Wednesday, november 5, 2014single copy free - additional copies 50 cents

www.elaccampusnews.comvolume 72, issue 8

Chicana/o Studies Department brings Dia de los

Muertos to ELAC

SPECIAL

See Page 4

First Friday Jazz Series The Billy Childs Quartet will be performing

for the “First Friday Jazz Series” this Friday at the S2 Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for student pre-sale, $6 for students with valid I.D. and $12 for general admission. For more information call (323) 265-8894.

News Briefs

‘Buried Child’ Award winning play “Buried Child” by Sam

Sheperd will be at the P2 Proscenium Theatre next Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 with ASU discount at P2-101B, $10 for pre-sale and $12 at the door.

Keep track of Campus News For the latest news coming out of ELAC,

“Like” facebook.com/CampusNews, follow on Twitter and Instagram @Elaccampusnews. For more stories go to Elaccampusnews.com.

East Los Angeles College S t u d e n t s f o r P o l i t i c a l Awareness (ESPA) Club gave the opportunity for the public to hear and speak to local mayors in the area this past Thursday.

The “Local Elected City Leaders” event was created by club leader Joseph Nunez who wanted to bring politics to new generations of those who are bored with politics.

“The aim of this event is to hopefully inspire students at ELAC to go and be engaged in their local politics. That’s why we reached out to the mayors of Maywood and Cudahy to try and represent the students that come here,” Nunez said.

Nunez and h i s f r i end Christopher Cruz started ESPA after attending a city council meeting and being surprised how young the Mayor of Cudahy Chris Garcia was.

Garcia was elected after the city of Cudahy faced the same problems of corruption that Bell began facing. Garcia was on the city council and heard

dISAbILIty AwArEnESS—Students learned about disabilities and the programs that are offered on campus and in the community at the Disabled Student Program and Services’ first Disability Awareness Day in the free speech and walkway area last Wednesday.

For more on the story visit elaccampusnews.com

BY sergio BerruetaStaff Writer

BY jesus figueroaStaff Writer

Cn/juLIAnnE obrEgon

Cn/juLIAnnE obrEgon

Spectators were given the opportunity to dance to “Thriller” with some of the students enrolled in Professor Rick Crawford’s dance classes on Oct. 29 in the Performing and Fine Arts Courtyard.

Dressed in costumes, the students from Crawford’s classes began to dance and invited anyone who knew the steps to join them.

After the song ended, Crawford asked that anyone who was interested in learning the steps to join him and his students to go through the dance step-by-step.

Once they went through the steps, the song was played again to give new participants the opportunity to dance in sync with the song being played.

about how the city council’s problems from rigged elections to harassment of citizens.

“That’s why I never got into local politics. All this happened in national news on CNN and all over Facebook,” Garcia said. “I took this as a sign to start getting involved in the community.”

Garcia started to run for office as he saw the citizens of Cudahy up-in-arms in frustration over the issues that started to come to light.

G a r c i a s t a r t e d o f f i n community college and went on to transfer to University of California, Los Angeles and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

“There were camera crews, media and I was just sitting in the back of the room just analyzing. After the meeting, I saw citizens who were angry-said ‘let’s talk’ and pulled them aside. That’s when I started the community organization,” Garcia said.

Activities and information booths centered around disabilities were set up at the walkway between the Swim Stadium and the parking structure of the East Los Angeles College’s main

campus by the Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) office last Wednesday for the first Disability Awareness Day.

DSPS brought awareness to the many different types of disabilities, which affect a large number of students, all throughout the month of October.

“We wanted to make things more festive, like bringing in games to simulate some of the disabilities that the students go through,” DSPS director Grace Hernandez said.

Last Wednesday DSPS was joined by many different organizations from around Southern California for the event.

“We started the idea (for the Disability Awareness Day) back in late July. We actually began formatting the event with our program director Grace Hernandez. Now, two months later, we actually have 22 tabling vendors, 22 organizations that have come down, that are all disability related,” career guidance counseling assistant Carilla Clements said. “Most of these organizations are non-profit, government or student services that service our community.”

The activities that were centered on demonstrating what those with disability go through got the most attention. Those who participated in the event got to

DSPS brings awareness to disabilities

Political club hosts mayoral gathering

Ready to move

•Department of Rehabilitation (main federal organization) - assists adults over the age of 21 with disabilities to continue on to college and university by either paying for college or university or helping anyone who is disabled get a career.

•Some of the organizations that attended event: Regional Center, Aids Project Los Angeles, Project Choice, EOP&S, Veterans organization, Southern California Independent Living Centers and East Los Angeles Mental Health Services.

experience through the use of mittens, goggles and mirrors what it’s like to have certain disabilities and were rewarded with prizes for their participation.

“The games are really to create more awareness for disabilities,” Clements said. “There’s a game with goggles, the goggles are foggy, that’s to show what a person with a vision impairment would conduct themselves.”

The games were effective as more and more people became aware of the many difficulties that people with disabilities go through every day.

“A lot of great agencies are here supporting this event, making students aware and more conscious of the different disabilities that we serve here on campus,” Hernandez said. She hopes that if there are students that don’t know if they have a learning disability they see all the resources DSPS has to offer and to research more through the office.

“This is the biggest project that DSPS has had, I think to date. We had a turnout of between 200 to 300 students,” Clements said.

Hernandez said the event was sponsored by the Associate Student Union which donated $500 to offer food for the students in attendance.

Hot dogs were given to students who visited different booths and collected stamps from the organizations.

For more information visit the DSPS at their office E1-160 and schedule an appointment to talk with a counselor. To be part of the DSPS program, students need to present a verified disability documented by a doctor or from their high school.

“We really want to make sure people understand that, hey, even if you have a disability, it should never stop you,” Clements said.

DisabilityBY jesus figueroa

Staff WriterFaSt FaCtS

www.ELACCampusNews.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014Opinion2 EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

Campus News encourages letters to the editor relating to campus issues. Letters must be typed and double spaced. Submitted material becomes the proper ty of Campus News and cannot be returned. Letters should be limited to 250 words or less. Campus News reserves the right to edit letters for grammatical errors or libelous content.

Anonymous le t te rs w i l l not be pr inted. Writers must s ign submissions and print their names and a phone number where they can be reached. Letters should be addressed to the editor of Campus News. Submissions can be made at the mailroom in building E1 or the Journalism department office in the Technology Center in E7-303.

East Los Angeles College Campus News

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303

Monterey Park, CA 91754(323) 265-8819,

Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910

The East Los Angeles College

Campus News is published as a learning experience, of fered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by vir tue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof.

PRINTING BY NEWS PUBLISHERS PRESS

EDITOR IN CHIEFJesus Figueroa

MANAGING EDITORDanny Vasquez

ART DIRECTORLindsey Maeda

FRONT EDITORJade Inglada

OPINION EDITORMarcus Camacho

NEWS EDITORMegan G. Razzetti

FEATURE EDITORCortez Cruz Serrato

ARTS EDITORLiliana Marquez

SPORTS EDITORAndrew Ruiz

PHOTO EDITORJulianne Obregon

COPY EDITORRussell J. Zazueta

CARTOONISTKien Ha

ONLINE EDITORSSergio Berrueta Liliana MarquezJane Fernandez

Tadzio Garcia

SOCIAL MEDIACynthia Laguna

Julianne Obregon

STAFF WRITERSCarlos AlvarezAyana ArroyoDulce CarrilloIvan Cazares

Arthur CervantesDamien GuzmanMaria C. IsidoroJoseph Ovalle

PHOTOGRAPHERTadzio Garcia

ADVERTISINGStefanie Arocha

DISTRIBUTIONJesus Figueroa

ADVISERSJean Stapleton

Sylvia Rico-Sanchez

Transferring from a community college to a four-year university is a great idea for students who don’t know what they want to major in or want to try out different fields of study.

The price to attend East Los Angeles College is $46 per unit while the average price for a UC or CSU is anywhere from $248 or more per unit, depending on the school.

The price doesn’t compare to those of a private college. Chapman Univeristy charges $1,390 per unit, with a 18 unit limit. They charge an additional $1,390 for every unit a student goes over the limit.

A student will not spend one-tenth of the tuition they would for a UC or a CSU at a community college.

According to a new study from Harvard University, the rise in cost for universities is one of many factors that cause students to drop out before receiving their degree in the U.S. at higher rates

in comparison to other developed countries.

The study found only 56 percent of the students who enter America’s colleges and universities graduate within six years, while 29 percent of students who enter two-year programs complete their degree within three years.

Students who attend a four-year university as a freshman might feel pressured to find a major quickly to avoid wasting money and time. The pressure forces students to major in a subject they don’t want to or are unsure of pursuing a career in.

Why would I start at a community college when I can go straight to a four-year university?

Students who are unsure of what they want to major in should give transferring from a community college a chance because it allows them to get the general classes done and explore different majors, all while saving money.

Students who fear they will spend many years in school shouldn’t worry because if they are completing general education requirements and lower division requirement for their major while

at a community college they can transfer to a university as a junior and be better prepared to declare a major.

Attending a community college then transferring doesn’t imply that students are less smart.

Transferring to a four-year university instead of going straight from high school might take more time if students don’t have a major, but it gives students the opportunity to discover the right educational and career path.

It would be better for students to get their certificate of completion and Associate of Arts (A.A.) at a community college before transferring to a four-year university or private school to broaden their college experience.

Students who obtain their degree at a community college wouldn’t stress about getting classes that help obtain those degrees.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges reported almost 51 percent of graduates from a CSU and 29 percent of graduates from a UC transferred from a community college.

Transferring gives students the

?

Transferring benefits studentsBY Marcus caMacho

Staff Writer

π

chance to experience the college life without the high cost of four-year universities.

With the college experience that a community college provides, students get relaxed and settle into their environment and realize college isn’t as bad as they previously thought.

Students who attend community college can now take up to 15 units to choose a major. Previously there was no limit according to a new mandate by the California Community College Committee, to find the right career path at a community college so students aren’t spending so much per year.

The Transfer Center at E1-176 offers many workshops such as helping students with UC applications and UC personal statements, as well as offering university tours and student conferences.

The Transfer Center takes walk-ins and appointments to help students research schools and find which best suits their major. They are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

•Students who transfers from a community college have a grade point average similar to or greater than students who started as a freshman at a four-year university.

•Two-thirds of first-time higher education students in California started their academic careers at a community college.

•Students who received a degree or certificate from a community college nearly double their earnings within three years.

•Students attending or graduating from a community college double their chance of finding a job compared to those who failed to finish high school.

Fast

Fac

ts?

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWSWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 News 3

www.ELACCampusNews.com

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and its partner organization, Asian American Economic Development Enterprises (AAEDE), are

seeking paid tutors for the 2014-2015 Session of the Reading Rockets literacy program. Reading Rockets is an afterschool literacy program designed for at-risk children in 2nd through 6th grades. Students receive personalized tutoring to develop vital literacy skills and build confident readers. Reading Rockets was recently awarded the Public Library Association’s 2013 “Innovations in Literacy” award which recognizes unique and inventive literacy pro-grams that result in a measurable impact on the li-brary’s community. Tutors must be current college students or recent graduates at least 18 years of age and must be avail-able every Monday through Thursday from 3:00‐5:30 p.m. between October 13, 2014 and May 28, 2015. Tutors will receive an hourly rate of $10.00. Applicants should possess a combination of skills and experience suited to successful work with children and families. Flexibility, energy, sense of humor, patience, positive attitude, and the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment are necessary. Bilingual ability in Mandarin or Cantonese is desirable, though not required. There is no deadline however, space for the position is limited and this opportunity is on-ly available until the position is filled. We are looking to fill this position ASAP. If selected, tutors will also be required to complete the following:

Fingerprinting and background check Drug test Employment contract

For more information or if interested in applying for the position, please contact Diana Garcia at (626) 307-1358 or dgarcia@montereypark.ca.gov.

Reading RocketsReading Rockets Youth Literacy Program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer LibraryYouth Literacy Program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer LibraryYouth Literacy Program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

Monterey Park Bruggmeyer Library ǀǀ 318 S. Ramona Avenue ǀǀ Monterey Park, CA 91754 626-307-1358 ǀǀ www.montereypark.ca.gov/Library

Asian American Economic Development

Enterprises, Inc.

BY jade ingladaStaff Writer

Building success—Instructor Brian Vazquez talks to female high school students about the controls for the Board of Education Bot and how it can move by manipulating code during the “ELAC Ladies in STEM” program on Saturday.

cn/danny vasquez

STEM encourages women in science

Select female high school students from the surrounding area have the opportunity to be part of the Engineering and Technologies Department’s “ELAC Ladies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics)Program” which began last Saturday.

A s s o c i a t e P r o f e s s o r a n d Department Chair Jose C. Ramirez started the program. “STEM is a male dominated field. For the 85 percent of men in this field, there’s only about 15 percent women,” Ramirez said.

During the six-day program, students will learn about careers in STEM and have hands-on experience building rockets and mini circuit boards with instructors Brian Vazquez and Eddie Villanueva.

Ramirez received $25,000 from the Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) Bruce Noble of the Rio

Hondo Community College District through the DSN Energy, Efficiency and Utilities grant. Ramirez had to follow set guidelines that came with the funding to create the program, but had the freedom to do what he wanted.

“I want girls to know abou t the opportunities that are out there, to encourage t hem to explore the i r in te res t s , ” tu to r Stephanie Cash said.

Cash is one of seven tutors involved in the program. “I want to encourage them to continue with math and science because there are so many fields in engineering, that whatever their interests are, there is a way to get involved in STEM.”

The participating students will be tracked throughout the rest of their

time in high school and through college to see how they progress and if they pursue careers in STEM fields.

C a s h e n j o y e d working with the students and was impressed by how fast they caught on to programming.

“It was fun when they got their robots moving and circuits lighting up by what they had coded,” Cash said. “I hope these experiences will not only spark their interest, but to stay with them when their studies get tough. I hope they come away from this

knowing that science, math and technology are within their reach.”

There will be a field trip on Dec. 13 to Lucerne Valley to launch the rockets the students created.

Although the students are underage and cannot launch their rockets, they are allowed to be present to watch, said Ramirez.

Before the program ends, students will get to talk and hear from professional engineers from the Latinas in STEM Foundation.

The students involved in the program will receive one unit of credit upon completion under Electronics 185.

Ramirez is already planning the program again for the upcoming semester with the same type of program directed toward middle school girls. The program will be downsized into shorter sessions so it lasts longer.

According to Ramirez, his goal is to maintain the program until it becomes part of ELAC and until he no longer has to apply for the funding from Noble.

Each student received a small kit containing materials that will help them during the program such as a USB flashdrive to keep their work.

“I want girls to know about the

opprotunities that are out there, to encourage them to explore their

interests.”

STePHanie CaSHSTEM Tutor

Book festival brings locals togetherBY dulCe Carrillo and Megan

g. razzeTTiStaff Writer

The Los Angeles Latino Book and Family Festival provided educational fun for local families on Saturday in the Performing and Fine Arts Complex at East Los Angeles College.

Latino Literacy Now, Go East L.A. and ELAC hosted the event which included Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, authors,seminars and food booths.

“I brought my daughter to have her get involved with other kids and to bond with her as well,” said Paloma Reyes, East Los Angeles resident and mother of one.

D i f f e r e n t departments on campus sold food and beverages wh i l e La t i no authors sat at their tables to do book signings.

“It’s great to get the Latino f a m i l i e s t o come out and get their kids into reading,” sa id Creat ive Director Javier Hernandez,of the Latino Comics Expo.

Hernandez also performed a live seminar called “Magic, Fantasy and Dia de los Muertos” with historical fiction author,Belinda Vasquez Garcia and Kevin Gerard who wrote “Conor and the Crossworlds.”

Inside room 201, in the P2 building, seminars gave attendees the chance to interact with authors and have pictures taken with them as well.

There were four seminars that took place one after the other. The seminar on creative non-fiction and memoirs was presented by Jim Marquez, Sheana Ochoa, Fred Rivera, Lucia de Garcia, Robert Chavez and Latin Thunder.

Authors gave attendees tips about writing books and how to get the

Latino community more involved with expressing themselves by writing.

The second seminar led by Hernandez involved the old myths and religious beliefs from Latino culture that have been created into fictional characters.

“The Poet’s Corner” was the third seminar performed by Veronica Reyes, Sean Hill, Carolina Prieto Molana, Natalia Trevino, Garcia and Antonieta Villamil.

The writers talked about poetry being a strategy in expressing identity and letting emotions out.

Nelson A. Castillo, a writer and lawyer, talked about Latinos having it hard in the nation during the seminar called,“The Green Card:

How to obtain p e r m a n e n t residency in the United States.” He went further on to say during the seminar that no one should be restricted to get a green card.

A c c o r d i n g t o C a s t i l l o , everyone who migrats to the U.S should learn the laws instead

of listening to others that want them out of the country.

“It was so exciting to see so many children hearing the stories, the poetry, the cuentos and seeing the parents dragging them to touching language,” said Trevino, author of “Lavando La Dirty Laundry.”

“Reading is the best thing. It will open up the mind, get you more educated, intelligent and more aware and curious about the world,” said Hernandez. “Parents should get their children involved with reading, not only to receive all of that, but to spend time together learning.”

Despite the rain and the stands being held with force to avoid the wind knocking it over, families filled the complex area throughout the entire event.

“It’s great to get the Latino families to come out and get their kids

into reading.”

javier HernandezCreative Director of the Latino

Comics Expo

OPEN HOUSE SaturdayNovember 8

10 a.m.

5245 Pacific Concourse Dr., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Discover what National University has to offer at the Open House in Los Angeles. Join us to find out how you can balance life’s obligations with your studies.

Speak with faculty about your program of interest Get all of your questions answered by admissions staff Learn about financial aid and scholarships

National University offers more than 100 degrees including healthcare, psychology, education, business administration, organizational leadership, paralegal studies, criminal justice, public administration, and more, plus:

One Course Per Month 28 Campuses Online Programs WASC Accredited

©2014 National University NU14_1327

A Private Nonprofit University Serving the Public Good™ I NU.EDU/OPENHOUSES

RSVP TODAY (310) 662-2000

NU.EDU/OPENHOUSES

www.ELACCampusNews.com

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWSWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 20144 Special

CN/JULIANNE OBREGON

CN/JADE INGLADACN/JADE INGLADA

CELEBRATION—Vendor Maria De La Paz displays her handmade Dia de los Muertos figurines artwork at the third annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Monday in the Art Complex Courtyard.

MURALISTS—The “Los Tres Grandes” altar remembers Mexican Mural Movement artists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros at the Student Altars 2014 exhibit at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

PAYING RESPECT—Students honor La Virgen de Guadalupe/Tonanztin with flowers and candles at the Student Altars 2014 exhibit at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

A ce l ebrat ion o f

The third annual Dia de los Muertos festival celebrated the wonder of life on Nov. 3 in the Performing and Fine Arts Complex Courtyard.

The Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration comes from a two-day festival

from Mexico that takes place every Nov. 1 and 2, to remember the beloved family members and friends who have died.

They are represented in the form of calacas and calaveras, which is Spanish for skeletons and skulls respectively. In predominantly Latino communities, the holiday has evolved and progressed to a new generation.

Its roots lie in the Aztec tradition and the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Parties and celebrations are thrown in memory to remember their time on earth by partaking in what they enjoyed. This ranges from feasts featuring sugar-skulls to brightly colored images of the dead, food, drinks and other activities the dead enjoyed in life.

CN/JESUS fIGUEROA

WRAPPED—Camachos Leather worker Ramon Castillo makes a copper wire wrap around a black stone skull during the Dia de los Muertos Festival at the Art Complex Courtyard on Monday.

life

www.ELACCampusNews.com

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWSWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 Special 5

The third Annual Dia de Los Muertos event brings Mexican culture to a new generation of Latinos.

The event was held in the Perfoming and Fine Arts courtyard.

Started by the Chicana/o Studies Department, the festival gives those in the community and students the opportunity to celebrate the festivities.

The event was also funded through the Associated Student Union (ASU).

Local artists were on hand to sell their work inspired by Chicano lifestyle that surrounds their lives.

Artist Jake Prendez shared his take on what drives his art. “I was inspired by the Chicano movement and added some pop culture. There is also tattoos and the whole rockabilly pachuco style of the past,” Prendez said.

Other artists on hand sold calaveras, figures of the dead and handcrafted art.

Artist Chelly Jimenez of Semillas Arte arts and crafts, located in Norwalk, took a different approach with her handmade crafts and art.

“Our main influence is our culture. My mom is from Mexico and my dad is from America,” Jimenez said. “We want to bring awareness of the culture to the forefront and celebrate it.”

Bands such as East Los Angeles local Quinto Sol presented their trademark latin inspired sounds with chill reggae vibes.

Other bands such as Domingo Siete and Viento Callejero came out to fill the afternoon air with delightful sound.

The clubs were also in attendance selling a wide array of food.

cultural art— Vendor Diana Sandoval displays her Day of the dead artwork –canvas paintings, magnents and leather work at the Third Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Monday in the Performing and Fine Arts Courtyard.

Frame By Frame Animation club illustrated their creativity with Oreo Balls in a calavera-inspired shape and the Administration of Justice club bringing comfort food to those in attendance by making street inspired tacos and aguas frescas.

Dia de los Muertos in Mexico celebrates those who have died by remembering their time on earth.

The celebration of the holiday usually runs from Halloween to Nov. 2. Since it fell on a weekend this year, the event for ELAC was held on Nov. 3.

Over the years, the holiday has grown in popularity. The constant growth brings new light to the popular holiday

with praise.“It’s great to see the new kids growing up to get into it all.

They could remember the event and be like ‘I used to do that when I was younger’ and carry on the tradition,” Prendez said.

Others are worried about it all.“I wish it was bigger back(when I was) in high school and

college, yet it (was starting) to be quite popular. I’m hoping it doesn’t’ become too commercialized,” Jimenez said. “You start seeing it in the mainstream arts and crafts (sold), so I just hope it doesn’t get to that point.”

The 11th Annual Student Altar Exhibit at the Vincent Price Art Museum was unfortunately not open during the event.

The altar and ofrendas, offering to the dead, exhibit hosted more than 150 people on opening day.

People showed up one large group after another with students and children showing up early, filling the exhibit gallery time and time again.

This year each altar created for the exhibit had specific themes.

The exhibit opened on Saturday and will run untill Nov. 20 and is free for everyone to visit.

BY SERGIO BERRuETAStaff Writer

Campus celebrates Dia De Los Muertos

cN/JuliaNNe ObregONcN/Jade iNglada

reMeMberiNg— Attendees are welcome to share the names of their late loved ones at the Student Altar 2014 exhibit at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

cN/Jesus figuerOa

PaYiNg resPect— A Day de los Muertos altar in honor of the late Chicano movement leader Cesar Chavez on display at the Vincent Price Art Museum’s Student Altar 2014 exhibit from now until Nov. 20. The altars were made by Chicano 7, History of the Mexican American in the United States I, and Chicano 54, Mexican Americanin the arts in American culture, classes.

www.ELACCampusNews.com

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWSWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014SPORTS6

www.msmconline.la.edu :: 310.728.2099

ONLINE

ON YOUR SCHEDULE.

:: Log in and learn at your convenience

:: 6 start dates per year; 8-week terms

ONYOUR BUDGET.

:: Financial aid available

:: No text book fees

ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS.

:: A personal Success Coach works closely with you from orientation to graduation

:: One-on-one enrollment and financial aid advising

ON TARGET FOR TODAY’S WORKPLACE:: Nations only college to

report your mastery of the six Core Capabilities employers care about most on your transcript

ONTHE RADARMount St. Mary’s College is:

:: The No. 1 “Value-Added College” in the U.S. (Money Magazine, 2014)

:: A top-23 regional university (U.S. News & World Report, 2015)

Online classes and accredited two-year degree programs with easy transfer options.

“The value and convenience is a big factor in why I chose Mount St. Mary’s Online. I’ve had a great experience in all my classes.” —Adina, Pre-Health student

“It’s not a crazy price that’s way out of reach for me. It’s something I can pay—it’s really workable.” —Makayla, Liberal Arts student

MSMC East LA College.indd 1 9/12/14 10:21 AM

Can’t CatCh Me— Defender Miriam Mejia, left, of El Camino College Compton Center tries to steal the ball from East Los Angeles College forward Arye Loone in a 4-0 Husky win against the Tartars yesterday at Weingart Stadium.

Cn/tadzio GarCia

Huskies lose late in aggressive game

BY Cortez Cruz serratoStaff Writer

BY Damien GuzmanStaff Writer

Sports BriefsH u s k i e s

Runners advance to SoCal ChampionshipsBY taDzio GarCia

Staff Writer

doWnhiLL BattLe—Cristian Flores of East Los Angeles College moves begins his sprint downhill 300-yards from the finish line in the SCC finals race Friday at Hahamongna Watershed Park in La Cañada Flintridge.

Cn/tadzio GarCia

The cross country teams advanced to the SoCal Championships out of the South Coast Conference finals Friday at Hahamongna Watershed Park in La Cañada Flintridge.

It was the first time both teams advanced to SoCal in the same year since 2001.

Laura Aceves won her second consecutive South Coast Conference cross country women’s title for the Huskies while Andres De La Cruz almost made it a sweep placing third in the men’s 4-mile race.

For the first time since 2006, ELAC placed three athletes on the All-SCC teams. Aceves and De La Cruz were named to the All-SCC First Teams while Cristian Flores was named to the All-SCC Second Team.

The women’s team tied for fifth place, but lost a tiebreaker, 3-2, to Pasadena City College based on the top five finishers of each team. ELAC received an at-large bid to SoCal yesterday.

The SoCal finals will be Friday beginning at 10 a.m. at Woodley Park in Van Nuys.

The SCC finals were on a more difficult course than last season yet Aceves said she ran faster this year.

“I am happy for today’s time and that I improved from last year. It wasn’t easy,” Aceves said. “I focused on doing better this year and believed that I could win it.”

Aceves said her other goal is for the women’s team to advance to state, which is why she has spent a season helping pace them in the first mile.

“The women’s team ran well collectively and I’m pleased with their performance. I like that our (runners) were all leaders,” ELAC Head Coach Louis Ramirez said.

“After each finished their races, they immediately turned around and cheered on their teammates in true spirit.”

Eight Huskies ran personal records including Stephanie Trelles,

Ruby Padilla, Viridiana Hernandez, Valerie Buelna, Sandy Bautista, Omar Alvarenga, Andrew Perez and Fernando Jauregui.

Husky Justin Torres had breathing problems at the finish line and was rushed to the trainer’s tent.

“I had asthma problems in the race running through dirt and dust,” Torres said. “I knew I had to finish in case I would be the difference to

go to SoCal. My goal is to get back healthy and try to help the team make state,” Torres said.

Torres advanced to SoCal along with teammates De La Cruz, Flores, Alvarenga, Perez, Sal Ascencio and Aaron Jasso. On the women’s side it was Aceves, Trelles, Padilla, Hernandez, Lupe Yanez, Luz Badillo and Amy Herrera.

Ramirez said the men’s team ran

their best time of the year from top to bottom and that tt was also the first time the entire team competed.

Ending their Husky careers on the men’s team are Jauregui, who is an assistant cross country coach at Hollywood High School, and Daniel Lopez.

“My college experience on the team was different from high school,” Lopez said. “It’s faster and the speed kills me. I will work on improving my time for next season.”

De La Cruz was named to his second All-SCC First Team.

He placed fifth in 2012 and he won the Outstanding Freshman of the Meet award.

Running against men that consistently ran faster than him all season, De La Cruz had a different plan forthe 2014 SCC finals.

“I was in it to win it,” De La Cruz said. “I was back and forth with the top two leaders from mile three to the end, but I sprinted too late because I (misjudged) the finish line,” De La Cruz said.

Flores said he counted the runners in front of him near the end to see if he would make an All-SCC team.

“I counted 13 then picked it up near the finish line to make sure no one passed me,” Flores said.

Aceves i s s econd- seeded at SoCal.

Aminat Olowora of Southwestern College beat Aceves by a minute and 19 seconds Sept. 5 in the Rio Hondo Classic, which is also the Huskies home course.

Olowora of Southwestern hasn’t competed since until the classic last week.

There was some question of her professional status, which would have made her ineligible to compete in California Community College Athletic Association sports.

“ I t ’s good to know she’s (Olowora) going to be there. I am excited because it is a challenge for me,” Aceves said. “I am focused to run my race with a goal of improving last year’s time.” Aceves is the defending SoCal women’s individual champion.

Frustrations ran high after the football team lost Saturday’s SouthCoast Conference game late in the fourth quarter with a turnover to give San Diego Mesa College a 9-7 win.

A fight nearly broke out as the players shook hands after the game in a scuffle that left coaches on both sides trying to separate players.

While other players from opposite teams argued, some ELAC players blamed each other and the coaches for the loss, one ELAC player showed so much anger he argued with his own coach. The coach asked him to turn his gear in.

The defense played a masterful game but the offense could not score enough points. The Huskies threw four interceptions and fumbled the ball three times.

The defense still kept them in the game by not letting Mesa capitalize on the turnovers committed by the offense.

The defense only allowed Mesa to score a field goal.

“As a defensive player just to be part of that game was a good opportunity for me, but to come up short like that. There’s only so much a defense can do in a game

like that,” ELAC defensive linemen Rigo Verdin said

Mesa’s only touchdown came after an interception that was run back for the score thrown by second ELAC quarterback put in the game Charles Ontiveros. The turnover came at a crucial time with less than six minutes to go in the game.

ELAC quarterback Jose Sanchez was the third play-caller put in the game to try and get a comeback win with less than six minutes left.

Another ELAC interception was thrown in the end zone, which erased m o r e p o s s i b l e points for ELAC. The Huskies moved the ball well, but finished off drives w i t h t u r n o v e r s ending chances to put themselves in a better winning position.

ELAC’s only touchdown and points came in the second quarter with a short run by running back Will Randolph.

He leads ELAC running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns. The lone touchdown was enough to win the game until late in the fourth quarter.

Out of the four interceptions thrown by the Huskies, Mesa quarterback Tariq Abulebbeh made three of them.

Mesa committed 20 penalties totaling over 200 yards. ELAC’s offense had more yards than Mesa.

“At this point of the season with a 2-6 record, as a team we’ve learned to accept it and each other,” Verdin said.

The Huskies are 1-4 in conference play after the loss while Mesa 3-5, 2-3.

After frustrations calmed down ELAC Head Coach Steve Mojarro made an emotional speech to his players letting them know that he “loves” each and everyone of them and that he “wants the best” for them.

Mojarro told his players that trying to start problems after

the game as they did will ruin their chances of being recruited.

“These kids are the greatest group of players in the 14 years I’ve worked here,” ELAC athletic trainer Diane Stankevitz said.

The Huskies play their final home game 6 p.m. Saturday against Mt. San Jacinto College.

Water Polo WrestlingThe water polo team ended

regular season meets with a 13-6 win/13-8 loss to Santa Monica and Ventura colleges, respectively, last Friday at the 12th Annual October Mini Tournament at Pasadena City College.

ELAC plays Chaffey College Fr iday at 10:15 a.m. in the opening round of the South Coast Conference Championships at Mt. San Antonio College.

The wrestling team played against NCAA Division I and community college competition in the San Francisco State University Wrestling Open on Saturday.

Huskies with non-losing records, all 2-2 overall, include Johnny Robles at 125-pounds, Daniel Martinez (141), Jonathan Mandujano (149), William Amelong (285) and Maury Lemons (285).

Men’s SoccerGoalkeeper Matias Amato

traveled to Spain to take part of a two-week tryout for Spanish lower divisions such as Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Zaragoza’s teams

Freshman Amato arrived from Argentina in July to become one of the three ELAC goalkeepers alongside team captain Andy Gutierrez and Julian Perez.

“At this point of the season with a 2-6 record,

as a team we’ve learned to accept

it and each other.”

riGo VerDinDefensive Linemen

The women’s soccer team beat El Camino College Compton Center 4-0 Tuesday staying in contention for the Southern California Regional playoffs.

With Tuesday’s win, the Huskies have an opportunity to move ahead of Mt. San Antonio College for second place in the South Coast Conference this Friday night.

ELAC is now 10-4-3 overall, 7-2-2 in the SCC.

The Huskies controlled the pace and possession of the ball for the majority of the game mostly due to Compton only having nine players on the field.

“It was hard having less players because the nine on the field have to work harder, but I really appreciated the effort,” Cerda said.

Freshman defender Arye Looney carried the Huskies offensively in the first half scoring a goal in minute-23 and assisting on a goal in the closing minutes of the first half.

“Everybody is picking it up. We’re all putting our part in. We’re playing as a team and we’re going to win and lose as a team,” Looney said.

Goals from sophomores Blakeley Ficenec and Cristal Montoya in the

second half put the game out of reach for Compton that was unable to generate any offense.

“This game builds a lot of confidence and we were able to get a lot of [scoring] opportunities. A win always boosts spirits, but we have also have to take into consideration that they [Compton] were playing with only nine players,” ELAC Head Coach Tessa Troglia said.

Troglia also found this game against a struggling Compton team as an opportunity to work on their offense.

“We got to work on getting shots on goal, getting different personnel involved in the attack. It’s just another practice for us when we play them unfortunately because of their situation. They lost a coach and they lost a lot of players,” Troglia said.

The Huskies will move into second place in the conference standings in an away game at Mt. SAC Friday.

“We’re not saying that we have a for sure spot yet, but we’re playing like we do. We’re going to play like we’re trying to secure a spot for playoffs,” Looney said.

The match against Mt. SAC is a must win for the Huskies.

“The game is huge, we need to beat them. That game will be the determining factor if we make playoffs or not,” Troglia said.

Women’s soccer stays in contention