4
: VOICES VOICES Volume 25, Summer 2010 CSPA R EPORTER Big man on campus Eye for an eye? University police officer Chad Reiley reveals why he loves his new life at Cal Poly. A student ponders the moral principles behind capital punishment in the U.S. CSPA workshop adapts to modern media DOWN TIME – Even with a heavy schedule, CSPA workshop students enjoy themselves during various breaks given throughout the day. C.J. Morrison/CSPA Reporter The dynamic changes in today’s journalism industry were the focus of the 2010 California Scholastic Press Association Journalism Workshop, a program that has fused conventional journalism techniques with modern technology. The 26 students at the 59th an- nual workshop in San Luis Obispo concentrated on all aspects of journal- ism including print, online media and television in order to better understand the growing number of ways the public receives its news. “We have to make sure our curric- ulum is in line with the latest tools out there,” said instructor Rich Hammond, who taught students how to create and maintain their own blogs. At the same time, those running the workshop have made sure not to lose sight of the original vision of Ralph Alexander, the program’s founder. In 1950, upon the request of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, Alexander and his wife, Millie, founded the Scholastic Sports Associa- tion (SSA) to train high school sports- writers and publish their work. Under the supervision of Alexan- der, the first-ever high school journal- ism workshop began in 1951 at Cal Poly, where boys learned sports writ- ing, photography, layout and other aspects of journalism. Since then, this workshop has been held every summer, though many changes have occurred over the years. The workshop became co-ed in 1965 and its curriculum was made to incorporate all aspects of journalism. The SSA changed its name to the In- terscholastic Press Association in 1962, and finally became known as the California Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 1968. In 1981, both Alexander and his wife died of cancer within a few months of one another. On his deathbed, Alex- ander asked nine former workshop stu- dents to carry on the CSPA legacy as the workshop’s new board of directors. “This nucleus of board members has kept the program going,” said Gil Chesterton, one of the nine, who ad- mits that he and many other instructors owe their careers to Alexander. “All of these people here are volunteering their time because of our strong feelings for Ralph.” The workshop’s original goal of preparing young journalists for real world careers has not changed despite the many transformations of the media industry in recent years. One of the most significant chang- es has been the advancement of image technology and photography. “I don’t think the underlying prin- ciples have changed too much, but the technology really has evolved,” said photography instructor Chris Carlson. In addition to changes in photog- raphy, the way the public now receives its news has prompted the workshop to incorporate classes on television and even online journalism, which empha- sizes the use of Facebook, Twitter and blogs as a way to publish news. “The social media is constantly evolving,” said Hammond. “It used to be that you had to go get your news- paper, but now, news comes to you whether you want it or not.” Many of the 2010 workshop stu- dents who have witnessed the recent evolution of journalism agree that suc- cessful journalists must be able to uti- lize all the tools available to them. “It’s not just about writing a print story anymore,” said counselor Mel Cassel, CSPA class of 2009. “We have to be well-versed in all types of journal- ism to make it.” This year’s students discussed the changing field of journalism and the threat the online push presents for writ- ers, something that has made students student Adam Robak worried for the future. “At first I was apprehensive to the whole idea of journalism changing, but then after exploring the new me- dia through this program, I’ve come to terms with it,” he said. Instructor Steve Harvey, a work- shop student in 1962, recalled the many changes the workshop has undergone. Computers have replaced typewriters, digital cameras have replaced film, and blogging sessions have replaced tradi- tional print writing classes. But some lessons, like public record usage and libel law, have remained for decades. Harvey anticipates further chang- es to the workshop as journalism con- tinues to evolve, including the possible introduction of videography classes. No matter the changes, Harvey maintained that the 2010 students and those of the future would be better pre- pared for a career in the journalism in- dustry. “When they are grounded with backgrounds in writing, TV, online me- dia and all the other journalism types, I think they have a much better chance in the job market,” Harvey said. By Steven Lau and Ally Van Deuren Students share their stories The CSPA/Cal Poly workshop as seen through the sometimes- startled eyes of the students Counselor Mel Cassel, who came to pick me up from the Amtrak station, was younger than I had expected. Less than a year older than me, in fact. My dreams of a world-wise, whiskey- swilling counselor were crushed the minute I saw her sweet face. –– Carlee Jensen When I first arrived at Cal Poly I was stunned to see Santa Claus on Campus in the middle of the summer. Before I started searching for sleighs and reindeer, I realized that I had only been looking at Steve Harvey, one of the workshop leaders. –– Steven Lau You are greeted by a bed as comfortable as a sheet of bricks and blankets that could barely cover a toddler. Whenever you so much as breathe while sleeping, the covers and all the blankets immediately fall apart, leaving you shivering and unable to get any rest. –– Adam Robak My bunk did not have a rail on the non-wall side, either because someone broke it or because someone stole it to sell on eBay. It was not very reassuring to know that I could roll over in my sleep and suddenly drop eight feet to the floor. Not to mention that the ride did not come equipped with seat belts. –– Arian Khansari A summary of one day’s events prompted a friend back home to ask, “Are you at journalism camp or fat camp?” –– Hannah Song I have put blankets on the walls, forced my pillow into my ears, crawled underneath my sheets, counted sheep, and sang a song in my head to block out the entertainment people have at night. –– Teresa Kim –– Liam Madden I came across the intimidating task of trying to wash my hair. The shower nozzle barely reaches the height of my mid-torso, leaving no possible way for me to wash my hair except kneeling on the rough tile. The shower nozzle is not high enough for anybody taller than five feet, much less six feet, four inches. continued on page 3 Chris Carlson/CSPA Reporter KNOTTED UP –– Emily Leventhal (center) tries to untangle herself from a human knot. Page 2 Page 3 :

CSPA Reporter (Vol. 25, Summer 2010)

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Page 1: CSPA Reporter (Vol. 25, Summer 2010)

:V O I C E SV O I C E S

C A L I F O R N I A S C H O L A S T I C P R E S S A S S O C I A T I O N

Volume 25, Summer 2010

cspareporterBig man on campus

Eye for an eye?

University police officer Chad Reiley reveals why he loves his new life at Cal Poly.

A student ponders the moral principles behind capital punishment in the U.S.

CSPA workshop adapts to modern media

DOWN TIME – Even with a heavy schedule, CSPA workshop students enjoy themselves during various breaks given throughout the day.

C.J. Morrison/CSPA Reporter

The dynamic changes in today’s journalism industry were the focus of the 2010 California Scholastic Press Association Journalism Workshop, a program that has fused conventional journalism techniques with modern technology.

The 26 students at the 59th an-nual workshop in San Luis Obispo concentrated on all aspects of journal-ism including print, online media and television in order to better understand the growing number of ways the public receives its news.

“We have to make sure our curric-ulum is in line with the latest tools out there,” said instructor Rich Hammond, who taught students how to create and maintain their own blogs.

At the same time, those running the workshop have made sure not to lose sight of the original vision of Ralph Alexander, the program’s founder.

In 1950, upon the request of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, Alexander and his wife, Millie, founded the Scholastic Sports Associa-tion (SSA) to train high school sports-writers and publish their work.

Under the supervision of Alexan-der, the first-ever high school journal-ism workshop began in 1951 at Cal Poly, where boys learned sports writ-ing, photography, layout and other aspects of journalism. Since then, this workshop has been held every summer, though many changes have occurred over the years.

The workshop became co-ed in 1965 and its curriculum was made to incorporate all aspects of journalism. The SSA changed its name to the In-terscholastic Press Association in 1962, and finally became known as the California Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 1968.

In 1981, both Alexander and his wife died of cancer within a few months of one another. On his deathbed, Alex-ander asked nine former workshop stu-dents to carry on the CSPA legacy as the workshop’s new board of directors.

“This nucleus of board members has kept the program going,” said Gil Chesterton, one of the nine, who ad-mits that he and many other instructors

owe their careers to Alexander. “All of these people here are volunteering their time because of our strong feelings for Ralph.”

The workshop’s original goal of preparing young journalists for real world careers has not changed despite the many transformations of the media industry in recent years.

One of the most significant chang-es has been the advancement of image technology and photography.

“I don’t think the underlying prin-ciples have changed too much, but the technology really has evolved,” said photography instructor Chris Carlson.

In addition to changes in photog-raphy, the way the public now receives

its news has prompted the workshop to incorporate classes on television and even online journalism, which empha-sizes the use of Facebook, Twitter and blogs as a way to publish news.

“The social media is constantly evolving,” said Hammond. “It used to be that you had to go get your news-paper, but now, news comes to you whether you want it or not.”

Many of the 2010 workshop stu-dents who have witnessed the recent evolution of journalism agree that suc-cessful journalists must be able to uti-lize all the tools available to them.

“It’s not just about writing a print story anymore,” said counselor Mel Cassel, CSPA class of 2009. “We have

to be well-versed in all types of journal-ism to make it.”

This year’s students discussed the changing field of journalism and the threat the online push presents for writ-ers, something that has made students student Adam Robak worried for the future.

“At first I was apprehensive to the whole idea of journalism changing, but then after exploring the new me-dia through this program, I’ve come to terms with it,” he said.

Instructor Steve Harvey, a work-shop student in 1962, recalled the many changes the workshop has undergone. Computers have replaced typewriters, digital cameras have replaced film, and

blogging sessions have replaced tradi-tional print writing classes. But some lessons, like public record usage and libel law, have remained for decades.

Harvey anticipates further chang-es to the workshop as journalism con-tinues to evolve, including the possible introduction of videography classes.

No matter the changes, Harvey maintained that the 2010 students and those of the future would be better pre-pared for a career in the journalism in-dustry.

“When they are grounded with backgrounds in writing, TV, online me-dia and all the other journalism types, I think they have a much better chance in the job market,” Harvey said.

By Steven Lauand Ally Van Deuren

Students share their storiesThe CSPA/Cal Poly workshop

as seen through the sometimes-startled eyes of the students

Counselor Mel Cassel, who came to pick me up from the Amtrak station, was younger than I had expected. Less than a year older than me, in fact. My dreams of a world-wise, whiskey-swilling counselor were crushed the minute I saw her sweet face.

–– Carlee Jensen

When I first arrived at Cal Poly I was stunned to see Santa Claus on Campus in the middle of the summer. Before I started searching for sleighs and reindeer, I realized that I had only been looking at Steve Harvey, one of the workshop leaders.

–– Steven Lau

You are greeted by a bed as comfortable as a sheet of bricks and blankets that could barely cover a toddler. Whenever you so much as breathe while sleeping, the covers and all the blankets immediately fall apart, leaving you shivering and unable to get any rest.

–– Adam Robak

My bunk did not have a rail on the non-wall side, either because someone broke it or because someone stole it to sell on eBay. It was not very reassuring to know that I could roll over in my sleep and suddenly drop eight feet to the floor. Not to mention that the ride did not come equipped with seat belts.

–– Arian KhansariA summary of one day’s events

prompted a friend back home to ask, “Are you at journalism camp or fat camp?”

–– Hannah Song

I have put blankets on the walls, forced my pillow into my ears, crawled underneath my sheets, counted sheep, and sang a song in my head to block out the entertainment people have at night.

–– Teresa Kim

–– Liam Madden

I came across the intimidating task of trying to wash my hair. The shower nozzle barely reaches the height of my mid-torso, leaving no possible way for me to wash my hair except kneeling on the rough tile. The shower nozzle is not high enough for anybody taller than five feet, much less six feet, four inches.

continued on page 3

Chris Carlson/CSPA ReporterKNOTTED UP –– Emily Leventhal (center) tries to untangle herself from a human knot.

Page 2

Page 3

:

Page 2: CSPA Reporter (Vol. 25, Summer 2010)

BEHIND THE LENS

BEHIND THE LENS

A recent poll conducted among 26 CSPA students asked

www.cspaworkshop.orgSummer 2010

CSPA REPORTER

OPINION2

Capital punishment is a practice that the United States should abolish for the simple reason that it solves no problems while causing many.

In 35 states, people convicted of se-vere crimes may be sentenced to death as retribution for the terrible acts they committed. Government, however, is meant to ensure that justice is served, not to exact revenge. Of course, wrongs must be paid for, but with forms of pun-ishment other than the death penalty.

Fifty-two people were executed in 2009, which is signifi cantly higher than the 42 executions in 2007 and 37 in 2008, according to Death Penalty Information Center. This demonstrates the continued prominence of this mis-guided practice.

Justice can be served without stoop-ing to the “eye for an eye” method.

A hypocritical inconsistency exists in punishing someone who has harmed another person by killing that person. Criminals who are sentenced to life in prison live in the same conditions and receive essentially the same punish-ment as those on Death Row.

The adage “practice what you preach” applies here because the death penalty suggests killing is such a de-spicable action that it warrants being killed. In maintaining the death penalty, the state governments commit exactly

what they declare contemptible.The unethical nature of capital pun-

ishment outweighs any slight advan-tages that could result from it.

Financially, the death penalty proves to be a more expensive process for state governments than lifetime imprison-ment. A 2008 study by the Report of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice stated that the price of imprisoning inmates to death row is $90,000 more per prisoner than confi ning inmates to life in prison.

Putting a criminal to death does not negate the wrongs they’ve committed. More death cannot alleviate the grief of victims’ family members, especially considering death is the source of all their grief in the fi rst place.

Ultimately, Mohandas Gandhi said it best: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

At this very moment, somewhere in the United States, someone is watching a group of people reveal their deepest se-crets, pry into their pasts, and risk becom-ing laughingstocks on national television simply for the slim chance of making it big. These people want their 15 minutes, and today, anyone can have them on a re-ality television show.

Reality TV presents a dream lifestyle, and shows a charmed, glitz and glamour-fi lled life. Most damagingly, it perpetu-ates the notion that anyone can make it big in Hollywood – to the point where thousands of people show up at auditions and move to Los Angeles for a better shot at fame.

People have lived and died by that dream since the very beginning of mov-ies and TV. However, in today’s soci-ety in which reality TV casts “normal” people are cast on shows, that dream is beginning to seem all too real for many people.

Take the lines at American Idol audi-tions, for example. Lines often reach as long as 10,000 people, all waiting for that slim chance to be on the show.

Reality TV also perpetuates a danger-ous trend of anti-intellectualism reinforc-ing the idea that intelligence is unneces-sary in the pursuit of fame and wealth.

One does not have to be intelligent to succeed, as shows like “Jersey Shore” and “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” demonstrate. Some shows even make a point to depict partying and shopping as more important than actual intellectual stimulation.

America is in a crisis, caught in a quandary of glorifi ed stupidity promoted by reality TV. Society will continue to go downhill as ratings rise and more people clamor for their chance in the sun.

The best (and possibly only) course of action at this point follows the old adage: if you can’t beat them, join them.

Make TV shows that require talents that don’t confl ict with being smart.

Bravo TV, home of reality TV com-petitions such as “Project Runway” and “Top Chef,” has started a trend with shows focused on the arts that require the participant to be well spoken and tal-ented, if nothing else.

If networks can successfully make the switch from glorifying idiocy to cel-ebrating ability, reality TV will be able to change society for the better instead of contributing to its decline.

America needs a cultural revolution. And we need it fast, before the networks implode under an explosion of glitter and the façade of Hollywood fi nally falls over to reveal the broken society left behind.

Striking a balance with reality

By Emily Leventhal

Is capital punishment blinding America?

By Liam Madden

Liam Madden/CSPA Reporter

Do you support capital punishment?

15.4%Yes

15.4%Undecided

These results were collected in a verbal poll dur-ing the CSPA workshop.

Mary Albertolle and Carlee Jensen/CSPA Reporter

Reality television, a cheap alternative to scripted programs, has become more popular and more common in recent years, a surge that may not serve American viewers’ best interests.

Thirty-fi ve states currently al-low for the execution of par-ticularly heinous criminals. But does this practice contra-dict American values?

69.2%No

At this very moment, somewhere in the United States, someone is watching a group of people reveal their deepest se-crets, pry into their pasts, and risk becom-ing laughingstocks on national television simply for the slim chance of making it big. These people want their 15 minutes, and today, anyone can have them on a re-ality television show.

Reality TV presents a dream lifestyle, and shows a charmed, glitz and glamour-fi lled life. Most damagingly, it perpetu-

By Emily Leventhal

Is capital punishment blinding America?Liam Madden/CSPA Reporter

Do you support capital punishment?

15.4%Yes

15.4%Undecided

These results were collected in a verbal poll dur-ing the CSPA workshop.

Mary Albertolle and Carlee Jensen/CSPA Reporter

Reality television, a cheap alternative to scripted programs, has become more popular and more common in recent years, a surge that may not serve American viewers’ best interests.

69.2%No

69.2%No

Clockwise from left: Olivia Hill playfully sprints down the Avila Beach pier with her towel dur-ing the CPSA beach day (C.J. Morrison/ CSPA Reporter); Lauren Tafl inger unwinds after a long day of classes by bowl-ing in the Cal Poly Mustang Lanes during recreation (C.J. Morrison/CSPA Reporter); Ste-ven Lau leads his fellow CSPA journalists in a rendition of Don McLean’s “American Pie” outside Lassen Hall (Emily Leventhal/CSPA Reporter).

Death penalty abolished (year)Death penalty remains legal

Page 3: CSPA Reporter (Vol. 25, Summer 2010)

www.cspaworkshop.orgSummer 2010 3CSPA REPORTER

Feature

To be a teacher or DJ–that is the questionBy Mariel Olenick James Cushing has a secret identity. By day he teaches students about Shakespeare and romanticism at Cal Poly, but at night, he rips off the tie, pulls his grey hair out of the ponytail holder, and bangs his head to the shrill tones of Alice Glass. “This has been the Disgusting Old Hippie,” Cushing said into the microphone at the end his two-hour radio show. He adopted this alter ego for Cal Poly’s 91.3, but disk jockeying has been in his blood far longer than that. “I think I was born knowing [how to DJ.]” Cushing, who became a DJ nearly 30 years ago, discovered his passion for music in 1964 when The Beatles first played on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ “I said, ‘Aha! Now I understand.” Since then, his love for music has only grown. Cushing has had many wonderful experiences with music–some of which included playing pool with Michael Jackson and being right next to the stage at a Led Zeppelin concert. During

the interview he turns the music up full blast, dances along with it, excitedly looks at the next CD he’s going to play, and it is clear that he loves his job. “It’s everything you can imagine, man… I like hearing John Lydon scream ‘Annalisa’ at me,” he remarked about the Public Image Ltd. song he had just been playing. So much music might start to grate on a person, but not the Disgusting Old Hippie. “You breathe all day. Ever get tired of it? Ever get tired of your synapses firing in your brain?” He asked, explaining the absurdity of ever tiring of music. And after listening to 20 minutes of his show and hearing him rave about so many different types of music, it’s hard to imagine that there is anything more important to him. Maybe James Cushing is the secret identity of the Disgusting Old Hippie. “I hope the program has been able to shine a little bit of light into your darkness,” he said to the listeners. “Thanks for letting me ruin your afternoon.”

LET’S TALK–CSPA students and teachers gather to discuss the day’s evens and debate ethics in reporting in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Tuesday July 20, 2010.

Jeremy Venook/CSPA Reporter

Cal Poly journalism department: a Loving place to beBy Jeremy Fuster The office just screams the word, busy. The room is filled with all sorts of papers, law books, post-it notes and laptops. Across from the desk is the office’s most notable trait: a large whiteboard divided into dozens of smaller squares, each one filled with a certain event. The board spans the length of the room, creating a matrix of various colors, topics and people. “It’s just like working at McDonald’s,” said the man behind the crowded desk. This is the domain of Bill Loving, the head of journalism at California Polytechnic State University. Since joining in July 2008, Loving has brought his passion for journalism to Cal Poly’s program and the CSPA summer workshop. Like most successful people, Loving got started at the bottom of the ladder. For him, this start involved working at a McDonald’s, a Jack-In-The-Box, and a local

“The interviews have always been my favorite part of the job,” he said as he slowly swivels back and forth. “Journalists are able to travel all over the world and ask people questions about their lives, and sometimes you even are asked questions in return. It’s a fascinating learning experience.” He listed his favorite encounters. “I’ve interviewed Richard Leakey, son of Mary and Louis Leakey. You know them? They were the ones that found the oldest human skulls ever. I’ve interviewed writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury. I also interviewed William Kunstler, who was the defense attorney of the Chicago Seven. Every one of them had great stories to tell.” On the first day of this year’s CSPA student workshop, Loving assured the students that contrary to popular belief, the field of journalism is not dying. It’s just changing. He holds strong faith in the power of the press, and the power that the press can give to democracy.

Emily Leventhal/CSPA Reporter

NICE RIDE– University police officer Chad Reiley, shows off his vehicle.

steakhouse. Consequently, he enjoys making connections between his current job and the service industry, and points out that they are not as farfetched as one may think. “It’s all about serving people,” he said as he reclined in his large office chair. “My job concerns helping students with their education. As a journalist, you have to help people be informed so they can make the right decision. At the steakhouse, I had to help people get more A1 steak sauce. That is definitely the hardest job I have ever had.” Laughter fills the room. Loving received his first taste of the life of a news-hound during his education at the University of Texas at El Paso. He tried five different majors before finally finding his passion in broadcast journalism. After graduating in 1979, Loving returned to his alma mater as a teaching assistant and also gained valuable writing experience by working at several local newspapers during the ‘80s.

Former Los Angeles police officer finds home at Cal Poly By Emily Leventhal

Crime Prevention Officer Chad Reiley was more used to broken bones and bruises than smiles and satisfaction when he transferred from Los Angeles to the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Police Department. By the time he moved in 2006, he had grown tired of the endless cycle of crime that seemed entrenched in the community where he had worked for 10 years as a Los Angeles County Sheriff. He was weary of the fast pace and danger in every shift. In particular, he was disheartened to see the same children being arrested time after time, with some starting their criminal records as young as 12. It was a “way of life for them,” he said. Reiley felt that he needed to be somewhere where he could actually affect society—and, more importantly to him, somewhere where there wasn’t the constant fear of his 4-year old daughter growing up without her father. He submitted a transfer request, choosing San Luis Obispo for its small-town feel and family in the area. The difference immediately surprised him. “Most students here are good kids,” he said. “When they get in trouble with the law here, it usually sets them straight.” Now, he calls the community he works with the most rewarding part of his job. At Cal Poly, he is likely to hear words of gratitude instead of anger from students’ parents

after an arrest, something he described as unusual. He also encounters very few repeat offenders, which is “nice to see.” He especially enjoys the freedom of a smaller community like Cal Poly affords him in his duties. “I get to dictate my work,” he said, which to him means being proactive. Instead of spending all shift running from

call to call, he can “go out and make sure the

He leaned forward, looking at the aspiring young interviewers with a Dumbledore-esque glint in his eyes. “You will be told that journalism is a dead-end job, but think about it. Where do they get the news about the declining readership of newspapers? From journalists, of course. The demand for reliable sources of information is always there. As long as people vote, journalism will not be obsolete.” As America’s hopeful attitude following President Obama’s inauguration is challenged by a new wave of cynicism towards the government and the journalists that cover it, Loving remains confident in the spirit of America. For him, the CSPA program is more than just teaching students the skills necessary for a professional career, it’s also about exploring one’s personal philosophy. “I want [the students] to understand that people can make bad choices, but no matter what happens, they will always come back to the truth.”

“... in his eyes, the greatest part is no longer having to explain to his daughter ‘why [he’s] coming home from work with a black eye and a bruised lip.’ ”

Chad ReileyCrime Prevention Officer

The guys’ rooms—four in total—are connected to one another by a central bathroom. There are only two toilets, which is perfectly fine unless all nine guys have a dire emergency at the same time. Then there are the showers…

–Brendan Nguyen

Oh, summer, how you’ve changed, and I hope you’re happy now. When I find myself with no task to do or people to please, I’m at a loss. Why can I not return to those simple days of being pleased with lying in the sun, or reading a book? Instead I crave the tension of deadlines.

­–Lauren­Taflinger

Okay. Forty minutes on the clock, plenty of time to write a news article. A 65-year-old was shot in the head by an 18-year old attacker. Boom, done. If only it was that simple. Why can’t my lede be that simple? Because the readers want to know the details and those “twenty dollar quotes.”

–Tori­Robertson

Though the CSPA is formally known as the California Scholastic Press Association, it should actually be named the Crazy Students waiting for the Printer to Actually work.

–Rachelle­Aguilera

Who knew the “Wednesday Phenomenon” was really just a day when people’s faces turned green and heads spun in circles as if on Disneyland’s Tea Cup ride?

–Mary­Albertolle

public is safe” with patrols, especially when he works the 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. swing shift he favors. \Although his shifts are frequently busy with alarms set off and minor traffic collisions, they are still safer and more emotionally satisfying than its counterpart in

Los Angeles. He even has the time now to put effort into other organizations, including volunteering for the Special Olympics and helping with computer crimes. Reiley is now able to help his community change for the better, which is his ultimate goal—one more achievable in San Luis Obispo. However, even with all of the other benefits of his new job, in his eyes, the greatest part is no longer having to explain to his daughter “why [he’s] coming home from work with a black eye and a bruised lip.” Chad Reiley, officer with the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo University Police Department, is finally happy. “It’s rewarding to know that your work is helping the community,” he said with a smile, “and it’s nice knowing I’m going to go home at the end of the day.”

VoicesContinued from page 1

Page 4: CSPA Reporter (Vol. 25, Summer 2010)

www.cspaworkshop.orgSummer 2010 CSPA RePoRteR

News4

6.5 quake devastates San Luis obispo

ALL SHAKEN UP — the epicenter of the earthquake was southeast of SLo. tremors were felt from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Yeon Woo Lee/CSPA Reporter

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The death toll has been estimated at 135 after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck San Luis Obispo County early Wednes-day afternoon, causing county-wide blackouts and severely damaging local infrastructure, including the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

According to Art Aguilar, FEMA public information officer, damage in the greater San Luis Obispo area is estimated at $5.6 billion and injuries

are estimated at 1700.In a press conference, Gover-nor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that President Barack Obama had declared San Luis Obispo a national disas-ter area, and the National

Guard has reportedly be-gun to assist in aid operations.

Aguilar confirmed a radiation leak from the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, located near the coast. He reported three confirmed cases of radiation sickness and said that an as-sessment of the seriousness of the leak

was underway.According to Aguilar, hundreds of

people who were stranded at Avila Beach because of a ground rupture had been evacuated and that these evacuees are being tested for radiation poisoning.

Nancee and Syd Vicious, 27 and 40 respectively, were at their resort at Avila Beach when the earthquake struck and they were evacuated to the Cal Poly State University Campus. Both claimed to be experiencing headaches and symptoms of radiation sickness, but neither had been tested yet.

Downtown San Luis Obispo sus-tained heavy damage with reports of broken water and gas mains in addition to the partial collapse of three build-ings because their sandy foundations

crumbled during the earthquake in a process called liquefaction.

One of the collapsed buildings was a six-month old public housing project

in which 40 residents were killed. One of the victims was the four-year-old son of Feepheé LaRoulxe, 38, who said she had been warned before moving into the housing proj-ect that something was wrong with building.

“They said it wasn’t safe,” she said. “But what was I supposed to do? I didn’t have the money to go some-

where else.”Amid rumors of alleged substandard

construction, Schwarzenegger said the state would launch a full-scale investigation into the matter and that all persons involved, included elected officials, would be prosecuted.

Mayor Zyxthwn Brrr, who declined

to comment on the allegations of substandard construction, said the city had previously investigated the hous-ing project and had found no issues.

In the hours after the earthquake, looting and crime began, resulting in Police Chief Justyn Bheabre giving the order for his officers to shoot loot-ers on sight.

“Shooting is the only way to con-trol the situation,” he said.

Bheabre blamed city officials for a lack of resources, a complaint echoed by Lindsie Loemahn, a doctor at a local hospital who reported that supplies for patients were running dangerously low.

Continuous aftershocks have been felt throughout the area.

“You could have aftershocks up to 5.0,” said Doctor Zietfrieg Bartho-lomew, a geologist who teaches at Cal Poly. “That in itself is a very big risk.”

DISCLAIMER: This article was written for a simulated natural disas-ter. No deaths or injuries occurred.

A legacy of dedication

By Steven Lau

By Hannah Song

Something is missing at El Corral Bookstore.

It’s not pens or paper or Post-It notes. It’s not Mustang sweatshirts or “Cal Poly Mom” bumper stickers.

It’s books.According to marketing manager

Theresa Kaiser, large corporations like Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com have begun to fill the niche once occupied by campus bookstores, offering fierce competition that El Corral is struggling to keep up with.

“There are just too many places to buy books,” Kaiser said.

In the face of this competition, the El Corral Bookstore has been forced to

el Corral: a campus bookstore without booksBy Carlee Jensen

A NEW DECADE — CSPA 2010 journalism workshop students, instructors and counselors pose for the annual photo on tuesday, July 20. Row 1: (from left) teresa Kim, emily Leventhal, Steven Lau, C.J. Morrison, Ally Van Deuren, Lauren Taflinger, Tori Robertson, Josephine Liu, Hannah Song, Jessie Geoffray. Row 2: Yeon Woo Lee, Kevin Bowman, Brendan Nguyen, Jeremy Fuster, Mary Albertolle, Melody Daskalos, Rachelle Aguilera, olivia Hill, Carlee Jensen. Row 3: Mariel Olenick, Jenny Choi, Hye Sun Kim, James Harvey, Liam Madden, Arian Khansari, Adam Robak, Jeremy Venook, Bill Loving. Row 4: Art Aguilar, Rich Hammond, Mike Daugherty, Maris-sa Sommer, Steve Harvey, Matt Hanlon, Mel Cassel, Stan Kelton, Kim Minugh, Daniel Thigpen, Larry Welborn.

Chris Carlson/CSPA Reporter

CSPA Reporter Staff

EditorsPage 1: Jessie Geoffray, Kev-in Bowman. Page 2: Carlee Jensen, Mary Albertolle. Page 3: Melody Daskalos, Laau-ren Taflinger. Page 4: Hannah Song, Yeon Woo Lee.

AdvisersGil Chesterton, Rich Hammond, Mel Cassel.

Special thanks to general manager Paul Bittick and Mus-tang Daily staff for helping pro-duce the paper and to Universi-ty Graphic Systems for printing this publication.

diversify its merchandise to expand its role on campus.

“What you see is the university bookstore is turning into more of a de-partment store,” Kaiser said.

The change is perhaps best repre-sented by a gaping hole in the center of the bookstore. This space once housed El Corral’s selection of non-curriculum books.

Soon, Kaiser said, it will be used to display a widened selection of gift items. Trinkets like the Mozart action figures, Buddha LED key chains (“En-lighten your way!”) and Magnetic Po-etry.

The general book selection will be consigned to a few shelves and a rack

of CliffsNotes for titles like “Absalom, Absalom” and “The Iliad.”

This way, it seems, is the best chance El Corral has to survive on campus – by catering to a number of different needs, they are able to appeal to a wider range of customers.

In an effort to make itself more com-petitive, El Corral also strives to give students lower rates on supplies and textbooks than they would get else-where.

In El Corral’s large technology sec-tion, students can buy second-genera-tion Apple computers at a slightly lower price than they would get in town.

Sven Le, an employee of the Tech Center, said, “We’re getting a lot of

calls now, and I know we’ll be swamped later with freshmen ordering MacBook Pros.”

Busy though Tech Center may be, textbooks make up a larger portion of El Corral’s business, Carlstrom said.

“We have to make sure every student can buy a book,” Carlstrom said.

Although Kaiser believes El Corral’s role on campus will “shrink or disap-pear” in the future, employees of the El Corral remain positive.

“A college campus is an amazing place to work,” Carlstrom said. “It’s al-ways changing.”

Carlstrom is right, it seems. Cal Poly, and the El Corral Bookstore, are chang-ing – for better or for worse.

American writer William Arthur Ward once said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

But Ward must not have known su-perlative teachers. It’s no surprise – he’s never attended a CSPA workshop.

In the true spirit of Ralph and Millie Alexander, instructors contributed time, passion and wisdom. From utilizing public records to hearing the persever-ance of Larry Welborn, who spent thirty years investigating the murder of Linda Cummings, students learned from the best of today’s journalism industry.

The 2010 instructors include the fol-lowing:

ART AGUILAR (1967) — General manager of the Central Basin Munici-pal Water District, former sports writer, editor, and publisher.

JAY BERMAN — Freelance writer, reporter, editor and former college jour-nalism professor.

CHRIS CARLSON –- Staff photog-rapher for the Associated Press. Dean of photo curriculum at CSPA since 1993; elected to CSPA Board of Direc-tors in 2007.

GIL CHESTERTON — Former ad-viser for Beverly Hills High’s weekly newspaper and weekly television news-cast. The character, “Gil Chesterton,” on “Frasier,” was named for him.

MIKE DAUGHERTY (1969) — For-mer reporter for the San Pedro News-Pilot, founder of a public relations, marketing and advertising company in Uganda, Africa.

JESSICA DAVIS (2003) – Reporter and bureau manager for City News Ser-vice.

RICH HAMMOND (1994) – Former

deputy sports editor of the Los Angeles Daily News. Beat writer for LAKings.com.

TODD HARMONSON (1985) – For-merly at the South Bay Daily Breeze, sports editor at the Orange County Reg-ister.

SCOTT HARRIS (1973) – Former columnist for the L.A. Times and re-porter for San Jose Mercury News.

STEVE HARVEY (1962) -– Former columnist for the L.A. Times and sports writer for L.A. Herald-Examiner.

CAM INMAN (1988) — Sportswrit-er for the Contra Costa Times.

STAN KELTON (1969) — Former coroner’s photographer at the Hermosa Beach Police Station. Huntington Beach lawyer and legal adviser to CSPA.

CAROL MARTINEZ (1967) — Di-rector of Public Relations for Los An-geles Conventions Bureau.

KIM MINUGH (1999) — Police reporter and former K-12 education re-porter at The Sacramento Bee.

LANCE OROZCO (1975) — A radio and television reporter, former weather-man for KCBS.

FRED SCHOEMEHL – Editor of the Tombstone Epitaph. Former editor at the Costa Mesa Daily Pilot.

NICOLE VARGAS (1995) —For-merly a print reporter and multimedia producer at the San Diego Union Tri-bune.

DANIEL THIGPEN -- Reporter with The Record in Stockton.

LARRY WELBORN (1965) – Chair-man of the Board, CSPA. Legal affairs reporter for the Orange County Regis-ter.

JIM WOLCOTT (1961) — Director of online content, former editor at the Orange County Register.

“they said it wasn’t safe. But what was I supposed to do? I didn’t have the money to go somewhere else.”

Feepheé LaRoulxeMother, 38

words of wisdom

Yeon Woo Lee/CSPA Reporter

[By staying positive] your spirits will remain high and you won’t get tired out by using the extra muscles to frown.

It’s best to maintain a good balance between working hard and having a good time.

Everywhere you go, ask questions and network with people. Also, don’t forget to go to sleep at 11:30!

Your intellect, dedication, and unwav-ering tenacity, was inspiring and breeds optimism for the future of journalism.

mel cassel matt hanlon

james harvey marissa sommer