced by his experi-ences. “I like to show a part ofculture where the majority hasno access,” he said.

His photography shows sub-cultures from Los Angeles thatmost people will not have achance to be part of – from punkshows to sacred Jewish orthodoxc e re m o n i e s . Alpert is inspired by the uniqueculture of Los Angeles. “You canfind people or subcultures thatare only local. You can see peo-ple you will never see and thatare beautiful in their own way,”

he said.Alpert’s trademarks is that his

subjects don’t smile in his por-traits. “When people don’t smiletheir true self is revealed. Theirpain, struggles or anything thathas happened to them transmitsinto the camera,” he said.

Harvey describes Alpert’sstyle as “a desire to express whathe sees in unique ways.” He alsoadded “ his portraits show anunflinching appreciation forthose who some may considerextreme, and an ability to showhow we are all similar.

Struggle has been an uncon-scious recurring subject inAlpert’s work. “If life is too easyyou don’t push yourself .Youdoesn’t try to be your best andovercome the obstacles on theway”, he said

Email evokes forensic investigation

High school students act as United Nationspresent war-related issuesincluding the Afghanistan Warand cyber warfare, he said.

Each student’s task was to imi-tate an actual UN representativeand mirror their nation’s policiesand objectives in regards to realissues, through discussions,debate and collaboration withother nations’ representatives,Recinos said.

Other current and former PCCstudents, including AssociatedStudents Vice President forAcademic Affairs ChrisFennessy, participated in theevent.

Fennessy, a former LancerMUN president, is also co-presi-dent of the United NationsA s s o c i a t i o n ’ sPasadena/Foothills Chapter, a

non-profit organization that co-sponsored the event.

As he paused outside a class-room on Friday afternoon,Fennessy explained that one ofhis jobs was to announce crisisupdates to the student commit-tees, so they would have to dealwith the new developments in“real time.”

In one case, a committee wasinformed that its room might bethe target of nuclear strike andthe students were immediatelyevacuated, he said.

A committee’s status mightdetermine the need for a crisisupdate, as well, Fennessy said.

“For example, I am going intothe Iraq war committee’s [room]because no one wants to invadeIraq,” he said.

“In retrospect, we can say cer-tain things [about the invasion],

but the students are supposed tobe looking at it from the perspec-tive of a country in 2003,” hesaid.

“I’m going [to announce that]there is the possibility ofweapons of mass destruction inIraq [so that] they’ll be pushed tosay there may be a reason to go,”Fennessy said.

Jimmy Recinos said it was theinteractive aspect of the confer-ences that made them so impor-tant for young people.

Unlike traditional study meth-ods, the events created develop-ment opportunities that the stu-dents would remember for along time, he said.

“The entire collaboration is ajoy to me [because] the moreleadership skill they have, thebetter for our future,” saidRecinos.

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

NEIL PROTACIOEditor-in-Chief

Board of Trustees PresidentGeoffrey Baum has authorizedan external forensic investigationinto an anonymous email largelytargeting General Counsel GailCooper that was sent to severalrecipients on campus last week.

“The shameful message dis-tributed this week calls for adirect and public response,”Baum said in a June 1 letter fromthe Board of Trustees addressedto colleagues. “The message con-

tained deliberate falsehoods andits anonymous dissemination isan act of cowardice that is a clearattempt to erode the sense ofcommunity we treasure at PCC.”

Baum said the investigationwould attempt to identify theidentity of the sender. “When thesource of the message is identi-fied, we will take appropriateaction,” he wrote.

The email, a copy of whichwas received by the Courier,alleges that Cooper has been tak-ing advantage of her position. Italso said that a “constituency”

made up of faculty, staff, andstudents collected the allegationsagainst her.

Both Cooper and CollegePresident Mark Rocha said theyhad nothing to add to Baum’smessage.

“It is unfortunate and unac-ceptable for any members of thePCC community to endureharassment, attack and accusa-tion as they attempt to carry outtheir responsibilities,” Baumwrote.

11CourierJune 7, 2012 Features

Brazil has special value for division deanANTERO BARRANTES IIIStaff Writer

Languages Division Dean,Theodore R. Young, knows athing or two about a different lan-guage. Young didn’t just studyPortuguese as a student; heimmersed himself, living it in thestate of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

“I wouldn’t be in this job if had-n’t gone down to Brazil!” saidYoung with a sincere smile. 

Young’s charismatic personali-ty, hand motions and constanteye contact, give the impressionof a confident and likeable man.What started as a conversationabout the languages divisions’plans for Brazil, transitioned ontoa more personal note, one thatbrightened up the Dean’s smileeven more so. “I really do relishthe idea of being able to workwith [Brazil],” said Young.

Young’s first opportunity to goto Brazil came in 77’ having

attended Colégio EstadualPresidente Castelo Branco, in thecity of Lajeado, for part of highschool. Young would later returnfor part of college in the early-80s,at the Universidade de São Paulo(São Paulo University), one ofBrazil’s larger cities.

Young described his first class-room experience at age 16, asbizarre. He sat in a room, not ableto understand what people weresaying. Having taken on the chal-lenge, Young has persevered,being where he is today.

Young smiled, recalling the dayhe’d worn a favorite shirt toschool with the word ‘Coach’ onthe back.

Soon enough, middle schoolkids began following him aroundmaking frog noises. Little didYoung know, coach pronouncedin Portuguese, sounds like thecroak of a frog.

The Dean, who had grown upplaying a lot of baseball since

first grade, is a passionate indi-vidual for ‘futebol’ (soccer), posi-tive it would’ve stayed that wayif he’d never gone down to Brazil.Young says he’s a big Grêmio fan,one of Brazil’s popular soccerclubs from Porto Alegre.

In 1996 as a professor, Youngtaught a Grad Seminar in thePortuguese language and litera-ture at UNIVATES in SouthernBrazil, while the institution wastransitioning from being a collegeto becoming a university.

“It was an excellent group ofstudents,” said Young, “we allwent through a process together.”Once the students got over theirshock that an American couldseem so Brazilian, they perceivedYoung as any other professor.

“There’s a lot that could belearned when you become part ofanother culture,” Young said.

The Dean points out havingseen students with similar oppor-tunities like his coming out

changed with a different worldview, insisting that a studyabroad program and especially ahome stay is good. “Living inanother culture and languagecould broaden anyone’s hori-zons,” reiterated Young, “it pro-vides them with another under-standing of the world, one theywouldn’t have otherwise.”

Chairman of the Study AbroadCommittee and Professor JosephSierra, asserted that Young’sexperience has proven to be quitevaluable. “Young was instrumen-tal in helping both ProfessorCathy Wei and myself, navigatethrough the challenges of our firststudy abroad program in Beijing,China,” said Sierra.

“In another culture the mostimportant thing is to be openminded, look for what’s the same,and accept what’s going to be dif-ferent; and also be prepared to eatanything,” said Young as helaughed.

Swimmer balancesschool work withteam practicesVERONICA CRISAFULLIStaff Writer

After spending at least 15hours a week in the water, swim-ming is practically a part-timejob for Sophomore CourtneyJensen.

With the best GPA of all Lancerathletes, Jensen said she mustbalance between school andsport.

Having prepeared for theSouth Coast ConferenceChampionships since January,the biology major and second-year swimmer produced timesthat qualified her for the statecompetition for the second yearin a row.

She placed third in the 1,650meter freestyle (1:04.27), third inthe 500 meter freestyle (5:22.83),and finished in second for the100 meter butterfly relay(1:04.27).

The Championships tookplace the weekend of April 19 atthe Aquatic Center.

“What’s important to me isgiving my all in every race,” saidthe Burbank resident. “Trackingmy improvements and encour-aging my teammates are equallyas important.”

On a break from her studies,swimming consumes her sched-ule come summer.

Lifeguarding and teachingchildren to swim through theBurbank Aquatic Program areboth regular and annual jobs forJensen.

“When I’m in the water, I’m inmy own world,” Jensen said.“It’s a stimulating sport becauseit’s a competition with myself tosee how far I can push. And thesatisfaction of finishing feelsunlike anything else.”

Jensen plans to transfer toWhittier College in the fall,where she will join the swimteam and study physical therapy.

Eventually she hopes to worktraining athletes.

Swimmer Mikela Velasquezsaid unlike some others on theteam, swimming is Jensen’s pas-

sion. “It’s been an amazing two

years practicing and competingwith Courtney,” said the sopho-more. “She’s an extremely hardworker which makes others, likemyself, want to work just ashard. I hope she achieves all thatshe wants to in school and inswimming.”

Swim Coach Terry Stoddardbelieves Jensen is a leader on theteam.

“Courtney has the desire anddedication needed to be success-ful on this team,” he said. “Shetakes every opportunity to prac-tice, brings energy to the team,and shows constant improve-ment.”

Jensen sees Stoddard as a rolemodel.

“My coach inspires me. Hispresence makes me want to dowell,” she said.

She noted how vital it is tosupport and be supported by herteammates, and is looking for-ward to visiting from Whittier tosee her former teammates com-pete.

DJ strives to showcase new music

Blair Wells/CourierDr. Ted Young, LanguagesDivision Dean, demonstrates hispassion for “futball” by dribblinga soccer ball in front of the CBuilding April 2.

Natalie Sehn Weber/CourierLancer Radio’s seeker of fresh music and DJ Jen (Perez) Spazmaster, prepares for her show, TheSpazmaster’s Domain, in a Lancer Radio studio on Friday.

NATALIE SEHN WEBERMultimedia Editor

An energetic atmosphere dom-inated the Lancer Radio studio aspreparations were finalized for alive musical performance on theweekly online stream-cast show,The Spazmaster’s Domain.

The show’s host, Jen Perez,a.k.a. The Spazmaster, animated-ly chatted with her guests, thetwo-man, “folk-tronic” band,Yoya. Moments later, she satdown at a desk in the studio, andthey began to play.

In breaks between songs, Perezquizzed the band members aboutwhere they grew up, their musi-cal influences and more. Herwitty, conversational style ofinterviewing created an enter-taining repartee between her andthe musicians and, in the blink ofan eye, the half-hour perform-ance had ended.

Perez’s boyfriend, AbrahamParker, comes in each week tohelp with the show.

Parker said The Spazmasterresearches her guest bands thor-oughly, so the interviews arenever dull and her personalityenhances the experience further.

“Her style is very humorousand off-the-cuff. She knowsexactly how far she can push it on

the radio,” he said. Communications major Andy

Louie, 25, is the co-host of theLancer Radio sports show, Play-By-Play.

Louie is also the soundboardoperator for The Spazmaster’sDomain and has witnessed Perezguide interviews to moments of“pure comedy.” Yet, Perez can bequite serious, he said.

“She can be a little bit difficultto work with, but it’s becauseshe’s really passionate aboutwhat she does,” said Louie.

Perez, who majors in radio pro-duction, may have high stan-dards but she also knows not totake herself too seriously. Shenamed herself The Spazmasterdue to her lack of physical coordi-nation.

Perez has hosted TheSpazmaster Domain for one-and-a-half years and is constantlyseeking out “unique sounds” byindependent artists, she said.

Her guests’ musical styles haveincluded World, rap, hip-hop andelectronica.

Perez finds new bands throughFacebook, word of mouth or see-ing them perform live.

However, seeing bands playeven in small venues doesn’tcompare to having them perform

live on her show, she said.“In the studio, you really see

what [the artists] bring to thetable, how they perform, whetheror not they enjoy what they do…all of that good stuff,” Perez said.

Although The Spazmaster’sDomain has been around for lessthan two years, she has beenseeking out fresh bands for sever-al years. In that time, she’s seen ahuge shift occur in the musicindustry.

Previously, the industry pro-duced almost exclusively“digestible, pristine” music, withall its demographics determined,so it was a guaranteed money-making franchise, Perez said.

Since then, the industry’s for-mula lost its allure.

Additionally, the Internet hasgiven musicians the ability topromote themselves.

“People no longer have to lis-ten to what’s popular. They canlisten to what they want to aslong as they’re willing to find it,”Perez said.

Ultimately, being able toexpose people to new music andgreat artists isn’t just a pleasure— it’s a privilege, Perez said.

The Spazmaster’s Domainstreams live on Lancer Radio onFridays, 5 - 6 p.m.

Justin Clay/CourierSophomore swimmer and biologymajor Courntney Jensen at thePCC Aquatics Center on June 5.

EDWIN LEEStaff Writer

The Lancer badminton teamhas grown in standing and pop-ularity throughout the four yearsof coaching under Bill Sanchez.

This season, however, was a180-degree turn for CoachSanchez. Last season the bad-minton team consisted of allsophomores, but when this sea-son began the team was com-prised of only freshmen. “Thiswas a challenge for myself,”Sanchez said. “The team wentfrom the players knowing every-thing to not knowing as much.”

Sanchez had to work hard onmaking the players feel comfort-able with one another.

Back in his own college days,Sanchez played volleyball andthought of badminton as an easysport. It wasn’t until a friendchallenged Sanchez to a game ofbadminton and he took a bad-minton class taught by ProfessorTan at Los Angeles ValleyCollege, that he opened his eyesand so began a passion for thesport.

After attending CSU LosAngeles and Azuza PacificUniversity, Sanchez got a degreein physical education withminors in teaching and business.

First teaching at La CanadaHigh School, Coach Sanchez wasbrought to PCC a week beforethe season began in 2008 to teachand coach badminton. That firstseason was rough, he said,because Sanchez had to pull

from and recruit players whowere already enrolled in the col-lege. But, after the first few sea-sons, the sport began to increasein popularity and he started torecruit players from area highschools.

Team member Alicia Ledezma,biology, said she had a great timeplaying for Coach Sanchez. “Hepushes [us] to our limits andgives constant encouragement,”she said.

Sanchez said he enjoys teach-ing physical education becauseof the seeing the progress of theplayers. Also, having an enjoy-ment of playing sports andteaching made the profession aperfect fit, he said.

CHRISTINE MICHAELSStaff Writer

While the nearly undefeated Lancer badmintonteam has had a phenomenal season, it wasn’t without some help from a strong support system,including student helper Faiez Mazlan.

Twenty-two – year – old business major Mazlanhas been playing badminton since he was 12. “It’sa big sport in Malaysia. They always play in theOlympics,” he said.

Born and raised in Malaysia, Mazlan was secondchoice to compete for the Malaysian junior nation-al badminton team. Mazlan stopped playing whenhe finished high school, and played soccer for threeyears.

“It was fun, but it’s not badminton,” he said witha smile.

Mazlan moved to the U.S. at 17 and began hisstudies at PCC. He has been competing individual-ly, winning medals such as second place in the SanGabriel Valley’s men’s signature for the SpringSwing.

In 2009, he created the badminton club on cam-pus.

“I wanted to keep playing. Coach Sanchez and Imet in one of his classes and he gave me an oppor-tunity to help the team out,” Mazlan said.

Badminton Coach Bill Sanchez was delighted tohave Mazlan assist the team. “He’s a nice kidwho’s always willing to help, especially when Ican’t,” Sanchez said.

He is grateful for Mazlan’s patience with theplayers as well.

“He’s very calm with the beginning players, andthey appreciate it,” Sanchez said.

Freshman player Alyssa Boyt, undecided, wasgrateful to have a strong support system, includingMazlan. “It’s been an honor to practice and learnfrom skilled people like Faiez,” she said enthusias-

tically, “And he’s really great at helping Gabby andI at doubles.”

Nursing major Gabriella Angani, Boyt’s doublespartner, explained she had learned much fromMazlan this past season.

The most important thing Angani learned, how-ever, was perseverance. “Because he was so patientwith me, he helped me believe I could do my best,”she said.

Mazlan continues to compete in badminton clubmatches and plans to go to the Olympics inLondon this summer to watch the badminton teamcompete.

BRENDA RENTERIAAsst. Sports Editor

To first-year distance runnerThelma Cruz, trying out fortrack team was a choice shemade late in her college life asshe is finishing her last semesterbefore transferring.

Cruz will be transferring toCal Poly Pomona to major infashion merchandise and retailmanagement.

“I decided to join the trackteam my last semester herebecause I had recently startedrunning, and really enjoyed itand the feeling I have after along run,” said Cruz.

Cruz started running whenshe took the advice of a friendwho told her that if she wantedto get a better overall workout,she should start running.

At the beginning of the seasonshe says she was one of the slow-est in her heat, but she continu-ously worked hard and finishedin second place in the her heatfor the 1500 at the PasadenaGames on May 24.

“[Cruz] did everything weasked her to do and she of coursedid what she had to do on herown and with hard work you getsuccess and improvement as she

did,” said Track and FieldAssistant Coach ArmandCrespo.

“She was wonderful and easyto work with,” said Crespo. “Ienjoy working with athletes thathave a great work ethic.”

Cruz’s first season was cutshort due to a groin injury butshe says she says she still lovesto run and is waiting to recoveryfrom her injury before she startsrunning again.

“I felt good about my first sea-son, and I learned so much,” saidCruz.

“There was a point during theseason where I thought this istoo hard, maybe its not for mebut I didn’t want to quit; so Ipushed through the fatigue andpain and in the end it was allworth it.”

On top of her classes andbeing on the track team, Cruz isalso a statistics tutor in the mathresource center.

“I became a tutor because Ihad extra time and wanted tohelp other students,” said Cruz. “Tutoring really is a rewardingexperience; it feels great when Ican help my peers understandmath.”

“Cruz is a great tutor,” saidMei Ling Cheng the mathemat-

ics lab supervisor. “She was always willing to

help out as many students thatshe could, not just the ones thatneeded help in statistics,” said

Cheng. Looking back on her time at

PCC, Cruz says her favoritememory will be running on thetrack team.

“Although it was just one sea-son, I'm never going to forget itsince this was my first time everbeing a student-athlete,” saidCruz.

SPORTSSPORTSJune 7, 2012OURIERC

Runner looks back on first and last season

Daniel Lottes/CourierLancer Thelma Cruz (right0 takes the lead over a Long Beach runner and Lancer Michelle Escamilla, (last)during a 1500-meter run at the Pasadena Games on May 24.

Behind-the-scenes assistantmakes big impact

Blair Wells/CourierFaiez Mazlan, 22, business, is the student-helperfor the PCC badminton team this season.

Coach brings all-freshmanteam to badminton triumph

Ronald Johnson/CourierPCC womens badminton headcoach Bil Sanchez holds somebadminton equipment.