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Volume 164, Number 2 Wednesday, March 2, 2011

‘Standing on Vote or Pay

Shoulders of
By Luis Rivas

W ithout an extension of temporary tax in-

creases, California community colleges
will face $900 million in state general

Giants’
fund cuts.
AFT endorsed candidates for the LACCD Board
of Trustees, Scott Svonkin and Mona Field came to
campus for a Candidates Forum on Monday.
“The importance of the Black Heritage Series is that it brings "Elected officials work for the voters and we need
to the attention of children, adults [and] teenagers; figures who to remember that, Svonkin said. "Our customers are
have contributed to the progress of this country both socially, cul- the students, but we work for voters."
By Whitney Shepard .Prop. O, Prop. M. and Measure Amendment L

C
ompton, California’s Voices of Des-
tiny Choir (VOD) of Greater Zion
Church Family, lead by Reverend
Dr. Michael J. Fisher, took the stage with a pro-
nounced presence. The assembly opened with
the song “You Don’t Have To Have A PhD”
which paid homage to the gospel that African
slaves would sing while working in the fields,
which also served as a means to give informa-
tion that was important to their community with-
out being detected by their slave masters who
did not allow such communication to take place
among slaves.
Students and faculty of a wide array were in
attendance last Thursday in the Camino Theatre
for the African American Heritage Committee’s
(AAHC) presentation “Standing on the Shoul-
ders of Giants: The Life, Service, and Legacy”,
in honor of Black History Month.
Master of Ceremony, Corey Rodgers, who
is the Associate Dean of the EOP&S program at
Los Angeles City College (LACC), officially be-
gan the assembly with a welcome to the Honor-
able Diane Watson who is an alumni of LACC
and to the keynote speaker, actress and singer
Sheryl Lee Ralph best known for her portrayal of
stepmother Dee on the television series Moesha.
President of the AAHC, Dr. Thelma James
Day gave an introduction of endearment to
Ralph, who approached the stage amid standing
applause from the au-
dience.
Ralph who gradu-
ated from Rutgers
University at the age
of 19, the youngest in
the history of the uni-
versity, belted out the
gospel lyrics “I’ve got
a feeling everything is
going to be alright.”
Ralph said, “Some-
times that was all that
we had as comfort.”
Painting a vivid
and dark picture of
Sheryl Lee Ralph what it was to be an Af-
rican slave coming to
America in the 1800s Ralph said, “… In landing
Heritage see page 3
turally and historically. They help preserve history … because the
stamps themselves have focused on people like Martin Luther
King, Jr. [and] events in Civil Rights history.” juana collectives in Los Angeles with the revenue go-
- Professor Rosalind Goddard
Commemorative
Oscar Micheaux
The 33rd stamp in the
Black Heritage series
features pioneering
filmmaker Oscar
Micheaux, whose
entrepreneurial spirit
and independent vision
continue to inspire
filmmakers and artist
today.
Photo by Luca Loffredo/ Collegian
Rosalind Goddard, Bibliographic Instruction and Reference Librarian, Commemorative
lectures on her United States Postal Service Stamps collection after
the presentation.
Negro Leagues
Baseball
The Negro Leagues
Baseball stamps pay
tribute to the all-black
professional baseball
leagues that operated
from 1920 until about
1960.
will affect the lives of students in Los Angeles.
Prop. M would implement a tax on medical mari-
ing to general municipal services.
Measure Amendment L would
increase public funding to librar-
ies in Los Angeles, Prop. O would
implement a tax on oil producing
businesses in the city with the rev-
enue going into general municipal
services.
Gov. Jerry Brown proposed bud-
get seeks a balanced approach of
making $12.5 billion in spending
Scott Svonkin cuts in the interim and asking the
voters to extend temporary tax in-
creases totaling $12 billion for five years.
LACCD faces cuts of $34 million under the gov-
ernor’s budget proposal and $76 million if an all-cuts
budget were to be opted instead.
According to reports from the chancellor and col-
lege presidents, “Californians locally elected commu-
nity college trustees, standing with their faculty, staff
and students, are best able to decide where budget re-
ductions can be absorbed while minimizing the impact
on their communities.”
“Targeted” cuts at specific curriculum that costs
the colleges the accumulated funding required to pre-
serve the necessary courses for students in transfer
and career preparation programs.
Every draft proposed requires
districts to reduce enrollment in
higher-cost programs, such as ad-
vanced technology and nursing
could mitigate state cuts and main-
tain General Education instruction
and services.
Though the LACCD collective-
ly supports student fee revenue in-
creases to soften the blow, it follows
that the apportionment increase need Mona Field
not be the primary solution to district-
wide problems, if local communities are able to ap-
prove parcel taxes to provide funds to imminent state
general fund revenues.
Board of Trustees member Mona Field says that
she was ambivalent about her decision to run again.
“But then a lot of people said please, please and
so I said well, OK. I put myself back in this mess and
so here I am, I think that you guys are sophisticated
enough to know that our state is facing a very severe
time, that very soon after our [LACCD] primary we
are going to know whether there’s gonna be that ballot
measure in June.” Field cautioned,
“If we don’t have that ballot measure, oh--my
goodness, its gonna take a lot of experienced people
who know our district and our people and everything
to make sure we survive it.”

Students Get Out the LACC, Michael Miller, returned

to court last week in a lawsuit
Student Vets Report for Duty
Vote, or Will they?
against campus President, Jamil-
lah Moore, who he says dis-
criminated against him for being
white and over 40. Hundreds of veterans
By Luis Rivas producing business in Los An- on campus face unique

S
Miller also claims he was
geles with the generated revenue
tudent voters will have additionally used to fund gen-
terminated for whistle-blowing.
The proceeding took place at
challenges, but rally
the chance to vote in eral municipal services. Second, the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in for support.
members of the Board Proposition M will put a city tax downtown Los Angeles.
of Trustees for the Los Angeles on medical marijuana collectives The trial continues after the By Mario Mariscal and Emanuel
Bergmann

Community College District on
March 8. The only problem is:
will students get out and vote?
Emily Schwartzler, English
major at CSUN and Supplemen-
tal Instruction Mentor at LACC,
will not be voting for this elec-
tion. According to Schwartzler,
voting does not have an effect.
People are generally unaware
of the upcoming election, accord-
ing to Schwartzler. She has been
with generated revenue used to
fund general municipal services.
Finally, Charter Amendment L is
a measure that will increase fund-
ing to public libraries.
Los Angeles Community Col-
lege District repeatedly attempt-
ed to stall or stop the lawsuit
brought by Miller.
Attorney Rupert A. Byrd-
song of Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt is
representing Miller. Represent-
ing the defendants is attorney
Lester Jones.
It is estimated that court
proceedings will last up to three
weeks.
M
en and woman who
serve their country
are an important
part of LACC’s diverse campus
community. Many veterans come
here to further their education,
however, the transition from sol-
dier to student can be a difficult
one.
With the current economic Photo by Abimael Rivera/ Collegian
climate, unemployment can be- The Veterans Club attracts new members during Club Rush in front of

L.A.
a registered voter since 2006 but An administrative law hear- come a significant hurdle veter- the Learning Resource Center last week as Juan Olmedo, an LACC stu-
dent, signs up to become a member. Olmedo is enlisted in the Air
has not voted in any election. ing will take place March 14 ans need to overcome as they re- Force National Guard and said he will deploy to Afghanistan in August.
“In high school you take po- regarding Miller’s termination turn from duty. Education can be

litical science [and] they tell you
that every vote counts - they lie
to you,” Schwartzler said. “My
vote still doesn’t count because I
don’t hold any [government] of-
fice...”
Primary Nominating and
Consolidated Election for Los
Angeles is March 8 with several
measures and propositions on the
ballot that will affect funding for
city services and taxes.
Three of the 10 different mea-
sures on the ballot are as follows.
First, Proposition O will tax oil
CITY
LAW
Discrimination Case
Begins: Michael Miller
v. Los Angeles City Col-
lege Et. Al.
.By Abimael Rivera
Former men’s basketball
coach and Athletic Director of
at the Office of Administrative
Hearings in Los Angeles.
Miller will attempt to be
reinstated with the help of Attor-
ney Lawrence Rosenzweig, who
is representing him on behalf
of the American Federation of
Teachers local.
Judge Daniel J. Buckley
said a trial date would take place
March 30.
“Let’s touch base on March
25. Pick a jury on the first,”
Buckley said.
a significant advantage.
Veterans have been trained
to be highly skilled and disci-
plined people, but many suffer
from trauma, which can pose
unique challenges. Overcrowd-
ed classrooms, for example, can
be one of the many triggers for
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD).
The Army’s first study of
the mental health of troops who
fought in Iraq found that about
one in eight reported symptoms
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disor-
der, the Associated Press report-
ed.
On campus, there are many
resources available for student
veterans. The Veteran’s Club
meets in front of Tully’s Cafe ev-
ery Wednesday at noon. Student
veterans are strongly encouraged
to attend.
“Think of it as reporting for
duty,” said Reed Sand, 30, presi-
dent of the Veteran’s Club. The
club was founded to help address
the issues that the roughly 600
student veterans at LACC might
face.
“A lot of veterans, especially
ones who recently returned from
duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, have
a hard time adjusting to student
life,” said Ken Yamazaki, 33, a
business major who served with
the United States Navy from
2002 until 2007.
In addition to the Veteran’s
Club, student veterans can ap-
proach Veteran Affairs, located in
the Office for Special Services.
VA Representative Melody Mel-
drum is available from 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday
and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fri-
Veterans see page 3

INDEX: Opinion Page 2 News Page 3 Sports Page 4

 2 Opinion Los Angeles Collegian
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

EDITORIAL Media Arts Department,

Learning Resource Center 201
Los Angeles City College
855 N. Vermont Ave.,

Billions to Blow
Los Angeles, CA 90029
EDITOR-IN CHIEF:

and What We Know ART DIRECTOR

Promises of new build-
ings were sold to those who
voted for a slew of proposi-
tions that passed in 2001.
As a result, the alloca-
tion of funds sponsored
by a series of bonds was
designed to give much
needed support and fund
Luca Loffredo
SECTION EDITORS:
Bond Counsel from the Ful- FOOD:
bright & Jaworski law firm, Bria Wissing
Lisa Ann Wells commented OPINION:
on improperly spent district Mende Smith
funds.
Wells stated that funds
were being spent, “On mat-
The Bond Secret; Licensed to Waste SPORTS:
Luis Ponce
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
ters not directly related to By Luca Loffredo Tanya Flowers
campus construction, such DISTRIBUTION MANAGER:

renovations for all nine col-
leges of the Los Angeles
Community College District
(LACCD).
To the horror of eager
students, tens of millions
of taxpayer dollars have
been wasted by massive
amounts of irresponsible
spending under the not-so
watchful-eye of the LACCD
Board of Trustee members.
On Monday, following
an American Federation of
Teachers sponsored candi-
dates forum, Scott Svonkin,
who is campaigning for a
seat on the Board of Trust-
ees said it best “ I believe
that we need to completely
audit the district and un-
cover any fraud, waste and
abuse.”
The reprehensible
spending and misuse of
funds is not news to the
Collegian. Covering the
story in the March 24, 2010
issue in a piece entitled
"LACCD Acknowledges
Misuse of Bond Dollars,"
M
as travel and public rela- illions of dollars
tions.” wasted, nepotism,
Our campus boasts a secrets, lies, oth-
new Library, Dental Tech- er people’ s money – these
are the elements for a great
nology Facility, and a Sci- screenplay.
ence-Technology Building. This past Sunday, I was
Although these were expecting the front page of
renovations that students the Los Angeles Times to be
need and utilize, they still primarily concerned with the
wasted vast resources be- Oscars and the great films
cause of poor planning and and artists nominated for the
deals made in metaphori- 83rd Academy Awards. But
instead, I saw an exposé on
cal “smoke filled rooms”.
As students, we should the misuse of bond dollars in
have the right to know the endless remodeling saga
of the Los Angeles Commu-
where the funds are going nity College District.
and what elected board of-
I immediately grabbed the
ficers do with money that paper from the newsstand.
should be spent on student The Collegian has been
facilities. following this issue for more
Instead of hiring a $250 than a year, despite the ad-
per hour Feng Shui consul- ministration’s and the con-
tractor’s lack of transparency
tant, building listing towers
and the commissioning of a and unwillingness to commu-
video biography of head of nicate hard truths.
construction program, Lar- I devoured the pages. I
felt betrayed, discouraged
ry Eisenberg, taxpayers, as and hopeless.
well as students, deserve I was born and raised in
a more transparent way of
Naples, Italy, where corrup-
tracking funds allocated for tion and nepotism is rampant.
our campuses. When I moved to California, I
learned about transparency in
the workplace and public af-
fairs. I was proud to become
a Californian.
Then, I realized that his- Collegian Staff
tory keeps repeating itself. ADVERTISING:
When are we going to ap-
Tercius Bufete
preciate our community? This
tremendous waste of funds GRAPHICS:
will impact the future of many Luca Loffredo, Mende Smith,
talented and promising stu- Gegham Khekoyan
dents, individuals who might REPORTERS:
one day make us proud and
continue our legacy of excel- Kalifa Madden,
lence in the arts, in business, Whitney Shepard, Luis Rivas
science and literature – a Mario Mariscal,
proud heritage at California’ Emanuel Bergmann,
s community colleges for al- Brent Pearson, Tanya Flowers,
Luis Ponce, Curtis Strain,
most a century.
Rosio Maya
I ask myself: Why are you
trying destroy to our inspira- PHOTOGRAPHERS:
tion?
Luca Loffredo,
I am sure that the public Russ Mutuc, Jorge Ponce, Pe-
will be enraged about this dro Dias, Reuben E. Reynoso,
scandal involving taxpayer Abimael j. Rivera, Luis Rivas
money.
Too many scandals have ILLUSTARTORS:
come to our attention lately. , Edgar A.
We will soon find out how this Gonzalez Aguilar "Bubbles,"
Billy C. Monroe, Alejandro
story continues to develop.
What will happen in the fu-
ONLINE MEDIA:
ture?
I hope, that one day this Russ Mutuc
story of intrigue and politics
will be turned into a feature FACULTY ADVISER:
Rhonda Guess
film written and produced by
Los Angeles Community Col- Email:
lege District students, and not losangeles.collegian@gmail.
by some overpaid relative of com
an administration employee – Twitter:
or a Swedish photographer. @CollegianWired
Facebook:
LACC broadcast

Immigrants and Protesters Beware Editorial / Advertising offices:

(323) 953-4000, ext. 2831
(Mon. and Wed., 1-4 p.m.)

LACC Guide
to Public Protest
By Brent Paul Pearson
Los Angeles City Attor-
ney Carmen Trutanich’s
aggressive new stance
against public demonstra-
tors threatens them with
“up to a year in county
jail” for minor infractions.
He says he will be coming
down hard on protestors.
His reasoning, when
talking about the Wilshire
Boulevard protest last year,
was that recent demonstra-
tions, “conducted without
permits, had cost the city
thousands of dollars for po-
lice response and disrupted
traffic.”
Those people on Wilshire
Boulevard that day, most-
ly students, were showing
their outrage at Arizona
Governor Jan Brewer’s new
law. Her law is now being
referred to as the toughest
immigration legislation in
our nation’s history.
In Arizona it is now man-
datory for everyone to car-
ry immigration documents
at all times or possibly face
police arrest. In other words,
if you look Hispanic and feel
like going for a stroll in the
park, you better bring your
papers.
This might sound familiar
to you if you were living in
Nazi Germany during World
War II.
“What she is doing can
be compared to the Sa-
lem witch trials or the Holo-
caust,” said Louisa B. Cau-
cia of the L.A. Times. Except
now, the scapegoat has
become jobless Mexican
immigrants. Many agree
that it puts an innocent
group of American citi-
zens in danger, giving new
meaning to the question,
“Can I see your ID card?
The men and women
who were outraged at this
decided to lie down to-
gether in the middle of the
street, handcuffed to one
another and block traffic
for hours holding signs.
Obviously, legislation
this severe would cause
some serious public reac-
tion. After all, protesters
stand together whenever
human rights are being vio-
lated.
In this case, even Presi-
dent Barack Obama
agreed that Gov. Jan
Brewer’s new laws were too
extreme. He said, "Although
I understand the frustration
of the people of Arizona
when it comes to the inflow
of illegal immigrants. I don't
think this is the right way to
do it.”
What if he is right? What
if the protesters are right?
These people aren’t crimi-
nals; they are voices of
public opinion that even
our nation’s president un-
derstands. For Trutanich to
then threaten them with jail
time seems inappropriate.
What do we do then
with an unjust law? In Amer-
ica, there are three law-
ful ways that have been
handed down to us from
the progressive movement
in the early 20th century.
They are Initiative, Referen-
dum, and Recall.
These laws provide the
means for a voter to enact
legislation, get rid of hor-
rible laws, or even get rid of
a politician.
But what happens when
a group feels they have no
choice but to take it to the
streets? In the law, you do
have the right to peace-
ful assembly under the First
Amendment to the Consti-
tution.
In 1875, the Supreme
Court held that "the right of
the people peaceably to
assemble for the purpose of
petitioning Congress for a
redress of grievances, or for
anything else connected
with the powers or duties of
the national government,
is an attribute of national
citizenship, and, as such,
under protection of, and
guaranteed by, the United
States." Unfortunately this
clause has always been in-
terpreted differently at dif-
ferent times.
This is the law that pro-
testors need to know. It can
be very confusing and cru-
el if it is not understood. This
is how you make yourself
heard.
Public protest is getting
more dangerous. It is much
safer to first follow the laws,
to learn the established
ways of sharing your voice.
If you honestly try that first
and you still aren’t being
heard, then you can con-
sider finding out where your
local city attorney lives
(Carmen Trutanich) and
kindly suggest he recon-
sider.
NEXT ISSUE:

LaRouchebags March 9 2011

with a picture of Obama su-
perimposed with a Hitler mus-
tache that intrigued me. When
I asked them why they had the
picture, one of the supporters
just responded with another
question. After a few rounds
of that, I finally began to get
information on what their ide-
als are.
They were part of La-
Rouche Youth Movement,
fronted by Lyndon LaRouche,
By Megan Wood and believe in progress and
tal impact of such “solutions”
(like how the salmon popula-
tions are declining because of
dams), he did not care about
those things; humans are the
human concern.
I proposed that perhaps
that fresh glacial water melt-
ing into the ocean creates a
specific environment in which
certain life is dependent on,
that in turn our lives depend
on.
His response only proved
the literature they had given
me and found nothing po-
litical or practical for solving
anything; instead it was just
a bunch of tangents shooting
off from each other targeting
emotions. After reading both
papers, I continued my re-
search online and let me tell
you the findings were juicy.
The movements of La-
Rouche have a history of vio-
lence, harassment and are
often referred to as a political
mail fraud involving almost
$300,000 and conspiracy to
defraud the IRS.
Even more amusing is that
he attempted to run for presi-
dent from jail. When the ad-
vocates returned another day
to the free speech zone, with
fresh faces, they tried to reel
me in, but I happened to be
late to class. So when I said
‘no thank you, I’m late, no I
don’t agree with your move-
ment, no I wouldn’t like any lit-
Editorial deadline:
March 2
For all submissions including
letters to the editor and publicity
releases.
Advertising deadline:
February 23
Send materials to Collegian
office: LRC 201
The college newspaper is published as a
learning experience, offered under the college
journalism instructional program. The editorial and
advertising materials published herein, including
any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the

L
student newspaper staff.
population growth to stimu- his ignorance: “We don’t even cult, using psychological tac- erature,’ and continued walk- Under appropriate state and federal court
ast semester, I late the economy. By prog- know what’s really going on tics on recruits to brainwash ing, he yelled at me, “I guess decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint
had multiple class- ress they meant more dams in those ecosystems!” He in- them. Furthermore, LaRouche you just hate the truth!” The by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States
es that took me and building an aqueduct creasingly became heated was indicted for credit card irony is I love “truth” and hear-
Constitution.
Accordingly, materials published herein,
through the free from Alaska to divert glacial and impossible to converse fraud and obstruction of jus- ing other points of view, but including any opinions expressed, should not be
speech zone and, with time run off “not being used,” just with, leaving me no choice tice and later convicted of I don’t enjoy being harassed interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles

permitting, I would engage
the people campaigning.
One day, I saw a group
melting into the ocean. When I
asked about the environmen-
but to simply walk away.
When I got home I read
attempted mail fraud involv-
ing more than $30 million;
by uninformed people who
Community College District, Los Angeles City College,
or any officer or employee thereof.
rely on intimidation and ma- © 2003 Collegian. No material may be reprinted
without the express written permission of the Collegian.
Los Angeles Collegian
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Student Senator Helps Homeless LACC Students
By Thomas Pumphrey
Student Senator Jaden Ledkins
hosted a workshop for homeless
LACC students at the Faculty and
Staff Center on Feb. 17. He hopes
to implement a plan to help home-
less students. He said his plan is es-
sentially a three-step pyramid. First
is to act as a support group for each
other. Second is to obtain faculty and
administrative support. Third is to de-
velop community involvement.
“I created this campaign to help
out with students who are homeless,”
Jaden said. “I want to create aware-
ness. I know a lot of students are
homeless or on the verge of it. I talk
to students who say they are homeless
and then they know other students
who are homeless. I can’t just stand
by and do nothing, I hear the stories
everyday and I’m shattered by it.”
“This campaign is not for them
alone it is also for myself,” Jaden
said. “I am a homeless student. I
couch hop.”
When asked how long he had
been doing this he responded, “Off
and on for two years. I was doing pret-
ty well then the economy hit and I lost
everything. I’m just a student trying
3 News
to help. But, I’m a homeless student
with power. I have a strong voice. But
If I have students rallying behind me,
I have a much stronger voice.”
Jaden said it will be a student run
homeless campaign and that the iden-
tities of the homeless students will re-
main confidential.
“This isn’t a topic that people talk
about with each other,” he said. He
asked the Collegian not to publish any
of the students’ names.
One of the homeless students
stated that he had been homeless for
over three years and said, “I live on
the beach. It’s pretty crazy at night
time. There’s some sick stuff going
on out there. People try to mug you.
I got a bike. They tried to take it from
me. There’s always three or four of
them. I fought them off, but next time
I might not be able to. I don’t know
how many of them there is going to be
that’s the thing.”
One female student said she en-
rolled at LACC when she was staying
at a shelter. “I was so glad to have a
shelter and be able to study,” she said.
But soon she was kicked out. “It is so
bad there. I had to drop some classes.”
She wants to become an interpreter
then continue her education to be a
teacher. “That’s why I enrolled in this
college, so I wouldn’t fall into this
hole,” she said.
Jaden wants to link homeless stu-
dents with services to stabilize their
lives. He said he feels it is important
to stabilize them so they can concen-
trate on their studies.
“We want to help students to stay
in school. My idea is lockers that you
keep for the entire semester. Home-
less students could store their stuff in
them. There are also showers in the
old gym. People can get clean,” he
said.
The homeless students who at-
tended the workshop were given hy-
giene products, which came from
last semester’s club drive. They were
originally going to be sent to shelters
but Jaden felt the products should go
to students. “The clubs are all about
students helping students,” he said.
Jaden said he is planning to hold
biweekly meetings on Tuesday after-
noons. Students who are interested in
attending should look for the fliers on Photo by Abimael Rivera/ Collegian
the campus kiosks. The workshops can
help with financial aid, student loans, Jaden Ledkins, a senator of Associated Students Organization speaks of his workshop regarding
City College students who are homeless, during Club Rush last week. Ledkins wants to begin a
work-study, social services, support campaign to provide services to these students, such as lockers that they can keep for an entire
groups, and study groups. semester.

Hollywood Actors Lend Star Power to Theatre Academy

By Matthew Ali
Two Hollywood names:
Tony Plana and Esai Morales of
“Ugly Betty” and “La Bamba”
respectively, are set to grace the
stage of the El Camino Theatre
this weekend.
Plana and Morales are both
slated to perform a staged read-
ing benefit performance to help
raise money for the academy’s
scholarship program.
Plana played Ignacio Suarez
in the hit TV series "Ugly Betty"
and Morales played Bob Valen-
zuela in the biopic, “La Bamba.”
Both star in the first offering of
the Theatre Academy’s spring se-
mester presentation “Death of A
Salesman,” by Arthur Miller.
The list of talented stars goes
on. Also co-starring is Elizabeth
Pena, an actress who has ap-
peared in many TV shows and
movies such as "Ghost Whisper-
er", "NCIS" and "Tortilla Soup."
Another Hollywood standout
who will appear in the produc-
tion this weekend is Danny Pino,
who is a screen and stage actor
best known for taking on the role
of Desi Arnaz in CBS's “Lucy:
The Lucille Ball Story.”
The production is not a tra-
ditional play like some students
are used to seeing, but a more
relaxed piece performed with no
scenery and in generic costumes
that fit the time period.
“The actors will appear on
stage in more like a rehearsal set-
ting, rather than a fully produced
scenic environment,” said Kevin
Morrissey, theatre department
chair. “We’re putting this show
together in a very short period
of time. It’s real common, sort
of like the production of ‘Love
Letters’ that’s been done or the
‘Vagina Monologues’ it’s got the
high sort of content to it in terms
of talent but not all the produc-
tion value.”
This star-studded cast from
all over the entertainment indus- school and a little attention to the volved with the play. The addi-
try is set to perform the play on academy.” tion of such talent into an LACC
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. and The caliber of the talent ac- production is going to bring a
on Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. The tors who will participate in the lot of attention to the school and
play is being directed by Dr. Al the faculty members have high
Rossi who also directed "Dog hopes that students will reap the
Sees God" early in the 2010 fall rewards of this rare opportunity
semester. “Sort of like playing tennis,”
“Tony and Dr. AL Rossi are Morrissey said. “You always
good friends and all of the cast play with someone who’s better
members who’ve accepted are all than you, so it builds your skills
former cast-mates from different and this will certainly be an ex-
projects,” Morrissey said. “They ample of that.”
have been incredibly generous, Tickets can be purchased
and we’re nothing but grateful.” online at www.theatreacademy.
Theatre Academy students lacitycollege.edu. Proceeds are
seem excited about the upcom- to go to the program’s scholar-
ing performance. Some students ship fund.
know what this performance will V.I.P. tickets are $50, Regu-
mean for them and their depart- lar seating is $25 and student
ment. Tony Plana tickets are only $12. For more
“I think it will help,” said information contact the theatre
Kyle Durack, a theatre major. weekend presentation has given department at (323)-953-4000,
“It will help bring money to the a lift to students and others in- ext. 2990.

Returning Vets Seek Education

Veterans from page 1

n AT I o n A L u n I v e r S I T Y
®

days for questions of all kinds,
from paperwork to financial aid
to the psychological counseling
available through the Student
Health Center.
In order to receive the best
education possible, it is recom-
mended that veterans decide in
a timely manner on the classes
they wish to attend. If veterans
don’t get into classes, they risk
losing the educational benefits
that they are entitled to.
It is important to remember
that student veterans are eligible
to receive different kinds of gov-
ernment assistance.
For example, the Post-9/11
GI Bill provides financial sup-
port for education and housing to
individuals with at least 90 days
of aggregate service on or after
Sept. 11, 2001, or individuals dis-
charged with a service-connected
disability after 30 days, accord-
ing to the United States Depart-
ment of Veteran Affairs.
This month, President
Obama, First Lady Michelle
Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will be-
gin a campaign designed to help
not just the veterans but also their
families.
The campaign is set to help
veteran and their families and
promote volunteering for simple
everyday tasks.
The campaign ranges from
helping the family cope with de-
ployments to helping the Ameri-
can people appreciate the service
and commitment of the returning
soldiers. It also sets out to better
the psychological health of the
family, helps with military chil-
dren's education and child care AdvAnce your
services for those in the Armed
Forces, the White House web site
reports.
educAtion,
But not all veterans are here
to stay. AdvAnce Your
Some student veterans are
still on active duty. cAreer
“In August, I’m going over-
seas to Afghanistan,”, said Juan
Olmedo, 21, a member of the
Air Force National Guard. “My
friends told me it sucks over Learn How at our March 12
there. If you can help, do what-
ever you can.” Open House in Los Angeles
Receive detailed information about our many programs and find
the answers to all your education questions in one place.

African-American Heritage Assembly

Giants from page 1
At the open house, you can:
Speak with faculty and admissions staff

Brings Audience To Its Feet

•

• Tour our Los Angeles campus

in a strange place of a resentative to the U.S.
people who look noth- Congress, California
ing like me, who then State Senator and serv-
stripped me of my cloth- ing on the Los Angeles
ing, had me stand bare Unified School District
as if I were an animal Board of Education,
• Learn about financial aid options available
coming and Dr. Jamil- seats while VOD put on
lah Moore was my in- a contagiously energetic Our Los Angeles campus offers programs in:
tern, my student and show.
now she is President of “I thought it was • Media and Communication
the college that graduat- an incredible perfor- Business and Management
ed three in my family.” mance,” LACC Busi-
•

when at times I had been influencing legislation The ceremony was ness Department faculty • Education
somebody’s daughter. that would improve closed with another Katherine Morales said,
I had been loved as health care, consumer performance by the “It’s important for ev- • Engineering and Technology
somebody’s wife. I had protection and the qual- VOD, who are credited eryone to think about • Health and Human Services
been respected in my ity of life for men and with being crowned as each other and our his-
community and to now tory and culture. Events • Letters and Sciences
stand stripped naked, like this help us because
treated as if I was worth they bring us all togeth- Application fee will be waived for attendees.
nothing and to be sold er. It was very informa-
to folks who look noth- tive and gave everyone
ing like me, and then a lot to think about…we
300 years later people
wonder ‘why are you so
can all learn from each
other…so we can all get Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.
mad?’ After all that peo- along better.” Los Angeles Campus, 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045
ple still say ‘why can’t A catered luncheon
they just let it go’.” was held in the Quad
Day along with for those who attended rSvP today or learn more at:
President of LACC, Dr. the assembly. Students,
Jamillah Moore pre- faculty and members of www.nu.edu/openhouses or call 800.nAt.univ
sented Congresswom- Photo by Luca Loffredo/ Collegian VOD gathered and ate (6 2 8 . 8 6 4 8)
an Watson, one of the Voices of Destiny Choir brings audience to its feet with chicken, potato salad,
first African-American their energetic performance. bread and desserts.
women elected to the “They were real
California state senate, women. “Best Church Choir in good, I liked them.
© 2011 National University 9492

with a plaque from the “My mother’s en- America” and will be They were kind of like
AAHC in honor of her rollment number was performing at the Stellar Glee,” Tiffany Johnson
service and legacy. Wat- 1003, she was the third Awards, the 2011 Gos- who is a nursing student
son’s career of 36 years student to enroll at Los pel Superbowl Celebra- said of the performance
includes being U.S. Angeles City College,” tion. Audience members by VOD. Johnson also A Nonprofit University Accredited by WASC

Ambassador to Micro- Watson said, “For me stood on their feet and thought that the assem-
An Affiliate of the National University System

nesia, California Rep- this is truly my home- danced in front of their bly was engaging.
 4 Sports Los Angeles Collegian
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

L.A. Marathon Just

Around the Corner
2010 LA Marathon at mile 9.
This race attracts thousands
of athletes from all around the
world every year.

By Heather Biesemeier
for the marathon. Registration was closed nine

S
tudents and staff here at Los Angeles
City College are lacing up their run-
ning shoes to compete in the upcom-
ing LA Marathon. It is set to take place on Sun-
day, March 20.
The route is something that draws people
to Los Angeles from all around the world. The
race starts at Dodger Stadium and ends at the
Santa Monica Pier, hitting a lot of the hot tour-
ists spots in Los Angeles, including the Sun-
set Strip, Rodeo Drive and Grauman’s Chinese
Theater.
The race is expected to sell out for the sec-
ond year in a row, with last year’s race sell-
ing out at 26,054 registrants, a record number
days prior to the event.
Students and faculty alike are participating
in this year’s race. Some of them are running
for the first time and others are veterans.
“The LA Marathon is on my bucket list of
things to do,” said Melissa DeBlieck, a first
time participant and student here at LACC, “I
feel like I’m very fit at this time of my life, so
it couldn’t be a better time to do it,” she said.
Melissa, along with Professor Salazar, from
the math department, and others from Los An-
geles City College will be looking for students
and staff along the route to cheer them on all
the way to the finish line! Photo by Luca Loffredo/ Collegian

Intramural Sports Program

to Begin Mid-March
Last Friday and
Monday, many
students attended
a meeting at the
Women’s Gym
to determine the
function of the
Intramural Sports
Program which
begins in the
middle of this
month.
By Luis Ponce

The program will provide

students and faculty members
Return of Sports? Lady Cubs mixed it up in conference play in 2004. (Inset) Rufus Adams former pro-baseball
with the opportunity to partici- player, currently business major, tells sports reporter, Luis Ponce about the intramural sports program.
pate in both men’s and women’s
basketball as well as co-ed volley- Sean Tuber informs any student or fac- Once the program kicks off, there will
ball with clear-cut rules and regulations ulty member who missed the prior meet- be weekly basketball and volleyball games
for all who take part in the program. ings and would like to take part in the held at the Women’s Gym at a time and day
The program is intended to provide program; March 11 will be the last day to yet to be confirmed. According to Tuber,
the students with something that they can register. Anyone interested must sign-up the season should run about six to eight
participate in other than academics. at the Office of Student Life (OSL), locat- games, including playoff games. Write to us with your sports stories,
“It is a stress reliever,” said Rufus ed in the CUB Center, before playing their
Adams, a business major and a former first game.
Like several students, Tuber is very op-
timistic about the program having a posi-
news, opinions or thoughts.
professional baseball player. “To have a Also, LACC students must be enrolled tive breakthrough.
sports program of some kind at LACC, is in at least one unit, present their LACC ID
definitely a positive thing.”
“We want students to enjoy their time
card and pay a one-time fee of $10, which on campus and play the games they like
LosAngeles.Collegian@Gmail.com
Adams is so excited about the whole will cover the entire season. Once a student to play.” Attn.: Editor in Chief
program, that he is looking to help out is registered in the program, he or she will
with coaching a basketball team in order receive a form with all the rules and regu-
to stay connected with the game he loves. lations of the program to abide by.

Sports Calendar
Baseball
Cancelled
Volleyball
Cancelled
Soccer
Cancelled
Badminton
Cancelled
Football
Cancelled
Golf
Cancelled